Did You Know...
...that Robert Adler has the dubious distinction of being the Father of the Couch Potato? Back in 1955 Adler was employed by what was then Zenith Radio Corp., where he was charged to invent something that would allow viewers to turn down the TV volume without leaving their chairs. After a series of flops (such as a wired contraption that people tripped over), Adler hit on the idea of using sound waves. Thus the Remote Control was born...
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8169341 | Vehicle park assist system and method for parking a vehicle using such system A park assist system for parking a vehicle in a target parking space includes a sensing system. The sensing system determines whether there is a sufficient slot length in a target parking space too small to complete a parking maneuver in a single maneuver, but large... | 05/01/2012 |
| 8165751 | Method for detecting rollover of an automotive vehicle based on a lateral kinetic energy rate threshold A method for rollover sensing (12) that may be used in the determination of when to deploy restraints in a vehicle is disclosed herein. The method for rollover sensing (12) may include lateral acceleration sensors (22), a roll rate sensor (18... | 04/24/2012 |
| 8115582 | Inductor topologies with substantial common-mode and differential-mode inductance An inductor includes a core that has a window (164). The core includes a first core member and a second core member. A first winding is coupled to the first core member and a second winding is coupled to the second core member. A shell surrounds the core. Pai... | 02/14/2012 |
| 8065931 | Adjustable steering column assembly for a motor vehicle A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having lower and upper steering column members that are slidingly interengaged. The upper column member is attached to a structural part of the motor vehicle by a ride down mechanism that allows the upper s... | 11/29/2011 |
| 7979177 | System and method for updating vehicle computing platform configuration information A configurable vehicle computer is enabled based on identification information associated with a driver. Updates to the configurable vehicle computer are stored at a remote location. The updates are downloaded upon an authorized vehicle start-up. ... | 07/12/2011 |
| 7896121 | Automotive fuel storage system with in-tank fuel encapsulation system An automotive fuel tank storage system includes a fuel storage tank installed in a vehicle and a barrier fluid tank containing a supply of barrier fluid. A distribution system connected with the barrier fluid tank and with the fuel storage tank distributes barrier f... | 03/01/2011 |
| D626487 | Vehicle wheel | 11/02/2010 |
| 7719811 | FET monitoring and protecting system A FET monitoring and protecting system (10) that includes a FET switch device (20). The FET switch device (20) includes a FET (22), a logic device (57), and a feedback status output (26). The logic device (57) is elec... | 05/18/2010 |
| 7712776 | Method and control system for predictive deployment of side-impact restraints A side-impact control system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes an adaptive restraint (15). A side sensor (30) is configured to detect an object, in a restraint dependent detection zone (60) along a side (13) of the vehicle ( | 05/11/2010 |
| 7705717 | Method and apparatus for receiving signals from a sensor into a tire pressure monitoring system A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a receiver circuit (28). The vehicle (12) has a plurality of wheels (14A-14D). A plurality of antennas (31A-31D) are adjacent to one of ... | 04/27/2010 |
| 7702440 | Method and apparatus for detecting rollover of an automotive vehicle based on a lateral kinetic energy rate threshold A rollover sensing system (12) that may be used in the determination of when to deploy restraints in a vehicle is disclosed herein. The rollover sensing system (12) may include lateral acceleration sensors (22), a roll rate sensor (18), a... | 04/20/2010 |
| 7702425 | Object classification system for a vehicle A method of classifying objects within a vehicle (12) includes the detection of an object and the generation of an object detection signal in response to the detection. A range signal is generated in response to the object detection signal. An image detection... | 04/20/2010 |
| 7686332 | Integrated side impact air bag with single layer sail panels A two panel, woven, inflatable air bag with a single panel sail portion, and method of making the same. ... | 03/30/2010 |
| 7677080 | Dual mode contact sensor for automotive vehicle A dual mode contact sensor for an automotive vehicle includes an impact-responsive tubular sensing member, and a first linear contact which is closed with the outer surface of the tubular sensing member. A second linear contact is mounted within the tubular sensing ... | 03/16/2010 |
| 7654597 | Side impact arm rest retracting mechanism An armrest retracting mechanism for host vehicle armrests during side impact vehicle collision events. ... | 02/02/2010 |
| 7646884 | Active night vision image intensity balancing system A vision system (10) for a vehicle (14) includes a light source (46) that generates an illumination beam (20). A receiver (62) generates a first image signal and a second image signal. The first image signal is generated in respons... | 01/12/2010 |
| 7612658 | System and method of modifying programmable blind spot detection sensor ranges with vision sensor input A continuously programmable Blind Spot Detection System for vehicles that use continuous vision sensor input to determine lane offset and determine a maximum range limit for radar sensors to define an area of interest for declaration of objects within the blind spot... | 11/03/2009 |
| 7608822 | Active night vision thermal control system using wavelength-temperature characteristic of light source A thermal control system (11) for a light source (46) of a vision system (10) includes a heater (63) that is thermally coupled to the light source (46). A thermal sensor (60) is thermally coupled to the light source (46 | 10/27/2009 |
| 7607508 | Vehicle side collision occupant restraint system A safety restraint system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes a seat belt buckle (60) and a retractor (53) mounted approximately at or below a pelvic level of a vehicle occupant (98). A seat belt (52) extends over a side pelvic... | 10/27/2009 |
| 7597391 | Active head restraint with self resetting mechanism An apparatus includes a seat back having an outer surface that selectively contacts a seat occupant and a head restraint extending from the seat back that has a head restraint portion that selectively contacts the seat occupant. The head restraint portion is moveabl... | 10/06/2009 |
| 7597153 | Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir having multifunction control valve An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in res... | 10/06/2009 |
| D601068 | Vehicle instrument panel | 09/29/2009 |
| 7588114 | Seat belt retractor system A seat belt retractor system for a vehicle having a vehicle safety system. The seat belt is retracted at a faster rate when a threat is detected using a high-voltage generated by a local power source. ... | 09/15/2009 |
| 7578768 | Vehicle ignition switch A vehicle shifter assembly is disclosed which is mounted in an interior of a vehicle in operable connection with a vehicle transmission for selecting a mode of the transmission. The shifter has a base member, an ignition button, and a cover. The base member is mount... | 08/25/2009 |
| 7578535 | Headrest system for an automotive vehicle A headrest system for an automotive vehicle having a seat and a roof includes a headrest to limit the movement of a head of an occupant seated in the seat, a bracket to support the headrest and being attached with the headrest, and a track including a bracket receiv... | 08/25/2009 |
| 7556301 | Dynamically deconstructable armrest for automotive vehicle A dynamically deconstructable armrest for an automotive vehicle includes a number of walls extending from a mounting base so as to define a cavity within which arm contact member is seated. Compressive force directed laterally against at least one of the side walls ... | 07/07/2009 |
| 7541743 | Adaptive vehicle communication controlled lighting system A vehicle safety system (10) includes a light source (32). A beam-forming assembly (34) is optically coupled to the light source (32). An object detection sensor (16) detects an object and generates an object detection signal. A co... | 06/02/2009 |
| 7536247 | Method and apparatus for reconstructing an accident using side satellite lateral acceleration sensors An automotive vehicle (10) includes a restraint control module (12) coupled to a memory (50). During an impact, data from various sensors including lateral acceleration sensors (30,32) are stored in the memory (50). A computing dev... | 05/19/2009 |
| 7486802 | Adaptive template object classification system with a template generator A method of performing object classification within a collision warning and countermeasure system (10) of a vehicle (12) includes the generation of an object detection signal in response to the detection of an object (52). An image detection sig... | 02/03/2009 |
| 7480570 | Feature target selection for countermeasure performance within a vehicle A target selection system (21) for a vehicle (12) includes an object detection sensor (17) that generates object detection signals associated with multiple detected objects. A feature target selection module (30) selects secondary targets... | 01/20/2009 |
| 7469200 | Method and apparatus for predicting belt separation failure in aging tires by computer simulation A method has been invented for predicting the build-up of heat, material aging, and subsequent belt separation failure in rolling steel-belted pneumatic tires (20). The procedure employs finite element analysis and a new fatigue crack propagation model that t... | 12/23/2008 |
| 7455119 | Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir with pressure-configurable orifices An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in res... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7457692 | Occupant classification sensor calibration system A method of calibrating an occupant classification sensor (16) includes receiving a calibration signal originating from an on-board vehicle calibration device (24). A calibration task is performed that includes the initialization of an occupant classif... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7451830 | Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir with structural foam core An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in res... | 11/18/2008 |
| 7451829 | Automotive fire suppression system with a composite reservoir having a combination lower closure and propellant base A composite reservoir for an onboard fire suppression system includes an outer wall of composite material, with the outer wall having a generally cylindrical section. An inner reinforcement has a section inserted into the generally cylindrical section of the outer w... | 11/18/2008 |
| 7448452 | Automotive fire suppression system with a reinforced, double concave composite reservoir An onboard fire suppression system for a vehicle has at least one composite reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. The reservoir includes a pressure vessel formed from fiber-composite material and having at least one double concave section. At least one rein... | 11/11/2008 |
| 7447592 | Path estimation and confidence level determination system for a vehicle A path prediction system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes vehicle state sensors (18) that generate vehicle state signals. A tracking sensor (20) generates a path characteristic signal. A path prediction module (16) determines predi... | 11/04/2008 |
| 7444240 | Collision avoidance system having GPS enhanced with OFDM transceivers An object relative status determination system (54) for a vehicle (52) includes an orthogonal frequency domain modulation (OFDM) transceiver (56) that generates an object range signal (83). The system (54) may also include a global... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7431333 | Occupant safety-restraint system and method for fully deploying an airbag prior to occupant contact An occupant safety restraint system (“OSR system”) (10) and method for fully deploying an airbag (20) before an occupant contacts the airbag (20). In one embodiment, the OSR system (10) includes a seatbelt restraint system (12)... | 10/07/2008 |
| 7431099 | Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir with discharge port controlled by piloted spool valve An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in res... | 10/07/2008 |
