Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus for controlling a lamp for vehicles and a method of controlling a lamp for vehicles using the same. The apparatus includes a first sensing unit to sense information regarding approaching to a current object when one's own vehicle is running, a second sensing unit to sense current brightness information of the lamp installed at the vehicle when the vehicle is running, a control unit receiving the information regarding approaching to a current object sensed by the first sensing unit and the current brightness information sensed by the second sensing unit and including a range of information regarding approaching to a preset reference object and a range of reference brightness information.
Abstract: A activity monitoring computing system includes a network circuit exchanging information over a network and an evaluation circuit. The evaluation circuit receives, over the network via the network circuit, sensor data from a monitoring device indicative of physiological and movement characteristics of a monitored individual during performance of an assigned task. The evaluation circuit determines productivity information based on a comparison of the physiological and movement characteristics of the monitored individual and expected physiological and movement characteristics associated with the assigned task. The evaluation circuit transmits, over the network via the network circuit, the productivity information to at least one of a display device and the monitoring device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 28, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 3, 2017
Assignee:
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Inventors:
Wayne Barakat, David Hatch, Dominik Vltavsky
Abstract: An information provision system includes a terminal device, and an information provision device that can communicate with the terminal device. The information provision device includes a communicating section configured to communicate with the terminal device, a head count information managing section configured to manage current head count information for each position, and a crowd information generating section configured to determine a position for making a notification display based on the managed head count information, and generate crowd information containing information of the determined position, and a transmission control section configured to transmit the generated crowd information from the communicating section to the terminal device.
Abstract: A notification device includes an identification information acquisition section that acquires identification information output from an in-vehicle device in response to a change of a vehicle condition, a sound source data acquisition section capable of performing an acquisition operation of acquiring sound source data from an outside, a storage section capable of storing the sound source data for notification acquired by the sound source acquisition section and association data in which the identification information and the sound source data for notification are associated with each other, and a control section that outputs the sound source data for notification on the basis of the association data when the identification information acquisition section acquires the identification information. The sound source data acquisition section and the storage section are provided in a mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal is provided with an association data edit section capable of editing the association data.
Abstract: A clustered instrument panel on a display of a dashboard in a transportation apparatus is disclosed. The clustered instrument panel may be used to combine multiple individual instrument panels, such as the odometer, tachometer, temperature meter, battery meter, navigation screen and any other instrument panels that are traditionally presented separate and independent from other instrument panels. The individual instrument panels may be layered on top of each other to form the clustered instrument panel, with gradual increase in size from the first instrument panel to the nth instrument panel. Information associated with a given instrument panel in the clustered instrument panel may be presented in the gap area between the given instrument panel and the neighbor instrument panel in the clustered instrument panel. In one embodiment, the clustered instrument panel is a triple-circle meter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 26, 2017
Assignee:
THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
Abstract: An apparatus for setting inflation pressure used to support a vehicle comprising a tire includes an air dispensary, a transponder, and a data-processing system. The transponder is coupled to the air dispensary and to the data-processing system. It receives, from the vehicle, a wireless transmission having first information. The data-processing system executes a host process that receives the first information, and that obtains, based at least in part on the first information, second information. The first information comprises information from which an appropriate inflation pressure for the first tire is obtainable. The second information comprises information indicative of an appropriate inflation pressure for the first tire.
Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring apparatus includes a frequency detection unit configured to detect a resonant frequency according to a tire pressure; a calculation unit configured to accumulate the resonant frequency and calculate an average frequency and a frequency variance; a coordinate system setting unit configured to locate a first average variance point corresponding to the average frequency and the frequency variance, on an average-variance plane, and locate second average variance points corresponding to average frequencies and frequency variances of resonant frequencies measured for types of tires, on the average-variance plane; a tire determination unit configured to determine a type of a tire in consideration of distances between the first and second average variance points; and a low-pressure frequency setting unit configured to set a low-pressure frequency according to the determined type of the tire, as a reference low-pressure frequency for determining whether the tire pressure is a low pressure.
Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, data about potential vehicle operator impairment is retrieved. The data is generated by monitoring a vehicle operator with a first sensor, monitoring the environment ahead of the vehicle with a second sensor, and monitoring force in one or more directions with a third sensor. A plurality of scores is assigned. Each of the plurality of scores corresponds to a respective impairment indicator, and wherein each of the plurality of scores is based on the data about potential operator impairment. An impairment score is generated by performing a mathematical operation on the plurality of scores. It is determined whether the vehicle operator is impaired by comparing the impairment score to a threshold value. Recommendations to reduce operator impairment of the vehicle operator are identified by analyzing the data about potential vehicle operator impairment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 13, 2015
Date of Patent:
September 12, 2017
Assignee:
STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
Inventors:
Bryan Allen Plummer, Parker Andrew Brown, Jibo He, Brian Mark Fields, Steve Roberson, Steve C. Cielocha, Jufeng Peng
Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system including a monitoring unit positioned in a tractor, a first repeater positioned in the tractor, a plurality of second repeaters positioned in a plurality of trailers connected to the tractor, and a plurality of sensors positioned at tires of the tractor or the trailers. A first RF transceiving unit transceives data with the first repeater by a low power RF transmitting unit to the plurality of second repeaters.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 10, 2015
Date of Patent:
September 12, 2017
Assignee:
Seetron Inc.
Inventors:
Sung Sun Uh, Byoum Youn Cho, Nanjapla Naveen, Jae Sung So
Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide a system that may facilitate communications so that parents or other superiors may monitor driving behavior of a vehicle carrying children or other subordinates. The system may allow communications to be sent from a parent computing device to a particular child computing device to set conditions for notifying the parent or superior of the driving behavior of a vehicle. Child computing devices may collect drive data (e.g., vehicle telematics data) for the system to evaluate and determine whether conditions are met (e.g., whether parental restrictions, like a geo-fence, are violated). Further, the system may send notifications to child computing devices and parent computing devices indicating whether the drive data meets the conditions of an agreement between a parent and teen. The system may also provide a web portal for use in forming the agreement between parents and their teens.
Abstract: An image sensor module includes an elongated light emitting unit, a photodetector, a lens unit, a substrate with the photodetector mounted on. The substrate is spaced apart from the lens unit in a thickness direction of the substrate. The image sensor module further includes a resin case provided with a light emitting unit chamber, a lens unit chamber and a substrate chamber. The lens unit chamber has a first bottom face extending in the first direction, and the substrate chamber has a second bottom face extending in the first direction and facing opposite to the first bottom face in the thickness direction of the substrate. The first or second bottom face is formed with at least one protrusion extending in the thickness direction of the substrate.
Abstract: Provided is a head up display device with which it is possible to adjust the projection location of display light depending on the height of the observer's point of view, without moving the virtual image in the vertical direction. This head up display device is provided with: a case which retains a display and a concave mirror in a prescribed positional relationship; a first driving means which rotates the concave mirror; a second driving means which moves the case frontward and rearward; and a control means which operates the first and second drive means in accordance with information about the viewpoint position of the observer, and adjusts the projection location of display light (L) on front glass depending on the height of the observer's point of view.
Abstract: A vehicle information notification device includes a sound signal analyzer to analyze the notification sound outputted from a first notifier, a system controller to control the operation of the first notifier, an abnormality determiner to determine an operation abnormality of the first notifier on the basis of an analysis result acquired by the sound signal analyzer, and to, when determining that the first notifier is operating normally, determine whether an S/N ratio of the notification sound outputted from the first notifier to ambient noise reaches a permitted level, and a notification controller to cause a second notifier to notify information when it is determined that the first notifier is not operating normally or that the S/N ratio does not reach the permitted level.
Abstract: The vehicle alarm communication module is a communication device that is adapted to work with and be integrated into vehicle alarm system. The vehicle alarm communication module incorporates text-messaging capability into vehicle alarm system. The vehicle alarm communication module is able to text changes in a location of the vehicle to a video receiver box that can be accessed through a television to allow users to see the location of their car. In addition, the vehicle alarm communication module provides text to 911 capability, which allows the user to send a text message to participating emergency services organizations containing a distress message and the GPS location of the vehicle. The vehicle alarm communication module comprises a control box, a key fob, and a station box.
Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product redirects a self-driving vehicle (SDV) to a physical location of a product provider. A self-driving vehicle (SDV) on-board computer on an SDV receives a current location and a planned route to an initial destination of the SDV. The SDV on-board computer receives information describing real-time physiological states of one or more occupants of the SDV, and then identifies a physical location of a product provider that provides a solution to ameliorate the real-time physiological states of the one or more occupants of the SDV. The SDV on-board computer then alters the planned route of the SDV to redirect the SDV on-board computer to autonomously drive the SDV to the physical location of the product provider.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 2, 2015
Date of Patent:
August 15, 2017
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Michael S. Gordon, James R. Kozloski, Ashish Kundu, Peter K. Malkin, Clifford A. Pickover
Abstract: The present application discloses a system and method for accessing vehicle communications bus information outside the bandwidth of a limited CPU without missing critical information. The system and method for accessing vehicle communications bus information outside the bandwidth of a limited CPU generally includes a vehicle interface processor, that processor's interconnect to an application processor and the vehicle interface. The vehicle interface software that vehicle interface processor has running on it and the vehicle interface processor's connection to the vehicle may also be included.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 10, 2015
Date of Patent:
August 15, 2017
Assignee:
Scantool.net LLC
Inventors:
Vitaliy Chetverikov, Vitaliy Maksimov, Jacob Hartsoch, Lester Meeks, Mark M. Moeller
Abstract: In embodiments of mobile device safe driving, a mobile device can display a device lock screen on an integrated display device, and transition from the device lock screen to display a driving mode lock screen. The transition to display the driving mode lock screen occurs without receiving a PIN code entered on the device lock screen. The mobile device implements a safe driving service that is implemented to activate a safe driving mode of the mobile device, and disable features of the mobile device while the safe driving mode is activated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 2, 2016
Date of Patent:
August 15, 2017
Assignee:
Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
Inventors:
Joseph A. Schrader, Raman K. Sarin, Ted Tai-Yu Chen, Sharad Agarwal, Joseph H. Matthews, III, Shai Guday, Joseph Spencer King
Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, may cause the computer to detect electrical noise corresponding to one or more engines starting or running. The computer may record a first timestamp corresponding to the engines starting or running. The computer may detect that the engines have stopped. The computer may record a second timestamp corresponding to the engines stopping. The computer may also use the first and second timestamps to determine engine runtimes.
Abstract: A first current cut-off unit that cuts off a current input from a power-supply-voltage input terminal connected to an AC power source when a current value of the current exceeds a preset threshold, and a second current cut-off unit that cuts off a current output from the first current cut-off unit when a voltage value of a voltage applied from the power-supply-voltage input terminal exceeds a preset threshold are configured. A current cut-off element provided on a current path from the power-supply-voltage input terminal toward a DC output terminal, and a resistor that draws a current having passed through the current cut-off element toward a ground are provided as the first current cut-off unit.
Abstract: A vehicle control system includes, among other things, one or more functional warning units positioned in various positions in a vehicle. A central controller is configured to generate a desired state of the functional warning units and encode the desired state into a packet. Each of multiple remote controllers is functionally connected to at least one of the functional warning units. A functional connection between the central controller and the multiple remote controllers is configured to transmit the encoded packet from the central controller to each of the remote controllers. The remote controllers are configured to parse the desired state of each of the functional warning units in the encoded packet and set the state of each of the functional warning units based on the parsed encoded packet.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 2, 2016
Date of Patent:
August 8, 2017
Assignee:
Emergency Technology, Inc.
Inventors:
Kevin Carpenter, Kyle Israels, William S. Buehler, Michael Walma
Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method for capturing vehicle mileage information. The method includes initiating an application program configured on the mobile wireless device without any user input required to start tracking a drive. The method includes initiating movement of the mobile wireless device. The method includes using a mapping module to track a start point of a route for the mobile wireless device. The method includes moving the mobile wireless device from the start point through one or more legs. The method includes using algorithms or traffic data to identify one or more of the legs as a route or drive.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 1, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 1, 2017
Assignee:
MOBILE DATA LABS, INC.
Inventors:
Daniel S. Bomze, Howard A. Bomze, Daniel Robert Goodwin
Abstract: The invention provides a meter display device for a vehicle having improved visibility of indicated contents. A meter display device includes a pointer having a pointer position changed by shifting in a predetermined array direction in accordance with a continuously changing vehicle state to indicate the vehicle state, a dial having a plurality of numeral indicating portions configured to indicate the vehicle state at different levels, aligned at intervals in the array direction, and individually change lighting modes, and a controller configured to change the lighting modes of the plurality of numeral indicating portions in accordance with the vehicle state.
Abstract: When performing automatic control of a steering device that assists a host vehicle to be pulled into or out of a parking space, an electronic control unit performs the following procedure. When there is, as a path for pulling the vehicle into or out of the parking space, a path in which a predicted temperature of the steering device for when the automatic control is performed to move the vehicle along the path would be lower than an allowable upper limit value, the electronic control unit starts the automatic control to move the vehicle along the path. In contrast, when there is no path in which the predicted temperature is lower than the allowable upper limit value, the electronic control unit prohibits the automatic control.
Abstract: An information sharing system including a plurality of on-vehicle diagnosis terminals and one or more of display terminals sharing diagnostic information over wireless communication. The respective terminals store, in a storing unit, data sets, also stored in another terminal with which communication was established, and a stored clock time. The terminals include a communication-establishing unit that includes a searching unit and an establishing unit. The searching unit is configured to search an planned-connection terminal capable of establishing communication with the terminal, and that does not yet have a stored clock time, or the stored clock time that is stored in the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal and from which a predetermined time has passed, and the establishing unit is configured to establish communication with the planned-connection terminal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 20, 2015
Date of Patent:
July 11, 2017
Assignee:
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
Inventors:
Go Yuasa, Michael J. Ramirez, Masashi Tsuzuki
Abstract: Provided is a harness bending regulation member to be attached to a flexible harness protective tube, including: a high rigid unbendable portion into which an electric wire is inserted; and a bendable portion projecting in an axial direction of the unbendable portion from a tip end of one side of the unbendable portion, the bendable portion regulating a bending of the harness protective tube in a curved shape. The harness protective tube is routed from an oscillating member on a side close to a fixing structure to another oscillating member closer to a slide structure, the harness bending regulation member is placed inside of a harness holding tube on the side of the fixing structure, and the bendable portion is placed toward the slide structure along an inner surface of the harness protective tube.
Abstract: A method comprises receiving one or more images of a person from one or more image capture devices in response to an input, identifying one or more items of personal protective equipment in the one or more images, determining the positioning of the one or more items of personal protective equipment relative to the person in the one or more images, and verifying compliance with personal protective equipment standards based on the one or more identified items of personal protective equipment and the positioning of the one or more items of personal protective equipment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 20, 2012
Date of Patent:
July 4, 2017
Assignee:
Honeywell International Inc.
Inventors:
Kwong Wing Au, Pedro Davalos, Sharath Venkatesha, Himanshu Khurana, Saad J. Bedros, Mohammed Ibrahim Mohideen, Mahesh Kumar Gellaboina, Adishesha CS, Cleopatra Cabuz
Abstract: Comprising at least one device for providing mechanical/electrical energy conversion utilizing materials with linear electromechanical interaction properties, a device providing intermediate storage and, a device providing primary storage. Where the energy is transferred by inductive coupling of an inner hub coil and an outer hub coil between said storage devices. Energy conversion and storage is initiated by motion of said energy converter which places the system operational. Then, mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy which is delivered to the intermediate storage device. When the intermediate storage device is charged, energy is transferred to the outer hub coil for inductive transmission to the inner hub coil. From the inner hub, energy is immediately transferred to the primary storage until the system is required to provide power to an external device or system. Replacing or supplementing conventional sources of power, this system may also provide for collecting and transmitting data.
Abstract: A remote data backup system for a locomotive may include a communication unit on-board the locomotive configured to be communicatively coupled with an off-board server. The communication unit may be configured to transmit data to the off-board server and receive at least one of data, commands, and applications from the off-board server. The remote data backup system may also include a central processing module on-board the locomotive comprising a cab electronics system configured to receive and store on-board equipment operational data from outputs of one or more of machine gauges, indicators, sensors, and controls in an on-board memory, process and integrate the received equipment operational data, receive additional equipment operational data and one or more control command signals from the off-board server, and communicate commands based on the equipment operational data and the received control command signals.
Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of providing an alert when an infant or child is in a child safety seat in a vehicle. Exemplary embodiments can include a pressure sensor and a transmitted signal, such as a continuously transmitted signal, when an infant or child is in a child safety seat and other conditions are met. In some examples, if a continuously transmitted signal is broken or otherwise fails to transmit, an alert may be provided. The alert may be provided through any of a variety of data transmission protocols to any of a variety of devices or locations, for example a mobile phone, smart phone, dedicated alert device, or emergency call center, depending on desired conditions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 22, 2016
Date of Patent:
June 27, 2017
Inventors:
Victor Trang, Quen Le Trang, Lucy Trang
Abstract: The invention provides for an electromechanical system comprising a machine. The machine comprises at least one mechanical component and at least one electrical sensor for acquiring measurement data. The system further comprises a data logger computer system for logging the measurement data and error reports as historical data, wherein the error reports are descriptive of one or more failure modes of the at least one mechanical component, wherein the error reports are further descriptive of repair actions taken to repair the one or more failure modes. The system further comprises a machine monitor comprising a repair solution engine, wherein the machine monitor comprises a memory containing processor instructions that implement the repair solution engine, wherein the machine monitor comprises a processor for executing the processor instructions. The system further comprises a data transfer system for transferring the data from the machine to the machine monitor.
Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing vehicle operation are provided. According to certain aspects, an electronic device may receive and analyze image data depicting an individual located within a vehicle. The electronic device may also access and compile vehicle operation data and operator data corresponding to a state or condition of the vehicle operator. The electronic device may identify, from the vehicle operator data, a set of close misses experienced by the vehicle, correlate the set of close misses with a state or condition of the vehicle operator, and attribute at least some of the close misses to the vehicle operator. A remote server may aggregate and compile corresponding data from a plurality of vehicles.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 6, 2016
Date of Patent:
June 20, 2017
Assignee:
STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
Inventors:
Aaron Scott Chan, Kenneth Jason Sanchez
Abstract: An automatic driving controlling system includes: a speed sensor; and a yaw rate sensor that detects a vehicle yaw rate. A controller is configured: to calculate a target yaw rate required to drive the vehicle to a target point and calculates a real-time target yaw rate by comparing a yaw rate detected in real time with the target yaw rate; to calculate a target lateral acceleration by using a vehicle speed and the target yaw rate, and calculates a real-time target lateral acceleration; and to determine whether the real-time target lateral acceleration-is out of a range between an upper limit threshold value and a lower limit threshold value of the target lateral acceleration while an automatic driving mode is in progress. The controller terminates the automatic driving mode so that the driver takes control of the vehicle to drive.
Abstract: A damage recognition assist system of a vehicle, the system includes at least one vehicle camera adapted to provide a stream of camera frames including camera images of the vehicle's surrounding and of areas or parts of the vehicle's chassis; a monitoring unit adapted to detect an imminent interaction of the vehicle with an external object and to identify areas or parts of the vehicle's chassis possibly affected by the detected interaction; a comparison unit adapted to compare recent camera images of the possibly affected areas or parts of the vehicle's chassis with previous camera images of the same areas included in reference camera frames to determine the state and level of damage of the vehicle's chassis due to the detected interaction.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 23, 2015
Date of Patent:
June 6, 2017
Assignee:
Application Solutions (Electronics and Vision) LTD.
Abstract: Operations performed by a software application instance executed by a computing device are monitored. A determination is made that a particular operation performed matches an application signature representing a particular software application. In response, a match score is added to a total score for the software application. In response to determining that the total score is greater than or equal to a threshold, the software is classified.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 7, 2016
Date of Patent:
June 6, 2017
Assignee:
iboss, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul Michael Martini, Peter Anthony Martini
Abstract: Methods and systems for using natural language processing and machine-learning algorithms to process vehicle-service data to generate metadata regarding the vehicle-service data are described herein. A processor can discover vehicle-service data that can be clustered together based on the vehicle-service data having common characteristics. The clustered vehicle-service data can be classified (e.g., categorized) into any one of a plurality of categories. One of the categories can be for clustered vehicle-service data that is tip-worthy (e.g., determined to include data worthy of generating vehicle-service content (e.g., a repair hint). Another category can track instances of vehicle-service data that are considered to be common to an instance of vehicle-service data classified into the tip-worthy category. The vehicle-service data can be collected from repair orders from a plurality of repair shops. The vehicle-service content generated by the systems can be provided to those or other repair shops.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 4, 2014
Date of Patent:
June 6, 2017
Assignee:
Snap-on Incorporated
Inventors:
Bradley R. Lewis, Patrick S. Merg, Tilak B. Kasturi, Brett A. Kelley, Jacob G. Foreman
Abstract: A variable speed limit is calculated based on weather. A computing device identifies an incident probability threshold indicative of an acceptable rate of incident for vehicular transportation. A weather condition indicator is determined for a road segment. The weather condition indicator describes current or future weather conditions at the road segment. The computing device calculates the variable speed limit, or a safety speed, for a vehicle traveling on the road segment based on a function of the incident probability threshold and the weather condition indicator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2014
Date of Patent:
May 30, 2017
Assignee:
HERE Global B.V.
Inventors:
James Adeyemi Fowe, Andrew Dean, Leon Oliver Stenneth, Carol Walz, Matthew Vachlon
Abstract: Providing feedback based on driving behavior. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: determining an indication of driving behavior of a driver, the determining by: identifying the driver in a vehicle; detecting movement of the vehicle; collecting data related to the driving behavior of the driver; and issuing an alert related to the driving behavior of the driver for the purpose of providing feedback related to the driving behavior.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 8, 2013
Date of Patent:
May 30, 2017
Assignee:
Gordon*Howard Associates, Inc.
Inventors:
Gerald A. Morgan, Christopher M. Macheca
Abstract: A microcomputer of a driving force distribution control device detects a maximum current value among values of an upper current acquired during a predetermined period, and determines that an overcurrent abnormality has occurred in the driving force distribution control device when the maximum current value is equal to or larger than an abnormal current threshold value and a time, for which the maximum current value is equal to or larger than the abnormal current threshold value, is equal to or larger than an abnormality detection time. Then, the microcomputer performs off control to turn off a relay, and notifies a driver of occurrence of the overcurrent abnormality using a notification unit.
Abstract: An injector driver and an operating method thereof are provided in which a driving semiconductor directly controls a brake signal when a brake error occurs in driving an injector, to thus secure a safety function. The injector driver a driving semiconductor configured to transmit an interrupt signal for acknowledging whether a brake signal has been received to a micro-control unit (MCU) when a brake signal is applied. In addition, the driving semiconductor receives a brake signal recognition acknowledgement response signal from the MCU and detects whether the MCU has an error based on the brake signal recognition acknowledgement response signal reception result. Further, the driving semiconductor operates an injector driving signal when the response signal is not received from the MCU for a predetermined period of time.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 30, 2014
Date of Patent:
May 23, 2017
Assignees:
Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Autron Company Ltd.
Inventors:
Choong Seob Park, Ji Haeng Lee, Kang Hee Cho, Doo Jin Jang
Abstract: A control methodology for a wireless oil level sensor includes mounting a wireless oil pressure sensor to the oil plug of an engine. The oil pressure sensor detects a pressure which is used to determine a volume or level of oil in the oil pan. The oil level sensor can include an accelerometer sensor that can be excited by the vibration caused by the starting of the engine to “wake up” the sensor. The sensor can take an initial pressure reading at start up and associate the pressure reading with an oil level that can then be transmitted to a vehicle control unit. The sensor can remain idle until the accelerometer sensor no longer detects engine vibrations. The sensor is activated to take pressure readings at predetermined time intervals and to transmit an associated oil level to the vehicle central processor unit until a predetermined time period has expired.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 21, 2015
Date of Patent:
May 23, 2017
Assignee:
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Inventors:
David R. Staley, Karl R. Gilgenbach, Eric W. Schneider, Bryant G. Hammond
Abstract: A controller may maintain a last-known vehicle location, and, when satellite-positioning data is unavailable from a satellite-based positioning-system module, utilize compass data and stability control data to estimate a current vehicle location from the last-known vehicle location. The controller may avoid use of the compass data to estimate the current vehicle location when the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating in East or West headings.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 20, 2015
Date of Patent:
May 16, 2017
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Christopher James Hocking, Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, William Paul Perkins, Thomas G. Leone
Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system, comprises: at least a sensor; a head unit; at least a smart unit; wherein the sensor is capable of detecting vehicle status, generating a corresponding signal and then sending the generated signal to the head unit; the head unit is capable of receiving and analyzing the generated signal, and generating an analysis result, and they informing whether the vehicle status is abnormal by outputting a warning in the vehicle or sending the analysis result to the smart unit; the smart unit is authorized by the head unit and capable of displaying the analysis result.
Abstract: A vehicle wheel illumination assembly is provided. The assembly includes a light source located on the body of a vehicle near the wheel well and oriented to direct light onto a wheel assembly having a tire. A tire pressure indicator detects tire pressure of the tire. The light source illuminates the wheel assembly with a desired color to indicate a tire pressure status based on the detected tire pressure. A sensor senses a person near the wheel assembly and a controller activates the light source to illuminate the wheel assembly based on the sensed person to enable servicing of the tire.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 9, 2016
Date of Patent:
May 2, 2017
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Cornel Lewis Gardner
Abstract: Systems and methods pertaining to generating a test drive script (TDS) based on vehicle data values (VDV) from a vehicle and driving circumstance parameters (DCP) that correspond to use of the vehicle when the VDV are captured are described herein. The TDS can include a baseline path that includes the paths taken by the vehicle while the VDV are captured. The TDS can include an alternate path that includes paths that approximate one or more paths taken by the vehicle while the VDV are captured. The VDV can include, but are not limited to, DTC and PID values from the vehicle. The DCP can include, but are not limited to, traffic condition parameters, meteorological parameters, location parameters, and motion parameters. The TDS can include notifications to alert a user to a location where certain VDV were captured to assist the user in recreating a symptom in a vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 25, 2015
Date of Patent:
May 2, 2017
Assignee:
Snap-on Incorporated
Inventors:
Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Roy S. Brozovich, Patrick S. Merg, Mark C. Theriot
Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product to monitor a vehicle for wheel related issues based at least in part on temperature data collected for tires of the vehicle. Received temperature data for each of a plurality of tires of the vehicle may be received and analyzed to determine whether a status of each tire is normal. Responsive to determining that a status for at least one tire is not normal, wheel related issues present for the vehicle may be detected based at least in part on the temperature data.
Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a distance image acquirer, a moving-object detector, and a danger-level determining unit. The distance image acquirer acquires a distance image containing distance information of each pixel. The moving-object detector detects a moving object from the distance image. The danger-level determining unit determines a danger level of the moving object by use of the distance image, and outputs the danger level to a controller that controls a controlled unit in accordance with the danger level.
Abstract: A work device that performs work using a work unit while traveling, or a management system in which the work device is incorporated includes: a travel information generation unit that, over time, generates travel information indicating a travel state; a work information generation unit that, over time, generates work information indicating a work state for the work unit; a travel evaluation unit that, based on the travel information and the work information, divides the traveling of the work device into non-work traveling and actual work traveling; and a data visualization unit that generates visual data according to which the result of the division performed by the travel evaluation unit is made visible.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 9, 2013
Date of Patent:
May 2, 2017
Assignee:
Kubota Corporation
Inventors:
Aya Tanabe, Kazuhiro Takahara, Kazunori Matsufuji, Hirotsugu Inoue
Abstract: An onboard computer, included in a display device, has a sensing unit that is designed to sense the presence of at least one occupant in the motor vehicle. A control unit, also included in the display device, is coupled to the sensing unit and is designed to retrieve data from the sensing unit and also vehicle-related and surroundings-related data from the onboard computer that are suitable for characterizing a past travel behavior and/or influencing a future travel behavior. Also included in the display device is a display unit controllable by the control unit and designed to display the vehicle-related data retrieved by the control unit which is designed to control the display unit such that it displays the vehicle-related and surroundings-related data at least in part until the sensing unit senses that there is at least no longer a driver in the motor vehicle, to conveniently display a piece of information particularly for a stationary motor vehicle.
Abstract: The present invention includes the methods and the apparatus for acquiring, transmitting, and storing vehicle performance information. The methods of the present invention can be embodied in a wireless mobile computer device or non-transitory computer-readable medium. The embodiments include a processor, a memory storage device, a display screen, and a software application. The software application includes computer-readable instructions stored on the memory storage device and configured for execution by this process. These computer-readable instructions further include steps for acquiring instructions, storing instructions, displaying instructions, and transmitting instructions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 2014
Date of Patent:
April 25, 2017
Assignees:
Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle-mounted camera housing including a cover housing, a camera main body and a circuit board includes providing a set of partial molds which are combined to form an internal cavity. When the combined partial molds are separated, an intermediate member is taken out and machined to obtain the cover housing. A top plate portion of the cover housing includes a pedestal extending downward. The machining includes cutting a distal end of the pedestal such that a flat face of the pedestal faces a predetermined direction with reference to an inclination angle of a windshield of a target vehicle, a relative direction of an optical axis of the camera, relative directions of the pedestal flat face and an upper surface of the top plate portion, and relative directions of the top plate and the windshield surface.