Patents by Inventor Christopher T. Tarte
Christopher T. Tarte 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: 10493957Abstract: Provided is a device and method for applying a control state based on vehicle occupancy of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes sensing an identification parameter for each of a set of initial vehicle occupants. The method prioritizes the vehicle authority level for the each vehicle occupant of the set of initial vehicle occupants, and producing an initial vehicle control priority among the set of initial vehicle occupants. Based on the initial vehicle control priority, applying the vehicle control state parameter to an autonomous vehicle operational mode. The method, when a vehicle occupancy change event occurs, senses an identification parameter for each vehicle occupant of a set of subsequent vehicle occupants. The method continues by prioritizing the vehicle authority level for the each vehicle occupant of the set of subsequent vehicle occupants and producing a subsequent vehicle control priority among the set of subsequent vehicle occupants.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
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Patent number: 10059285Abstract: A computing system for a vehicle is provided. The computing system includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine if a vehicle fuel level or battery power level is below a predetermined threshold. If the vehicle fuel level or battery power level is below the threshold, it is determined if at least one energy conservation measure has been pre-selected by a user. If at least one energy conservation measure has been pre-selected by a user, it is determined whether or not a user approves implementation of the at least one energy conservation measure. If a user approves implementation of the at least one energy conservation measure, the at least one energy conservation measure is implemented.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
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Patent number: 10025899Abstract: A computing system for a vehicle is provided. The computing system includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine if the vehicle is operating with at least one occupant inside the vehicle. If the vehicle is operating without at least one occupant inside the vehicle, the system may control the vehicle so as to disable and/or deactivate selected ones of driver-usage systems/components and passenger-usage systems/components.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
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Publication number: 20180050664Abstract: Provided is a device and method for applying a control state based on vehicle occupancy of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes sensing an identification parameter for each of a set of initial vehicle occupants. The method prioritizes the vehicle authority level for the each vehicle occupant of the set of initial vehicle occupants, and producing an initial vehicle control priority among the set of initial vehicle occupants. Based on the initial vehicle control priority, applying the vehicle control state parameter to an autonomous vehicle operational mode. The method, when a vehicle occupancy change event occurs, senses an identification parameter for each vehicle occupant of a set of subsequent vehicle occupants. The method continues by prioritizing the vehicle authority level for the each vehicle occupant of the set of subsequent vehicle occupants and producing a subsequent vehicle control priority among the set of subsequent vehicle occupants.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
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Patent number: 9884621Abstract: Devices and methods in an autonomous parking controller for a vehicle are disclosed. When the vehicle is located at a parking location, the method determines whether the parking location includes a parking restriction. When the parking location includes the parking restriction, the example method compares the parking restriction with at least one restriction threshold. When the parking restriction compares unfavorably with the at least one restriction threshold, the example method, while at the parking location, monitors for a change in at least one of a plurality of ambient conditions relative to the vehicle. When the example method detects the change, the vehicle is autonomously relocated to another location to alleviate the active obstruction.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
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Publication number: 20170369010Abstract: A computing system for a vehicle is provided. The computing system includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine if a vehicle fuel level or battery power level is below a predetermined threshold. If the vehicle fuel level or battery power level is below the threshold, it is determined if at least one energy conservation measure has been pre-selected by a user. If at least one energy conservation measure has been pre-selected by a user, it is determined whether or not a user approves implementation of the at least one energy conservation measure. If a user approves implementation of the at least one energy conservation measure, the at least one energy conservation measure is implemented.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
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Publication number: 20170361835Abstract: Devices and methods in an autonomous parking controller for a vehicle are disclosed. When the vehicle is located at a parking location, the method determines whether the parking location includes a parking restriction. When the parking location includes the parking restriction, the example method compares the parking restriction with at least one restriction threshold. When the parking restriction compares unfavorably with the at least one restriction threshold, the example method, while at the parking location, monitors for a change in at least one of a plurality of ambient conditions relative to the vehicle. When the example method detects the change, the vehicle is autonomously relocated to another location to alleviate the active obstruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2016Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
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Publication number: 20170364869Abstract: A method includes steps of determining, by a computing system of a vehicle, a service center to which the vehicle is to be driven for servicing. The method may further include the steps of, by the computing system, autonomously driving the vehicle from a start location to the service center, and from the service center to a designated end location after servicing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2016Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
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Publication number: 20170364629Abstract: A computing system for a vehicle is provided. The computing system includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine if the vehicle is operating with at least one occupant inside the vehicle. If the vehicle is operating without at least one occupant inside the vehicle, the system may control the vehicle so as to disable and/or deactivate selected ones of driver-usage systems/components and passenger-usage systems/components.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2016Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
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Patent number: 9725036Abstract: A vehicle can be configured to attempt to awaken a sleeping occupant when certain wake-up events have occurred. It can be determined whether a wake-up event has occurred. In one or more arrangements, the wake-up event can relate to the refueling of the vehicle (e.g., fuel level or recharge level). Sensor data relating to a vehicle occupant can be acquired. Based on the acquired sensor data, it can be determined whether the vehicle occupant is sleeping. Responsive to determining that the vehicle occupant is sleeping, the vehicle can cause a wake-up alert to be presented within the vehicle. The wake-up alert can be a visual, audial, and/or haptic wake-up alert.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
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Publication number: 20100079241Abstract: An integrated vehicle entry/data transfer device (100) comprises vehicle entry logic (208) adapted to provide at least one vehicle entry function, a data input/output port (120) that is adapted to receive external data and a memory (204) that is adapted to store external data received via the data input/output port (120). The integrated vehicle entry/data transfer device (100) also comprises data processing logic (203) adapted to transfer data from the data input/output port (120) to the memory (204) and from the memory (204) to a vehicle system in a vehicle, whereby the external data is brought into the vehicle via operation of the at least one vehicle entry function and transferred to the vehicle system from the memory (204).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North AmericaInventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Dallas D. Hickerson
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Patent number: 6872880Abstract: A two-piece electromagnetic shield includes an electrically conductive first cover and an electrically conductive second cover. The first cover has a plurality of mating protrusions approximate a lower edge of the first cover. The second cover has a plurality of mating recesses approximate a lower edge of the second cover, which each receive one of the mating protrusions of the first cover to interlock the first and second covers. The mating protrusions are formed on different first mating arms that extend from the lower edge of the first cover.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: R. Scott King, Christopher T. Tarte
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Publication number: 20040256128Abstract: A two-piece electromagnetic shield includes an electrically conductive first cover and an electrically conductive second cover. The first cover has a plurality of mating protrusions approximate a lower edge of the first cover. The second cover has a plurality of mating recesses approximate a lower edge of the second cover, which each receive one of the mating protrusions of the first cover to interlock the first and second covers. The mating protrusions are formed on different first mating arms that extend from the lower edge of the first cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: R. Scott King, Christopher T. Tarte