Patents by Inventor Ming Michael Meng

Ming Michael Meng 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: 20230359419
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an intelligent HUD. An intelligent HUD may include intelligently enabled display information. Intelligently enabled display information may include vehicle statistics, environmental statistics, warnings, instructions, and other relevant information. Intelligently enabled display information may be displayed on the HUD at a relevant time based on a triggering event. A triggering event may be operation of a vehicle contrary to law, an unsafe driving condition, or a change in information relevant to a driver. Intelligently enabled display information may be turned off after a set period of time, after a driver adjusts vehicle operation in response to a warning or instruction, and/or after a triggering event concludes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: WILSON-BOON Siang KHOO, Travis Antwan BAILEY, Ming Michael MENG
  • Patent number: 11643101
    Abstract: Vehicle malfunction detection systems and methods for detecting whether a lighting element of a vehicle satisfies a malfunction condition are disclosed herein. The vehicle malfunction detection system includes a detection unit detecting an operational state of the lighting element of the vehicle, and a vehicle control unit configured to place the vehicle in a driving mode, wherein, in response to determining that the operational state of the lighting element satisfies the malfunction condition, a vehicle start prevention signal is transmitted to the vehicle control unit, the vehicle start prevention signal including an instruction to prevent the vehicle from entering the driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming Michael Meng
  • Patent number: 11535267
    Abstract: User alert systems, apparatus, and related methods for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed alert system for a vehicle includes an intrusion detection system (IDS) operatively coupled to the vehicle. The alert system also includes a network access device (NAD) operatively coupled to the vehicle and control circuitry configured to detect, via the IDS, a malicious message transmitted through a controller area network (CAN) bus of the vehicle. The control circuitry is also configured to generate a primary alert indicative of the malicious message and transmit, via the NAD, the primary alert to a primary user device corresponding to a driver of the vehicle. The control circuitry is also configured to generate a secondary alert indicative of the malicious message and transmit, via the NAD, the secondary alert to one or more secondary user devices different from the primary user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael Meng
  • Publication number: 20220185307
    Abstract: Vehicle malfunction detection systems and methods for detecting whether a lighting element of a vehicle satisfies a malfunction condition are disclosed herein. The vehicle malfunction detection system includes a detection unit detecting an operational state of the lighting element of the vehicle, and a vehicle control unit configured to place the vehicle in a driving mode, wherein, in response to determining that the operational state of the lighting element satisfies the malfunction condition, a vehicle start prevention signal is transmitted to the vehicle control unit, the vehicle start prevention signal including an instruction to prevent the vehicle from entering the driving mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael Meng
  • Patent number: 11137499
    Abstract: A method, a system, and computer readable medium for detecting interference with a navigation system are provided. The method includes detecting a global positioning system (GPS) signal via the navigation system of a vehicle, determining a signal strength of the GPS signal, determining a location of the vehicle based on the GPS signal, and determining a first attribute and a second attribute. The first attribute is determined as a function of the signal strength. The second attribute is determined as a function of the location of the vehicle. The method further includes outputting an alert indicating an interference with the navigation system when the first attribute and the second attribute are true.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael Meng
  • Publication number: 20210302189
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a remote control platform. The remote control platform includes a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect one or more objects within a surrounding environment of the vehicle. The remote control platform includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is coupled to the sensor. The electronic control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the vehicle and a route that includes a direction of travel. The electronic control unit is configured to navigate the vehicle along the route based on the one or more objects, the direction of travel and the orientation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Krishna V. Buddharaju, Ming Michael Meng
  • Publication number: 20210291849
    Abstract: User alert systems, apparatus, and related methods for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed alert system for a vehicle includes an intrusion detection system (IDS) operatively coupled to the vehicle. The alert system also includes a network access device (NAD) operatively coupled to the vehicle and control circuitry configured to detect, via the IDS, a malicious message transmitted through a controller area network (CAN) bus of the vehicle. The control circuitry is also configured to generate a primary alert indicative of the malicious message and transmit, via the NAD, the primary alert to a primary user device corresponding to a driver of the vehicle. The control circuitry is also configured to generate a secondary alert indicative of the malicious message and transmit, via the NAD, the secondary alert to one or more secondary user devices different from the primary user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael MENG
  • Patent number: 10713518
    Abstract: A method and system for recording and reporting license plate indicia are provided. The method includes receiving an input command from a user of a vehicle requesting a capture of an image of license plate indicia of a second vehicle, capturing, via one or more cameras, one or more image of the license plate of the second vehicle, determining, using the processing circuitry, a license plate number from the captured one or more images of the license plate, and displaying the recognized license plate number on a display of the vehicle. The method further includes detecting a location of the vehicle and storing the determined license plate number, the location of the vehicle, and the image of the license plate indicia in an audio head unit or in a navigation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael Meng
  • Patent number: 10547103
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an antenna ground plate for testing an antenna. A size of the antenna ground plate can be conveniently adjusted according to requirements of an antenna testing process. The antenna ground plate can include a base plate that provides a ground plane for the antenna, and a first extension plate releasably attachable to the base plate to extend the ground plane of the antenna. The base plate and first extension plate can be made of conductive materials. The base plate can include a mounting hole at the center of the base plate for mounting the antenna under test. The first extension plate can be attachable to an outer edge of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Michael Meng, Lloyd Allen Dunlap
  • Patent number: 10501033
    Abstract: A vehicular data correlation system includes a first network access device (NAD) of a first vehicle; and a database server having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cross-reference a first driver settings dataset in a driver settings database to a first vehicle dataset in a vehicle database to form a first enhanced data packet, cross-reference a first vehicle conditions dataset in a vehicle conditions database to a first driver dataset in a driver database to form a second enhanced data packet, correlate the first enhanced data packet with the second enhanced data packet, download the first enhanced data packet to the first NAD, download the second enhanced data packet to the first NAD, and transmit a first initiation signal to implement the first driver settings dataset and to display the first vehicle conditions dataset on the first vehicle, via the first NAD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Wilson-Boon Siang Khoo, Ming Michael Meng
  • Patent number: 10490188
    Abstract: A method and system for language selection and synchronization in a vehicle are provided. The method includes receiving an audio representative of sounds captured within a vehicle, recognizing a language category for propagating information to a user of the vehicle according to the received audio, selecting the language category of the vehicle system according to the recognized language category in response to receiving a user acknowledgment, synchronizing the language category among a plurality of vehicle systems, and propagating information to the user of the vehicle using the synchronized language category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Michael Meng, Krishna Buddharaju
  • Patent number: 10391975
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for authenticating a vehicle equipped with a passive keyless entry and start system. The method includes sending a request for unlock or ignition start from the key fob to a vehicle's network access device (NAD), sending a first challenge signal from the NAD to the key fob, determining if the key fob is within range of the NAD, sending a second challenge signal from the NAD to the mobile device, determining if the mobile device is within range of the NAD, and sending a warning to the mobile device when the key fob or mobile device is not within range of the NAD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael Meng
  • Publication number: 20190232917
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for authenticating a vehicle equipped with a passive keyless entry and start system. The method includes sending a request for unlock or ignition start from the key fob to a vehicle's network access device (NAD), sending a first challenge signal from the NAD to the key fob, determining if the key fob is within range of the NAD, sending a second challenge signal from the NAD to the mobile device, determining if the mobile device is within range of the NAD, and sending a warning to the mobile device when the key fob or mobile device is not within range of the NAD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael MENG
  • Publication number: 20190236395
    Abstract: A method and system for recording and reporting license plate indicia are provided. The method includes receiving an input command from a user of a vehicle requesting a capture of an image of license plate indicia of a second vehicle, capturing, via one or more cameras, one or more image of the license plate of the second vehicle, determining, using the processing circuitry, a license plate number from the captured one or more images of the license plate, and displaying the recognized license plate number on a display of the vehicle. The method further includes detecting a location of the vehicle and storing the determined license plate number, the location of the vehicle, and the image of the license plate indicia in an audio head unit or in a navigation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael MENG
  • Publication number: 20190235086
    Abstract: A method, a system, and computer readable medium for detecting interference with a navigation system are provided. The method includes detecting a global positioning system (GPS) signal via the navigation system of a vehicle, determining a signal strength of the GPS signal, determining a location of the vehicle based on the GPS signal, and determining a first attribute and a second attribute. The first attribute is determined as a function of the signal strength. The second attribute is determined as a function of the location of the vehicle. The method further includes outputting an alert indicating an interference with the navigation system when the first attribute and the second attribute are true.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael MENG
  • Publication number: 20190214808
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring fuses in a vehicle are provided. The method includes receiving data from a fuse monitor coupled to one or more fuses. Each fuse associated with one or more electronic devices of the vehicle. The method also includes analyzing the data to determine whether a faulty fuse is detected and outputting an alert to a display of the vehicle in response to detecting a faulty fuse. The alert includes at least one of a fuse location, a fuse type, or fuse replacement information and activates a fuse application of the display of the vehicle to cause the alert to output on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael MENG
  • Patent number: 10348080
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring fuses in a vehicle are provided. The method includes receiving data from a fuse monitor coupled to one or more fuses. Each fuse associated with one or more electronic devices of the vehicle. The method also includes analyzing the data to determine whether a faulty fuse is detected and outputting an alert to a display of the vehicle in response to detecting a faulty fuse. The alert includes at least one of a fuse location, a fuse type, or fuse replacement information and activates a fuse application of the display of the vehicle to cause the alert to output on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael Meng
  • Publication number: 20190080691
    Abstract: A method and system for language selection and synchronization in a vehicle are provided. The method includes receiving an audio representative of sounds captured within a vehicle, recognizing a language category for propagating information to a user of the vehicle according to the received audio, selecting the language category of the vehicle system according to the recognized language category in response to receiving a user acknowledgment, synchronizing the language category among a plurality of vehicle systems, and propagating information to the user of the vehicle using the synchronized language category.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Michael MENG, Krishna BUDDHARAJU
  • Publication number: 20180290609
    Abstract: A vehicular data correlation system includes a first network access device (NAD) of a first vehicle; and a database server having processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cross-reference a first driver settings dataset in a driver settings database to a first vehicle dataset in a vehicle database to form a first enhanced data packet, cross-reference a first vehicle conditions dataset in a vehicle conditions database to a first driver dataset in a driver database to form a second enhanced data packet, correlate the first enhanced data packet with the second enhanced data packet, download the first enhanced data packet to the first NAD, download the second enhanced data packet to the first NAD, and transmit a first initiation signal to implement the first driver settings dataset and to display the first vehicle conditions dataset on the first vehicle, via the first NAD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Wilson-Boon Siang KHOO, Ming Michael MENG
  • Patent number: 10054629
    Abstract: A system can include a memory that can store a fuse load database including a list of fuses, a list of loads each designed to be coupled to at least one fuse from the list of fuses and a list of current values each corresponding to a load from the list of loads. The system can also include an input device configured to receive a selection of a fuse from the list of fuses. The system can also include a modeling processor coupled to the memory and the input device. The modeling processor can determine one or more loads from the list of loads that are designed to be coupled to the selected fuse. The modeling processor can also generate load summary data corresponding to a sum of the current values that correspond to the one or more loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming Michael Meng