Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Nicholas Scott Sitarski

Michael Lambert

Jonathan Joseph Quijano

Scott L Weiss

Erik Anthony Wippler

Christopher Lee Rovik

Earnee Jones Gilling

Robert J Crawford

Daniel Todd Smith

Paxton Steven Williams

Sergei I Gage

Eric Randell Schmidt

Jeffrey Edward Pierfelice

William Patrick Garrett

Kenan Kurtovic

Christopher Gregg

Ida Tem Mai-Krist

Chelsea R White

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving stability of a trailer being towed by a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes analyzing sensor data from a set of sensors associated with the vehicle to generate a pressure signature that characterizes lateral forces on the trailer resulting from a pressure differential between opposite sides of the trailer. The method includes, in response to determining the pressure signature satisfies criteria indicating an onset of instability in the trailer, generating a control signal based, at least in part, on the pressure signature that activates one or more vehicle systems to mitigate the instability in the trailer.

Systems and methods for mitigating trailer instability due to pressure differentials

A device and method in a vehicle control unit for providing electronic commerce transaction authentication are provided. Upon receiving an electronic commerce transaction request relating to a transaction source, the vehicle control unit authenticates the transaction source against a vehicle travel route parameter by comparing the source location data with the vehicle travel route parameter. When the source location data compares favorably with the vehicle travel route parameter, an electronic commerce authentication is generated in response to the request, and transmitted.

Electronic commerce transaction authentication based on a vehicle travel route data

Methods, systems, and apparatus for a collision warning system. The collision warning system includes at least one of a navigation unit, one or more sensors or a user interface. The collision warning system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the height of the vehicle or the height of the load on the vehicle is within a threshold height of the height of the object. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the vehicle is approaching the object. The electronic control unit is configured to control an operation of the vehicle to indicate that the height of the vehicle or the height of load on the vehicle is within the threshold height when a distance between vehicle and approaching object is a first threshold distance and to avoid the approaching object when the distance is a second threshold distance.

Vehicle height detection and environmental warning system

A console assembly for an automotive vehicle and use with a mobile device. The console assembly including a storage compartment having a floor, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of end walls. An opening permits access into the storage area and a slidable top wall is operable to move between a covered position and a retracted position relative to the opening. An anti-slip surface is provided on the top wall and configured to receive the mobile device thereon. A wireless charging unit is also incorporated into and moveable with the top wall. The wireless charging unit is located immediately below the anti-slip surface. When the mobile device is placed on the anti-slip surface, the device is moveable with the top wall, between the covered position and retracted position, while being charged.

Mobile device retention and charging tray

A trip data management and display system for a vehicle. The system includes a processor, a memory, a user-interface and a display. During a trip traveled by the vehicle, the processor receives data from one or more systems or components. The processor receives input via the user-interface to associate a category and a filename with the received data for storage in the memory. The stored data may then be retrieved for display upon the display of the vehicle. The trip traveled by the vehicle is predefined according to user-settable parameters or is automatically determined based on vehicle characteristics. Instantaneous data corresponding to a trip currently being traveled by the vehicle may also be displayed on the display adjacent to the stored data from memory. The data stored may be managed by a user to associate it with different or multiple categories or to delete particular stored data.

Trip management system and method for a vehicle

A notification system and method for registration of a new key. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) adapted to receive and store information regarding the registration of a new key, a processor in communication with the ECU, the processor adapted to determine if a notification should be provided to the user regarding the registration of a new key, the ECU adapted to control where the notification is displayed and a display screen in communication with the ECU, the display screen adapted to display a notification to the user that the new key has been registered.

Smart key registration notification system

A vehicle headlamp system can include a plurality of low beam light sources and a plurality of high beam light sources. In one or more arrangements, the light sources can be light emitting diodes. The system can include a first light driver operatively connected to selectively supply electrical energy to a first group of low beam light sources and/or a first group of high beam light sources. The system can include a second light driver operatively connected to selectively supply electrical energy to a second group of low beam light sources and/or a second group of high beam light sources. The system can further include a controller. The controller can be operatively connected to the first light driver and the second light driver to control the selective supply of electrical energy by the first light driver and the second light driver.

Light driver arrangements for vehicle headlamps

Systems and vehicles for calculating trailer brake control parameters are disclosed. A system for calculating a trailer brake control parameter includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. The one or more memory modules include the trailer brake control parameter. The machine readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to receive an image including a trailer, determine a trailer characteristic from the image using image analysis logic stored in the one or more memory modules, and calculate the trailer brake control parameter based on the trailer characteristic.

Systems and methods for calculating trailer brake control parameters

A system and method for calculating and displaying average auxiliary power use in a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an auxiliary battery for powering auxiliary electrical devices, an auxiliary battery controller, a display for displaying both instantaneous and average auxiliary power consumption, and an electric motor. A main battery powers the electric motor. The auxiliary battery is connected to the main battery via a DC/DC converter. A sensor detects instantaneous auxiliary power usage from each of the auxiliary loads. The vehicle includes a combination meter configured to calculate an average auxiliary power usage amount based on the plurality of instantaneous auxiliary usage amounts. A display operable to display the average auxiliary power usage amount over the predetermined period of time and display each instantaneous auxiliary power usage amount.

System and method for calculating and displaying average auxiliary power in a vehicle

In one embodiment, a capacitive switching system may include a plurality of capacitive switches and at least one processor. Each of the capacitive switches may include an activation surface offset from an energized conductor by a dielectric region and a capacitance that is dependent upon an electric field generated by the energized conductor. The at least one processor may execute machine readable instructions to transform a change in the capacitance of one of the capacitive switches into a first control signal indicative of a first active state. A rejection delay may be activated by the at least one processor after the change in the capacitance of the one of the capacitive switches. The rejection delay can remain activated for a predetermined time period. A second control signal may be prevented from indicating a second active state while the rejection delay is activated.

Systems and methods for switching

Systems and vehicles for determining an operational status of at least one trailer brake are provided. A system for determining an operational status of at least one trailer brake includes machine readable instructions stored in one or more memory modules that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the system to command a trailer brake current output circuit to intermittently supply a diagnostic current to the at least one trailer brake during a trailer brake activation period, receive a sensed current signal from a trailer brake current sensing circuit in response to the command to supply the diagnostic current, and determine the operational status of the at least one trailer brake based on the sensed current signal.

Systems and vehicles for determining an operational status of at least one trailer brake

A graphic display apparatus within an automotive vehicle wherein the display apparatus includes at least two display units operable to display graphics and/or video, a wire connector connecting the at least two display units together, and a control system connected to the wire connector wherein the control system is operable to play video or graphics on the at least two display units. A method is provided to all the system to be universal for both audio and navigation systems wherein each system calls for a predetermined delay of the animation. The display units are in communication with one another providing for a coordinated or synchronized display of graphics. If, by way of example, a firework explodes on the main display screen, the remnants of that single firework will be exploded onto the secondary display screens.

Graphic display apparatus

A graphic display apparatus within an automotive vehicle wherein the display apparatus includes at least two display units operable to display graphics and/or video, a wire connector connecting the at least two display units together, and a control system connected to the wire connector wherein the control system is operable to play video or graphics on the at least two display units. The display units are in communication with one another providing for a coordinated or synchronized display of graphics. If, by way of example, a firework explodes on the main display screen, the remnants of that single firework will be exploded onto the secondary display screens. Further, by way of example, scrolling text may scroll from one display screen to the other giving the synchronized impression to the user that the multiple display screens are similar to one large screen.

Growing community of inventors

Ypsilanti, MI, United States of America

Nicholas Scott Sitarski