With Electrical Feature Patents (Class 297/217.3)
  • Patent number: 11939061
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an occupant space and seats for occupants. The seats are arranged, viewed in a travel direction of the vehicle, one behind the other in the occupant space. The vehicle also includes an image capturing device configured to capture an image of a respective seat and/or an occupant sitting in the respective seat, and a display device configured to display an image captured by the image capturing device in a region of another seat and/or in a field of view of an occupant sitting in the other seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Stefan Bender
  • Patent number: 11918122
    Abstract: A method of controlling an adjustable chair comprising the steps of measuring the height of a person, entering the height of the person into a software application on a mobile device, taking a photograph of the person with a mobile device, analyzing the photograph to determine physical measurements of the person, storing the measurements in the mobile device; calculating optimum ergonomic adjustment of the chair based upon the stored measurements; and, transmitting signals to a controller in the chair to control actuators and adjust various components in the chair to achieve optimum ergonomic adjustment. The technology also includes the ergonomic task chair adjusted by the aforementioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: STRĂ–M ERGONOMICS CORP.
    Inventors: Diana Gillstrom, Philip Michael Chang, Steven Yi
  • Patent number: 11897395
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is equipped with a display mounted on a reclinable seat back. The display self-adjusts to maintain a desired viewing angle when the recline angle of the seat back changes. The display is selectively locked or unlocked with respect to the seat back to move about a pivot axis. When a change in the recline angle is detected, the display is unlocked until the desired viewing angle is reestablished. Display movement relative to the seat can be damped rotational movement or motorized movement. A user can interact with the display to set or change the desired viewing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Fitzpatrick, Jeffery Bonk, James Farber, Todd Sieting
  • Patent number: 11881852
    Abstract: An operator for controlling electrically adjustable furniture includes a housing and an actuation panel movably supported in the housing to form a cover body. A circuit board is provided in the housing, and a main control unit for detecting an actuation signal is provided on the circuit board. A first switch for generating a first actuation signal and a second switch for generating a second actuation signal are provided between the actuation panel and the main control unit, and a third switch for generating a third actuation signal is provided between a bottom wall of the housing and the main control unit. The main control unit issues a first command when simultaneously detecting the first actuation signal and the second actuation signal, and the main control unit issues a second command when simultaneously detecting the first actuation signal, the second actuation signal, and the third actuation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG JIECANG LINEAR MOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Renchang Hu, Xiaojian Lu, Xueli Chen, Zhekang Zhang, Shaoping Zhou
  • Patent number: 11845368
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a temperature-control system which is connectable or connected to a temperature-control circuit that conveys a temperature-control medium. The vehicle seat includes at least one temperature-control heat exchanger by which thermal energy can be delivered to and/or absorbed from the environment using the temperature-control medium. The vehicle seat includes at least one electrically operable or electrically operated temperature-control element which is a heating and/or cooling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Halwax, Christian Rosskopf, Peter Satzger, Stefan Wiedemann
  • Patent number: 11812856
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for integrating remote controls into beds include a support for a remote control and an optional cradle. The support may be secured to the bed at a location where it is readily accessible to an individual as he or she lies on the bed. The support may receive the cradle or the remote control. The cradle, if any, may receive the remote control. The cradle may include a secondary remote system that may enable an individual to control certain functions of the bed, accessories thereto, and/or the environment in which the bed is located. Methods for securing and controlling a bed, any accessories, and the environment in which the bed is located are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Purple Innovation, LLC
    Inventor: James T. Grutta
  • Patent number: 11779123
    Abstract: A modular sofa assembly described herein includes a plurality of seating modules each having a seat section, a backrest section, and side edge surfaces. The backrest section includes first and second portions coupled for movement between a folded configuration and an extended configuration. An armrest module has an armrest side edge surface configured for mating engagement with a side edge surface of a seating module. The modular sofa is assembled by aligning connectors of the seating modules and armrest module, with each respective connectors slidingly engaged along an axis. After bringing the modules together, these connections are secured with the side edge surfaces in abutting engagement. The modular sofa further may include a power cradle mounted at the sofa's bottom surface. The power cradle includes a cubic power outlet near the front of the sofa, and power cable extending beyond the back of the sofa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Burrow, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Kuhl, Kabeer Chopra, Leah K. S. Amick, Paul Koh, Alex Kubo
  • Patent number: 11691736
    Abstract: A passenger seating arrangement for use in an aircraft cabin, wherein the seat units are arranged in an inwardly facing herringbone layout. A screen is arranged to separate a passenger in each aft seat unit from a passenger in a fore seat unit in front of it in the column. The screen comprises an upper part and a lower part below the upper part, the upper and lower parts of the screen being offset relative to each other, for example to create an overhang on the side of the screen facing the aft seat unit, such that, the upper part provides shoulder space for a passenger seated in the fore seat unit, and the lower part provides arm space, in which there is an arm rest, for a passenger seated in the aft seat unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Williams
  • Patent number: 11673489
    Abstract: A first pressure-sensitive switch group of a seating sensor includes first pressure-sensitive switches (SW11 to SW13) and second pressure-sensitive switches (SW21 to SW23) located on one side of a seat in a left-right direction from the first pressure-sensitive switches, and includes a first pressure-sensitive switch pair including the first pressure-sensitive switch (SW11) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW21), and the first pressure-sensitive switch (SW13) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW22) located between the first pressure-sensitive switch (SW11) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW21), a second pressure-sensitive switch pair including the first pressure-sensitive switch (SW12) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW22), and a third pressure-sensitive switch pair including the first pressure-sensitive switch (SW13) and the second pressure-sensitive switch (SW23), in which seating is detected when both the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignees: FUJIKURA LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kameshima, Takashi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 11648853
    Abstract: A seat adjustment system for a vehicle seat is provided. The seat adjustment system includes a seat body; at least one actuating unit, configured to adjust a support of the seat body; a sensing unit, configured to obtain and provide seat information and body shape data of a back of an occupant; and a control unit, configured to control the at least one actuating unit; wherein when one parameter of the seat body changes, the control unit makes a portion of the body shape data of the occupant in a pre-defined range via the at least one actuating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BIOLOGUE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Ming Fu, Ching-Feng Cheng, Chia-Yu Yu, Yen-Ku Chen, Shu-An Lee, Sheng-Chi Kao
  • Patent number: 11634093
    Abstract: A seat module adapted to be attached to a seat having mechanical parts and electric devices for seat operation in a motor vehicle includes at least one operating cable for activating at least one device, and a module plate formed with a mounting feature for attaching to the seat and a retention feature for attaching the at least one operating cable. An end portion of the operating cable is temporarily stowed on the module plate in a pre-assembled state where the operating cable is attached to the module plate, and the end portion of the operating cable is connected to the electric devices and/or mechanical parts of the seat in an assembled state where the module plate with the retained operating cables is securely mounted to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: HI-LEX CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventors: Heather Ann Golen, Kevin Richard Koneval, David Edward Flint, Jeffrey John Lijana
  • Patent number: 11618392
    Abstract: A seat module adapted to be attached to a seat having component for seat actuation in a motor vehicle includes at least one operating cable, and a module plate formed with a mounting feature for attaching to the seat and a retention feature for retaining at least one operating cable. Further, the operating cable is retained in the module plate in a pre-assembled state where the operating cable is retained by the module plate in a stowed condition, and the operating cable is released from the stowed condition and connected to the components of the seat in an assembled state where the module plate retaining the operating cable is attached to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: HI-LEX CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventors: Heather Ann Golen, Kevin Richard Koneval, Ichiro Okuno
  • Patent number: 11618568
    Abstract: An aircraft seat may include an integrated control panel at least partially embedded within an armrest of the aircraft seat. The integrated aircraft seat control panel may include at least one signal path for communicatively coupling the user interface device to at least one component of the aircraft seat. The user interface device may generate signals for at least one control function of the at least one component following an input being received. The integrated aircraft seat control panel may include a textile covering coupled to the armrest and positioned above the user interface device, the textile covering including a plurality of icons configured to indicate the location of the at least one control function on a respective portion of the user interface device. At least one icon is configured to illuminate following a receipt by at least one of a power signal or a light source output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Martin Hansson, John Iossifidis, Fabian Panesso
  • Patent number: 11612251
    Abstract: Furniture entertainment hubs are disclosed that are integrated in a piece of furniture to conveniently control the piece of furniture, while at the same time providing a convenient means of communicating with and charging a remote smart device such as a smart phone or tablet. The entertainment hubs can be in many different locations in the piece of furniture, with some embodiments embedded in an armrest with the hub having a touch screen accessible at the top surface of the armrest. The entertainment hub provides a sleek, aesthetic and easy to mechanism for controlling the chair/sofa and interfacing with remote devices. One embodiment of an entertainment hub for a seating apparatus comprising a body with a plurality of planar surfaces, wherein one of said plurality of surfaces comprises a substantially flat control panel. The control panel comprises a plurality of visual touch buttons, a remote device wireless charging pad, and a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Abbyson Living, LLC
    Inventor: Rodd Rafieha
  • Patent number: 11591091
    Abstract: An armrest assembly for seats on an aircraft includes a mount bracket and a leaf that is movable relative to the mount bracket. A hinge pin interacts with at least a portion of the mount bracket and the leaf. The leaf rotates about the hinge pin to raise and lower the armrest assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Ralph Lipsey Barnett
  • Patent number: 11583081
    Abstract: The device of the present invention allows a user to adjust the back of a chair to a desired reclining angle without having to physically stand up and manually adjust the back of the chair. More specifically, the tilting mechanism provides a remote control for the user to adjust the back of the chair through the touch of a button and moves the chair back from a first position to a second position as well as through a number of angles of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Evan Rowland
  • Patent number: 11572000
    Abstract: A modular seatback cover attachment system is disclosed. The modular seatback cover attachment system may include one or more trim caps including one or more tabs configured to reversibly couple the one or more trim caps to one or more portions of a seatback frame. The one or more tabs may include at least one of one or more hook tabs or one or more panel tabs. The modular seatback cover attachment system may include an interlocking assembly configured to interlock the one or more trim caps when the one or more trim caps are coupled to the seatback frame. The modular seatback cover attachment system may include a fastening assembly configured to couple the one or more trim caps to a portion of the dress cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Delwyn Lovell Harvey
  • Patent number: 11524616
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom, a seat back, and an armrest. A human-machine interface for controlling features of the vehicle seat or vehicle is coupled to the armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventor: Shaun D. Tait
  • Patent number: 11479368
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for vehicle integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). Example methods may include coupling a landing dish of a vehicle integrated UAS to a ground station assembly; positioning the landing dish and the ground station assembly into a portion of a vehicle and a capping member of the vehicle integrated UAS; and coupling the landing dish to the capping member of the vehicle integrated UAS. In various embodiments, the vehicle integrated UAS may be configured to send and receive information (e.g., route information, power information, status information, etc.) between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) associated with the UAS to device(s) of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raj Sohmshetty, James Carthew, Sandeep Raj Gandiga, Richard Wykoff, Michael Azzouz
  • Patent number: 11440492
    Abstract: A seat module adapted to be attached to a seat having mechanical parts and electric devices for seat operation in a motor vehicle includes at least one operating cable for activating at least one device, and a cushion suspension module adapted to support a cushion of the seat having a plurality of cushion suspension wires for attaching to the seat and at least one module plates coupled with the cushion suspension wires. An end portion of the operating cable is temporarily stowed on the cushion suspension module in a pre-assembled state where the operating cable is attached to the cushion suspension module, and the end portion of the operating cable is connected to the electric devices and/or mechanical parts of the seat in an assembled state where the cushion suspension module with the attached operating cables is securely mounted to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: HI-LEX CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventors: Heather Ann Golen, Kevin Richard Koneval
  • Patent number: 11407334
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A carriage is coupled to a lower surface of the seat base and includes a locating protrusion on a bottom surface thereof. The track assembly includes a rail. A rail cartridge is slidably engaged with the rail. The rail cartridge defines a locating hole for receiving the locating protrusion. A first electrical connector is coupled to the rail cartridge. A second electrical connector is coupled to the carriage and operable between engaged and disengaged positions. An actuation member is configured to move the second electrical connector between the engaged and disengaged positions. When the second electrical connector is in the engaged position, an electrical connection is formed between the first and second electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas, Gregory Hagedorn, Joseph Michael Kish
  • Patent number: 11383650
    Abstract: A box apparatus for vehicles is disposed to a side of a seat and includes: a box having an internal space having an opening facing upward; and a lid having a lid body and a pivotal shaft integrated with the lid body and pivotally supported relative to the box, configured to open and close the opening of the box, and positionally changed between a closed position where the lid body is disposed above the box and closes the opening, and an opened position where the lid body is disposed at a side of the box and opens the opening. The lid body has an opened-position upper-surface portion becoming an upper surface at the opened position and a closed-position upper-surface portion becoming an upper surface at the closed position and becoming a side surface at the opened position, and a heating element is disposed at the opened-position and closed-position upper-surface portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Fukui, Hiroshi Iwata, Chiharu Totani
  • Patent number: 11350751
    Abstract: There is provided a tactile presentation device capable of realizing easier wearing/removal and contact of a tactile stimulation unit in an appropriate position. The tactile presentation device is provided with an attaching unit to a back plate of a chair, and a wearing belt portion to a body provided so as to be extendable and contractable on the attaching unit, in which one or more first tactile stimulation units are provided on the attaching unit, and one or more second tactile stimulation units are provided on the wearing belt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takamoto Tsuda, Yusuke Otani, Ikuo Yamano, Osamu Ito, Ryo Yokoyama, Takeshi Ogita, Yohei Fukuma
  • Patent number: 11338740
    Abstract: A monitor mounting apparatus for use in connection with passenger vehicles such as aircraft, trains, and buses. The unique pivoting mechanism of the mounting apparatus permits lowering of the monitor in a manner that permits the top of the monitor screen to be visible even to the tallest of passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Reinhold Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kosta Gianakopoulos
  • Patent number: 11292375
    Abstract: A headrest assembly includes a headrest bun having an interior portion. A support armature includes a portion thereof disposed within the interior portion of the headrest bun. A support member includes a lattice matrix comprised of a plurality of interconnected links. The support member is supported within the interior portion of the headrest bun by the support armature. A receptacle is operably coupled to the lattice matrix of the support member within the interior portion of the headrest bun and includes an interior cavity. A weighted insert is removeably received within the interior cavity of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vishal Vinayak Nageshkar, Sangram Tamhankar, Chaitanya Nimmagadda, John Edward Huber, Siddharthan Selvasekar, Patrick Maloney, Janice Lisa Tardiff, Alex Perkins
  • Patent number: 11285850
    Abstract: An armrest module for a motor vehicle. The armrest module includes an armrest arm able to support the arm of an occupant of the motor vehicle, the armrest arm extending primarily in a longitudinal direction (X); a pad, the pad being pivotable relative to the armrest arm about two axes (A1, A2) which are perpendicular to each other, the two axes (A1, A2) also being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) of the armrest arm; and a human-machine interface provided by the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: David Gayon, Cedric Caravano
  • Patent number: 11285854
    Abstract: An airbag includes a bag portion including two sheet members which are attached to each other. The bag portion provided with the sheet members which are attached to each other includes a peripheral rim portion having a plurality of bent side portions, the bent side portions which each is bent by filling with air inside the bag portion, the bent side portions, the bent side portions which each is formed with a groove-shaped constriction at a surface of the bag portion which is configured to inflate by filling with air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhito Kurematsu, Ryosuke Mizuno, Satoshi Masuda, Takahiro Jomen, Makoto Sueyoshi
  • Patent number: 11276289
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for implementing intelligent seating for wellness monitoring. A system obtains data from a first sensor integrated in an intelligent seating apparatus at a property. The first data indicates a potential abnormal condition of a person at the property. The system determines that the person has an abnormal condition based on the first data corresponding to the person having used the seating apparatus. Based on the abnormal condition, the system provides an indication to a client device of the person to prompt the person to adjust their use of the seating apparatus. The system also obtains visual indications of the abnormal condition, determines the type of abnormal condition afflicting the person, and determines a wellness command with instructions for alleviating the abnormal condition. The wellness command is provided for display on the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Objectvideo Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Gerard Madden
  • Patent number: 11238671
    Abstract: A system and method for providing haptic alerts within a vehicle that include receiving vehicle data associated with at least one vehicle warning. The system and method also include determining a severity associated with the at least one vehicle warning and determining a duration associated with the at least one vehicle warning. The system and method further include determining at least one haptic alert that corresponds to the severity and duration of the at least one vehicle warning and controlling at least one vibrational actuator to provide the at least one haptic alert based on the determined severity and duration of the at least one vehicle warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Stuart Masakazu Yamamoto, Joseph Anthony Alequin, Hartley Ochavillo
  • Patent number: 11167693
    Abstract: Vehicle attention systems and techniques may include using a first seat and first actuator, a second seat and second actuator, an image capture device, an image analyzer, a microphone, a voice analyzer, and a controller. The image capture device may capture an image of a seating arrangement of a vehicle. The image analyzer may be implemented via a processor and may identify a first occupant occupying the first seat of the vehicle and a second occupant occupying the second seat of the vehicle. The microphone may receive a sound sample. The voice analyzer may be implemented via the processor and may determine a target occupant and associated seat from among the first seat and the second seat based on the sound sample. The controller may activate the first actuator or the second actuator based on the determined target occupant and the determined associated seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Stuart Masakazu Yamamoto, Matias Monges, Joseph Anthony Alequin
  • Patent number: 11045004
    Abstract: A chair includes: a backrest having an opening or recess in a portion thereof; and a solar panel disposed on a face inside the opening or recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukui, Tomohisa Yoshie, Daisuke Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 10971773
    Abstract: A cooling duct of a high voltage battery system of a vehicle is provided. The cooling duct includes a duct body that forms an inlet open towards the interior of the vehicle and an outlet that is formed at a side of the duct body opposite to the inlet to supply air introduced into the cooling duct through the inlet to a high voltage battery. A blocking wall is formed between the inlet and the outlet to restrict rectilinear communication between the inlet and the outlet while allowing air flow between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 10960804
    Abstract: A vibration generation device (200) includes a frequency information recorder (80) configured to record frequency values of inputted measurement signals such that the frequency values are associated with measurement positions of vibrations on the seat originally generated by the vibration generator (20) on the basis of the measurement signals and transmitted to the seat by the vibration transmission member and an output signal generator (70) configured to obtain a frequency value of a measurement position corresponding to a desired position from the frequency information recorder (80) and to generate an output signal having the frequency value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: CLARION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Fujita, Takeshi Hashimoto, Kazutomo Fukue
  • Patent number: 10906474
    Abstract: An installing bracket is configured to be assembled to head support rods of a vehicle seat for installing an electronic device. The installing bracket includes a first locking plate and a second locking plate. The first locking plate includes a first locking portion and a first joint portion having first concaves disposed on a first side of the first joint portion. The second locking plate includes a second locking portion and a second joint portion having second concaves disposed on a second side of the second joint portion. The first locking portion is stacked on the second locking portion and locked to each other. The electronic device is locked to the first locking portion and the second locking portion. The first concaves joint with the respective second concaves to define a plurality of assembly holes for the head support rods to penetrate through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yi-Ming Chou, Yaw-Song Chen, Shih-Wei Yeh
  • Patent number: 10834837
    Abstract: An attachment system for use in mounting a monitor to a fixture. The system includes a monitor housing that houses a monitor and a fixture housing that attaches to a fixture, where the monitor housing mounts to a recess within the fixture housing. The fixture housing has a hinged tongue-groove joint that allows the monitor housing to engage and disengage with the hinged joint at an installation angle, but does not allow the monitor housing to disengage from the fixture housing at an installed angle. In the engaged position, the monitor housing can rotate relative to the fixture housing via the hinged tongue-groove joint, and can be locked in position to prevent rotation using a locking mechanism. The hinged tongue-groove joint can be tapered to improve self-alignment during installation, and can be configured to elastically compress in the installed angle to minimize movement when installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Dominic Giammaria, Anuj Bhat
  • Patent number: 10821907
    Abstract: A monitor assembly for a vehicle headrest, the monitor assembly including: a monitor holding part, the monitor holding part including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side configured to connect a monitor thereto, the second side configured to face a vehicle headrest, the monitor holding part further including: a digital media player disposed on the second side of the monitor holding part, the digital media player disposed on a heat sink; an input/output board disposed on the second side of the monitor holding part and connected to the digital media player; a vent extended lengthwise adjacent to an edge of the second side of the monitor holding part; and an opening adjacent to the heat sink, wherein the opening exposes the heat sink at the first side of the monitor holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mike Morales, Jonathan Reiblich
  • Patent number: 10793038
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a headrest-integrated entertainment system for a vehicle seat is provided. The headrest system comprises a head support unit adapted to be coupled to the seat of a vehicle; a base member adapted to be securely coupled to the head support unit; a cover panel member configured to enclosingly couple the base member to define a device compartment there-between, and a multimedia system including a display device observably retained in the device compartment. The base member and the cover panel member are securely coupled to each other through a plurality of integrally formed buckle units respectively distributed thereon. In certain embodiments, the cover panel member comprises a rearward facing panel that defines a viewing window for the display device, and a side panel that integrally extends from a lateral flank thereof. The rearward facing panel traverses substantially across a width of the head support unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arthur Chang, Chung Lung Chang
  • Patent number: 10639993
    Abstract: A vehicle shade assembly includes a vehicle body structure, a cover supporting structure, a cover material, an electronic display and a controller. The vehicle body structure defines an opening with a transparent material installed within the opening. The cover supporting structure is installed to the vehicle body structure adjacent to the opening. The cover material is supported to the cover supporting structure and is movable from a closed orientation covering the opening and the transparent material and an open orientation exposing the opening and the transparent material. The electronic display is installed to the cover material for movement therewith. The controller is configured to operate the display to display content thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian Tan
  • Patent number: 10556558
    Abstract: A vehicle seat may be used in a vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a frame for attachment to the vehicle and a seat module which secures to the frame to mount the seat module to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventor: Shaun D. Tait
  • Patent number: 10538334
    Abstract: An aircraft seating assembly including a replaceable underseat passenger accommodation feature tray includes passenger seats incorporating in-flight entertainment (IFE) system components for the use of the occupying passengers or neighboring passengers in the seats immediately behind. The IFE system components are connected by internal cabling paths within the seating assembly to contact points, and seat electronic boxes (SEB) mounted to a replaceable passenger accommodation feature tray provide IFE services to the system components. The SEB is connected to a second set of contact points on the feature tray by cabling paths that circumvent the spreader and leg structures of the seating assembly. When the feature tray is fully mounted to the seating assembly, the SEB is connected to the IFE system components through the cabling paths and contact points at which the cabling paths terminate, each contact point on the feature tray having a counterpart in the seating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Pozzi, Martin McGinley, Stuart McKee, Ross Kane, James Briggs, Harry Clements
  • Patent number: 10520943
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to autonomously navigate a physical environment while capturing images of the physical environment. In some embodiments, the motion of the UAV and a subject in the physical environment may be estimated based in part on images of the physical environment captured by the UAV. In response to estimating the motions, image capture by the UAV may be dynamically adjusted to satisfy a specified criterion related to a quality of the image capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SKYDIO, INC.
    Inventors: Hayk Martirosyan, Adam Bry, Matthew Donahoe, Abraham Bacharach, Justin Michael Sadowski
  • Patent number: 10449874
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 10421411
    Abstract: A monitor adapted for mounting in an automobile headrest is provided. A screen structure of the monitor is pivotable about an upper edge thereof, such that the monitor occupies little volume within the headrest. A viewing angle of the screen structure is independently adjustable by a viewer, such that the viewer can continuously select the optimum viewing angle with changing conditions inside the automobile. The screen structure automatically retracts into a housing when struck. Thus, the monitor poses little risk of injury to passengers. The housing of the monitor is attachable to the headrest with screws, which provides a very sturdy connection and reduces the chances of the housing becoming detached from the headrest during a vehicle collision. The hinged connection between the screen structure and the housing is preferably constructed of interconnected components made from sturdy materials, such as metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chung L. Chang
  • Patent number: 10425236
    Abstract: An electrical power and data system for group seating arrangements includes a DC power supply for converting an AC voltage input to a DC low voltage output, a low voltage main line and at least one branch line with a power output in communication with the DC output, and an occupancy sensor at a seating area for generating an occupancy signal. The power output of the branch line positionable at the seating area, and configured to supply power to a portable electronic communications device. A switch energizes and de-energizes the electrical power output in response to the occupancy signal, and the branch line, main line, and DC power supply cooperate to provide electronic communications between the portable electronic device and the electronic data network when the DC power supply is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Peter J. Maher
  • Patent number: 10413070
    Abstract: A system of controlling various actuators associated with human support surfaces is disclosed. Such a system is made up of a support surface, a controller, and an actuator. The system may optionally include batteries, a means of charging the batteries, and a graphical user interface as well as a communication link between the graphical user interface and the support surfaces. The actuators are capable of altering contour and/or firmness, of a support surface, they may be vibrational or heating/cooling in nature, and they may also alter the overall relative position of a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Steven Jerome Caruso
  • Patent number: 10419662
    Abstract: A photographing method for an intelligent flight device and an intelligent flight device are provided in the technical field of electronic devices. The method includes: determining a light source angle, where the light source angle is an angle between a current beam direction of a target light source and a vertical direction, the target light source is a light source capable of generating a shadow of the intelligent flight device, and the vertical direction is a direction perpendicular to a horizontal plane; according to the light source angle, determining a position of a shadow on the horizontal plane; and shooting a picture or a video based on a current photographing angle of the intelligent flight device and the position of the shadow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tao Chen, Ke Wu, Jin Han, Huayijun Liu
  • Patent number: 10413084
    Abstract: A system of controlling various actuators associated with human support surfaces is disclosed. Such a system is made up of a support surface, a controller, and an actuator. The system may optionally include batteries, a means of charging the batteries, and a graphical user interface as well as a communication link between the graphical user interface and the support surfaces. The actuators are capable of altering contour and/or firmness, of a support surface, they may be vibrational or heating/cooling in nature, and they may also alter the overall relative position of a support surface to another support surface, and/or to the ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Steven Jerome Caruso
  • Patent number: 10391889
    Abstract: A system for controlling a seat of a vehicle includes a relax mode to ensure ride quality to a passenger seated on a rear seat and sequentially drive respective electrically-powered portions of the rear seat to positions to secure the ride quality, a monitor mode to sequentially drive the respective electrically-powered portions of the rear seat so as to view a monitor apparatus primarily attached to a rear surface of a front seat, a reading mode to sequentially drive the respective electrically-powered portion of the rear seat so as to allow the passenger to perform reading by using a lighting lamp attached to a rear seat region, and a return mode to sequentially drive the respective electrically-powered portions of the front seat and the rear seat to positions just before moving the front seat and the rear seat to predetermined standard portions or the positions of the respective modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mi-Sun Kwon, Sang-Do Park, Hoon-Bok Lee, Ji-Hee Han, Sang-Woo Park, Cheol-Joo Kim, Sang-June Lee
  • Patent number: 10391887
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom coupled to a floor of a vehicle to move relative to the floor and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom to move relative to the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Dale J. Frye, Jeffery T. Bonk
  • Patent number: 10390752
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems, methods, and computer program products for monitoring progression of Parkinson's disease. Aspects include receiving pressure data from a plurality of pressure sensors, the pressure sensors being positioned on a chair. Aspects also include analyzing the pressure data to determine the severity of a unified Parkinson's disease rating scale factor for a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maryam Ashoori, Justin D. Weisz