| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20110188070 | DETECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF CONSUMABLE COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER PERIPHERALS - The present invention provides a technique for detecting and replacing consumable components, e.g., printer cartridges, of computer peripherals, e.g., printers. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a consumer loads a web page of a printer cartridge supplier. The web page includes a link to a server-based software application for identifying suitable replacement printer cartridges for the consumer. Upon download and activation by the consumer, the software scans the operating system of the consumer's local computer to determine the number and types of printer drivers installed on that computer. Generally, each printer driver is associated with a particular make and model of a peripheral printer connected to the consumer's computer. By determining the types of printer drivers existing on the consumer's computer, the software is able to identify the specific printers belonging to the consumer, and in turn facilitates the recommendation of suitable replacement cartridges and accessories for those printers. A list of those replacement cartridges and accessories is displayed to the consumer, from which the consumer may select and purchase. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110314077 | IDENTIFICATION OF COMPATIBLE PRODUCTS FOR USE WITH MOBILE DEVICES - The present provides an automated technique for identifying compatible products and components of a mobile, wireless Internet enabled device. In an embodiment of the invention, a user of the wireless device requests a web page of an appropriate web site, e.g., a web site pertaining to that of a product and component retailer, which is facilitated by a web server. The web server obtains the respective user agent signature corresponding to the user's web browser. The server then analyzes the user agent signature to identify, among other things, the make and model of the user's device. By knowing the make and model of the user's device, the web server can then query a database to determine compatible products and components for use with the device. The web server then displays those compatible products and components and can facilitate the purchase of those products and components by the user. | 12-22-2011 |
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| 20090243819 | Smart legibility adjustment for vehicular display - A display system for a vehicle system includes at least one light sensor that detects a light condition, and a display member that displays an information message. The information message includes a background and an object that is displayed adjacent the background. The display system further includes a controller that changes legibility of the information message by changing each of the background and the object based on the light condition detected by the light sensor. A method of controlling the display system is also disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090244017 | Haptic tracking remote control for driver information center system - A control interface system for a driver of a vehicle comprises a touchscreen, a control module, and a display. The touchscreen is located proximate to the driver of the vehicle and upon driver interaction therewith is operable to generate a sensor signal. The control module is adapted to receive the sensor signal from the touchscreen and is operable to initiate control of a vehicle function and to generate a haptic feedback signal in response thereto. The touchscreen is adapted to receive the haptic feedback signal from the control module and is operable to provide haptic feedback to the driver of the vehicle in response thereto. The display is embedded in an instrument panel of the vehicle and provides an indicia of the vehicle function controlled by the touchscreen and of driver interaction therewith. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20100250071 | DUAL FUNCTION TOUCH SWITCH WITH HAPTIC FEEDBACK - A control interface system is disclosed. The system comprises an input device that receives input of a user to control a plurality of systems of the vehicle and a plurality of dual function sensors interposed along a surface of said input device. Each of the dual function sensors includes a first circuit that is sensitive to contact of the user with the surface of said input device and a second circuit sensitive to pressure exerted upon the surface of the input device greater than a predetermined threshold. The dual function sensors generate a first signal when the first circuit senses the contact of the user and generate a second signal when the second circuit senses the pressure exerted upon the surface of the input device. The system further includes a processing unit which receives the first and second signals and controls the plurality of systems within the vehicle based upon the received signals. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20110301813 | CUSTOMIZABLE VIRTUAL LANE MARK DISPLAY - A method of displaying virtual lane markings relative to a vehicle position within a roadway lane may entail reading vehicle data such as speed into a vehicle control module, determining if the vehicle data is above a particular threshold, switching a virtual lane display switch, determining weather conditions, and displaying virtual lane markings upon a vehicle windshield based upon a result of determining weather conditions. Detecting actual lane markings on one or both of a left side of the roadway lane and a right side of the roadway lane may be accomplished with a vehicle-mounted camera. Moreover, determining whether a steering wheel has rotated a predetermined number of degrees may further play a role in displaying the virtual lane markings on a windshield of the vehicle. From a driver viewing perspective through a windshield, virtual lane markings may be displayed on the windshield to overlay actual lane markings. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20120044093 | COMBINED TIME-OF-FLIGHT AND IMAGE SENSOR SYSTEMS - An object detection system of a vehicle includes a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor that receives a reflected object detection signal at a second time based on an object detection signal transmitted at a first time. An image sensor generates an image signal including an image of a detected object. The image sensor is distinct from and adjacent to the TOF sensor. A TOF control module generates distance data based on the first time and the second time and determines whether at least a portion of a detected object is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. An image control module generates image data based on the image signal. A detection control module correlates the distance data with the image data to generate a warning indicator when at least a portion of the detected object is within the predetermined distance of the vehicle. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120174111 | METHOD TO DETERMINE DRIVER WORKLOAD FUNCTION AND USAGE OF DRIVER WORKLOAD FUNCTION FOR HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT - A method of objectively measuring a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle user interface. The method includes objectively measuring the driver's ability to perform each one of a plurality of calibration tasks of various degrees of difficulty including an easy task, a medium task, and a difficult task; generating a scale with which to evaluate the driver's ability to operate the user interface, the scale customized for the driver based on the objective measurements of the driver's ability to perform each calibration task; objectively measuring the driver's ability to operate a function of the motor vehicle user interface; and objectively evaluating the driver's ability to operate the function of the motor vehicle user interface using the scale to determine if the user interface is appropriate for the driver. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120253593 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HAPTIC FEEDBACK CONTROL IN A VEHICLE - A control system for a vehicle includes first and second modules. The first module receives input from an operator of the vehicle via an input device, wherein the operator input includes a change to an operating parameter of a vehicle system. The second module selectively adjusts a resistance of the input device based on the operator input and a predetermined threshold. A method for controlling a vehicle includes receiving input from an operator of the vehicle via an input device, wherein the operator input includes a change to an operating parameter of a vehicle system, and selectively adjusting a resistance of the input device based on the operator input and a predetermined threshold. | 10-04-2012 |
