Control Of Vehicle Safety Devices (e.g., Airbag, Seat-belt, Etc.) Patents (Class 701/45)
-
Patent number: 8744691Abstract: An adaptive, human-machine-interaction, system and method for executing system-actions at times in accordance with performance times of past user-actions to either accommodate user habits or to modify user behavior.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Omer Tsimhoni, Claudia V. Goldman-Shenhar, Mario Jodorkovsky
-
Patent number: 8744690Abstract: A method for determining a criterion of the severity of an accident by means of an acceleration signal and a solid-borne sound signal. The signal edge direction of the absolute value of the acceleration signal is detected. If the signal edge of the absolute value of the acceleration signal drops, the solid-borne sound signal which occurs in the process is evaluated. The solid-borne sound signal may be integrated and the criterion of the severity of the accident is derived therefrom. This criterion of the severity of the accident can be used directly, or as a function of criteria, to trigger the protection devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Michael Feser, Christian Smykalla, Andreas Forster, Udo Geissler
-
Patent number: 8744397Abstract: A system and method for providing profile information for occupants of a vehicle to a service provider. The system may communicate with at least one mobile device to receive an identification from each mobile device. The system may store profile information of an occupant associated with each identification. The system may communicate with the service provider to transmit the profile information associated with the mobile devices if a crash condition is identified and communication with the mobile device occurred during a time period just prior to the crash condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert Gee, Shafer Seymour
-
Patent number: 8744642Abstract: A system for identifying a driver comprises an image capturing device, a processor, and a memory. The image is captured during vehicle operation and of an expected driver location. The processor is configured to detect a face of a driver in the image, determine a set of face data from the image, and identify the driver based at least in part on the set of face data. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Lytx, Inc.Inventors: Syrus C. Nemat-Nasser, Andrew Tombras Smith
-
Publication number: 20140148998Abstract: A vehicle intersection monitoring method includes exchanging host vehicle information and remote vehicle information between a host vehicle and a remote vehicle, identifying a road intersection based on at least one of the host vehicle information and the remote vehicle information, and selecting an intersection scenario from a plurality of intersection scenarios based on the host vehicle information and the remote vehicle information. The method further includes monitoring, by operation of a processor, a location relationship between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle according to an algorithm that is determined based on the selected intersection scenario, to determine whether a possibility of contact between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle exists proximate to the intersection, and performing a threat mitigation operation while the possibility of contact exists.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2012Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Roy W. Goudy, Neal Probert, Andrew Christensen, Jeremy Chambers
-
Patent number: 8733790Abstract: An active safety apparatus for vehicles and a method of controlling the apparatus, which can actively control the operation of a safety device, such as an airbag device or a seatbelt device installed in a vehicle for restraining a passenger behavior and protecting a passenger in a vehicle collision, based on the conditions of a vehicle collision and the passenger behavior which vary depending on the conditions of the vehicle collision, thereby optimally protecting the passenger for the conditions of the vehicle collision and improving passenger safety of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Sogang UniversityInventors: Jae Haeng Yoo, Dae Young Kwak, Hyun Yong Jeong, Won Min Choi
-
Patent number: 8738223Abstract: An electronic control device is mounted in a vehicle and controls a control target provided in the vehicle. An acceleration sensor detects an acceleration of the vehicle. An angular velocity sensor detects an angular velocity of the vehicle. The acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor are mounted on an electronic substrate. A housing accommodates the electronic substrate and is fixed to a body of the vehicle. The electronic substrate is fixed to the housing at least four fixing points, and the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor are arranged in the smallest target area from among a plurality of areas having multiple points selected from the at least four fixing points as vertexes.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Fujitsu Ten LimitedInventors: Nobumasa Tokui, Yoshiyuki Haji
-
Patent number: 8733791Abstract: A pressure sensor, which detects a pressure in a space close to an inner side of an exterior member of a vehicle, and an occupant protecting device, which protects an occupant inside a vehicle are provided. An electronic control unit determines an occurrence of collision in the case where the pressure and a change per unit time of the pressure each satisfy a collision condition, and then makes the occupant protecting device operate. At this time, the collision condition is set to restrict the determination indicative of an occurrence of collision unless the change per unit time of the pressure is larger with lowering the pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoki Ikuta, Shunichi Katsumata, Motomi Iyoda, Yusuke Mase
-
Patent number: 8738233Abstract: An apparatus for determining seat occupancy includes a seat for a vehicle, which has a seating portion, right and left load detecting portions arranged between a vehicle floor and either one of a front portion and a rear portion of the seating portion, the right load detecting portion detecting a load applied to a right side of the seating portion, the left load detecting portion detecting a load applied to a left side of the seating portion, and a seat occupancy determining portion calculating a seating load of the seat on the basis of the detected loads and determining the seat occupancy of the seat by comparing the seating load with a predetermined threshold value, wherein the seat occupancy determining portion varies the predetermined threshold value depending on of a difference value between the loads applied to the right and left sides, respectively, of the seating portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Muneto Inayoshi, Akira Enomoto, Hiroyuki Fujii
-
Publication number: 20140142812Abstract: An airbag ECU includes a voltage detection section that detects a voltage in a power supply supplied to other control units (for example, front passenger seat occupancy sensing ECU). In addition, the airbag ECU includes a timer that measures an elapsed time after the voltage detected by the voltage detection section falls in a preset voltage range and a recording section that records the elapsed time measured by the timer on a memory when a failure of the other control units is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: Bosch CorporationInventor: Kenji Arai
-
Patent number: 8730020Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle to emanate an audible alert. The method includes determining when the vehicle is operating, and controlling a speaker system in the vehicle to emanate the audible alert outside of the vehicle for a period of time when the vehicle is operating. The audible alert has a sound profile that includes a simultaneous emanation of a first audible frequency component at a first sound pressure level and a second audible frequency component at a second sound pressure level, with the first and second sound pressure levels being greater than a sound pressure level of the sound profile at all other frequencies. The method further includes modulating the first sound pressure level of the first audible frequency component.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata
-
Patent number: 8731736Abstract: A system for preventing driving skill atrophy comprises a trainer module that determines the driver's current skill level, disables certain automated features based on the determined skill level, and forces the driver to use and hone her driving skills. The system collects data to determine through on-board vehicle sensors how a driver is driving the vehicle. The system then compares the driver's current driving skills with the driver's historical driving skills or the general population's driving skills. Based on the comparison, the system determines whether the driver's skill level is stagnant, improving or deteriorating. If the skill level is improving, for example, the system disables certain automated driving features to give driver more control of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hsuan Chang
-
Patent number: 8725596Abstract: A computerized vehicle control system and device for limiting the functionality of a mobile asset (e.g., vehicle) capable of performing a plurality of mobile asset functions. The device includes an asset monitor, a mobile wireless transceiver, and a mobile asset processor. The asset monitor is in communication with a first mobile asset for collecting monitored data associated with the first mobile asset. The mobile wireless transceiver is adapted to interface with a management computer. The mobile asset processor is adapted to receive the monitored data from the asset monitor; determine that a first mobile asset function of the plurality of mobile asset functions should be limited; and limit operation of the first mobile asset function. The mobile asset control device can be adapted to override the functionality of the mobile asset, based on the navigation, relative location of the mobile asset, or business rules.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: I.D. Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth S. Ehrman, Michael L. Ehrman, Jeffrey M. Jagid, Joseph M. Pinzon, Yaron Hecker, Leonard Pimentel
-
Patent number: 8725346Abstract: A system for vehicle safety enhancement is disclosed. The system comprises a sudden slowdown detection subsystem, a slight bump detection subsystem, an airbag activation and brake malfunction detection subsystem, and a rollover detection subsystem. A controlling unit is connected to each subsystem for determining a severity level of a collision involving a vehicle, and the controlling unit is in turn connected to a communication unit for sending an alert signal based on the severity level. A method for vehicle safety enhancement is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Hong Kong Productivity CouncilInventors: Yangsheng Xu, Guoqing Xu, Yongquan Chen, Huihuan Qian, Xin Shi, Ning Ding, Wing Kwong Chung, Yuandong Sun, Maxwell Chow
-
Patent number: 8725380Abstract: A method of and system for detecting absolute acceleration along various axes relative to a desired movement vector while moving relative to a gravity source includes steps of determining a vertical acceleration, perpendicular to the desired movement vector and substantially anti-parallel to a gravitational acceleration due to the gravity source; determining a longitudinal acceleration, parallel to the desired movement vector and to output at vertical acceleration signal and a longitudinal acceleration signal; determining an inclination of the desired movement vector relative to the gravitational acceleration; and processing the vertical acceleration signal, the longitudinal acceleration signal, and the inclination signal to produce an absolute vertical acceleration signal and an absolute longitudinal acceleration signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Vision Works IP CorporationInventors: Alfred S. Braunberger, Beau M. Braunberger
-
Patent number: 8718876Abstract: A vehicular electronic control apparatus includes a mother unit having a microcomputer, a plurality of ECU modules connected to the mother unit detachably and configured to execute respective vehicle controls, an operation data communication section for communicating with the microcomputer operation data used by the plurality of ECU modules in executing respective control operation processing, and alternative operation execution section for causing at least one of the other ECU modules and the microcomputer to execute, as an alternative operation, at least a part of the arithmetic operation processing, which is to be executed by at least one of the plurality of the ECU modules.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Yasushi Matsumura, Eiichi Kamei
-
Patent number: 8708366Abstract: A safety system for a motor vehicle includes a sensor suite detecting a lateral impact and a vehicle yaw, an occupant safety system, and a control module receiving signals from the sensor suite. The control module activates the occupant safety system if either: a) an impact magnitude detected by the sensor suite is greater than a first impact threshold and a vehicle yaw magnitude detected by the sensor suite is greater than a yaw threshold; or b) the impact magnitude is greater than a second impact threshold higher than the first impact threshold. The system may be operated to determine a longitudinal location of the impact on the vehicle by comparing a magnitude of the impact and a magnitude of the vehicle yaw. The occupant safety system may then be activated in a mode based upon the longitudinal location of the impact and/or appropriate for a spinning vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Todd N. Clark, Jialiang Le
-
Patent number: 8712659Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preventing tip-over of a motor vehicle in the lateral direction, in which a finite number of predefined driving states is specified; in which a determination is made as to which of the predefined driving states the vehicle is in instantaneously, the predefined driving state thus determined being dependent on sensor signals and on that predefined driving state in which the vehicle was most recently; and as a function of the predefined driving state instantaneously present, at least one braking intervention is carried out in order to prevent the tip-over.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Martin Kieren, Gero Nenninger, Matthew Nimmo, Flavio Nardi, Wadim Napolskich, Andris Samsons
-
Publication number: 20140110952Abstract: A system for controlling a locking module for a vehicle door having an electronic latch mechanism is provided. An electronic handle switch is operatively connected to the door and a controller. The electronic handle switch is configured to at least partially control operation of the electronic latch mechanism. The locking module is configured to block the electronic handle switch, thereby preventing the door from being unlatched. The locking module is enabled when one or more predefined operating parameters are met. The controller disables the locking module when one or more entry conditions are satisfied. At least one sensor is operatively connected to the controller, the sensor being configured to indicate one of two states, a first state and a second state. The entry conditions include at least one sensor indicating the second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Richard J. Lange, Phillip C. Storck, III
-
Patent number: 8706357Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provides an automatic deployable flight recorder (ADFR) system that includes a deployable fight recorder, a plurality of crash sensors, and a recorder release unit. The recorder release unit is communicatively coupled to the deployable fight recorder and the plurality of crash sensors, and is configured to initiate deployment of the deployable flight data recorder from an aircraft when a deployment criteria that is adjusted based on a flight condition of the aircraft is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: DRS C3 & Aviation CompanyInventors: Blake van den Heuvel, Ari Kaufmann, Vincent James O'Hara
-
Patent number: 8706360Abstract: Disclosed is a headrest position adjusting device provided with a distance measuring device and drive motor units. The distance measuring device is provided with a plurality of detection electrodes and a detection circuit including a plurality of capacitance detection circuits and a computation circuit. The computation circuit uses capacitance values, position information from the detection electrodes, and a high-degree function with a degree of at least 3 to compute a high-degree curve in a two-dimensional coordinate system with capacitance on the y-axis and detection-electrode position on the x-axis. The computation circuit computes the highest-degree coefficient of the high-degree curve and determines the distance between a head and a front part of a headrest on the basis of the computed highest-degree coefficient. On the basis of the measurement result, the headrest position adjusting device moves the front part of the headrest towards the front or back of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.Inventors: Yuichiro Yamaguchi, Ryouhei Sakurai, Takuya Osaki, Yuki Noguchi
-
Patent number: 8700266Abstract: A data recording apparatus for a vehicle equipped with an occupant protection device includes main and safing sensors for detecting acceleration of the vehicle, a temporary memory section for storing main and safing calculation values respectively calculated from detection results of the main and safing sensors, a control section for controlling the occupant protection device based on the main and safing calculation values and for determining whether a predetermined condition associated with the acceleration is satisfied, and a recording section for recording the main calculation value upon determination of the control section that the condition is satisfied. The recording section records the main calculation value for a first period before the determination and records the main calculation value for a second period after the determination. The recording section further records the safing calculation value for the second period.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Shinichi Kiribayashi
-
Patent number: 8700257Abstract: A method and device for use in pedestrian-vehicular collisions in which an active hood lift system is deployed to a first elevated lift position and maintained at the deployed position for an interval after which it is lowered, thereby controlling pedestrian impact kinetics and reducing forces that can result pedestrian injuries.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Atsutaka Tamura, Stefan Duma
-
Patent number: 8698611Abstract: A device for determining the instant a vehicle makes contact with an impact object. The device determines the instant of contact by approximating a signal derived from an acceleration signal using a function.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Marc Theisen
-
Patent number: 8700265Abstract: The disclosed capacitance sensing apparatus may be used in an occupant classification system. The sensing apparatus may comprise a sensor pad, a sensing element disposed on the sensor pad for sensing capacitive current, at least one additional electronic element disposed on the sensor pad for providing information related to another parameter, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism may electrically connect the at least one additional electronic element to the sensing element during the capacitance measurements and electrically disconnect the at least one additional electronic element from the sensing element after the capacitance measurement.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: James Gregory Stanley, George Theos, Phil Maguire, Joe Slis
-
Patent number: 8698511Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system (10) comprises a sine signal generator (12) to apply a sine voltage signal to an antenna electrode (14) and a current measurement circuit (18, 20, 28, 30, 40) to measure current signals, based upon which a control and evaluation unit determines and outputs an occupancy state. The signal generator (12) is coupled to the antenna electrode via an amplitude adjustment stage (13), configured to adjust the amplitude of said sine voltage signal applied to said antenna electrode to an amplitude selected among at least two discrete amplitudes. The control and evaluation circuit selects one of the discrete amplitudes at a time and causes the amplitude adjustment stage to adjust the amplitude of said the voltage signal applied to the antenna electrode accordingly. The control and evaluation circuit carries out an interference detection mode and an occupant detection mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventors: Christoph Wendt, Darren Khan, Michael Puetz, Marc Tonteling, Gianluca Favalli
-
Patent number: 8700267Abstract: A system and a method are provided for receiving and recording a closure panel release request. The system comprises an input device for transmitting the closure panel release request, a closure mechanism for securing the closure panel in the closed position, and a processor that is coupled to the vehicle, the closure mechanism, and the input device. The processor is configured to receive the closure panel release request and set a condition indicating that the closure panel is released from the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Richard J. Lange
-
Patent number: 8684402Abstract: An airbag control apparatus of a vehicle includes an occupant determination device, a deployment determination device, a storage device, an airbag controller, and a voltage variation detector. The airbag controller is configured to control deployment of an airbag based on the deployment/non-deployment information. The voltage variation detector is configured to detect a variation in a voltage of an in-vehicle battery and configured to output voltage variation information to the airbag controller. If the voltage variation information indicates that the voltage detected by the voltage variation detector varies, the airbag controller controls the airbag based on deployment/non-deployment information stored in the storage device immediately before the airbag controller receives the voltage variation information indicating that the voltage detected by voltage variation detector varies.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daiki Ohara, Kazuo Matsuda, Hirohito Matsubara
-
Patent number: 8686940Abstract: Haptic alert waveform generation method and system for use with haptic actuators that impart haptic sensations according to a waveform of an input signal used to control the haptic actuator. The shape and/or amplitude of the waveform may be controlled according to information collected from various vehicle systems, allowing virtually any type of waveform to generate and used to impart virtually any type of haptic sensations.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: John F. Nathan, Karl Kennedy, Santosh Karumathil
-
Patent number: 8678126Abstract: A motor vehicle having a first vehicle seat, a first seat belt, assigned to the first vehicle seat and having an assigned first receptacle, at least one second vehicle seat, a second seat belt, assigned to the second vehicle seat and having an assigned second receptacle, a first receptacle sensor for determining whether the first seat belt is engaged in the first receptacle, a second receptacle sensor for determining whether the second seat belt is engaged in the second receptacle, and a man-machine interface for outputting a start command. In addition, the motor vehicle includes a control unit for generating the start command and for determining the time from the outputting of the start command to the engaging of the first seat belt in the first receptacle and the time from the outputting of the start command to the engaging of the second seat belt in the second receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Volkswagen AGInventor: Matthew Jolda
-
Patent number: 8682534Abstract: A method for crash testing a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method provides a crash test routine where an inflatable restraint is deployed using a single deployment pattern throughout at least one government regulation zone. This helps to prevent overlap of a transition zone and can help make the deployment of the inflatable restraint more predictable. This can increase occupant safety and simply testing.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryan Miller, Brian T. Allen
-
Publication number: 20140081526Abstract: A method for triggering at least one passenger protection means. The method includes a step of reading in a control signal which contains a command for carrying out an activation of the passenger protection means. Furthermore, method includes a step of releasing an activation of the passenger protection means as a response to the read-in control signal. Furthermore, the method includes a step of evaluating the control signal for the identification of the command for carrying out the activation of the passenger protection means and activating the passenger protection means as a response to an identified command for carrying out the activation of the passenger protection means to trigger the passenger protection means.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Markus RAPP, Ralf HENNE
-
Patent number: 8676500Abstract: A method of providing intersection assistance with a portable electronic device to remind a user of traffic rules when the user approaches traffic intersections includes receiving an input from the user indicating a destination location for generating navigation instructions to the destination location, determining a current location of the portable electronic device according to received position signals, providing navigation instructions to the destination location according to the current location of the portable electronic device, and reminding the user of traffic rules related to intersections for a geographical location in which the portable electronic device is currently located when the portable electronic device detects that the portable electronic device is approaching an intersection, where reminding the user of traffic rules related to intersections comprises indicating a side of a second road the user should turn onto when making a turn from a first road onto the second road.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Mitac International Corp.Inventor: Geoff Walsh
-
Patent number: 8676430Abstract: A vehicle can be controlled in a first autonomous mode of operation by at least navigating the vehicle based on map data. Sensor data can be obtained using one or more sensors of the vehicle. The sensor data can be indicative of an environment of the vehicle. An inadequacy in the map data can be detected by at least comparing the map data to the sensor data. In response to detecting the inadequacy in the map data, the vehicle can be controlled in a second autonomous mode of operation and a user can be prompted to switch to a manual mode of operation. The vehicle can be controlled in the second autonomous mode of operation by at least obtaining additional sensor data using the one or more sensors of the vehicle and navigating the vehicle based on the additional sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: David I. Ferguson, Dmitri Dolgov
-
Patent number: 8676447Abstract: To be configured inexpensively to enable cost reduction and sense sitting posture of an occupant highly accurately, occupant posture sensing apparatus 100 includes capacitance sensor unit 10 and circuit unit 20. Capacitance sensor unit 10 includes first and second sensing electrodes 11 and 12 provided at portions of vehicle interior ceiling 2 ahead of and right above a seat 40 and connected to capacitance sensing circuit 21 of circuit unit 20 and shield-driving circuit 23 through selector switches SW1 and SW2. CPU 29 of circuit unit 20 determines sitting posture of occupant (human body) 48 sitting on the seat 40 based on information regarding position of head 49 of the occupant 48 by using capacitance values detected by capacitance sensing circuit 21 based on capacitances from sensing electrodes 11 and 12. Posture information regarding the determined sitting posture is output to ECU mounted on a vehicle 1 and used for controlling air bag deployment, etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Togura, Koichi Ichihara, Koji Sakiyama
-
Patent number: 8676446Abstract: In a control unit for passenger protection and a method for triggering passenger protection devices, a Manchester-coded signal is supplied by an interface and the Manchester-coded signal is decoded by a coding unit, so that an analyzer unit performs the triggering of passenger protection devices as a function of the decoded signal. The decoding unit uses a shift register structure for decoding and oversampling for the Manchester-coded signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Timo Weiss
-
Patent number: 8676448Abstract: An occupant protection device includes (i) an electronic control unit having a control board, (ii) a parallel connection bus having two lines, (iii) multiple satellite sensors connected to the parallel connection bus, (iv) a squib connected to the parallel connection bus, and (v) an accident prevention diode located close to the squib. The control board includes an interface and a processor. Each of the satellite sensors includes a distributed system interface which is located between the two lines. The parallel connection bus is supplied with a sensor drive voltage. The electronic control unit starts to operate at least one of the occupant protection portions based on a result of the collision determination by the control board.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Shinji Ooyabu
-
Patent number: 8676450Abstract: A steering wheel position control system includes a head position acquisition part for acquiring a position of a head part of a driver, a seat movement detection part for detecting movement of a seat, on which the driver is seated, a steering wheel position calculation part for calculating a position of a steering wheel based on the position of the head part acquired by the head position acquisition part when the movement of the electric power seat is detected by the seat movement detection part, and a steering wheel position change part for moving the steering wheel to the position of the steering wheel calculated by the steering wheel position calculation part.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Kenji Kohara
-
Publication number: 20140074359Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle is utilized as an animal detection system. By using an infrared camera and other sensors and/or cameras the safety system may detect an object in an area around the vehicle. A controller analyzes data from the sensors and/or cameras and determines if the object is an animal. If the object is determined to be an animal the controller initiates a response to avoid or minimize the chance of impacting the animal. A warning signal(s) is provided to the vehicle operator. A deterrent signal(s) is used to deter the animal from approaching the vehicle. Also, the animal detection system may send a signal to at least one other safety system for the vehicle to provide a crash avoidance response and/or to provide a crash preparation response.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: Laurie Kay Lane
-
Patent number: 8670897Abstract: An in-vehicle mobile communication and routing apparatus for use with a taxi cab, public safety vehicle, delivery truck, fire truck, emergency vehicle, or any vehicle. Embodiments of the invention include a system incorporating the apparatus and a method for using the same. The mobile apparatus is attachable to a vehicle and includes a plurality of long-range transceivers communicatively coupled with one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle, and a plurality of short-range transceivers communicatively coupled with one or more devices external to the mobile apparatus and proximally located to the vehicle. An intelligent power supply is structured to monitor a battery condition of the vehicle and initiate a controlled shutdown of the mobile apparatus responsive to at least one of a timer countdown and a voltage threshold of a vehicle battery. Devices external to the mobile apparatus communicate with an in-vehicle processor and one or more remote databases.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Feeney Wireless, LLCInventor: Robert E. Ralson
-
Patent number: 8670915Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system is provided that calculates a risk potential indicative of a degree of convergence between the host vehicle and the preceding obstacle. A first driving assistance control system controls at least one of an actuation reaction force exerted by a driver-operated driving operation device and a braking/driving force exerted against the host vehicle based on the risk potential calculated. A second driving assistance control system controls the braking/driving force of the host vehicle such that a headway distance is maintained between the host vehicle and the obstacle. A transition detecting section detects a transition of operating states of the first and second driving assistance control systems. The control adjusting section adjusts the control executed by the first and second driving assistance control systems when a transition of operating state is detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2013Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyuki Kuge, Takayuki Kondoh, Akira Onozuka, Tomohiro Yamamura, Yoshiharu Kamisuki
-
Patent number: 8666563Abstract: A determination apparatus is provided which is installed in a vehicle. A longitudinal acceleration calculation unit obtains acceleration applied in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, removes an acceleration component corresponding to gravity from the acceleration, and regards the resultant value as longitudinal acceleration. A selection unit selects criteria data, when considering a first case where the absolute value of the longitudinal acceleration is a first value and a second case where the absolute value is a second value larger than the first value, so that a range of accelerator-opening variation by which occurrence of an erroneous application of the accelerator is determined or a range of accelerator-opening by which the occurrence is determined in the second case becomes larger than that in the first case. A determination unit determines the occurrence by applying the current variation in the accelerator-opening or the current accelerator-opening to the selected criteria data.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Daisuke Tokumochi
-
Publication number: 20140058631Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining that an infotainment system has been activated. The method further includes accessing a vehicle network containing at least a unique vehicle identifier. The method additionally includes comparing the unique vehicle identifier to a stored vehicle identifier. The method further includes permitting access to the infotainment system only if the unique vehicle identifier matches the stored vehicle identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Raymond Westra, Chad Evert Esselink, Uwe Zank, Simon John Hurr
-
Patent number: 8660757Abstract: A method and a control device for triggering passenger protection means for a vehicle are provided, at least one sensor signal from an accident sensor system being provided by an interface. Furthermore, at least two characteristics are generated from the sensor signal, which are mapped onto one single value range. The triggering of the passenger protection means occurs as a function of the at least two mapped characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Jens Becker, Marcus Hiemer
-
Patent number: 8660709Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating a vehicle operator. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an input device for allowing entry of vehicle operator identification information, a transceiver for transmitting a message and receiving a response to the message, an interface for allowing a processor to communication with a vehicle sub-system, and a processor connected to the input device, the transceiver, and the interface, the processor for receiving the vehicle operator identification information from the input device, for generating the message comprising the vehicle operation identification information and providing the message to the transceiver, for receiving the response from the transceiver and for controlling the vehicle sub-system, via the interface, based on the response.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Omnitracs, Inc.Inventors: John Harvey, Thomas F. Doyle, Michael L. Segal
-
Patent number: 8660754Abstract: The invention provides a steering system for a vehicle, a ship etc. The steering system has a steering handle for the operator of the vehicle, a set of signal processors, a sensor which determines a position of the steered element of the vehicle, and a controller which moves the steered element. The steered element could e.g. be the front wheels of a car. The signal processors are adapted to determine an error between the desired position of the steered element and an actual position of the steered element. In order to make the steering system more fault tolerant, the error signal is amplified based on the speed by which the steering handle is moved, and an error in the sensor therefore becomes less critical. The invention further provides a steering method, a steering control unit and a vehicle provided with a steering system of the mentioned kind.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss ApsInventors: John Kristensen, Preben Albrecht, Steve Crow, Kjeld Buus Jensen
-
Patent number: 8660756Abstract: A collision mitigation system for a vehicle has a frame assembly including a pair of frame members extending longitudinally along opposite lateral sides of a vehicle. A bumper beam extends across forward end portions of the pair of frame members. The bumper beam has a curved asymmetrical profile for guiding movement of the vehicle during a front-end offset crash event.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Michael A. Schrader
-
Publication number: 20140052342Abstract: A child seat-vehicle safety system for a passenger vehicle, including at least one child seat buckle signaling device, which includes a buckling detector, and a buckling detector for signaling the buckle status, and a portable controller device that attaches to the On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD-II) port of the vehicle, for detecting the status of the vehicle ignition system, receiving the buckle status signal, and generating an alarm signal in response to a predetermined condition of the ignition status and the buckle status signal. The portable controller device also can include an alarm that is responsive to the alarm signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Inventor: Joseph Seibert
-
Publication number: 20140052341Abstract: A sensor assembly for a motor vehicle adapted for sensing impacts including pedestrian impacts. The sensor assembly integrates functions of pressure based sensors used in one embodiment with a compressible tube extending laterally across the front surface of the vehicle and the outboard front boundary areas of the front end of the vehicle. Both acceleration and pressure based sensors are mounted into an integrated sensor housing which is mounted in a desired position at the vehicle front fascia front boundary areas. The system optimizes pressure based sensing while providing acceleration based sensing at the lateral boundary areas where supporting structure does not enable pressure based sensing. The invention further including sensor arrangements including discrete pressure and acceleration sensors deployed for detecting pedestrian impacts at the center and front boundary areas of the vehicle front end.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, Inc.Inventors: William M. Leach, Sylvia Pietzsch, Mustafa Cuma Celik, Herbert Höfelsauer, Joshua Forwerck
-
Patent number: 8655549Abstract: A vehicle driving control apparatus is provided with a lane detecting device, a future position estimating device and a vehicle control device. The lane detecting device detects a lane marker of a lane. The future position estimating device estimates a future transverse position of a host vehicle after a prescribed amount of time. The vehicle control device executes a vehicle control such that a yaw moment is imparted to the host vehicle toward a middle of the lane. The yaw moment is imparted upon determining that the future transverse position is positioned laterally farther toward an outside of the lane from the middle of the lane than a prescribed widthwise lane position that is determined in advance using the lane marker as a reference. The vehicle control device suppresses an impartation of the yaw moment device when a recognition degree of the lane marker is lower than a prescribed value.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhisa Hayakawa, Masahiro Kobayashi, Ko Sato, Shuhei Nishimaki