Denso International America, Inc.

Denso Corporation

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Tanemichi Chiba

Justin McBride

Michael Wiegand

Christopher M Kurpinski

Thomas J Keeling

Keiichi Aoyama

Hiroto Uesaka

Yoshihisa Sato

Hirohiko Yanagawa

Christian Arthur Trager

Masato Okuda

Toshihiro Wakamatsu

Lisa Marie Brown

Jeffrey Edward Angeliu

An apparatus for changing the state of a vehicle closure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a primary mobile unit, a secondary mobile unit, and a detection device. The detection device is operable to automatically detect whether the primary mobile unit is within a first range of the detection device, and whether the secondary mobile unit is within a second range of the detection device. The apparatus further includes a controller operable to change the state of the vehicle closure when the detection device detects that the secondary mobile unit is within the second range while the primary mobile unit is detected within the first range.

Apparatus for automatically changing state of vehicle closure

A method of processing image data is provided. The method includes determining an overlap area based on image data from a first image sensor and image data from a second image sensor; computing a first weight and a second weight based on a relative position of the image data in the overlap area; and generating a final image by blending the image data from the first image sensor and the second image sensor based on the first weight and the second weight.

Weighted average image blending based on relative pixel position

An apparatus for automatically initiating a plurality of vehicle functions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mobile unit and a detection device operable to automatically detect whether the mobile unit is within a first zone. The detection device is further operable to automatically detect whether the mobile unit is within a second zone. The first zone and the second zone are outside the vehicle, and the first zone encompasses the second zone. The apparatus further includes a controller that is operable to initiate a first vehicle function when the detection device detects that the mobile unit is within the first zone. The controller is also operable to initiate a second vehicle function when the detection device detects that the mobile unit is within the second zone.

Apparatus for automatically initiating sequence of vehicle functions

A method of detecting an object in or near a path of a vehicle utilizes object detection and warning system, including one or more cameras mounted to the vehicle. The method includes taking a first image with a camera when the vehicle is operated in a first predetermined manner, taking a second image with the camera when the vehicle is operated in a second predetermined manner, comparing the second image with the first image, and operating the system based on the compared first and second images. The method may further include storing a plurality of first images in a memory and comparing the second image with one of the first images stored in the memory. The method may further include alerting a vehicle driver when the object is detected, disabling the vehicle and then enabling the vehicle when no object is in a potential path of the vehicle.

Method of detecting an object near a vehicle

An electronic key system utilizes a single switch or sensor to perform multiple functions. The function of the single switch or sensor is changed based upon a condition of a component of the vehicle when a controller verifies the presence of a mobile unit. An indicator is utilized to tell an individual what the function of the switch screen is currently.

Vehicle electronic key system

A system for assisting the alignment of a hitch pin mounted on the rear of a vehicle with a hitch socket mounted on the front of a trailer. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle and positioned to capture an image rearwardly of the vehicle. A video display is contained within the vehicle which displays the image captured by the camera. A processor is also contained in the vehicle which calculates a preferred path of travel of the vehicle to position the hitch pin in alignment with the hitch socket. The processor is programmed to provide instructions to an operator of the vehicle of the required steering to maintain the vehicle on the preferred path of travel. The processor recalculates the preferred path of travel whenever the vehicle veers from the preferred path of travel by a preset threshold.

System for assisting the attachment of a trailer to a vehicle

A method of operating a security system using a vehicle and preventing access to a vehicle system and to a vehicle garage may entail monitoring a security condition of the vehicle with a vehicle electronic control unit ('ECU'). Upon detecting an unsecure condition, such as a vibration, an alarm may sound and then the ECU may deactivate a vehicle system, such as a navigation system, to prevent access to personal or business addresses. Further, devices such as garage door openers in the vehicle and an in-garage, garage door opener may be disabled by satellite, cell tower, wire or direct wireless communication between the ECU and the device to be disabled. Silencing the vehicle alarm and reactivating all garage door openers and the navigation system may be accomplished by turning a key within an exterior vehicle lock or entering a code into the navigation system.

Security for navigation system and garage door opener

A hands-free vehicle door opener utilizes a spring-loaded mechanical pushing device, or other method, to open a vehicle door a few inches upon a laser emitting device sensing a foot in its emitted laser. The laser is emitted from the laser emitter upon the key fob of a smart key being validated by the vehicle's smart key validation system when a user approaches the vehicle with the smart key fob. When the laser beam is interrupted, a signal is sent from a smart ECU to a door lock ECU, which unlocks the vehicle door. Next, a signal is sent to a door open ECU to unlatch the vehicle door. Upon door unlatching, the spring-loaded pushing device pushes open the vehicle door. Instead of a laser emitting device being used as the sensor, a device with electrical contacts, an ultrasonic wave emitting sensing device, or other device could be used.

Growing community of inventors

Novi, MI, United States of America

Tanemichi Chiba