Status Indication Patents (Class 340/426.15)
  • Patent number: 11663899
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of establishing a security level based on an environment of a transport, determining a minimal radio frequency signal strength needed for a device to communicate with the transport based on the security level of the transport, and performing a command, by the transport, based on the communication when the minimal radio frequency signal strength is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Satyajit P. Patne, Ryan N. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10977945
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing vehicular driver alerts. In various aspects a vehicle operating environment may be monitored by one or more sensors associated with a first vehicle operating within the vehicle operating environment. The first vehicle may be determined to be in proximity to a second vehicle based upon sensor data obtained from the one or more sensors. An identifier associated with the second vehicle may be determined based upon the sensor data and the identifier may be used to receive evaluation data associated with the second vehicle. The evaluation data may indicate a quality level associated with operation of the second vehicle. Based upon the evaluation data, it may be determined that the second vehicle is associated with a heightened risk of a vehicle accident. A warning regarding the heighted risk may be generated and presented, by an output device, to a vehicle operator of the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Steven C. Cielocha, Jacob J. Alt, Laura A. Uphoff, Leo Nelson Chan, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Justin Davis, Nathan W. Baumann, Giles Roll
  • Patent number: 10933888
    Abstract: A method for controlling an apparatus for a first vehicle includes: receiving a detection result of at least one of a camera or a radar provided on a first vehicle that detects within a sensing area around the first vehicle; receiving positional information from a wireless device mounted in a second vehicle outside the sensing area, the positional information including a current position, a traveling direction and a traveling speed of the second vehicle; determining whether or not to switch from an automatic steering mode to a manual steering mode on the basis of the detection result and the positional information; and supplying a signal for prompting a driver of the first vehicle to manually switch from the automatic steering mode to the manual steering mode before the second vehicle enters the sensing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teppei Shibata
  • Patent number: 10839797
    Abstract: A dialogue system includes: an input processor extracting an action corresponding to a user's utterance; a storage storing information value of context information comprising at least one of vehicle state information related to a vehicle state, and driving environment information related to the driving environment of the vehicle; a dialogue managing processor acquiring a parameter value of a condition determination parameter used to determine whether the action corresponding to the user's utterance is executable, from the storage, the dialogue managing processor determining an action to be executed based on the parameter value of the condition determination parameter, the dialogue managing processor acquiring a parameter value of action parameter used to execute the determined action, from the storage; and a result processor generating a response to execute the determined action by using the acquired parameter value of action parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dongsoo Shin, Donghee Seok, Sihyun Joo, Jeong-Eom Lee, Ga Hee Kim, Seona Kim, Jung Mi Park, HeeJin Ro, Kye Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10803526
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing trip-based insurance policies for vehicles. According to aspects, a trip-based insurance policy of a vehicle specifies an amount of trip units for insured vehicle travel and has an associated policy term. In certain cases, a customer may exhaust trip units before an expiration of the policy term. The methods and systems therefore enable the purchase of additional trip units so that the customer remains insured. In other cases, upon expiration of the policy term, an insurance provider may calculate an amount of unused trip units. The insurance provider may determine one or more types of credit that are based on the amount of unused trip units. The insurance provider may also apply the one or more types of credit to an account of the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Hayward, Scott T. Christensen
  • Patent number: 10769954
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing vehicular driver alerts. In various aspects a vehicle operating environment may be monitored by one or more sensors associated with a first vehicle operating within the vehicle operating environment. The first vehicle may be determined to be in proximity to a second vehicle based upon sensor data obtained from the one or more sensors. An identifier associated with the second vehicle may be determined based upon the sensor data and the identifier may be used to receive evaluation data associated with the second vehicle. The evaluation data may indicate a quality level associated with operation of the second vehicle. Based upon the evaluation data, it may be determined that the second vehicle is associated with a heightened risk of a vehicle accident. A warning regarding the heighted risk may be generated and presented, by an output device, to a vehicle operator of the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Steven C. Cielocha, Jacob J. Alt, Laura A. Uphoff, Leo Nelson Chan, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Justin Davis, Nathan W. Baumann, Giles Roll
  • Patent number: 10692303
    Abstract: A system for recording, transmitting and compiling information indicative of actual vehicle operation and usage includes a device installed within a vehicle. Sensors communicate with the device to provide information relating to operation of the vehicle. A location module utilizes satellite signals to determine the current location of a vehicle. A data extraction module sends data to a central process server. The central processor compiles and summarizes the information from the device for determination of vehicle usage for use in determining an insurance premium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Appy Risk Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Otman Adam Basir, David Bullock
  • Patent number: 10692383
    Abstract: A method for locating a vehicle left parked in a parking lot can be applied by an electronic device in the hands of the driver. The method generates a first data package based on the vehicle and the same is broadcast to other vehicles in the parking lot as a parking space is being found. A second data package is generated when the driver takes his electronic device away from the parked vehicle and sent to the other vehicles within a preset range. Upon the driver's return, the parked vehicle can generate a navigation path to itself. The navigation path sent by the parked vehicle is received by the electronic device, and the electronic device can prompt a driver to locate his/her own parked vehicle according to information of the navigation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: NANNING FUGUI PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hon-Da Wang
  • Patent number: 10541986
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for authenticating a user taking into account measurement values of characteristics of the purported environment of the user are described. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, a device is used that comprises a sensor for making said measurement of the location dependent physical property; a memory component for storing a secret value; and a data processing component for generating an electronic signature over said measurement by cryptographically combining said measurement with a secret key comprised in or derived from said secret value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: OneSpan North America Inc.
    Inventor: Tom De Wasch
  • Patent number: 10435031
    Abstract: A vehicle control device can be mounted in a vehicle. A receiver receives information from a wireless device mounted in another vehicle. A determiner determines whether or not to switch an automatic steering mode to a manual steering mode on the basis of the information received by the receiver. A notifier prompts a driver of the vehicle to switch the automatic steering mode to the manual steering mode in a case where the determiner determines to switch the automatic steering mode to the manual steering mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teppei Shibata
  • Patent number: 10410517
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a computer that receives weather information from a weather service provider (“WSP”) server and automatic vehicle locating system (“AVL”) collected information from an AVL server, accesses a material performance specification for at least one treatment material, and determines, based on the weather information and/or AVL collected information and the material performance specification, a treatment recommendation for a selected roadway segment and/or route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Concaten, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin K. Groeneweg
  • Patent number: 10335059
    Abstract: There is provided a fall detection system for use in detecting falls by a user, the fall detection system comprising a processing unit configured to determine context information about the user and/or the environment in which the user is located, and to increase the sensitivity of a fall detection algorithm used to detect falls by a user in the event that the determined context information indicates that the user is or may be at an increased risk of falling, the increase in sensitivity occurring while the increased risk of falling is indicated by the determined context information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Janneke Annegarn, Warner Rudoph Theophile Ten Kate, Heribert Baldus
  • Patent number: 10244365
    Abstract: Wanted vehicles (e.g., stolen or the subjects of AMBER alerts) may respond to receipt of broadcast messages identifying the vehicle by vehicle identification number, license plate number, or other identifier (if programmed into the car). The identifier may be broadcast over any public radio station as an embedded digital message, transmitted from police or fire broadcast stations, transmitted from wireless mobility towers, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, Francisco Martinez, Biren Parekh, John Pastore
  • Patent number: 10231187
    Abstract: A transceiver in a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication system regularly broadcasts basic safety messages, comprising location, heading and speed, of a subject vehicle. The transponder is in communication with similar transponders in other vehicles. In order to manage available bandwidth to assure that safety messages are reliably received, the size of the set of vehicles communicating must be managed. Embodiments describe methods of adjusting the power in a consensus feedback series of power management messages. Each power management message comprises both a field comprising the as-transmitted power and also a field comprising a recommended power for other transponders. Transponders receive many such messages and average the recommended power value to compute their own, new, transmit power level. Power level changes are rate-limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Zetta Research and Development LLC—ForC Series
    Inventors: Kim Rubin, Jonathan Betts-Lacroix
  • Patent number: 10163350
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing vehicular driver alerts. In various aspects a vehicle operating environment may be monitored by one or more sensors associated with a first vehicle operating within the vehicle operating environment. The first vehicle may be determined to be in proximity to a second vehicle based upon sensor data obtained from the one or more sensors. An identifier associated with the second vehicle may be determined based upon the sensor data and the identifier may be used to receive evaluation data associated with the second vehicle. The evaluation data may indicate a quality level associated with operation of the second vehicle. Based upon the evaluation data, it may be determined that the second vehicle is associated with a heightened risk of a vehicle accident. A warning regarding the heightened risk may be generated and presented, by an output device, to a vehicle operator of the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Steven C. Cielocha, Jacob J. Alt, Laura A. Uphoff, Leo Nelson Chan, Mohamed A. Wazeer, Kristopher Keith Gaudin, Justin Davis, Nathan W. Baumann, Giles Roll
  • Patent number: 10124769
    Abstract: A vehicle information server maps a unique identifier of a stolen vehicle to a network identifier of the vehicle. Responsive to receiving the network identifier of the stolen vehicle and identifying access of the network identifier to a component of the network, a service provider server of a service provider network indicates a physical location of the component and a time of access of the component to a vehicle theft system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harminder Sandhu, David Marvin Gersabeck, Derek Louis Porter, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9978188
    Abstract: An electronic control device (ECU) refrains from a transmission of a requested diagnosis data while IGSW is turned ON in case that an external device is connected to a dedicated connector. After turning OFF of IGSW, regardless of the connection of the external device to the connector, the transmission of the requested diagnosis data to the center is performed. As a result, a delay of an off-board diagnosis process in the ECU due to the transmission of the diagnosis data is prevented. Further, the data required for performing a remote diagnosis service is regularly transmitted to a management center. Therefore, the remote diagnosis service is performable when a commercially-available external device is connected to the dedicated connector by a user of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichiro Oda, Hiroyuki Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9978187
    Abstract: An electronic control device (ECU) reserves a transmission of a requested diagnosis data that is requested by a management center when an external device is connected to a dedicated connector, and when IGSW is turned ON. In such scheme, a delay of an off-board diagnosis process in the ECU is prevented when a diagnosis tool connected to the dedicated connector performs an off-board diagnosis. Further, after turning OFF of IGSW, the ECU, which is no longer due for a request from the external device connected to the dedicated connector, transmits the requested diagnosis data to the center, enabling the center to perform a remote diagnosis service. Therefore, the remote diagnosis service is performable when a commercially-available external device is connected to the dedicated connector by a user of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichiro Oda, Hiroyuki Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9928668
    Abstract: An electronic control device (ECU) reserves a transmission of a requested diagnosis data that is requested by a management center when an external device is connected to a dedicated connector, and when IGSW is turned ON. In such scheme, a delay of an off-board diagnosis process in the ECU is prevented when a diagnosis tool connected to the dedicated connector performs an off-board diagnosis. Further, after turning OFF of IGSW, the ECU, which is no longer due for a request from the external device connected to the dedicated connector, transmits the requested diagnosis data to the center, enabling the center to perform a remote diagnosis service. Therefore, the remote diagnosis service is performable when a commercially-available external device is connected to the dedicated connector by a user of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichiro Oda, Hiroyuki Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9809230
    Abstract: A vehicle system may include a thermal sensor; and a connectivity device of a vehicle, in communication with the thermal sensor, configured to receive an indication from the thermal sensor indicative of detection of a thermal event within a structure housing the vehicle, responsive to the detection, autonomously move the vehicle out of the structure away from the thermal event, and operate as an information relay that provides status of the thermal event. A method may include activating a connectivity device of a vehicle responsive to detection of a thermal event external to the vehicle by a vehicle thermal sensor; confirming, by the connectivity device, the detection of the thermal event by utilizing other thermal sensor inputs of the vehicle; and responsive to the confirmation, commanding a vehicle system to autonomously move the vehicle out of a structure away from the thermal event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cynthia M. Neubecker, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Brad Alan Ignaczak, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 9792319
    Abstract: A system for avoidance records comprises an interface and a processor. An interface is configured to receive an abbreviated record associated with a non-event profile identifier. A processor is configured to determine a counter value associated with the non-event profile identifier and, in the event that the counter value is greater than a predetermined threshold, create and store an avoidance record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Lytx, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Denson
  • Patent number: 9555814
    Abstract: A vehicle system may include a thermal sensor; and a vehicle connectivity module in communication with the thermal sensor and a plurality of vehicle systems configured to receive an indication, from the thermal sensor, indicative of detection of a thermal event external to the vehicle, and responsive to the detection, utilize at least one of the plurality vehicle systems to perform at least one assistance feature to provide notification of the thermal event. A computer-implemented method may include activating a vehicle connectivity module responsive to detection of a thermal event external to the vehicle by a vehicle thermal sensor, confirming, by the vehicle connectivity module, the detection of the thermal event by utilizing other thermal sensor inputs of the vehicle, and responsive to the confirmation, commanding a vehicle system to perform at least one assistance feature to provide notification of the thermal event to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cynthia M. Neubecker, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Brad Alan Ignaczak, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 9453785
    Abstract: A method for troubleshooting a built-on function pertaining to a manufactured vehicle. That vehicle undergoes building-on of at least one function, which function is provided with a computer-readable representation associated with the vehicle. During troubleshooting of the built-on function, the vehicle is connected to a diagnostic tool which determines conditions for activation of the built-on function. The tool determines via the connection to the vehicle whether the at least one condition for the activation is fulfilled, and a signal is generated if the at least one activation condition is not fulfilled. Also a diagnostic tool and a vehicle are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Johan Aneros, Tony Lindgren
  • Patent number: 9452733
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted control system to prevent an execution of an improper request of a center apparatus is provided. The vehicle-mounted control system executes an impropriety determination process, which determines whether a center request signal is an improper signal, based on circumstance information representing a circumstance where a vehicle is placed. Accordingly, it may be possible to determine whether the center request signal is an improper signal transmitted by an operation of a center apparatus by an improper person. When it is determined as the improper center request signal (S2: No), a vehicle control based on the center request signal is not executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fusayoshi Katou, Yuzo Harata
  • Patent number: 9041561
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling power usage of a reporting device associated with an asset is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method determines whether the reporting device is in a sleep mode or an active mode and in response to determining the reporting device is in the sleep mode, the method maintains the sleep mode and in response to determining a state change associated with the reporting device, the method powers up the reporting device to the active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Daniel John Wallace, Doug Eggert, Curt Conquest
  • Patent number: 9024737
    Abstract: Disclosed are an electronic device case for providing tactile feedback and an operation method thereof. The electronic device case for providing tactile feedback, includes: a communication interface unit receiving a control signal from an electronic device according to an operation of the electronic device; an actuator driver generating an electric signal corresponding to preset tactile pattern data according to the received control signal; and one or more film type actuators provided to contact the actuator driver and varying physical properties according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jeong Mook Lim, Ki Uk Kyung, Hee Sook Shin, Jong Uk Lee, Jun Seok Park
  • Patent number: 9007187
    Abstract: A communication system includes: a remote controller having an input unit inputting user operations and a communication unit performing bidirectional communication, transmitting a remote control code in accordance with the user operation with respect to the input unit from the communication unit; and a host device having a communication unit performing bidirectional communication and a host function unit executing processing corresponding to the remote control code received in the communication unit, wherein the host device transmits a status response from the communication unit in response to a status inquiry transmitted from the communication unit of the remote controller, the remote controller repeatedly executes a status check communication procedure including the transmission of the status inquiry and waiting for receiving the status response after transmitting the remote control code at given time intervals during which the communication unit is in a dormant state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Tsurumoto, Yoshinori Satoh
  • Patent number: 8988205
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for expanding the functionality of a security system are disclosed. The security system may be integrated with a vehicle security system. For example, a vehicle security node of a vehicle may transmit a signal that may be received by the security system. The security system may authenticate the vehicle security node and integrate the vehicle security node into its network. Various information may be communicated in both directions between the security system and the vehicle security node. The vehicle security node may communicate with an alarm panel that may include a dock for connecting a portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Jim Poder
  • Patent number: 8965329
    Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises a processing system, a memory system, and a wireless communication transceiver. The processing system is configured to maintain device status information in the memory system of the wireless communication device, encode the device status information to generate an update status message in a bitstream protocol, and detect a condition of the wireless communication device which could impede a connection with a wireless access node. The wireless communication transceiver is configured to, in response to the processing system detecting the condition of the wireless communication device, transmit the update status message before the connection with the wireless access node is lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Bryce A. Jones, Benjamin Michael Wilson
  • Patent number: 8963702
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting use of a wireless device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and method for using street map data broadcasts a warning to a driver, wherein the warning is triggered when a vehicle operating parameter does not comply with a limitation for a current street in a street mapping database. The limitation for the current street is also broadcast to the driver. An indication that the limitation for the current street is incorrect is received from the driver. The warning to the driver may be an audible warning and/or a visual warning to the driver. Broadcasting a limitation for the current street may include displaying the limitation to the driver or playing a spoken message to the driver. The limitation may be a posted speed limit or a traffic direction, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: inthinc Technology Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Follmer, Scott McClellan
  • Patent number: 8948926
    Abstract: A system is provided which is capable of controlling one or more parameters of a vehicle, such as vehicle speed or engine RPM. The system involves communication between a transmitter and a controller. The transmitter has memory containing information that corresponds to a vehicle parameter setting. The information is operatively transmitted from the transmitter to the controller. Once the controller receives the information, the vehicle parameter setting is identified by the controller. When the setting is identified, the controller may adjust at least one mechanism on the vehicle so as modify the vehicle parameter accordingly. One scenario in which the parameter modification is generally provided is if the controller determines that the vehicle parameter is exceeding the identified setting, which corresponds to the vehicle being operated at a level higher than that intended for the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Erickson
  • Patent number: 8931974
    Abstract: A self propelled building machine includes a drive, a cover covering the drive, a control platform and a material hopper which includes a filling hole and that can be filled with material by an external supply unit. The building machine is further provided with a signaling device for signaling material filling parameters to the external supply unit. In addition, the building machine comprises at least one external mirror, wherein the at least one external mirror and the signaling device are attached to the building machine by means of a common holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Joseph Voegele AG
    Inventor: Ingo Herzberg
  • Patent number: 8922343
    Abstract: In a remote operation apparatus of a working machine including a working machine side transmission/reception unit (21) and a radio remote operation means (3) having a remote control side transmission/reception unit (31), an ON/OFF control circuit (32) for controlling the operation/non-operation state of the remote control side transmission/reception unit (31) is disposed to the radio remote operation means (3), and the working machine side transmission/reception unit (21) is called when the remote control side transmission/reception unit (31) is in an operating state by that the ON/OFF control circuit (32) is turned on, and the data showing the driving state of the working machine (1) is transmitted from the working machine side transmission/reception unit (21) to the remote control side transmission/reception unit (31) to thereby reduce an electric power consumption amount on the radio remote operation means (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Inagawa, Toshikazu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8854183
    Abstract: A working machine is provided with a plurality of exchangeable components, and each component is provided with a wireless tag. A component ID is stored in advance in the wireless tag. When, on the side of the working machine, a component exchange timing or an engine starting timing is detected, the component ID stored in the wireless tag is acquired, and is transmitted to a working machine management device. The working machine management device checks the component ID which has been received from the working machine and a component ID which is stored in a component ID storage means against one another. And, if these two component IDs do not match one another, an abnormal state detection means outputs a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsutomo Komine, Yukihiro Tsuda, Hidenori Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8847730
    Abstract: A vehicular keyless entry system is formed of an in-vehicle device and a plurality of portable devices. The portable device stores received checkup area identification information in a memory circuit. The portable device transmits a response signal including the stored checkup area information and portable device identification information, when a request signal is received from an in-vehicle device. The in-vehicle device checks up a plurality of portable devices based on the portable device identification information included in the response signal, and determines locations of the plurality of portable devices based on the checkup area identification information included in the response signal. The in-vehicle device performs vehicle door locking control operation based on a determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Katou
  • Patent number: 8836494
    Abstract: A lighting device has a first panel, which has an underside and an upper side, and a plurality of lighting elements which illuminate the first panel from the underside. The first panel has a plurality of transparent and non-transparent elements which are arranged one adjacent to the other in an alternating fashion and which each extend completely from the underside to the upper side. The lighting elements are controlled by a control device which is designed to bring about a predefinable spatial brightness profile in a space on the upper side of the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Jens Dietmar Reuschel, Christoph Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8830031
    Abstract: A working machine is provided with a plurality of exchangeable components, and each component is provided with a wireless tag. A component ID is stored in advance in the wireless tag. When, on the side of the working machine, a component exchange timing or an engine starting timing is detected, the component ID stored in the wireless tag is acquired, and is transmitted to a working machine management device. The working machine management device checks the component ID which has been received from the working machine and a component ID which is stored in a component ID storage means against one another. And, if these two component IDs do not match one another, an abnormal state detection means outputs a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tsuda, Hidenori Koizumi, Michiko Komine, Keisuke Komine, Chihiro Saito
  • Patent number: 8810364
    Abstract: A working machine is provided with a plurality of exchangeable components, and each component is provided with a wireless tag. A component ID is stored in advance in the wireless tag. When, on the side of the working machine, a component exchange timing or an engine starting timing is detected, the component ID stored in the wireless tag is acquired, and is transmitted to a working machine management device. The working machine management device checks the component ID which has been received from the working machine and a component ID which is stored in a component ID storage means against one another. And, if these two component IDs do not match one another, an abnormal state detection means outputs a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tsuda, Hidenori Koizumi, Michiko Komine, Keisuke Komine, Chihiro Saito
  • Patent number: 8749346
    Abstract: A remote control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending therein, and a plurality of vehicle devices communicating over the data communications bus. The system may include a cellular transceiver within the vehicle, and a multi-vehicle controller within the vehicle and coupled to the data communications bus for communication with at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices to perform a remote vehicle function based upon a received remote control signal. The multi-vehicle controller may be enabled to communicate via the data communications bus using a desired set of signals for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles based upon learning from at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices on the data communications bus and downloading via the cellular transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 8725596
    Abstract: A computerized vehicle control system and device for limiting the functionality of a mobile asset (e.g., vehicle) capable of performing a plurality of mobile asset functions. The device includes an asset monitor, a mobile wireless transceiver, and a mobile asset processor. The asset monitor is in communication with a first mobile asset for collecting monitored data associated with the first mobile asset. The mobile wireless transceiver is adapted to interface with a management computer. The mobile asset processor is adapted to receive the monitored data from the asset monitor; determine that a first mobile asset function of the plurality of mobile asset functions should be limited; and limit operation of the first mobile asset function. The mobile asset control device can be adapted to override the functionality of the mobile asset, based on the navigation, relative location of the mobile asset, or business rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: I.D. Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Ehrman, Michael L. Ehrman, Jeffrey M. Jagid, Joseph M. Pinzon, Yaron Hecker, Leonard Pimentel
  • Patent number: 8718719
    Abstract: A system and method for managing battery slump in a battery-powered communications device including: an input configured for receiving battery voltage level information; an output configured for sending a signal for terminating a transmission; and a controller connected to the input and the output and configured to receive the battery voltage level information from the input; monitor the battery voltage level information; and send a signal via the output to terminate a transmission if the battery voltage level information crosses a predetermined threshold during the transmission. In particular, the system and method may further include an input connected to the controller and configured for receiving a signal indicating when a transmission is beginning or occurring and the controller is further configured to receive and monitor the battery voltage level information only when the transmission is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Martin George Albert Guthrie, Richard C. Madter, Dusan Veselic, Christopher Simon Book, Kent Arnold Nickerson
  • Patent number: 8686842
    Abstract: A door locking system is provided for a motor vehicle. The door locking system includes, but is not limited to a mechanical door opening safety catch and a warning unit configured to generate a first warning signal that is exclusively suppressed by a manual activation of the mechanical door opening safety catch. A motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a vehicle body, a rear vehicle door that is linked on the vehicle body and facing away from a vehicle travel direction, the rear vehicle door configured to pivot, a door opening safety catch configured to be mechanically activate upon the pivot of the rear vehicle door, and a warning unit configured to generate a first warning signal that is exclusively suppressed by the mechanical activation of the door opening safety catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peter Eduard Schuessler, Andreas Heberer, Mario Tassotto, Oliver Roettel, Joachim Schuberth
  • Patent number: 8653955
    Abstract: A method for exchanging information between a vehicle (1) and a mobile ID provider (11) has the following process steps: transmitting status request signals of the ID provider (11) to a communications device (21) in the vehicle having a prescribed period, wherein the periodically occurring action has the status request signal and a predefined pause, —activating the communications device (21) in the vehicle in case of alarm in a receiving mode, receiving the status request signal of the ID provider (11) by the activated communications device (21) in the vehicle, —transmitting an alarm message by the communications device (21) in the vehicle to the mobile ID provider (11); and display of the alarm signal on the ID provider (11). The method is particularly suited for the display of alarm messages of a vehicle on a mobile ID provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Aunkofer, Herbert Froitzheim, Christian Kursawe, Thomas Reisinger, Ingo Tschauschner, Roland Wagner
  • Patent number: 8653954
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting an error in the installation of an electrical component in a vehicle having a vehicle bus is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to a vehicle communication interface that is configured to be communicatively coupled with the vehicle bus and to detect a first power state of the vehicle. The system further includes an aftermarket telematics unit that is configured to be electrically connected to the vehicle and to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle communication interface. The vehicle communication interface is further configured to detect a second power state of the aftermarket telematics unit, to compare the first power state with the second power state, and to alert a third party when the first power state and the second power state do not correspond with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Russell A. Patenaude, Nicholas J. Peariso
  • Patent number: 8593252
    Abstract: An electronic lock box system includes a wireless portable transponder that communicates with an electronic lock box using a low power radio link. The portable transponder includes: a wide area network radio to communicate to a central clearinghouse computer, a motion sensor to activate its wide area network radio, and a connector to communicate with a secure memory device. The electronic lock box sends a hail message that is intercepted by the portable transponder; the hail message includes identification information. The portable transponder responds with a message that includes a time sensitive encryption key; the lock box authenticates this response message using its own time sensitive encryption key. If the messages are authenticated, the lock box sends an access event record to the portable transponder, and this access event record is stored in the secure memory device. If a wide area network is available, the portable transponder sends the access event record to the central clearinghouse computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: SentriLock, LLC
    Inventor: Scott R. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8587404
    Abstract: A movable barrier system with a moving-barrier imminent motion notification includes a movable barrier and a movable barrier operator connected to control movement of the movable barrier between a first position and a second position. To reduce user dissatisfaction with the moving-barrier imminent motion notification, communications to the movable barrier operator include information to assist the operator in determining whether to operate the moving-barrier imminent motion notification in combination with moving the door or to specifically command that the moving-barrier imminent motion notification operate or not. The communication may include a signal or input separate from and in addition to a typical command signal or input to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward T. Laird
  • Patent number: 8570145
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a security system. The system may comprise at least a first handheld device, a second handheld device, a first secure entity, and a second secure entity. The first handheld device and the first secure entity are electronically pre-registered with each other, the first handheld device and the second secure entity are electronically pre-registered with each other, the second handheld device and the first secure entity are electronically pre-registered with each other, and the second handheld device and the second secure entity are electronically pre-registered with each other, with pre-registration of each respective handheld device and secure entity pair establishing a unique channel for the respective handheld device and secure entity pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Jonson Chung-shun Au, Melvin Sik Yu Li
  • Patent number: 8493191
    Abstract: A vehicle security device to be installed in a vehicle of a type including a vehicle audio entertainment system being configurable via a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle may include an audio entertainment system content interface. The audio interface may be selectively operable to communicate audio content relating to a vehicle security breach condition to the vehicle audio entertainment system. The device may also include a controller coupled to the audio entertainment system content interface for detecting a vehicle security breach condition. The controller may also be for configuring the vehicle audio entertainment system, via the vehicle data communications bus, so that the audio content related to the vehicle security breach condition plays through the vehicle audio entertainment system based upon detecting the vehicle security breach condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 8432268
    Abstract: A vehicle security system for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle data communications bus connected to a plurality of vehicle devices may include at least one vehicle security sensor interfacing with the vehicle data communications bus for generating a pre-warning signal or an alarm signal, depending upon a sensed threat level. The vehicle security system may also include an alarm indicator and a vehicle security controller. The vehicle security controller may interface with the vehicle data communications bus for causing the alarm indicator to generate a pre-warning indication based upon the pre-warning signal, or for causing the alarm indicator to generate an alarm indication based upon the alarm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 8427278
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an automation and security system including a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The first sensor detects a signal from an identification device indicative of a first authorized person in an exterior area near a door. The second sensor is coupled to a handle on the exterior surface of the door to detect a touch to the handle. The controller is configured to operate one or more lighting devices and a lock associated with the door. When the controller receives a signal from the first sensor indicative of the identification device in the exterior area near the door, it initiates a timer and operates one or more lighting devices to indicate a condition detected by the automation and security system. When the controller receives a signal from the second sensor indicative of a touch to the handle after the initiation of the timer and before the timer expires, it unlocks the door and turns on one or more lights in an interior area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dennis M. Petricoin, Jr.