Speed Of Vehicle, Engine, Or Power Train Patents (Class 340/441)
  • Patent number: 9024783
    Abstract: A ticketing device having a computerized mechanism which works in conjunction with a vehicle speedometer and is programmed to alert law enforcement personnel and dispense a ticket if the motorist is driving over the designated speed limit. In addition, units employed by teenage drivers may be programmed to send an audible or text message to their parent or guardian's cellular telephone, with the message alerting the caregiver that their teen is engaging in reckless driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Camilo Alfaro
  • Patent number: 9013290
    Abstract: A method for lighting up a luminous safety accessory includes separating the two sets of luminous sources such that they are each visible based on a different direction; separately lighting up the two sets of luminous sources; lighting up the first set of luminous sources in response to a positive acceleration, with the lighting involving the varying of the luminous intensity of the sources based on the measured acceleration; and lighting up the second set of luminous sources in response to a negative acceleration of which the absolute value exceeds a pre-determined threshold value, with the lighting involving the varying of the luminous intensity of the sources based on the measured acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Kido Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David Rigaud, Jean-Michel Pfrimmer
  • Patent number: 9013291
    Abstract: An automobile instrument panel includes display means with a display area. First and second symbols may be displayed in the display area to convey safety information. The duration of display of a symbol may be different depending upon whether it is an acute safety symbol or a normal safety symbol. An audible alarm may also be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Christophe Dolle
  • Patent number: 9013289
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display device 5 for a work machine having an engine 9, a hydraulic pump 10 driven by the engine, a boom cylinder 3d, an arm cylinder 3e, a bucket cylinder 3f, and other actuators driven by a hydraulic fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump 10, and an operating device 6 for operating the actuators 3d, 3e, 3f. The display device 5 includes an idle state display section 50a for displaying an engine revolution speed N as no-manipulation period operating state information which is related to an engine load that is imposed while the operating device 6 is not manipulated. This makes it possible to inform an operator of the status of the engine load in an idle state for the purpose of prompting the operator to transition into a fuel-efficient state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nishikawa, Kouji Ishikawa, Takatoshi Ooki, Keiichiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9007462
    Abstract: A driving assist apparatus acquires vehicle information which includes a gear state and speed of a vehicle; judges a state of preparing for movement, a state of starting movement, and a state during movement; generates a wide-angle image that is an image that can see a wide range although having distortion when the vehicle state is the state of preparing for movement or the state of starting movement; and generates a no-distortion image that is an image in which the distortion due to the lens shape and the distortion by the projection system are eliminated from the camera image when the vehicle state is the state during movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Mitsugi
  • Publication number: 20150084762
    Abstract: A vehicle driving mode display device judges whether or not a following first condition or a following second condition is satisfied in a case that a vehicle is driven within a tolerance range, and if satisfied, issues a warning. The first condition is a case in which a difference between a standard speed indicated by the running speed pattern and the vehicle speed is gradually widened as time elapses. The second condition is a case in which the vehicle speed exceeds the tolerance range within a predetermined allowable time period when an acceleration at the moment is presumed to be kept.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Jungo OKADA, Kenichi GOTO, Hikaru ASADA, Tetsuo SASAKI
  • Patent number: 8988206
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an in-vehicle informing device equipped in a vehicle including an idle stop system so that a driver is prevented from mistaking an engine stop state by the idle stop system for the engine stop state by an OFF position of an ignition switch. The device first determines whether an engine is automatically stopped by the idle stop system. The device determines whether a stop state of the vehicle corresponds to specific drive suspending condition when the engine is automatically stopping by the idle stop system. The device informs the driver that the engine is automatically stopped by the idle reduction function, utilizing an information giving portion equipped in the vehicle when the driver is judged as in the drive suspending state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koudai Okada
  • Patent number: 8983678
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a speed determination module, a buffer module, and a speed prediction module. The speed determination module determines changes in measured vehicle speed. The buffer module stores the determined changes in measured vehicle speed. The speed prediction module predicts a speed of the vehicle when the measured vehicle speed is less than a predetermined threshold, wherein the predicted vehicle speed is based on an average of the stored changes in measured vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Justin Louie, Xuefeng Tim Tao
  • Patent number: 8970351
    Abstract: Systems and/or Methods are disclosed for acquiring data from a transceiver responsive to one or more signals that are received at the transceiver from one or more devices. In one embodiment, a transceiver is configured to transmit a signal responsive to having received a first signal from a first device, wherein the signal that is transmitted by the transceiver is configured to trigger a second device to transmit a second signal. The transceiver is further configured to transmit data responsive to having received the second signal that is transmitted by the second device. In other embodiments, a transceiver is configured to receive a signal from a first device over frequencies of a predetermined frequency band that the first device is authorized to use, to receive a signal from a second device over frequencies of the predetermined frequency band and to transmit data responsive to having received both the signal from the first device and the signal from the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: EICES Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter D. Karabinis
  • Patent number: 8963703
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a driver shift aid are disclosed. In one aspect, an electronic control unit causes a shift indicator to be presented if a need for a shift is detected and vehicle performance after the shift would not be unduly impacted. If the vehicle operator follows the guidance of the shift indicator, vehicle fuel efficiency may be improved while vehicle performance remains adequate. In one aspect, a different indicator may be displayed to prompt the vehicle operator to shift either one gear or two gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Stephan Olsen, Ethan A. Ott, Zachary Slaton, Mark Nievelstein
  • Patent number: 8963702
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting use of a wireless device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and method for using street map data broadcasts a warning to a driver, wherein the warning is triggered when a vehicle operating parameter does not comply with a limitation for a current street in a street mapping database. The limitation for the current street is also broadcast to the driver. An indication that the limitation for the current street is incorrect is received from the driver. The warning to the driver may be an audible warning and/or a visual warning to the driver. Broadcasting a limitation for the current street may include displaying the limitation to the driver or playing a spoken message to the driver. The limitation may be a posted speed limit or a traffic direction, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: inthinc Technology Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Follmer, Scott McClellan
  • Patent number: 8958947
    Abstract: A vehicle approach notification device 2 includes: position detection unit 21 that detects current positions of a vehicle; map database 22 storing map data; specific area travel determination unit 23 that determines the travel in a specific area by using the current position from the unit 21 and the map data from the database 22; specific area scale determination unit 24 that, when information from the unit 23 indicates a specific area, determines a scale of the specific area; storage unit 25 that stores a list of thresholds relating to the scale of the specific area; and notification control unit 28 that compares information of the scale from the unit 24 with the list of thresholds from the unit 25, and that when the threshold is satisfied, outputs a control signal for emitting a notification sound of the vehicle to notification sound control unit 30 that controls the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Inakazu, Mitsuo Shimotani
  • Patent number: 8957772
    Abstract: A system for detection of braking of a vehicle may include a device provided in a first vehicle. The device may be in communication with a detector mounted to the first vehicle to monitor an area in front of the first vehicle. The detector may detect light emitted by the rear lights of a second vehicle when the second vehicle is ahead of the first vehicle in the monitored area. The device may acquire data from the detector and analyze the acquired data in order to detect an optical signal emitted by the rear lights of the second vehicle. The optical signal may encode information indicative of a braking procedure being performed by the second vehicle. The device may evaluate the detected optical signal in order to derive the information indicative of the braking procedure of the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Mauderer, Klaus Hübner
  • Patent number: 8947348
    Abstract: A proximity sensor switch-controlled meter and lamp switch system installed in a motor vehicle that can be a motorcycle or car is disclosed to include a meter having a micro-controller unit (MCU) and an electronic display device, a lamp switch unit installed in one handlebar (or the motorcycle) or steering wheel (of the car), and proximity sensor switches respectively mounted in the meter and the lamp switch unit for controlling the micro-controller unit (MCU) to control the display mode of an electronic display device of the meter or to switch on/off the headlamp or left/right turn signal light of the motor vehicle when the motorcycle rider or car driver touches the meter or the lamp switch unit with a finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsin Su, I-Te Chang
  • Patent number: 8947253
    Abstract: The invention relates to an immersive vehicle multimedia system that that is affected by vehicle sensors and collected data concerning environmental. The immersive vehicle multimedia system includes a vehicle, at least one sensor or other vehicle component gathering input as data from an external and internal vehicle environment, an immersive multimedia device connected to each sensor, and media content run through the multimedia device. The media content includes a primary script and a secondary script, the secondary script depending on the gathered input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: David Bloom, Jeff Zabel
  • Publication number: 20150009025
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing deceleration rate information of a user operating a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a unit including an accelerometer, a processor, and a lighting mechanism. The processor receives from the accelerometer deceleration info of the vehicle and variably adjusts at least one aspect of the lighting mechanism, thereby quantitatively signaling the deceleration rate to a driver of a following vehicle. The unit may be mounted on an article of clothing, a bag, or the vehicle itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Mohammad Faizal Ali, Randall Jay Redding
  • Patent number: 8930085
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle, includes: a controller that is configured to obtain an index on the basis of a running condition of the vehicle, to vary a running characteristic of the vehicle on the basis of the index, and to vary details output from an effect producing device, which applies a stimulus to at least part of five senses of a driver of the vehicle, on the basis of the index, wherein when a variation in the running characteristic because of a variation in the index decreases, quickness of a behavior of the vehicle, the variation in the index in response to a variation in the running condition is relatively delayed, as compared with when the variation in the running characteristic because of the variation in the index increases quickness of the behavior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Toshio Tanahashi, Shinichi Sano, Yoshimitsu Agata, Toshihiro Yamazaki, Shin Noumura
  • Patent number: 8928225
    Abstract: Provided is a display device in which design properties have been improved by eliminating the flickering when the display level changes. A microcomputer (5) causes light emission of first LEDs (23 and 24) which are the first and second ones counting from the right end among the emitting first LEDs (21 to 24), with decreasing brightness towards the right end. Furthermore, the microcomputer (5) causes light emission of second LEDs from a second LED (77) which is disposed at the right end of the second LEDs (71 to 77), to a second LED (73) which is disposed at a position overlapped with the first LEDs (23 and 24) that emit light with decreasing brightness towards the right end, and also causes light emission of second LEDs (73 and 74), which are the first and second ones counting from the left end among the emitting second LEDs (73 to 77), with decreasing brightness towards the left end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Masuda, Yoshiyuki Furuya, Hideaki Kageyama
  • Publication number: 20150002287
    Abstract: A pseudo-tach signal system includes a pseudo-tach signal modeling module, and an output module operatively connected to the pseudo-tach signal modeling module. The output module exports a pseudo-tach signal based audible sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Frank C. Valeri, Scott M. Reilly
  • Patent number: 8907773
    Abstract: An image display apparatus capable of allowing a user to stably and conveniently check an image provided from a mobile terminal while driving a vehicle, by extracting a text corresponding to a screen image provided from the mobile terminal, by converting the extracted text into an audio signal according to a vehicle speed, and then by outputting the audio signal. The image display apparatus mounted to a vehicle includes a communication unit configured to receive an image from a mobile terminal, a display unit configured to display the received image, a controller configured to acquire a text corresponding to the displayed image, to acquire a vehicle speed, and to convert the acquired text into an audio signal when the speed exceeds a threshold speed, and an audio output unit configured to output the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sungha Choi
  • Patent number: 8909423
    Abstract: A vehicle display device includes a vehicle instrument panel, upper-side and lower-side segment displays and a display controller. Each of the upper-side and lower-side segment displays has at least three number-displaying elements that are arranged in a line in a lateral direction for displaying numerical values using a plurality of segments. The display controller is configured to combine the number-displaying elements in the upper-side and lower-side segment displays and to display vehicle information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuki Ozawa, Hidenori Hokura
  • Publication number: 20140340212
    Abstract: A display control apparatus, with respect to multiple display areas of a display screen of a display apparatus, assigns one display image to one of the display areas by performing a predetermined calculation. The display control apparatus includes a display image managing section storing image information related to the display image, a display area managing section storing area information related to each display area, a mandatory exclusion information storing section storing mandatory exclusion information that defines multiple display image combinations so that the display image is included in each of the display image combinations, and a display image assignment control section. The display image assignment control section, based on the mandatory exclusion information, determines the display image combinations, generates a display image combination list, and assigns the display image to the display area based on the display image combination list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ueda, Hitoshi Sugiyama, Shigeo Katoh
  • Patent number: 8890674
    Abstract: A driver assistance detection system and method for determining levels of functionality of an interactive device in a vehicle are provided. The driver assistance detection system comprises a vision-based detection device, a processing device, and an interactive device. The vision-based detection device is configured to visually detect objects, recognize whether the object is an object of interest, and then obtain data regarding a status of the object. The processing device is configured to receive data from the vision-based detection device, run a set of instructions and switch the interactive device between a first mode and a second mode. The interactive device is configured to have at least two modes, wherein the second mode has reduced functionality relative to the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Zeiger, Young Son
  • Patent number: 8890717
    Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: inthinc Technology Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard
  • Patent number: 8886418
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for guiding the driver of a vehicle in selecting an accelerator pedal position and transmission gear to improve a score. The score may be a weighted average of a fuel economy score and a drivability score. A curve showing the best score for each gear may be shown on a display as a function of accelerator pedal and transmission gear number, along with the current accelerator pedal and gear number of the vehicle. The driver may improve the score by changing to an accelerator pedal and/or gear selection that is closer to the curve. The curve may be calculated, using a model based on forces and torques upon the vehicle, from data acquired by monitoring the vehicle and/or from external sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: FuelMiner, Inc.
    Inventors: Sermet Yücel, William D. Headrick, Samuel E. Martin, M. Germana Paterlini, Jon M. Magnuson
  • Patent number: 8886396
    Abstract: The present invention provides a meter display device provided in a vehicle, including a display portion having a display region in which a plurality of display areas extending elongatedly in the left-right direction of a meter body are provided in proximity in a line arrangement in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the left-right direction, and a display control portion switching each of the display areas between the display operated state and the non-display operated state and increasing the number of the display areas display-operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kobayashi, Shoji Saito
  • Patent number: 8878694
    Abstract: A vehicle speed advisor system that provides an indication of the local speed limit to the driver in order to warn the driver when the local speed limit has been exceeded. The system detects the actual GPS position and obtains the allowed local speed limit of that position in a USB or flash memory, which is then displayed using a speed limit indicator in the scale of the speedometer of the instrument cluster in one mode of operation when the speed limit has not been reached, or in a second mode of operation when the speed limit has been reached or surpassed. The driver does not have to look at the street to see the allowed driving speed because the instrument cluster always provides an indication of the local speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Farid Dergal Davito
  • Patent number: 8878662
    Abstract: A vehicle operation support apparatus includes an indicator section for indicating an actual value of a parameter and a target value of the parameter for an operator to manipulate the parameter with reference to the target value, wherein the parameter is manipulated by the operator for changing an engine output of a vehicle. In the vehicle operation support apparatus, a change amount of an indication in the indicator section with respect to a unit change amount of the actual value of the parameter is relatively small in a region close to the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Fuke, Akihiro Makiyama, Shigeyuki Sakaguchi, Yutaka Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20140300459
    Abstract: An image displaying speedometer includes an input section configured to receive a movement input and a decision input among various inputs, and a display section that output information. The display section outputs a speed scale and either one of a first index which indicates a part of the speed scale and a second index which indicates a part of the speed scale as information, the first index being different from the second index. The display section outputs the first index so as to indicate the part of the speed scale in accordance with the movement input received by the input section, and outputs the second index, instead of the first index, so as to indicate the part of the speed scale which has been indicated by the first index after the input section receives the decision input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukio Oishi
  • Patent number: 8847746
    Abstract: An image display device is provided to receive a image corresponding to a program and identification information regarding the program from a mobile terminal, determine an image processing scheme with respect to the received image based on the identification information, and process the received image based on the determined image processing scheme, thus allowing a user to conveniently and effectively view the image provided from the mobile terminal in a stable environment in a vehicle. The image display device includes: a communication unit configured to receive an image corresponding to a program and identification information corresponding to the program from a mobile terminal; a controller configured to determine an image processing scheme corresponding to the received image based on the received identification information, and process the received image based on the determined image processing scheme; and a display unit configured to display the processed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soohwan Oh, Kyunggeun Kim, Sungha Choi, Sungah Ahn
  • Publication number: 20140285334
    Abstract: A vehicle meter includes a display device to display an image, an indicator needle disposed on an image display surface side and configured to rotate around one end thereof along the image display surface, a display control unit to switchably display one of a first image and a second image on the display device, each image including scale marks at the other end side of the indicator needle, the scale marks being displayed within a range in a circumferential direction of a predetermined circle centered at a rotational axis of the indicator needle, the second image having the range in the circumferential direction narrower than that of the first image, and an indicator needle control unit to control a range for rotating the indicator needle while the second image is displayed to be smaller than that while the first image is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Yutaka SANO
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8830048
    Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco
  • Patent number: 8823423
    Abstract: Apparatus for a wireless tachometer receiver. The wireless tachometer receiver includes a receiver and a signal conditioner that drives a conventional tachometer. Conventional tachometers require an input consisting of pulses at the operating voltage of the vehicle, which is typically 12 Vdc. Conventional receivers have an alternating current output that is substantially less than the operating voltage of the vehicle, which is insufficient to trigger the tachometer reliably. The signal conditioner converts the receiver output to a signal that allows for reliable operation of the conventional tachometer. In one embodiment, the signal conditioner is an amplifier that has a gain to drive the amplifier output between zero and the operating voltage of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the signal conditioner is a step-up transformer that has a ratio sufficient to produce an output at the operating voltage of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Terry Pennisi
  • 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: 8803679
    Abstract: An engine rotational speed display device includes a rotational speed sensor and a pulse rotor. An engine rotational speed calculating unit is configured to calculate an engine rotational speed by a moving average of a detected value of a crankshaft rotational speed pulse. A display unit is configured to display the engine rotational speed on a meter by electrical processing. When the crankshaft rotational speed pulse is not detected in a detection time equal to or more than a predetermined value, the engine rotational speed calculating unit determines that the engine rotational speed is “0,” and the engine rotational speed of “0” is displayed on the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Nakamura, Kenichi Machida
  • Patent number: 8803709
    Abstract: A method of presenting attitude and heading information of a vehicle on a display to a viewer inside the given vehicle, comprising the steps of: using a 2D display, using data provided by an inertial reference system, using a computer and graphical software for treating the data and defining graphical elements, depicting the graphical elements in 3D on the 2D display, and presenting the attitude and heading information on the 2D display by associating them to at least one graphical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20140210605
    Abstract: A display and operator control system for a motor vehicle includes: an instrument cluster configured to display operating parameters of the motor vehicle, the instrument cluster having a plurality of displays adhesively bonded under a common covering pane, the plurality of displays including: (i) a first display configured to display the speed of the motor vehicle, and (ii) a second display embodied as a touchscreen for representing and activating operator control functions; and an operator control system configured to control devices of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Heinz-Bernhard Abel, Günter Urlaub
  • Patent number: 8786420
    Abstract: A drive recorder of the invention includes a trigger judgment circuit that calculates, with respect to acceleration data of a vehicle, first and second moving averages as moving averages of two different time series, and that generates a trigger signal according to a result of comparing a differential value of the first and second moving averages or an absolute value of the differential value with a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoji Marumoto
  • Patent number: 8781642
    Abstract: The present invention relates to control system for a vehicle. The control system includes a manually operable control lever, such as a joystick, an actuator, a sensor and a control unit. The control lever sets a state variable of the vehicle. The actuator applies a force to the control lever. The sensor senses a vehicle parameter and transmits a parameter signal to the control unit. The control unit determines a current operating state of the vehicle. The control unit, depending on the present operating state of the vehicle, controls the actuator and causes it to apply a changed, predetermined force to the control lever, in order to make the operator aware of an unsafe operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nicolai Tarasinski, Klaus Hahn
  • Publication number: 20140167948
    Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing and an instrument panel surface supported within the housing. A telltale supported on the instrument panel surface is configured to alert a vehicle operator that a shift between gears is desirable responsive to a predetermined vehicle operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Juan Ixta Mejia
  • Publication number: 20140167947
    Abstract: A disclosed vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a display disposed within a first plane and configured for generating an image indicative of vehicle operation and a pointer disposed on a second plane spaced apart from the first plane and extending at least partially over the display to highlight the image generated by the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav B. Birman, Arthur S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140152469
    Abstract: A vehicle speed advisor system that provides an indication of the local speed limit to the driver in order to warn the driver when the local speed limit has been exceeded. The system detects the actual GPS position and obtains the allowed local speed limit of that position in a USB or flash memory, which is then displayed using a speed limit indicator in the scale of the speedometer of the instrument cluster in one mode of operation when the speed limit has not been reached, or in a second mode of operation when the speed limit has been reached or surpassed. The driver does not have to look at the street to see the allowed driving speed because the instrument cluster always provides an indication of the local speed limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Farid Dergal Davito
  • Patent number: 8744661
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing traffic flow instabilities and increasing vehicle throughput by monitoring the distances and velocities of motor vehicles leading and following a center vehicle and controlling the velocities of the vehicles to maintain a steady relative distance between the center vehicle and the leading and following vehicles. Using distance and speed information derived from both leading and following vehicles reduces the loop gain of feedback needed below one (1) and diminishes traffic instabilities caused by “car following.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Berthold K. P. Horn
  • Patent number: 8744734
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing incentives for the public to travel during time windows and routes that help alleviate traffic congestion. The systems described herein include at least two components: a computer server software system that includes various algorithms and database sub-systems; and a mobile device application. Generally, a user may enter an origin, destination, and preferred time of travel for an intended trip into the mobile device application, which transmits the information to a remote server. The server computes a route for the trip and provides the user with available incentives for traveling the route at one or more departure time windows. The user's mobile device transmits GPS data to the server, which allows the server to verify whether the user has traveled the route during the specified time window. If so, the server then provides the incentive to the user via the user's mobile device or through email.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents, University of Arizona
    Inventor: Yi-Chang Chiu
  • Patent number: 8738196
    Abstract: Methods for linking two or more vehicles to achieve reduced aerodynamic drag while the vehicles are travelling on the road are disclosed. The disclosed methods utilize a dynamic linking system that not only physically connects the vehicles but also allows the driver of the leading vehicle to monitor and control essential functions of the trailing vehicles. Preferably, the driving mechanisms of the trailing vehicles, such as throttles, brakes, and gears, are fully operational so as not to put excessive burden on the driving mechanisms of the leading vehicle. Methods for linking individual vehicles as well as streamlining the operation of a fleet of vehicles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: David Kronenberg
  • Patent number: 8730025
    Abstract: Provided is an instrument driving device which can have improved marketability and designability by providing a new expression for a prompting operation. The instrument driving device is provided with an instrument (2) that displays vehicle information by causing a pointer to turn on a display board, and a display board lighting means (2d) for illuminating the display board. The instrument driving device is also provided with a control means (2a) for causing, in response to the input of a predetermined start signal, the instrument (2) to perform a prompting operation which is different from a normal operation, and as the prompting operation, activating at least the display board lighting means (2d), then gradually reducing the illumination such that the transition in brightness is nonlinear and the fading rate lessens over time. The predetermined start signal may be the ON or OFF of an electrical power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Hiroe, Masaki Yamazoe
  • Publication number: 20140125475
    Abstract: A meter display device for vehicle includes a rotation number display region which displays a rotation number of a drive source, wherein the rotation number display region is divided into a plurality of partial display regions having different rotation number ranges displayed, wherein the partial display regions have display operation elements which are changed between the minimum and maximum values of the respective corresponding partial rotation number ranges with the increase and decrease of the rotation number, wherein the partial display regions are separated from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidefumi YASUHARA, Shigeru YAMASHITA, Takashi MIYAUCHI
  • Patent number: 8717157
    Abstract: To provide a display device for vehicle in which, when particular vehicle information, for example vehicle information with great urgency and high priority is displayed, a passenger can easily recognize the information and his attention can be attracted to the information. A display device for vehicle 1 includes an image display device 10 and control means 20 for displaying vehicle information as an image in the image display device 10, wherein, in transition from a first display form in which each of a first display image GR1 and a second display image GR2 is displayed to a second display form in which each of the first display image GR1, the second display image GR2, and a third display image GR3 is displayed, the control means 20 displays the third display image GR3 between the first and second display images after the first and second display images GR1 and GR2 are moved in a direction in which they are separated from each other or while they are moved in that direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Midori Watanabe, Masaki Katoh, Hikaru Hiraiwa, Ikuyo Sasajima, Yasuyuki Kojima, Takumi Sato