Internal Alarm Or Indicator Responsive To A Condition Of The Vehicle Patents (Class 340/438)
  • Patent number: 8866604
    Abstract: A vehicle computer system comprising a wireless transceiver configured to send a nomadic device human machine interface to a nomadic device in a web browser format. The vehicle computer system further comprises a vehicle server utilizing a contextual data aggregator that utilizes vehicle data and off-board data to generate a dynamic human machine interface, the server further configured to generate an in-vehicle human machine interface for output on a vehicle display and generate the nomadic device human machine interface for the nomadic device to display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Stewart Rankin, Basavaraj Tonshal, Pietro Buttolo, Yifan Chen, Gary Steven Strumolo, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Krishnaswamy Venkatesh Prasad
  • Patent number: 8862414
    Abstract: An apparatus and method providing for detecting and responding to high voltage electrolysis within an electric vehicle battery enclosure to limit possible excessive thermal condition of the battery cells and modules. The present invention includes embodiments directed towards detection algorithms and apparatus for promoting the use of voltage, current, humidity, temperature, and pressure sensors for the purpose of detecting high voltage electrolysis. Additionally, the present invention includes response processes and structures to address high-voltage electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Weston Arthur Hermann, Michael Bell
  • Patent number: 8860570
    Abstract: A system for sensing, analyzing and reporting a collision event experienced by a person or object sensor module designed to a person or object, module angular velocities over time and a processor for analyzing the sensed velocities, calculating properties of angular velocities, such as jerk and jolt, comparing these properties with threshold values selected to correlate to predicted severities of injury to the person or object, transmitting information regarding these properties to communication device user-designated persons. Also provided are group tracking and communication devices for use by monitors to manage multiple persons equipped with sensor modules. The sensor modules and group tracking and communication devices are designed to be portable, attachable and detachable so that they can be attached to different types of gear used by persons engaging in different activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: SenseTech, LLC
    Inventors: Biju Thomas, Timothy Bauer
  • Patent number: 8860565
    Abstract: An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technlogies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Skaff, Dale Gilman, Paul Aldighieri
  • Patent number: 8862333
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method to determine a vehicle's lateral velocity during abnormal driving situations of a vehicle during controlled side-impact or rollover crash tests that involve the pulling of a vehicle sideways into an object. A high-resolution, low-range, lateral accelerometer is integrated to determine the lateral velocity. Furthermore, is a method to initiate the integration of the acceleration signal and a method to stop and reset the integration. The method recognizes special conditions associated with abnormal driving situations like controlled crash tests, and therefore will not be active during normal operating conditions. The method also includes a means to handle offset tolerances associated with accelerometers by finding the sensor's zero-g point while the vehicle is at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Andres, Holger Faisst, Eric Mertz, Helmut Steurer
  • Publication number: 20140300457
    Abstract: A system for coupling to a vehicle and for causing actuation of a remote device via a control signal transmission includes a transmitter for causing the control signal transmission to the remote device. The system further includes a circuit configured to cause a back-up display to indicate status of the remote device in response to a status determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 8855880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for displaying braking information such as energy dissipation braking information and regenerative braking information. The present invention can be an automobile including an energy dissipation braking system, a regenerative braking system, an energy dissipation braking sensor, a regenerative braking sensor, an energy conversions system, an energy storage unit, an energy storage sensor, a processor, an engine, and/or a display. The processor, energy dissipation braking sensor, and/or the regenerative braking system can acquire and analyze energy dissipating braking data and regenerative braking data in an automobile to determine appropriate braking information for display to a user on the display. Such braking information can include, for example, an energy efficiency rate, and/or an application percentage of the energy dissipation braking system and/or the regenerative braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Rowker, Avernethy Francisco
  • Patent number: 8855881
    Abstract: A system for assisting an operator in driving a vehicle. The system calculates risk potential associated with the vehicle. Responsive to an acceleration command issued by the operator via an operator-controlled input device to perform an intended acceleration operation, the system conveys information related to the calculated risk potential by modifying a relationship of an amount of acceleration corresponding to an operation amount of the operator-controlled input device, based on the calculated risk potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kobayashi, Takeshi Kimura, Genpei Naito
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140292503
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring child seats and children in child seats through sensors paired with a central processing hub which in turn relays notifications of conditions to caregivers or other users based on a notification hierarchy and the urgency of the conditions detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Cars-N-Kids LLC
    Inventor: Gregory B. Schoenberg
  • Patent number: 8847745
    Abstract: A display system for a working machine displays basic information at all times and, in case of an abnormality, displays the details of the warning in addition to the basic information to enable an operator to reliably recognize details of the warning. For example, a first warning display function, upon receiving an abnormality information signal relating to a charge warning, displays an appropriate warning icon in a warning icon display region. A simplified basic-information display function, then displays simplified basic-information images and a second warning display function displays, in a free area of the display, a second warning message inclusive of a “Charge warning” message as display details of the warning icon, and of character information relating to a simplified remedial action. The operator can then reliably recognize the “Charge warning” and understand its details as well, by viewing the second warning message in addition to the warning icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shibamori, Yutaka Watanabe, Hidenobu Tsukada, Keiichiro Nakamura, Yuuki Gotou, Kouta Fujieda
  • Patent number: 8847744
    Abstract: A vehicle receiver system includes: a receiver provided in a vehicle cabin, wherein an operating mode of the receiver includes a first mode for receiving a first wireless signal transmitted from a portable key, and a second mode for receiving a second wireless signal relating to a tire air pressure, transmitted from a transmitter provided on a tire; and a key verification device that performs key verification on the portable key in the vehicle cabin on the basis of the first wireless signal. In a predetermined situation, the receiver is configured such that the operating mode of the receiver is switched between the first mode and the second mode, and proportion of a second mode operation time in which the receiver operates in the second mode is set to be greater when a vehicle speed is relatively high than when the vehicle speed is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Arinobu Kimura, Hiroki Okada, Hiroko Murakami, Noriaki Okada, Kazuhiro Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8847792
    Abstract: Provided is an object detection apparatus capable of accurately estimating the movement amount of the position, which moves within an oncoming vehicle, of a reflection point of an electromagnetic wave radiated from a radar apparatus, and using the movement amount for collision possibility determination. The object detection apparatus provided in a vehicle includes: a relative position detection section radiating the electromagnetic wave to an object in front of the vehicle, and receiving a reflection wave from the object, thereby detecting the relative position, to the vehicle, of an electromagnetic wave reflection point on the object reflecting the electromagnetic wave; and a movement amount estimation section capable of, based on the relative position to the vehicle of the electromagnetic wave reflection point, estimating, as continuous values, a movement amount of the electromagnetic wave reflection point on the object from a predetermined timing until the object approaches the vicinity of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Tsunekawa
  • Patent number: 8847770
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for performing an alcohol monitor in a vehicle based on a driver being one of a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The apparatus comprises an electronic device that is positioned within the vehicle. The electronic device is configured to receive a driver status signal indicating that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver. The electronic device is further configured to receive an alcohol content measurement from an alcohol monitoring device (AMD) indicative of blood alcohol content for the secondary driver. The electronic device is further configured to compare the alcohol content measurement to a predetermined alcohol content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Steven Yellin Schondorf
  • Patent number: 8843269
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for managing an interface between a machine or work vehicle and a surface that the machine/work vehicle travels on in order to provide an optimum work performance level that balances fuel efficiency and surface adversity. Fleet management and reporting capabilities pertaining to such interface management are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Larry Lee Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 8843268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor vehicle having a steering wheel, the motor vehicle including a first display, integrated into the steering wheel, for the variable representation of information; a first touchscreen, situated over the first display, for the input of commands; a second display, integrated into the steering wheel and separated spatially from the first display, for the variable representation of information; and a second touchscreen, situated over the second display, for the input of commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: William Brian Lathrop, Evan Small, Deborah Garcia
  • Patent number: 8841998
    Abstract: An on-vehicle display device includes a first display section provided in an area within a width of a steering wheel of a vehicle viewed from a driver sitting on a driver seat of the vehicle and which displays at least one piece of report information concerning a state of the vehicle, a second display section provided in an area outside the width of the steering wheel viewed from the driver and which displays an image, and a control section which controls displays of the first display section and the second display section respectively. When a piece of report information is displayed on the first display section, the control section controls to display an information image corresponding to the piece of report information on the second display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamada, Kenichirou Kawamura, Shuichi Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8843263
    Abstract: The present invention provides an onboard system for determining vehicle emissions. The emissions are determined in real-time and may be transmitted to a remote terminal for storage and/or analysis. Data is supplied solely to an emissions unit from a vehicle diagnostic system: the vehicle diagnostic system receives vehicle data from vehicle systems and sub-systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lysanda Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Willard
  • Patent number: 8843311
    Abstract: In giving a travel command to an unmanned vehicle in both-side loading, or in setting a position of a loading point in both-side loading, whether a working machine of a loading machine is positioned on left-loading point side or right-loading point side is discriminated in correlation between an orientation or a position of the working machine when the travel command is instructed and a direction or a position of the boundary line. In setting the position of the loading point in both-side loading, whether the working machine of the loading machine is positioned on left-loading point side or right-loading point side is discriminated in correlation between the orientation or the position of the working machine when position setting of loading point is instructed and the direction or the position of the boundary line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Takeda
  • Patent number: 8841995
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for controlling illumination in a vehicle passenger compartment are disclosed. In one aspect, a display system for a motor vehicle passenger compartment, comprises: at least one indicia visible to an operator of the vehicle and configured to indicate a vehicle operating condition; an indicia light configured to illuminate the indicia; a display device visible to an operator of the vehicle; and a controller, in communication with the indicia light and the display device, programmed to: operate the display system in a first mode wherein the indicia light is activated to illuminate the indicia, and in response to a first control signal indicative of a change from the first mode to a second mode, reduce illumination of the indicia by the indicia light and control the display device to output information indicative of the vehicle operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishnu Jayamohan, John Curl
  • Publication number: 20140266658
    Abstract: A sound generation system for a vehicle includes a sound generator for operating a speaker of the vehicle to produce an audible sound. A controller detects a vehicle operation event and controls the sound generator to generate an audible indication of the event, an association of the audible indication with the event being programmable by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Shahar FELDMAN
  • Publication number: 20140266657
    Abstract: A seat passenger determination apparatus includes: a first determination processing unit configured to determine a passenger is not seated on a vehicle seat by having gotten out of the vehicle and transfer the mode to a not-seated recognition mode when a load variation width detected by a load detection apparatus falls within a first threshold value in a state in which a non-fastened state of a seatbelt is detected; and a second determination processing unit configured to determine the passenger is not seated on the vehicle seat by having gotten out of the vehicle and transfer the mode to the not-seated recognition mode when the load variation width detected by the load detection apparatus falls within a second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value during a predetermined time when the fact that the seatbelt has changed from the fastened state to the non-fastened state is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki FUJII, Takahiro IZUNO, Isao HONDA, Yoshiaki TOMATSU, Yusuke TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20140266659
    Abstract: A start fault indicator system for outdoor power equipment may include an illuminating element and circuitry to perform start condition checks to determine if a start fault has occurred. The illuminating element may be configured to illuminate a first predetermined color in response to detection of a start fault occurring, and illuminate a second predetermined color in response to determining that no start fault is outstanding, where the first and second predetermined colors are different colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Husqvarna AB
    Inventor: Sean Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20140266664
    Abstract: An indicator system for outdoor power equipment, such as a riding lawn mower, may include an illuminating element around the perimeter of a display screen. The illuminating element may be configured to illuminate in a predetermined manner based on a predefined condition occurring in order to alert the operator to the display screen. The display screen may be configured to display more detail about the predefined condition while the illuminating element is illuminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Sean Dwyer
  • Patent number: 8836489
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting unauthorized vehicle movement that includes measuring a resting angle of a vehicle using a vehicle sensor; thereafter, detecting a change in the measured resting angle of the vehicle; determining that the detected change is not authorized; and sending an alert message based on the determination via a vehicle telematics unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Christensen, Daryl L. Carr, Michael D. Solomon, Christopher L. Oesterling
  • Patent number: 8838332
    Abstract: In one example, a network device stores a mapping of application operation modes to vehicle conditions such as a first condition of the vehicle powered but not moving and a second condition of the vehicle moving. The network device receives a wirelessly transmitted request for a particular application to utilize an interface powered by the vehicle. The network device compares an application identifier specified by the received request to the mapping. The network device then identifies a portion of the vehicle interface according to the comparison and signals control software on the vehicle to grant the particular application access to only the identified portion of the vehicle interface itself. The application can reside on the mobile device and utilize the vehicle interface as an extended interface, or the application can reside on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Airbiquity Inc.
    Inventors: Kamyar Moinzadeh, Leon L. Hong, Lee Zhao
  • Patent number: 8838325
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises a plurality of control module structures. A first control module structure is configured for determining a current motive mode of the vehicle. A second control module structure is configured for determining information indicating that a driver of the vehicle has left the vehicle unattended while the vehicle is in a motive-enabled mode. A third control module structure is configured for causing a secure idle mode to be implemented as a function of determining the information indicating that the driver of the vehicle has left the vehicle unattended while the vehicle is in the motive-enabled mode. Implementing the secure idle mode can include inhibiting the vehicle from being driveable until a driver access code is successfully received and authenticated by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Filip Tomik, Kirk Pebley, William David Treharne, Kevin Thomas Hille, Daniel M King
  • Patent number: 8836493
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing haptic feedback to an operator of a vehicle is described including a pedal, torque motor, actuator and controller. The pedal is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. The torque motor applies rotational force to the pedal. The actuator is rotatably positioned between the torque motor and pedal. The controller provides haptic feedback to the operator by sending a haptic signal via the torque motor, actuator and pedal in which rotational force is applied to the pedal to rotate the pedal toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Williams Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Thiel, Craig McConnell
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140253309
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing feedback in the event of a lane deviation of a vehicle having a power steering system. Vehicle data, such as speed, a steering angle, and the like, may be acquired (e.g., from a sensor system of the vehicle). An activation signal may be generated based on the acquired data. A haptic warning may then be generated using the power steering system of the vehicle based on the activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel FAEUSTER, Erik Jürgen STUMPF, Attila BENAK, Andrew BROWN, Sergio CODONESU
  • Patent number: 8830044
    Abstract: Disclosed is a driving support device that is capable of realizing driving support in consideration of a risk potential determination tendency of a driver. The driving support device is a device that estimates a risk potential that is a degree of a risk with respect to a risk target in driving of a vehicle and performs a driving support for a driver of the vehicle on the basis of the estimated risk potential, and includes: a risk potential bias setting unit that sets a risk potential bias that is a value for changing the risk potential on the basis of a risk potential determination tendency of the driver; and a risk potential estimating unit that changes the risk potential on the basis of the risk potential bias set by the risk potential bias setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 8826648
    Abstract: A method is provided for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas of internal-combustion engines in motor vehicles. An electronic control device, by way of a signal of a sensor in a reducing agent tank, detects whether a reducing agent is in a frozen state. The electronic control device applies heating current to a PTC heating element in the reducing agent tank if the reducing agent is in a frozen state, calculates the resistance of the PTC heating element from the onboard voltage of the motor vehicle and the heating current, and compares the resistance with a first defined resistance threshold and/or with a first defined gradient threshold of the increase in resistance. The amount of reducing agent fed into the exhaust gas from the reducing agent tank is reduced if the first resistance threshold and/or the first gradient threshold is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Baumeister
  • Patent number: 8831824
    Abstract: In one example, a network device stores a mapping of application operation modes to vehicle conditions such as a first condition of the vehicle powered but not moving and a second condition of the vehicle moving. The network device receives a wirelessly transmitted request for a particular application to utilize an interface powered by the vehicle. The network device compares an application identifier specified by the received request to the mapping. The network device then identifies a portion of the vehicle interface according to the comparison and signals control software on the vehicle to grant the particular application access to only the identified portion of the vehicle interface itself. The application can reside on the mobile device and utilize the vehicle interface as an extended interface, or the application can reside on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Airbiquity Inc.
    Inventors: Kamyar Moinzadeh, Leon L. Hong, Lee Zhao
  • 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: 8831823
    Abstract: In one example, a network device stores a mapping of application operation modes to vehicle conditions such as a first condition of the vehicle powered but not moving and a second condition of the vehicle moving. The network device receives a wirelessly transmitted request for a particular application to utilize an interface powered by the vehicle. The network device compares an application identifier specified by the received request to the mapping. The network device then identifies a portion of the vehicle interface according to the comparison and signals control software on the vehicle to grant the particular application access to only the identified portion of the vehicle interface itself. The application can reside on the mobile device and utilize the vehicle interface as an extended interface, or the application can reside on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Airbiquity Inc.
    Inventors: Kamyar Moinzadeh, Leon L. Hong, Lee Zhao
  • Patent number: 8831836
    Abstract: A system for keeping a driver alert by employing a thermal grill that includes warm and cool regions. The system includes an alert module that configures the thermal grill to a heat sink configuration and a heat source configuration. The thermal grill in the heat sink configuration extracts heat from the driver's body, lowers the driver's temperature, and keeps the driver alert. The thermal grill in the heat source configuration raises the driver's temperature and avoids vasoconstriction. The alert module also monitors at least one of the driver's biomarkers like blood flow in the driver's fingers. The alert module monitors the driver's biomarkers to determine when to reconfigure the thermal grill to a configuration other than the heat sink configuration. If the monitored biomarkers indicate that the driver is in a vasoconstricted state, the alert module can reconfigure the thermal grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsuan Chang
  • Patent number: 8831834
    Abstract: In a vehicle information management system, a storage includes a storage region arranged to store abnormality data that includes diagnostic data, type information indicating a type of an abnormality, and occurrence number information that indicates the number of occurrences of each abnormality specified by the type information. When the type of an abnormality is specified by an abnormality specifying unit and a new diagnostic data is produced and if the abnormality data of the same type as the specified type is already stored in the storage region in the storage, an updating unit changes the occurrence number information to the latest information and overwrites and saves the diagnostic data in the storage region already stored with the abnormality data of the same type as the specified type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoko Fujime
  • Patent number: 8825270
    Abstract: Provided is a method for determining the urgency for repairing a diagnostic condition in a vehicle. Upon determining the repair urgency, a driver may decide to continue driving (in the case of a “low” urgency determination), or cease driving (in the case of a “high” urgency determination). The urgency status may also enable a driver to shop around for the repair (in the event of a “low” urgency status), or to seek immediate assistance (in the event of a “high” urgency status).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Innova Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Leon Chen
  • Patent number: 8825305
    Abstract: The invention provides an effective technique for appropriately restraining a vehicle occupant at the time of a side collision of a vehicle. An occupant restraint system mounted to a vehicle comprises a camera, a side impact sensor, an acceleration sensor, an ECU, and an airbag module. The ECU changes a threshold value setting for collision velocity at the time of a side collision of the vehicle according to whether or not a colliding object involved in the side collision of the vehicle is a pole-like object, and controls the airbag module based on the set threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Itoga
  • Patent number: 8825290
    Abstract: A risk-degree setting unit (108) sets the degree of risk for the case where an inverter (103) performs conversion processing (inverter risk degree), and sets the degree of risk for the case where a storage battery (105) stores electrical energy (storage battery risk degree). A final output destination determination unit (109), based on the degrees of risk set by the risk-degree setting unit (108), determines the final output destination of electrical energy output from an electric motor (106), and controls the turning ON or OFF of a relay (110). The final output destination determination unit (109) turns the relay (110) ON when the storage battery (105) is determined as the final output destination of the electrical energy output from the electric motor (106), and turns the relay (110) OFF when the inverter (103) is determined as the final output destination of the electrical energy output from the electric motor (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Terada, Kenji Sugihara, Norihiko Kimura
  • Patent number: 8823504
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a forward vehicle sensor transmitting a forward vehicle message based on a distance to a forward vehicle. An adaptive cruise controller receives the forward vehicle message and receives at least one additional message indicating a respective status of the vehicle, the adaptive cruise controller sets a braking pressure for an adaptive cruise controller braking event above a default braking pressure if the adaptive cruise controller determines, based on the at least one of the additional messages, that the vehicle will maintain stability during the adaptive cruise controller braking event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Custer, Charles E. Ross, Srikiran Kosanam, William P. Amato
  • Patent number: 8825267
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for detecting a tire pressure deviation in a tire of a vehicle by determining tire pressure indicating data indicative of a tire pressure condition of the tire and determining tire pressure deviation data indicative of a tire pressure deviation in the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nira Dynamics AB
    Inventors: Markus Gerdin, Henrik Nilsson, Tony Gustafsson, Mats Löfgren
  • Patent number: 8823537
    Abstract: Railcar monitoring utilizes instrumented, flexible pads supported within the truck pedestal jaws on the bearing adapters. The pads contain sensors for monitoring temperature pressure, shifting loads, truck hunting and the like and have circuitry for processing information received from the sensors and for processing and reporting departures of performance variables to a remote source. The system cyclically activates polling each pad on a car and communicates signals of critical departures and car identity to a remote source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William LeFebvre, Michael J. McCann
  • Patent number: 8823503
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a high-voltage source for supplying consumers of a high-voltage on-board power supply system with electrical energy, an electrical separating device for separating the high-voltage source from the high-voltage on-board power supply system and a signal emission device for indicating the connection state between the high-voltage source and the onboard high-voltage power supply system. The signal emission device is activated for emission of a signal when the high-voltage source is separated from the onboard high-voltage power supply system, and is deactivated when the high-voltage source is connected to the onboard high-voltage power supply system. A non-activated signal emission device indicates a live state of the high-voltage on-board power supply system, thereby ensuring that a safe state of the onboard high-voltage power supply system is not falsely signaled in the event of a failure of the signal emission device, thereby eliminating risk to service personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8825259
    Abstract: In an example implementation, an autonomous vehicle is configured to detect closures and lane shifts in a lane of travel. The vehicle is configured to operate in an autonomous mode and determine a presence of an obstacle substantially positioned in a lane of travel of the vehicle using a sensor. The lane of travel has a first side, a second side, and a center, and the obstacle is substantially positioned on the first side. The autonomous vehicle includes a computer system. The computer system determines a lateral distance between the obstacle and the center, compares the lateral distance to a pre-determined threshold, and provides instructions to control the autonomous vehicle based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: David I. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8818622
    Abstract: The vehicle system, controlled by control inputs, provides functionalities in the motor vehicle (1) and has an interface (9) for acquiring the control inputs and outputting data as well as a control device (5) for controlling the functionalities in accordance with the acquired control inputs. A storage medium (7) on which instructions explaining the functionalities and/or operation are stored is linked to the control device (5). The control device (5) is designed to retrieve instructions from the storage medium (7) and output the same as part of the instructions via the interface (9). The vehicle system (3, 3?) can be operated in an assistance mode in which the user inputs are interpreted and evaluated as control inputs for the functionalities while instructions explaining the respective activated functionality and/or other operational options are additionally output at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Bergholz, Michael Daginnus, Gabriel Schwab, Yongmei Wu, Christoph Wāller, Lennart Bendewald, Thorsten Bohnenberger, Katja Lemke, Karl Rox, Stefan Schulz, Jörg Lilienthal
  • Patent number: 8816837
    Abstract: An in-vehicle information display system including a GPS receiver that determines the location of a vehicle, and a user interface for communicating information received over a wireless communication network. The information received over the wireless communications network is communicated to a user interface depending on the velocity of the vehicle. Further, the content of the information received over the wireless communications network and communicated to the user depends on the velocity of the vehicle. The system makes use of a head-up display so that content information is only directed to the user. A method communicates information over a wireless communications network to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Itcico Spain, S.L.
    Inventor: Jude Braden
  • Patent number: 8816878
    Abstract: There is provided a parking assist apparatus capable of allowing an automatic steering control to be started smoothly, without requiring any special operation after confirmation of a parking target location. The parking assist apparatus includes a parking target position setting section for setting a parking target position, a guiding path calculating section for calculating a guiding path to the parking target position, a reporting information outputting section for reporting to the driver upon successful establishment of a guiding path that an automatic steering is now possible, a non-holding state determining section for determining whether there is established a non-holding state of the driver not holding a steering device, and a guiding start determining section configured to allow guiding by the automatic steering to be started, provided the guiding path has been established AND the non-holding state has been realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Kadowaki, Kazuya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8816833
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle includes a meter unit, an indicator unit and a control unit. The meter unit includes an image display monitor having a screen, and a meter for indicating a value of a vehicle first state is displayed by an image on the screen. The indicator unit includes a display pane defining an opening for exposing the meter at a display side of the image display monitor, an indicator is provided on the display pane at a peripheral area of the opening, and the indicator displays a vehicle second state by light. The control unit controls independently a display luminance of the meter and a display luminance of the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tominaga
  • Publication number: 20140232539
    Abstract: A condition monitoring system includes a terminal system unit and a condition monitoring system unit connected together via radiocommunication channels. The terminal system unit is mounted on a self-propelled machine, while the monitoring system unit is arranged at a control center. The monitoring system unit is provided with a unit for setting an alarm delivery condition, another unit for setting an aggregation condition, a further unit for transmitting the alarm delivery condition and aggregation condition so set, and a screen display unit for displaying various information. The terminal system unit is provided with an alarm creation unit for creating alarm information according to the alarm delivery condition so transmitted, an aggregate data creation unit for creating aggregate data according to the transmitted aggregation condition, and a data transmitting unit for transmitting the alarm information and aggregate data so created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki HIRUTA, Hideaki SUZUKI, Junsuke FUJIWARA, Takayuki UCHIDA