System and method for optimization of product throughput
Granted: September 15, 2009
Patent Number:
7587804
A system, method and apparatus are provided so that the machines and machining stations and the distribution of product along a production line may be managed in a variety of manners while data is taken and analyzed in accordance with this invention to provide optimization conditions for improved throughput. A historical analysis of zone performance provides the preferred range for the number of upstream and downstream products for each particular segment, machine, or station. An end of…
Method of grinding particulate material
Granted: August 25, 2009
Patent Number:
7578455
A particulate material is ground more efficiently using a mixture of at least two different sizes of yttrium-stabilized zirconia balls. The method facilitates preparation of photocatalysts with high activity.
Acquiring service authorization status from a mobile vehicle
Granted: August 4, 2009
Patent Number:
7570940
The present invention provides a method for determining an authorization status of a satellite broadcast service for a mobile vehicle. A call center receives a request for the authorization status of the satellite broadcast service for the mobile vehicle. The call center sends a request signal to the mobile vehicle. The call center then receives an authorization status signal from the mobile vehicle. The call center then sends the authorization status to the satellite broadcast service.
Automatic control of automotive rearview mirror
Granted: August 4, 2009
Patent Number:
7571041
A side rearview mirror control system for a vehicle that automatically changes a rear viewing angle of a side rearview mirror. The control system receives various vehicle inputs to determine if and when a vehicle operator will turn the vehicle, make a lane change, merge into a lane of traffic, etc. The system pivots the mirror to eliminate a potential blind spot during these conditions. In one embodiment, the rear view mirror control system receives input signals from a vehicle…
Method for controlling a vehicle's lighting functionality
Granted: July 28, 2009
Patent Number:
7567864
A method for controlling a vehicle's lighting functionality is disclosed herein. The method may include realizing a preferred vehicle lighting configuration and transmitting a signal to the vehicle via a radio frequency communication system. In response to the signal, the vehicle lighting system may alter a current vehicle lighting configuration to correspond with the preferred vehicle lighting configuration.
Method of determining and predicting entertainment selections for telematics units
Granted: July 14, 2009
Patent Number:
7561950
A method for providing entertainment in a vehicle, including monitoring entertainment selections at a telematics unit, determining at least one user entertainment selection profile based on the monitoring and activating entertainment units based on the profile.
Lanthanum tantalate photocatalysts
Granted: June 30, 2009
Patent Number:
7553464
A substantially pure phase LaTaO4 photocatalyst is prepared by grinding precursors with mixture of at least two different sizes of high-density yttrium-stabilized zirconia balls to a very fine particle size and calcining the ground precursors. The LaTaO4 photocatalyst prepared by this method is useful in photolysis of water.
Vehicle email notification based on customer-selected severity level
Granted: June 23, 2009
Patent Number:
7551063
A vehicle email notification method and system that uses customer-selected severity settings to send special notifications to the subscriber. The notification system uses triggers to initiate the generation and transmission of email messages that provide diverse types of dynamic vehicle information to the subscriber. The email notifications are triggered by different events, some of which are independent of the vehicle (e.g., a monthly trigger), and others of which occur at the vehicle,…
WIFI authentication method
Granted: June 16, 2009
Patent Number:
7548744
A system and method provides secure authentication of a wireless communication channel for a vehicle telematics device that includes detecting a wireless access point within radio range of a telematics device, requesting authentication information for the access point through a first secure communication channel to a call center, receiving authentication information for the wireless access point from the call center through the first secure communication channel, and providing…
Method and system for programmable mobile vehicle hotspots
Granted: June 16, 2009
Patent Number:
7548815
The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics device within a mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes generating at least one personal route profile, comparing predetermined GPS hotspots to the personal route profiles, detecting real-time traffic updates associated with the predetermined GPS hotspots, identifying GPS hotspots corresponding to the personal route profile and based on the real-time traffic updates, and providing information relating to…
Personalized key system for a mobile vehicle
Granted: June 16, 2009
Patent Number:
7548491
A wireless key system for a mobile vehicle includes a key fob with a controller, a microphone operably coupled to the controller, a memory operably coupled to the controller, arid a telematics unit operably coupled to a vehicle communication bus. Verbal commands received through the microphone initiate the controller to send a function message in accordance with instructions stored in the memory to the telematics unit that activates a function through the vehicle communication bus.
Continuous reactor
Granted: June 16, 2009
Patent Number:
7547334
Reactors and methods for reducing the carbon monoxide concentration in a reactant stream are provided. The reactors are generally configured such that a reactant from a second reactant stream may be continuously introduced along at least a portion of the length of a first reactant stream. A membrane may separate a first reactant stream and a second reactant stream.
Method and system for automated recall notification
Granted: June 9, 2009
Patent Number:
7545262
A method and system for providing an automated recall notification including receiving a recall communication instruction at a telematics unit from a call center via a wireless connection, initiating a service call to the call center from the telematics unit based on the recall communication instruction and responsive to a mobile vehicle operation, receiving a recall notification at the telematics unit, and sending a recall alert to a subscriber based on the received recall notification.…
Handwheel damping control of active steering system
Granted: June 9, 2009
Patent Number:
7546191
An active front steering (AFS) system that provides hand-wheel damping. The AFS system includes a damping control sub-system that determines a hand-wheel angular velocity based on the rate of change of a hand-wheel angle signal. The damping control sub-system determines the damping control signal by multiplying the angular velocity of the hand-wheel angle signal with a control gain. The damping control signal is added to a steering signal from a variable gear ratio control sub-system to…
Gooseneck hinge assembly for vehicles
Granted: May 26, 2009
Patent Number:
7536748
A gooseneck hinge assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle and a closure side strap having a gooseneck shape adapted to be connected to a closure for closing an aperture in the vehicle body. The gooseneck hinge assembly also includes a pivot pin to pivotally connect the closure side strap to the body side strap to allow rotational movement therebetween. The gooseneck hinge assembly further includes a spring…
Electric motor assemblies with coolant flow for concentrated windings
Granted: May 26, 2009
Patent Number:
7538457
The present invention relates to a cooling system and method for the concentrated motor stator windings of an electric motor. The cooling system and method provides coolant directly onto the motor stator windings and between each adjacent stator winding. The motor housing assists in distributing coolant between each stator winding of the electric motor assembly. Moreover, an insulated sheet and/or tube is insertable between the concentrated motor stator windings. Each is configurable to…
Reducing torque disturbances and improving fuel economy in hybrid electric powertrains
Granted: May 12, 2009
Patent Number:
7530413
An engine control system for controlling transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a hybrid powertrain driven by a displacement on demand engine and an electric machine includes a calculator that calculates a desired powertrain torque. An engine control controls operation of the engine to produce an engine torque. An electric machine control controls operation of the electric machine to produce an electric machine torque. The electric machine torque supplements the engine…
Remote initiation of three-way calling at a telematics unit
Granted: May 12, 2009
Patent Number:
7532708
A method for operating three-way calling for a telematics unit including establishing a first connection between a call center and the telematics unit based on a trouble call request, sending call instructions from the call center to the telematics unit via the first connection based on the trouble call request and establishing a second connection from the telematics unit to one of the call center or a contact-problem number associated with the trouble call request based on the call…
Targeted messaging for mobile vehicles using satellite-radio broadcasts
Granted: May 12, 2009
Patent Number:
7532859
A targeted message is sent to a mobile vehicle using a satellite broadcast system. A satellite broadcast message including a vehicle identification tag and the targeted message is received at the mobile vehicle. A determination is made on whether to play the targeted message at the mobile vehicle based on the vehicle identification tag, and the targeted message is played based on the determination. A system for sending a targeted message to a mobile vehicle and related computer…
Telematics unit having interactive radio features
Granted: May 12, 2009
Patent Number:
7532880
The present invention provides a method for implementing interactive radio features within a telematics equipped mobile vehicle. The method includes receiving radio station information, detecting an initiation command received from a user interface, and providing the radio station information to the telematics unit responsive to the detected initiation command. The radio station information may include a radio station identification, a radio station telephone number, and a radio station…
