Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140058618 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE VALUATION FROM OBD BASED OPERATION DATA - One embodiment is directed to a method for valuating a vehicle. The method includes obtaining operation data from an on-board diagnostics (OBD) port of a vehicle, the operation data pertaining to operation of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a measure of value for the vehicle based on the operation data, and generating a report including the measure of value. | 02-27-2014 |
20140058762 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONSUMER CONTROLLED INSURANCE DATA MANAGEMENT - One embodiment is directed to a method for data management for insurance purposes. The method includes receiving, at a server, time-variant data from a retail module configured to obtain the time-variant data, wherein the time-variant data pertains to an item or intangible to be insured. Identification information is also received at the server from the retail module. The method includes determining a user account with which the retail module is associated based on the identification information, and receiving a selection from a user indicative of which one or more insurance providers to send the time-variant data to, wherein the user is associated with the user account. The time-variant data is provided, from the server, to the one or more insurance providers selected by the user. | 02-27-2014 |
20140095014 | OBD BASED IN-VEHICLE DEVICE PROVIDING CONTENT STORAGE AND ACCESS - One embodiment is directed to an electronic device comprising a connector configured to connect to an on-board diagnostic (OBD) connector of a vehicle, a wireless transceiver, one or more processing devices coupled to the connector and to the wireless transceiver, and storage media coupled to the one or more processing devices. The storage media including instructions which, when executed by the one or more processing devices, cause the one or more processing devices to establish communication with a content control device using the wireless transceiver, download content from the content control device, store the content on the storage media, and terminate communication with the content control device. The instructions also cause the one or more processing devices to establish communication with a mobile device, and provide the content to a mobile device via a wireless link. | 04-03-2014 |
20140167983 | INTEGRATION OF VEHICLE WITH HOME-CENTRIC SYSTEM - One embodiment is directed to a method for integrating vehicle-centric information with home-centric information. The method includes wirelessly transmitting a signal from a vehicle information device within a vehicle to a component of a home-centric system and receiving the signal at the component from the vehicle information device. The method also includes sending vehicle-centric information from the component to a command center for the home-centric system based on the signal received from the vehicle information device, and integrating the vehicle-centric information with home-centric information obtained by the home-centric system. The method also includes displaying information based on the vehicle-centric information along with the home centric information at an interface for a user. | 06-19-2014 |
20140172229 | TIME WINDOW AUTHENTICATION FOR VEHICLE TELEMATICS DEVICE - One embodiment is directed to a method of authenticating a vehicle telematics device. The method includes receiving, at a server, identifying information for a vehicle telematics device and receiving, at the server, information identifying an account to which the vehicle telematics device is to be associated. The method also includes authenticating the vehicle telematics device by finalizing an association between the vehicle telematics device and the account if data that is specified for authentication is received at the server from the vehicle telematics device and if that data is obtained by the vehicle telematics device within a time window that is specified for authentication. | 06-19-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090173837 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING FLOWS WITH PULSED DISCHARGES - Systems and methods for controlling air vehicle boundary layer airflow are disclosed. Representative methods can include applying electrical energy bursts and/or other energy bursts in nanosecond pulses in the boundary layer along a surface of an air vehicle. In a particular embodiment, electrical energy is discharged into the boundary layer to reduce the tendency for the boundary layer to separate and/or to reduce the tendency for the boundary layer to transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow. In other embodiments, energy can be discharged via pulses having a pulse width of about 100 nanoseconds or less, and an amplitude of about 10,000 volts or more. Actuators discharging the energy can be arranged in a two-dimensional ray of individually addressable actuators. Energy can be delivered to the boundary layer via a laser emitter, and energy can be received in a receiver after having transited over at least a portion of the airflow surface. In another embodiment, high energy electrons can be injected into the boundary layer using a hollow cathode array at the airflow surface. In still another embodiment, energy can be introduced at the surface of the air vehicle at a rate sufficient to heat the flow and cause shock waves to propagate into the flow. | 07-09-2009 |
20090196765 | DIELECTRIC BARRIER DISCHARGE PUMP APPARATUS AND METHOD - A dielectric element barrier discharge pump for accelerating a fluid flow. In one embodiment the pump has a first dielectric layer having a first electrode embedded therein and a second dielectric layer having a second electrode embedded therein. The first and second dielectric layers are further supported apart from one another to form an air gap therebetween. A third electrode is disposed at least partially in the air gap upstream of the first and second electrodes, relative to a direction of flow of the fluid flow. A high voltage supplies a high voltage signal to the third electrode. The electrodes cooperate to generate opposing asymmetric plasma fields in the gap that create an induced air flow within the gap. The induced air flow operates to accelerate the fluid flow as the fluid flow moves through the gap. | 08-06-2009 |
20100133386 | PLASMA FLOW CONTROL ACTUATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD - A plasma actuator system and method especially well adapted for use on airborne mobile platforms, such as aircraft, for directional and/or attitude control. The system includes at least one plasma actuator having first and second electrodes mounted on a surface of an aircraft. The first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to a boundary layer flow path over the surface. A third electrode is mounted between the first and second electrodes and laterally offset from the first and second electrodes. A high AC voltage signal is applied across the first and third electrodes, which induces a fluid flow between the energized electrodes that helps to delay separation of the boundary layer. Applying the AC voltage across the second and third electrodes causes an induced fluid flow that creates the opposite effect of influencing the boundary layer flow to separate from the surface. A plurality of the actuators can be selectively placed at various locations on the aircraft, and selectively energized to provide directional control and/or attitude control over the aircraft. | 06-03-2010 |
20100140418 | Air Induction Control - Air induction control systems and methods for aircraft are provided. A particular aircraft includes a fuselage, a pair of wings and an engine. The aircraft also includes an inlet defining an aperture to receive air for delivery to the engine. The inlet has a longitudinal axis generally aligned with a direction of flow of the air as the air approaches the inlet. The aircraft also includes at least one first dielectric barrier discharge generator positioned to apply a first force to the air prior to the air being received by the engine. The first force acts in a first direction. The aircraft further includes at least one second dielectric barrier discharge generator positioned to apply a second force to the air prior to the air being received by the engine. The second force acts in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. | 06-10-2010 |
20130001368 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING FLOWS WITH PULSED DISCHARGES - Systems and methods for controlling air vehicle boundary layer airflow are disclosed. Representative methods can include applying electrical energy bursts and/or other energy bursts in nanosecond pulses in the boundary layer along, a surface of an it vehicle. In a particular embodiment, electrical energy is discharged into the boundary layer to reduce the tendency for the boundary layer to separate and/or to reduce the tendency for the boundary layer to transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow. Representative actuators discharging the energy can be arranged in a two-dimensional array of individually addressable actuators. | 01-03-2013 |
20130292511 | DIELECTRIC BARRIER DISCHARGE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM THROUGH MODULATED BOUNDARY LAYER TRANSITION - An aerodynamic control system incorporates multiple Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) flow control actuators adjacent a surface of an airborne vehicle in a path of laminar boundary layer flow over the surface. A control computer receives a control input and selectively distributes power to an activation array selected from the DBD flow control actuators for transition to a first operating condition tripping the laminar boundary layer at selected streamwise locations for turbulent flow. When the control computer removes the distributed power the DBD flow control actuators return to a second operating condition restoring the laminar boundary layer. | 11-07-2013 |