Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080302014 | Method and apparatus for positioning a motor actuated vehicle accessory - A method and apparatus are disclosed for positioning a motor actuated vehicle accessory. A vehicle window having a touch receptive field is used to detect touch events of a touch command applied by a vehicle occupant. A control unit, which is coupled to the touch receptive field and the motor actuated vehicle accessory, operates to position the motor actuated vehicle accessory in accordance with the touch command applied by the vehicle occupant. Exemplary embodiments are presented where the principles of the invention are applied to the positioning of a power window, a power mirror, and a power sunroof window of a vehicle. | 12-11-2008 |
20090002184 | Apparatus and method for positioning a movable component of a motor actuated device - An apparatus and method are disclosed for positioning a movable component of a motor actuated device. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes a speech sensor for receiving speech input provided by a user of the device, and a force sensor for measuring a force input provided by the device user. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to the speech sensor, the force sensor, and the motor actuated vehicle accessory, where the controller is operable to position the movable component in accordance with the received speech input and the measured force input. Exemplary embodiments are presented where the principles of the disclosure are applied to adjust the positioning of movable components of an adjustable pedal assembly and a vehicle power seat. | 01-01-2009 |
20090005974 | Fuel cost predictor system - A vehicle navigation system that provides one or more route choices based on various factors that will reduce travel cost, particularly fuel cost. A fuel cost predictor algorithm weights the various factors to determine the most cost effective route. The factors can include anything that affects fuel and/or vehicle costs, such as distance traveled, driving conditions, such as temperature, snow, ice, etc., fuel prices along the route, terrain, vehicle diagnostics, traffic congestion, driver operating behavior, desired arrival time, rare traffic events, average speed, etc. | 01-01-2009 |
20090108607 | Active Material Enabled Self-Actuated Devices - A self-actuating device includes a member in physical communication with a vehicle surface and an active material. The member is configured to have at least a first form and a second form, wherein one of the first form and the second form is configured to stow the member and the other of the first form and the second form is configured to present the member. The active material is in operable communication with the member. The active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal and the change in at least one property is effective to transition the member from one of the forms to another of the forms. | 04-30-2009 |
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 |
20120135747 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM DESTINATION ENTRY - A system and method for entering a destination into a navigation system, usually a vehicle navigation system, that reduces the cognitive load on the vehicle user over known systems. The method includes contacting the destination by any suitable and available manner, such as by a cell phone provided on or in the vehicle, through the internet, through an ad-hoc network, etc., where information concerning the GPS location of the destination is sent back to the navigation system and is displayed on the navigation system screen. If the destination is accurate, the vehicle driver can select that destination, such as by touching an icon on the screen, which would allow the destination entry process to be performed while the vehicle was moving. | 05-31-2012 |
20130076787 | DYNAMIC INFORMATION PRESENTATION ON FULL WINDSHIELD HEAD-UP DISPLAY - A method to dynamically register a graphic representing essential vehicle information onto a driving scene of a subject vehicle utilizing a substantially transparent windscreen head up display includes monitoring subject vehicle information and identifying the essential vehicle information based on the monitored subject vehicle information. The graphic representing the essential vehicle information is determined and determining, and a preferred location for the graphic upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display is dynamically registering in accordance with minimizing an operator's head movement and eye saccades for viewing the graphic. The graphic is displayed upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display based upon the preferred location. | 03-28-2013 |
20130141250 | DRIVING MANEUVER ASSIST ON FULL WINDSHIELD HEAD-UP DISPLAY - A method to dynamically register a graphic on a driving scene of a source vehicle utilizing a graphic projection display includes monitoring source vehicle information and monitoring road information. A preferred driving maneuver and a driving scene location of the preferred driving maneuver are identified based on the monitored source vehicle information and the monitored road information. A graphic exemplifying the preferred driving maneuver is determined and a location of the graphic is dynamically registering upon the graphic projection display corresponding to the driving scene. The dynamically registered location is based on the driving scene location of the preferred driving maneuver. The graphic is displayed upon the graphic projection display. | 06-06-2013 |
20130142385 | VEHICLE GHOSTING ON FULL WINDSHIELD DISPLAY - A method to display a ghosting image upon a transparent windscreen head-up display in a vehicle includes monitoring an operating environment of the vehicle, monitoring a driver registration input, determining a registered desired location graphic illustrating a future desired location for the vehicle based upon the operating environment of the vehicle and the driver registration input, and displaying the registered desired location graphic upon the head-up display. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144521 | OPTIMUM DRIVING PATH ON FULL WINDSHIELD DISPLAY - A method to display a registered driving path image upon a transparent windscreen head-up display in a source vehicle includes monitoring an operating environment of the source vehicle, monitoring a driver registration input, determining a registered driving path image based upon the operating environment of the source vehicle and the driver registration input, and displaying the registered driving path image upon the head-up display. | 06-06-2013 |
20130147840 | PROJECTED REAR PASSENGER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - A method for augmenting a graphic displayed on a surface inside of a vehicle using a rear seat entertainment projection (RSEP) system includes generating the graphic for display on the surface inside the vehicle. When the graphic is displayed on the surface, an input that causes a reaction to the graphic displayed upon the surface is obtained, and the graphic displayed on the surface is augmented based on the reaction to the graphic. | 06-13-2013 |
20130188258 | OPTIMUM GAZE LOCATION ON FULL WINDSCREEN DISPLAY - A method to display a registered graphic upon a substantially transparent windscreen head-up display within a source vehicle includes monitoring an operating environment of the source vehicle, monitoring a driver registration input, determining a recommended continuous gaze location based upon the operating environment and the driver registration input, and displaying the registered graphic upon the substantially transparent windscreen head-up display. | 07-25-2013 |
20130207758 | SELECTABLE AND CONTROLLABLE DETENT USING SPATIALLY MODULATED MAGNETIC FIELDS - A detent device or mechanism may include a strut comprising at least one strut magnetic array, at least one detent magnetic array, and other components and systems. The at least one detent magnetic array and the at least one strut magnetic array may, for example, apply a magnetic detent force to the strut. | 08-15-2013 |
20130341137 | High energy density magnetic springs using spatially modulated magnetic fields technology - A magnetic spring utilizing spatially modulated magnetic field patterns of magnetic regions for both stator and slider, allowing custom force curves over the range of motion. Also disclosed is a magnetic spring whose slider can be rotated relative to the stator on the axis, such that the alignment of the spatially modulated magnetic field patterns of the slider and the stator is altered, resulting in changeable force curve for the spring, selected by rotating the slider. | 12-26-2013 |
20140232500 | OBJECT RETENTION ON INTERIOR VEHICULAR COMPONENTS UTILIZING CODED MAGNETS - A method of and attachment system for securing and manipulating attractive objects upon an interior vehicular surface, utilizing at least one coded magnet to selectively attach/retain the objects, and provide various other functions, including aiding in alignment, orientation, and retrieval of the objects, and activating an associated sub-system. | 08-21-2014 |