Lighting Circuits Patents (Class 307/10.8)
  • Patent number: 11887796
    Abstract: Relays having internal connections on both sides of their switches may be used in conjunction with a connector that integrates both the normal relay switch control lines with the sensing conductors of a control module for a battery module of an energy storage device. In this manner, sensing conductors may be routed along with the switch control lines for the relay instead of separately as described above. This integration reduces the complexity and cost associated with the energy storage device, because it reduces the number of separately routed lines and also eliminates the external connections for at least some of the sensing conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Anthony E. Farrell, Richard M. DeKeuster
  • Patent number: 11701997
    Abstract: A method for eliminating glare from objects using a headlamp system of a motor vehicle involves determining the positions of at least two objects reflecting from a headlamp of the headlamp system in a camera image produced by a camera of the headlamp system pointing at the area in front of the motor vehicle. The light emitted by the headlamp is dimmed in sections and the area in front is illuminated in such a way that the at least two objects and one region of the area in front, which is represented in the camera image by a connecting image section that connects the at least two objects to one another, are illuminated with reduced light intensity, so that less light is reflected back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventor: Carsten Gut
  • Patent number: 11511686
    Abstract: A system for implementing strobing of existing vehicle hazard lights including an interface to a vehicle wiring harness configured to receive input to an existing vehicle flasher module, and a strobing circuit that responds to an activation signal from the vehicle wiring harness that is indicative of a hazard flasher deployment event by producing an electrical output through the interface to the vehicle wiring harness that causes a strobing of existing vehicle hazard lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ESS-Help, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Tucker, Daniel Anthony Tucker, John Zachariah Cobb, Jonathan Torkelson, Denver Kimberlin, Devender Nath Maurya
  • Patent number: 11338728
    Abstract: Electronic device comprising an electronic circuit that receives signals from a sensor and which are processed by a microcontroller, such that if an increase or decrease of time is detected between the signals sent by the sensor, they will be interpreted as an acceleration or deceleration respectively, being activated the acceleration or deceleration lighting devices as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Daniel Leiva Letelier
  • Patent number: 11332088
    Abstract: A system for implementing strobing of existing vehicle hazard lights including an interface to a vehicle wiring harness configured to receive input to an existing vehicle flasher module, and a strobing circuit that responds to an activation signal from the vehicle wiring harness that is indicative of a hazard flasher deployment event by producing an electrical output through the interface to the vehicle wiring harness that causes a strobing of existing vehicle hazard lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: ESS-HELP, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Tucker, Daniel Anthony Tucker, John Zachariah Cobb, Jonathan Torkelson, Denver Kimberlin, Devender Nath Maurya
  • Patent number: 11318881
    Abstract: It is intended to cause a light emitter to properly emit light for notifying an occupant of a movement direction of an object approaching a conveyance. A vehicle lighting device includes sensors (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) configured to detect an approaching object approaching a vehicle, light emitters (5) attached to the vehicle, and a control device (2) configured to control the light emitter (5) when the sensor (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) has detected the approaching object. The control device (2) controls the light emitter (5) such that a light emitting spot of the light emitter (5) moves along a direction corresponding to a movement direction of the approaching object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 11214192
    Abstract: An aircraft includes an aircraft cabin having a number of rows of seats, at least one aisle, and at least one exit. An emergency lighting system having a first and second lines on opposing sides of the aisle, each line comprising a non-continuous series of photoluminescent markers separated by at least a longitudinal distance in the direction of the respective line. An exit path identifier is arranged to guide passengers from the aisle to the exit. Each line comprises an alternating series of first and second markers. The first photoluminescent markers have a first length and the second markers have a second length, the first length either the same as or shorter than the second length. At least the second markers are located on or adjacent to a seat adjacent to the aisle and the first markers are arranged to block the non-exit paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SAF-T-GLO LIMITED
    Inventors: Sean Patrick O'Kell, Andrew Jon Hallett
  • Patent number: 11208073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle having an access management system for managing access to the vehicle, the access management system being configured so as to detect the presence of an identifier, such as an electronic key or a mobile telephone, close to the vehicle and to activate a courtesy light when the identifier is detected within a first zone, called courtesy zone, the access management system comprising a counter whose count value is incremented by a unit upon each activation of the courtesy light, the activation of the courtesy light no longer being possible if the count value reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventor: Stephane Michel
  • Patent number: 11200755
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pairing for-hire vehicles with their associated medallion are disclosed. Some for-hire vehicles, such as taxis operate with a for-hire vehicle meter (taximeter). In some embodiments, the meter contains an identifier of a medallion that is associated with the meter. The meter may then determine if it is connected or properly associated with the medallion. If the meter is connected or properly associated with the medallion, it will then access the identification information of the medallion and determine if identification information matches its contained medallion identifier. If the identification information does not match, the meter may shut down and thereafter be non-engageable. The relationship between the medallion and the meter is advantageously used to enforce restrictions on the operation of the for-hire vehicle including, for example, time and location of pick-up restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: IVSC IP LLC
    Inventors: Michael Collins Pinkus, Mark A. James
  • Patent number: 11178736
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic assembly for an automotive lighting device. The inventive electronic assembly comprises a first group of light source connections and at least one jumper where each jumper is arranged to bypass a first spare light source connection belonging to the first group of light source connections by putting its first and second terminals in electrical contact. Hence when in operation, the first spare light source connection does not receive any light source. The first group of light source connections are intended to receive light sources which are used for the same lighting function. The invention also relates to a lighting device that includes such an electronic assembly with a method that includes manufacturing such a lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Antonio Domingo Illan, Juan-Jose Santaella, Juan Lara-Cabeza, Miguel-Angel Pena, Antonio Calavia
  • Patent number: 11095593
    Abstract: A verification system implements technical solutions for verifying the delivery of messages transmitted by mobile communication systems and the processing of those messages. The message verification system includes a model database and verification processing circuitry configured to receive transmitter route data, receive receiver route data, determine a viewshed for a message, and compare the viewshed to the receiver route data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: BILLUPS, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn Spooner, Sicong Chen
  • Patent number: 11037748
    Abstract: Relays having internal connections on both sides of their switches may be used in conjunction with a connector that integrates both the normal relay switch control lines with the sensing conductors of a control module for a battery module of an energy storage device. In this manner, sensing conductors may be routed along with the switch control lines for the relay instead of separately as described above. This integration reduces the complexity and cost associated with the energy storage device, because it reduces the number of separately routed lines and also eliminates the external connections for at least some of the sensing conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Anthony E. Farrell, Richard M. DeKeuster
  • Patent number: 11021103
    Abstract: A method for enhancing a field of view of a driver of a transportation vehicle with supplementary information, in which the supplementary information is depicted via a display unit display. Observation of the surroundings of the transportation vehicle takes place and, in response to the observation of the surroundings having detected a relevant object for which a potential significance arises, the relevant object is depicted on the display unit and the relation to the real object is emphasized in the field of view of the driver by the depicted object being visually highlighted in an environmentally synchronous state with respect to the real object. Also disclosed is an appropriately designed apparatus for use in an observer transportation vehicle, an appropriately designed apparatus for use in an object, and a transportation vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventors: Adrian Haar, Andro Kleen, Frederik Schewe, Robert Jan Wyszka, Daniel Gurka
  • Patent number: 10965878
    Abstract: A vehicle illumination system includes a light source unit capable of irradiating a front of a vehicle with light, a camera, an imaging control unit, and an image generation unit which performs computation for an image acquired by the camera, the imaging control unit enables the camera to capture the front of the vehicle and to output a first image to the image generation unit when the light source unit irradiates the front of the vehicle in the first mode, and enables the camera to capture the front of the vehicle and to output a second image to the image generation unit when the light source unit irradiates the front of the vehicle in a second mode in which light is irradiated with an illuminance higher than in the first mode, and the image generation unit generates a single output image by the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Tatara, Toshihiro Okamura, Takeshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 10892504
    Abstract: A power supply device includes a power supply, a conversion unit performing voltage conversion on electric power to be supplied from the power supply, and a control unit generating a first control signal for inputting or outputting a target voltage or a target current to and from the conversion unit by a feedback loop, and controlling the conversion unit based on the first control signal and a second control signal for detecting a state of the power supply, generated outside the feedback loop. The control unit sets a specific parameter of the second control signal based on a feedforward term based on the output of the power supply and a feedback term in which the specific parameter included in at least one of electric power output from the power supply and input into the conversion unit and electric power output from the conversion unit, is a feedback component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryota Kitamoto
  • Patent number: 10889241
    Abstract: A device for controlling a matrix of light sources of a luminous module for lighting the interior of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The device includes a central unit configured to receive an instruction to activate one among a plurality of preset functions for lighting the passenger compartment, and functionally connected to a plurality of command devices, each of which is configured to command the activation of a group of light sources of the matrix. The central unit is configured to select a plurality of light sources of the matrix to activate to produce the lighting function, and to transmit instructions to the command devices in order to command the activation of the selected light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Arnaud Faivre, Birane Gaye, Jerome Le Corre, Pierre-Louis Tassy, Thierry Fleurence
  • Patent number: 10882449
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to actuate a first vehicle to form a platoon including a second vehicle upon determining that an external light of the first vehicle is in a fault state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10875447
    Abstract: An optical axis control apparatus is provided with a relative-road-surface-angle calculating unit which calculates a relative horizontal plane angle being an inclination angle of a vehicle with respect to a horizontal plane by using an output value of an acceleration sensor provided on the vehicle and calculates a relative road surface angle being an inclination angle of the vehicle with respect to a road surface by integrating an amount of change of the relative horizontal plane angle while the vehicle is stationary, a relative-road-surface-angle correcting unit which obtains braking information indicating an operation state of a brake device provided on the vehicle and corrects the relative road surface angle for a change in the braking information, and an optical axis control unit which controls an optical axis of headlights provided on the vehicle using the relative road surface angle corrected by the relative-road-surface-angle correcting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Okada, Takashi Osawa, Wataru Tsujita
  • Patent number: 10874017
    Abstract: A board unit including: a circuit assembly including a circuit board and a bus bar disposed on one side of the circuit board; a frame-like case that forms a housing space for housing the circuit board, and the bus bar includes: a main body to which the circuit board is joined; a plurality of facing portions that protrude from opposite sides of the main body, and that face a surface of the frame-like case, the facing portions and the frame-like case include a locking structure for interlocking the facing portions and the frame-like case with each other to hold the circuit assembly at the predetermined position in the frame-like case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuichi Hattori
  • Patent number: 10841495
    Abstract: A vehicle camera device is suitable to be provided in a first vehicle. The vehicle camera device receives at least one of a vehicle speed value of the first vehicle, a distance value between the first vehicle and a second vehicle, and an afterimage motion amount of an image of the second vehicle, and selects one of a plurality of exposure parameter functions according to at least one of the vehicle speed value of the first vehicle, the distance value and the afterimage motion amount to determine an optimized parameter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Getac Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Wu-Chieh Liao
  • Patent number: 10836310
    Abstract: A light source control device for a vehicle is provided with a low beam and a high beam that are connected in series, an LED driving circuit that supplies electricity to the low beam and the high beam, and a first switch of which one end is connected to between the low beam and the high beam and the other end is connected to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Takagaki
  • Patent number: 10821925
    Abstract: A device and method for providing support to a user prior to activating a switch to electromotively adjust a component of a transportation means is disclosed. The transportation means and a device and a method for assisting a user prior to an activating of a switch for electric motor adjustment of a component of a transportation means are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of recognizing of an approach of the user to a first switch and in response displaying of a prompt to a function coordinated with the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Holger Wild, Nils Kotter
  • Patent number: 10807523
    Abstract: It is intended to cause a light emitter to properly emit light for notifying an occupant of a movement direction of an object approaching a conveyance. A vehicle lighting device includes sensors (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) configured to detect an approaching object approaching a vehicle, light emitters (5) attached to the vehicle, and a control device (2) configured to control the light emitter (5) when the sensor (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) has detected the approaching object. The control device (2) controls the light emitter (5) such that a light emitting spot of the light emitter (5) moves along a direction corresponding to a movement direction of the approaching object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 10763048
    Abstract: An electrical junction box includes: a connector housing that is to be fitted to a mating connector housing; a terminal held by a terminal holding portion provided in the connector housing; a first board connected to an end portion on an extension portion side of the terminal, the extension portion extending from the terminal holding portion toward a direction opposite to a fitting direction; a second board facing the first board; and a heat-generating component installed on the second board in the vicinity of the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Ihdustries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukinori Kita
  • Patent number: 10742142
    Abstract: It is presented a motor controller configured to control movement of a motor to a mechanical end position. The motor controller comprises: a motor output configured to control an amount of energy being supplied to the motor; a motor input configured to measure a back electromotive force, EMF, voltage over the motor; and a control unit being configured to control the amount of energy being supplied on the motor output based on back EMF measurements from the motor input when the motor output is in a state of not supplying energy to the motor wherein the control unit is configured to detect an end position of the motor based on changes of back EMF measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY AB
    Inventors: Tomas Forsberg, Maciej Jurczak, Wojciech Koczwara, Tomasz Piwowarczyk
  • Patent number: 10706298
    Abstract: A method to automate detection of a vehicle light degradation or failure includes generating a distinct pattern to be executed by at least one vehicle light, and sending a command to a light control module operative to cause the at least one vehicle light to emit the distinct pattern. The method continues with extracting features from camera images of the distinct pattern emitted by the at least one vehicle light, and then comparing the features extracted from the camera images with features from the commanded distinct pattern to determine degradation or failure of the at least one vehicle light's state of health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tyler J. Jamieson, Hossein Sadjadi, Arash Mohtat
  • Patent number: 10682947
    Abstract: Disclosed are a vehicle high-beam lamp control apparatus and a method therefor. The vehicle high-beam lamp control apparatus comprises a passing switch (10) which, after having been turned on by means of a physical force from a user, is turned off while being restored; a high-beam switch (20) for turning the high-beam lamp (40) on and off; and a control unit (30) which switches on and off the high-beam lamp (40) in accordance with an on/off state of the passing switch (10) and the high-beam switch (20), and which switches off the high-beam lamp (40) if, after the passing switch (10) has been turned on, the passing switch (10) is not turned off such that a first set time is exceeded, and also switches off the high-beam lamp (40) if the passing switch (10) is turned on when the high-beam switch (20) is in the turned on state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: BongJoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10668859
    Abstract: A commercial trailer camera interface for providing an apparatus and method for connecting video cameras and data buses from a trailer to the tow vehicle. The trailer camera interface generally includes a nose box, which affixes to the front of the trailer, a tail box which affixes inside the rear of the tow vehicle, and an umbilical cable which connects the nose box to the tail box. The nose box encodes the video signals, for example as differential signals, for transmission over the umbilical cable and the tail box decodes the received encoded signals to recover the video signals. The nose box and the tail box may each include a plurality of video camera connectors. The tail box may include a video handler to display or record or stream the video signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: VELVAC INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark M. Moeller, Larry Piekarski, David Wood, Mason Harwell, Douglas Cullen Chamber
  • Patent number: 10645767
    Abstract: Certain embodiments may generally relate to power supplies, and more specifically to a linear regulated dimmable light-emitting diode (LED) driver for a direct current (DC) grid connected LED string. A power circuit may include a plurality of pass devices, and a plurality of biasing pass devices electrically connected to the plurality of pass devices. The power circuit may also include a compensator electrically connected to the plurality of biasing pass devices, and a sense resistor electrically connected to the plurality of pass devices, the plurality of biasing pass devices, and the compensator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: QATAR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Atif Iqbal, Mohammad Meraj, Syed Rahman, Lazhar Ben-Brahim
  • Patent number: 10625661
    Abstract: A method of compensating for a level of a headlamp using a lane departure warning system is provided. The method adjusts a level of a headlamp using a camera of a lane departure warning system. In particular, the method includes calculating, by an LDWS camera, a predetermined irradiation angle of a headlamp and calculating, by the LDWS camera, a cut-off inclination of a low beam in a predetermined distance. Additionally, the method includes driving a lamp actuator when the cut-off inclination is less than a predetermined threshold inclination and re-adjusting the cut-off inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ba-Da Lee
  • Patent number: 10618458
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight control device is provided with: a pedestrian detection unit which detects a pedestrian; and a headlight control unit which controls an irradiation state of a headlight. When the pedestrian detection unit detects a pedestrian within an irradiation range of the headlight, the headlight control unit executes dimming control for controlling the irradiation state of the headlight so that a periphery of the pedestrian is dimmed. The pedestrian is irradiated with a part of a high beam or a low beam, or marking light emitted from a dedicated light source. A dimming region is formed around the pedestrian by the dimming control, and contrast in brightness between the pedestrian and his/her surroundings can be raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kota Yuchi, Yasutaka Otsubo, Takehiko Nishida, Masahiro Asahi, Yoshiaki Nakaya, Manabu Yamaoka, Takanori Okahashi, Yoshiaki Matsuba
  • Patent number: 10618463
    Abstract: A vehicle implementing a parking light system, the parking light system including at least one parking light disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle, a turn signal switch to move in an upward direction and downward direction, and a sensor to transmit a signal to the at least parking light in response to the turn signal switch moving in one of the upward direction and downward direction, such that the at least one parking light illuminates in response to receiving the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Kipling Christopher Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10549065
    Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus having a base frame and a patient support surface. A network includes one or more of such patient support systems and an associated computer device. The patient support system includes: at least one sensor configured to detect at least one patient characteristic; at least one light emitting device capable of emitting light in at least a first range of visible wavelengths; and a controller configured to: receive the or each output from the at least one sensor; determine a stage of sleep of a patient on the patient support surface; receive a wake-up signal; and after receipt of the wake-up signal, activate the or each light emitting device to emit light substantially only in the first range of visible wavelengths when the controller next determines that the patient is in a light stage of sleep. The associated computer device is configured to carry out a patient wake-up process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Hill-Rom SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Kaikenger
  • Patent number: 10523200
    Abstract: A proximity sensor is provided. The proximity sensor has an exposed exterior surface formed of a metal material to improve the aesthetics thereof. The proximity sensor mounted within a vehicle includes a frame formed of a nonconductive material and a metal layer that covers an exterior surface of the frame. A sensor electrode contacts the metal layer and a sensor integrated circuit (IC) connected to the sensor electrode to sense an approach or a contact of a user on the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gideok Kwon, Seok Jun Oh, Moo Yong Kim, Donghee Seok, Jong Bok Lee, HeeJin Ro
  • Patent number: 10492281
    Abstract: The power supply device comprises a supply transistor commanded by a command signal and providing electric power to a lighting module, and a driving means configured to selectively generate, depending on an instruction signal representative of the structure of said at least one lighting module, a first command signal able to command the supply transistor into an ohmic regime, a second command signal able to command the supply transistor into a pulse width modulation regime involving an alternation of ohmic regimes and blocked regimes, and a third command signal able to command the supply transistor into a saturated regime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS, STMicroelectronics Application GmbH, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Philippe Sirito-Olivier, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Manuel Gaertner, Fritz Burkhardt
  • Patent number: 10442305
    Abstract: A system includes; a first power line connectable with a first fuse and feeds electric power from a battery to a controller; a second power line connectable with a second fuse and feeds electric power from the battery to the controller; a first detector that detects whether the first fuse is connected; a second detector that detects whether the second fuse is connected; and the controller that causes specific equipment to operate upon detection of receipt of a signal by a receiver that operates intermittently to receive signals from a mobile terminal. The controller sets a cycle of operation of the receiver to a first cycle when the first fuse is connected, and set the cycle of operation of the receiver to a second cycle longer than the first cycle, when it is detected that the first fuse is not connected, and the second fuse is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Sato, Shinichi Ueda, Takashi Ito, Yujiro Koda, Satoshi Suda
  • Patent number: 10420189
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle includes a panel having a light-producing assembly including a plurality of light sources arranged therein and attached to the panel. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the light-producing assembly and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the plurality of light sources. A vehicle sensor is configured to initiate an illumination sequence of the plurality of light sources based on a change in vehicular movement. A controller for illuminates the plurality of light sources based on predefined events when an electronic device is disposed proximately to the vehicle and is in communication with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Jason C. Rogers, Christopher Anthony Danowski
  • Patent number: 10407067
    Abstract: A hill start assist system for a motor vehicle including a control system using sensor data from at least one sensor to provide the hill start assist with improved response behavior. The control system activating the hill start assist automatically and independently of whether the motor vehicle is on an upward incline depending on sensor data from the sensor indicating a local upward gradient in a driving surface in a region of a vehicle axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Henel, Sebastian Leitermann, Tadeusz Bularz, Marc Suermann
  • Patent number: 10388161
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a trailer includes a plurality of wireless sensors mounted to a trailer for monitoring conditions of the trailer; a master control unit attached to an outside surface of the trailer for receiving messages from the plurality of sensors, said master control unit including a GPS receiver module, a cellular data transceiver module for communicating with a central tracking computer via a cellular data network interfaced to the Internet, a local wireless network master transceiver module in wireless communication with the plurality of wireless sensors, and a microcontroller for controlling said local wireless network master transceiver module to periodically obtain sensor data from said wireless sensors and for controlling said cellular data transceiver module to transmit said location and sensor data; and a user interface for receiving user initiated inquires including alert requests or alert parameters and for displaying alerts including trailer status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Truck-lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Scott Troutman, Roger Elmer, Brett Jackson
  • Patent number: 10378160
    Abstract: A system for determining road quality includes a vehicle equipped with sensors to detect a position of the vehicle on the road and a suspension strut parameter indicative of road quality. The suspension strut parameter may be suspension strut pressure or suspension strut cylinder stroke. A threshold range is established outside of which an absolute value of the suspension strut parameter is associated with poor road quality. A computerized system generates a heat map to display relative quality of road segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Amelia Walker, Robert Catron, Brian Vaughan, Hung Jung Lu
  • Patent number: 10366612
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for determining an optimal warning distance for a vehicle. For example, the geographic location of the vehicle is received along with a reaction profile of the operator of the vehicle. Based on the geographic location, a roadway condition is determined. An optimal warning distance is then determined based on a braking distance of the vehicle and the reaction profile of the operator of the vehicle. The operator of the vehicle, or a navigation system of the vehicle itself, is alerted to the roadway condition when the vehicle is located at the optimal warning distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Eric Linder, Gavril Giurgiu, Leon Stenneth
  • Patent number: 10338652
    Abstract: A high voltage protection system includes a high voltage processing circuit, a pulse width modulation signal outputting circuit, a driving circuit, and a coil module. The high voltage processing circuit is used for receiving and processing a high voltage. The pulse width modulation signal output circuit is coupled to the high voltage processing circuit for generating a pulse width modulation signal. The driving circuit is coupled to the pulse width modulation signal outputting circuit for receiving the pulse width modulation signal and generating a driving voltage accordingly. The coil module is coupled to the driving circuit and is operated according to the driving voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Prolific Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Wan-Yang Chen, Chih-Shih Yang, Jia-Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 10322725
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting powertrain torque in a vehicle based on driver intent. Driver intent is inferred based on foot motion inside a foot well monitored via a foot well region sensor and changes in clearance outside the vehicle monitored via a range sensor. By adjusting powertrain torque based on operator foot motion and traffic movements outside the vehicle, frequency of lash transitions can be reduced and lash transition initiation can be adjusted based on expected changes in torque demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10308165
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling a light emission of a rear lamp of a vehicle. The rear lamp includes optical components having emission surfaces having at least three partial emission surfaces. At least a first and a second light function can be produced by the light emission of the emission surfaces. After a switchover process from the first to the second light function, the first partial emission surface, which emits light for the first light function, emits no light, the second partial emission surface, which emits light for the first light function, continues to emit light, and the third partial emission surface, which emits no light for the first light function, emits light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreu Sola Gomfaus, Michael Werner, Michael Mueller, Mathias Thamm, Daniel Mensch, Henning Kiel
  • Patent number: 10283057
    Abstract: A heuristic learning algorithm uses an ALS to determine display brightness settings based on a stored response curve for display brightness for a user. When the user overrides the response curve value for display brightness at a given ALS output, the display brightness setting based on the user input is used to modify the response curve for the ALS output to lesser extent than the user input. Over time the response curve will approach desired user settings for each value of the ALS output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Karun Palicherla Reddy, Bradford Edward Vier, Rex W. Bryan, Anand Prakash Joshi
  • Patent number: 10279711
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a locking system for a seat arrangement of a motor vehicle, which seat arrangement has an adjustment component which is adjustable manually into at least one locking position, wherein the locking system has a locking mechanism, and wherein the adjustment component is lockable and releasable in the locking position by means of the locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism has an actuation drive by means of which the locking mechanism is releasable in a motorized manner, wherein the locking system has a proximity sensor which is triggerable by a predefined operator control event and wherein, by means of the triggering of the proximity sensor, the adjustment component is releasable in a motorized manner via the actuation drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Bamberg
    Inventors: Maximilian Mueller, Juergen Schukalski, Gregor Kroener
  • Patent number: 10272781
    Abstract: A method performed by a vehicle tow bar control system for controlling position of a movable tow bar of a vehicle during parking is provided, wherein the tow bar is movable between an extended position and a retracted position in relation to the vehicle. The method comprises receiving parking activity input, sensing the position of the tow bar, and transmitting a notification signal for notifying a driver of the vehicle of the position of the tow bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Anna Olesen, Henrik Lohse
  • Patent number: 10272826
    Abstract: A Programmable Multiple Phase Warning Light System replacing or adding to the high mounted rear stop light on motor vehicles and trailers. Light Emitting Diodes of red, yellow, green and blue illuminate to alert others to the phase of slowing or acceleration the vehicle is in so as to give earlier warning and information to other drivers as to the vehicle's phase of slowing or acceleration. The Programmable Multiple Phase Warning Light System makes direct connection to the vehicle's computer via the vehicle's diagnostic port receiving necessary information that is transmitted via radio waves to the remote receiver/processor to which is connected a printed circuit board to which is plugged LED light arrays of Red LEDs to indicate braking, Yellow LEDs warn of slowing without braking, Green LEDs when accelerating and Blue LEDs when in cruise mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Patrick Lynn Daylong
  • Patent number: 10278259
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicular lighting device includes a socket, a substrate provided on one end side of the socket, at least one light emitting element provided on the substrate, a Zener diode provided on the substrate, and a controller provided on the substrate. The controller shuts off a current flowing through the light emitting element based on a voltage or a current on an anode side of the Zener diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kosugi, Atsushi Heike
  • Patent number: 10271391
    Abstract: A driver for generating an output voltage to power an LED having a minimum operating voltage VLED min, comprising: (a) a first voltage converting stage comprising an input terminal and an output terminal; (b) a charge storage device electrically connected to the output terminal and having a charge output voltage VC; (c) at least one second voltage converting stage having an input electrically connected to the charge storage device, the second voltage converting stage being configured to increase said VC to at least VLED min; and (d) at least one mode controller to switch between at least a first mode and a second mode, in the first mode, the first voltage converting stage charges the charge storage device to power the LED without substantial contribution from the second voltage converting stage, and, in the second mode, the second voltage converting stage power to the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SORAA, INC.
    Inventor: Laszlo Takacs