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).

  • Patent number: 10493957
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
  • Patent number: 10059285
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
  • Patent number: 10025899
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Publication number: 20180050664
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
  • Patent number: 9884621
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Publication number: 20170369010
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
  • Publication number: 20170361835
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Publication number: 20170364869
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Publication number: 20170364629
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Patent number: 9725036
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher T. Tarte
  • Publication number: 20100079241
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Christopher T. Tarte, Dallas D. Hickerson
  • Patent number: 6872880
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Scott King, Christopher T. Tarte
  • Publication number: 20040256128
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: R. Scott King, Christopher T. Tarte