Robert T Benedict

US Patent:

6820238, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Feb 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/078615

Inventors:

Jack L. Auflick - Westland MI
David S. Cheney - White Lake MI
Michael R. Remenak - Southgate MI
Gregory R. Hamel - Livonia MI
Robert H. Benedict - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 1300

US Classification:

715723, 715716

Abstract:

A multimedia player having a limited user interface achieves quick and easy navigation within a large playlist of stored digital audio files by employing the rotary volume control knob in a separate mode to advance or rollback sequentially through the playlist. Thus, an MP3 player can be implemented for an automotive or vehicular multimedia player without increasing the number of user control elements, such as buttons, knobs, or other switches.

US Patent:

57541230, May 19, 1998

Filed:

May 6, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/643714

Inventors:

Peter Joseph Nashif - Canton MI
Robert Harlow Benedict - Ann Arbor MI
Stan John Tracy - Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G08G 116

US Classification:

340903

Abstract:

A backup aid system, for a vehicle, senses when the vehicle is in reverse gear. Ultrasonic sensors at the rear of the vehicle provide continuous range information to a control module for objects that are detected as being relatively close to the vehicle. A radar system provides range information to the control module for objects detected beyond the range of the ultrasonic system. At low speeds below a predetermined minimum speed level or when the system is placed in the "park" mode for parking, the radar information is ignored and only the ultrasonic information is used to warn the vehicle operator. At a relatively high threshold backup speed, the vehicle operator is immediately warned to slow down, whether or not an object is detected in the vehicle path. Between the lower and upper threshold speeds, both the ultrasonic system and the radar system are used to continuously range and detect any objects that enter their respective detection fields. The control module causes an alarm device to warn the driver as to how close the vehicle is to the closest object.