Speed Patents (Class 340/466)
  • Patent number: 11964611
    Abstract: A method of autonomously controlling interior lighting of an occupied vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving vehicle-to-vehicle information from a nearby vehicle. A controller controls an illumination setting of an interior light of the occupied vehicle based on the vehicle-to-vehicle information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunil Dalal, John D. Harkleroad
  • Patent number: 11922802
    Abstract: There is provided a method for generating traffic data indicative of a traffic volume and/or traffic density within a navigable network in an area covered by an electronic map, the electronic map comprising a plurality of segments representing navigable elements of the navigable network. The method generally comprises obtaining positional data relating to the movement of a plurality of devices along the navigable elements represented by the segments of the electronic map; determining, using (at least) positional data relating to one or more congested segments within a region of the navigable network, an estimate of one or more average penetration rates for the region; determining a sample volume for a non-congested segment within the region based on the obtained positional data; and estimating, using the determined sample volume and a selected one of the average penetration rates for the region, a traffic volume and/or traffic density for the non-congested segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TomTom Traffic B.V.
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Sören Sonnenburg, Robin Tenhagen, Arne Kesting, Vinh Tho Ma
  • Patent number: 11636760
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for predicting or estimating the value of a variable speed sign (VSS). Probe data is received from multiple vehicles associated with a road segment. Location values are derived from the probe data. Center distance values are calculated based on the location values and the road segment. Clusters are derived from the probe data. Center distance values are grouped according to the respective clusters and a lane is assigned to at least one cluster based on the center distance values. The speed of the cluster predicts or estimates the corresponding lane of the VSS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventor: James Adeyemi Fowe
  • Patent number: 11275151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting up a surveillance zone (4) of a location system for acquiring the position of at least one movable object within a goods logistics facility (2), a method for operating such a location system, and a location system for a goods logistics facility (2). The method for setting up the surveillance zone (4) includes the following steps of the method: Moving a zone setting up apparatus (50) along a closed movement path (6) within an acquisition range and simultaneously capturing at least three different path positions (7) of the zone setting up apparatus (50), determining a route of an outer boundary (5) of the surveillance zone (4) to be set up based on the path positions (7) acquired, and defining an area enclosed by the outer boundary (5) as a surveillance zone (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Jungheinrich AG
    Inventors: Florian Grabbe, Stefan Ahrens, Sven-Ole Heise, Jan Kopelke, Tony Altmann
  • Patent number: 11117596
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide an intelligent driving control method and apparatus, a vehicle, an electronic device, a medium, and product. The method includes: detecting a driving environment of a vehicle, to obtain a detection result of at least one type of target objects in the driving environment; determining whether the detection result meets a preset driving alert condition; in response to the detection result meeting the preset alert condition, determining whether a speed of the vehicle exceeds a speed threshold; and in response to the speed exceeding the speed threshold, triggering a driving alert according to the detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SHANGHAI SENSETIME INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Ningyuan Mao
  • Patent number: 11077866
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide an intelligent driving control method and apparatus, a vehicle, an electronic device, a medium, and product. The method includes: detecting a driving environment of a vehicle, to obtain a detection result of at least one type of target objects in the driving environment; determining whether the detection result meets a preset driving alert condition; in response to the detection result meeting the preset alert condition, determining whether a speed of the vehicle exceeds a speed threshold; and in response to the speed exceeding the speed threshold, triggering a driving alert according to the detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SHANGHAI SENSETIME INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Ningyuan Mao
  • Patent number: 11037439
    Abstract: An alert may be triggered to notify a pedestrian of the current operational mode of a nearby vehicle. For instance, a vehicle may operate in an autonomous or manual mode, and may occasionally switch from one mode to the other. A pedestrian who may be unaware of the current operational mode of a nearby vehicle may notice the alert and proceed accordingly. In one embodiment, an indication of the current operational mode of the nearby vehicle may be transmitted to an electronic device associated with the pedestrian. The device may generate a notification to the pedestrian based on the current operational mode. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the alert may be transmitted by the vehicle externally to be visible or audible to the pedestrian. In some embodiments, the alert may be triggered only for particular operational modes (e.g., only for autonomous or only for manual).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Mark Fields, Steve Roberson
  • Patent number: 10953794
    Abstract: A loudspeaker 14 outputs a warning sound for announcing the presence of a vehicle to the outside of the vehicle. A travel start detection unit 122 detects travel start of the vehicle. A sound pressure control unit 124 controls sound pressure of the warning sound to be output from the loudspeaker 14, depending on travel status of the vehicle. The sound pressure control unit 124 makes the loudspeaker 14 output the warning sound during stopping of the vehicle, and increases the sound pressure of the warning sound upon detection of travel start of the vehicle. This makes it possible to announce the travel start of a low-noise vehicle such as an electrically powered vehicle, without making the surroundings feel unnatural.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Kudo
  • Patent number: 10913391
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for controlling a horn assembly, a vehicle and a computer-readable storage medium. The horn assembly includes multiple horns mounted in different regions of transportation means. The method includes that: acquiring running information of the transportation means; selecting at least one of the regions in the transportation means as a related region according to the running information and determining a horn mounted in the related region as a main horn; and determining a sounding manner for the main horn according to the running information, the sounding manner including at least one of a sounding type or a sounding volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yan Xie
  • Patent number: 10821893
    Abstract: A wearable device is provided that includes a receiver, a processor, and a transducer. The receiver is configured to receive speed limit data indicative of a posted speed limit corresponding to a route or road upon which the wearable device is traveling. The processor is configured to compare the speed limit to a current speed of the wearable device and/or a vehicle in which the user wearing the wearable device is driving. The transducer is configured to deliver a haptic or other notification to a user upon which the wearable device is worn when the current speed exceeds the speed limit or exceeds the speed limit by a predetermined amount. As a result, safer driving and vehicle collision avoidance may be facilitated. Safe driving auto insurance discounts may be provided to drivers that use the safe driving or speed limit warning functionality discussed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Lee Assam
  • Patent number: 10677917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for the monitoring and surveillance of one or more vehicles (120) moving on one or more roadways (300) and to the detection and recording of images and/or videos of speeding infractions by vehicles (120) moving on the roadway (300). The invention also relates to an unmanned air vehicle (10) that carries out the method according to the invention together with a base station (80), with which it forms the system according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: PERKONS S.A.
    Inventors: Régis Eidi Nishimoto, Eduardo Augusto Purin Schause
  • Patent number: 10587995
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media may be configured to facilitate communication with a passenger of a vehicle. A communication event for a passenger inside a vehicle may be detected. Responsive to a detection of the communication event, communication with the passenger may be facilitated via a mobile device of the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Dingli
  • Patent number: 10547989
    Abstract: A terminal performs communication with an in-vehicle device to control a vehicle. The terminal includes a controller configured to switch and control an operation mode of the terminal to at least a predetermined first mode or a predetermined second mode, a reception unit configured to receive a first signal including a switching request of the operation mode from the in-vehicle device, a generation unit configured to update a predetermined value with the reception of the first signal and generate a second signal based on the updated predetermined value, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the second signal to the in-vehicle device. When a third signal including a command for instructing switching of the operation mode received by the reception unit is a response to the second signal, the controller switches the operation mode from the first to the second mode or from the second to the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 10535145
    Abstract: A recognition device and method for recognizing a target. The recognition device includes a sensor and an electronic processor. The electronic processor configured to receive the characteristic from the sensor. The electronic processor identifies a profile based on the characteristic and compares the profile to a plurality of predetermined profiles to determine an identity profile. The electronic processor identifies the target based on the identity profile and determines, based on at least one selected from the group consisting of a location of the target, speed of the target, and a direction of movement of the target, a virtual geographic boundary. The electronic processor causes a transmission of the at least one selected from the group consisting of the identity profile and the characteristic to at least one associated device located in the virtual geographic boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chew How Lim, Bing Qin Lim, Mohd Faisal Abdullah, Guo Dong Gan, Rm Muthaiah Ramanathan
  • Patent number: 10388080
    Abstract: An automobile monitoring arrangement tracks and records automobile operation for post-use automobile operation analysis and in a manner with default-operation modes that facilitate use by automobile owners/supervisors and by those supervised by the automobile owners/supervisors. In one specific embodiment, sounds from the vehicle are monitored while the vehicle is in operation. A sound type is identified as corresponding to the sounds, and a sound level of the sound types are determined. The sound level is compared to a threshold for the sound type, and a vehicle supervisor is notified when the sound level exceeds the sound level threshold for the sound type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Crawford
  • Patent number: 10352722
    Abstract: A device, system and method for controlling speed of a vehicle are provided. The device includes a locational information module for determining location information and speed; a storage module for storing at least one geographic map including at least one route and a speed limit for the at least one route; a processing module configured to receive the location information, retrieve at least one geographic map based on the location information, determine a speed limit based on the location information and compare the speed of the device to the determined speed limit; and a display module for alerting a user if the speed of the device exceeds the determined speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES II LLC
    Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 10315560
    Abstract: A method for safety improvement during operation of a motor vehicle (100) includes the steps of: —determining a prevailing speed of the vehicle (100); automatically activating a warning flasher function (275) on the basis of determined values pertaining to at least some combination of conditions based on: vehicle speed (V) and gradient (L) of the running surface on which the vehicle (100) is travelling, and the speed of the vehicle (100) compared with surrounding traffic and the gradient (L) of the running surface on which the vehicle (100) is travelling. Also a computer program product including program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing the method is disclosed. Also a system for safety improvement during operation of a motor vehicle (100) and to a motor vehicle (100) which is equipped with the system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventor: Andreas Liljestrand
  • Patent number: 10068377
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for wireless data sharing between a mobile client device and a three-dimensional heads-up display unit. A system may include a three-dimensional heads-up display unit (“3D HUD”) installed in a vehicle. The system may include a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to: establish a peer-to-peer video stream between a mobile client device and the vehicle; generate live video data for providing a video stream for causing a screen of the mobile client device to display visual content of the 3D HUD that includes substantially live images depicting what the driver of the vehicle sees when looking at the 3D HUD; and stream the live video data to the mobile client device to cause the screen of the mobile client device to display the video stream that depicts what the driver of the vehicle sees when looking at the 3D HUD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Emrah Akin Sisbot
  • Patent number: 10026320
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided to detect a failure of rear brake lamps of a preceding vehicle. The vehicle includes a distance detection unit that detects a distance from the vehicle to the preceding vehicle, an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the preceding vehicle, and a controller that detects the failure of a rear brake lamp of the preceding vehicle occurs using a speed of the preceding vehicle obtained using information of variations in the detected distance and the acquired image of the preceding vehicle. Additionally, the controller generates acceleration and deceleration state information of the preceding vehicle in response to detecting the failure of the rear brake lamp of the preceding vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seong Sook Ryu, Byoung Joon Lee, Jin Kwon Kim, Ho Choul Jung, Sam Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 9847021
    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: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Inthinc LLC
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard
  • Patent number: 9791294
    Abstract: A device, system and method for controlling speed of a vehicle are provided. The device includes a locational information module for determining location information and speed; a storage module for storing at least one geographic map including at least one route and a speed limit for the at least one route; a processing module configured to receive the location information, retrieve at least one geographic map based on the location information, determine a speed limit based on the location information, and compare the speed of the device to the determined speed limit; and a display module for alerting a user if the speed of the device exceeds the determined speed limit. The system and method can be for communicating a subject vehicle's speed to a central server where it can be utilized to analyze traffic congestion patterns or notify selected companies or individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 9744903
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, vehicles, and systems are disclosed. An exemplary method may include establishing at least one visible signal configured to provide a signal during a normal state of a vehicle, detecting an alarm state of the vehicle, and initiating a visible nuisance via the at least one visible signal in response to at least the detected alarm state. An exemplary vehicle may include at least one lighting device configured to provide a signal during a normal state of a vehicle, and a processor configured to detect an alarm state of the vehicle and initiate a visible nuisance via the at least one visible signal in response to at least the detected alarm state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Malone, William N. Mansur, Tuan A. Be, John R. Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 9742892
    Abstract: A method for a communication device to automatically respond to an incoming call is provided. The method includes defining a destination, calculating an average speed of the communication device based on a GPS unit of the communication device, determining whether the average speed is equal to or exceeds a predefined value, disconnecting the incoming call if the average speed is equal to or exceeds the predefined value, forming a predefined message based on the average speed, and transmitting the predefined message to a caller of the incoming call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Han Wu
  • Patent number: 9633561
    Abstract: One exemplary illustration of a vehicle roadside assistance system may include a sensor at least one of generating and acquiring a detection signal in response to an emergency condition. The system may also have a controller generating an actuation signal based on the detection signal. In addition, the system may also have a computer storage medium storing a plurality of media files indicative of a recommended response to the emergency condition. Moreover, the system may have one or more on-vehicle hazard light devices coupled to the controller and emitting light in response to the actuation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Lisa Scott, Ramy Boctor, Viet Quoc To
  • Patent number: 9586521
    Abstract: A turn signal lamp for a vehicle includes a light source unit including light sources arranged in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction and a control unit configured to turn on the light sources sequentially starting from the left-most or the right-most light source of the light sources by a first time interval or intervals and reduce respective light quantities of the respective light sources by a second time interval or intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventor: Mu Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 9552735
    Abstract: A computer in a first vehicle is configured to receive data relating to a second vehicle. The computer may use the data to determine that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously. Further, the computer may cause the first vehicle to take an action to autonomously operate the first vehicle based at least in part on determining that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Patent number: 9449507
    Abstract: This invention localizes traffic condition detection and classification to a vehicle. Vehicles work cooperatively to fuse their traffic condition assessments so as to produce larger geographical coverage and more reliable evidence of the conditions. The system can be executed on an onboard device which includes at least one of the following: GPS capabilities, connection connected to the vehicle to measure vehicle speed, or communication with a cell phone. In the example of the cell phone, speed can be computed from phone GPS, a GPRS/CDMA, or both. Otherwise, vehicle speed can be determined obtained from in-vehicle on-board diagnostic system (e.g. using the OBD-II protocol) or based on GPS and accelerometer readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Otman A. Basir
  • Patent number: 9336448
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for predicting the value of a variable speed sign (VSS) and determining the predicted value's associated confidence level. Highly assisted driving (HAD) vehicles may read or capture images of the VSS. The speed limit values, images, or videos of the VSS are reported and received by a network and database for analysis. A predicted speed limit value is determined for the variable speed sign from at least a portion of the received traffic data. A confidence level is also calculated for the predicted speed limit value for the variable speed sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: James Adeyemi Fowe, Leon Oliver Stenneth
  • Patent number: 9162616
    Abstract: A luminous radiator cover device includes: a lighting cover unit (2) including a looped frame (3) mounted to a front side of a vehicle (900), multiple hollow light-transmissive ribs (4) each disposed in and connected to the frame (3), and multiple lighting units (5) each disposed in a corresponding light-transmissive rib (4); and a control unit (6) connected electrically to the lighting units (5) of the lighting cover unit (2). The control unit (6) is operable to control the lighting units (5) of the lighting cover unit (2) to operate in a lighting mode, where lighting of each lighting unit (5) is varied in response to sound in the vehicle (900).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Coplus Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Wu
  • Patent number: 8994492
    Abstract: The use of user equipment, or distracting features thereof are restricted or prohibited to improve vehicle operation safety. The presence of user equipment within the operator's or driver's operational area is detected. The distracting features are then restricted either immediately or based on other conditions such as vehicle speed, motion, engine state, etc. When the conditions have been eliminated and/or the user equipment is vacated from the operator's operational area, the restrictions can be removed or removed after a threshold period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Fariborz M Farhan, Babak Firoozbakhsh, Afshin Amini
  • Patent number: 8978797
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle approach notification device of a saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle that outputs a notification sound for notifying the approach of a vehicle. The saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle includes a front cover that covers the periphery of a head pipe of a vehicle body frame. The sound emission device is located inside the front cover, the front cover has an air opening for taking in air from an outside, and a ventilation passage that is a passage of the air from the air opening and is used for cooling at least one of a power engine of the saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle and electric components, and the sound emission device is arranged in the ventilation passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Takewaka, Masahiro Akiba, Ryuji Akiba, Kazuhiko Tanaka, Satoru Shimizu
  • 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: 8972146
    Abstract: A device, system and method for controlling speed of a vehicle are provided. The device includes a locational information module for determining location information and speed; a storage module for storing at least one geographic map including at least one route and a speed limit for the at least one route; a processing module configured to receive the location information, retrieve at least one geographic map based on the location information, determine a speed limit based on the location information and compare the speed of the device to the determined speed limit; and a display module for alerting a user if the speed of the device exceeds the determined speed limit. The system and method can be for communicating a subject vehicle's speed to a central server where it can be utilized to analyze traffic congestion patterns or notify selected companies or individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Clayco Research Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 8860585
    Abstract: A vehicle approach warning apparatus has a failure determining section and a monitor voltage output circuit connected to a potential change terminal. During a sound emit period where a warning signal is being outputted to an sound emitter for emitting a warning sound, the output circuit outputs a monitor voltage from an output terminal by half-wave rectifying and integrating the warning signal upon a change of a potential of the potential change terminal to a high level. When a short-circuit failure occurs in the sound emitter, the output circuit keeps a potential of the output terminal to a low level during the sound emit period. During the sound emit period, the failure determining section sets the potential of the potential change terminal to a high level and determines whether the short-circuit failure occurs based on the monitor voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Anden Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruyuki Tsuzuki
  • 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: 8823506
    Abstract: A system is provided for causing audible sounds, and/or visible actions, and/or an electronic visual image, and/or motion to occur by, or in relation to, a vehicle's mark emblem. The system may cause such actions to be initiated manually or automatically as a result of vehicle operation or operator action. Controls may be provided to prevent the audible sound, visible action, visual image, or motion to occur if the vehicle speed is above a selected speed limit. In addition, when operated from a position remote from the vehicle, the audible sound associated with the mark emblem may be adjusted to a volume that will prevent persons from becoming startled when they are in proximity to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Jepp Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jefferson Smith, Marcus Smith
  • Patent number: 8773253
    Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device emits a movement notification sound to outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle is moving at a low speed. The notification sound control device operates the sound emitting device to selectively emit the movement notification sound. The notification sound control device includes a notification sound prohibiting section and a prohibition cancelling section. The notification sound prohibiting section prohibits an emission of the movement notification sound by the sound emitting device. The prohibition cancelling section cancels a notification sound emission prohibition imposed by the notification sound prohibiting section either upon a vehicle speed of the vehicle exceeding a prescribed vehicle speed or based on position information of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Yoshino, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Yoshiro Tateishi, Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8730020
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle to emanate an audible alert. The method includes determining when the vehicle is operating, and controlling a speaker system in the vehicle to emanate the audible alert outside of the vehicle for a period of time when the vehicle is operating. The audible alert has a sound profile that includes a simultaneous emanation of a first audible frequency component at a first sound pressure level and a second audible frequency component at a second sound pressure level, with the first and second sound pressure levels being greater than a sound pressure level of the sound profile at all other frequencies. The method further includes modulating the first sound pressure level of the first audible frequency component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata
  • Patent number: 8725363
    Abstract: A multiple detection zone supplemental remote control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises one or more sensors capable of defining multiple contactless detection zones at least towards the front of the forward travel direction of a remotely controlled vehicle. The vehicle responds to the detection of objects within the designated zones based upon predetermined actions, such as to slow down or stop the vehicle, and/or to take other action, such as to perform a steer angle correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin R. Elston, Vernon W. Siefring, Eric L. Jensen
  • Patent number: 8725317
    Abstract: A multiple detection zone supplemental remote control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises one or more sensors capable of defining multiple contactless detection zones at least towards the front of the forward travel direction of a remotely controlled vehicle. The vehicle responds to the detection of objects within the designated zones based upon predetermined actions, such as to slow down or stop the vehicle, and/or to take other action, such as to perform a steer angle correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin R. Elston, Vernon W. Siefring
  • Patent number: 8725362
    Abstract: A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises one or more sensors capable of defining multiple contactless detection zones at least towards the front of the forward travel direction of a remotely controlled vehicle. The vehicle responds to the detection of objects within the designated zones based upon predetermined actions, such as to slow down or stop the vehicle, and/or to take other action, such as to perform a steer angle correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin R. Elston, Vernon W. Siefring, Eric L. Jensen
  • Patent number: 8717155
    Abstract: A brake warning device and method includes acquiring acceleration data of a bicycle, and calculating a specific parameter according to the acceleration data acquired within a preset interval using a preset calculation method. The bicycle is determined to be decelerating if the specific parameter is less than a preset threshold value. A brake light of the brake warning device is turned on to warn that the bicycle is braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-I Lin
  • Publication number: 20140085071
    Abstract: In a vehicle approach notification device for notifying approach of a vehicle by emitting a notification sound according to a synthetic sound signal composed of a plurality of frequency components from a speaker, a vehicle speed specifying portion specifies a speed of the vehicle, and a synthetic sound signal generating portion generates the synthetic sound signal. The synthetic sound signal generating portion generates the synthetic sound signal such that the frequency component that belongs to a second frequency range in which a variation in sound pressure outputted from the speaker is equal to or smaller than a predetermined magnitude is shifted according to a change in the speed of the vehicle, without shifting the frequency component that belongs to a first frequency range in which the variation in sound pressure outputted from the speaker is greater than the predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Anden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruyuki TSUZUKI, Hironari TAJIMI
  • Patent number: 8680964
    Abstract: Notice sounds having different sound qualities are generated simultaneously outside a vehicle via an in-vehicle parametric speaker having a first directionality and an in-vehicle dynamic speaker using a vehicular horn unit having a second directionality having a broader emission angle as compared with the first directionality. Both the notice sound via the parametric speaker and the notice sound via the dynamic speaker reach the ears of a person outside the vehicle in different sound pressures based on a difference between the first directionality and the second directionality. A sound tone of a notice sound actually heard by the person outside the vehicle varies according to a travel direction and travel speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8669855
    Abstract: An indicator portion (55) includes a first indicator portion (110) and a second indicator portion (112). The first indicator portion (110) indicates an accelerator pedal opening degree that changes in accordance with an operated amount of the accelerator pedal by the driver. The second indicator portion (112) includes a division line (114) and regions (116, 118) divided by the division line (114). The division line (114) shows an accelerator pedal opening degree where traveling modes (EV mode and HV mode) are switched. The regions (116, 118) show the ranges of accelerator pedal opening degrees where traveling is performed in EV mode and HV mode, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Suzuki, Motohiro Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8670902
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes an rotating AC machine which generates an auxiliary torque for assisting a steering torque of a steering system; and a controller which performs control so that the allowed electric current amplitude of the rotating AC machine becomes large if a rotational speed of the rotating AC machine is increased. Accordingly, it is possible to release or lessen the limit on the number of repetitions or continuous time of the “stationary steering” or the “end contact”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Kimpara, Takayuki Kifuku, Masatsugu Nakano
  • Patent number: 8669858
    Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device is configured to emit a movement notification sound to an outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move. The notification sound control device is configured to operate the sound emitting device in response to occurrence of a vehicle condition. The notification sound control device setting the movement notification sound of the sound emitting device to a frequency in a range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Yoshino, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140055259
    Abstract: An alarming apparatus is mounted on a vehicle. An acquiring unit acquires the running velocity of the vehicle. A control unit detects an excess status where the traveling speed acquired by the acquiring unit exceeds a threshold value, which is higher than a speed limit stipulated for a road where the vehicle runs, for a predetermined duration of time. When the control unit has detected the excess status, an output unit outputs a warning to a pedestrian.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuoki OTANI, Masahisa SHIBATA, Keiji HOSONO
  • Patent number: 8653960
    Abstract: A vehicle gauge and method for displaying an electric mode status of a vehicle that can operate in both an electric mode and one or more alternative modes. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method evaluates a number of throttle and non-throttle conditions and allocates portions of the total range of the vehicle gauge to these conditions. Based on these allocations, the method determines an overall vehicle gauge position that is representative of the electric mode status of the vehicle and provides this to the vehicle gauge so that the electric mode status can be displayed to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ian L. Hanna, Jonathan R. Schwarz, Neal A. Chaperon
  • Patent number: RE47408
    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: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Odyssey Wireless, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter D. Karabinis