Patents by Inventor Joseph T. Conners

Joseph T. Conners 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).

  • Publication number: 20250121823
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of: determining, by a vehicle, a type of sign that is proximate a road, based on received data from at least one sensor on the vehicle; and directing, by the vehicle, at least one portion of at least one headlight of the vehicle to illuminate the sign, wherein at least one of an intensity or a color of the illuminating is based on the type of sign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Joseph T. Conners, Jonathan G. Schuitema
  • Patent number: 11794686
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes an airbag stored within an onboard compartment and inflatable by an onboard inflator. When inflated, the airbag extends from an outer surface of the vehicle, and has a shape that is recognizable, to a sensor on an approaching second vehicle, as at least a portion of a solid structure of the vehicle. The airbag is also configured to absorb at least some energy from a collision between the vehicle and the approaching second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph T. Conners
  • Patent number: 11654921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting driver distraction, such as improving (e.g., maintaining) driver attention to driving when driving distractions are detected, are provided. A system may include at least one sensor for determining an attention of a driver on a travel path and an interface module configured to reengage attention of the driver on the travel path. An image capturing device may detect an environment surrounding the vehicle. A logic device may determine whether the environment surrounding the vehicle includes an external distraction or whether the driver is distracted by an internal distraction. The at least one sensor may monitor the driver for a distracted behavior. The driver may be required to take an action when a distraction is determined. For example, the driver may interact with a driver monitoring system to verify reengagement to driving (e.g., by identifying a second vehicle on the roadway).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Conners, Ryan M. Wiesenberg
  • Publication number: 20220144284
    Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting driver distraction, such as improving (e.g., maintaining) driver attention to driving when driving distractions are detected, are provided. A system may include at least one sensor for determining an attention of a driver on a travel path and an interface module configured to reengage attention of the driver on the travel path. An image capturing device may detect an environment surrounding the vehicle. A logic device may determine whether the environment surrounding the vehicle includes an external distraction or whether the driver is distracted by an internal distraction. The at least one sensor may monitor the driver for a distracted behavior. The driver may be required to take an action when a distraction is determined. For example, the driver may interact with a driver monitoring system to verify reengagement to driving (e.g., by identifying a second vehicle on the roadway).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph T. Conners, Ryan M. Wiesenberg
  • Publication number: 20220126781
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle that includes an airbag stored within an onboard compartment and inflatable by an onboard inflator. When inflated, the airbag extends from an outer surface of the vehicle, and has a shape that is recognizable, to a sensor on an approaching second vehicle, as at least a portion of a solid structure of the vehicle. The airbag is also configured to absorb at least some energy from a collision between the vehicle and the approaching second vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventor: Joseph T. Conners