Electric Control And/or Sensor Means Patents (Class 280/735)
  • Patent number: 10780882
    Abstract: A lane keeping controller includes a first initial target steering angle calculator, a second initial target steering angle calculator, and a steering angle calculator. A first arithmetic unit of the first initial target steering angle calculator performs a first arithmetic operation to calculate a first initial target steering angle using a lane curvature so that a vehicle runs along the lane curvature. A second arithmetic unit of the second initial target steering angle calculator performs a second arithmetic operation to calculate a second initial target steering angle using a yaw angle deviation so that a yaw angle to lane agrees with a target yaw angle. During execution of override control, the lane curvature and the yaw angle deviation are not corrected and a target steering angle is made to be small in comparison with that during execution of normal lane keeping control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryo Hajika
  • Patent number: 10773673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable conduit device for connection cables of an airbag module, comprising at least one cable duct (10) that includes retaining means (11) for at least one cable (30), and at least one contact plug (20) to be connected to a coil spring on a steering column; the contact plug (20) is or can be coupled in a twist-proof manner to the cable duct (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Bachmann, Matthias Helmstetter, Dieter Rumpf, Alexandra Knecht
  • Patent number: 10769437
    Abstract: A head-mounted display, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium are provided. An embodiment of a method for obtaining training sample views of an object includes the step of storing, in a memory, multiple views of an object. The method also includes the step of deriving similarity scores between adjacent views and then a sampling density is varied based on the similarity scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dibyendu Mukherjee, Jia Li, Mikhail Brusnitsyn, Irina Kezele
  • Patent number: 10771766
    Abstract: Various examples with respect to method and apparatus for active stereo vision are described. An apparatus may include an electromagnetic (EM) wave emitter, a first sensor and a second sensor. During operation, the EM wave emitter emits EM waves toward a scene, the first sensor captures a first image of the scene in an infrared (IR) spectrum, and the second sensor captures a second image of the scene in a light spectrum. The first image and second image, when processed, may enable active stereo vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Han-Yang Wang, Yu-Chun Chen, Po-Hao Huang, Chao-Chung Cheng, Ying-Jui Chen, Te-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 10744906
    Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed toward a seat assembly, and corresponding method, for seat retraction in a vehicle during an autonomous driving mode. Seat refraction is provided by detecting a user initiated input for the retraction. Thereafter, a front seat is refracted such that an occupant of the front seat is out of reach of at least one driving control input device, for example, a steering wheel, pedals or a gear shift, during an autonomous driving mode. Such seat retraction prevents the occupant from providing inadvertent driving inputs to the driving control input devices during the autonomous driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Sugioka, John Downs, Andreas Zinn, Douglas Hall Frasher
  • Patent number: 10732784
    Abstract: A system and methods for cuing visual attention using one or more sensory cues. Sensory cues, such as visual and touch cues, are used to determine an area neglected by a user and presented on a screen display to cue the user to direct his/her attention to that neglected area. Sensory cues are independent of the program content—medical image, airplane pilot simulation, security x-ray pictures—conveyed on the screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Hava T. Siegelmann, Patrick Taylor
  • Patent number: 10723301
    Abstract: A restraint system includes a retractable steering wheel, an airbag inflatable from the steering wheel, two primary tethers, two secondary tethers, and a tether release engaged with both secondary tethers. The airbag when inflated includes a front panel adjacent the steering wheel and an impact panel opposite the front panel. The primary tethers extend from the front panel to the impact panel. The secondary tethers extend from the front panel to each primary tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Srinivas Reddy Malapati, Ramakrishna Jingade, Matt Alan Niesluchowski, Krishnakanth E. Aekbote, Alison Callaghan
  • Patent number: 10718447
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve assembly including a valve moveable between an open position where hydraulic fluid flow is permitted between first and second ports of the valve and a closed position where hydraulic fluid flow is blocked between the first and second ports. A characteristic vibration is generated by turbulent hydraulic fluid flow within the valve when hydraulic fluid flow is first initiated between the first and second ports as the valve moves from the closed position toward the open position. The valve assembly also includes a controller for providing electrical current to control movement of the valve via a solenoid. The controller includes an accelerometer for sensing the characteristic vibration. The controller identifies an electrical current value of the electrical current at a time when the characteristic vibration is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Aaron Hertzel Jagoda
  • Patent number: 10703223
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat occupancy recognition device for recognising the occupancy of a seat, characterised by at least one volume detection device with at least one first sensor which is provided and designed to detect a volume on the vehicle seat, and at least one body function detection device with at least one second sensor, which is provided and designed to detect body functions, and at least one body function recognition device for recognising the detected body functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Roland Ubelacker, Jens Kolb, Achim Kullmann
  • Patent number: 10703204
    Abstract: A driver monitoring system for a vehicle includes a vehicle data acquisition system operable to determine vehicle status information after a vehicle is involved in a collision including information pertaining to (i) the collision of the vehicle, (ii) an overturning of the vehicle, (iii) water intrusion into the vehicle and (iv) airbag deployment. A driver status information acquisition system is operable to determine health parameters of the driver of the vehicle. A communication system of the vehicle is operable to wirelessly communicate with a remote assistance system. Responsive to the vehicle status information determined by the vehicle data acquisition system and the driver health parameters determined by the driver information acquisition system, the communication system wirelessly communicates information to the remote assistance system and, responsive to the communication received by the remote assistance system, the remote assistance system determines an appropriate response to the vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hasib Hassan, Sylvie Wacquant, Heinz B. Seifert
  • Patent number: 10670448
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to detect and/or classify a vehicle occupant, such as a passenger seated within the cockpit of a vehicle. An occupant classification system includes an occupant weight sensor, an occupant presence sensor, and a logic device configured to communicate with the occupant sensors. The occupant weight sensor includes at least first and second conductive electrodes separated by a dielectric layer, top and bottom protective plastic layers configured to support the respective first and second conductive electrodes, and adhesive layers disposed between the plastic layers and the conductive electrodes and between the conductive electrodes and the dielectric layer. The top protective plastic layer is longer and/or wider than the first conductive electrode and the bottom protective plastic layer is longer and/or wider than the second conductive electrode to provide edge protection against electrical shorts for the first and second conductive electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Akin Aina, Markell Baldwin, Bronson Aden, Zach Stuart
  • Patent number: 10670427
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor arrangement (4), for sensing an approaching object (5), is configured as a contact sensor (9) including a plurality of aligned, flat, spaced apart electrodes (4.1 to 4.n). One electrode (4.1) is a main electrode (S) and other electrodes are auxiliary electrodes (H). The evaluation unit (6) monitors the electrodes (4.1 to 4.n) together, such that changes in the capacitances of the plurality of auxiliary electrodes and changes in the capacitance of the main electrode are sensed and compared with one another and/or are compared with prescribed reference values. The evaluation unit (6) plausibility checks the sensed changes (D(S)) in the capacitance of the main electrode (S) on the basis of the sensed changes (D(H)) in the capacitances of the plurality of auxiliary electrodes (H) as to whether or not contacting of the main electrode or an approach towards the main electrode (S) has taken place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: WITTE AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Vit Lesák, Pavel Skála, Radek Du{hacek over (c)}ka
  • Patent number: 10661724
    Abstract: A vehicle-use camera, and an automobile are provided, relating to the technical field of automobile parts and equipment. The vehicle-use camera includes a housing (100), a camera body (200), a wire rod (300), a wiring portion (400) and fixing devices (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Global Media Industry Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lei Pan
  • Patent number: 10656603
    Abstract: A method for operating a mobile platform includes detecting a malfunction in a first sensor communicating with a sensor controller associated with the mobile platform, and switching to a second sensor communicating with the sensor controller based upon the detecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guoxiu Pan, Renli Shi
  • Patent number: 10647222
    Abstract: A system to limit adjustment capabilities of a vehicle seat, the system including: a controller; a camera located in a vehicle configured to record images of a visual content, where the visual content is at least a portion of the vehicle seat; the vehicle seat being capable of being remotely controlled to be adjusted between an upright arrangement and a folded arrangement; a sensor configured to produce an output when a seatbelt tongue is inserted into a corresponding seatbelt buckle; where executable instructions enable the controller to: operate the camera to record images of the visual content; determine whether an object exists in the visual content; determine whether the sensor has produced an output; and when at least one object exists in the visual content or the sensor has produced an output, limit the vehicle seat adjustment capabilities such that the vehicle seat is restricted to the upright arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Orhan Demirovic, Mingyang Yang, Bongkyu Park, Jaywan Kim
  • Patent number: 10625699
    Abstract: An apparatus including a sensor and a control unit. The sensor may be configured to determine seat orientation information. The control unit may comprise an interface configured to receive the seat orientation information. The control unit may be configured to analyze the seat orientation information, determine when to deploy a corrective measure and modify the corrective measure in response to the seat orientation information. The control unit may deploy the corrective measure using a default arrangement in a first mode. The control unit may deploy the modified corrective measure in a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: VEONEER US INC.
    Inventor: James N. Gramenos
  • Patent number: 10618492
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inflatable airbag (1) for the protection of a person comprising a flexible sheath (10) which comprises at least two fingerlike extensions (11), wherein the flexible sheath (10) delimits a closed gas expansion chamber by the fingerlike extensions (11). The invention excels by the fact that the fingerlike extensions (11) are connected by at least one of being stitched, glued or welded to each other so that in an inflated state the airbag (1) takes a three-dimensional shape. The invention further relates to an airbag module, a vehicle occupant restraint system as well as vehicle parts comprising such airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Daniele Aranzulla, Achim Hofmann
  • Patent number: 10598970
    Abstract: A device comprising a dimmable panel comprising a plurality of individually dimmable cells attached to a window glass, an optical sensor to detect an image of one or more objects, a computation unit, communicably coupled to the dimmable panel and the optical sensor, to: i) cause to darken one or more cells of the plurality of individual dimmable cells of the dimmable panel, ii) cause the optical sensor to capture an image of the one or more objects, and, iii) determine, based on the image, whether a shadow is cast on the one or more objects due to the one or more darkened cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: AM7VISION GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Hainfellner
  • Patent number: 10587209
    Abstract: An energy harvester for use to provide power to metrology hardware like gas meters and flow measuring devices. The energy harvester may include an actuator that mounts to a substrate found in the gas meter or in an adjacent, collateral device like a pressure regulator. The substrate may embody a diaphragm or membrane, possibly a thin, flexible or semi-rigid member. The actuator may include piezoelectric transducers that mount to this member. In operation, the piezoelectric transducers can generate an electrical signal in response to mechanical activity (or energy) from the thin member. The electrical signal can be directed to the flow device to replace, supplement, or recharge a power source that powers electronics necessary to expand functions on the flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Jin Yao
  • Patent number: 10576988
    Abstract: The present disclosure herein relates to a biosignal detecting device and a biosignal detecting system including the same. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the biosignal detecting device is built in a vehicle seat. The biosignal detecting device includes an antenna block. The antenna block transmits a transmission signal to a person seated on the vehicle seat and receives a return signal corresponding to the transmission signal. The antenna block and one surface contacting the seated person are spaced apart from each other so that a distance therebetween is two times or more greater than a wavelength of the transmission signal. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, through an optimized arrangement of the biosignal detecting device, the biosignal of the seated person may be exactly and effectively detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Dong Kyoo Kim
  • Patent number: 10569738
    Abstract: A seat belt routing sensing system for a seat belt of a vehicle is provided. The seat belt includes a latch plate. The seat belt routing sensing system includes a seat belt buckle mounting assembly and a sensor. The seat belt buckle mounting assembly includes a first bracket or a first strap. The first bracket or the first strap is configured to connect to a seat belt buckle. The sensor is attached directly or indirectly to the first bracket, the first strap, or the seat belt buckle and is configured to detect changes in a parameter. The changes are indicative of (i) at least one of a bending moment, a force, an angular position, or an angular movement of the first bracket or first strap, and (ii) routing of the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, George Helou
  • Patent number: 10569668
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with sensors. A controller measures pressure in a plurality of regions with a seated occupant over a period of time. A change in pressure is determined from an initial seating position to a second seating position and evaluated to determine a vector of pressure change. A fidget is identified if the vector exceeds a predetermined value. A camera is directed at the seat bottom and the seat back. The controller evaluates a camera input to determine anatomical dimensions of the seated occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Migneco, David Gallagher, Samuel Hanlon, Karl Henn, Michelle A. Pereny
  • Patent number: 10556552
    Abstract: A sensor device is provided for a system for protecting an occupant, in particular a driver, of a vehicle from glare from light sources outside the vehicle. The device includes a projection surface, a shadow-casting object, which is arranged and/or designed such that upon an illumination of an object by a light source located outside the vehicle, at least one shadow of the object is cast onto the projection surface, an image capturing unit that is designed to capture an image of the shadow of the object cast onto the projection surface, and a control unit that is designed to detect at least one property of the at least one light source based on the captured image of the shadow of the object cast onto the projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tamas Gellert Bokor, Christopher Roelle
  • Patent number: 10549696
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: cameras each configured to take an image representing a view outside a vehicle; displays each configured to display the image taken by a corresponding one of the cameras; and a controller configured to control the cameras and the displays. The controller detects a first action that is a preliminary action taken by an occupant of the vehicle to get out of the vehicle in a state in which the cameras and the displays are not activated. When the first action is detected, the controller activates at least one of the cameras and at least one of the displays and control the at least one of the displays to display an image taken by the at least one of the cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shimon Inoue
  • Patent number: 10514303
    Abstract: A pod includes a base, a plurality of sensor attachment fixtures, and a shell. The base is complementary in shape to a vehicle roof and includes a central opening therethrough. The sensor attachment fixtures are fixed to the base adjacent to an outer periphery of the base. The shell is fixed to and covers the base. The shell defines a cavity enclosing the sensor attachment fixtures and has a plurality of windows aligned with the sensor attachment fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Harry Lobo
  • Patent number: 10509975
    Abstract: A method for estimating a direction of view of an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes a step of ascertaining a head fixation position of the head of the vehicle occupant, terminating a current head movement of the head, using sensor data concerning an angular speed of the current head movement, and a step of combining the head fixation position and a head movement gain parameter in order to estimate the direction of view of the vehicle occupant, the head movement gain parameter being a function of a specific human head movement pattern during a visual fixing of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Bieg
  • Patent number: 10501048
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to identify first and second regions of an image representing a seatbelt, actuate an output device to deliver a first output upon detecting an absence of the seatbelt in the first region and in the second region, and actuate the output device to deliver a second output upon detecting an absence of the seatbelt in the first region and a presence of the seatbelt in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hubert Szawarski, Jialiang Le
  • Patent number: 10479303
    Abstract: A pre-crash system has at least one dummy actuator and an adaptive pre-trigger function that is implemented with different parameter sets as a function of a current degree of validation, and evaluates the acquired physical quantities for pre-crash recognition in order to recognize an unavoidable crash, a first parameter set, which limits the pre-trigger function to a dummy operating mode in which the pre-trigger function produces at least one trigger signal for the dummy actuator if the evaluation of the physical quantities permits the inference of an unavoidable crash, being implemented until the current degree of validation satisfies a specified condition, the pre-trigger function comparing the triggering of the dummy actuator with the behavior of the evaluation and control unit, and, as a function of the comparison, rating the triggering of the dummy actuator as “correct” or as a “false positive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Koehler, Heiko Freienstein
  • Patent number: 10471930
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided. In various embodiments, the vehicle includes a body; one or more occupant seats disposed within the body for an occupant of the vehicle; and, for each occupant seat, a restraint device, one or more sensible elements, and one or more sensors. The restraint device is configured to provide restraint for the occupant when the restraint device is properly worn by the occupant. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat. The one or more sensible elements are disposed as part of the restraint device. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat, and are configured to sense the one or more sensible elements when the one or more sensible elements are in proximity to the one or more sensors, as an indication that the restraint device is not properly worn by the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Dorel M. Sala, Tricia E. Morrow, Senthil Karuppaswamy
  • Patent number: 10471926
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure (1) for a motor vehicle with a safety system (2) having a pressure tube (3) for detecting a pedestrian impact on a front region (11) of the motor vehicle, and with a cross member (4) extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. The pressure tube (3) is arranged above the cross member (4), and therefore the pedestrian impact is detectable in a load plane (5) above a load plane (15) defined by the cross member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Feeser, Tobias Hegedusch, James Horn
  • Patent number: 10471861
    Abstract: A vehicle seat whose state is changeable when a rear load is input to a conveyance includes a rotary member configured to move from an initial position in association with the state change, and a lock pin configured to restrict movement of the rotary member. Where a load on the vehicle seat from an occupant based on the rear load changes according to the occupant's physique, weight, etc., when the load is less than a predetermined value and the rotary member moves from the initial position to reach a first position, the lock pin holds the rotary member at the first position. When the load is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the rotary member, after having reached the first position, moves toward a second position beyond movement restriction by the lock pin, the second position being apart further from the initial position than the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Niitsuma, Naoki Tamura
  • Patent number: 10457180
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the pressure in a device for the pneumatic adjustment of a seat in a transportation means, in particular in a motor vehicle. The device comprises a plurality of cushions (101, 102, . . . , 105) which are able to be filled with air and which are connected via respective valves (201, 202, . . . , 205) to a common preliminary pressure volume (3), wherein a pressure sensor (4) is provided for measuring the pressure (p) in the preliminary pressure volume (3) and the preliminary pressure volume (3) is coupled to a compressor (6) for supplying compressed air without a non-return valve being connected therebetween. For the purpose of monitoring the pressure in a respective cushion (101, 102, . . . , 105), a predefined pressure is set in the preliminary pressure volume by way of operation of the compressor (6) and/or by way of air discharge from the preliminary pressure volume (3) via at least one leak, with the valve (201, 202, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Bauer, Michael Beuschel, Mehmet Cini, Markus Ziegelmeier
  • Patent number: 10459080
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and devices for radar-based object detection for vehicles. A radar-based object detection component implemented in a vehicle is configured to detect characteristics of persons within the vehicle, such as a driver or other passengers. Based on the detected characteristics, an activity of the person can be determined and various operations can be initiated based on the activity, such as initiating a warning when the driver is not paying attention to driving or automatically slowing down the vehicle. In some cases, the radar-based object detection component can also be implemented to detect characteristics of objects positioned external to the vehicle, such as pedestrians, other vehicles, or objects in the road. The radar-based object detection component may also be implemented to authenticate a driver of the vehicle, such as by detecting biometric characteristics of the driver or recognizing a series of gestures corresponding to an authentication sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Carsten C. Schwesig, Ivan Poupyrev
  • Patent number: 10457161
    Abstract: A radar sensor system and method for ascertaining whether an unattended child is present within an automotive vehicle. The radar sensor system carries out the method and includes a transmitter, at least one sensor, and processing circuitry. The method includes the steps of: illuminating at least one occupiable position within the vehicle with radiation of multiple frequencies; generating radar sensor signals from reflections of the transmitted radiation, a plurality of the radar sensor signals corresponding to different frequencies; and operating the processing circuitry for generating and determining if a first indicator value indicative of motion in the occupiable position satisfies a first predetermined criteria and, if so, generating and determining a second indicator value indicating a degree of repetitive pattern within the radar sensor signals, and determining presence of an unattended child in the vehicle if the second indicator value satisfies a second predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Mathieu Lu-Dac, Patrick Di Mario-Cola, Dimitri Tatarinov, Andreas Diewald, Claude Watgen, Sam Calmes, Peter Larsen
  • Patent number: 10434966
    Abstract: A computer determines a gap distance behind a front seat. In response to detecting an impact of the vehicle, the computer selectively controls deployment of an airbag based at least in part on a gap distance behind the front seat. The computer may determine the gap distance based on seat position data, image data, weight data, triangulation data, and proximity data. The computer may be incorporated into an airbag deployment control system for deploying the airbag behind the front seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Darren Lee, Roy Joseph Scott, Lirjon Llusho
  • Patent number: 10413767
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for testing a squib circuit. An electrical signature of the squib circuit is monitored when a test switch in the squib circuit is activated. The electrical signature of the squib circuit is based on characterizing resistors electrically connected to squibs in the squib circuit in which each characterizing resistor in the characterizing resistors has a resistance value. A health of each squib in the squib circuit is determined based on the electrical signature of the squib circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Steven Wright, Eric B. Gilbert, Timothy LeRoy Skilton
  • Patent number: 10414290
    Abstract: A driver's seat of a motor vehicle may be moved by means of a drive from a rear relaxing position provided for driverless driving into a front driving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOSITZE GMBH
    Inventor: Meinhard Behrens
  • Patent number: 10399525
    Abstract: A protective system for a motor vehicle with automatic electrical seat position control and/or automatic electrical steering wheel adjustment is provided. The protective system includes a seat position control unit, a steering wheel adjustment control unit, an accident detection device and a communications connection. The seat position control unit is deactivates the automatic electrical seat position control. The steering wheel adjustment control unit is deactivates the automatic electrical steering wheel adjustment. The accident detection device detects a traffic accident of the motor vehicle. The communications connection connects the accident detection device to the seat position control unit and/or the steering wheel adjustment control unit. The accident detection device outputs at least one accident signal to the communications connection in the event of the detection of a traffic accident of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ralf Heinrich Deters
  • Patent number: 10399539
    Abstract: A pretensioner and safety belt assembly may include includes a base member fixed to a vehicle, a torsion shaft having a first side and a second side rotatably supported on the base member, a torsion tube having a first end portion fixed on an external surface of the torsion shaft and a second end portion rotatably supported on the external surface of the torsion shaft wherein a belt configured to restrain an occupant is wound around an external surface of the torsion tube, a traction wire wound around an end portion of the torsion shaft on an opposite side to where the torsion tube is fixed to the torsion shaft in an opposite direction to a direction in which the belt is wound, and a pulling device configured to pull the traction wire to rotate the torsion shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sung Hun Cho
  • Patent number: 10391888
    Abstract: A seat moves along a rail in the front-back direction of a vehicle. A juxtaposed member (receiving member) extending in the front-back direction of the vehicle is joined to a floor or the seat so as to be located next to the rail. A detected portion is provided either to the juxtaposed member or to a member which is located on the floor side or the seat side which moves relative to the floor or the seat to which the juxtaposed member is coupled. A sensor that detects the detected portion is provided either to the juxtaposed member or to the member located on the floor side or the seat side. As a result of this configuration, the installation position of the sensor is less spatially restricted than the case in which the sensor is provided to the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nozaki, Yohei Ota, Norito Akimoto, Masaaki Honda
  • Patent number: 10396586
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first antenna for transmitting a signal to a remote communication node and a second antenna for receiving a RF power signal from a remote wireless charger. The device includes a RF to DC converter connected to second antenna to convert the RF power signal to direct current power. DC power management circuitry is connected to the RF to DC converter to supply the direct current power to at least one of a battery or a device circuit. The electronic device includes a controller that monitors an output level of the transmission signal being transmitted to the remote communication node, determines whether the output level has met a predetermined threshold level during a transmission cycle, and causes the second antenna to be turned off after the output level has met or exceeded the predetermined threshold level during a predetermined number of transmission cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventor: Marcellus Chen
  • Patent number: 10384565
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided having a seat bottom and a seat back mounted adjacent the seat bottom. A cushion is disposed on at least one of the seat bottom and seat back and defines a seating surface. The seating surface has a plurality of regions. A controller is in communication with the cushion and is programmed to independently vary a stiffness of each of the regions along the seating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Wissam Dhaini
  • Patent number: 10380441
    Abstract: A method for estimating a direction of view of an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes a step of ascertaining a head fixation position of the head of the vehicle occupant, terminating a current head movement of the head, using sensor data concerning an angular speed of the current head movement, and a step of combining the head fixation position and a head movement gain parameter in order to estimate the direction of view of the vehicle occupant, the head movement gain parameter being a function of a specific human head movement pattern during a visual fixing of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Bieg
  • Patent number: 10378159
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of a short term irregularity under a driving vehicle having a first wheel, by determining a first sensor signal indicative of time dependent vibrations at the first wheel, using a first sensor; determining a second sensor signal indicative of a vertical movement the vehicle chassis, using a second sensor; and detect a short term irregularity of a road surface under the driving vehicle based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: NIRA DYNAMICS AB
    Inventors: Thomas Svantesson, Robert Johansson, Olle Noren
  • Patent number: 10369986
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wheel driving device and a wheel driving method for a hybrid construction machine, in which in a construction machine having wheels, particularly, a hybrid wheel loader, by small-capacity low-speed electric motors, small-capacity high-speed electric motors, transmissions each having a clutch, and a control unit which are installed for all of the wheels each, the wheel driving device drives the low-speed electric motor during low-speed driving and drives the high-speed electric motor during high-speed driving by turning on and off the clutch during the low-speed driving and the high-speed driving, thereby reducing manufacturing costs of the wheel driving device, improving fuel economy of the construction machine, reducing abrasion of tires mounted on the wheels, improving durability of the tires, and ensuring traveling stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: DOOSAN INFRACORE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Hyun Kim, Eun Soo Jung, Dong Mok Kim, Kyeong Keun Kim, Hyun Jae Seo, Nag In Kim, Lee Hyoung Cho
  • Patent number: 10358103
    Abstract: A control device for an occupant protection device includes a power supply unit and a controller. The power supply unit performs supply of power to a squib for activating the occupant protection device. The controller causes the power supply unit to perform the supply of power at a first timing when a first condition is satisfied and causes the power supply unit to perform the supply of power at a second timing when a second condition is satisfied. At least one of the controller and the power supply unit prohibits, for a predetermined time after performing the supply of power at an earlier one timing of the first and second timings, the supply of power at another timing when the first and second conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: FUJITSU TEN Limited
    Inventor: Terumi Kawahara
  • Patent number: 10352689
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for high-precision locationing with depth values. One embodiment takes the form of a method that includes: receiving multiple depth values that correspond respectively to depth readings from multiple depth sensors positioned on a freight-moving vehicle and oriented towards an overhead surface, wherein different portions of the overhead surface are positioned at different heights above a floor surface, determining a position and orientation of the freight-moving vehicle at least in part by querying a lookup table using the received multiple depth values, wherein the lookup table maps respective heights of the respective different portions of the overhead surface to known positions of the different portions of the overhead surface; and outputting the determined position and orientation of the freight-moving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Martin Brown, Chinmay Nanda
  • Patent number: 10351089
    Abstract: A support structure for an airbag apparatus includes an airbag apparatus having a bag holder, a pin, a pin holder, a damper holder, an elastic member, a motion transmitting portion, a motion receiving portion, and a noise suppressing portion. The pin includes a shaft portion passed through a mounting hole provided in the bag holder and a flange portion formed at the rear end of the shaft portion. The pin holder slidably covers the shaft portion. The damper holder is mounted to the airbag apparatus while covering the pin holder. The elastic member includes an elastic body portion. A gap is provided inside the motion transmitting portion. The noise suppressing portion is located between the gap and the pin holder, is made of a material softer than the pin holder, and has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the elastic body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ishii, Toshihito Yanagisawa, Mikine Hayashi, Yuji Sato, Koji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10351094
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a main body substantially enclosing an interior volume. The main body is elastically expandable to an inflated configuration. The apparatus further includes a vent aperture in the main body and a vent cover at least partially overlapping the vent aperture. The vent aperture and the vent cover define a passage from the interior volume to outside of the main body. In the inflated configuration of the main body and within a pressure threshold of the interior volume, the vent cover constricts the passage proportionately to a pressure increase in the interior volume of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raj S. Roychoudhury, John A. Young
  • Patent number: 10336166
    Abstract: A door impact beam that is disposed across a door frame of a vehicle and a method of manufacturing the door impact beam may include a body formed in a pipe shape and concaved on a side facing an external side of the vehicle; and coupling portions integrally extending from first and second end portions of the body to be coupled to the door frame through spot welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, HYUNDAI STEEL COMPANY
    Inventors: Dae Hoon Kwak, Do Sub Kim, Jeong Ho Lim, Kyung Soo Jin, Baek Gu Kang