Patents by Inventor Eric R. Schmidt

Eric R. Schmidt 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: 10843694
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a collision warning system. The collision warning system includes at least one of a navigation unit, one or more sensors or a user interface. The collision warning system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the height of the vehicle or the height of the load on the vehicle is within a threshold height of the height of the object. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the vehicle is approaching the object. The electronic control unit is configured to control an operation of the vehicle to indicate that the height of the vehicle or the height of load on the vehicle is within the threshold height when a distance between vehicle and approaching object is a first threshold distance and to avoid the approaching object when the distance is a second threshold distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Eric R. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Pierfelice, Robert J. Crawford, Nicholas S. Sitarski
  • Publication number: 20200156630
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a collision warning system. The collision warning system includes at least one of a navigation unit, one or more sensors or a user interface. The collision warning system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the height of the vehicle or the height of the load on the vehicle is within a threshold height of the height of the object. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the vehicle is approaching the object. The electronic control unit is configured to control an operation of the vehicle to indicate that the height of the vehicle or the height of load on the vehicle is within the threshold height when a distance between vehicle and approaching object is a first threshold distance and to avoid the approaching object when the distance is a second threshold distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Eric R. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Pierfelice, Robert J. Crawford, Nicholas S. Sitarski
  • Patent number: 10628819
    Abstract: A computing device for a vehicle is provided. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, 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 when a vehicle is approaching a toll facility; locate available information relating to the toll facility; determine a type of toll payment desired; determine if, based on the available information, the vehicle can be autonomously driven into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired; and if the vehicle can be autonomously driven into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired, autonomously drive the vehicle into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rovik, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10144374
    Abstract: A vehicle can be configured to automatically provide settings for one or more components of the vehicle based on a measured anthropometric feature of a person approaching the vehicle. The vehicle can include a sensor configured to acquire data (e.g., visual data) of a portion of an external environment of the vehicle. The external environment can include a person approaching the vehicle. The vehicle can include a component that can be adjustable across a plurality of settings. The component can have a current setting. A processor can be operatively connected to the sensor and the component. The acquired data can be analyzed to measure an anthropometric feature of the person approaching the vehicle. A target setting of the component can be determined based on the measured anthropometric feature. The current setting of the component can be caused to match the determined target setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan E. Yamasaki, Sean L. Helm, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10139243
    Abstract: A navigation system (NAV system) may provide a variety of information and may be integrated with a variety of on-board vehicle systems or features. The NAV system may provide various route guidance options between a present location and a desired destination. The route guidance options may be based on a high level of user preferences. The high level of user preferences may be selected by the user in advance or at the time of requesting route guidance. The NAV system may provide various route options based on key geographical features along the route. The NAV system may provide various route options based on personal points of interest. The NAV system may provide various route options based on a user's route habits or frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rovik, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9912475
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing cryptographic keys, while a vehicle is in operation, for use in secure vehicle communications. The method may include obtaining unique entropy data from an entropy source based on dynamically changing, transient variables related to the operation of the vehicle, optionally in a driving mode. The method may include seeding a random number generator with the unique entropy data to generate at least one random number. A plurality of cryptographic keys are generated based on the at least one random number. A secure communication exchange may be established using the plurality of cryptographic keys. A non-transitory computer-readable medium is also provided having instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a processor, perform the above operations as an algorithm in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Pierfelice
  • Publication number: 20170314949
    Abstract: A navigation system (NAV system) may provide a variety of information and may be integrated with a variety of on-board vehicle systems or features. The NAV system may provide various route guidance options between a present location and a desired destination. The route guidance options may be based on a high level of user preferences. The high level of user preferences may be selected by the user in advance or at the time of requesting route guidance. The NAV system may provide various route options based on key geographical features along the route. The NAV system may provide various route options based on personal points of interest. The NAV system may provide various route options based on a user's route habits or frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rovik, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20170228717
    Abstract: A computing device for a vehicle is provided. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, 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 when a vehicle is approaching a toll facility; locate available information relating to the toll facility; determine a type of toll payment desired; determine if, based on the available information, the vehicle can be autonomously driven into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired; and if the vehicle can be autonomously driven into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired, autonomously drive the vehicle into a payment lane that is in accordance with the type of toll payment desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rovik, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20170219374
    Abstract: A computing device for a vehicle configured to utilize solar energy is provided. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors include circuitry configured for, responsive to instructions stored in the memory determining at least one travel route from a current location of the vehicle to a destination of the vehicle; determining an estimated solar energy reception for the at least one travel route; and providing a notification relating to the at least one travel route, the notification including information representing the estimated vehicle solar energy reception for the at least one travel route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Sitarski, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20170106875
    Abstract: A vehicle can be configured to automatically provide settings for one or more components of the vehicle based on a measured anthropometric feature of a person approaching the vehicle. The vehicle can include a sensor configured to acquire data (e.g., visual data) of a portion of an external environment of the vehicle. The external environment can include a person approaching the vehicle. The vehicle can include a component that can be adjustable across a plurality of settings. The component can have a current setting. A processor can be operatively connected to the sensor and the component. The acquired data can be analyzed to measure an anthropometric feature of the person approaching the vehicle. A target setting of the component can be determined based on the measured anthropometric feature. The current setting of the component can be caused to match the determined target setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Bryan E. Yamasaki, Sean L. Helm, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9589464
    Abstract: A method is provided for alerting a driver of a vehicle of an unsafe exterior lighting status. The method includes receiving, at a first vehicle, information sufficient to detect a presence of a second vehicle. Once a vehicle is detected, the method continues to identify a direction of travel of the second vehicle with respect to the first vehicle. The method includes measuring a level of ambient light, and determining the level of ambient light is below a threshold level. The method further identifies any presence of functioning exterior lighting of the second vehicle by detecting a light color and light intensity. When an unsafe exterior lighting status is determined, the method includes alerting a driver of the second vehicle using a vehicle-to-vehicle communication signal. The signal includes a notification suggesting usage of at least one of headlights, parking lights, and hazard lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rovik, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20170026176
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing cryptographic keys, while a vehicle is in operation, for use in secure vehicle communications. The method may include obtaining unique entropy data from an entropy source based on dynamically changing, transient variables related to the operation of the vehicle, optionally in a driving mode. The method may include seeding a random number generator with the unique entropy data to generate at least one random number. A plurality of cryptographic keys are generated based on the at least one random number. A secure communication exchange may be established using the plurality of cryptographic keys. A non-transitory computer-readable medium is also provided having instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a processor, perform the above operations as an algorithm in a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Eric R. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Pierfelice
  • Publication number: 20160343254
    Abstract: A method is provided for alerting a driver of a vehicle of an unsafe exterior lighting status. The method includes receiving, at a first vehicle, information sufficient to detect a presence of a second vehicle. Once a vehicle is detected, the method continues to identify a direction of travel of the second vehicle with respect to the first vehicle. The method includes measuring a level of ambient light, and determining the level of ambient light is below a threshold level. The method further identifies any presence of functioning exterior lighting of the second vehicle by detecting a light color and light intensity. When an unsafe exterior lighting status is determined, the method includes alerting a driver of the second vehicle using a vehicle-to-vehicle communication signal. The signal includes a notification suggesting usage of at least one of headlights, parking lights, and hazard lights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rovik, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20160080861
    Abstract: Disclosed are computer devices, systems, and methods for dynamic microphone switching for a vehicle. A plurality of microphones can be located throughout the vehicle cabin, each biased toward a different seat. When audio is received from the microphones, the volumes of the audio input for each respective microphone can be compared. The microphone with the loudest audio input can be activated and the audio input can be sent to an application, such as a telephone application. The other microphones can be muted and their audio inputs discarded. A baseline threshold can be used to determine if audio input detected by a microphone is intentional or is merely ambient noise. Weight sensors in each seat can also be used to determine whether a microphone should be activated. For example, if nobody is sitting in a particular seat, then that microphone can automatically be muted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Sean L. Helm, Jeffrey E. Pierfelice, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7996577
    Abstract: A method and system for configuring a network device is provided. In one implementation the method and system may include directing, via a multiplexer, a group of signals defined by a serial communication format from a primary serial configuration interface to a communication port in a CPU. A universal-serial-bus-to-serial (USB) signal may be detected at a USB interface and converted by a USB-to-serial converter circuit to the serial communication format and directed, via the same multiplexer, to the universal-asynchronous-receiver-transmitter instead of the serial signals from the primary serial configuration interface. A detection signal may be communicated from the USB-to-serial converter circuit to the multiplexer. Alternatively, the detection signal may be directed to the CPU, which may then communicate a selection signal to the multiplexer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Schmidt, Dattatri Mattur
  • Publication number: 20100121996
    Abstract: A method and system for configuring a network device is provided. In one implementation the method and system may include directing, via a multiplexer, a group of signals defined by a serial communication format from a primary serial configuration interface to a communication port in a CPU. A universal-serial-bus-to-serial (USB) signal may be detected at a USB interface and converted by a USB-to-serial converter circuit to the serial communication format and directed, via the same multiplexer, to the universal-asynchronous-receiver-transmitter instead of the serial signals from the primary serial configuration interface. A detection signal may be communicated from the USB-to-serial converter circuit to the multiplexer. Alternatively, the detection signal may be directed to the CPU, which may then communicate a selection signal to the multiplexer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Eric R. Schmidt, Dattatri Mattur
  • Patent number: 5135789
    Abstract: The invention consists of a method which provides a business form with removable labels. This method produces a business form which maintains its integrity and does not jam or damage production or processing equipment. It includes providing a first web with a bottom release ply, a top label stock ply and adhesive disposed between these two plies for releasably joining the two together. It also provides a second web and places it in side-by-side laterally spaced relation with the first web. The method further includes the step of adhering a splicing strip to the first and second webs to join them together. The resulting form includes the first and second webs disposed in spaced, side-by-side relation. It also includes the splicing strip adhered to the inner edge portions of the first and second webs to connect the first and second webs together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Wallace Computer Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5006191
    Abstract: The invention consists of a method which provides a business form with removable labels. This method produces a business form which maintains its integrity and does not jam or damage production or processing equipment. It includes providing a first web with a bottom release ply, a top label stock ply and adhesive disposed between these two plies for releasably joining the two together. It also provides a second web and places it in side-by-side laterally spaced relation with the first web. The method further includes the step of adhering a splicing strip to the first and second webs to join them together. The resulting form includes the first and second webs disposed in spaced, side-by-side relation. It also includes the splicing strip adhered to the inner edge portions of the first and second webs to connect the first and second webs together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Wallace Computer Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4865669
    Abstract: The invention consists of a method which provides a business form with removable labels. The method produces a business form which maintains its integrity and does not jam or damage production or processing equipment. It includes providing a first web comprising a bottom release ply, a top label stock ply, and adhesive disposed between these two piles for releasably joining the two together. It also provides a second web and places it in side-by-side laterally spaced relation with the first web. The method further includes the step of adhering a splicing strip to the first and second webs to join them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Wallace Computer Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4696843
    Abstract: A business form includes a first sheet 16 of label stock having one side 24 coated with a first pressure sensitive adhesive 22, a first sheet 18 of release liner stock engaged with the first adhesive 22 with the release liner 18 and the label stock 16 being laterally offset from one another so that a narrow strip "N" of the first adhesive that is unengaged with the release liner 18 exists. A second sheet 36 of label stock is provided and is coated on one side 38 with a second pressure sensitive adhesive 40. A second sheet 42 of release liner stock is adhered at one edge to the first label stock sheet 16 at the narrow strip "N" of first adhesive 24 as well as to the second sheet 36 of label stock by the second adhesive 40. The characteristics of the two label stock or the characteristics of the two adhesives, or both may be varied to achieve various purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Uarco Incorporated
    Inventor: Eric R. Schmidt