Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090024317 | System for gathering and distributing location information of vehicles - A vehicle has a navigation system including a controller, a display, a wireless transmitter/receiver and a global positioning unit to determine the location of the navigation system. The controller is configured to transmit, to an off-vehicle system the location of the navigation system, a unique identifier of the navigation system and a list of other navigation systems. In addition, the controller is configured to receive, via the transmitter/receiver, the location of any other navigation systems which listed that navigation system and to display the locations of the other navigation systems on the display. | 01-22-2009 |
20090024707 | Electronic Messaging System and Method For A Vehicle - A vehicle includes a body defining a passenger compartment and a messaging system having a user input device with a display. The input device receives an outgoing communication from an occupant and presents the outgoing communication on the display. The messaging system generates an outgoing e-mail message describing the outgoing communication, and containing a text file corresponding to a speech message and/or a digital image file describing a handwritten trace message, and transmits the outgoing e-mail message to a remote source. A method for exchanging electronic messages between a vehicle and a remote source includes recording an outgoing message using a user input device, generating an outgoing e-mail message by recording a voice message as a first electronic audio or text file and/or recording a handwritten trace of as a second electronic image file, and transmitting the e-mail message to the remote source. | 01-22-2009 |
20090176122 | METHOD OF FORMING CASTING WITH FRICTIONAL DAMPING INSERT - A method of making a frictionally damped part including providing a frictional damping insert including downwardly extending support legs stamped out of a body portion of the insert. | 07-09-2009 |
20090314404 | METHODS OF REDUCING TIRE ROLLING RESISTANCE UTILIZING ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATION - An adaptive tire employable by a vehicle traveling upon a surface, so as to define a rolling resistance, and including at least one active material element operable to selectively modify the resistance when activated. | 12-24-2009 |
20090315358 | COVER HAVING COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE BINS - A cover configured to overlay a space and secure at least one item, includes selectively collapsible storage bins, and preferably includes a retraction mechanism operable to stow the cover, and a guide for automatically causing the bins to collapse as the cover is stowed. | 12-24-2009 |
20100139539 | ADJUSTABLE THREADING UTENSIL AND STRUCTURE UTILIZING SHAPE MEMORY ACTUATION - A selectively and reversibly adjustable utensil, aperture forming structure, and stirrup, and methods of geometrically modifying an eye defined by the utensil, the aperture defined by the structure, and the stirrup, utilizing active material actuation, so as to facilitate entraining a filament within the eye or aperture, and securing the filament once entrained. | 06-10-2010 |
20100198754 | METHOD OF PROVIDING MODULAR BATTERY PACKS FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE - A method of offering or providing batteries for a hybrid or electric vehicle allows the customer to choose a vehicle electrical battery power rating that will match their expected driving range needs. Specifically, the method includes offering different modular battery packs for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle. Each of the different modular battery packs has a different number of interconnected batteries, a different energy level, and is configured to be operable for providing propulsion power to the vehicle. At least one of the different modular battery packs is installed on the hybrid or electric vehicle. The method may include recharging and/or recycling used battery back modules. | 08-05-2010 |
20100253688 | SCAN LOOP OPTIMIZATION OF VECTOR PROJECTION DISPLAY - A method for creating an efficient scan loop for displaying a vector projection graphic upon a substantially transparent windscreen head-up display includes determining a plurality of candidate scan loops to create a desired vector projection graphic, determining an efficiency metric for each of the plurality of candidate scan loops, determining the efficient scan loop for displaying the vector projection graphic based upon comparing the efficiency metrics, and utilizing the efficient scan loop to create the desired vector projection graphic upon the substantially transparent windscreen head-up display. | 10-07-2010 |
20110024010 | PERFORMANCE ADAPTIVE TIRES UTILIZING ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATION - An adaptive tire employable by a vehicle traveling upon a surface includes at least one active material element operable to selectively modify a structural component of the tire, and as a result a performance characteristic, such as the traction between the tire and surface, the ability for the tire to dampen standing waves, or the required mounting force, when activated. | 02-03-2011 |
20110105004 | FAN SYSTEM FOR VENTING A VEHICLE - A fan system includes a first fluid region having a first temperature and a second fluid region having a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. An energy harvesting system is disposed in contact with each of the first fluid region and the second fluid region. A fan is driven by an energy harvesting system in response to the temperature difference between the first fluid region and the second fluid region. | 05-05-2011 |
20110109448 | Method and System for Identifying Wet Pavement Using Tire Noise - A wet road surface detection system is provided for a vehicle driving on a road. The wet road surface detection system includes a sound sensing device coupled to the vehicle for capturing noise of the vehicle tires as the vehicle drives on a road surface. A processor processes sounds captured by the audible sensing device. The processor quantifies a variable sound level of the captured noise between a first frequency and a second frequency. The processor determines whether each quantified sound level between the first frequency and the second frequency is above a predetermined sound level threshold below the sound level at the first frequency. The processor determines that the vehicle is driving on a wet road surface in response to each quantified sound level between the first frequency and the second frequency being above a predetermined sound level threshold below the sound level at the first frequency. | 05-12-2011 |
20110181073 | PEDESTRIAN IMPACT MITIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - A system for and method of mitigating pedestrian impact utilizing an energy absorption member, such as an expandable honeycomb celled matrix, and at least one tether disposed within a recessed formation defined by the vehicle and interconnected to the member and a drive mechanism, wherein the member is selectively caused to extend and be spaced from an exterior surface. | 07-28-2011 |
20110205188 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AND DIFFERENTIATING USERS OF A DEVICE - An apparatus for operator control of an in-vehicle system includes an interface device for receiving inputs for control of the in-vehicle system from an operator hand, the interface device including a control panel having a visual display screen. The apparatus further includes a sensing system adjacent the interface device including an optical proximity sensor having a single infrared light source, a first plurality of directionally sensitive light receivers for detecting a first reflected infrared light from the infrared light source that is reflected by the operator hand only when the operator hand approaches the optical proximity sensor near the interface device from a driver side of the vehicle and a second plurality of directionally sensitive light receivers for detecting a second reflected infrared light from the infrared light source that is reflected by the operator hand only when the operator hand approaches the optical proximity sensor near the interface device from a passenger side of the vehicle. A controller generates a user-specific menu on the visual display screen based upon the first and second plurality of directionally sensitive light receivers detecting respective first and second reflected infrared light from the infrared light source. | 08-25-2011 |
20110229685 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEMPERATURE-COMPENSATED ENERGY-ABSORBING PADDING - Impact absorbing padding includes a unitary piece including a polymeric material comingled with a structural element. The polymeric material includes a material having a first temperature-responsive stiffness, and the structural element includes an element fabricated from a shape memory alloy formulated to have a second temperature-responsive stiffness that is converse to the first temperature-responsive stiffness. | 09-22-2011 |
20110293984 | Enhanced high voltage terminal cooling with a high thermal conductivity coating - A battery cell pack having improved heat transfer is described. In one embodiment, the battery cell pack includes a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having an anode foil and a cathode foil; a pair of taps, the first tap attached to the anode foil and the second tap attached to the cathode foil; wherein at least one battery cell has a high thermal conductivity coating on at least one side of the anode foil, or the cathode foil, or both; or at least one of the taps has a high thermal conductivity coating on at least one side; or both. Methods of improving the heat transfer of battery cell packs are also described. | 12-01-2011 |
20120161579 | TUBULAR ACTUATORS UTILIZING ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTIVATION - A tubular actuator including a flexible tube or roll, operable to shift between first and second configurations so as to define a stroke, and utilizing active material activation to produce, modify, and/or retain the stroke. | 06-28-2012 |
20120193154 | SEMI-AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE PROVIDING CARGO SPACE - A semi-autonomous vehicle includes a chassis having a repository on a plurality of wheels, a propulsion system, a steering system, a braking system, an extra-vehicle communications system, and an extra-vehicle sensory system. A control system of the semi-autonomous vehicle is operatively coupled to the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system and signally connected to the extra-vehicle sensory system and the extra-vehicle communications system. A non-load-bearing coupling mechanism of the semi-autonomous vehicle includes a connector, a flexible mechanical link element and a communications link. | 08-02-2012 |
20130073338 | CUSTOMER INPUT APPLICATION - A method of submitting customer-identified insights for improving a fleet of vehicles. A capturing application is distributed that allows a customer to record a customer identified insight. The capturing application is configured to transmit a recorded customer-identified insight to a receiving unit. Customer-identified insights are received at the receiving unit via a communication system. The customer-identified insights are aggregated in a storage database. The customer-identified insights in the storage database are analyzed to identify potential vehicle improvements. | 03-21-2013 |
20130155534 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING A DRIVER OF A VEHICLE TO VISIBLY OBSERVE OBJECTS LOCATED IN A BLIND SPOT - A system for enabling a driver of a vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot includes, but is not limited to, a rear view viewing device that is mounted to the vehicle and configured to be electronically adjustable. The system further includes a sensor that is associated with the vehicle and that is configured to detect a location of an object with respect to the vehicle and to generate a first signal indicative of the location of the object. The system further includes a processor that is communicatively coupled with the sensor and that is operatively coupled with the rear view viewing device. The processor is configured to obtain the first signal from the sensor and to command the rear view viewing device to adjust such that the object is visibly observable to the driver when the processor receives the first signal. | 06-20-2013 |
20140069318 | SPRING-BODIED DEVICE FOR IN-SITU OVERHEAT ALERT FOR EQUIPMENT - Malfunction or failure of mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical equipment, for example equipment used in manufacturing operations, is often preceded by an increase in the operating temperature of at least some portion of the equipment. Some pre-determined temperature, greater than the highest normal operating temperature of the equipment, is presumed or known to be indicative of impending equipment failure if no remedial action is taken. A resettable, temperature-sensitive device, containing a shape memory alloy actuator, pre-selected to operate at the pre-determined temperature, is disclosed. The device is placed in thermal contact with the equipment. If the equipment achieves the pre-determined temperature, the shape memory alloy actuator causes the device to display a flag or provide some other passive visual indication. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuator may trigger an electrically-powered alert including visual or audible alerts or a wireless communication. | 03-13-2014 |
20150039312 | CONTROLLING SPEECH DIALOG USING AN ADDITIONAL SENSOR - Methods and systems are provided for managing speech dialog of a speech system. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving information determined from a non-speech related sensor; using the information in a turn-taking function to confirm at least one of if and when a user is speaking; and generating a command to at least one of a speech recognition module and a speech generation module based on the confirmation. | 02-05-2015 |