Responsive To Inertia, Vibration, Or Tilt Patents (Class 340/429)
  • Patent number: 11731584
    Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for detecting sensor tampering. Information is received from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) attached to a structure hosting at least one sensor. The information includes one or more measurements associated with the IMU. The at least one sensor is deployed on a vehicle for sensing surrounding information to facilitate autonomous driving. The one or more measurements are analyzed with respect to pre-determined criteria to detect tampering of the at least one sensor. When the tampering is detected, a response is generated to the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: PlusAI, Inc.
    Inventor: Ankur Agarwal
  • Patent number: 11698284
    Abstract: Provided by the present invention is an ultra-low module load cell, comprising: an elastomer and a bottom plate; the elastomer is disposed above the bottom plate, and a support cushion block is disposed between the elastomer and the bottom plate; the elastomer is provided with a central hole having an opening facing downward; the support cushion block has a central top end, the central top end and the bottom of the central hole being in point contact support or small-area contact support; a gap exists between a hole wall of the center hole and the support cushion block, while the support cushion block is mounted on the bottom plate, and a head portion of the support cushion block is encapsulated in the central hole. The ultra-low load cell module of the present invention is easy to install, accurate in weighing, and may minimize height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: ANYLOAD YOUNGZON TRANSDUCER (HANGZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yong Gui
  • Patent number: 11639133
    Abstract: A vehicle exit assist apparatus with improved security and power consumption includes an exit restriction part including a warning and/or door opening restriction when an occupant's exit action is detected and an obstacle around a self-vehicle is detected by an obstacle detection part. The obstacle detection part and the exit restriction part are started when the exit action is detected in a situation where the obstacle detection part and/or the exit restriction part are not working. The obstacle detection part may transmit a signal corresponding to its operating state after starting-up and the exit restriction part may be forced to perform the exit restriction action when the obstacle detection part is not operating normally based on the signal. It may be configured to cancel the exit restriction action when such a compulsory exit restriction action is being continuously performed for a period longer than a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuto Kumashiro, Noriyuki Saitoh, Iwao Izumikawa
  • Patent number: 11584387
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a step apparatus for a vehicle and a vehicle. In some embodiments, the step apparatus for the vehicle includes: a foot step; a load detection device coupled to the foot step for detecting a load applied to the foot step; a controller in communication with the load detection device and configured to receive and process a load signal detected by the load detection device and to determine whether the foot step is overloaded; and an alarm in communication with the controller. In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to generate an alerting signal to control the alarm to send out an alert when the foot step is overloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: T-MAX (HANGZHOU) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinfa Du, Qi Zhang, Yiming Wang, Xing Fan, Linjie Xu
  • Patent number: 11448581
    Abstract: According to another embodiment, a method of detecting the occurrence of a condition using a detection system located within a predetermined area includes transmitting light from at least one node of a plurality of nodes into an ambient atmosphere adjacent the at least one node, receiving scattered light from the ambient atmosphere at the at least one node, communicating the received scattered light to a control system operably coupled to the at least one node, analyzing the scattered light at the control system to determine a condition of the ambient atmosphere adjacent each at least one node, and adjusting a sensitivity of the at least one node of the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jie Xi, Michael J. Birnkrant, Alan Matthew Finn, Jennifer M. Alexander, David L. Lincoln, Jun Hou
  • Patent number: 11449691
    Abstract: A reader device of an access control system comprises physical layer circuitry and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is operatively coupled to the physical layer circuitry and is configured to initiate transmission of a command to a credential device; determine a time duration from sending the command to the credential device to receiving a response to the command from the credential device; and generate an indication when the time duration exceeds a relay attack detection threshold time duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY AB
    Inventor: Martin Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 11443038
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to securing wireless communications for passive keyless entry (PKE) to an asset. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring operating conditions associated with the asset. The operating conditions identify security characteristics of the asset and interactions of wireless devices with the asset. The method includes selectively activating at least one countermeasure from an available group of countermeasures according to at least the operating conditions. The method includes wirelessly communicating, by the asset with an accessing device, according to the at least one countermeasure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Satyajit Patne, Edward Allen Cain, Jr., Gabriel Lawrence, Joshua Davis
  • Patent number: 11287443
    Abstract: A MEMS accelerometer includes a suspended spring-mass system that has a frequency response to accelerations experienced over a range of frequencies. The components of the suspended spring-mass system such as the proof masses respond to acceleration in a substantially uniform manner at frequencies that fall within a designed bandwidth for the MEMS accelerometer. Digital compensation circuitry compensates for motion of the proof masses outside of the designed bandwidth, such that the functional bandwidth of the MEMS accelerometer is significantly greater than the designed bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Sriraman Dakshinamurthy, Vadim Tsinker, Matthew Julian Thompson
  • Patent number: 11162848
    Abstract: There is described a motion detection system of a building automation system comprising a motion sensing component and a processor. The motion sensing component is configured to generate a raw signal. The processor is configured to establish first-order difference signals based on the raw signal. The processor is also configured to identify in-band energy in a motion portion of a sensor frequency range based on the first-order difference signals and identify total energy in the sensor frequency range based on the first-order difference signals. In addition, the processor is configured to determine a ratio of the in-band energy and the total energy and generate a motion status update in response to determining that the ratio meets or exceeds a predetermined ratio threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Enlighted, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Gao, William Kerry Keal
  • Patent number: 11077825
    Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for detecting sensor tampering. Information is received from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) attached to a structure hosting at least one sensor. The information includes one or more measurements associated with the IMU. The at least one sensor is deployed on a vehicle for sensing surrounding information to facilitate autonomous driving. The one or more measurements are analyzed with respect to pre-determined criteria to detect tampering of the at least one sensor. When the tampering is detected, a response is generated to the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: PLUSAI LIMITED
    Inventor: Ankur Agarwal
  • Patent number: 11069371
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting and correlating percussive sounds with previously identified spectral signatures of a plurality of events so as to notify a user of an occurrence of a particular event. The system may include a sensor component which includes a piezoelectric transducer at a periphery of the sensor component for coupling with a surface and converting percussive sounds from the surface into an electrical signal. The sensor component may also include a local processor configured to produce a data signal based on the electrical signal, and a communication device for sending the data signal to a remote processor. The system may also include a remote processor configured to receive the data signal and compare the data signal to at least one reference signal, and send a notification to a user based at least in part on the data signal correlating to at least one reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Margoles, Sean Fendt, Bryan Loughry, Brett Jurgens
  • Patent number: 10949723
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag. The method comprising: causing motion of a spherical permanent magnet which is disposed and freely movable in a three dimensional internal space of a non-magnetic hollow sphere located within the tag; using the spherical permanent magnet's motion to cause a change in a magnetic flux in a wire wrapped around at least a portion of the non-magnetic hollow sphere, where the change in the magnetic flux induces a current in the wire; and supplying the current to at least one device of the tag's internal electronic devices that is configured to facilitate at least one of an inventory count and an inventory security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. Trivelpiece, Steve E. Trivelpiece
  • Patent number: 10943448
    Abstract: A geo-locked field device that is situated in a non-moving position and is operable as long as its position, including altitude and direction, is unchanged. If the position of the device is changed or disturbed, then the device will become inoperable. If the position is returned to its former position after being disturbed and rendered inoperable, then the device will continue to be inoperable. Providing a special signal to the device may cause it to become operable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Giridhar Rajan, Arun Mahasenan, Jitendra Acharya
  • Patent number: 10942196
    Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting human movement with a sensor are provided, including generating a motion event signal in response to movement detected by the sensor, and generating a parameterized curve to represent the detected motion. The parameterized curve is fit to a predetermined window of sensor data captured by the sensor to filter the motion event signal. A noise magnitude estimate and a curve fit error is determined based on the fitted parameterized curve to the predetermined window. A detection threshold value is determined based on the curve fit error, a noise source signal estimate of known noise, and zero or more noise magnitudes from other sources. Human motion is determined by correlating a true motion event signal with human motion based on a comparison between a value of a point on the parameterized curve and the detection threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Mark Rajan Malhotra, Gwendolyn van der Linden, Yash Modi, Dongeek Shin
  • Patent number: 10884107
    Abstract: A laser scanning sensor (100) includes: a head part (110) having a shape inscribed in a virtual cube, wherein the head part has a wiring hole (122) oriented to an intersection of three mutually orthogonal planes in the cube, and attachment portions (123a-123c) provided one each at inscribed points in the three planes, and wherein the head part is further configured to acquire range information in each measurement direction by containing a laser range finder (111) and a scanning mechanism (112) for changing a measurement direction by the laser range finder (111); a base part (140) configured to be mounted on an installation surface; and a joint part (130) configured to join any one of the attachment portions (123a-123c) in the head part (110) with the base part (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: OPTEX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keisuke Katsumi
  • Patent number: 10843691
    Abstract: Described herein are examples of a system that processes information describing movement of a vehicle at a time related to a potential collision to reliably determine whether a collision occurred and/or one or more characteristics of the collision. In response to obtaining information regarding a potential collision, data describing movement of the vehicle before and/or after a time associated with the potential collision is analyzed to determine whether the collision occurred and/or to determine one or more collision characteristic(s). The analysis may be carried out at least in part using a trained classifier that classifies the vehicle movement data into one or more classes, where at least some the classes are associated with whether a collision occurred and/or one or more characteristics of a collision. If a collision is determined to be likely, one or more actions may be triggered based on the characteristic(s) of the collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Stobbe, Stefania Talpa, Daniel Jacob Lewis, Jorge González Núñez, Ivan Lequerica Roca, Luis Alfonso Hernández Gómez
  • Patent number: 10599152
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automotive vehicles respond to earthquake warnings to provide occupant awareness of potential hazards while taking autonomous actions such as slowing the vehicle, navigating to a safe location, and providing safety advice. Data gathered by the vehicle can be sent wirelessly to a remote center for coordinating emergency response using the data. The vehicle preferably comprises a powertrain, a plurality of vehicle accessory systems, and an emergency management controller. The controller is adapted to receive an earthquake warning message. The controller responds to the warning message by providing a power conservation command to at least one accessory system to reduce power consumption by at least one respective noncritical accessory function. In addition, it evaluates a vehicle mobility status and automatically launches a corresponding safety measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Y. Ghannam, Brian G. Bennie, David J. Tippy, Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10430178
    Abstract: An updating system of a vehicle includes a communication module configured to wirelessly download an over the air (OTA) update package. The OTA update package includes: a predetermined period for beginning installation of the OTA update package; an indicator of a module and code to be updated; and replacement code. A display control module is configured to, when a transmission of the vehicle is in park and the predetermined period has not yet passed after the downloading of the OTA update package, display a message on a display within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The message solicits user input regarding whether to: (i) begin installation of the OTA update package; or (ii) install the OTA update package at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Monica E. Mitchell, Kevin M. Baltes, Brian J. Ciesinski, Peter M. Ansbro, Scott E. Jackson, Kathleen S. McMahon, Kelly M. Comastro
  • Patent number: 10295682
    Abstract: A vibration detection device includes a first component, a second component, and a detecting member. The first component and the second component can be moved with respect to each other. The detecting member is located at one of the first component and the second component and can be moved from a position in response to relative movement between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: King Slide Works Co., Ltd., King Slide Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Hsiu-Chiang Liang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 10043379
    Abstract: A method for verifying authenticity of a monitoring signal includes employing a multitude of actuators to impact a physical environment with individual signals, wherein the individual signals originate from the actuators and are directed to the physical environment; observing, via at least one sensor device, the physical environment so as to record the monitoring signal, wherein the monitoring signal represents a combined impact of the individual signals on the physical environment; and comparing the monitoring signal with an expected signal to determine a degree of similarity between the monitoring signal and the expected signal, wherein the expected signal is computed on the basis of one or more predetermined template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hanno Hildmann, Miquel Martin Lopez
  • Patent number: 9933270
    Abstract: A user interface can provide location information (e.g., related to vehicles). Some embodiments include providing user access to a location management dashboard module. The location management dashboard module can include a graphical mapping module configured to display one or more groups of tracking devices. A first tracking device can be associated with the user and a second tracking device can be associated with a vehicle that the user is capable of monitoring. In several embodiments, the system enables the user to know the locations of vehicles in the user's area and enables the user to monitor a vehicle's location as the vehicle approaches the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SkyBell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Frank Scalisi, Desiree Mejia, David Michael Morse, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9919646
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods of using sound detectors, motion detectors and temperature sensors inside vehicles for activating alarms to protect vehicle occupants that can include babies, children, infirm, elderly and pets. Mounted sound detector(s), motion detector(s) and temperature sensor are used wherein detected sound from the sound detector can activate the motion temperature sensor and motion detected to activate adjacent or remote alarms when unsafe cold and warm interior vehicle temperatures are reached. Low battery indicators such as audible alarms, chirp sounds and lights can be used to indicate low battery power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: All Distributors, LLC
    Inventors: Bettye Arnold, Mark Best
  • Patent number: 9852612
    Abstract: A method for verifying authenticity of a monitoring signal includes employing a multitude of actuators to impact a physical environment with individual signals, wherein the individual signals originate from the actuators and are directed to the physical environment; observing, via at least one sensor device, the physical environment so as to record the monitoring signal, wherein the monitoring signal represents a combined impact of the individual signals on the physical environment; and comparing the monitoring signal with an expected signal to determine a degree of similarity between the monitoring signal and the expected signal, wherein the expected signal is computed on the basis of one or more predetermined templates, wherein the predetermined templates are previously generated in a secret initialization procedure in such a way that the impact on the physical environment for each of the individual signals is separately recorded as a template by the sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hanno Hildmann, Miquel Martin Lopez
  • Patent number: 9669801
    Abstract: A vehicle includes two or more wheel assemblies, each having a wheel assembly sensor. Each of the wheel assembly sensors is configured to produce acceleration data and pressure data associated with its associated wheel assembly. A wheel assembly tampering module communicatively coupled to the plurality of wheel assembly sensors is configured to produce an output indicative of wheel assembly tampering based on at the acceleration data and the pressure data. Inclination data and signal strength data (associated with each of the wheel assembly sensors) may also be used to determine wheel assembly tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Utter, Douglas M. Kidd, David T. Proefke, William A. Biondo
  • Patent number: 9623850
    Abstract: Provided is a motion controlling apparatus for a vehicle that can achieve improvement in drivability, stability, and driving comfort. The apparatus includes a control unit for controlling driving forces of vehicle wheels; a vehicle acceleration/deceleration instruction calculator for calculating an acceleration/deceleration instruction value on the basis of a lateral jerk; a first vehicle yaw moment instruction calculator for calculating a first vehicle yaw moment instruction value on the basis of the lateral jerk; and a second vehicle yaw moment instruction calculator for calculating a second vehicle yaw moment instruction value on the basis of lateral slip information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yamakado, Mitsuhide Sasaki, Mikio Ueyama, Keiichiro Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 9390452
    Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, systems and apparatuses for determining and implementing risk unit based insurance policies are presented. A user may receive a plurality of risk units associated with an insurance policy. The risk units may be stored in a risk unit account associated with the user, the vehicle, etc. During operation of the vehicle, sensor data may be received. The sensor data may provide information associated with driving behaviors of the user, environmental conditions in which the vehicle is being operated, and the like. A consumption rate of the risk units may be determined based, at least in part, on the received sensor data. If a number of risk units in a risk unit account is below a predetermined threshold, a notification may be transmitted to the user and/or a predetermined number of risk units may be automatically added to the risk unit account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Edward A. Biemer, Grady Irey, Caryl M. Styrsky
  • Patent number: 9335429
    Abstract: A low power analog-to-digital converter configured to sense sensor signals may include a loop filter and a feedback digital-to-analog converter. The loop filter may have a loop filter input configured to receive an input current signal from a sensor and generate an output signal responsive to the input current signal. The feedback digital-to-analog converter may have a feedback output configured to generate a current-mode or charge-mode feedback output signal responsive to the output signal, the feedback output coupled to the loop filter input in order to combine the input current signal and the feedback output signal at the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Rahul Singh, Prashanth Drakshapalli, Dale Brummel, Stephen T. Hodapp
  • Patent number: 9283847
    Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired (e.g., distracted, drowsy, intoxicated) and alerting the vehicle operator using a haptic alert delivered by a wearable computing device worn by the vehicle operator when impairment is detected. The method, system, and computer-readable medium may monitor the vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors or accelerometers. In particular, optical sensors may monitor the vehicle operator to detect eye blinks, head nods, head rotations, and/or gaze fixation. Optical sensors may also monitor the road ahead of the vehicle to detect lane deviation, lane centering, and time to collision. Accelerometers may detect acceleration in the direction of vehicle travel and/or lateral acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Riley, Sr., Gregory Dwayne Carter, James M. Freeman, Vaidya Balasubramanian Pillai, Jason Chang, David W. Thurber
  • Patent number: 9030310
    Abstract: A proximity-based catalytic converter protection system for a vehicle that includes a controller, and a catalytic converter, both located in the vehicle. The protection system further includes a pair of electrodes that are electrically coupled to the controller and located in proximity to the converter. The controller monitors capacitance between the electrodes to detect movement external to the vehicle near the converter. The controller may activate an alarm element upon detecting a change in capacitance between the electrodes that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Van Wiemeersch, Don D. Price, Eric L. Reed
  • Publication number: 20150123777
    Abstract: A catalytic converter theft protection arrangement includes a metal cage rigidly attached to an underside of a vehicle such that the cage surrounds a catalytic converter of the vehicle. An electronic tamper-detecting device is disposed within the cage and transmits an alarm signal in response to detecting motion around the catalytic converter and/or vibration of the cage. A remote controller selectively activates and deactivates the electronic tamper-detecting device in response to actuation of the remote controller by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: David P. Potter
  • Patent number: 8994492
    Abstract: The use of user equipment, or distracting features thereof are restricted or prohibited to improve vehicle operation safety. The presence of user equipment within the operator's or driver's operational area is detected. The distracting features are then restricted either immediately or based on other conditions such as vehicle speed, motion, engine state, etc. When the conditions have been eliminated and/or the user equipment is vacated from the operator's operational area, the restrictions can be removed or removed after a threshold period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Fariborz M Farhan, Babak Firoozbakhsh, Afshin Amini
  • Patent number: 8972079
    Abstract: When vehicle position information at a time of parking start is available, a remote starter transmits the vehicle position information at the time of parking start to an information processor. When the vehicle position information at the time of parking start is unavailable, the remote starter transmits the vehicle position information obtained just before the vehicle position information becomes unavailable, as the vehicle position information at the time of parking start to the information processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Harumoto, Mitsuru Ohta, Junko Haruna
  • Patent number: 8786419
    Abstract: A device for controlling a device by using a rotation-rate sensor. In order to provide a device for determining a triggering signal for a safety device which allows a particularly compact implementation of the device, the device is set up to ascertain an acceleration variable on the basis of a first sensor signal for a first seismic mass of the rotation-rate sensor and the second sensor signal for a second seismic mass of the rotation-rate sensor and to control the device as a function of the acceleration variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Ulm, Mathias Reimann, Harald Emmerich, Udo-Martin Gomez, Emma Abel
  • Patent number: 8751104
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a computing platform configured with first configuration information, an identification module that receives driver identification information and determines whether to enable the computing platform based on the identification information, and a communication module that establishes communications between the computing platform and an off-vehicle information store storing second configuration information if the computing platform is enabled. The vehicle also includes an update module that updates the computing platform with the second configuration information if the second configuration information is different than the first configuration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Thomas Hermann, Timothy P. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20140104048
    Abstract: An anti-theft system for protecting a vehicle exhaust component (4) is described. The system includes a sensor (1) configured to monitor vibrations associated with a vehicle exhaust system (5)and a controller (2) arranged to monitor a signal from the sensor (1). The controller (2) is configured to generate an alarm event if the signal from the sensor includes characteristics indicative of vibrations associated with an attempted theft of the vehicle exhaust component (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Filip De Kock, Clive Finnis
  • Patent number: 8665098
    Abstract: A non-contact motion detection apparatus includes at least one reception antenna, at least one transmission antenna, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a phase lock loop (PLL). The at least one reception antenna receives a first wireless radio frequency (RF) signal. The at least one transmission antenna transmits a second wireless RF signal to an object which reflects the second wireless RF signal into the first wireless RF signal. The VCO outputs an oscillation signal to the at least one transmission antenna. The first wireless RF signal received by the at least one reception antenna is injected to the VCO. The PLL generates a control voltage to the VCO according to the oscillation signal from the VCO and a reference frequency. Controlled by the control voltage, which represents a motion information of the object, the oscillation signal of the VCO is locked to the reference frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Je-Kuan Jau, Ping-Hsun Wu
  • Patent number: 8659425
    Abstract: A window safety and security device detects unauthorized movement of a double-hung window upon which the device is installed and communicates an alarm in response to the detecting. The device includes a single, high-powered suction cup with a housing configured to be removably attached to an inside glass pane of a first sash of the double-hung window formed with a first and a second sash, a first electrical switch including an actuator that toggles the switch contacts between an open or non-conducting state to a closed or conducting state when armed (powered) in a case where part of the window contacts and depresses the actuator. The device also includes a light or buzzer, which are activated when the first switch is caused to conduct. Preferably, a second electrical switch is included for “arming” and “disarming” the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventors: Mitchell I. Kersch, Aaron R. Kersch
  • Patent number: 8638217
    Abstract: A system comprises a sensing node that includes a sensor, a processor, an energy harvesting circuit, a time keeper, a first energy storage device, and a second energy storage device. The energy harvesting circuit is connected for recharging the first energy storage device. The processor is connected for receiving all its power derived from the energy harvesting circuit. The second energy storage device is connected for powering the time keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Arms, Chris Pruyn Townsend, David Lawrence Churchill, Michael John Hamel
  • Patent number: 8618934
    Abstract: A system and a method of long-term condition monitoring of structures are based on use of autonomous sensing modules, centers for storing and processing data and software for data analysis. An autonomous sensing module contains a set of sensors for measurements of parameters related to the condition of a monitored structure, a non-volatile memory, a wireless data transfer unit, a controller, a clock circuit, a battery, an energy harvesting device and a power management unit. The autonomous sensing module provides a very long-term (40 years or more) functionality and reliability due to both use of at least near hermetic packages for the controller, the non-volatile memory, the battery, the clock circuit and the power management unit and choosing the duration of periods when the sensing module works in active mode in such a way that the average energy consumed by the autonomous sensing module is fully compensated by the average energy harvested by the energy harvesting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kolos International LLC
    Inventors: Nickolai S Belov, Olga V Belova
  • Publication number: 20130300550
    Abstract: A catalytic converter theft protection arrangement includes a metal cage rigidly attached to an underside of a vehicle such that the cage surrounds a catalytic converter of the vehicle. An electronic tamper-detecting device is disposed within the cage and transmits an alarm signal in response to detecting motion around the catalytic converter and/or vibration of the cage. A remote controller selectively activates and deactivates the electronic tamper-detecting device in response to actuation of the remote controller by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: David P. Potter
  • Publication number: 20130229274
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a theft detection system including one or more tag nodes configured to detect movement and transmit a beacon message and one or more anchor nodes configured to receive the beacon message from the one or more tag nodes and alert a third party of the beacon message. Another aspect of the invention provides a theft detection node including a power source, a motion detector, a transmitter, and a microcontroller in communication with the power source, the motion detector, and the transmitter. The microcontroller is configured to determine whether the node is being transported and if the node is being transported, instructing the transmitter to transmit a beacon message. Another aspect of the invention provides a theft detection method including detecting motion in a motor vehicle and transmitting a beacon message to an anchor node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicants: University of Memphis Research Foundation, The Regents of the University of California, The Ohio State University
    Inventors: Santosh Kumar, Prasun Sinha, Kurt Plarre, Somnath Mitra, Zizhan Zheng, Santanu Guha, Animikh Ghosh, Prabal Dutta, Bhagavathy Krishna
  • Patent number: 8525653
    Abstract: A system for protecting vehicle wheels featuring a lug nut component for threading into a wheel; a keyhole disposed in the first end of the lug nut and a threaded second hole disposed in the second end; a sliding component disposed in the first hole biased in an up position and movable to a down position when a key is inserted; a sensor configured to detect the sliding component moving to the down position; a microprocessor operatively connected to the sensor; a transmitter operatively connected to the microprocessor; a receiver operatively connected to a car alarm system, wherein when the sensor detects the sliding component moving to the down position the transmitter sends an alarm signal to the receiver to activate the alarm system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Wayne A. Bing, Candi R. Bing
  • Patent number: 8502641
    Abstract: A switching function is performed in response to a predetermined rate-of-change of an output signal, thereby providing rate-of-change switching. Rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) each include a user-controlled transducer (38A, 38B, or 39), a differentiator (40A, 40B, 112, or 156), and a discriminator (42, 114, 134, 160, or 162). The rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) perform at least one switching function when an output from the differentiator (40A, 40B, 112, or 156) or a second differentiator (158) exceeds an allowable magnitude. The rate-of-change switches (63 and 154) may be used to control a timed-opportunity switch (26 or 172), a conveyance, such as a wheelchair (12), and such functions as extending and retracting leg supports, and/or an environmental control unit (14 or 174). The rate-of-change switches (63 or 154) may be attached to a body member (18, 64, or 67) and be actuated by body-member gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Intelpro LLC
    Inventor: John L. Lautzenhiser
  • Patent number: 8498610
    Abstract: A method and a system for transmitting an emergency call from a vehicle in an accident to an emergency call center, including: (a) an automatic accident monitoring unit in the vehicle with a sensor system for detecting an accident of the vehicle, (b) a vehicle navigation unit for determining the associated geographic accident coordinates (x,y) of the vehicle, wherein electronic means for generating an emergency call in text form, including at least the accident coordinates (x,y) determined for the vehicle, which includes the official license number of the vehicle for the purpose of dataset identification, and (c) a mobile radio unit for transmitting the text form of the emergency call for the reception for the emergency call center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Ulrich Stählin
  • Patent number: 8427291
    Abstract: Image and sound information are acquired from a camera and a microphone and the information is stored into a second RAM for a first time period from detection of occurrence of an abnormal condition of a vehicle by a sensor. When occurrence of an abnormal condition of the vehicle has been detected by the sensor during the first time period from the detection of occurrence of an abnormal condition of the vehicle, image and sound information is acquired from the camera and the microphone and the information is stored into the second RAM for a second time period from the previous detection of occurrence of an abnormal condition of the vehicle, and the image and sound information stored into the second RAM for the second time period Tb are stored into a nonvolatile ROM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Shinichi Tanaka, Minoru Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8416075
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an alert signal for an asset. Proper truck/trailer matching is based on a proximity analysis between position reports for a truck and position reports for a trailer. In one embodiment, this proximity analysis is triggered by a detection of movement in a trailer. In the proximity analysis, unexpected deviations in proximity between a truck and a trailer would lead to a generation of an alert signal that is sent to the appropriate management system for investigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc.
    Inventor: John McKethan
  • Patent number: 8412390
    Abstract: An information presentation device includes: a directional information obtaining element for obtaining directional information based on a signal from an enhancement device for safety or comfort of a passenger of a vehicle; an information presentation controller for generating a driving signal based on the directional information; and a stimulation element including multiple vibrators for generating a traveling wave of vibration in an in-vehicle element. A directionality of the traveling wave corresponds to the directional information. The stimulation element transmits the traveling wave to the passenger so that the passenger perceives the directionality of the traveling wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Norio Sanma, Keiji Shigeoka, Sei Iguchi
  • Patent number: 8401066
    Abstract: Method and system of power regulating, such as but not limited to attenuating signal power levels. The power regulating being suitable for use in any number of application, environments, and circuits, including but not limited to those associated with a universal garage door opener (UGDO), remote keyless entry (RKE) unit, tire pressure monitor (TPM) unit, and/or a passive entry element. The regulating may be suitable for directly broadcasting the regulated signal and/or communication the regulated signal to other circuit element for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Ghabra, John S. Nantz
  • Patent number: 8400301
    Abstract: A window safety and security device detects unauthorized movement of a double-hung window, sliding window, or door upon which the safety and security device is installed and communicates an alarm in response to the detecting. The device includes a housing, a suction cup affixed to or integral with the housing configured to be removably attached to an inside glass pane of a first sash of a double-hung window, sliding window or door. An electrical switch is disposed in, on or affixed to the housing for contacting a portion of a second sash when the second sash is slid to a fixed position to actuate the switch. A light or a buzzer or both communicates a detected window or door movement sufficient to cause a change of state in the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Mitchell I. Kersch, Aaron R. Kersch
  • Patent number: 8384316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to synchronized vibration devices that can provide haptic feedback to a user. A wide variety of actuator types may be employed to provide synchronized vibration, including linear actuators, rotary actuators, rotating eccentric mass actuators, and rocking mass actuators. A controller may send signals to one or more driver circuits for directing operation of the actuators. The controller may provide direction and amplitude control, vibration control, and frequency control to direct the haptic experience. Parameters such as frequency, phase, amplitude, duration, and direction can be programmed or input as different patterns suitable for use in gaming, virtual reality and real-world situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Coactive Drive Corporation
    Inventors: John Houston, Nathan Delson