Patents by Inventor Craig D. Herring

Craig D. Herring 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: 12145442
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the intensity of light provided to an analog needle are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust the intensity of light provided to the analog needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: George M. Evans, Aaron M. France, Benjamin Piya Austin, Craig D. Herring, Philip J. Babian, Ichiroh Isobe, William Patrick Garrett
  • Patent number: 11958466
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting in a hybrid electric vehicle display, proximate to or in some relation to each other, engine power usage, motor-generator power usage, and battery state of charge information. By combining the display of engine power usage, motor-generator power, and battery state of charge information, power distribution and related information may be presented to the operator of a vehicle to explain the vehicle's performance from a power split output and usage perspective. This can provide reassurance or confirmation that the vehicle is operating as it should, identify a problematic condition, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Craig D. Herring, Aaron M. France
  • Publication number: 20230090466
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the intensity of light provided to an analog needle are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust the intensity of light provided to the analog needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: George M. Evans, Aaron M. France, Benjamin Piya Austin, Craig D. Herring, Philip J. Babian, Ichiroh Isobe, William Patrick Garrett
  • Publication number: 20230085888
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the transparency of a digital needle of a digital gauge are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust a transparency of a digital needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: George M. Evans, Aaron M. France, Benjamin Piya Austin, Craig D. Herring, Philip J. Babian, Ichiroh Isobe, William Patrick Garrett
  • Patent number: 11602993
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the transparency of a digital needle of a digital gauge are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust a transparency of a digital needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: George M. Evans, Aaron M. France, Benjamin Piya Austin, Craig D. Herring, Philip J. Babian, Ichiroh Isobe, William Patrick Garrett
  • Patent number: 11447120
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting in a hybrid electric vehicle display, proximate to or in some relation to each other, engine power usage, motor-generator power usage, and battery state of charge information. By combining the display of engine power usage, motor-generator power, and battery state of charge information, power distribution and related information may be presented to the operator of a vehicle to explain the vehicle's performance from a power split output and usage perspective. This can provide reassurance or confirmation that the vehicle is operating as it should, identify a problematic condition, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA INC
    Inventors: Craig D. Herring, Aaron M. France
  • Patent number: 11186199
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting in a hybrid electric vehicle display, proximate to or in some relation to each other, engine power usage, motor-generator power usage, and battery state of charge information. By combining the display of engine power usage, motor-generator power, and battery state of charge information, power distribution and related information may be presented to the operator of a vehicle to explain the vehicle's performance from a power split output and usage perspective. This can provide reassurance or confirmation that the vehicle is operating as it should, identify a problematic condition, etc. Sometimes, the motor-generator power usage may be presented as boost power, where motor-generator power can augment engine power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Craig D. Herring, Aaron M. France
  • Patent number: 10781916
    Abstract: A method for controlling engine braking includes determining an amount of brake pressure being applied by a vehicle traveling on a road. The method includes determining a current velocity of the vehicle, wherein a transmission of the vehicle is operating using a first gear of a plurality of gears. The method includes, according to the amount of brake pressure and the current velocity of the vehicle, determining a road grade threshold for a second gear of the plurality of gears. The method includes determining a grade of the road. The method includes determining that the determined grade of the road satisfies the road grade threshold for the second gear of the vehicle. The method includes, in response to the determination, causing the transmission of the vehicle to operate in the second gear of the plurality of gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Hawley, Craig D. Herring
  • Publication number: 20200141486
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling engine braking is disclosed. The method includes determining an amount of brake pressure being applied by a vehicle traveling on a road. The method includes determining a current velocity of the vehicle, wherein a transmission of the vehicle is operating using a first gear of a plurality of gears. The method includes, according to the amount of brake pressure and the current velocity of the vehicle, determining a road grade threshold for a second gear of the plurality of gears. The method includes determining a grade of the road. The method includes determining that the determined grade of the road satisfies the road grade threshold for the second gear of the vehicle. The method includes, in response to the determination, causing the transmission of the vehicle to operate in the second gear of the plurality of gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas S. Hawley, Craig D. Herring