Patents by Inventor Christopher P. Lee
Christopher P. Lee has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11865053Abstract: A powered wheelchair apparatus includes a chair component, a power base component and a wheelchair control system. The wheelchair control system includes a processor and a user input device communicatively coupled to the processor. A display is communicatively coupled to the processor. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive user instructions from the user input device and display a message on the display based on the user instructions. The display is on a back of the chair component.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Moore, Christopher P. Lee, Melvin Alfredo Dominquez, Thomas Mitchell Dair
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Publication number: 20220273507Abstract: A powered wheelchair apparatus includes a chair component, a power base component and a wheelchair control system. The wheelchair control system includes a processor and a user input device communicatively coupled to the processor. A display is communicatively coupled to the processor. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive user instructions from the user input device and display a message on the display based on the user instructions. The display is on a back of the chair component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Moore, Christopher P. Lee, Melvin Alfredo Dominquez, Thomas Mitchell Dair
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Patent number: 11364162Abstract: A powered wheelchair apparatus includes a chair component, a power base component and a wheelchair control system. The wheelchair control system includes a processor and a user input device communicatively coupled to the processor. A display is communicatively coupled to the processor. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive user instructions from the user input device and display a message on the display based on the user instructions. The display is on a back of the chair component.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Moore, Christopher P. Lee, Melvin Alfredo Dominguez, Thomas Mitchell Dair
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Publication number: 20200337919Abstract: A powered wheelchair apparatus includes a chair component, a power base component and a wheelchair control system. The wheelchair control system includes a processor and a user input device communicatively coupled to the processor. A display is communicatively coupled to the processor. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive user instructions from the user input device and display a message on the display based on the user instructions. The display is on a back of the chair component.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Applicant: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Moore, Christopher P. Lee, Melvin Alfredo Dominguez, Thomas Mitchell Dair
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Patent number: 10744048Abstract: A powered wheelchair apparatus includes a chair component, a power base component and a wheelchair control system. The wheelchair control system includes a processor and a user input device communicatively coupled to the processor. A display is communicatively coupled to the processor. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive user instructions from the user input device and display a message on the display based on the user instructions. The display is on a back of the chair component.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Moore, Christopher P. Lee, Melvin Alfredo Dominguez, Thomas Mitchell Dair
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Publication number: 20190307619Abstract: A powered wheelchair apparatus includes a chair component, a power base component and a wheelchair control system. The wheelchair control system includes a processor and a user input device communicatively coupled to the processor. A display is communicatively coupled to the processor. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive user instructions from the user input device and display a message on the display based on the user instructions. The display is on a back of the chair component.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Applicant: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Moore, Christopher P. Lee, Paul Ellsworth Nichols, Thomas Mitchell Dair
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Patent number: 10408625Abstract: Vision-assist systems that inform visually impaired users regarding the current state of a room are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes an image sensor for obtaining a baseline image of the room including one or more items in the room positioned in an in-order state, and memory to store the baseline image. The system may include a motion sensor to detect when the user is approaching the room to activate the image sensor to obtain a real-time image of the room. A detection module determines whether the room and items in the room are in an in-order state or an out-of-order state when compared with the baseline image, and an output module notifies the user of the current state of room. In this manner, a visually impaired user can be informed of the state of a room which thereby aids the user in navigating or moving within the room.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Christopher P. Lee
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Patent number: 10380806Abstract: Systems and methods of receiving and detecting dimensional aspects of a malleable target object are disclosed. A method of receiving dimensional aspects of a malleable target object includes forming the malleable target object from a malleable material including a magnetic component that generates a magnetic field having particular dimensional aspects that correspond to dimensional aspects of the target object, placing the malleable target object within a sensed area such that a sensor senses the particular dimensional aspects of the magnetic field and generates sensed data corresponding to the particular dimensional aspects of the magnetic field, and receiving, from a computing device, the three dimensional computer rendering of the malleable target object.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. Lee, Douglas Moore, Tiffany Chen
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Patent number: 10188580Abstract: A system for providing, to a user, navigation directions to a point of interest. The system includes a device having an output unit configured to output the navigation directions to the point of interest. The device is configured to communicate, to an unmanned vehicle, a point of interest identification. The system also includes the unmanned vehicle having a camera configured to detect image data. The unmanned vehicle is configured to determine whether the point of interest identification is detected from the image data. The unmanned vehicle is also configured to determine a point of interest location when the point of interest identification is detected from the image data. The unmanned vehicle is also configured to determine point of interest navigation data based on the point of interest location. The unmanned vehicle is also configured to communicate, to the device, the point of interest navigation data.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Rajiv Dayal, Christopher P. Lee, Allison Thackston
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Publication number: 20180261015Abstract: Systems and methods of receiving and detecting dimensional aspects of a malleable target object are disclosed. A method of receiving dimensional aspects of a malleable target object includes forming the malleable target object from a malleable material including a magnetic component that generates a magnetic field having particular dimensional aspects that correspond to dimensional aspects of the target object, placing the malleable target object within a sensed area such that a sensor senses the particular dimensional aspects of the magnetic field and generates sensed data corresponding to the particular dimensional aspects of the magnetic field, and receiving, from a computing device, the three dimensional computer rendering of the malleable target object.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2017Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Christopher P. Lee, Douglas Moore, Tiffany Chen
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Patent number: 10024680Abstract: A device for providing spatial information to a user. The device includes a camera configured to detect image data. The device also includes an accelerometer configured to determine step data. The device also includes a processor connected to the camera and the accelerometer and configured to determine a distance travelled per step of the user based on the image data and the step data. The processor is also configured to determine a distance to a reference point based on the image data. The processor is also configured to determine a number of steps corresponding to the distance to the reference point based on the distance travelled per step of the user. The device also includes an output unit connected to the processor and configured to output the spatial information indicating the number of steps corresponding to the distance to the reference point.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Christopher P. Lee, Carlo Cruz, Allison Thackston
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Patent number: 9996730Abstract: Vision-assist systems including user eye tracking cameras are disclosed. A vision-assist system includes a processor, a memory module communicatively coupled to the processor, a user eye tracking camera communicatively coupled to the processor, an environment camera communicatively coupled to the processor, a feedback device communicatively coupled to the processor, and machine readable instructions stored in the memory module that, when executed by the processor, cause the vision-assist system to receive environment image data from the environment camera, determine a location of an individual speaking to a user based on the environment image data, receive user eye tracking image data from the user eye tracking camera, determine a pose of the user's eyes based on the user eye tracking image data, and provide feedback to the user with the feedback device based on the location of the individual speaking to the user and the pose of the user's eyes.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Christopher P. Lee
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Patent number: 9958275Abstract: A wearable smart device includes an outer casing wearable by a user and defining at least one cavity and having a neck portion, a first end portion designed to rest on a first shoulder of the user, and a second end portion designed to rest on a second shoulder of the user. The wearable smart device also includes a wireless communication port at least partially positioned within the cavity and designed to communicate with a remote device. The wireless communication port includes a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) port, a near field communication (NFC) port, an infrared communication port and/or an ultrasound communication port. A processor is positioned within the cavity, coupled to the wireless communication port and designed to transmit one or more signals to the remote device and/or receive one or more signals from the remote device via the wireless communication port.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Suhas E. Chelian, Christopher P. Lee
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Publication number: 20170343354Abstract: A wearable smart device includes an outer casing wearable by a user and defining at least one cavity and having a neck portion, a first end portion designed to rest on a first shoulder of the user, and a second end portion designed to rest on a second shoulder of the user. The wearable smart device also includes a wireless communication port at least partially positioned within the cavity and designed to communicate with a remote device. The wireless communication port includes a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) port, a near field communication (NFC) port, an infrared communication port and/or an ultrasound communication port. A processor is positioned within the cavity, coupled to the wireless communication port and designed to transmit one or more signals to the remote device and/or receive one or more signals from the remote device via the wireless communication port.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Suhas E. Chelian, Christopher P. Lee
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Patent number: 9829322Abstract: Systems and methods for directing a vision-impaired user to a vehicle are disclosed. One embodiment of a system includes a vision-assist apparatus that includes an output device for communicating data that is perceptible by a vision-impaired user and a computing device that is coupled to the output device. The computing device may include a processor and memory that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the vision-assist apparatus to receive an indication that the vehicle has arrived at a predetermined location, receive, from the vehicle computing device, a specific real-time position of the vehicle in the predetermined location, and determine a route to direct the vision-impaired user to the specific real-time position. In some embodiments, the logic further causes the vision-assist apparatus to provide instructions to traverse the route to the specific real-time position for output by the output device.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. Lee
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Publication number: 20170319426Abstract: A system for providing, to a user, navigation directions to a point of interest. The system includes a device having an output unit configured to output the navigation directions to the point of interest. The device is configured to communicate, to an unmanned vehicle, a point of interest identification. The system also includes the unmanned vehicle having a camera configured to detect image data. The unmanned vehicle is configured to determine Whether the point of interest identification is detected from the image data. The unmanned vehicle is also configured to determine a point of interest location when the point of interest identification is detected from the image data. The unmanned vehicle is also configured to determine point of interest navigation data based on the point of interest location. The unmanned vehicle is also configured to communicate, to the device, the point of interest navigation data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2016Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Rajiv Dayal, Christopher P. Lee, Allison Thackston
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Patent number: 9797729Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic adjustment of a wearable device are provided. One embodiment of a method includes determining whether a navigation sensor is in a desired position and, in response to determining that the navigation sensor is not in a desired position, determining a desired modification to the navigation sensor for achieving the desired position. Some embodiments include determining a change of a repositioning device for achieving the desired modification to the navigation sensor and actuating the repositioning device to implement the change.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. Lee
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Publication number: 20170299394Abstract: Vision-assist systems that inform visually impaired users regarding the current state of a room are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes an image sensor for obtaining a baseline image of the room including one or more items in the room positioned in an in-order state, and memory to store the baseline image. The system may include a motion sensor to detect when the user is approaching the room to activate the image sensor to obtain a real-time image of the room. A detection module determines whether the room and items in the room are in an in-order state or an out-of-order state when compared with the baseline image, and an output module notifies the user of the current state of room. In this manner, a visually impaired user can be informed of the state of a room which thereby aids the user in navigating or moving within the room.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. Lee
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Publication number: 20170270347Abstract: Vision-assist systems including user eye tracking cameras are disclosed. A vision-assist system includes a processor, a memory module communicatively coupled to the processor, a user eye tracking camera communicatively coupled to the processor, an environment camera communicatively coupled to the processor, a feedback device communicatively coupled to the processor, and machine readable instructions stored in the memory module that, when executed by the processor, cause the vision-assist system to receive environment image data from the environment camera, determine a location of an individual speaking to a user based on the environment image data, receive user eye tracking image data from the user eye tracking camera, determine a pose of the user's eyes based on the user eye tracking image data, and provide feedback to the user with the feedback device based on the location of the individual speaking to the user and the pose of the user's eyes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2016Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. Lee
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Patent number: D827143Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Rajiv Dayal, Christopher P. Lee, Douglas A. Moore, Tiffany L. Chen, Patrick K. Ching, Nagisa Adachi, Youenn Colin