Abstract: A fixing unit or device that can be used in an image forming apparatus includes a first heater element that is formed of a material that increases in electrical resistance with increases in temperature. A controller of the fixing unit is configured to vary a duty ratio of electric power applied to the first heater element during a start-up operation in which the temperature of the first heater element is raised to a target operating temperature. By varying the duty ratio during the start-up operation, changes in the resistance of the first heater element with the heating can be compensated. For example, the duty ratio can be increased during the course of the start-up to achieve the target operating temperature faster.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a change of a customary vehicle driver that include receiving and storing vehicle sensor data from a vehicle for at least one predetermined period of time. The system and method also include determining a vehicle driving pattern for the at least one predetermined period of time based on the vehicle sensor data and determining if there is a change in the customary vehicle driver based on a comparison of a real-time vehicle sensor data with the vehicle driving pattern. The system and method further include controlling at least one vehicle system by executing vehicle settings associated with at least one of: the customary vehicle driver and a newly designated customary vehicle driver based on if the change is determined in the customary vehicle driver.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying an electric vehicle through an alternating current electric charging that include receiving a charging command to initiate the alternating current electric charging of the electric vehicle (EV) through electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The system and method also include generating a duty cycle pattern that pertains to the electric charging of the EV that includes at least one encrypted data packet and communicating the duty cycle pattern to at least one of: the EV and the EVSE. The system and method further include comparing an identification of at least one of: the EV and the EVSE included within the at least one encrypted data packet of the duty cycle pattern with a pre-stored identification of: the EV and the EVSE to identify at least one of: the EV and the EVSE.

Abstract: A vehicle recommendation device and a method for machine learning based recommendation of vehicle is provided. The vehicle recommendation device receives vehicle log data from a plurality of sensors associated with each of a first set of vehicles. The first set of vehicles are classified based on a set of vehicle types. The vehicle recommendation device generates vehicle trip data, associated with a plurality of trips of each of the first set of vehicles, based on the received vehicle log data. The vehicle recommendation device further determines a set of features, associated with the plurality of trips or with information about the first set of vehicles, based on the generated vehicle trip data. The vehicle recommendation device further generates a machine learning model which is trained based on the determined set of features to output a first type of vehicle from the set of vehicle types.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a remaining value for a host vehicle. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for estimating a remaining value for a vehicle includes receiving sensor data for the vehicle associated with an impact event. For example, the sensor data includes timing data for the impact event. The computer-implemented method also includes determining a damage level based on the sensor data. The computer-implemented method further includes monitoring travel behavior of the vehicle for a predetermined amount of time after the impact event. The computer-implemented method yet further includes estimating a remaining value for the vehicle based on the damage level and the travel behavior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing point of interest related notifications within a vehicle that include receiving sensor data associated with an opening of at least one vehicle window of the vehicle. The system and method also include storing a first geo-location of the vehicle based on the sensor data and determining if a subsequent geo-location of the vehicle is within a predetermined vicinity of at least one point of interest. The system and method further include providing at least one point of interest related notification associated with the at least one point of interest if it is determined that the subsequent geo-location of the vehicle is within the predetermined vicinity of the at least one point of interest.

Abstract: A method for identifying prospective purchasers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) may include defining a predetermined time frame associated with vehicle ownership, receiving a first dataset including a first subset of drivers are drivers who have owned or leased any first internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle followed by any second ICE vehicle within the predetermined time frame, a second subset of drivers are drivers who have owned or leased any first ICE vehicle followed by any second BEV within the predetermined time frame, and a third subset of drivers are drivers who have not changed vehicles within the predetermined time frame, receiving a second dataset including a set of drivers who own or lease any first ICE vehicle which is in a same vehicle class as a target BEV, and identifying a target set of prospective purchasers of BEVs.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems for determining usage of a vehicle. A vehicle monitoring system may include a memory, at least one processor coupled to the memory, and a sensor system that generates vehicle trip data. The system may periodically determine a location of the vehicle during a trip while an ignition of the vehicle remains on. The system may determine that a duration of the trip is at least a threshold duration. The system may determine a direction of travel for segments between consecutive locations during the trip. The system may determine a ratio of a most common direction of travel for the trip to at least a second most common direction of travel for the trip. The system may determine that the vehicle has been used for commercial purposes in response to the ratio being less than a threshold ratio.

Abstract: A system and method for providing point of interest related notifications within a vehicle that include receiving sensor data associated with an operation of the vehicle or a use of a component of the vehicle. The system and method also include storing a first geo-location of the vehicle based on the sensor data and determining if a subsequent geo-location of the vehicle is within a predetermined vicinity of at least one point of interest. The system and method further include providing at least one point of interest related notification associated with the at least one point of interest if it is determined that the subsequent geo-location of the vehicle is within the predetermined vicinity of the at least one point of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for providing point of interest related notifications within a vehicle that include receiving sensor data associated with an opening of at least one vehicle window of the vehicle. The system and method also include storing a first geo-location of the vehicle based on the sensor data and determining if a subsequent geo-location of the vehicle is within a predetermined vicinity of at least one point of interest. The system and method further include providing at least one point of interest related notification associated with the at least one point of interest if it is determined that the subsequent geo-location of the vehicle is within the predetermined vicinity of the at least one point of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems for determining usage of a vehicle. A vehicle monitoring system may include, a memory, at least one processor coupled to the memory, and a sensory system that generates vehicle trip data during a monitoring window. The vehicle monitoring system may partition the trip data into a base group and a contrast group. The vehicle monitoring system may calculate a similarity score between the contrast group and the base group. The vehicle monitoring system may determine that the vehicle has been used for commercial purposes in response to the similarity score satisfying a threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for completing trend mapping using similarity scoring that include receiving data associated with a vehicle and an occupant of the vehicle. The system and method also include analyzing the data associated with the vehicle and the occupant to determine at least one of: vehicle dynamic data, vehicle utilization data, and occupant demographic data. The system and method additionally include determining a center of gravity value of at least one of: the vehicle dynamic data, the vehicle utilization data, and the occupant demographic data. The system and method further include calculating a similarity score with respect to the center of gravity value for respective categories of at least one of: the vehicle dynamic data, the vehicle utilization data, and the occupant demographic data.

Abstract: A vehicle recommendation device and a method for machine learning based recommendation of vehicle is provided. The vehicle recommendation device receives vehicle log data from a plurality of sensors associated with each of a first set of vehicles. The first set of vehicles are classified based on a set of vehicle types. The vehicle recommendation device generates vehicle trip data, associated with a plurality of trips of each of the first set of vehicles, based on the received vehicle log data. The vehicle recommendation device further determines a set of features, associated with the plurality of trips or with information about the first set of vehicles, based on the generated vehicle trip data. The vehicle recommendation device further generates a machine learning model which is trained based on the determined set of features to output a first type of vehicle from the set of vehicle types.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a remaining value for a host vehicle. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for estimating a remaining value for a vehicle includes receiving sensor data for the vehicle associated with an impact event. For example, the sensor data includes timing data for the impact event. The computer-implemented method also includes determining a damage level based on the sensor data. The computer-implemented method further includes monitoring travel behavior of the vehicle for a predetermined amount of time after the impact event. The computer-implemented method yet further includes estimating a remaining value for the vehicle based on the damage level and the travel behavior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for completing trend mapping using similarity scoring that include receiving data associated with a vehicle and an occupant of the vehicle. The system and method also include analyzing the data associated with the vehicle and the occupant to determine at least one of: vehicle dynamic data, vehicle utilization data, and occupant demographic data. The system and method additionally include determining a center of gravity value of at least one of: the vehicle dynamic data, the vehicle utilization data, and the occupant demographic data. The system and method further include calculating a similarity score with respect to the center of gravity value for respective categories of at least one of: the vehicle dynamic data, the vehicle utilization data, and the occupant demographic data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a prediction value for usage of a prospective vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving trip log data associated with the driven vehicle. The trip log data includes a first trip having at first duration and a second trip having a second duration traveled by the driven vehicle within a past time period. The method further includes calculating a dwell duration between the first trip and the second trip. The method also includes receiving historical energy pricing for energy. The method yet further includes calculating a historical value for the first trip, the second trip, and the dwell duration, based on the historical energy pricing. The prediction value is estimated for the prospective vehicle for a future time period based on the historical value.

Abstract: A system and method for determining vehicle fueling behavior that include receiving sensor data associated with an occurrence of a fueling event associated with fueling of a vehicle and determining a current geo-location of the vehicle based on determining that the fueling event is occurring. The system and method also include determining a fueling station that is being utilized during the fueling event based on the current geo-location of the vehicle. The system and method further include computing at least one fueling behavior pattern based on analyzing data associated with the fueling station and the fueling event.

Abstract: A method for identifying prospective purchasers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) may include defining a predetermined time frame associated with vehicle ownership, receiving a first dataset including a first subset of drivers are drivers who have owned or leased any first internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle followed by any second ICE vehicle within the predetermined time frame, a second subset of drivers are drivers who have owned or leased any first ICE vehicle followed by any second BEV within the predetermined time frame, and a third subset of drivers are drivers who have not changed vehicles within the predetermined time frame, receiving a second dataset including a set of drivers who own or lease any first ICE vehicle which is in a same vehicle class as a target BEV, and identifying a target set of prospective purchasers of BEVs.

Abstract: A system and method for providing point of interest related notifications within a vehicle that include receiving sensor data associated with an operation of the vehicle or a use of a component of the vehicle. The system and method also include storing a first geo-location of the vehicle based on the sensor data and determining if a subsequent geo-location of the vehicle is within a predetermined vicinity of at least one point of interest. The system and method further include providing at least one point of interest related notification associated with the at least one point of interest if it is determined that the subsequent geo-location of the vehicle is within the predetermined vicinity of the at least one point of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems for determining usage of a vehicle. A vehicle monitoring system may include, a memory, at least one processor coupled to the memory, and a sensory system that generates vehicle trip data during a monitoring window. The vehicle monitoring system may partition the trip data into a base group and a contrast group. The vehicle monitoring system may calculate a similarity score between the contrast group and the base group. The vehicle monitoring system may determine that the vehicle has been used for commercial purposes in response to the similarity score satisfying a threshold.