With Means For Promoting Safety Of Vehicle, Its Occupant Or Load, Or An External Object Patents (Class 180/271)
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Patent number: 11518329Abstract: A backseat child occupancy safety alert system. More specifically, the invention relates to a system that can be used in any vehicle and includes a plurality of sensors that cover the seat belt buckles of a vehicle to detect the motion of the seat belt buckle within the seat belt housing. Each sensor is in electrical communication and powered by a tether that allows one sensor to communicate to the other or a display via a flashing LED screen and audible tone if a child is still buckled into the rear vehicle seat after a user attempts to exit the vehicle via the driver's seat. The system is powered continuously by a USB or other power outlet in the vehicle. A kit for retrofitting a vehicle with the system and method of installing the system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Inventor: Delois Mitchell
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Patent number: 11498555Abstract: An anti-collision system includes a truck cab defining a truck cab volume and a sensor positioned with respect to the truck cab. The truck cab is rotatable with respect to the truck chassis along a rotation path to define a truck cab rotation volume. The truck cab volume is entirely within the truck cab rotation volume along the entire rotation path, i.e., the truck cab rotation volume encompasses the truck cab volume at every position of the truck cab volume along the rotation path. The sensor has a field of view (FOV) that overlaps a portion of the truck cab rotation volume to detect an obstruction in the FOV that is within the truck cab rotation volume. The sensor may also cause the system to provide an alert or control rotation of the truck cab in response to detecting the obstruction.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventor: Victor Machay
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Patent number: 11472362Abstract: A method is disclosed in which sensor information is obtained that is captured by at least one environment sensor of an unmanned vehicle. The sensor information represents at least one object parameter of an object that is moving relative to the unmanned vehicle. At least partly based on the at least one object parameter, it is determined whether a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the object is imminent. If it is determined that a collision between the unmanned vehicle and the object is imminent, at least partly based on the at least one object parameter, at least one triggering parameter is determined for triggering at least one crash cushion of the unmanned vehicle. The at least one crash cushion is triggered according to the at least one triggering parameter. The at least one crash cushion is triggered before the imminent collision.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Deutsche Post AGInventors: Uwe Radetzki, Dong-Uck Kong, Boris Trendafilov, Heike Bischoff, Sandra Drees
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Patent number: 11465631Abstract: A personalization system for a vehicle includes an image-capture device configured to capture a plurality of images of one or more occupants in the vehicle and control circuitry configured to estimate a plurality of Z-heights of a plurality of body portions of each of the one or more occupants from a reference position in the vehicle, based on the plurality of images captured from the image-capture device, determine an associative relationship between the plurality of Z-heights of the plurality of body portions of each of the one or more occupants in the vehicle and a plurality of in-vehicle systems, based on defined user-preferences, and control the plurality of in-vehicle systems to direct an output from a corresponding in-vehicle system to a specific body portion of each of the one or more occupants in the vehicle, based on the estimated plurality of Z-heights and the determined associative relationship.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Blair Williams, Adnan Esmail
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Patent number: 11455879Abstract: A system for indicating occupant presence within a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a driver's seat that has a plurality of sensors, a passenger's seat that has a plurality of sensors, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is operatively associated with and in communication with the sensors. The electronic control unit initiates an alert in the form of, for example, a car alarm and/or message and is capable of performing other safety actions based upon predetermined conditions being met that are based on information received from the sensors in the driver's seat and the passenger's seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Inventor: Christopher Joseph Rence
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Patent number: 11447092Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus includes a collision prediction unit which predicts a collision of a vehicle with a pedestrian existing forward of the vehicle, a grille which is disposed on a front surface of the vehicle so as to be inclined while rising toward the rear and attached to the vehicle in a state where an upper end portion of the grille is forwardly advanceable, and an actuator mechanism which causes, when the collision prediction unit predicts the collision of the vehicle with the pedestrian, the grille to be moved in such a manner that the upper end portion of the grille is advanced forward by a forward advancing amount greater than that of a lower end portion of the grille.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Sotaro Narita
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Patent number: 11443533Abstract: An information processing apparatus, comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether a vehicle is located inside a lower accuracy area, in which an estimation accuracy of the emotion estimation process lowers, wherein the emotion estimation process is a process for estimating an emotion of an occupant based on an image of the occupant of the vehicle captured by an image-capturing unit provided in the vehicle, and an emotion estimating unit configured to estimate the emotion of an occupant by performing different emotion estimation processes depending on whether the vehicle is located inside the lower accuracy area or not is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshikazu Matsuo, Hisumi Esaki, Yusuke Oi
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Patent number: 11428945Abstract: A vehicle head-up display that automatically repositions an eyebox by measuring a distance to a driver's face and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. A method of controlling a vehicle head-up display according to some embodiments includes performing a distance measurement by using a displacement sensor for measuring a distance to a face of a driver and performing a display position adjustment including adjusting a display position and a display angle of head-up display information based on a measured distance to the face of the driver. Positioning of driver's face and then automatically adjusting the display position and the display angle of the head-up display information adaptively to individual drivers can reduce the inconveniences of the manual setting of the head-up display in a vehicle frequented with car-sharing drivers.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Byung Ki Kim
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Patent number: 11384580Abstract: A dual lower rail structure for opposite sliding doors is provided. The dual lower rail structure includes a first lower rail mounted in a longitudinal direction at a lower side of a vehicle body, a second lower rail mounted in a longitudinal direction on a vehicle body at one side of the first lower rail, a first lower rail roller unit rollably connected to the first lower rail, a second lower rail roller unit having one end rollably connected to the second lower rail, and the other end connected to a sliding door, and a lower rail swing arm rotatably connected to the first lower rail roller unit and the sliding door.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Hyung-In Yun
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Patent number: 11377192Abstract: An aircraft door arrangement, comprising a door pivotable between closed and open positions, a frame section in a door opening region, and an articulation arrangement connecting the door and frame section. First and second arms are mounted on the frame section, rotatable about first and second axes, respectively. Third and fourth arms are mounted on the door, rotatable about third and fourth axes, respectively. The second arm, at a first position, is rotatably coupled to the fourth arm about a fifth axis, and at a second position, closer to the second axis, is rotatably coupled to the third arm about a sixth axis. The third arm, at a third position, is rotatably coupled to the first arm about a seventh axis, and at a fourth position, closer to the third axis, is rotatably coupled to the second arm about the sixth axis. All axes are oriented substantially parallel.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventor: Jens Heeren
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Patent number: 11363355Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignees: Cambridge Mobile Telematics Inc., Discovery LimitedInventors: Hari Balakrishnan, Lewis David Girod, Ilan Ossin
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Patent number: 11358470Abstract: A method for operating a display device for a motor vehicle, in particular for an autonomously or partially autonomously operable motor vehicle, which includes a plurality of display areas, wherein a display area is selected from the plurality of display areas on the basis of a configuration of the motor vehicle that is adjustable by a driver of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle includes a control device for implementing such a method.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.Inventors: Romeo Wieczorek, Stefanie Göttlicher, Ilka Rötzer
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Patent number: 11345337Abstract: A parking assistance device for resetting a parking path when an obstacle is on the parking path includes a pull-out path computing unit that computes a pull-out path for pulling the vehicle out of the parking space based on parking space information and constraints regarding vehicle behavior, a candidate connection position setting unit that sets a plurality of candidate connection positions on the pull-out path, a reachable path computing unit that computes a reachable path for allowing the vehicle to reach at least one of the candidate connection positions from the initial position, a parking path setting unit that sets a parking path of from the initial position to the parking space by connecting the pull-out and reachable paths, and a path resetting unit that computes a parking path of from the stop position to the parking space, and sets the computed parking path as a new parking path.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: CLARION CO., LTD.Inventors: Noriyasu Hasejima, Takehito Ogata, Makoto Ishinoda, Shinya Tagawa
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Patent number: 11342145Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic switch, which comprises, a housing formed by a first housing part that is assembled with a second housing part, and at least one pyrotechnic actuator arranged in the housing, wherein at least one out of the first housing part or the second housing part comprises a metal reinforcement and a plastic body overmolded onto the metal reinforcement, wherein the plastic body comprises, a first portion made of a first plastic material, and a second portion made of a second plastic material.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Philippe Fernandez, Ludovic Lageat, Sebastien Cornec, Francois Gaudinat, Gildas Clech, Jean Champendal
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Patent number: 11318903Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device includes a seat belt device having a variable force limiter mechanism that can change a force limiter load that an occupant who is sitting on a vehicle seat receives from a seat belt at a time of a frontal collision of a vehicle, an airbag device that deploys an airbag toward the front of the occupant at the time of the frontal collision, a seating position detection unit that detects a seating position at which the occupant is seated, and a control unit that reduces the force limiter load if, compared to a case in which the occupant is positioned within a standard seating region, the seating position of the occupant detected by the seating position detection unit is further toward a vehicle rear than the standard seating region and is within an airbag protection region in which the occupant is protected by the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Makoto Sekizuka
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Patent number: 11312376Abstract: A device for lateral guidance assistance for a vehicle includes a programmable electronic control unit and a plurality of distance sensors configured to capture obstacles to a side of and/or behind the vehicle within one or more defined warning regions. The device also includes an optical sensor device configured to capture a lane width of a current lane and/or a lane width of a neighboring lane. The programmable electronic control unit is configured such that at least one of the defined warning regions is defined in a temporally and/or spatially variable manner based on the lane width of the current lane and/or the neighboring lane.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tobias Rothmund, Tom Kasseckert, Matthias Beck
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Patent number: 11299025Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an impact protection device for a battery (1) mounted under the floor of the vehicle and separated from an exhaust muffler (2) by an intermediate heat shield (3), wherein, the device comprises a cushion (4) fastened opposite the battery (1) on the heat shield (3), the cushion (4) being able to deform when the muffler (2) moves forward contacting the battery (1) in order to absorb the kinetic energy resulting from an impact on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SAInventors: Nicolas Tropee, Ludovic Meresse
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Patent number: 11292413Abstract: A means of locomotion, an arrangement as well as a device (1) for evaluating a signal of an airbag control unit (2) are being put forward. The device (1) comprises a first connection (3) for electrically contacting an output of the airbag control unit (2), a rectifier (5) that is electrically connected to the first connection (3), a temperature-compensated driver (6) that is connected to an output of the rectifier (6) [sic], and a member (7) for the galvanic decoupling of an output of the driver (6), having an output unit (8). The rectifier (6) provides polarity reversal protection for the first connection (3) so that the driver (6) receives an output signal from the airbag control unit (2) essentially identically, independently of its polarity.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Jochen Juhl, Jochen Hollinger
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Patent number: 11292445Abstract: A method for operating an electropneumatic parking brake system of a vehicle combination, which includes a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle, includes activating, after a parking operation and braking of the vehicle combination, a trailer check function in a standstill state. The trailer check function enables a check as to whether, in the case of a decrease in the braking action of the trailer vehicle, the vehicle combination can be held in a stationary manner solely by way of the braking action of a parking brake of the tractor vehicle. The trailer check function is carried out automatically when a vehicle combination has been braked in a stationary manner independently by way of an automatic parking function.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BVInventors: Uwe Bensch, Axel Gau, Alexander Wendlandt, Torsten Franke
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Patent number: 11294344Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Deep Science, LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Cameron Myhrvold, Conor L. Myhrvold, Nathan P. Myhrvold, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Patent number: 11292402Abstract: A deterioration regeneration system includes a pre-post regeneration determination part configured to determine whether or not to execute, with respect to an electric contact to which an electrical or mechanical first external action is applied during an operation of a later-stage device, a deterioration regeneration process of regenerating a connection performance that has been deteriorated due to an increase in a contact resistance of the electric contact, and a deterioration regeneration part configured to execute a process of removing a foreign object present at the electric contact by applying a second external action to the electric contact, as the deterioration regeneration process, according to the determined result from the pre-post regeneration determination part, the second external action being of the same kind as the first external action and larger than the first external action.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventors: Jun Toyoizumi, Kenzo Tanaka, Yoshitaka Ito
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Patent number: 11279303Abstract: A system for detecting a motion of an occupant seated in a vehicle. The system includes a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant and configured to transmit a signal representative of a current in the sensing electrode. The system also includes a receiver including a controller and coupled to an antenna. The receiver is configured to detect a change in the transmitted signal based on a presence of the occupant and a set detection condition, and generate detection information based on the set detection condition. The controller is configured to change a state of a vehicle component based on the generated detection information.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Joyson Safely Systems Acquisition LLCInventors: Jason Lisseman, Len Cech
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Patent number: 11274420Abstract: The present invention relates to a console box for an excavator to prevent malfunction and to be automatically moved to a designated position.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Inventors: Gugsoo An, Youngmin Ahn, Yelim Ahn
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Patent number: 11274791Abstract: A proactive, prophylactic vehicle fluid capture system that embodies an inflatable air-diaper disposed under the engine. The inflatable air-diaper is deployed upon an indication of a sufficient crash event, wherein the deployed inflatable air-diaper catches the above-mentioned vehicular fluid prior to contact with the surrounding ground, thereby lessening the negative environmental impact and clean-up time resulting from the crash event. The inflatable air-diaper may deploy with peripheral sidewalls to facilitate the retention of the hazardous fluid on the inflatable air-diaper. The inflatable air-diaper is made of material adapted to absorb these hazardous vehicular fluids.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Inventors: Michael Francis Pelc, Stanley Pelc
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Patent number: 11273777Abstract: A power supply control apparatus is applied to a power supply system. The power supply system includes: a first storage battery and a second storage battery that are connected in parallel to a power generator; and a switch that is provided further towards the first storage battery side than a connection point with the power generator on an electrical path that connects the first storage battery and the second storage battery is. A power supply control apparatus is started in accompaniment with input of a startup signal from outside and controls open and closed states of the switch. The power supply control apparatus includes: an abnormality determining unit that determines whether a startup signal abnormality in which the startup signal has not been received by the power supply control apparatus in a normal manner has occurred; and an abnormality operating unit that operates the switch to a closed state when the startup signal abnormality is determined to have occurred.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Shin Takahashi, Yamato Utsunomiya
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Patent number: 11253733Abstract: A vehicle window glass shear system and method for causing shearing breakage of vehicle window glass under emergency conditions by a concealed and easily operated system, having a concealed handle unit having a handle, a handle-unit bracket, and a handle-unit cable brace, having a concealed shear unit mounted on the bottom edge of the vehicle window with a shear-unit bracket, window-clamping plate, and fasteners, a shear bolt with a piercing point, a shear drive wheel, and a shear-unit cable brace, and having a cable within a cable sleeve transferring the activation force from the handle unit to the shear unit, driving the shear bolt toward the vehicle window and driving the piercing point into the vehicle window causing shearing breakage of the window glass.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Inventor: John Hirsius
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Patent number: 11167673Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a seat body having a seat base and a backrest arranged to extend upward from the base. The seat body may include an exterior covering. The vehicle seat may further include a comfort system disposed within the seat body and including a heating track configured to emit heat.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLCInventors: Carsten Reith, Claudia Worlitz, Ludger Oel, Detlef E. B. Ricken, Michael Windhorst, Anne-Sophie Cabouillet
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Patent number: 11142095Abstract: A control system for a seat of a vehicle, the control system includes: a seat actuator disposed at each of seats in the vehicle to implement motions of the seats including folding, reclining, sliding, or rotating of the seats; a motion calculator calculating types and degrees of motions of the seats based on information about a passenger and an object received from a user; and a driving controller enabling all of the passenger and the object input by the user to be loaded by controlling the seat actuators in accordance with a calculation result of the motion calculator.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Eun Sue Kim, Dae Ig Jung, Seung Hyeok Chang, Hong Heui Lee
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Patent number: 11124163Abstract: A pedestrian crosswalk through which a subject vehicle is expected to pass is specified as a target pedestrian crosswalk. Road configurations close to the target pedestrian crosswalk are detected. Traffic lines of moving objects crossing the target pedestrian crosswalk are estimated on the basis of the road configurations. An area including the estimated traffic lines is set as a detection area of a detector detecting objects around the subject vehicle. The moving objects are detected by the detector in the detection area. Travel of the subject vehicle is controlled on the basis of a detection result of the detector.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Susumu Fujita, Motonobu Aoki, Yohei Mishina
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Patent number: 11117514Abstract: A motor vehicle warning system for use with a stationary motor vehicle that informs on-coming traffic of the presence of the stationary motor vehicle and in turn alerts outside workers near the stationary motor vehicle that nearby on-coming traffic is approaching. The warning system includes a warning arm that extends away from the motor vehicle in use, lights on the warning arm to warn on-coming traffic of the stationary motor vehicle, and a siren that alerts workers outside of the motor vehicle of the presence of on-coming motor vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Inventor: Heath White
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Patent number: 11084445Abstract: An assembly includes a front console having a panel. The assembly includes a torsion bar fixed relative to the front console. The assembly includes a gear fixed to the torsion bar. The assembly includes a rack including teeth meshed with the gear, the rack extending toward the panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq
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Patent number: 11084456Abstract: A ramp structure for a mobile platform includes a housing structured to be mounted on the mobile platform, and a ramp member coupled to the housing so as to be movable with respect to the housing. At least one airbag is operably coupled to the housing and is configured to be inflatable to move the ramp member from a retracted position to an extended position in which the ramp member defines a ramp structured to guide a wheel of a subject vehicle onto an exterior surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
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Patent number: 11082758Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignees: Cambridge Mobile Telematics Inc., Discovery LimitedInventors: Hari Balakrishnan, Lewis David Girod, Ilan Ossin
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Patent number: 11055934Abstract: Described herein are various systems and processes for predictive operating assistance of vehicles. The systems and techniques described herein may be applicable to vehicles such as vehicles operated by a driver, semi-autonomous vehicles, and/or autonomous vehicles. The assistance techniques described herein may be predictive. That is, the techniques allow for the prediction of non-optimal or dangerous operating conditions before the vehicle control is compromised. Accordingly, a warning may be provided and/or operation of the vehicle may be changed based on the predictive assistance determinations. In certain embodiments, the techniques described herein may provide warnings to a driver, may detect faults within the vehicle, may aid in route planning, may detect obstacles proximate to the vehicle, and/or may aid in the operation of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Inventor: Timothy Just
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Patent number: 11049186Abstract: The described embodiments contemplate a system, method and computer readable medium with computer-executable instructions for recording information relating to an accident. In one exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, once an accident is detected, a storage file is created, and information relating to the accident is stored in the storage file. In another exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, an insurance company may process a claim by receiving a notification that an accident has occurred, transmitting a request to record information relating to the accident, receiving the information, establishing an accident record, and processing an insurance claim. In another exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, an accident is detected, primary accident information is transmitted from a first recording device, a communication link is established between the first recording device and a second recording device, and a request is transmitted to the second recording device to transmit secondary accident information.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventors: Reynaldo Medina, III, Charles L. Oakes, III, Michael P. Bueche, Jr.
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Patent number: 11046266Abstract: A system and method are provided for dampening impact to a vehicle. The system may include an adjustable exterior vehicle component configured to dampen an external force exerted on the vehicle, a vehicle frame component configured to couple to the adjustable exterior vehicle component, an actuator component configured to adjust a physical configuration of the adjustable exterior vehicle component, an external communication component configured to collect driving environment data representing an external environment of the vehicle, and one or more processors configured to receive driving environment data and detect, by processing the driving environment data, an external driving condition. When the one or more processors detect the external driving condition, the one or more processors may cause the actuator component to adjust the adjustable exterior vehicle component to a specific physical configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Scott T. Christensen, Brian M. Fields, Stephen R. Prevatt, Steve Roberson
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Patent number: 11037006Abstract: An occupant detection device of an embodiment includes, for example: an acquirer that acquires captured image data output from an image capturer capturing a seat and distance data indicating a distance to an occupant present in a direction of the seat; a seat specifier that specifies a position of a surface of the seat; a trunk surface specifier that specifies a position of a surface representing a trunk of the occupant based on the captured image data and the distance data; and a calculator that calculates a volume of the trunk of the occupant present between the seat and the image capturer based on the position of the surface representing the trunk and the position of the surface of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shinichiro Murakami
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Patent number: 11007902Abstract: A seat is configured to suitably restrain a warping of a connecting portion in a signal transmission path, when the connecting portion is disposed inside a through hole provided in a pad member of the seat. The seat includes: a pressure sensor that detects a seating pressure of a seat occupant; a leading wire of the transmission path that extends from the pressure sensor; a cable of the transmission path that extends from an electronic control unit for a signal output from the pressure sensor; a warp restraining member that restrains a warping of a connecting portion of the leading wire and the cable; and a through hole formed in a pad member of the seat, from one end to another end in the thickness direction of the pad member. The warp restraining member is inserted into the through hole to thereby pass the transmission path through the through hole.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinji Sugiyama
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Patent number: 11001227Abstract: An alert system to assist in child safety in a vehicle includes a seat belt buckle insert adapted to be inserted between the male and female parts of a standard safety belt found in most automobiles or for a child car safety seat. It may also include a portable receiver device designed to be carried by a vehicle operator. The seat belt buckle insert detects whether the seat belt has been buckled and the temperature is within an acceptable range, as well as the approximate distance between the seat belt buckle insert and portable receiver device. The seat belt buckle transmits information gathered to the portable receiver device and triggers alerts notifying the vehicle operator of a child's safety status.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Inventor: Jason Davis
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Patent number: 10994712Abstract: An environment information acquisition unit acquires an image in which environment around a vehicle has been imaged, information indicating a contact with the vehicle or an impact on the vehicle, surround sounds, approach identification information for enabling an approach of an emergency vehicle to be identified, and the like as surrounding environment information of the vehicle. A vehicle control processing unit recognizes predetermined external stimulation information included in the surrounding environment information, for example, a specific signal or a movement with a specific pattern, a contact to a specific part, and a specific sound. The vehicle control processing unit uses the recognized predetermined external stimulation information as a vehicle brake instruction from outside and starts a vehicle braking sequence to stop the vehicle. Even if an abnormality occurs in an automatically driven vehicle and the like, vehicle brake control is easily applied to a traveling vehicle from outside.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Eiji Oba
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Patent number: 10997739Abstract: A system for acquiring information from an environment, comprising: a light source for generating at least one beam; a first optical setup for converting the at least one beam into a distorted light pattern projectable onto an environment; and a second optical setup for converting an original view returned from the environment and comprising the distorted light pattern deformed by at least one surface of the environment into a corrected image comprising a corrected pattern.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Guardian OpticalInventors: Yoav Zuta, Gideon Carmon, Roi Levy
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Patent number: 10953889Abstract: A system includes a computing device with memory configured to store instructions and a processor to execute the instructions for operations that include receiving data representative of one or more operational parameters from a vehicle. Operations also include assigning a score to one or more of the received operational parameters. Operations also include determining if one or more predefined event has occurred based on the score assigned to the one or more received operational parameters of the vehicle. If at least one event is determined to occurred, operations include transmitting data representing the one or more operational parameters to a vehicle information service provider located external from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: XL HybridsInventor: Erick William Fuentes
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Patent number: 10926684Abstract: A multi-direction power actuated head restraint assembly includes a head restraint mountable to a vehicle seat. The head restraint assembly also includes a fore-aft power actuation mechanism including a fore-aft electric motor to adjust a fore-aft position of the head restraint, the fore-aft electric motor programmed to adjust the fore-aft position at a first fore-aft speed during manual adjustment of the head restraint and at a second fore-aft speed upon detection of an imminent impact by an impact detection system, the second fore-aft speed greater than the first fore-aft speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: WINDSOR MACHINE AND STAMPING (2009) LTD.Inventor: Mark Little
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Patent number: 10909851Abstract: An intent communication system includes one or more sensors, a controller-circuit, and a broadcast device. The sensors may include one or more of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), a radar, and a computer vision system. The controller-circuit is disposed in a host vehicle. The controller-circuit is configured to determine, based one or more signals from the one or more sensors, an impending vehicle maneuver. The broadcast device is located in the host vehicle, and is configured to broadcast a broadcast signal containing information directed to the impending vehicle maneuver to at least one vehicle determined to be in a vicinity of the impending vehicle maneuver.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Motional AD LLCInventors: Zachary T. Batts, Ludong Sun
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Patent number: 10906542Abstract: A driving system for a first vehicle, comprising one or more sensors configured to obtain proximity data for two or more vehicles proximate the first vehicle, and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors and programmed to classify the two or more proximate vehicles as a cluster in response to a heading angle of the two or more proximate vehicles being within a threshold-angle tolerance and a distance between each of the two or more proximal vehicles being within a threshold-distance tolerance based on the proximity data, to classify each of the two or more proximate vehicles in the cluster as either a trigger vehicle being closest to the first vehicle or a non-trigger vehicle, and activate a driver assistance function in response to a determination that the trigger vehicle is in an estimated-driving path of the first vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignees: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Matthew Gesch, Jin Kurumisawa, Amy Tibbetts
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Patent number: 10906463Abstract: A lighting control system for a vehicle includes a controller configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to connect with or communicate with at least one light of the vehicle. The controller, responsive to at least one input, adjusts a color of the at least one light of the vehicle and an intensity of the at least one light of the vehicle. The input may include one or more of (i) a driver attentiveness input and (ii) a driver age input, and optionally a time of day input, an ambient light input, a weather condition input, and/or a navigation input.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Goerg Pflug, Achim Gieseke
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Patent number: 10899345Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to detecting and responding to objects in a vehicle's environment. For example, an object may be identified in a vehicle's environment, the object having a heading and location. A set of possible actions for the object may be generated using map information describing the vehicle's environment and the heading and location of the object. A set of possible future trajectories of the object may be generated based on the set of possible actions. A likelihood value of each trajectory of the set of possible future trajectories may be determined based on contextual information including a status of the detected object. A final future trajectory is determined based on the determined likelihood value for each trajectory of the set of possible future trajectories. The vehicle is then maneuvered in order to avoid the final future trajectory and the object.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David Ian Franklin Ferguson, David Harrison Silver, Stéphane Ross, Nathaniel Fairfield, Ioan-Alexandru Sucan
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Patent number: 10885760Abstract: Implementations of a child safety system is provided. Implementations of a child safety system comprises portable transmitter configured to transmits a wireless signal compatible with Bluetooth technology and a portable computing device configured to receive the wireless signal and compute a distance between the portable computing device and the transmitter based on the signal strength of the wireless signal received. The portable computing device further is configured to sound an alarm on the portable computing device once the distance between the portable computing device and the portable transmitter equals or exceeds a preset distance.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Inventor: Missam Momin
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Patent number: 10876345Abstract: Methods and apparatus pertaining to an intelligent vehicle access point opening system are provided. A method may involve detecting a presence of an object in a vicinity of a cover of an access point of a vehicle. The method may also involve receiving a command to open the cover and activating a mechanism to open the cover responsive to receiving the command. The method may further involve determining whether the object is likely to fall as the cover is being opened. The method may additionally involve pausing opening of the cover responsive to a determination that the object is likely to fall as the cover is being opened.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Harpreetsingh Banvait, Jinesh J Jain
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Patent number: 10871135Abstract: A high-pressure fuel pump and a protector are coupled to an outer side of an engine body of an internal combustion engine. A wall plate surrounds the high-pressure fuel pump to protect the high-pressure fuel pump. A cover of the high-pressure fuel pump has a flange. The engine body has a mounting surface. The bottom plate and the flange are fastened to the mounting surface by a bolt with the bottom plate held between the flange and the mounting surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroya Kato, Tomihisa Tsuchiya