Patents by Inventor Philip J. Babian

Philip J. Babian 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: 12367758
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving communication of user intent at a road crossing. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring sensor data identifying a blood flow in a brain of a user, determining whether the user intends on crossing a street based, at least in part, on the sensor data, and in response to determining the user intends on crossing the street, communicating an intent to cross using the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, Rohit Gupta, William Patrick Garrett, Rebecca L. Kirschweng, Philip J. Babian, Ali C. Eren
  • Patent number: 12365348
    Abstract: A system and method in communication with a sensor that can attach to objects placed on the roof of a vehicle acquires dimensional data to determine the position/orientation of the objects on the roof and determine the clearance of the vehicle based on the orientation of the object. The system recommends an orientation of the object to be placed in (e.g., based on the acquired dimensions of the object) to optimize aerodynamics and/or to reduce clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, John K. Lenneman, Joshua E. Domeyer, Philip J. Babian, George M. Evans
  • Publication number: 20250191461
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to identifying and assisting pedestrians identified as experiencing impaired decision-making capabilities. In one embodiment, a method includes determining, from interaction data collected by a user device of a pedestrian, an interaction characteristic of the pedestrian. The method also includes classifying the pedestrian as in an impaired decision-making state based on the interaction characteristic of the pedestrian deviating from baseline interaction data. The method further includes producing a pedestrian assistance countermeasure responsive to a determined impaired decision-making state for the pedestrian.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, Rohit Gupta, Philip J Babian, Ali C Eren, William Patrick Garrett, Rebecca L Kirschweng, Dianne O Tykoski
  • Publication number: 20250171034
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving auditory and visual outputs in a vehicle environment based on occupant preferences. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring occupant data about an occupant in a vehicle. The method further includes processing the occupant data to determine an occupant preference indicating proclivities of the occupant in relation to the surrounding environment. Additionally, the method includes in response to determining that vehicle settings satisfy a change threshold that is based, at least in part, on a difference between the vehicle settings and the occupant preference, adjusting the vehicle settings according to the occupant preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: May 29, 2025
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, Rohit Gupta, William Patrick Garrett, Rebecca L. Kirschweng, Philip J. Babian, Dianne O. Tykoski
  • Publication number: 20250174118
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving communication of user intent at a road crossing. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring sensor data identifying a blood flow in a brain of a user, determining whether the user intends on crossing a street based, at least in part, on the sensor data, and in response to determining the user intends on crossing the street, communicating an intent to cross using the accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: May 29, 2025
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, Rohit Gupta, William Patrick Garrett, Rebecca L. Kirschweng, Philip J. Babian, Ali C. Eren
  • Publication number: 20250162630
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving the communication of a railroad crossing warning. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a railroad crossing in a path of a road user. The method further includes in response to determining that a train is approaching the road user at the railroad crossing, determining whether a warning mechanism of the railroad crossing satisfies a crossing threshold that is based, at least in part, on a safety condition of the warning mechanism. Moreover, the method includes controlling a display of the road user to output a virtual railroad crossing bar on the display according to the safety condition responsive to determining that the warning mechanism satisfies the crossing threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rohit Gupta, Benjamin Piya Austin, William Patrick Garrett, Philip J. Babian
  • Publication number: 20250033559
    Abstract: Systems and methods providing sleep service in a vehicle to wake up a sleeping driver at a wake-up time based on the user profile of the driver are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sleeping service system includes a processor, a data receiver, an alarm, and a non-transitory memory module communicatively coupled to the processor, and a set of machine-readable instructions stored on the memory module that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include accessing a user profile of a driver, accessing a route information, calculating an action time based on one or more of upcoming events, calculating a current leading time based on the user profile, and providing a wake-up notification to the driver at a wake-up time based on the action time and the current leading-time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, John K. Lenneman, Joshua E. Domeyer, Philip J. Babian
  • Publication number: 20240397598
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lighting system includes one or more light sources, one or processors, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: receive a lighting profile for an individual or device within visible range of the lighting system, and control the one or more light sources according to the lighting profile. In another embodiment, a method of operating a lighting system includes receiving, from an individual or a device within a visible range of the individual or device, a lighting profile, and controlling one or more lights of the lighting system according to the lighting profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, William Patrick Garrett, George M. Evans, Philip J. Babian
  • Patent number: 12145442
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the intensity of light provided to an analog needle are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust the intensity of light provided to the analog needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: George M. Evans, Aaron M. France, Benjamin Piya Austin, Craig D. Herring, Philip J. Babian, Ichiroh Isobe, William Patrick Garrett
  • Publication number: 20240359694
    Abstract: A pedal touch anomaly notification system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes the vehicle itself, and at least one sensor configured to capture information about the position or orientation of the driver's foot relative to a control pedal of the vehicle. A processor uses the captured information, as well as a database containing baseline information and variance information about expected positions or orientations of the driver's foot relative to the control pedal. Based on the captured information, the processor determines the position or orientation of the foot of the driver relative to the control pedal, and compares the determined position or orientation to the baseline information and variance information. If the position or orientation fall outside the variance information, the processor generates a driver alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, Heishiro Toyoda, Philip J. Babian, Rebecca L. Kirschweng, Takeshi Yoshida, George M. Evans, William Patrick Garrett
  • Publication number: 20240294144
    Abstract: One or more vehicles, vehicle systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products to enhance the situational competency and/or the safe operation of a vehicle by automatically causing a cleaning sequence of one or more movable vehicle window glass based on window glass cleanliness analysis and a determination that the vehicle window glass is unclean.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, Rebecca L Kirschweng, George M Evans, Philip J Babian, William Patrick Garrett
  • Publication number: 20240190445
    Abstract: A system and method in communication with a sensor that can attach to objects placed on the roof of a vehicle acquires dimensional data to determine the position/orientation of the objects on the roof and determine the clearance of the vehicle based on the orientation of the object. The system recommends an orientation of the object to be placed in (e.g., based on the acquired dimensions of the object) to optimize aerodynamics and/or to reduce clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, John K. Lenneman, Joshua E. Domeyer, Philip J. Babian, George M. Evans
  • Publication number: 20240185863
    Abstract: A system and method employ vibration sensors on board a vehicle to effectively identify and implement voice commands. The vibration sensors provide vibration signals corresponding to the speech of vehicle occupants to a controller. The controller may verify the content of the voice commands and identify a speaker of the voice commands with the vibration signals. The voice command may be implemented by operating a controlled device in a specific passenger zone of the vehicle. In some implementations, the speech of a specific occupant may be designated as voice commands to be transmitted over a videoconference or voice call and the speech of surrounding vehicle occupants may be designated as noise to be excluded from transmission. Further, driver voice commands may be given priority when conflicting commands are given by other vehicle passengers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Benjamin Piya Austin, George M. Evans, Philip J. Babian
  • Publication number: 20230090466
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the intensity of light provided to an analog needle are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust the intensity of light provided to the analog needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: George M. Evans, Aaron M. France, Benjamin Piya Austin, Craig D. Herring, Philip J. Babian, Ichiroh Isobe, William Patrick Garrett
  • Publication number: 20230085888
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the transparency of a digital needle of a digital gauge are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust a transparency of a digital needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: George M. Evans, Aaron M. France, Benjamin Piya Austin, Craig D. Herring, Philip J. Babian, Ichiroh Isobe, William Patrick Garrett
  • Patent number: 11602993
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the transparency of a digital needle of a digital gauge are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust a transparency of a digital needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: George M. Evans, Aaron M. France, Benjamin Piya Austin, Craig D. Herring, Philip J. Babian, Ichiroh Isobe, William Patrick Garrett
  • Patent number: 11462923
    Abstract: Disclosed is a breakaway mobile device connection port for a vehicle. The breakaway mobile device connection port includes a socket within a surface of a vehicle, formed by one or more flexible retention members coupled to the surface. The port further includes a ball-type bearing positioned partially within the socket, a female connector positioned in the bearing outside the socket and configured to receive a male connector, and a harness cable coupled to the bearing, linking the female connector to an electrical system or data system of the vehicle. The bearing is configured to swivel on at least one axis within the socket, and an impact force on the male connector that exceeds a first threshold value causes the bearing to be pushed completely into the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Dragan, Travis M. Blais, Angela M. Piculi, Philip J. Babian
  • Patent number: 11420717
    Abstract: An oar for use in propelling a watercraft through water includes a first circular paddle portion. An edge hole extends into an edge of the first paddle portion. The oar also includes a second circular paddle portion, with an edge hole extending into an edge of the second paddle portion. The oar also includes a handle portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first paddle portion edge hole and the handle portion first end are structured so that the handle portion first end is detachably securable in the first paddle portion edge hole. The second paddle portion edge hole and the handle portion second end are structured so that the handle portion second end is detachably securable in the second paddle portion edge hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Dragan, Travis M. Blais, Angela Piculi, Philip J. Babian
  • Patent number: 11207954
    Abstract: A hook assembly for mounting to a body component having a pair of openings is provided. The hook assembly includes a pin member and a hook housing. The pin member includes a base portion and a pair of insertion pins extending upwardly from the base portion. The hook housing includes a top surface and a pair of interior channels. A pair of clip prongs are positioned at each opening of the pair of interior channels. A hook member extends outwardly from the hook housing. The hook housing is coupled to the body component by inserting the pair of clip prongs into the openings formed in the body component in a clip prong insertion direction. The pair of insertion pins are inserted into the pair of interior channels in a pin insertion direction to secure the pin member and the hook housing to the body component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., NIFCO America Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Tsao, Scott E. Malinowski, Clayton J. Karl, Philip J. Babian, Benjamin D. Hack
  • Publication number: 20210288510
    Abstract: Disclosed is a breakaway mobile device connection port for a vehicle. The breakaway mobile device connection port includes a socket within a surface of a vehicle, formed by one or more flexible retention members coupled to the surface. The port further includes a ball-type bearing positioned partially within the socket, a female connector positioned in the bearing outside the socket and configured to receive a male connector, and a harness cable coupled to the bearing, linking the female connector to an electrical system or data system of the vehicle. The bearing is configured to swivel on at least one axis within the socket, and an impact force on the male connector that exceeds a first threshold value causes the bearing to be pushed completely into the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher E. Dragan, Travis M. Blais, Angela M. Piculi, Philip J. Babian