Vehicle Door Patents (Class 340/5.72)
  • Patent number: 12139100
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for an enhanced valet mode for vehicles. An example method may include receiving a request to enter a valet mode of the vehicle. The example method may also include enabling the valet mode of the vehicle. The example method may also include disabling, based on the valet mode of the vehicle being enabled, a secure idle mode of the vehicle, wherein the secure idle mode of the vehicle includes locking a gear shifter of the vehicle in a park position when an occupant of the vehicle is outside of a cabin of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron DeLong, Eugene Karpinsky, Cameron Smyth, Timothy Thivierge, Daniel King, Kevin Hille, Farhan Ehsan, John Van Wiemeersch, Santosh Lalwani
  • Patent number: 12122322
    Abstract: The present invention includes: a vehicle exterior image acquisition unit acquiring a vehicle exterior image, a vehicle interior image acquisition unit acquiring a vehicle interior image, a person recognition unit recognizing, based on the vehicle exterior and interior images, a presence of a person in the vehicle and a motion of a person outside the vehicle, a door control unit controlling a state of a door of the vehicle, and a motion determination unit determining a specific motion to be carried out when the person outside the vehicle instructs an opening operation of the door, wherein the door control unit executes the opening operation when the person outside the vehicle has performed the specific motion, if the presence of a person in the vehicle has been recognized based on a recognition result of the person recognition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Morosawa, Haisong Liu, Akira Nakajima, Kenji Okuma, Hiroaki Maruyama, Yoshikazu Matsuo, Shuto Higashi, Fumiaki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 12114152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying and authenticating a user profile, allowing the use of services connected to a multimedia system on-board a motor vehicle (2), the multimedia system comprising a memory (221) comprising a user profile for a portable device (5), the vehicle comprising a first device for communicating with a remote server (3), the remote server comprising a memory (222) and a second system for communicating with the portable device, the portable device (5) comprising a memory, the method comprising a step of detecting the presence of a portable device (5), if a portable device (5) is detected, the method comprises a step of receiving authentication information of the user, a step of transmitting the authentication information to the remote server, a step of verifying the authentication information, and a step of the multimedia system receiving a confirmation of the use of the user profile if the authentication information is compliant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventors: Jonathan Becker, Yoann Leff, Laurent Pognon, Ihsen Boughaba
  • Patent number: 12104413
    Abstract: A door leaf handle for a motor vehicle includes a support and a handling element linked to the support through a mechanical linkage, the mechanical linkage being configured to make the handling element movable relative to the support. The handling element includes an external surface turned toward the outside of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and an internal surface turned toward the inside of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The door leaf handle includes a detection device configured to detect a pressure exerted on the handling element and, when the pressure is detected, send a signal for opening the door leaf handle to an opening device configured to open the door leaf handle, the detection device being disposed with respect to the handling element on the side of an internal surface and at the level of one end of the handling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: U-SHIN ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Guillaume Despreaux
  • Patent number: 12103493
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a controller and a first fob, wherein the controller is configured to control a first communicator of the vehicle to transmit a deactivation signal to the first fob based on the first fob being detected in the vehicle after locking the vehicle, and the first fob that includes a second communicator communicating with the first communicator and is configured to control the second communicator to switch at least one predetermined communication function to an inactive state based on the reception of the deactivation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Minhwan Nam
  • Patent number: 12090989
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a transmission of electrical signals in a vehicle wiring harness (12) of a vehicle (10). The system includes: a vehicle sharing control unit (14) including a controller (16) and a transmitter (18) for transmitting wirelessly vehicle sharing control signals (20); a wireless latching relay (22) including a receiver (24) configured for receiving the vehicle sharing control signals (20) from the transmitter (18), and a latching relay (26). In use, the vehicle wiring harness (12) is cut to define first and second ends (28, 30), and the first and second ends (28, 30) are connected in series with the latching relay (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: FORTIN SYSTÈMES ÉLECTRONIQUES
    Inventors: Martin Tessier, Duc Minh Cong Nguyen
  • Patent number: 12091900
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a motorized flap arrangement of a motor vehicle. The flap arrangement including an adjustable flap, a drive assembly configured to adjust the flap, and a control arrangement for controlling the drive assembly. The control arrangement configured to detect an actuation action manually introduced to the flap in the form of an actuating movement and/or an actuating load and in response thereto, control the drive assembly and perform a plausibility check, in which an environment sensor of the motor vehicle, configured to detect an object in the vicinity of the motor vehicle, is checked by the control arrangement for the fulfilment of at least one plausibility criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventor: Sebastian Schödel
  • Patent number: 12072186
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor system (10) for a movable part (1) of a vehicle (3), comprising: an actuating element (20) comprising at least one deformation region (40) in which an activation action can be sensed by an operator (5), at least one inductive activation means (60) arranged in the deformation region (40), and at least one sensor device (30) arranged on the actuating element (20) or on the movable part (1) for inductance measurement on the activation means (60). For this purpose, according to the invention, at least one shielding element (34) is provided for the at least one sensor device (30) in order to avoid interferences during the inductance measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Chabrowski
  • Patent number: 12065161
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically arranging seats of an autonomous vehicle enable seats to be remotely changed between a standard arrangement mode and a final target arrangement mode. The apparatus includes a manipulation device configured to generate a signal corresponding to a target arrangement mode of seats through manipulation by a passenger, seat motors respectively provided in the seats so as to control positions and postures of the seats, seat controllers for controlling operation of the seat motors, and a vehicle controller configured to transmit a signal from the manipulation device to the seat controllers, transmit an abnormal signal indicating jamming of the seats to the manipulation device or control the seat controllers provided in the vehicle. As a result, it is possible to easily change the seats to a desired arrangement mode in an autonomous vehicle without interference with peripheral components during movement of the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, ITOPSAUTOMOTIVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Sue Kim, Seung Hyeok Chang, Dae Ig Jung, Hong Heui Lee, Han Dong Yuk, Sang Chul Jung, Dong Kyu Lee, Han Jin Kim, Sun Ho Hur
  • Patent number: 12044044
    Abstract: A method for detecting actuation of a handle of a motor-vehicle opening panel-vehicle, including the steps of continuously generating the request to unlock signal, detecting an increase in the value of the request to unlock signal beyond a first predetermined detection threshold representative of the presence of a hand of a user on the handle, detecting a decrease in the value of the request to unlock signal below a second predetermined detection threshold representative of the user pulling on the handle, consecutively to the detection of the decrease in the value of the request to unlock signal below the second detection threshold, triggering a time counter, stopping the time counter at the end of a predetermined “confirmation time”, and validating the detection of a request to unlock the opening panel if the value of the request to unlock signal remained greater than a third predetermined threshold throughout the confirmation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Yannis Escalante, Bertrand Vaysse, Baptiste Lorenzi, Mathieu Girodin
  • Patent number: 12044047
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle door may include first and second housing components configured to be secured together to form a housing with inner surfaces of the components facing one another, the housing configured to be mounted to the motor vehicle door to define a door handle, a first sensor is disposed along a first detection surface defined by at least a portion of an outer surface of the housing, and a second sensor is disposed along a second detection surface defined by at least another portion of the outer surface of the housing, wherein signals produced by the first and second sensors are configured to enable any of locking, unlocking, latching, unlatching, automatically opening and automatically closing of the motor vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: ADAC Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Scheiern, Anne Adamczyk, Alexander Gabier, Josh Goulet, Ryan Bussis
  • Patent number: 12043210
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system may receive an access request associated with an agent and the vehicle. The system may authenticate, based on an agent identification associated with the agent, the agent in association with providing the vehicle service. The system may send, based on authenticating the agent, an authorization request to a user associated with the vehicle, wherein the authorization request is sent to a user device associated with the user that enables the user to authorize the agent to access the vehicle in association with providing the vehicle service. The system may receive, from the user device, a user authorization that authorizes the agent to access the vehicle. The system may configure the vehicle to enable the agent to access the vehicle via a client device associated with the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Avid Ghamsari, Micah Price, Qiaochu Tang, Geoffrey Dagley
  • Patent number: 12036871
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted AC generator system having an AC generator mounted driven by the vehicle's power-take off having a secure control system. The secure control system integrates with the AC generator, the power-take off and the vehicle to enable the generator to be operated by the vehicle's engine while the cab or passenger compartment of the vehicle remains secured, thereby preventing the potential for theft or accidental input which may create a dangerous condition. The secure control system also provides monitoring of the generator's operation and emergency stop capability to shut down both the generator and the vehicle's engine in the event required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Contour Hardening, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan D. Pugh
  • Patent number: 12017612
    Abstract: In some implementations, a device may receive an indication of a code associated with granting authenticated access to a door. The device may transmit, to a user device, presentation information to cause an augmented reality image of an input pad to be displayed by the user device, wherein the augmented reality image is displayed over an area of an image of an exterior of the door via a user interface. The device may detect, via a camera device, one or more user inputs to the area of the exterior of the vehicle based on tracking a movement of a user. The device may identify an input code based on the one or more user inputs. The device may perform an action to cause the door to be unlocked based on the input code matching the code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Qiaochu Tang, Geoffrey Dagley, Avid Ghamsari
  • Patent number: 12012071
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for unlocking a vehicle door using a mobile terminal. The unlocking method comprises: authenticating, by a mobile key management server, a user and a smartphone of the user; authenticating, by the mobile key management server, a vehicle having a door to be unlocked using the authenticated smartphone; generating, by the mobile key management server, a mobile key issuance algorithm corresponding to the authenticated vehicle and smartphone; issuing, by the mobile key management server, a mobile key, using the generated mobile key issuance algorithm, in response to a request from the smartphone; receiving, at the mobile key management server, the issued mobile key via the smartphone and the vehicle; confirming, by the mobile key management server, whether the issued mobile key matches the received mobile key; and requesting, by the mobile key management server, the vehicle to unlock the door thereof, when the issued mobile key matches the received mobile key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Allink Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 12000182
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device detecting intention to lock or unlock a vehicle door, including: a first capacitive sensor including a first electrode, detecting the approach and/or contact of a human body part in a predetermined region around the handle; a first sensor controller, generating a first approach and/or contact detection signal; a second capacitive sensor including a second electrode, detecting the approach of a human body part in the predetermined region, wherein: the first and second electrodes are each separate segments electrically connected to one another, the segments of the first electrode and of the second electrode are alternately juxtaposed; a second sensor controller generate a second approach and/or contact detection signal; a correlator to calculate a correlation value between the first signal and the second signal; and a confirmation unit comparing the correlation value with a predetermined value to detect intention to lock or unlock the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Gabriel Spick, Mathieu Girodin, Steffen Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 11981287
    Abstract: An on-board device in a control system in which frequencies used for transmitting and receiving a signal between the on-board device and an electronic key are known, and the electronic key transmits a response signal to a desired signal within a specified period when completing reception of the desired signal from the on-board device, the on-board device transmits the desired signal on a first frequency included in a specified frequency band; transmits a dummy signal on a second frequency included in the specified frequency band and different from the first frequency; receives the response signal to the desired signal from the electronic key; and controls to transmit the dummy signal in a period from before stopping transmitting the desired signal to after starting reception of the response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akinori Taira
  • Patent number: 11973537
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed that utilize a particular delay modulation technique (i.e., Miller coding) to encode 25 Gb/s data for inclusion with the 50 Gb/s NRZ data in a downstream broadcast transmission from an optical line terminal (OLT) to a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) through an optical distribution network (ODN). The specific Miller coding technique allows for a secondary data stream, operating at half the rate of the NRZ data) to supplement the primary 50 Gb/s NRZ transmission, since both signals are recovered using the same clocking circuitry at the ONU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventors: Doutje Van Veen, Vincent Houtsma
  • Patent number: 11962359
    Abstract: Example aspects include a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for detecting a repeater on a propagation path at a transmitting device of a wireless communication network, comprising receiving a repeater detection configuration indicating a detection threshold and at least one transmit power level. The aspects further include transmitting a first signal at a first power level. Additionally, the aspects include receiving first measurement results of the first signal. Additionally, the aspects include transmitting a second signal at a second power level. The second power level being different than the first power level. Additionally, the aspects include receiving second measurement results of the second signal. Additionally, the aspects include detecting an active repeater on the propagation path in response to a difference between the first measurement results and the second measurement results satisfying the detection threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Navid Abedini, Junyi Li, Tao Luo
  • Patent number: 11952808
    Abstract: A device and a method for locking and/or unlocking a motor vehicle opening panel and vehicle having the device. The device includes a detection wall having an inner side and an opposite outer side, the outer side forming a contact detection region, and a detection component arranged against the inner side for detecting contact between a user's finger or hand and the outer side. The detection component includes a sensor having a layer of a piezoelectric material which has surface undulations in the form of ridges. The layer of piezoelectric material is configured to detect predetermined contact on the outer side with a view to controlling the locking or unlocking of the opening panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: NOVARES FRANCE, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Frédérick Reichheld, François Bollier, Christophe Cazes, Lamine Benaissa, Jean-Sébastien Moulet
  • Patent number: 11945402
    Abstract: A method/system of detecting if a relay is present in a vehicle PEPS system, including transmitting from antenna(s) of a vehicle, a first/second LF signals and determining a minimum time-gap between the signal transmissions so that the time-gap exceeds the channel-coherence-time of a high-frequency wireless-relay. A maximum time between the signals is determined by a timing requirement of the PEPS system and the maximum allowable change in a key-fob position. A time gap between the minimum/maximum times is determined. Depending on the time-gap, the system timing requirement is increased to provide a predetermined-time. At the predetermined-time, separately transmitting between the first/second LF signals, which have a known signal ratio, from a vehicle antenna to a key-fob as part of an LF challenge; measuring, at the key-fob, the signal-levels of the first/second LF signals; and determining if the ratio of the first/second LF signals are within a predefined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD
    Inventor: Matthew S. Kelly
  • Patent number: 11927036
    Abstract: A device for detecting an intention of a user to lock or unlock an opening element of a motor vehicle includes a capacitive sensor and incorporates an inductive sensor with an amagnetic metal target moving under the action of the hand of the user on the handle or the frame, the target being associated with a coil placed in an oscillating circuit being connected to an inductive measurement circuit detecting the intention of the user to lock or unlock the opening element. The intention is only confirmed when detected by both the capacitive and inductive sensors, the target of the inductive sensor being borne by the electrode of the capacitive sensor and a member supporting the electrode being elastically deformable under the action of the user on the handle or the frame, the inductive and capacitive measurement circuits being independent of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Gabriel Spick, Nicolas Gerard, Bertrand Vaysse
  • Patent number: 11915537
    Abstract: An entry system is provided that includes a radio frequency (RF) communication unit configured to transmit a wake-up signal to an external authentication device, one or more ultra-wideband (UWB) communication nodes configured to operate in a radar mode, wherein the nodes are configured to receive one or more radar signals reflected by an external object when operating in the radar mode, and a processing unit configured to cause the RF communication unit to transmit the wake-up signal if the UWB communication nodes receive the radar signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Tertinek
  • Patent number: 11912233
    Abstract: A door interface system for a vehicle door includes a sensor and a visual indicator. The sensor may be a proximity sensor and may be positioned proximate to the visual indicator such that it will detect an object proximate to the proximity sensor. The visual indicator may convey the position of the sensor and/or a status of the vehicle door. The door interface system is configured to control the vehicle door based at least in part on detecting an object proximate the visual indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ZOOX, INC.
    Inventors: Auver Cedric Austria, Amy Chong, Andrew Allen Haskin, Kevin Mark Karol, Michael Moshe Kohen, Ishan Sain, Jingyi Zhang
  • Patent number: 11869289
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system and method are provided for pairing a network-enabled movable barrier operator with a transmitter. The method may include receiving a pairing request, retrieving a hashed version of the transmitter fixed code, verifying access authorization, and forwarding the hashed version of the transmitter fixed code to a movable barrier operator to allow the movable barrier operator to determine whether a new transmitter is authorized to control the movable barrier operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
    Inventors: Casparus Cate, Garth Wesley Hopkins, Oddy Khamharn, Mark Edward Miller, Cory Sorice
  • Patent number: 11845396
    Abstract: Systems and methods to manage and document user access to a set of vehicles in a vehicle dealership or fleet setting are provided. In one aspect, a dongle device is uniquely installed in each vehicle. The dongle communicates with a vehicle's controller to allow vehicle access. A user interacts with the dongle through a portable electronic device. The dongle is uniquely and permanently coded, by way of the VIN for example, to a particular vehicle. The user communicates at least some of the VIN to the dongle to request vehicle access. Vehicle access and other data associated with accessed vehicles are recorded as subject to terms and conditions established and maintained through a central database. Vehicle access data, such as vehicle access timings, allow a dealership to assess business operational data, such as salesperson vehicle access tempo and breadth, and buyer interest in vehicles or groups of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Gerald C. Woodcock
  • Patent number: 11849329
    Abstract: A vehicle authentication apparatus includes first and second communication devices, first and second area determination devices, and a control execution device. The first communication device specifies a first area as a communication area. The second communication device specifies a second area as the communication area. The first area determination device determines whether the mobile devices are present at the first area based on a communication status of the first communication device with the mobile devices. The second area determination device determines whether at least one of mobile devices is present at the second area based on a communication status of the second communication device with the mobile devices. The control execution device executes predetermined vehicle control in response to determining no mobile devices being present at the first area; and determining at least one of the mobile devices being present at the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Sakamoto, Shigeki Nishiyama, Tomoyuki Funayama
  • Patent number: 11829178
    Abstract: An embodiment electronic circuit power supply device is configured to: flow, through a first conductor connected to a node, a first current that is an image of a second current consumed by the electronic circuit; flow a third current through a second conductor connected to the node; regulate a potential of the node to a constant value by acting on the third current; flow a fourth constant current through a third conductor connected to the node; and consume a fifth current that is an image of the third current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Nicolas Demange, Nicolas Borrel, Jimmy Fort
  • Patent number: 11787434
    Abstract: When a transport is operating, there may be circumstances where the transport may be at least partially compromised and may be less safe than normal. In such situations where the transport is determined as being unsafe, the transport may act to limit the functionality of the transport. An example operation may include confirming that a transport includes at least one component that is not an original or authorized component, and limiting a functionality of the transport when it is determined that the operator of the transport is not associated with the transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Satyajit P. Patne, Ryan N. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11790710
    Abstract: A system includes one or more memory devices storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform steps of a method. The system may receive an authentication request from a computing device and determine whether the authentication request corresponds with stored authentication data. Based on the determination, the system may store identification data associated with a smart device corresponding to the authentication request. The system may receive detection data when the smart device is detected within a predetermined area and, in response to a detection, obtain an identifier from the smart device. The system may determine whether the obtained identifier corresponds with the stored identification data. Based on the determination, the system may direct an electronic lock to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CAPITAL ONE SERVICES, LLC
    Inventor: Justin Wishne
  • Patent number: 11785153
    Abstract: An image reading device includes: an original-document table at which an original document is mounted; a reading unit configured to read the original document mounted at the original-document table; an opening/closing section configured to be able to open and close the original-document table; a power source configured to apply power for opening and closing to the opening/closing section; a proximity sensor configured to output a detection signal in accordance with approach of a detection target; and a control unit configured to control the power source on a basis of the detection signal from the proximity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 11773629
    Abstract: An operation detection device includes an electrostatic sensor accommodated inside a casing and including a first conductor and a second conductor, and a controller electrically connected to the first conductor and the second conductor, and applies a voltage to each of the first conductor and the second conductor, to measure an electrostatic capacitance of each of the first conductor and the second conductor. The first conductor is arranged in and the second conductor is not arranged in a detection region in which an operating body is detected by the electrostatic sensor. The first conductor and the second conductor are arranged in a non-detection region in which the operating body is not detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Nakamura, Daisuke Takai, Takashi Sasaki, Yuzuru Kawana, Yoshiyuki Kikuchi, Heishiro Fudo
  • Patent number: 11760214
    Abstract: The invention relates to a digital access system (1), an electric vehicle (100) with such an access system and a method (200) for granting an access authorization to an electric vehicle with such an access system, comprising an unlocking unit (11) for positioning in the vehicle (100), at least one access unit (12) and at least one activation unit (13) for use outside the vehicle (100), wherein the activation unit (13) activates the unlocking unit (11) by means of wireless data communication (21) to the unlocking unit (11) at least for a period, the access unit (12) arranging access arranging access to the vehicle (100) from the outside by means of an independent wireless data communication (22) separate to the previous data communication (21) with the previously activated receiving unit (11), wherein the unlocking unit (11) transmits control signals (14) to the system controller (110) in response to the data communication (22) with the access unit (12) for controlling the locking system and activating at leas
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: EGS Entwicklungs—und Forschungs—GmbH
    Inventor: Uli Erich Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11758413
    Abstract: A roadside apparatus and a communication beam pointing direction adjusting method thereof are provided. A first radio frequency identification reader detects a first response signal of a wireless identification tag of a first mobile vehicle to obtain first signal strength information. The first signal strength information corresponds to strength of the first response signal. A first roadside unit determines a position of the first mobile vehicle according to the first signal strength information, and directs a communication beam of the first roadside unit to the first mobile vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fangming Wu, Li-Kang Yen
  • Patent number: 11739573
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle door includes a handle base to be secured to the door, a grip cover coupled to the handle base, an inductive proximity sensor, configured to produce an sensor signal, mounted to the grip cover opposite a portion of an outer surface of the grip cover defining a detection surface thereon, and an electrically conductive layer disposed on an inner surface of the grip cover, opposite the detection surface, and spaced apart from the inductive proximity sensor, the inductive proximity sensor producing a detectable change in the sensor signal upon detection of a deflection of the portion of the grip cover defining the detection surface sufficient to move the electrically conductive layer to within a detection proximity of the inductive proximity sensor, the detectable change in the sensor signal enabling the door handle to lock or unlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ADAC Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Scheiern, Anne Adamczyk, Alexander Gabier, Josh Goulet, Ryan Bussis
  • Patent number: 11724666
    Abstract: Vehicle occupant monitoring systems and methods detect a door of a vehicle being closed. Upon detecting the door being closed, a key fob state of the vehicle and an occupant state of the vehicle are determined. It is determined whether to present at least one type of alert based on the key fob state and the occupant state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Luis Antonio Cisneros
  • Patent number: 11713601
    Abstract: A method of operating an entry system of a motor vehicle includes monitoring a battery voltage and the entry system continuously using a control circuit of the latch assembly in a non-emergency mode. Power is provided to the control circuit in the event of a loss of power from a main power source using a backup energy source of the control circuit. The method includes transitioning to an emergency mode in response to determining loss of power from the main power source or failure of the component of the entry system. An actuation group associated with the latch assembly is operated with the control circuit using power from the backup energy source of the control circuit in response to determining that actuation from a plurality of pins of a mechanical emergency switch assembly indicates a command from a user to unlatch the closure member in the emergency mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Emanuele Leonardi, Davide Dente, Marco Marlia
  • Patent number: 11699996
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for proximity sensing and an applied electronic device thereof. The present invention provides that a movement signal is generated according to a detection data, a move baseline data and a move threshold and cooperated with a proximity signal for generating a judgement signal to judge if the human body or the object body is close to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sensortek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Wang-An Lin, Ming-Che Yang, Kai Fan Hsieh, Chung-Jung Wu
  • Patent number: 11696126
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a plurality of seats; an authentication executing processor configured to perform authentication on a user; and a controller configured to provide a connected car service based on whether the authentication is completed, wherein the controller controls the authentication executing processor to distinguish a seat on which the user sits and to perform the authentication based on the distinguished seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Woo Chun
  • Patent number: 11691595
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes an in-vehicle device, a mobile terminal, and one or more processors. The in-vehicle device is mounted on a vehicle. The in-vehicle device controls a lock mechanism that locks and unlocks a door of the vehicle. The in-vehicle device causes the lock mechanism to unlock the door in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied. The mobile terminal communicates with the in-vehicle device. The one or more processors determine whether the mobile terminal is present inside a vehicle compartment. The one or more processors detect whether the mobile terminal is used. The one or more processors control the vehicle control system not to satisfy the predetermined condition in response to determination that the mobile terminal is present inside the vehicle compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Nagai, Nobuyasu Okabe
  • Patent number: 11661901
    Abstract: To provide a mechanism that can further improve security of an electronic key installed in a vehicle interior. There is provided a housing device configured to store an electronic key configured to perform wireless communication with an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, the housing device comprising: a housing formed by using a material that shields a first signal transmitted by the in-vehicle device; a trigger signal reception antenna configured to receive a trigger signal transmitted by a portable device carried by a user; and a control mechanism configured to control whether or not to enable the first signal to reach an inside of the housing based on the trigger signal, wherein the second signal transmitted by the electronic key that has received the first signal is used to control a control target device installed in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Masanori Kosugi
  • Patent number: 11650309
    Abstract: Low-power vehicle sentinel systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes obtaining electromagnetic signals in a target area surrounding a vehicle. The electromagnetic signals can be obtained from electromagnetic elements mounted to the vehicle. The method can include determining attributes or behaviors of an object in the target area based on the electromagnetic signals and executing a response measure based on the attributes or behaviors of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sai Prasanth Velusamy, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Patent number: 11646873
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses, methods, and systems for secure communication for a key replacement. An embodiment includes a processing resource, memory having a first operator's key, and a vehicular communication component. The vehicular communication component can be configured to provide, to a server, a public key generated along with a private key and decrypt, in response to receipt of a second operator's key (e.g., received in response to providing the public key to the server) encrypted using the public key, the second operator's key using the private key. The vehicular communication component can be configured to replace, in response to decrypting the encrypted second operator's key, the first operator's key with the second operator's key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonino Mondello, Alberto Troia
  • Patent number: 11628803
    Abstract: A device for controlling a vehicle is provided. The device includes an input device for receiving a user input, a state sensing device for sensing a vehicle state change in response to the user input, and a controller configured to determine whether to apply a driving current of an actuator to a switching device based on the vehicle state change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Cornoration
    Inventors: Choong Seob Park, Min Jung Bae
  • Patent number: 11609979
    Abstract: A secure element (SE) for processing a digital key includes a communication interface for communicating with a host, a memory for storing programs and data for processing the digital key, and a processor for executing the programs stored in the memory to receive a digital key processing request from a target device, determine whether a service is providable to the target device, by using a service-provider-specific service performance manager, process the digital key by using a digital key manager based on digital key processing information stored in the memory, upon determining that a service is providable to the target device, issue a digital key processing certificate by using the service-provider-specific service performance manager based on authentication information stored in the memory, and transmit the digital key processing certificate to at least one of a service provider and the target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Sooyeon Jung, Inyoung Shin, Jonghyo Lee
  • Patent number: 11606344
    Abstract: Method and systems for authenticating a source of a signal in a system comprising a multiplicity of electrical units. One embodiment comprises: receiving by a receiver a signal comprising a command and a characteristic added to the command; retrieving a characteristic of the signal; associating the characteristic with an alleged transmitter of the signal; determining a transmitter of the signal; decoding the command from the signal; and subject to the transmitter being the same as the alleged transmitter, and that the transmitter of the signal is authorized to send the command to the receiver, performing the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: OSR ENTERPRISES AG
    Inventors: Moshe Nissan, Yehonatan Verker, Yaniv Ben-Haim, Yoni Schiff
  • Patent number: 11597349
    Abstract: A vehicle operation device includes memory and a processor. The processor is configured to store tokens received from a server in the memory to be used for authentication to a vehicle. When an operation of the vehicle is performed in a state in which communication with the server is possible, a token is used to conduct authentication to the vehicle. When a predetermined operation of the vehicle is performed in a state in which communication with the server is interrupted, authentication to the vehicle is conducted without using a token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Jumpei Fuke
  • Patent number: 11590908
    Abstract: A vehicle control system comprising means for implementing a vehicle control multilayer architecture, the vehicle control multilayer architecture comprising: a vehicle level feature layer; an actuator control layer configured to control a plurality of actuators; and a control layer isolating the vehicle level feature layer and the actuator control layer from each other, the control layer comprising a plurality of distinct service control channels, wherein: each of the plurality of distinct service control channels is associated with a vehicle operation; each service control channel is configured to translate vehicle level requests from the vehicle level feature layer to actuator level requests, wherein one or more actuators are assigned to the operation associated with each respective service control channel; and each service control channel is configured to receive vehicle level control requests from one or more vehicle level features and to provide control requests to the actuator control layer to control o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventor: Akos Ferencz
  • Patent number: 11584200
    Abstract: An arrangement for operating one or more windows (S1-S4, SF, SH), which are installed in a vehicle (FZ) and in particular delimit a passenger compartment (FGZ) and whose optical properties can be changed by electrical actuation, comprises a position-determining device (ZGA) for determining the position (P1-P3) of an object (IDG1) which is located outside the vehicle (FZ). In addition, the arrangement has a control device (STG, AST) which is configured to actuate the one or more windows (S1-S4, SF, SH) as a function of the position, determined by the position-determining device, and in particular the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Annette Hebling, Alexander Heinrich
  • Patent number: 11574513
    Abstract: An embodiment of an electronic access control system includes an electronic key, an electronic lock, and an access control administration program. The electronic key can include program code for switching between a lock mode and a computer mode. In some embodiments, the lock mode and computer mode allow for simplified administration and operation of the access control system. Some embodiments of the electronic key include a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the access control system includes a hybrid power supply system having a rechargeable battery and a generator. In some embodiments, the electronic lock includes a piezoelectric latch. In some embodiments, the electronic key is configured to act as a storage device for a computer system. Some embodiments provide an electronic access control system with a streamlined user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: LockFOB, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Paul Kirkjan