Control Of Vehicle Safety Devices (e.g., Airbag, Seat-belt, Etc.) Patents (Class 701/45)
  • Patent number: 12280737
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for a remote vehicle immobilizer. A network gateway device receives a command from a remote computing device to modify a configuration of an electronic switch from a first configuration to a second configuration. The electronic switch is positioned in a conducting path between a starter motor of the vehicle and a battery of the vehicle. In response to receiving the command, the network gateway device transmits a signal to the electronic switch via a two-way communication channel connecting the network gateway device to the electronic switch. The signal causes the electronic switch to modify the configuration of the electronic switch from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Samsara Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Luis Innocenzi, Elias Ray Dykaar, Maxwell Anton Dergosits, Ingo Gerhard Wiegand
  • Patent number: 12283145
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for switching premises in a convenient way. A method includes transmitting a request to a server for switching a first premises with a second premises. Further, the first premises being accessed using an access card on a first access terminal associated with the first premises. The method further includes receiving access credentials for the second premises from the server in response to the request. The method also includes encoding the access card with the access credentials to access a second access terminal associated with the second premises for permitting entry inside the second premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Sumanth Kumar Mukundala, Aswin Sukumaran Nair, Nagamalleswara Rao Ravi, Bhanu Kiran Kamireddy, Rakesh Sirigiripet
  • Patent number: 12274945
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving a set of images and analyzing them to determine at least one position in space and at least one motion vector in space and time for at least one object represented in the images. Using these vectors, a four dimensional model of at least a portion of the information represented in the images is formulated. This model generally obeys the laws of physics, though aberrations may be imposed. The model is then exercised with an input parameter, which, for example, may represent a different perspective than the original set of images. The four dimensional model is then used to produce a modified set of ordered images in dependence on the input parameter and optionally the set of images, e.g., if only a portion of the data represented in the images is modeled. The set of images may then be rendered on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Inventor: Steven M. Hoffberg
  • Patent number: 12270349
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for validating the validity of a sensor, in particular, validating the validity of a sensor using a control limit. The method for validating the validity of a sensor using a control limit includes inferring a posterior distribution of a parameter in a Bayesian technique using a prior distribution of the parameter of sensor data and historical data of the sensor, setting a target credible interval for the posterior distribution of the parameter and setting a control line of the sensor data using the set credible interval, and validating the validity of the sensor by monitoring whether the actual measurement data of the sensor deviates from the control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Min Lee, Jun Sang Yu
  • Patent number: 12269412
    Abstract: A side airbag installed on a side surface, which faces a passenger seat, of a seatback of a driver's seat, is provided. The side airbag includes a main cushion provided with a flow hole and expandible by gas, and a sub-cushion that is attached to the main cushion, the sub-cushion being connected to the flow hole. When the main cushion expands after the airbag is actuated, the sub-cushion protrudes from the main cushion while being expanded by the gas supplied through the flow hole, and as the main cushion expands, the main cushion is deployed toward a front side of a vehicle between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, and the sub-cushion protrudes from a rear side of the main cushion toward a rear side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Geon Woong Moon
  • Patent number: 12269371
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of receiving a scan of a cabin of a vehicle, wherein the scan includes a spatial region inside the vehicle and outside the vehicle proximate at least one vehicle door, determining at least one occupant characteristic based on the scan, including a classification detection and a presence detection of at least one seat inside the vehicle, determining a cabin status based on the at least one occupant characteristic and communicating the cabin status to a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignees: TOYOTA CONNECTED NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOT JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Simon P. Roberts, Sergei I. Gage, Yang Ding, Christopher J. Macpherson, Michael R. Kushnerik, Naohiro J. Matsumura, Cory M. Frank, Jessica May, Matthew J. Everett
  • Patent number: 12272245
    Abstract: A method for bypass alert, the method includes (i) obtaining sensed information about an environment of the vehicle, by one of more vehicle sensors of a vehicle. The environment of the vehicle includes a passing lane and a current lane; (ii) determining whether a driver initiates a bypass of another vehicle to be bypassed, by a first machine learning process (MLP), based on at least one out of vehicle parameters and the sensed information (iii) determining that the vehicle entered the passing lane; (iv) determining, by a second (MLP), a determined time to collision (TTC) to an incoming vehicle that is located at the passing lane and drives towards the vehicle; (v) determining, based on at least on the determined TTC and an allowable TTC to provide a safety parameter of the bypass; and (vi) responding to the safety parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: AUTOBRAINS TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventors: Boaz Mell, Adam Harel, Igal Raichelgauz
  • Patent number: 12265165
    Abstract: Inter-vehicle signaling is essential for cooperative collision mitigation. Disclosed are systems and methods for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles to identify each other, localize each other, and then cooperate in avoiding a collision if avoidable, and minimizing the harm of the collision if not avoidable. Examples include simultaneous wireless and infrared signals that enable other vehicles to specifically identify each cooperating vehicle, so that an evasion strategy can be developed. Additionally, the signaling can include, in the wireless messages or the infrared signals, or both, the wireless address of the transmitting vehicle, thereby enabling unicast communication and greatly improved coordination thereafter. This system will save lives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Inventors: David E. Newman, R. Kemp Massengill
  • Patent number: 12266017
    Abstract: One or more devices in an accident detection and recovery computing system may be configured to determine that vehicle accidents have occurred, collect and analyze accident characteristics and other related data, and providing customized accident recovery services. Mobile computing devices, alone or in combination with vehicle-based systems and external devices, may detect accidents or receive accident indication data. After determining that an accident has occurred, mobile computing devices and/or vehicle-based systems may be configured to determine accident characteristics, retrieve vehicle data and vehicle occupant data from one or external servers, determine the damages or potential damages resulting from the accident, and determine one or more accident recovery options or recommendations based on the accident damages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventor: Randall M. Hanson
  • Patent number: 12265390
    Abstract: Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices for operating an autonomous vehicle are provided. For example, the disclosed technology can include receiving state data that includes information associated with states of an autonomous vehicle and an environment external to the autonomous vehicle. Responsive to the state data satisfying vehicle stoppage criteria, vehicle stoppage conditions can be determined to have occurred. A severity level of the vehicle stoppage conditions can be selected from a plurality of available severity levels respectively associated with a plurality of different sets of constraints. A motion plan can be generated based on the state data. The motion plan can include information associated with locations for the autonomous vehicle to traverse at time intervals corresponding to the locations. Further, the locations can include a current location of the autonomous vehicle and a destination location at which the autonomous vehicle stops traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Moslem Kazemi, Sameer Bardapurkar
  • Patent number: 12257940
    Abstract: A controller for controlling a haptic feedback actuator of a vehicle, the controller comprising: at least one input for receiving: vehicle parameter information being information indicative of a current value of at least one parameter associated with the vehicle; and information indicating that it is required to provide haptic feedback, a processor being arranged, in response to receipt of information indicating that haptic feedback is required, to generate a control signal for controlling operation of the haptic feedback actuator, the control signal being responsive at least in part to the vehicle parameter information; and an output for outputting the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Carloalberto Michielan, Jason Bevis
  • Patent number: 12250499
    Abstract: In some implementations, a device may receive, from a sensor of a vehicle, sensor data. The device may detect whether an event causing damage to the vehicle has occurred or is expected to occur based on the sensor data being greater than a threshold, wherein the threshold is based on an on-off status of the vehicle and a sensor type. The device may activate, based on whether the event has occurred or is expected to occur, a camera of the vehicle to capture video data of a scene associated with the vehicle. The device may transmit, to a server, an indication that indicates the event and the video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alyssa Scarbrough, John Hopkins, Zahra Hosseinimakarem, Yi Hu
  • Patent number: 12247422
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a safety assembly for preventing the opening of a trunk lock under predefined vehicle conditions, having a transmission element which is engaged by an interior-side actuating element and a trunk-side actuating element and which is coupled to a trunk lock, wherein a latch is provided which is adjustable between an actuating position, in which an actuating force can be transmitted from at least one of the actuating elements to the trunk lock, and a blocking position, in which an actuating force is not transmitted to the trunk lock, the latch having a gearing and a brushless electric motor associated with it, by means of which the latch can be transferred between the actuating position and the blocking position. The disclosure further relates to a method of controlling a latch of a safety assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: U-SHIN DEUTSCHLAND ZUGANGSSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Lukas Kaliebe, Yvonne Krauter, Yvan Sierp
  • Patent number: 12240410
    Abstract: A drive device for a pivotable vehicle flap includes a flap part associated with the vehicle flap, a body part associated with a vehicle body and a hinge arrangement which hingedly connects the flap part and the body part. The hinge arrangement allows the flap part to be pivoted about a first axis of rotation for opening and closing the vehicle flap and about a second axis of rotation for raising the vehicle flap into a pedestrian protection position. The drive device further includes a first actuator for opening and closing the vehicle flap in normal operation, a second actuator for raising the vehicle flap into a pedestrian protection position and a coupling device for coupling the first actuator to one of the flap part and the vehicle flap, including a fastening part which is fixedly connected to the one of the flap part and the vehicle flap. The coupling device includes at least one first lever coupled to the first actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Edscha Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Bartschies
  • Patent number: 12233805
    Abstract: A motor vehicle and a method secure a passenger in the motor vehicle in a collision. The motor vehicle has a seat including a seat body, which forms a seat surface, and a backrest connected to the seat body. An inertial force acting on the passenger in a collision is transmitted by a seatbelt arrangement to the backrest in such a manner that the latter pivots forwards relative to the seat body counter to the restoring effect of an elastic and/or plastic deformation of at least part of the backrest. A force which counteracts the pivoting-forwards action is generated by a force generator, and transmitted to the backrest, and/or the maximum pivoting path of the backrest is limited by a limiting device in that, when a predetermined reference acceleration is present, a deviation between a present pivoting path of the backrest and a predetermined reference pivoting path is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignees: AUDI AG, AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Bernd Jakobs, Jörg Haesser, Walter Krönes, Christoph Grundheber, Johann Unger, Oliver Adolph, Marc Schock
  • Patent number: 12233879
    Abstract: A vehicle-interior monitoring apparatus for a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave sensor, a determiner, and a movement sensor. The millimeter-wave sensor outputs a millimeter radio wave toward a vehicle cabin of the vehicle and detects a millimeter reflection wave from an in-vehicle object including either one of an occupant and baggage in the vehicle cabin. The determiner determines a type of the in-vehicle object based on a detection level of the detected millimeter reflection wave. The movement sensor detects movement of the vehicle. The determiner re-determines that a determined in-vehicle object is either one of the baggage and a child as the occupant based on a positional change of the determined in-vehicle object upon the movement sensor detecting the movement of the vehicle, the determined in-vehicle object being the in-vehicle object of which the determiner has determined the type based on the detection level of the millimeter reflection wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kousei Kawamura, Tomoya Kanagawa
  • Patent number: 12232095
    Abstract: In general, one aspect disclosed features an apparatus comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) radio configured to transmit a UWB radio signal in a frequency band; a detect circuit configured to monitor the frequency band for the presence of a second radio signal in the frequency band; and a controller configured to cause the UWB radio to transmit the UWB signal responsive to the detect circuit detecting the presence of the second radio signal in the frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Inventors: Robert Hanczor, Duane Maxwell, Sai Kwok
  • Patent number: 12228410
    Abstract: One or more embodiments herein can provide a process to determine dead-reckoning localization of a vehicle. An exemplary system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components, and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory, wherein the computer executable components can comprise an obtaining component that obtains plural sensor readings defining movement of a vehicle, wherein the plural sensor readings comprise an inertial sensor reading, a kinematics sensor reading, and an odometry sensor reading, and a generation component that generates, based on the plural sensor readings, a pose value defining a position of the vehicle relative to an environment in which the vehicle is disposed. A sensing sub-system of the exemplary system can comprise an inertial measurement unit sensor, a kinematics sensor, and an odometry sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Xinkai Zhang, Sihao Ding, Harshavardhan Reddy Dasari
  • Patent number: 12230457
    Abstract: A MEMS switch that includes a substrate with a first insulating layer and a silicon layer thereabove, a fixed portion and a movable switching portion being formed in the silicon layer. A first metal layer is situated in recesses in the silicon layer at a side of the silicon layer facing away from the substrate, the first metal layer forming at least one switchable electrical contact between the fixed portion and the switching portion. A method for manufacturing a MEMS switch including at least one embedded metal contact is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Reinmuth, Matthew Lewis, Peter Schmollngruber
  • Patent number: 12208742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for adapting to a driver position an image displayed on a monitor in a cab of the vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle including such a system. The invention is particularly well suited for heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses and construction equipment. The invention may also be used in other vehicles such as a car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Chauvot, Thibaut Jeanpierre
  • Patent number: 12202470
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus having an unintended start suppression function of suppressing an unintended start is provided. The apparatus comprises a distance detection unit configured to detect a distance to an obstacle; a speed detection unit configured to detect a speed of an ego-vehicle; and a suppression support unit configured to perform suppression support for the speed of the ego-vehicle based on the speed and the distance to the obstacle, wherein the suppression support unit changes an operation distance for performing the suppression support depending on whether the unintended start suppression function has operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu Obi, Kosuke Sakamoto, Jumpei Morita
  • Patent number: 12202422
    Abstract: Among other things, a documentation of a crash involving a vehicle is generated automatically. Telematics data is received that has been produced by one or more sensors associated with a telematics device at the vehicle. Based on the telematics data, a vehicle crash period is determined that begins at a start time and ends at an end time of the vehicle crash. Based on the telematics data, one or more metrics are determined associated with the vehicle during the vehicle crash period. Based on one or more metrics, a human-readable documentation of the vehicle crash is generated automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Cambridge Mobile Telematics Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly Shea, Geronimo Mirano, Jun-geun Park, William Bradley
  • Patent number: 12205445
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring a motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle (2), configured to be connected to an interface (3) of the motor vehicle (2), the device comprising: —a processor (1a) associated with a memory (1b), —a geolocation module (1c), —a vibration detection module (1d) and/or a fall detection module (1f), —a mobile application module (1g) for exchanging information on the vehicle with a mobile application server (4), —a silent alert module (1i) via the mobile application server (4) according to vibration detection module data (1d) or fall detection module data (1f), characterized by: —a mobile internet network connection module (1i), —an audible alarm (5), and in that the mobile application module (1g) is configured to remotely control the audible alarm (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: KIBLE
    Inventor: Thomas Chambon
  • Patent number: 12198375
    Abstract: There is provided a computer implemented method of controlling movement of an object, comprising: accessing a current image of a surface relative to an object at a current location, wherein an imaging sensor is set to capture the current image depicting an overlap with a previously captured image of the surface when the object was at a previous location, registering the current image to the overlap of the previously captured image, computing the current location of the object relative to a reference location according to an analysis of the registration, and feeding the current location into a controller for controlling movement of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: NEC Corporation Of America
    Inventors: Tsvi Lev, Hagai Har-Gil
  • Patent number: 12187222
    Abstract: A system for detecting improper usage of a seatbelt of a vehicle includes a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back. A shoulder belt and a lap belt are intended to restrain an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. The system includes a sensor module associated with the shoulder belt and the lap belt. The sensor module generates signals indicative of at least one parameter associated with the vehicle seat, the shoulder belt, and the lap belt when the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat. The system also includes a controller that receives the signals indicative of the at least one parameter associated with the seat back, the shoulder belt, and the lap belt. The controller analyzes the received one or more signals, and determines whether the seatbelt is being used improperly by the occupant, based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Forrest Wen Liau
  • Patent number: 12182054
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a parallel bus-based communication system, the system including: electronic devices; a host controller equipped with a selecting chip and a communication chip, and the communication chip controls at least one channelized parallel bus, and the electronic devices are individually connected to the channelized parallel bus. The host controller, upon first power on, allocates addresses to the electronic device sequentially via the selecting chip. In the present disclosure, the communication chip of the communication system employs a parallel bus communication mode, and the selecting chip sequentially allocates addresses to the electronic device. Communication functions can be achieved by using a small number of communication chips. The electronic devices (sensors) are independent of each other and do not affect one another. The existing sensor structures and vehicle harness may be used, which has cost advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: ZONGMU TECHNOLOGY (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Chen, Xiaofeng Liu, Hongfeng Zhu
  • Patent number: 12162478
    Abstract: An example vehicle can include a sensor platform and a controller that is configured to determine an object that is in front of the vehicle, determine the object as a hazard by at least one of determining, using dead reckoning, that the object is in a path of travel of the vehicle that will cause the object to travel under a restricted zone of the vehicle and/or the object has a height that is higher than a vehicle ride height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Hanson, Pietro Buttolo, John Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 12164730
    Abstract: A human body detecting sensor system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a drive circuit, a detection circuit, and a comparison circuit. The second electrode is connected to the first electrode via a capacitor. The drive circuit generates a first signal having a prescribed frequency for driving the first electrode. The detection circuit detects a second signal generated at the second electrode in response to the first signal being supplied to the first electrode. The comparison circuit compares the first signal with the second signal. The comparison circuit detects a touch and/or an approach of an object, which has an impedance in a certain range corresponding to a human body, with respect to at least one of the first and second electrodes when a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal is within a prescribed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jared Bytheway, Tomoki Yamada
  • Patent number: 12151632
    Abstract: A restraint control system of a vehicle includes: a position module configured to determine positions of seats within a passenger cabin of the vehicle; a restraint control module configured to, in response to detection of a collision of the vehicle: select which ones of the restraints of the vehicle to activate based on the positions of the seats; activate the selected restraints of the vehicle; and not activate non-selected ones of the restraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: VEONEER US SAFETY SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: David Eiswerth, Carl Munch
  • Patent number: 12140822
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal light source of a vehicle, wherein the internal light source is for darkening of glasses. The method includes acquiring an image recognition result, wherein the image recognition is for determining whether an occupant of the vehicle wears glasses, and controlling the light source responsive to the acquired image recognition result. In some embodiments, controlling the light source includes activating the light source when the image recognition result indicates that the occupant wears glasses. In some embodiments, the image recognition result is indicative of whether glasses darken responsive to activation of the light source and controlling the light source comprises deactivating the light source when the image recognition result indicates that the glasses do not darken responsive to activation of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Magnus Nilsson, Jonathan Johansson
  • Patent number: 12130961
    Abstract: A ride vehicle control system for a ride vehicle of an attraction includes multiple sensors that are configured to monitor a guest supported by the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle control system also includes an actuator system configured to couple to the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle control system further includes one or more processors that are configured to receive signals from the multiple sensors, wherein the signals are indicative of a position of the guest, a movement of the guest, or both. The one or more processors are also configured to determine an intended movement for the ride vehicle based on the signals and to control the actuator system to adjust a resistance to movement of the ride vehicle to facilitate the intended movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Justin Allen Hare, David Smith, Grace Catheryn Haynes, Humberto Augusto Kam
  • Patent number: 12128763
    Abstract: A vehicle control device controls a vehicle drive system having a main motor serving as a source of drive power of a vehicle, a parking lock mechanism, and an actuator. The vehicle control device includes an actuator drive controller that controls drive of the actuator, and a main motor drive controller that controls drive of the main motor. When a parking lock of the vehicle cannot be released by the actuator due to an engaging surface pressure between a parking gear and a parking lever, the main motor drive controller performs an engaging surface pressure reduction control in which an engaging surface pressure is reduced by driving the main motor to cause an increase of a torque of the main motor by a set increase speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Harada, Seiji Nakayama, Shigeru Kamio
  • Patent number: 12128843
    Abstract: An occupied seat detection device includes: at least one receiver that is disposed in a space including a plurality of seats and receives at least one of sound generated inside the space or sound generated outside the space; an acoustic characteristics analyzer that calculates, from a signal received by the at least one receiver, temporal characteristics or frequency characteristics of the sound in the space; and a detector that detects whether an occupant is present or whether an occupied seat is present inside the space, based on the temporal characteristics or the frequency characteristics calculated by the acoustic characteristics analyzer, and outputs a detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Yuki Terashima, Toshiyuki Matsumura
  • Patent number: 12115937
    Abstract: Aspects provided herein provide methods, apparatus, and a non-transitory computer storage medium storing computer instructions for vehicle disturbance alerting in a network. The method begins with receiving a vibration alert from a sensor installed in a vehicle. The sensor may be an accelerometer, gyroscope, or motion-capable sensor and is in communication with a low power radar sensor that is also installed in the vehicle. A low power radar sensor is activated in response to the vibration alert. At least one radar signature is received from the low power radar sensor. The radar signature is then compared with at least one driver radar signature. The driver radar signature is recorded when a driver occupies a driver seat position and operates the vehicle. Based on the comparison, a determination is made whether to issue a vehicle disturbance alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC
    Inventors: Wilfred I. Tucker, Mark Homan Chan
  • Patent number: 12109885
    Abstract: A driver intoxication test system is provided for a vehicle including: a quick intoxication pre-test subsystem for quickly determining whether there is reason to suspect the driver may be intoxicated; an intoxication validation test subsystem for determining whether the driver is intoxicated; and a controller is configured to determine whether the quick intoxication pre-test subsystem has detected a reason to suspect the driver may be intoxicated. When a reason to suspect the driver may be intoxicated has been detected, an intoxication validation test is conducted and it is determined whether the driver has passed the intoxication validation test. When a reason to suspect the driver may be intoxicated has not been detected, the controller does not instruct the intoxication validation test subsystem to conduct an intoxication validation test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Steel
  • Patent number: 12110016
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a navigation device, a sensor device, and a control device configured to identify an entry of the vehicle into a predetermined section of a road through the navigation device. In particular, the control device may identify at least one of a curvature of the road, a speed of the vehicle, or an acceleration of the vehicle through the sensor device in response to the entry of the vehicle into the predetermined section, and perform a lateral control of the vehicle based on at least one of the curvature of the road, the speed of the vehicle, or the acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taeho Ahn
  • Patent number: 12103517
    Abstract: An in-vehicle processing device comprises a sensor input unit which acquires sensor information as an output of a sensor which acquires information around a vehicle, a movement information acquisition unit which acquires vehicle movement information as information related to a movement of the vehicle, a log recording unit which records information based on the vehicle movement information and the sensor information in a storage unit, a map generation unit which creates an environmental map including a drivable area where the vehicle can travel based on determination of static objects that do not move and mobile objects that can move by using information based on the vehicle movement information and the sensor information recorded in the storage unit, and a route calculation unit which calculates a travel route of the vehicle by using the environmental map, wherein the environmental map includes a position of parking the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Faurecia Clarion Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyasu Hasejima, Takehito Ogata, Toshihisa Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 12105573
    Abstract: Battery management systems and methods for using the same to obtain battery shock and/or rollover data. An exemplary battery management system of the present disclosure comprises an accelerometer configured to obtain acceleration data, a microcontroller operably connected to the accelerometer and configured to receive the acceleration data from the accelerometer, and a data storage medium in communication with the microcontroller, the data storage medium configured to store the acceleration data therein, wherein when the battery management system is in communication with a battery, the accelerometer can obtain the acceleration data relating to the battery, and the microcontroller can operate to disconnect the battery from a load connected thereto should the acceleration data meet or exceed a threshold limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Green Cubes Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Cooper, Vijayendra Jannu, Nagaraj Govindaiah
  • Patent number: 12097785
    Abstract: A mounted object detection device includes: a load sensor in which a plurality of sensor parts each configured to detect a load are disposed in a matrix shape; and a controller configured to detect a situation of a mounted object on the load sensor on the basis of an output from the load sensor. The controller: detects a load distribution on a detection region of the load sensor on the basis of an output from the load sensor; discerns which of a person or animal and a thing the mounted object is, on the basis of the load distribution; and when having discerned that the mounted object is a thing, discerns whether or not a person or an animal is mounted on the thing, on the basis of temporal change in the load distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Furuya, Yuta Moriura, Hironobu Ukitsu, Susumu Uragami, Yoshinori Matsui
  • Patent number: 12091029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing visual information about a first vehicle (1) in an environment (4) of a second vehicle (2). The method comprises the step of detecting a reduced visibility of the first vehicle (1) in the environment (4) of the second vehicle (2) and the steps of transmitting an image captured by a camera (7) of the first vehicle (1) to a display device of the second vehicle (2) and of integrating an object (13) representing the first vehicle (1) into the image displayed on the display device of the second vehicle (2). The object (13) is represented in the image (12) at a position which corresponds to the current position of the first vehicle (1) in the environment (4) of the second vehicle (2). The invention further relates to a computer program, a computer-readable medium and a driver assistance system (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventor: Arnaud Huille
  • Patent number: 12096166
    Abstract: A method at a sensor apparatus, the method including calculating a value for a target function based on at least one sensor of the sensor apparatus; determining that the value of the target function is within a defined threshold range for a defined time period, thereby finding an in-flight state for the sensor apparatus; and turning off transmission from a radio of the sensor apparatus based on the in-flight state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Zhijun Cai, Shouxing Qu, Yu Gao, Gaëlle Christine Martin-Cocher, Jesse William Bennett
  • Patent number: 12090942
    Abstract: A personal mobility device configured for preventing a plurality of occupants from riding therein and a method of controlling stability therefor, may include a sensor unit including a plurality of sensors configured to detect a current boarding weight on the personal mobility apparatus, a pressure applied to a deck, and a driving speed, a communication unit configured to transmit and receive data to or from a communication terminal device of a user, and a controller configured to analyze information on a weight of the user, provided from the communication unit, and sensing information provided from the sensor unit, to determine whether a plurality of occupants rides in the personal mobility device, and to control an operation of the driving unit, preventing an accident when a plurality of occupants rides therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: So Jeong Kim
  • Patent number: 12083985
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a frontal collision includes a controller, one or more crash sensors for sensing a frontal collision, and an active sensor for detecting objects in the path of the vehicle. The controller is configured to implement crash discrimination metrics that detect the occurrence of a frontal collision in response to signals received from the crash sensors. The crash discrimination metrics implement thresholds for determining whether the signals received from the crash sensors indicate the occurrence of a frontal collision. The controller is configured to implement an algorithm that uses information obtained from the active sensor to detect an object in the path of the vehicle and to select the thresholds implemented in the crash discrimination metrics in response to detecting the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Kiran Balasubramanian, Harald Pfriender, Charles A Bartlett, Andreas Fleckner
  • Patent number: 12077117
    Abstract: A passenger protection system for a vehicle includes a vehicle sensor control system having at least one processor and computerized memory storing vehicle control software therein, wherein the vehicle control software receives input data from a plurality of vehicle sensors. A digital control sequence is triggered in the software by a presence of at least one occupant other than a driver in the vehicle who is classified as a child, with the digital control sequence activating and de-activating an alert system and a system of electronically programmed interlocks in a vehicle control system. The alert system includes at least one of an audible alert and/or a visible alert and/or a haptic alert to ensure child safety in the vehicle during operation. The interlocks may electronically control numerous vehicle functions including window operation, seat position adjustment, and seat belt position adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Jason Lisseman, Leonard Cech
  • Patent number: 12079702
    Abstract: A system and method for a host vehicle to assess risk for road users is disclosed. The host vehicle monitors its surrounding driving environment and sends alerts to road users if a threat is detected. The host vehicle can determine the best course of action to mitigate a threat, and coordinate such action. The host vehicle comprises processing circuitry configured to perform the foregoing tasks. Further, the host vehicle may use a machine learning-based system comprising a trained neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Domeyer, Benjamin P. Austin, John K. Lenneman
  • Patent number: 12065136
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle, and includes a radar sensor disposed at the vehicle and sensing forward of the vehicle. Data is wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle to a data cloud. Data is wirelessly received at the vehicle from the data cloud concerning a potential hazard existing forward of the vehicle that has not yet been detected via processing by at a processor of image data captured by the camera and/or radar data captured by the radar sensor. Responsive at least in part to the vehicular control system detecting the potential hazard via processing at the processor of image data captured by the camera and/or radar data captured by the radar sensor, the vehicular control system controls at least one vehicle function of the vehicle to mitigate collision with the potential hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Achim Gieseke, Bernhard Thaler, Goerg Pflug
  • Patent number: 12066916
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to using memory device sensors are described. Some memory system or device types include sensors embedded in their circuitry. For instance, another device can be coupled to a memory device with an embedded sensor. The memory device can transmit a signal representing sensor data generated by the embedded sensor using a sensor output coupled to the other device. A controller coupled to a memory device may determine one or more threshold values of a sensor or sensors embedded in a memory device. The memory device may transmit an indication responsive to one or more sensors detecting a value greater or less than a threshold and may transmit the indication to another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl M. O'Donnell, Erica M. Gove, Zahra Hosseinimakarem, Debra M. Bell, Roya Baghi
  • Patent number: 12066555
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the angle of arrival AOA of Wi-Fi packets, using a switched beam antenna SBA is described. Wide antenna beams, quadrants, are selected in turn and a burst of packets is transmitted on each quadrant. The quadrant with the highest average signals strength is selected. Then the narrow antenna beams that make up that selected quadrant are selected, in sequence, and the average signal strength for each narrow beam is recorded. The narrow beam with the highest average signal strength is returned as the AOA. Based upon which narrow beam recorded the highest signal strength, the next sequence of antenna beams is selected. When the SBA is mounted on a mobile platform, the parameters of the transmission bursts are chosen such that the angular error due to cornering of the platform is negligible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: SR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Busser, Graham K. Smith, Mark Passler, Phillip Louis Roccapriore
  • Patent number: 12060021
    Abstract: A driving control device is configured to control driving of occupant protection devices to be mounted on a vehicle. The driving control device includes a detection result acquisition unit, a collision form estimation unit, and a device selection unit. The detection result acquisition unit acquires a detection result of an object ahead of the vehicle before collision. The collision form estimation unit estimates a form of collision that may occur with the object based on the detection result. When a collision between the vehicle and the object is detected, the device selection unit selects which of the occupant protection devices should be driven based on the collision form estimated by the collision form estimation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Airi Yoshida, Kazumasa Sakurai, Naohito Takasuka
  • Patent number: 12055936
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electronic control unit that includes a processor; and one or more processor-readable instructions; and an occupant detection sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a presence of an occupant. When executed by the processor, the one or more processor-readable instructions cause the vehicle to: record a route from a first location to a second location, and autonomously return to the first location from the second location using the recorded route based on the signal received from the occupant detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Gregg, Brandon D. Northcutt, Yasuyuki Kohaya, Stephen Hughes