Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 1 of 5 PageID #: 1
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`
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`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
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`VEHICLE OPERATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC,
`
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`
`v.
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`
`COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT
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`C.A. No. __________
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`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
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`
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`FORD MOTOR COMPANY,
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`Defendant.
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`This is an action for patent infringement in which Plaintiff Vehicle Operation
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`Technologies, LLC makes the following allegations against Defendant Ford Motor Company:
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`BACKGROUND
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`1.
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`Yu Hei Sunny Wai is the inventor of United States Patent No. 7,145,442 (the
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`“Wai Patent”). Mr. Wai is an accomplished electronics and computer engineer with more than
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`30 years of experience, including design, manufacturing and test engineering and management.
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`His expertise spans a large swath of electronics and computer technologies, including consumer
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`electronics, audio and video signal processing, power amplifiers, x-ray inspection systems,
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`microwave communications, industrial robotics, and networking. Among other technical
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`accomplishments, Mr. Wai, while working for Caspian Networks, developed the manufacturing
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`and test standards for Caspian’s “carrier class” networking equipment - extremely reliable
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`electronics that typically exceed 99.999% availability.
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`2.
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`Mr. Wai purchased a Honda Pilot in 2002 with Variable Torque Management
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`4WD (VTM-4). While driving the Pilot in the snow, Mr. Wai discovered a problem: the vehicle
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`failed to provide the driver with important operating information, for example, when and how the
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`vehicle varied torque output to the drive wheels. Mr. Wai investigated how the vehicle drive
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`HONDA601 EX. 1017
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`AHM601_000844
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`train operated, designed and experimented with several types of sensors, and developed a
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`complete system, including the sensor, interface, computational software, and display. His initial
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`prototype system also measured and displayed 12 volt power consumption. The end result was a
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`fully operational system that could measure and display torque distribution to the drive wheels,
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`which Mr. Wai installed in his vehicle. Mr. Wai formed VMD, Inc., and filed an application for
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`a patent on his invention on October 14, 2003, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued
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`him U.S. Patent No. 7,145,442 on December 5, 2006.
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`PARTIES
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`3.
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`Plaintiff Vehicle Operation Technologies, LLC (“VOT”) is a Delaware limited
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`liability company.
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`4.
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`On information and belief, Defendant Ford Motor Company (“Defendant”) is a
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`Delaware corporation with its principal office at One American Road, Dearborn, Michigan
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`48126. Defendant has appointed The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center,
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`1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, as its agent for service of process.
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`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
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`5.
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`This action arises under the patent laws of the United States, 35 U.S.C. § 1, et
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`seq., including § 271. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331
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`and 1338(a).
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`6.
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`This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant because, among other
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`reasons, Defendant has done business in this District, has committed and continues to commit
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`acts of patent infringement in this District, and has harmed and continues to harm VOT in this
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`District, by, among other things, using, selling, offering for sale, and importing infringing
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`products and services in this District.
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`2
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`AHM601_000845
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`7.
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`Venue is proper in this District under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b)-(d) and 1400(b)
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`because, among other reasons, Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction in this District, has
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`committed and continues to commit acts of patent infringement in this District. On information
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`and belief, for example, Defendant has used, sold, offered for sale, and imported infringing
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`products in this District.
`
`COUNT I
`INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,145,442
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`VOT is the owner by assignment of the Wai Patent, entitled “Vehicle Operation
`
`8.
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`Display System.” A true and correct copy of the Wai Patent is attached as Exhibit A.
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`9.
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`Defendant has been and now is directly infringing the Wai Patent, literally and
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`under the doctrine of equivalents, in this judicial District and elsewhere in the United States, by,
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`among other things, making, using, importing, offering for sale, and/or selling torque and
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`component power consumption sensor and display system products and services that include,
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`among other things, at least one signal source producing sensory data, a processing device
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`operably coupled to said signal source to transform said sensory data into a display signal, a
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`display device to receive and display the display signal as a viewable image, the image
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`comprised of information regarding at least one operating parameter, said at least one operating
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`parameter comprised of torque and/or braking forces delivered at the wheels of a motor vehicle,
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`and whereby the generated image is observable by the operator of said motor vehicle. The
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`infringing products and services include, for example, Defendant’s Ford Focus Electric, Ford C-
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`Max Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford MKZ Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and all of
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`Defendant’s vehicles equipped with Ford’s All Wheel Drive.
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`10.
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`By engaging in the conduct described herein, Defendant has injured VOT and is
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`thus liable for infringement of the Wai Patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a).
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`3
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`AHM601_000846
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`11.
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`Defendant has committed these acts of infringement without license or
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`authorization.
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`12.
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`As a result of Defendant’s infringement of the Wai Patent, VOT has suffered
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`monetary damages and is entitled to a money judgment in an amount adequate to compensate for
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`Defendant’s infringement, but in no event less than a reasonable royalty for the use made of the
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`invention by Defendant, together with interest and costs as fixed by the Court, and VOT will
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`continue to suffer damages in the future unless Defendant’s infringing activities are enjoined by
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`this Court.
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`13.
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`VOT has also suffered and will continue to suffer severe and irreparable harm
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`unless this Court issues a permanent injunction prohibiting Defendant, its agents, servants,
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`employees, representatives, and all others acting in active concert therewith from infringing the
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`Wai Patent.
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`
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`VOT respectfully requests that this Court enter:
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`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
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`A.
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`A judgment in favor of VOT that Defendant has infringed the Wai Patent;
`
`B.
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`A permanent injunction enjoining Defendant and its officers, directors, agents,
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`servants, affiliates, employees, divisions, branches, subsidiaries, parents, and all
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`others acting in active concert therewith from infringement of the Wai Patent, or
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`such other equitable relief the Court determines is warranted;
`
`C.
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`A judgment and order requiring Defendant to pay VOT its damages, costs,
`
`expenses, and prejudgment and post-judgment
`
`interest
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`for Defendant’s
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`infringement of the Wai Patent as provided under 35 U.S.C. § 284, and an
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`accounting of ongoing post-judgment infringement;
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`4
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`AHM601_000847
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`D.
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`A judgment and order finding that this is an exceptional case within the meaning
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`of 35 U.S.C. § 285 and awarding to VOT its reasonable attorneys’ fees against
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`Defendant;
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`E.
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`A judgment and order requiring Defendant to provide an accounting and to pay
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`supplemental damages to VOT, including without limitation, pre-judgment and
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`post-judgment interest; and
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`F.
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`Any and all other relief to which VOT may be entitled.
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`DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
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`VOT, under Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, requests a trial by jury of
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`any issues so triable by right.
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`
`Dated: April 5, 2013
`
`Of Counsel:
`
`Alexander C.D. Giza
`Marc A. Fenster
`RUSS, AUGUST & KABAT
`12424 Wilshire Boulevard 12th Floor
`Los Angeles, California 90025
`(310) 826-7474
`agiza@raklaw.com
`mfesner@raklaw.com
`
`
`
`
`
`BAYARD, P.A.
`
`/s/ Stephen B. Brauerman
`Richard D. Kirk (#0922)
`Stephen B. Brauerman (#4952)
`Vanessa R. Tiradentes (#5398)
`222 Delaware Avenue, Suite 900
`P.O. Box 25130
`Wilmington, DE 19899
`(302) 655-5000
`rkirk@bayardlaw.com
`sbrauerman@bayardlaw.com
`vtiradentes@bayardlaw.com
`
`
`Attorneys for Plaintiff
`Vehicle Operation Technologies LLC
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`5
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`AHM601_000848
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 1 of 21 PageID #: 6
`Case 1:13-cv—00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 1 of 21 PageID #: 6
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`EXHIBIT A
`EXHIBITA
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`AH M601 _000849
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`AHM601_000849
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 2 of 21 PageID #: 7
`Case i=13-CV-00539'SLR D°°””‘e“t1'llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllMMfllllllflllflllflllfllfilll
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`US007145442B1
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Us 7,145,442 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`Wai
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Dec. 5, 2006
`
`(54) VEHICLE OPERATION DISPLAY SYSTEM
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Yu Hei Sunny Wai, 2282 Hastings Dr.,
`Belmont, CA (US) 94002
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 127 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/684,031
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`5,949,330 A *
`5,949,345 A *
`6,398,688 B1
`6,493,623 B1
`6,497,301 B1
`6,603,393 B1
`6,721,634 B1 *
`
`............ 340/461
`9/1999 Hoffman et a1.
`............. 340/461
`9/1999 Beckert et al.
`6/2002 Brown et al. ........... 475/204
`12/2002 Nishida et al.
`........ 701/89
`12/2002 Iida et a1. ............... 180/249
`8/2003 Sumada et a1.
`...... 340/461
`4/2004 Hauler et al.
`............... 340/441
`
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary ExamineriThomas Mullen
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`B60Q 1/00
`(52) US. Cl.
`...................... 340/438; 340/440; 340/441;
`340/453; 340/461; 340/815.4
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........ 340/4597462,
`340/438, 440, 441, 453, 815.4, 815.45, 815.44,
`340/815.53, 691.1, 691.6, 521, 522, 691.3;
`701/29735; 345/33, 35740
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1986 Haubner et al.
`............ 340/461
`4,594,572 A *
`
`9/1996 Opel
`........................ 701/36
`5,555,502 A *
`
`..... 340/461
`.
`5,825,284 A * 10/1998 Dunwoody et al.
`................ 340/461
`5,880,710 A *
`3/1999 Jaberi et al.
`
`An apparatus, method, system and/or image editing process
`for presenting Visual displays to the driver of a motor vehicle
`regarding the real time operating condition of the vehicle
`systems and components. These include the anti-lock brak-
`ing system, the stability of the vehicle as to proximity to
`rolling over, the power consumed by vehicle components
`such as the heating system and lights and/or, for four-wheel
`drive vehicles, the torque and/or braking forces delivered to
`the wheels. The information is acquired from sensors and/or
`from signals generated by the vehicle and it processed by the
`vehicle CPU or, in another embodiment, by a display CPU,
`the information being presented in black and white or in
`color using an LED, LCD, vacuum fluorescent means,
`numerical display, gauge, meter or PDA.
`
`44 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
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`11,77
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`1 ,41
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`5
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`2,42
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`AH M601 _000850
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`AHM601_000850
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 3 of 21 PageID #: 8
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 3 of 21 PageID #: 8
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
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`US 7,145,442 B1
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`Vehicle Operation Display System
`
`Yu Hei Sunny Wai
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`11.77
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`11,77
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`1.41
`
`
`
`5
`
`7
`
`242
`l
`
`
`
`9
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`30,75
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`16 38
`’
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`30,75
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`- 12
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`13
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`-13
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`16,38
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`16
`
`16
`
`I4““‘4
` 16,38
`
`Figure 1
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`11,77
`
`3,43
`
`3
`
`5
`
`8
`
`4,44
`
`Figure 2
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`
`
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`{Ii/111m
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`10
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`AHM601_000851
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`AHM601_000851
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 4 of 21 PageID #: 9
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 4 of 21 PageID #: 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 2 of 10
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`US 7,145,442 B1
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`Vehicle Operation Display System
`
`Yu Hei Sunny W31
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`77
`
`11,49,
`
`11 49 77
`i
`’
`1
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`41 ,42,43,44
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`
`
`7,8/
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`Figure 5B
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`41 ,42,43,44
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`Figure SC
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`Figure 5A
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`41142-43144
`17
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`11,77
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`17
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`
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`Figure 6A
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`Figure 63
`
`Figure 7A
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`Figure 7B
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`AHM601_000852
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`AHM601_000852
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`

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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 5 of 21 PageID #: 10
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 5 of 21 PageID #: 10
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 7,145,442 B1
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`Vehicle Operation Display System
`
`Yu Hei Sunny Wai
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`237514
`
`18
`
`22
`
`45
`
`46
`
`46
`
`45
`
`23,46,50
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`i—EJ‘C'
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`83
`
`Figure 10E
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`1 1
`/
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`t 75
`
`Figure 8A
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`8
`
`50
`
`9
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`23,423.50
`
`Figure 10A
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`27
`
`A 51
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`26
`23,46,50
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`26
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`Figure 103
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`20,24,35
`’
`a
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`20,24,35
`b
`
`8
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`6
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`
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`1 1
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`30
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`Figure 9
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`AH M601 _000853
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`AHM601_000853
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 6 of 21 PageID #: 11
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 6 of 21 PageID #: 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 4 of 10
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`US 7,145,442 B1
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`Vehicle Operation Display System.
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`Yu Hei Sunny Wai
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` Figure 17D
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`AHM601_000854
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`AHM601_000854
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 7 of 21 PageID #: 12
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 7 of 21 PageID #: 12
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 5 of 10
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`US 7,145,442 B1
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`Vehicle Operation Display System
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`Yu Hei Sunny Wai
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`
`
`Figure 193
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`54
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`50
`
`0
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`Figure 10C
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` Scalar
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`I Module I Generation I Formating I
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`Image
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`Device
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`72
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`31
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`79
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`Figure 20
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`AHM601_000855
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`AHM601_000855
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 8 of 21 PageID #: 13
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 8 of 21 PageID #: 13
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 6 of 10
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`US 7,145,442 B1
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`Vehicle Operation Display System
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`Yu Hei Sunny Wai
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`1
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`29
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`31
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`31
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`
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`71...,LEE}.
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`31
`
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`Figure 113
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`AH M601 _000856
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`AHM601_000856
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 9 of 21 PageID #: 14
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 9 of 21 PageID #: 14
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 7 of 10
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`US 7,145,442 B1
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`Vehicle Operation Display System
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`Yu Hei Sunny Wai
`
`
` Figure 123 34
`Figure 14
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`1 1,49,77
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`1,2 3,4
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`58
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`50,51
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`7,8
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`Figure 13
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`AH M601 _000857
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`AHM601_000857
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 10 of 21 PageID #: 15
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 10 of 21 PageID #: 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 8 of 10
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`US 7,145,442 B1
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`Vehicle Operation Display System
`
`Yu Hei Sunny Wai
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`1 1 ,49,77
`
`
`
`Figure 15
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`16,38 53
`
`53
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`16,38 56 59
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`/
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`53
`
`Figure 16
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`AH M601 _000858
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`AHM601_000858
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 11 of 21 PageID #: 16
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 11 of 21 PageID #: 16
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 9 of 10
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`US 7,145,442 B1
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`Vehicle Operation Display Sys1em
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`Yu Hei Sunny Wai
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`1 1 ,49,77
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`1 1,80\
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`
`
`71
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`71
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`71
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`Figure 17A
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`Figure 178
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`AH M601 _000859
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`AHM601_000859
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 12 of 21 PageID #: 17
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 12 of 21 PageID #: 17
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 5, 2006
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`Sheet 10 of 10
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`US 7,145,442 B1
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`Vehicle Operation Display System
`
`Yu Hei Sunny Wai
`
`
`
`Figure 18A
`
`70
`
`Figure 183
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`AH M601 _000860
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`AHM601_000860
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`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 13 of 21 PageID #: 18
`Case 1:13-cv-00539-SLR Document 1-1 Filed 04/05/13 Page 13 of 21 PageID #: 18
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`US 7,145,442 B1
`
`1
`VEHICLE OPERATION DISPLAY SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to the field of information
`acquisition and display devices on a real-time basis and
`more particularly to systems which monitor the operation of
`powered vehicles and which display the status or condition
`of various aspects of vehicle operation for the driver. The
`invention specifically relates to the display of systems
`involving the anti-lock braking system, the stability of the
`vehicle as to proximity to rolling over, the power consumed
`by vehicle components such as the heating system and lights
`and/or, for four-wheel drive vehicles,
`the torque and/or
`braking forces delivered to the wheels. The information is
`acquired from sensors and/or from signals generated by the
`vehicle and is processed by the vehicle CPU or, in another
`embodiment by a display CPU. The processed information
`is then displayed for the driver in black and white or in color
`using an LED, LCD, vacuum fluorescent means, numerical
`display, gauge or meter.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`No prior art can be found which discloses the present
`invention. Historically the status of drive train components,
`of anti-locking brake system components, power usage by
`vehicle components, and/or of the approach of a rollover
`condition have not been displayed for the driver by any type
`of vehicle.
`
`US. Pat. No. 6,398,688, by Brown, et al, however dis-
`closes a visual display in FIG. 1 but without elaboration in
`the specification.
`US. Pat. No. 6,497,301 by lida, et al, discloses an
`indicator 25 and alarming lamp and alarm 26 in FIG. 1
`without further elaboration in the specification. Regarding
`the same type of disclosure, reference is made to US. Pat.
`No. 6,493,623 Nishida, et al.
`US. Pat. No. 46,603,393 by Sumada, et al, discloses a
`display for a vehicle operator for functional status of the
`vehicle but only mentions an open hood latch. No mention
`is made of the dynamics of operation of the vehicle.
`US. Pat. No. 5,825,284, Dunwoody et al, discloses a
`system and method of calculating the approach of a rollover
`condition for a vehicle. The method described uses a “lateral
`
`load transfer” sensor to calculate the center of gravity which
`is an inoperable means to make this calculation. Restated,
`very low weight loadings on a vehicle can be configured
`which will give high lateral loading and which result in no
`turning moment whatever. The Dunwoody patent is com-
`pletely inoperable. The present invention uses a harmonic
`frequency sensor which provides the means to calculate the
`center of gravity of a vehicle with great accuracy. With this
`and the input from a lateral acceleration sensor, the approach
`to a rollover condition of a vehicle is calculated with great
`accuracy.
`US. Pat. No. 5,949,330, Hoffman et al, discloses a
`general monitoring and diagnosing means without reference
`to monitoring vehicle parameters and without reference to
`the approach of a rollover condition of a vehicle.
`US. Pat. No. 6,721,634, Hauler, et al, discloses the use of
`a “freely programmable instrument cluster” within a vehicle
`but does not recite any vehicle parameters which are to be
`monitored and displayed. No reference is made regard
`monitoring vehicle parameters which would indicate the
`approach of a rollover condition of a vehicle.
`
`2
`
`US. Pat. No. 5,555,502, Opel, discloses a control system
`and an associated method with feedback input by the driver
`of a vehicle but does not recite any vehicle parameters which
`are to be monitored and displayed. No reference is made
`regard monitoring vehicle parameters which would indicate
`the approach of a rollover condition of a vehicle.
`US. Pat. No. 5,880,710, Jabei, et al, utilizes a filtering and
`selection means for information but does not recite any
`vehicle parameters which are to be monitored and displayed.
`No reference is made regard monitoring vehicle parameters
`which would indicate the approach of a rollover condition of
`a vehicle.
`
`US. Pat. No. 4,594,572, Haubner, et al, discloses a
`complex display means and primarily addresses the process-
`ing of information. The sole example given of a condition to
`be monitored is that of an open trunk compartment. Other-
`wise it does not recite any vehicle parameters which are to
`be monitored and displayed. No reference is made regarding
`the monitoring of vehicle parameters which would indicate
`the approach of a rollover condition of a vehicle.
`US. Pat. No. 5,949,345, Berkert, et al, discloses a system
`based upon a computer program without the utilization of a
`dedicated display. The sole vehicle parameter mentioned
`which is to be monitored is the fuel gauge. Torque related
`information, as delivered to the wheels and the approach to
`a rollover condition by a vehicle are not mentioned.
`The present invention discloses the use of a dynamic or
`real time display of the relative amounts of torque being
`transferred to the axles of a four-wheel drive vehicle and the
`
`use of an accurate monitoring means to indicate the
`approach of a rollover condition of a vehicle. These types of
`displays are currently unavailable to vehicle operators. No
`patents, including those cited above, disclose the method,
`system, process or apparatus of the present invention.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is an apparatus, method, process
`and system for displaying real-time operational information
`about a motor vehicle to the driver. The invention specifi-
`cally relates to the display of the status of systems involving
`the anti-lock braking system, the stability of the vehicle as
`to the approach of a rollover condition, the power consumed
`by vehicle components such as the heating system and lights
`and the torque and/or braking forces delivered to the wheels.
`The information is acquired from sensors and/or from sig-
`nals generated by the vehicle and is processed by the vehicle
`CPU or, in another embodiment, by a display CPU. The
`processed information is then displayed for the driver in
`black and white or in color using an LED, LCD, vacuum
`fluorescent means, numerical display, gauge or meter.
`The preferred images used in said display to convey said
`operating parameters are meaningful,
`symbolic, easily
`understood and spare in style. The presentation is in either
`black and white or color and the variety of types of display
`devices enumerated all generally serve to adequately display
`the needed information. Audible signals and/or warnings are
`used to augment these visual presentations. The preferred
`displays are time-variant, concise and appropriate for the
`information presented and include a proportional symbolic
`display, bar charts, a segmented bar chart, variable-size or
`variable-shape icon or images.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide an
`improved display means and system for the display of
`vehicle operating parameters to an operator of a motor
`vehicle.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
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`AH M601 _000861
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`AHM601_000861
`
`

`

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`US 7,145,442 B1
`
`3
`It is another object of the present invention to display
`information regarding the distribution of torque or driving
`forces at the wheels of a vehicle to the operator of the
`vehicle.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to display
`information to the operator regarding the approach of a
`rollover condition of the vehicle.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to collection
`information for display to an operator regarding the driving
`forces at the wheels of a vehicle by using a flux sensor or
`Hall effect sensor.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to display to
`the operator of a vehicle, information regarding the usage of
`power by various power consuming components of the
`vehicle.
`
`As disclosed by the present invention, the following items
`are new, useful applications of existing technologies for the
`display of information regarding the performance of a
`vehicle to the operator of the vehicle:
`(1) the torque or driving forces being delivered to the
`wheels;
`(2) the slippage of one or more wheels relative to the other
`wheels, particularly for four wheel drive vehicles;
`(3) the accurate visual display of the approach of a
`rollover condition of the vehicle;
`(4) the power being used by the power consuming com-
`ponents of a vehicle;
`(5) the use of true audible warnings for the approach of a
`rollover condition of a vehicle.
`
`These applications are not obvious as the required tech-
`nologies are old and the need for these applications has been
`long standing. Until the present invention, they have been
`unavailable.
`
`These and other objects an advantages of the present
`invention will become clear to those skilled in the art in view
`
`of the description of the best presently known mode of
`carrying out
`the invention and the applicability of the
`preferred embodiment as described herein and as illustrated
`in the several figures of the drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a display of a scalar bar diagram image of the
`braking force on the two rear wheels.
`FIG. 2 is a display of four wheel images representing the
`amplitude of the braking force on each wheel and the turning
`angle of the front wheels.
`FIGS. 3 and 4 are displays of wheel images indicating the
`amplitude of the braking force on each wheel.
`FIG. 5Ais a display of four wheel images representing the
`amplitude of the braking force on each wheel.
`FIGS. 5B and 5C are displays of wheel images represent-
`ing the amplitude of the relative amount of torque delivered
`to each of four wheels.
`
`FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B are each a display of a wheel
`image indicating the amplitude of the torque delivered to a
`wheel.
`
`FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9 are each a diagram of a system
`schematically showing component monitoring, data pro-
`cessing means and an image display.
`FIG. 10A schematically illustrates an in—line connector.
`FIG. 10B schematically illustrates an in-line connector
`and an inserted coil.
`
`FIGS. 10C and 10D illustrate a clamping induction coil.
`FIG. 10E schematically illustrates an in-line current sens-
`ing device.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`AH M601 _000862
`
`4
`
`FIGS. 11A and 11B are each a schematic diagram of an
`ABS system monitoring, data processing means and an
`image display.
`FIGS. 12A and 12B are each a schematic diagram of an
`accelerometer and harmonic frequency sensor, data process-
`ing means and an image display.
`FIG. 13 is a display of a torque distribution image.
`FIG. 14 schematically illustrates placement of a wheel
`load sensor.
`
`FIG. 15 illustrates a display of torque and braking repre-
`sentations for four wheels.
`
`FIG. 16 illustrates a display of torque, braking and
`steering representations for the wheels of a four wheel
`vehicle.
`
`FIGS. 17A and 17B each illustrate a display of symbols
`and/or numerals, each representing the power consumption
`of a system component.
`FIGS. 17C and 17D each illustrate a bar chart pie segment
`display of images of power consuming components of a
`system.
`FIGS. 18A and 18B are each a schematic diagram of
`power component monitoring, data processing means and an
`image display.
`FIGS. 19A and 19B each illustrate a display indicating the
`approach to a rollover condition.
`FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating functional processing
`of information by a display CPU and system.
`
`Reference Numerals - Description
`
`Description
`deft front tire
`{ight front tire
`deft rear tire
`{ight rear tire
`5mm transfer case
`(car transfer case
`5mm axle
`(car axle
`:ront-rear transfer shaft
`3raking indicator line
`General reference number for a display
`Jpper display bar
`nower display bar
`)ower source
`n—gear braking indicator
`Tighlighted item
`3and, moving traction indicator
`Vehicle outline
`Tarmonic frequency sensor
`Tigh temperature tape
`Arc indicator
`Wheel steering angle sensor
`Wheel steering angle sensor connector
`Electromagnetic clutch
`Winch symbol
`n-line connector
`Toroidal coil sensor
`Master brake cylinder and controller
`3rake
`Display device, mounted
`3rake line
`CPU, vehicle
`)ower takeoff symbol
`Electromagnetic clutch controller
`:lux sensor
`CPU, display system
`Accelerometer or gravity direction sensor
`3ar chart amplitude
`CPU connector
`Negative bar chart amplitude
`3ar chart, left front wheel
`
`
`
`Numeral
`1.
`2.
`3.
`4.
`5.
`6.
`7.
`8.
`9.
`10.
`11.
`12.
`13.
`14.
`15.
`16.
`17.
`18.
`19.
`20.
`21.
`22.
`23.
`24.
`25.
`26.
`27.
`28.
`29.
`30.
`31.
`32.
`33.
`34.
`35.
`36.
`37.
`38.
`39.
`40.
`41.
`
`AHM601_000862
`
`

`

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`US 7,145,442 B1
`
`5
`
`-continued
`
`Reference Numerals - Description
`
`Numeral
`
`Description
`
`42.
`43.
`44.
`45.
`46.
`47.
`48.
`49.
`50.
`51.
`52.
`53.
`54.
`55.
`56.
`57.
`58.
`59.
`60.
`61.
`62.
`63.
`64.
`65.
`66.
`67.
`68.
`69.
`70.
`71.
`72.
`73.
`74.
`75.
`76.
`77.
`
`78.
`79.
`80.
`81.
`82.
`83.
`84.
`85.
`
`
`
`Bar chart, rigit front wheel
`Bar chart, le
`rear wheel
`Bar chart, rigit rear wheel
`Wheel speed sensor
`Wheel speed connector
`Connector, vehicle CPU
`ABS controller
`Bar chart
`Connector to vehicle CPU
`Connector to display CPU
`Scalar bar diagram
`Indicator bar
`Clamping induction coil
`Sound amplitude indication symbol
`Bar chart divider
`Analog to digital (ND) converter
`Wheel load sensor
`Direction arrow
`Vehicle lighting symbol
`Net acceleration vector
`Center of gravity of vehicle
`7
`Ground
`Stereo system (speaker) symbol
`Air conditioning system symbol
`Cruise control symbol
`Ieating system symbol
`3ar chart
`)ower sensor
`Numerical display
`Scalar module
`Vector angle
`{adial line
`Vehicle display panel
`{eference image data module
`General reference number for a
`variable image
`3ar chart in pie segment format
`Device formating module
`Numerical display
`mage generation module
`7
`n-line series current sensor
`Alarm speaker
`Alarm speaker connector
`
`
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
`
`The best known method for the presentation of graphical
`information to the driver of a motor vehicle regarding
`specific real-time operating parameters of the vehicle using
`display devices is the present
`invention. These specific
`real-time operating parameters are defined as the operation
`of an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and/or the behavior of
`the vehicle as to stability,
`that is,
`to the approach of a
`rollover condition and/or operation of a vehicle as to the
`power consumed by vehicle components and/or, for four-
`wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles, operation of the vehicle as
`to the torque and/or braking forces delivered to the wheels
`(which are not limited to these factors).
`The sophisticated manner in which a modern four-wheel
`drive vehicle’s controlling CPU distributes torque to the
`wheels obscures the details of transferred power by trans-
`forming the vehicle’s performance into a seamless and
`uniform continuity, regardless of road conditions. Variations
`in a wheel’s traction due to a slippery surface result in the
`delivery of less power to the wheel to avoid slippage. This
`invisible and comprehensive management of power distri-
`
`AH M601 _000863
`
`6
`bution greatly eases the burden of driving in dangerous
`situations. However many drivers would like to have, and
`frequently would benefit from viewing, displayed informa-
`tion regarding the real-time operation of the vehicle and the
`control system.
`It
`is to the presentation of this type of
`operational information that the present invention is ori-
`ented. The various data acquisition means, the related com-
`putational processes, the variety of display devices which
`can be utilized in real
`time and the various graphical
`symbols and forms together with their real-time variations
`are used to present said operating parameters and comprise
`the essence of the present invention. The manner of accel-
`erating, braking and/or steering by a driver, affect a vehicle’ 5
`performance. The dynamic display of these parameters
`therefore is also within the scope of the present invention
`(which is not limited to these factors).
`The preferred images used in said display to convey said
`operating parameters are meaningful,
`symbolic, easily
`understood and spare in style. The presentation is in either
`black and white or color and the variety of types of display
`devices enumerated all generally serve to adequately display
`the needed information. Audible signals and/or warnings can
`be used to augment these visual presentations. The preferred
`displays are time-variant, concise and appropriate for the
`information presented and include a proportional symbolic
`display, bar charts, a segmented bar chart and variable-size
`or variable-shap