Patents by Inventor Gregg J. Overfield
Gregg J. Overfield 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: 12344241Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to navigating a trailer after the physical connection between a vehicle and trailer disconnects. In one embodiment, a method includes responsive to determining that a physical connection between a vehicle and a trailer has disconnected, determining trajectory information for navigating the trailer without a connection to the vehicle. The method includes communicating the trajectory information to the trailer to cause the trailer to follow a trajectory associated with the vehicle. The method includes monitoring whether the trailer is following the trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2022Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Corey Zwegers, Danil V. Prokhorov, Sergei S. Avedisov, Paul Timothy Fanson, Gregg J. Overfield, Miles J. Johnson, Shigenori Shibata, Adam R. VanAntwerp
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Patent number: 12346679Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to updating vehicle software by using additional connectivity from an alternate device. In one embodiment, a method includes initiating a download from a first point and a second point within a software package by a communication module associated with a vehicle and an alternate device. The method also includes, responsive to comparing progress points of the download between the communication module and the alternate device, adapting the download according to the progress points and network connectivity by the communication module to complete the download, the first point and the second point being opposing ends within the software package.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Vladimeros Vladimerou, Gregg J. Overfield, Drew Cunningham, John-Michael McNew
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Patent number: 12099353Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a trailer without the presence of a physical connection. In one embodiment, a method includes in response to receiving a signal to initiate hitchless maneuvering of a trailer separately from a controlling vehicle, acquiring control inputs to maneuver the trailer from an input device within the controlling vehicle. The method includes communicating, from the controlling vehicle to the trailer, the control inputs to maneuver the trailer. The method includes in response to receiving feedback from the trailer indicating the trailer is within a requested position, sending a control signal to stop the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2022Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Gregg J. Overfield, Paul Timothy Fanson, Derek S. Caveney, Mehmet Ali Guney, Stephen L Robertson, Miles J. Johnson
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Publication number: 20240092209Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of determining, by a charging facility, an amount of current charge in a vehicle, an amount of requested charge for the vehicle, and an amount of time to charge the vehicle; charging, by the charging facility, the vehicle based on the determining; ceasing, by the charging facility, the charging of the vehicle, when another vehicle with an amount of requested charge is lower than the amount of requested charge of the vehicle and an amount of time to charge the another vehicle is less than the amount of time to charge the vehicle, and responsive to the another vehicle receiving the amount of requested charge, continuing to charge, by the charging facility, the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Gregg J. Overfield
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Patent number: 11868755Abstract: A system for updating software installed on an electronic unit on a vehicle can include a processor and a memory. The processor can be disposed on an intermediate communications device. The intermediate communications device can be a mobile device. The memory can store an update request module and an update existence module. The update request module can include instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to receive, from the electronic unit on the vehicle, a request for an update of the software. The request can include: (1) an identification of a version of the software currently installed on the electronic unit and (2) a key to specifically identify the electronic unit. The update existence module can include instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to receive, from a device associated with development of the software, information about an existence of the update.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Vladimeros Vladimerou, Gregg J. Overfield, Drew Cunningham, John-Michael McNew
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Publication number: 20230249680Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to navigating a trailer after the physical connection between a vehicle and trailer disconnects. In one embodiment, a method includes responsive to determining that a physical connection between a vehicle and a trailer has disconnected, determining trajectory information for navigating the trailer without a connection to the vehicle. The method includes communicating the trajectory information to the trailer to cause the trailer to follow a trajectory associated with the vehicle. The method includes monitoring whether the trailer is following the trajectory.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2022Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Corey Zwegers, Danil V. Prokhorov, Sergei S. Avedisov, Paul Timothy Fanson, Gregg J. Overfield, Miles J. Johnson, Shigenori Shibata, Adam R. VanAntwerp
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Publication number: 20230236593Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a trailer without the presence of a physical connection. In one embodiment, a method includes in response to receiving a signal to initiate hitchless maneuvering of a trailer separately from a controlling vehicle, acquiring control inputs to maneuver the trailer from an input device within the controlling vehicle. The method includes communicating, from the controlling vehicle to the trailer, the control inputs to maneuver the trailer. The method includes in response to receiving feedback from the trailer indicating the trailer is within a requested position, sending a control signal to stop the trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Gregg J. Overfield, Paul Timothy Fanson, Derek S. Caveney, Mehmet Ali Guney, Stephen L. Robertson, Miles J. Johnson
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Publication number: 20230036661Abstract: A system for updating software installed on an electronic unit on a vehicle can include a processor and a memory. The processor can be disposed on an intermediate communications device. The intermediate communications device can be a mobile device. The memory can store an update request module and an update existence module. The update request module can include instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to receive, from the electronic unit on the vehicle, a request for an update of the software. The request can include: (1) an identification of a version of the software currently installed on the electronic unit and (2) a key to specifically identify the electronic unit. The update existence module can include instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to receive, from a device associated with development of the software, information about an existence of the update.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2021Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Vladimeros Vladimerou, Gregg J. Overfield, Drew Cunningham, John-Michael McNew
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Publication number: 20230017403Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to updating vehicle software by using additional connectivity from an alternate device. In one embodiment, a method includes initiating a download from a first point and a second point within a software package by a communication module associated with a vehicle and an alternate device. The method also includes, responsive to comparing progress points of the download between the communication module and the alternate device, adapting the download according to the progress points and network connectivity by the communication module to complete the download, the first point and the second point being opposing ends within the software package.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2021Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Vladimeros Vladimerou, Gregg J. Overfield, Drew Cunningham, John-Michael McNew
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Publication number: 20160339886Abstract: An electromagnetic brake pedal feel simulation system may simulate the feel of a manual brake pedal when force is applied to a power-assist brake pedal mounted to an arm. The electromagnetic brake pedal feel simulation system may include an electromagnetic movement resistance device. The device may mechanically couple to the power-assist brake pedal pad or arm and may apply a controllable amount of force against a braking force that is applied to a power-assist brake pedal pad that is a function of the amount of a drive signal current. The electromagnetic movement resistance device may include a pair of magnets having both of their north or south poles facing each other and that come closer together as force is applied to the power-assist brake pedal pad. At least one of the magnets may be an electromagnetic to which the drive signal current may be applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Robert C. MacArthur, Gregg J. Overfield