Patents by Inventor Michael J. Wolterman

Michael J. Wolterman 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: 10290210
    Abstract: A distracted driver notification system, a vehicle and a method of notifying a distracted driver. The system includes a communication system made up of one or both of an antenna and numerous sensors such that the communication system acquires data that is indicative of actual or expected vehicular movement in a traffic situation. The acquired data is conveyed to a computer for processing to determine if a traffic situation is present, as well as a change in status of such situation. The acquired or processed data may also be used to determine if a driver should be moving the vehicle in response to a change in the status of the traffic condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolterman
  • Publication number: 20180194282
    Abstract: A distracted driver notification system, a vehicle and a method of notifying a distracted driver. The system includes a communication system made up of one or both of an antenna and numerous sensors such that the communication system acquires data that is indicative of actual or expected vehicular movement in a traffic situation. The acquired data is conveyed to a computer for processing to determine if a traffic situation is present, as well as a change in status of such situation. The acquired or processed data may also be used to determine if a driver should be moving the vehicle in response to a change in the status of the traffic condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolterman
  • Patent number: 9912802
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and vehicles for disabling a function of one or more mobile devices within a passenger cabin of a vehicle. A method of disabling a function of one or more mobile devices within a passenger cabin of a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes determining a number of occupants within the passenger cabin based on one or more occupant sensor output signals output by one or more occupant sensors. A disable message is sent to disable a function of the one or more mobile devices in the passenger cabin when the number of occupants present in the passenger cabin is determined to be one. A disable message is sent to disable a function of only the one or more mobile devices associated with a driver of the vehicle when the number of occupants present in the passenger cabin is determined to be greater than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolterman
  • Publication number: 20170353597
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and vehicles for disabling a function of one or more mobile devices within a passenger cabin of a vehicle. A method of disabling a function of one or more mobile devices within a passenger cabin of a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes determining a number of occupants within the passenger cabin based on one or more occupant sensor output signals output by one or more occupant sensors. A disable message is sent to disable a function of the one or more mobile devices in the passenger cabin when the number of occupants present in the passenger cabin is determined to be one. A disable message is sent to disable a function of only the one or more mobile devices associated with a driver of the vehicle when the number of occupants present in the passenger cabin is determined to be greater than one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolterman
  • Patent number: 9440581
    Abstract: Devices, methods and systems describe a turn signal activation system. As the navigation system determines that the vehicle is approaching a turn or other operation, the turn signal may be automatically activated in the appropriate direction (e.g., right-turn signal for a right turn, and a left-turn signal for a left turn). Once the navigation system determines that it is appropriate to deactivate the turn signal, the turn signal may be automatically deactivated. In this fashion, other drivers on the road may be able to anticipate the actions of the vehicle based on the activation and deactivation of the turn signals, and thereby prevent accidents from occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolterman
  • Publication number: 20140052313
    Abstract: Devices, methods and systems describe a turn signal activation system. As the navigation system determines that the vehicle is approaching a turn or other operation, the turn signal may be automatically activated in the appropriate direction (e.g., right-turn signal for a right turn, and a left-turn signal for a left turn). Once the navigation system determines that it is appropriate to deactivate the turn signal, the turn signal may be automatically deactivated. In this fashion, other drivers on the road may be able to anticipate the actions of the vehicle based on the activation and deactivation of the turn signals, and thereby prevent accidents from occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolterman
  • Patent number: 8577554
    Abstract: Devices, methods and systems describe a turn signal activation system. As the navigation system determines that the vehicle is approaching a turn or other operation, the turn signal may be automatically activated in the appropriate direction (e.g., right-turn signal for a right turn, and a left-turn signal for a left turn). Once the navigation system determines that it is appropriate to deactivate the turn signal, the turn signal may be automatically deactivated. In this fashion, other drivers on the road may be able to anticipate the actions of the vehicle based on the activation and deactivation of the turn signals, and thereby prevent accidents from occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolterman
  • Publication number: 20120089300
    Abstract: Devices, methods and systems describe a turn signal activation system. As the navigation system determines that the vehicle is approaching a turn or other operation, the turn signal may be automatically activated in the appropriate direction (e.g., right-turn signal for a right turn, and a left-turn signal for a left turn). Once the navigation system determines that it is appropriate to deactivate the turn signal, the turn signal may be automatically deactivated. In this fashion, other drivers on the road may be able to anticipate the actions of the vehicle based on the activation and deactivation of the turn signals, and thereby prevent accidents from occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolterman
  • Publication number: 20080282810
    Abstract: A torque setting lug nut wrench is provided. The torque setting lug nut wrench has a socket dimensioned to fit onto a lug nut of a motor vehicle wheel, a first section extending collinearly from the socket and a second section projecting from the first section. The second section, when grasped by a user, can apply a rotational force on a lug nut within the socket. A torque detection mechanism having a preset torque limit is included and provides a signal to the user applying the rotational force to the lug nut. In an embodiment of the present invention the torque detection mechanism has a single torque setting. In another embodiment, the torque detection mechanism has two torque settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolterman