Patents by Inventor Steven R. Hoskins
Steven R. Hoskins 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).
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Patent number: 11789540Abstract: A haptic controller includes a conventional user interface having a plurality of touch surfaces, a shaped strain plate having a plurality of strain surfaces, each strain surface corresponding with one of the plurality of touch surfaces, a strain gauge mounted on each of the plurality of strain surfaces and a microcontroller electrically connected with the strain gauges.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Kostal of America, Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Xiaozhong Duan, Kenneth S. Koscielniak
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Patent number: 11284504Abstract: A power electronic module having reduced mass and/or reduced package size as compared with conventional modules employing die cast materials, secondary machining, and/or welding operations includes a housing, a discrete cooling channel positioned in the housing and having opposing cooling surfaces, and first and second printed circuit board assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the cooling channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Kostal of America, Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Kenneth S. Koscielniak
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Publication number: 20210168930Abstract: A power electronic module having reduced mass and/or reduced package size as compared with conventional modules employing die cast materials, secondary machining, and/or welding operations includes a housing, a discrete cooling channel positioned in the housing and having opposing cooling surfaces, and first and second printed circuit board assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the cooling channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2020Publication date: June 3, 2021Applicant: Kostal of America, Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Kenneth S. Koscielniak
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Patent number: 10946857Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication is disclosed. The vehicle has a computer system capable of creating anonymous geotagged data and transmitting and receiving the geotagged data through a secured network for storage on a private cloud. The vehicle is equipped with a navigation system in communication with said computer and at least one sensor in communication with said computer system. The sensors are capable of creating data signals indicative of at least one of vehicle telemetry, travel visibility, and road conditions. The system includes a timer in communication with the computer system capable of creating a time stamp. The geotagged data can be used to control an automatic brake system and/or an autonomous driving system.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Kostal of America, Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Paul Kissel
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Publication number: 20200068748Abstract: A liquid cooled power electronic device includes a unitary cooling body defining a fluid passageway; a separately fabricated main housing having a recess for receiving the cooling body; and a circuit substrate having an electronic component in conductive thermal contact with the cooling body, wherein the cooling body is retained within the recess between the main housing and the circuit substrate. This arrangement has one or more advantages relating to improved leak testing, improved thermal performance, and reduced scrap.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: Kostal of America, Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Kenneth S. Koscielniak
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Patent number: 10544858Abstract: Improved rotary switch systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may be used in vehicles that implement shift-by-wire transmission systems. The switch systems and methods may include programmable end-stops and/or variable tactile feedback.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend, Josef Kortan
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Publication number: 20190106100Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication is disclosed. The vehicle has a computer system capable of creating anonymous geotagged data and transmitting and receiving the geotagged data through a secured network for storage on a private cloud. The vehicle is equipped with a navigation system in communication with said computer and at least one sensor in communication with said computer system. The sensors are capable of creating data signals indicative of at least one of vehicle telemetry, travel visibility, and road conditions. The system includes a timer in communication with the computer system capable of creating a time stamp. The geotagged data can be used to control an automatic brake system and/or an autonomous driving system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Paul Kissel
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Patent number: 10128838Abstract: Example embodiments of a reflective switch and methods for preventing inadvertent actuation of the reflective switch are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the reflective switch comprise a plurality of photo emitters that emit light through a translucent zone and a plurality of photo detectors that detect light rays that are reflected back through the translucent zone by an operator input. Upon detecting reflected light rays, the photo detectors send reflective signals to a controller. The controller then monitors whether the unique addresses of the photo detectors are increasing or decreasing and whether the addresses have increased or decreased to a predetermined threshold to merit a change in switch state. An indicia may be configured to notify an operator that a new switch state has been achieved.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend
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Patent number: 9964204Abstract: An electronic selector switch assembly and method for a vehicle includes a housing and selector knob supported by a shaft. A knob position gear is connected to the selector knob and knob measurement gear is connected to the knob position gear. A first sensor senses an angular position of the selector knob. A rack is rotatable about the shaft and selector knob and a rack measurement gear is connected to the rack. A second sensor senses a position of the rack measurement gear. A drive assembly is connected to the rack, and if the knob position, rack position and transmission gear position do not compare, the drive assembly realigns the rack to match the transmission gear position. The methodology periodically senses selector knob and transmission gear positions to determine if there is a mismatch, and locks the selector knob position and adjusts the rack position if there is a mismatch.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Andrew Paul Redwood, Steven R. Hoskins, Michael Tefend
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Publication number: 20180087658Abstract: Improved rotary switch systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may be used in vehicles that implement shift-by-wire transmission systems. The switch systems and methods may include programmable end-stops and/or variable tactile feedback.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend, Josef Kortan
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Patent number: 9863526Abstract: Improved rotary switch systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may be used in vehicles that implement shift-by-wire transmission systems. The switch systems and methods may include programmable end-stops and/or variable tactile feedback.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend, Josef Kortan
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Patent number: 9834137Abstract: Methods and systems are provided pertaining to a turn signal. AUTO CANCEL of a turn signal may be performed electrically, eliminating cancelling pawls and undesirable noise emanating from such pawls as they click against conventional structure in predominantly mechanical turn signal systems. An electromagnetic brake may dampen or prevent turn signal stalk movement if an object is in a blind spot of a vehicle. Such brake may be released or canceled electronically and quietly.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend
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Patent number: 9620309Abstract: A rotary selector switch prevents accidental rotation to an undesired position. For example, an automobile moving forward at 55 kph may have a rotary selector switch in electrical communication with its transmission. The disclosed switch prevents accidental rotation that would indicate that a REVERSE gear is desired when it is not. Optionally, on override feature may permit users to overpower an otherwise prevented rotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend
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Publication number: 20160288701Abstract: Methods and systems are provided pertaining to a turn signal. AUTO CANCEL of a turn signal may be performed electrically, eliminating cancelling pawls and undesirable noise emanating from such pawls as they click against conventional structure in predominantly mechanical turn signal systems. An electromagnetic brake may dampen or prevent turn signal stalk movement if an object is in a blind spot of a vehicle. Such brake may be released or canceled electronically and quietly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend
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Patent number: 9393901Abstract: Methods and systems are provided pertaining to a turn signal. AUTO CANCEL of a turn signal may be performed electrically, eliminating cancelling pawls and undesirable noise emanating from such pawls as they click against conventional structure in predominantly mechanical turn signal systems. An electromagnetic brake may dampen or prevent turn signal stalk movement if an object is in a blind spot of a vehicle. Such brake may be released or canceled electronically and quietly.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend
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Publication number: 20160191055Abstract: Example embodiments of a reflective switch and methods for preventing inadvertent actuation of the reflective switch are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the reflective switch comprise a plurality of photo emitters that emit light through a translucent zone and a plurality of photo detectors that detect light rays that are reflected back through the translucent zone by an operator input. Upon detecting reflected light rays, the photo detectors send reflective signals to a controller. The controller then monitors whether the unique addresses of the photo detectors are increasing or decreasing and whether the addresses have increased or decreased to a predetermined threshold to merit a change in switch state. An indicia may be configured to notify an operator that a new switch state has been achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Applicant: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend
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Publication number: 20160016508Abstract: Methods and systems are provided pertaining to a turn signal. AUTO CANCEL of a turn signal may be performed electrically, eliminating cancelling pawls and undesirable noise emanating from such pawls as they click against conventional structure in predominantly mechanical turn signal systems. An electromagnetic brake may dampen or prevent turn signal stalk movement if an object is in a blind spot of a vehicle. Such brake may be released or canceled electronically and quietly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicant: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend
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Publication number: 20150159747Abstract: Improved rotary switch systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may be used in vehicles that implement shift-by-wire transmission systems. The switch systems and methods may include programmable end-stops and/or variable tactile feedback.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend, Josef Kortan
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Publication number: 20150027861Abstract: A rotary selector switch prevents accidental rotation to an undesired position. For example, an automobile moving forward at 55 kph may have a rotary selector switch in electrical communication with its transmission. The disclosed switch prevents accidental rotation that would indicate that a REVERSE gear is desired when it is not. Optionally, on override feature may permit users to overpower an otherwise prevented rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: Kostal of AmericaInventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Michael F. Tefend
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Method of addressing and correcting mismatches between E-shift position and actual transmission gear
Patent number: 8812207Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and correcting mismatches between an electronic shifter position and a vehicle's actual transmission gear. The method and system implement a correction scheme that may initially set a period for manual correction, if possible, then initiate automatic correction if correction is required.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignees: Chrysler Group LLC, Kostal of AmericaInventors: Brian L Wagoner, Eugene Karpinsky, Matthew S Martin, Michael F Tefend, Steven R Hoskins