Patents by Inventor Joshua D. Payne

Joshua D. Payne 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: 9701244
    Abstract: Systems, methods and vehicles for generating cues to drivers of vehicles are disclosed. A system for generating a cue to a driver of a vehicle including at least one processor, at least one memory module communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, at least one stop (S) stored in the at least one memory module and at least one object sensor communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. When executed by the at least one processor, the machine readable instructions cause the cue generating system to detect a presence of an object in front of the vehicle, determine a cue position (Pcue) for generating a cue based on the detected presence of the object and the stop (S), and generate the cue to a driver of the vehicle based on the first position and the cue position (Pcue).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Vincent E. Roa, Lincoln Morfin
  • Patent number: 9702718
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes one or more processors, a memory, an engine, a battery, and a motor. The motor is configured to utilize electrical energy stored in the battery for powering a movement of the wheels or an operation of the hybrid vehicle. A memory stores route data and corresponding vehicle operation data. The one or more processors predict, based on the route data, that the hybrid vehicle will travel on a second route after travelling on a first route. The one or more processors predict, based on the vehicle operation data, that the state of charge (SOC) of the battery will reach or exceed a threshold value during the second route. The one or more processors set a target SOC for the battery. The one or more processors discharge the electrical energy stored in the battery during the first route based on the target SOC value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Mohammad E. Dufford
  • Patent number: 9695760
    Abstract: A method/system for maintaining the energy efficiency history of predicted route segments in a database, providing adaptive feedback to hybrid vehicle controls, and displaying the energy efficiency history to the driver. As the vehicle travels on a route, the system stores energy efficiency information for route segments. The system may include sensors, a memory, and a processor to learn energy efficiency information based on how fuel and battery power are used over a route segment and/or route. The method/system may utilize energy efficiency information to adjust a start/stop engine threshold of a hybrid vehicle. When the processor predicts that the vehicle will travels on the predicted route segment again, the vehicle may optimize powertrain parameters such as the start/stop engine threshold during traveling on the predicted route segment and/or before reaching the predicted route segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad E. Dufford, Joshua D. Payne
  • Publication number: 20170120890
    Abstract: Systems and methods for traffic learning are described. One embodiment of a method includes predicting a vehicle route of a vehicle, determining historical traffic data related to at least one segment along the vehicle route, and determining an energy traffic budget for electric power consumption of the vehicle along the vehicle route, where the energy traffic budget is learned from the historical traffic data. Some embodiments include creating a schedule for transitioning between gasoline power and electric power for the vehicle route, implementing the schedule as the vehicle traverses the vehicle route, and in response to encountering traffic along the vehicle route, implementing the energy traffic budget.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua D. Payne
  • Publication number: 20170088000
    Abstract: A system for cost-effective charge planning for a battery of a vehicle includes a battery having a SOC corresponding to an amount of energy stored by the battery. The system also includes an internal electric vehicle charger capable of receiving energy from a charging station and transferring the energy to the battery to increase the SOC. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that can predict a route set including a first destination and a second destination and an amount of time spent at each. The ECU can determine charge planning data including an amount of energy required to reach the first and second destinations and a cost of energy at the first and second destinations. The ECU can determine how much to charge the battery at the first destination and at the second destination based on the predicted route set and the determined charge planning data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Craig Cauthen
  • Publication number: 20170088049
    Abstract: Systems, methods and vehicles for generating cues to drivers of vehicles are disclosed. A system for generating a cue to a driver of a vehicle including at least one processor, at least one memory module communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, at least one stop (S) stored in the at least one memory module and at least one object sensor communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. When executed by the at least one processor, the machine readable instructions cause the cue generating system to detect a presence of an object in front of the vehicle, determine a cue position (Pcue) for generating a cue based on the detected presence of the object and the stop (S), and generate the cue to a driver of the vehicle based on the first position and the cue position (Pcue).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Vincent E. Roa, Lincoln Morfin
  • Patent number: 9605606
    Abstract: A method/system for optimizing vehicle operations for a predicted route and/or a route set. The method/system may record location data and time data for a route. Two or more routes can be linked to form a route set by analyzing the location data and time data of the routes using a linking threshold. The linking threshold may be based on a relationship between locations and/or times of different routes. The vehicle may predict that a particular route segment or route will likely be driven. An operation of a unit or a device of the vehicle over the predicted route and/or route set may be adjusted based on information stored regarding the predicted route and/or route set in order to enhance the energy efficiency of the vehicle. The links may be categorized as having different types in order to apply a different control strategy to different types of links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad E. Dufford, Joshua D. Payne, Geoffrey D. Gaither
  • Patent number: 9592766
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a stopping position are described. One embodiment of a method includes determining a stopping position for a following vehicle on a route, communicating with a leading vehicle to determine whether the leading vehicle is positioned on the route such that the following vehicle requires an adjustment to the stopping position, and adjusting the stopping position, based on the leading vehicle, to create an adjusted stopping position. In some embodiments, the method includes determining a coasting position for the following vehicle, based on the adjusted stopping position and sending a notification to a driver of the following vehicle regarding the coasting position, where the notification indicates to the driver a time to refrain from depressing an accelerator of the following vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua D. Payne
  • Publication number: 20170057412
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a stopping position are described. One embodiment of a method includes determining a stopping position for a following vehicle on a route, communicating with a leading vehicle to determine whether the leading vehicle is positioned on the route such that the following vehicle requires an adjustment to the stopping position, and adjusting the stopping position, based on the leading vehicle, to create an adjusted stopping position. In some embodiments, the method includes determining a coasting position for the following vehicle, based on the adjusted stopping position and sending a notification to a driver of the following vehicle regarding the coasting position, where the notification indicates to the driver a time to refrain from depressing an accelerator of the following vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua D. Payne
  • Publication number: 20170061825
    Abstract: Systems and methods for driver coaching are described. One embodiment of a method includes determining first vehicle efficiency data from a first vehicle as the first vehicle is traversing a route, where the vehicle efficiency data relates to a driving efficiency of a driver of the first vehicle. The method may also be configured for determining second vehicle efficiency data associated with a second vehicle that previously traversed the route and determining a driver score from the first vehicle efficiency data. Some embodiments may also be configured for comparing the driver score with the second vehicle efficiency data to determine whether the driver can improve the driving efficiency and in response to determining that the driver can improve, providing instructions for traversing a remaining portion of the route, based on actions taken by the third party in traversing that portion of the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Craig Cauthen
  • Publication number: 20160325637
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes one or more processors, a memory, an engine, a battery, and a motor. The motor is configured to utilize electrical energy stored in the battery for powering a movement of the wheels or an operation of the hybrid vehicle. A memory stores route data and corresponding vehicle operation data. The one or more processors predict, based on the route data, that the hybrid vehicle will travel on a second route after travelling on a first route. The one or more processors predict, based on the vehicle operation data, that the state of charge (SOC) of the battery will reach or exceed a threshold value during the second route. The one or more processors set a target SOC for the battery. The one or more processors discharge the electrical energy stored in the battery during the first route based on the target SOC value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Mohammad E. Dufford
  • Patent number: 9459107
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively adjusting settings of a vehicle during a known route are described. A method may include storing a driving route, parsing the driving route into a plurality of segments based on at least one of a turn detection, an intersection detection, a change in road conditions, a change in speed of the vehicle, or a predetermined distance traveled. The method may also include assigning to each segment a unique identification code, storing a plurality of values correlating to settings, the settings having values determined during a segment of the driving route, and associating each of the plurality of values to the unique identification code of the segment in which the setting was determined. The method may also include automatically changing each of the plurality of values at the beginning of each segment in which the value was altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Mohammad E. Dufford, Geoffrey D. Gaither
  • Patent number: 9290108
    Abstract: A system/method for controlling a battery temperature of a vehicle over a known route. The method may include providing a route having a starting and ending location, iteratively sensing a battery temperature of the battery when the vehicle is travelling along the route, and dividing the route into a plurality of route segments. The method may also include storing a known route having a plurality of segments where each segment has a corresponding battery temperature of the vehicle when the vehicle previously travelled along the segment. The method may also include providing a cooling device associated with a battery of the vehicle, initiating the cooling device during a previous time segment when the battery temperature for a particular time segment of the known route exceeds a high temperature threshold, and reducing an amount of battery power draw from the battery during the previous time segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Mohammad E. Dufford
  • Patent number: 9266443
    Abstract: A system and a method for adaptively adjusting a charge and/or discharge rate and a limit of a battery based on a known driving route are described. The method includes storing, in a memory, a known driving route having a plurality of segments, where each segment has a corresponding discharge rate of the battery which was obtained from a previous trip of the vehicle along the same segment. The method also includes calculating, using a processor, an optimal discharge rate for the known driving route, and applying, using the processor, the optimal discharge rate of the vehicle to each segment of the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Mohammad E. Dufford, Eiji Fukushiro
  • Publication number: 20150275787
    Abstract: A method/system for maintaining the energy efficiency history of predicted route segments in a database, providing adaptive feedback to hybrid vehicle controls, and displaying the energy efficiency history to the driver. As the vehicle travels on a route, the system stores energy efficiency information for route segments. The system may include sensors, a memory, and a processor to learn energy efficiency information based on how fuel and battery power are used over a route segment and/or route. The method/system may utilize energy efficiency information to adjust a start/stop engine threshold of a hybrid vehicle. When the processor predicts that the vehicle will travels on the predicted route segment again, the vehicle may optimize powertrain parameters such as the start/stop engine threshold during traveling on the predicted route segment and/or before reaching the predicted route segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mohammad E. Dufford, Joshua D. Payne
  • Publication number: 20150274028
    Abstract: A system and a method for adaptively adjusting a charge and/or discharge rate and a limit of a battery based on a known driving route are described. The method includes storing, in a memory, a known driving route having a plurality of segments, where each segment has a corresponding discharge rate of the battery which was obtained from a previous trip of the vehicle along the same segment. The method also includes calculating, using a processor, an optimal discharge rate for the known driving route, and applying, using the processor, the optimal discharge rate of the vehicle to each segment of the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Mohammad E. Dufford, Eiji Fukushiro
  • Publication number: 20150275788
    Abstract: A method/system for optimizing vehicle operations for a predicted route and/or a route set. The method/system may record location data and time data for a route. Two or more routes can be linked to form a route set by analyzing the location data and time data of the routes using a linking threshold. The linking threshold may be based on a relationship between locations and/or times of different routes. The vehicle may predict that a particular route segment or route will likely be driven. An operation of a unit or a device of the vehicle over the predicted route and/or route set may be adjusted based on information stored regarding the predicted route and/or route set in order to enhance the energy efficiency of the vehicle. The links may be categorized as having different types in order to apply a different control strategy to different types of links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad E. Dufford, Joshua D. Payne, Geoffrey D. Gaither
  • Publication number: 20150274177
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively adjusting settings of a vehicle during a known route are described. A method may include storing a driving route, parsing the driving route into a plurality of segments based on at least one of a turn detection, an intersection detection, a change in road conditions, a change in speed of the vehicle, or a predetermined distance traveled. The method may also include assigning to each segment a unique identification code, storing a plurality of values correlating to settings, the settings having values determined during a segment of the driving route, and associating each of the plurality of values to the unique identification code of the segment in which the setting was determined. The method may also include automatically changing each of the plurality of values at the beginning of each segment in which the value was altered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Mohammad E. Dufford, Geoffrey D. Gaither
  • Publication number: 20150274030
    Abstract: A system/method for controlling a battery temperature of a vehicle over a known route. The method may include providing a route having a starting and ending location, iteratively sensing a battery temperature of the battery when the vehicle is travelling along the route, and dividing the route into a plurality of route segments. The method may also include storing a known route having a plurality of segments where each segment has a corresponding battery temperature of the vehicle when the vehicle previously travelled along the segment. The method may also include providing a cooling device associated with a battery of the vehicle, initiating the cooling device during a previous time segment when the battery temperature for a particular time segment of the known route exceeds a high temperature threshold, and reducing an amount of battery power draw from the battery during the previous time segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Mohammad E. Dufford
  • Patent number: 9008858
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively adjusting settings of a vehicle during a known route are described. A method may include storing a driving route, parsing the driving route into a plurality of segments based on at least one of a turn detection, an intersection detection, a change in road conditions, a change in speed of the vehicle, or a predetermined distance traveled. The method may also include assigning to each segment a unique identification code, storing a plurality of values correlating to settings, the settings having values determined during a segment of the driving route, and associating each of the plurality of values to the unique identification code of the segment in which the setting was determined. The method may also include automatically changing each of the plurality of values at the beginning of each segment in which the value was altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Payne, Mohammad E. Dufford, Geoffrey D. Gaither