Denso International America, Inc.

Denso Corporation

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Denso Corpora Tion

Robert Wunsche, Iii

Mustafa Mahmoud

Feng Xue

Gareth Webb

Christian Munte

Cameron Beyer

Thomas Newman

Brian Belanger

Silviu Pala

James R Reed

Michael Murzyn

Ronald Clogg

Heather Windel

Dan Hwang

Ronald Woo

Evan Shriner

Sudha Senthil

Curtis G Vincent

Joshua Conte

Akira Oga

A method and system are disclosed and include assigning a vehicle to a user. The method also includes obtaining contextual information associated with the vehicle-sharing request, and the contextual information includes at least one of location information associated with the vehicle-sharing request, route information associated with the vehicle-sharing request, and user information associated with a vehicle-sharing account corresponding to the user. The method also includes determining a cleanliness score based on the contextual information and determining whether the cleanliness score is less than a first threshold value. The method also includes transmitting, in response to (i) the cleanliness score being less than the first threshold value and (ii) a vehicle-sharing session corresponding to the vehicle-sharing request being complete, an alert that is configured to indicate that the vehicle needs to be cleaned.

Predictive cleanliness function for vehicle-sharing fleet

Methods and systems are disclosed and include determining, using a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium, whether a user is authenticated to operate a vehicle-sharing vehicle. The method also includes, in response to determining the user is authenticated: (i) obtaining, using the processor, a height value, wherein the height value is associated with a vehicle-sharing account of the user and is displayed on an identification card of the user; (ii) determining, using the processor, whether a position of a vehicle control mechanism needs to be adjusted based on the height value; and (iii) in response to determining that the position of the vehicle control mechanism needs to be adjusted, adjusting, using the processor, the position of the vehicle control mechanism based on the height value.

Driver personalization for vehicle-sharing fleet

A method and system are disclosed and include obtaining, using a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium and in response to receiving a vehicle-sharing request, contextual information, which includes at least one of (i) vehicle selection history information associated with a vehicle-sharing account corresponding to the vehicle-sharing request, (ii) location information associated with the vehicle-sharing request, and (iii) application information associated with a portable device corresponding to the vehicle-sharing request. The method also includes generating, using the processor, vehicle recommendations based on the contextual information. The method also includes transmitting, using the processor, a first set of vehicle recommendations to the portable device. The method also includes assigning, using the processor and in response to receiving a signal indicating a selection of a vehicle from the first set of vehicle recommendations, the vehicle to a user associated with the vehicle-sharing request.

Vehicle prioritization for vehicle-sharing fleet

A method and system are disclosed and include, in response to a user being located within a vehicle associated with the vehicle-sharing request, obtaining, using a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium, image data corresponding to the user from a camera. The method also includes determining, using the processor, whether the image data corresponds to an image associated with a vehicle-sharing account of the user. The method also includes in response to determining the image data corresponds to the image, enabling, using the processor, the user to activate the vehicle.

Driver authentication for vehicle-sharing fleet

A method and system are disclosed and include determining, in response to receiving an integrated transportation request, a route based on (i) at least one of a location of a vehicle and a user, and (ii) a destination associated with the integrated transportation request. The method also includes determining a vehicle portion and a secondary transportation apparatus portion of the route based on at least one of (i) the location, (ii) the destination, (iii) an integrated transportation history associated with the user, (iv) traffic information retrieved from a mapping application, and (v) operating information of a secondary transportation apparatus. The method also includes displaying the vehicle portion while the vehicle is operating. The method also includes transmitting the secondary transportation apparatus portion to at least one of a portable device associated with the user and the secondary transportation apparatus.

Integrated transportation services for vehicle-sharing fleet

A method and system are disclosed and include obtaining image data from at least one camera located within a vehicle. The method also includes determining a behavior of an occupant based on the image data. The method also includes determining whether the behavior corresponds to a predetermined condition, which is associated with at least one of inhaling smoke, inhaling vapor, eating, and drinking. The method also includes generating, in response to the behavior corresponding to the predetermined condition, an alert corresponding to the predetermined condition. The method also includes transmitting the alert to a remote device.

Interior camera services for vehicle-sharing fleet

A method and system are disclosed and include obtaining sensor data from at least one sensor of a subject vehicle. The method also includes determining whether the sensor data indicates one of (i) a first vehicle has contacted the subject vehicle and (ii) the first vehicle is located within a threshold distance of the subject vehicle. The method also includes selectively activating, in response to one of (i) the first vehicle contacting the subject vehicle and (ii) the first vehicle being located within the threshold distance, at least one camera of the subject vehicle. The method also includes obtaining image data of the first vehicle from the at least one camera. The method also includes transmitting the image data to a remote computing system.

Exterior camera services for vehicle-sharing fleet

A display system for a vehicle. The display system includes a display engine that displays an image visible to a driver of the vehicle. In a first configuration, the display engine projects vehicle operating information directly in front of the driver. In a second configuration, the display engine projects an augmented reality image of an environment ahead of the vehicle directly in front of the driver. In a third configuration, the display engine projects entertainment images at a center of a dashboard of the vehicle between a driver's seat and a front passenger seat.

Vehicle heads-up display

See-through sun visor

A system and method are provided and include a light source projector with a positional actuator mounted on a subject vehicle that projects a laser line on a roadway upon which the subject vehicle is traveling. A controller is in communication with a platoon vehicle traveling in front of or behind the subject vehicle in a platoon and controls the positional actuator to project the laser line on the roadway between the subject vehicle and the at least one platoon vehicle.

Projected laser lines/graphics onto the road for indicating truck platooning/warning to other drivers of presence of truck platoon

A current switching pulse servo including a motor, an output gear, a pulse pattern plate, and a first conductor. The motor is configured to drive a gear train of the servo. The output gear is configured to be driven by the gear train. The pulse pattern plate includes conductive portions and nonconductive portions. The pulse pattern plate is configured to rotate with the output gear. The first conductor connects the motor to the pulse pattern plate to conduct current from the motor to the pulse pattern plate.

Current switching pulse servo

An adaptive instrument display includes an instrument cluster displaying a plurality of gauges. A steering wheel has at least one sensor, and there is at least one camera. A processor collects data from the at least one camera and steering wheel sensor and determines a steering wheel position and an occupant's line of sight. An obstructed portion of the instrument cluster is determined based on the steering wheel position and the occupant's line of sight, and the gauges on the instrument cluster are altered based on the obstructed portion.

Adaptive instrument display using eye tracking

A method of operating an air conditioning system includes changing output of the compressor based on a temperature limit of the evaporator. The temperature limit is one of a predetermined fixed temperature limit and a variable temperature limit. The method also includes determining the variable temperature limit by determining a target air outlet temperature for conditioned air in a control space, detecting an actual evaporator temperature, calculating a difference between the target air outlet temperature and the actual evaporator temperature, finding a predetermined first temperature adjustment that correlates to the difference, finding a predetermined second temperature adjustment that correlates to another condition, and calculating the variable temperature limit by adjusting the fixed temperature limit by one of the first and second temperature adjustments.

Cooling system compressor with variable operating range

A method of controlling an initial external temperature display in a vehicle may include comparing an ignition-off time with a first threshold and displaying a current reading from an outside ambient temperature sensor when the ignition-off time equals or exceeds the first threshold. The method further includes comparing at least one secondary condition with at least one secondary parameter when the ignition-off time falls below the first threshold and selecting and displaying a reading based on the comparison of the at least one secondary condition with the at least one secondary parameter. This comparison can include comparing a previous ignition-on time with a second threshold and comparing a sum of the ignition-off time and a stored amount with a third threshold when the previous ignition-on time equals or falls below the second threshold. Alternatively, this comparison can include comparing an engine water temperature with a temperature threshold.

Growing community of inventors

Clarkston, MI, United States of America

Robert Wunsche, Iii