Vehicle Subsystem Or Accessory Control Patents (Class 701/36)
  • Publication number: 20110313619
    Abstract: A keyless entry assembly for a vehicle includes a sensor carrier, a sensor in the form of an electrically conductive pad, and a controller. The sensor is mounted to the sensor carrier and the sensor carrier is positioned adjacent a panel such that the sensor is adjacent the panel. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the panel while the sensor is driven with electrical charge such that capacitance of the sensor changes due to the sensor capacitively coupling with the object. The controller is operable for driving the sensor with the electrical charge and controlling a vehicle operation as a function of the capacitance of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: UUSI, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Washeleski, Edward J. Cox, II, Andrew E. Blank, David W. Shank, Todd R. Newman
  • Patent number: 8082081
    Abstract: A vehicle control system controls vibrations that are generated at a plurality of portions of a vehicle. An engine/drive system ECU and a brake system ECU store the same vehicle vibration model that is separated into a vehicle body vibration model, a chassis vibration model and a tire vibration model, respectively. The engine/drive system ECU controls the suppression of the vehicle body vibrations that are estimated from the vehicle vibration model and the brake system ECU controls the suppression of the chassis vibrations and the tire vibrations. Accordingly, it is easy to execute control for suppressing the respective vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiki Matsumoto, Mamoru Sawada, Takehito Fujii
  • Patent number: 8082074
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle variable autonomy control system is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a control mode interface that provides a plurality of selectable control modes for an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein one of the plurality of selectable control modes comprises a target tracking mode. Also included is a target editor interface provided in response to a selection of the target tracking mode, wherein the target editor interface facilitates receipt of an input indicative of a ground based moving target. The system also includes a communications component that transmits a command to the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the command is based at least in part on the input indicative of a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: L-3 Unmanned Systems Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Duggan, David A. Felio, Billy B. Pate, Vince R. Longhi, Jerry L. Petersen, Mark J. Bergee
  • Patent number: 8082098
    Abstract: An apparatus mounted in a vehicle which can communicate with an information supplying server includes: a detection portion for detecting that a predetermined process is carried out in the vehicle; an institution information acquiring portion for acquiring institution information indicating an institution in a location where the process is carried out; a recording portion for recording the institution information acquired by the institution information acquiring portion in a memory medium; an information acquiring portion for acquiring information to be outputted from an information supplying server which stores information to be outputted, including map additional information to be added to maps or advertisement information; and an extraction portion for extracting information to be outputted relating to an institution indicated by the institution information recorded in the memory medium from the information to be outputted acquired by the information acquiring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Plat-Ease Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fukuda, Tetsuo Maruyama, Tetsu Sumita
  • Patent number: 8082077
    Abstract: A steerable vehicle information display system is provided, in which images remain undisturbed even if a momentary power interruption occurs. The steerable vehicle information display system comprises: a DPF controller (21), which acquires status information (D1 to D4) from the ECUs of each section of a motor vehicle with a predetermined periodicity; a rendering controller (22), which generates component images representative of the status of each section of the motor vehicle based on the status information (D1 to D4) and generates a composite image of a motor vehicle dashboard by compositing the generated component images; and a nonvolatile memory (24), which stores the status information (D1 to D4) or intermediate information generated from the status information, with the information being at least the latest information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Nishida, Fumiaki Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20110307146
    Abstract: A safety detection apparatus for exiting a vehicle is disclosed, according to an embodiment, the safety detection apparatus utilizes a circumstance detecting means such as an infrared detector, a radar detector, or a video monitor to detect a moving object signal. A parameter determining means generates a relative position signal and a relative velocity signal of the moving object to the vehicle based on the moving object signal detected by the circumstance detecting means. A safety analyzing means obtains the relative position signal and the relative velocity signal of the moving object from the parameter determining means and generates an exiting safety level signal, the exiting safety level signal is determined based on the relative position signal and the relative velocity signal of the moving object, a distance threshold, and a velocity threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hua Yang, Ran Li
  • Publication number: 20110307145
    Abstract: A power generation control apparatus can switch, by controlling a power generation apparatus capable of generating power by power of a power source which makes a vehicle travel, between a first power generation control of mainly performing power generation at the time of deceleration of the vehicle while suppressing power generation at the time of acceleration of the vehicle in the case where normal travel of acceleration/deceleration travel is performed in a state where the power source operates and a second power generation control of mainly performing power generation at the time of acceleration of the vehicle while suppressing power generation at the time of deceleration of the vehicle in the case where acceleration/deceleration travel including coasting in which the vehicle travels in a state where the operation of the power source stops is performed. Consequently, power generation can be performed properly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirokazu Kato
  • Publication number: 20110307131
    Abstract: A device for the energy management of a vehicle, which has an air-conditioning system and a controller controlling the air-conditioning system. The air-conditioning system includes an air-conditioning compressor coupled mechanically to the drive train and a thermal storage unit. The controller controls the air-conditioning compressor in such a way that the energy efficiency of the vehicle is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Roland Norden
  • Publication number: 20110307148
    Abstract: A system for determining an occupant proximate to a vehicle seat, a controller for use in the system, and a method for electrically isolating a heater element from an occupant detection electrode. When a heater element in a seat is coupled to a heater voltage source to generate heat, the heater element may influence an electric field generated by an occupant detection electrode in such a way as to interfere with determining an occupant proximate to the seat. Depending on the arrangement of the electrode and the heater element, such interference may be present at all times when the electrode is connected to the heater voltage source, or may only be problematic when the seat is wet with liquid moisture. By electrically isolating the heater element, the influence on the electric field may be reduced so the process of determining if an occupant is present in the seat is not interfered with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Griffin, Andrew H. Curtis
  • Patent number: 8078383
    Abstract: In a vehicle speed control system, a preset offset distance is taken as a zero value of an inter-vehicle distance in a brake discriminant. When the current value of a corrected distance condition evaluation index is higher than the brake discriminant, a value on the brake discriminant is set as a target value of the corrected distance condition evaluation index. Deceleration control is started to decelerate the subject vehicle so that the deceleration of the subject vehicle becomes equal to the target deceleration of the subject vehicle computed based on the target relative speed corresponding to the set target value and the actual relative speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Isaji, Naohiko Tsuru
  • Patent number: 8078363
    Abstract: An on-vehicle electronic device control system includes a base-device-layer on which base-inputting-devices and base-driven-devices are disposed and plural control layers on which plural control units are disposed. Each of the control units has a lower-to-higher-layer-data-input-portion for inputting data from a lower layer and a higher-to-lower-layer-data-output-portion for outputting control-command-data to a lower layer. At least one of the control units disposed on one of the control layers has a higher-to-lower-data-input-portion for inputting data from a higher layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sakane
  • Patent number: 8078373
    Abstract: A method for predicting the dynamics of a vehicle using information about the path on which the vehicle is travelling that has particular application for enhancing active safety performance of the vehicle, to improve driver comfort and to improve vehicle dynamics control. The method includes generating a preview of a path to be followed by the vehicle where the preview of the path is generated based on actual values of a plurality of vehicle parameters. The method further includes obtaining a corrected value of at least one of the plurality of vehicle parameters corresponding to the actual values of each of the plurality of vehicle parameters, wherein the corrected value of the at least one of the vehicle parameters is obtained based on a target path to be followed by the vehicle on the road, and wherein the target path is obtained on the basis of a plurality of road parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Weiwen Deng, Yong H. Lee
  • Patent number: 8078358
    Abstract: A vehicle display unit for a vehicle includes a display panel, a transmitting panel, a peripheral wall member, and a sounding body. The display panel faces a vehicle interior of the vehicle and displays visual information to a vehicle occupant of the vehicle. The transmitting panel is disposed on a vehicle interior side of the display panel. The visual information is transmitted to the vehicle occupant through the transmitting panel. The peripheral wall member surrounds a space between the display panel and the transmitting panel in a circumferential direction of the display panel. The sounding body is attached on an outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall member and is configured to provide auditory information for the vehicle occupant by generating a sound wave. The peripheral wall member has a communicating hole, which opens toward the sounding body and communicates with the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Sumiya, Shirou Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8078356
    Abstract: In a driving assist system for a vehicle, a camera driver controls an on-board rear camera to take an image of an area around a vehicle only when light-emitting diodes of the tail lights and brake lights are non-luminous, responsive to an image pickup timing signal output from a light control. An image processor executes panoramic view conversion of image data input from the camera driver, stores the converted data in an image memory, and displays a composite image by combining a plurality of sets of panoramic view data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kano, Akihiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8078338
    Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Todd Pack, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Selma Svendsen
  • Patent number: 8078359
    Abstract: A method for configuring and personalizing a vehicle user interface is provided, the user interface utilizing a touch screen display mounted within the vehicle. User configurable aspects of the user interface include the number of zones within the touch screen display, the size of each zone, the subsystem interface assigned to each zone, the style and information contained within each subsystem interface, display brightness levels for the overall display or per zone, and the assignment and location of persistent soft buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Small, Brian Finn, Dan Adams
  • Patent number: 8078342
    Abstract: Methods for active power management, i.e., the power management method may be activated in response to changes in the supply and demand of power in a system, are disclosed. The power management method may use dynamically collected data reporting levels of electrical power utilized by systems while matching them to the available power. One embodiment of the present invention may be applied in smaller or medium sized systems. Another embodiment of the present invention may be implemented making use of additional aircraft resources, such as an integrated modular avionics (IMA) line replaceable unit (LRU) in larger sized systems. Both of these embodiments may make use of data collected from systems utilizing or generating electrical via the bus power control unit (BPCU) LRU, the data processing taking place either locally in the BPCU (small or medium sized systems) or in the IMA (larger systems).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David Lazarovich, Joseph Nutaro, Ted Gayowsky, Ileana Rusan, Sang-Joon Lee, Srinivasa Rao Dangeti, Narasimha Rao Pesala, Lakshminarayana Surisetty, Gopi Gudimetla, Amit Kumar Singh
  • Patent number: 8078397
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for social networking utilizing a vehicular assembly. In operation, a vehicular assembly is utilized to communicate with a mobile device. Information about social contacts is received, utilizing the mobile device. Further, the information about social contacts is displayed, utilizing the vehicular assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Boadin Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin J. Zilka
  • Patent number: 8078357
    Abstract: Embodiments of an application-independent and component-isolated system and system of systems framework are provided. In some embodiments, a Distributed Integration Operating Schema (“DIOS”) framework allows integration of disparate software and hardware components and permits addition, removal, modification, failure of, and information exchange among such components. In some embodiments, DIOS uses an information model that comprises a user-defined hierarchy of information objects to facilitate communication of information among agents of a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Spark Integration Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Chad D. Trytten, Anthony J. V. Angerilli, Kenneth J. Mackay
  • Publication number: 20110301809
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a first member. There is a second member located proximate to the first member. A latch mechanism is located between the first member and the second member and is configured to selectively prevent movement of the second member relative to the first member. A latch release switch is positioned on the seat assembly and is configured to send a first signal when a user applies an adjustment force at a seat adjustment location. A controller is connected to the latch release switch and a latch release actuator and is configured to receive the first signal from the latch release switch and in response to generate an activation signal. The latch release actuator is activated in response to the activation signal to move the latch mechanism to a released position to allow relative movement between the first member and the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James F. PYWELL, Nilesh D. MANKAME
  • Publication number: 20110301810
    Abstract: A vehicular input manipulation apparatus has a target parameter switchover manipulating device and a setup changeover manipulating device in order to change setup contents of several control parameters for drive control of an in-vehicle apparatus. The target parameter switchover manipulating device executes switchover to designate one of the control parameters as a change target control parameter. The setup changeover manipulating device changes a setup content relative to the change target control parameter. When a control mode of the in-vehicle apparatus is changed into a predetermined control mode, a control circuit automatically enforces switchover relative to the change target control parameter by automatically replacing the control parameter, which has been designated as the change target control parameter, with an enforcement change target control parameter, which is a predetermined control parameter associated with the predetermined control mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Hisatsugu, Yasuhiko Yamazaki, Masaharu Kinoshita, Hiroaki Ichihara
  • Publication number: 20110301813
    Abstract: A method of displaying virtual lane markings relative to a vehicle position within a roadway lane may entail reading vehicle data such as speed into a vehicle control module, determining if the vehicle data is above a particular threshold, switching a virtual lane display switch, determining weather conditions, and displaying virtual lane markings upon a vehicle windshield based upon a result of determining weather conditions. Detecting actual lane markings on one or both of a left side of the roadway lane and a right side of the roadway lane may be accomplished with a vehicle-mounted camera. Moreover, determining whether a steering wheel has rotated a predetermined number of degrees may further play a role in displaying the virtual lane markings on a windshield of the vehicle. From a driver viewing perspective through a windshield, virtual lane markings may be displayed on the windshield to overlay actual lane markings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bo Sun, Daniel P. Tran, Christopher A. Arms, Carolina M. Giannotti, Justin McBride, Nhi Van Pham, Martin E. Nespolo, Silviu Pala, Michael Chachich
  • Publication number: 20110301811
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (3) for a motor vehicle includes a microcontroller (30) which controls the operation of an engine of the motor vehicle, a regulator (31) of a voltage delivered to the microcontroller (30) by an electric power source (2), and a voltage step-up device (32) including control elements (321) suitable for activating at least one inductive load (320) coupled to the power source (2), an activation which consists of successive energy accumulations and discharges by the at least one inductive load. The at least one inductive load (320) is shared with at least one second device (4) that is internal or external to the electronic control unit (3), a second device whose operation is controlled by the electronic control unit. A method for controlling at least one inductive load (320) coupled to an electric power source (2) of a motor vehicle is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE
    Inventor: Philippe Boissiere
  • Patent number: 8073585
    Abstract: A collection of diagnostic and troubleshooting information associated with a power driven wheelchair is stored for access by a microcontroller to be displayed to a user to assist in troubleshooting the power driven wheelchair. A log of fault codes transmitted by various fault-detecting mechanisms is compiled. A user may request display of diagnostic information associated with a selected fault code. The operating instructions of a power driven wheelchair may be updated by using portable storage media onto which a latest version of operating instructions is loaded to transfer the updated operating instructions to wheelchair controller memory. The calibration of a power driven wheelchair can be simplified by providing functionality within the wheelchair controller to change calibration parameters or to transfer calibration parameters from portable storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Jaenke, Darryl Peters, Gary E. Chopcinski, Ricky J. McCullar
  • Patent number: 8073591
    Abstract: A method, and an apparatus, for monitoring the sand supply in a sand tank (2) of a sand-scattering device in vehicles, in particular in express trains. To prevent an insufficient sand supply, the sand-supply level is monitored by a inspection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Faiveley Transport
    Inventor: Werner Bartling
  • Patent number: 8073594
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle includes acquiring position information including an azimuth angle between a non-contacting sensor and a wheeled axle of an attached trailer, determining a trailer tongue length correlated to the position information, determining a track width of the attached trailer correlated to the position information, and calculating a trailer hitch articulation angle corresponding to the trailer tongue length and the track width of the attached trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yong H. Lee, Alexander Kade
  • Patent number: 8073577
    Abstract: An electric control apparatus, mounted on a vehicle, has a height direction and comprises an electronic circuit board, a submersion sensor, and a controller. The electric circuit board has a mounting surface and is mounted in the vehicle so that the mounting surface is along the height direction of the vehicle. The submersion sensor, which is mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board, senses a condition that the vehicle is about to be submerged in a flooded area and outputs an electric signal showing the condition. The controller, which is mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board, performs control for securing safety of an occupant of the vehicle when the controller receives the electric signal from the submersion sensor. The submersion sensor is lower in a mounted position on the mounting surface of the circuit board than the controller along the height direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuusuke Kitamura, Toru Itabashi, Michio Nakamura, Naoto Sakai
  • Patent number: 8073588
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting or modifying a programmable operating parameter associated with a power driven wheelchair is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) operating a user interface device associated with a power driven wheelchair in a programming mode, b) selecting a programmable operating parameter associated with operation of the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device, c) selecting a value for the programmable operating parameter using the user interface device, and d) saving the selected value for the programmable operating parameter in a portion of a storage device associated with the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device. A method and apparatus for selecting one or more programmable parameter sets from a portable storage medium and saving the selected sets to a local storage device associated with a power driven wheelchair and vice versa is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl Peters, Bruce A. Jaenke, Carrie L. Burke, Gary E. Chopcinski
  • Patent number: 8073589
    Abstract: A user interface system and method for a vehicle enables access to an electronic device. The electronic device is configured to transmit a first data set wherein the first data set indicates at least one of appearance and a function requirement. A user interface module is included having a second data set and a display unit configured to electronically display information that is assessable via the electronic device. Additionally, a conversion engine communicates with the user interface module and the electronic device and processes the first data set and the second data set. Based on the first and second data set, a third data set is generated that is loaded into the user interface module. Through the use of the third data set, the user information system provides access to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir Rasin, Mark Schunder
  • Patent number: 8073590
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for utilizing a communication channel of a mobile device by a vehicular assembly. In operation, a vehicular assembly communicates with a mobile device having a wireless communication channel. Additionally, at least one vehicular assembly function is performed utilizing the wireless communication channel of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Boadin Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin J. Zilka
  • Patent number: 8073598
    Abstract: An in-vehicle device wirelessly sends a request signal to an assistance-possible area in which a user of a welfare-use seat device can be assisted. When a wireless portable key device, i.e., a remote control is present inside of the assistance-possible area, the portable key device returns a response signal containing an ID code. When receiving the response signal, the in-vehicle device executes a collation relative to the ID code contained in the response signal. When the collation is successfully completed, a short-depression movement mode is designated. When a short-time manipulation or depression is once applied to an operation instruction switch of the wireless portable key device under the short-depression movement mode being designated, the movement of a welfare-use seat device is started toward a movement end position without need further continued manipulation or depression to the operation instruction switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Shimoda
  • Publication number: 20110295462
    Abstract: A system for controlling a clock for a vehicle using Global Positioning System (GPS) information, may include a GPS reception unit for receiving the GPS information from satellites, a clock oscillator for measuring a time value by generating clocks, a switch unit for supplying a user-changed time value by manipulation thereof, a display unit for displaying a current time, and a control unit for, when power of the vehicle is applied, displaying the current time to the display unit by outputting a sum of the time value of the clock oscillator and the user-changed time value of the switch unit, and, when invalid information has been received from the GPS reception unit, storing the user-changed time value reset using the switch unit and then outputting the current time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hee Sang Park, Hyun Kim, June Kyu Park, Jung Hwan Yun, Hun Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20110295463
    Abstract: An aftermarket steering wheel control includes a housing that includes a user-operable switch and a control module. The control module is configured to determine whether the user-operable switch has been operated, generate a data frame corresponding to a control signal for operating a vehicle component, and transmit the data frame to a receiver of a control signal interface. Another aftermarket steering wheel control includes a housing with a user-operable switch and a circuit with an output line. The output line is connected to the switch and further connected to a control signal interface. Operation of the user-operable switch changes a resistance on the at least one output line, and the control signal interface is configured to convert the resistance to a control signal for operating a vehicle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicants: METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, CIRCUIT WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles David Daly, William H. Jones, JR.
  • Patent number: 8068958
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the adjustment movement of a component, in particular a window pane or a sunroof in motor vehicles, which is driven by a drive device and can be adjusted in a translatory or rotary fashion. A plurality of input signals which can be derived from the drive device and which represent a deceleration of the adjustment movement of the drive device are input at input neurons of an input layer of a neural network with at least one hidden layer having hidden neurons. Said network outputting, at at least one output neuron of an output layer, an output value which corresponds to the adjusting force or to a trapped state or nontrapped state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Markus Schlesiger, Sven Baumann
  • Patent number: 8068983
    Abstract: Representing vehicles in a customizable virtual environment is disclosed. One embodiment includes a controlled environment including prototype vehicles and a virtual environment including virtual representations of the prototype vehicles. The virtual environment is a display that includes an environment scenario, a number of virtual objects, and the various represented vehicles. The represented vehicles are linked to the prototype vehicles by communicating kinematic data from the prototype vehicles to the virtual vehicles real-time. The positions of the represented vehicles are updated based on the communicated kinematic data such that the virtual environment is a realistic visualization of the prototype vehicles. In addition, the virtual environment is highly customizable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John L. Vian, Emad W. Saad, Stefan R. Bieniawski, el-Hadi M. Aggoune
  • Patent number: 8068949
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle variable autonomy control system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a control mode interface that provides a plurality of selectable control modes for an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein one of the plurality of selectable control modes comprises an autonomous landing mode. Also included is a route editing interface that, following a selection of the autonomous landing mode, facilitates a receipt of an input indicative of a landing location. The system also includes a communications component that transmits a command to the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the command is based at least in part on the input indicative of the landing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: L-3 Unmanned Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Duggan, David A. Felio, Billy B. Pate, Vince R. Longhi, Jerry L. Petersen, Mark J. Bergee
  • Patent number: 8068959
    Abstract: An apparatus for vehicle door deflection and movement control. The apparatus includes a primary electromagnetic device disposed generally in a vehicle door frame or generally in an area of a vehicle body adjacent the vehicle door frame, and a controller for activating the primary electromagnetic device to push or pull the vehicle door frame. The apparatus may further include a sensor for measuring vehicle door deflection during vehicle movement. The controller may activate the primary electromagnetic device based on deflection measurements by the sensor to pull the vehicle door frame to generally cancel the vehicle door deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bijan K. Shahidi, XianLi Huang, Zhen Steven Zhang, Jason C. S. Tien
  • Publication number: 20110288724
    Abstract: A device for authorizing an online service during driving in a vehicle. Contents of an online service are authorized according to the vehicle state. The device includes an electronic control unit, a graphical output apparatus, and a communication interface. A system that includes the device and a server, which is not located in the vehicle and which is connected to the communication interface through a wireless connection for the exchange of data. A method, having the following steps: the vehicle state of the vehicle is detected. According to the vehicle state, it is checked if a requested online service or certain contents of a requested online service are authorized for display during driving. According to available or ascertainable data on the ability of the requested online service to be authorized during driving, the requested online service is either blocked or authorized in a limited or complete manner. The result is depicted on the graphical output apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Falk
  • Publication number: 20110284057
    Abstract: Rail system and method for a photovoltaic array. The system includes at least one modular rail in a first direction. The modular rail includes a first vehicle support surface along the first direction and a first mounting surface along the first direction. The first vehicle support surface is configured to support at least a first vehicle moving in the first direction, and the first mounting surface is configured to support one or more photovoltaic modules mounted on the first mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Alion, Inc.
    Inventors: Anders Swahn, Wolfgang Oels
  • Publication number: 20110288725
    Abstract: A vehicle glare reducing system comprising automatically optically detecting when an oncoming vehicle with lit headlights is approaching the driver and automatically operating a glare reducing means attached to the driver's side of a vehicle's windshield to block the glare, and automatically optically detecting when no oncoming vehicle with lit headlights is approaching the driver and automatically operating the glare reducing means to allow the driver to see through the glare reducing means, with part of an inside edge of the glare reducing means substantially vertically aligned with substantially the horizontal center of the vehicle's steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Seymour C. Yuter
  • Patent number: 8065052
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for correlating time in different time bases used by interconnected units by timestamping a reference event with a time determined with respect to a first time base. A message unit provides the time to a second interconnected unit that uses a second time base. A translation device is configured to calculate a difference between the time measured by the first time base and in the second time base. The difference is used to translate a time measured by the first clock to a time in a different time base at run time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Xinshu Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lars-Berno Fredriksson, David Lindqvist
  • Patent number: 8065051
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing help information on a display device associated with a power driven wheelchair is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) displaying screen content displayed on the display device during operation or support of the power driven wheelchair, b) detecting selective activation of a first input device, c) in response to detection of the first input device activation, selecting help information content from a collection of help information, the selected help information content being contextually related to the screen content displayed on the display device, and d) displaying the contextually-related help information content on the display device. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a display device, a first input device, and a microcontroller in operative communication with the display device and the first input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Gary E. Chopcinski, Thomas A. Drobnak
  • Patent number: 8064965
    Abstract: An in-vehicle navigation apparatus performs the following: according to an initial operation of a user to register a handsfree function, connecting a handsfree profile with a cellular phone and registering a handsfree function to be associated with the cellular phone; if the cellular phone has an audio visual function, displaying an audio visual function registration window for querying a user whether to register the audio visual function; and according to an operation of the user to register the audio visual function, connecting an audio visual profile with the cellular phone and registering the audio visual function to be associated with the cellular phone that was registered as being associated with the handsfree function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takahisa Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8065060
    Abstract: Disclosed are an articulated hydraulic machine supporting, control system and control method for same. The articulated hydraulic machine has an end effector for performing useful work. The control system is capable of controlling the end effector for automated movement along a preselected trajectory. The control system has a position error correction system to correct discrepancies between an actual end effector trajectory and a desired end effector trajectory. The correction system can employ one or more absolute position signals provided by one or more acceleration sensors supported by one or more movable machine elements. Good trajectory positioning and repeatability can be obtained. A two-joystick controller system is enabled, which can in some cases facilitate the operator's task and enhance their work quality and productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University and Community College System on Behalf of the University of Nevada
    Inventor: George Danko
  • Patent number: 8065053
    Abstract: An improved image acquisition and processing system includes an image sensor and one or more processors that are configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image from the image sensor. The dynamic aim of the image sensor is configured as a function of at least one feature extracted from at least a portion of an image. The processors are further configured to generate at least one vehicle equipment control signal as a function of the extracted feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Stam, Gregory S. Bush, Timothy S. DeBruine, Eric J. Walstra
  • Patent number: 8065037
    Abstract: A control method and system for controlling a hydraulically actuated mechanical arm to perform a task, the mechanical arm optionally being a hydraulically actuated excavator arm. The method can include determining a dynamic model of the motion of the hydraulic arm for each hydraulic arm link by relating the input signal vector for each respective link to the output signal vector for the same link. Also the method can include determining an error signal for each link as the weighted sum of the differences between a measured position and a reference position and between the time derivatives of the measured position and the time derivatives of the reference position for each respective link. The weights used in the determination of the error signal can be determined from the constant coefficients of the dynamic model. The error signal can be applied in a closed negative feedback control loop to diminish or eliminate the error signal for each respective link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on Behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventor: George Danko
  • Patent number: 8065081
    Abstract: Data is shared between a vehicle mounted navigation device and a vehicle mounted user interface device and among a plurality of vehicle mounted user interface devices. In a first location free display that allows a plurality of users to separately have access to the navigation device, external data obtained from the navigation device or from another location free display and its own user data are saved and managed, and shared with the navigation device and the another location free display. It is possible to utilize the external data not owned by itself or the user data of another person with the navigation device or the another location free display and perform a navigation process in an inner space of the vehicle efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Kugumiya, Isao Watanabe, Keisuke Ishii
  • Patent number: 8065463
    Abstract: A flight attendant panel, in which a plurality of computer units can be coupled to a common input/output device by a circuitry. One of the computer units is designated as the master computer unit and controls the circuitry in order to specify which of the computer units should be coupled to the input/output device. The actuation of a switch makes it possible to once again return the flight attendant panel into an original state, in which the master computer unit is coupled to the input/output device by the circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Porath, Kirsten Kopitzke, Hartmut Hintze
  • Publication number: 20110282545
    Abstract: A pedal system for a vehicle is disclosed. The pedal system includes an accelerator pedal, a sensor, a sensor detection circuit, and a controller. The pedal has a footpad, and the pedal moves in response to user actuation of the footpad. The sensor, which is coupled to or integrated into the footpad, has a first state when the footpad is actuated and a second state when the footpad is not actuated. The sensor is independent of and distinct from any physical position sensors of the pedal. The detection circuit, which is electrically coupled to the sensor, can distinguish between the first state and the second state. The controller, which is coupled to the sensor detection circuit, controls operation of the vehicle in a manner that is influenced by the first state or the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: DIMITRI SPIRO KARATSINIDES
  • Publication number: 20110282546
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for identifying a plurality of tire pressure sensor modules. Data wirelessly transmitted from the tire pressure sensor modules are received by using a signal cable connected between a wheel speed sensor module and a control module. The control module identifies the pressure sensor modules mounted on vehicle tires according to the intensities of received signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Sung Joon HEO, Ji Hyun JUNG