Patents in suit

US 10,046,696 Automatic control systems for vehicles

3 defendants · 3 suits · updated October 6, 2026

Also cited as U.S. Patent No. 10,046,696 · US10046696B2 · US 10,046,696 B2 · 10046696 · the '696 patent

Wyoming Technology Licensing Inc has filed 3 patent-infringement suits on US 10,046,696, "Automatic control systems for vehicles" since July 27, 2026, 2 of them in the N.D. Tex., against 3 distinct defendants including BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, FCA US LLC and Hyundai Motor America. The patent is held by Wyoming Technology Licensing LLC and was granted August 14, 2018 on a priority date of March 15, 2004. Its abstract opens: "An apparatus for use in a car includes: an input configured to receive data from a sensor; a processor configured to perform a statistical analysis using the data to determine a control parameter for controlling an automatic control of the car; and an output…" The examiner cited 2 references during prosecution.

Assignee
Wyoming Technology Licensing LLC
Priority date
March 15, 2004
Granted
August 14, 2018
Expires
March 15, 2024
Status
Expired - Lifetime
Claims
19 (4 independent)
Inventors
Anita Au, Gerald Chan
Full text
Google Patents

The suits

3 cases · N.D. Tex. (2) · D.N.J. (1)

Filed Defendant Plaintiff Court Docket
2026-07-27 BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC WYOMING TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC D.N.J. 2:26-cv-09417
2026-08-24 FCA US LLC Wyoming Technology Licensing Inc N.D. Tex. 3:26-cv-02839
2026-08-24 Hyundai Motor America Wyoming Technology Licensing Inc N.D. Tex. 3:26-cv-02840

Docket links open the public record on CourtListener. Filing dates are the complaint's.

Independent claims

What is actually asserted, verbatim.

Claim 1

1. An apparatus for use in a car, comprising: an input configured to receive data from a sensor; a processor configured to perform a statistical analysis using the data to determine a control parameter for controlling a function of the car; and an output for providing the control parameter for controlling the function of the car; wherein the processor has machine learning capability.

Claim 12

12. An apparatus for use in a car, comprising: an input configured to receive data from a sensor; a processor configured to perform an analysis using the data to determine a control parameter for controlling a function of the car; a medium storing historical data; and an output for providing the control parameter for controlling the function of the car; wherein the processor is configured to perform machine learning using at least some of the historical data, and wherein the control parameter for controlling the function of the car is based on a result of the machine learning performed by the processor.

Claim 18

18. An apparatus for use in a car, comprising: an input configured to receive data from a sensor; a processor configured to perform a statistical analysis using the data to determine a control parameter for controlling a function of the car; and an output for providing the control parameter for controlling the function of the car; wherein the processor is configured to perform the statistical analysis by determining a distribution curve, and wherein the processor is configured to control the function of the car based on the distribution curve.

Claim 19

19. An apparatus for use in a car, comprising: an input configured to receive data from a sensor; a processor configured to perform a statistical analysis using the data to determine a control parameter for controlling a function of the car; and an output for providing the control parameter for controlling the function of the car; wherein the processor is configured to perform the statistical analysis by determining a histogram, and wherein the processor is configured to control the function of the car based on the histogram.

Art before the examiner

115 references of record, 2 cited by the examiner.

Everything listed here was before the Office and is what a challenge must go beyond. Art the examiner never saw is where an invalidity search starts.

Examiner-cited

  • US20020121398A1 — Auto-cruise apparatus (Hayato Kikuchi)
  • US20080216067A1 — Arrangement and Method for Programming Motor Vehicles (Volvo Lastvagnar Ab)
Applicant-cited and other (113)
  • US4030066A — Automatic cancellation means for vehicle turn indicator signals
  • US4333071A — Self-cancelling apparatus for vehicle turn indicators
  • US4403211A — Automatic turn-signal cancelling system
  • US4638290A — Electronic turn signal cancellation apparatus
  • US4660020A — Turn signal cancelling apparatus for use in vehicles
  • US4772868A — Signal warning system for motor vehicle
  • US4962366A — Automatic turn signal cancelling apparatus
  • US4970653A — Vision method of detecting lane boundaries and obstacles
  • US5239148A — Lane discriminating traffic counting device
  • US5245422A — System and method for automatically steering a vehicle within a lane in a road
  • US5351044A — Vehicle lane position detection system
  • US5428512A — Sidelighting arrangement and method
  • JPH0939650A — Turn signal control device for vehicle
  • US5642093A — Warning system for vehicle
  • US5673019A — Automatic turn signal and safety device
  • US5712618A — Method and apparatus for an automatic signaling device
  • US5757949A — Warning system for vehicle
  • US5765116A — Driver assistance system for a vehicle
  • US5790403A — Lane image processing system for vehicle
  • US5835028A — Lane marker position sensor and alarm
  • US5892855A — Apparatus for detecting an object located ahead of a vehicle using plural cameras with different fields of view
  • US5913376A — Automatic steering control apparatus
  • US5922036A — Lane detection sensor and navigation system employing the same
  • US5982278A — Road monitoring device
  • US5991427A — Method and apparatus for detecting a lane on a road
  • JPH11342808A — Vehicle turn signal indicator with voice input function
  • US6005492A — Road lane recognizing apparatus
  • US6019184A — Automated vehicle
  • US6025775A — Driving-safety ancillary white-flash alerting-system
  • US6038496A — Vehicle with optical scanning device for a lateral road area
  • US6057754A — Drive assist system for motor vehicle
  • US6107939A — Lane change alarm for use in a highway vehicle
  • US6170955B1 — Vehicle mounted optical assembly
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  • US6204759B1 — Automatic turn-signal deactivator
  • US6215392B1 — Sensing device for detecting movement of vehicle by lane-marker
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  • US20010032524A1 — Shifter with automatic and manual shift modes and with shift position indicators
  • US6314354B1 — Lane following system for a vehicle
  • US6317202B1 — Automotive radar detecting lane mark and frontal obstacle
  • US6320176B1 — Vehicle rain sensor using imaging sensor
  • US6330508B1 — Preceding vehicle following control system
  • US6345228B1 — Road vehicle sensing apparatus and signal processing apparatus therefor
  • US20020019703A1 — Automotive safety enhansing system
  • US6356189B1 — Lighting control apparatus for automatic following travel system
  • US6370474B1 — Vehicular active drive assist system
  • US6370475B1 — Accident avoidance system
  • US6374074B1 — Cleaning apparatus and cleaning method
  • US6388565B1 — Guidance system for assisting lane change of a motor vehicle
  • US6400308B1 — High performance vehicle radar system
  • US6411901B1 — Vehicular active drive assist system
  • US20020095246A1 — Lane tracking control system for vehicle
  • US6433816B1 — Method for compensating for noise in lane drifting warning system
  • US6445288B1 — Automatic turn signal deactivation system
  • US20020175813A1 — Optical highway line detector
  • US6489887B2 — Lane-keep assisting system for vehicle
  • US20030004643A1 — Method for indicating a motor vehicle change of direction and device therefor
  • US6546118B1 — Image processing apparatus for vehicle
  • US6556909B2 — Lane keep control for vehicle
  • US6560535B2 — Global positioning system roadside integrated precision positioning system
  • US6577246B1 — Electromagnetic wave lane marker, device for detecting electromagnetic wave lane marker, and traffic system
  • US6580987B2 — Driver assistance system for a vehicle
  • US20030120414A1 — Lane-keep control system for vehicle
  • US20030123705A1 — System for controlling exterior vehicle lights
  • US6591000B1 — Apparatus and method for preprocessing a picked-up image, lane mark recognizing system, related vehicle traveling control system, and recording media
  • US6606027B1 — Vehicle safety sensor system
  • US20030151502A1 — Automatic warning signal system for vehicles
  • US20030156015A1 — Method for recognising a change in lane of a vehicle
  • US20030172757A1 — Transmission operating apparatus for vehicle
  • US20030229447A1 — Lane position maintenance apparatus and method
  • US6665603B2 — Vehicle traveling control system
  • US6684149B2 — Vehicle control method and vehicle warning method
  • US6693583B2 — Object recognition apparatus and method thereof
  • US20040049323A1 — Haptic seat notification system
  • US6708098B2 — Lane-keep control system for vehicle
  • US6711481B1 — System and method for programming an exit delay for automatic headlamps
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  • US6741186B2 — Infrared road line detector
  • US6744380B2 — Apparatus for monitoring area adjacent to vehicle
  • US6753766B2 — Detecting device and method of using same
  • US20040143381A1 — Switching a turn signal indicator on or off
  • US20040155767A1 — Multi-function self-canceling turn signal device with integrated voltage regulator
  • US6778890B2 — Lane-keeping control with steering torque as a control input to a vehicle steering system
  • US20040164851A1 — Lane tracking system employing redundant image sensing devices
  • US6813370B1 — Lane marker recognizing apparatus
  • US6819779B1 — Lane detection system and apparatus
  • US6819235B2 — Method and apparatus for automatically canceling turn signals of vehicles
  • US6823241B2 — Lane recognition apparatus for vehicle
  • US6842189B2 — Road monitoring method for a vehicle and a system thereof
  • US6842687B2 — Method and device for assisting in a passing maneuver for motor vehicles
  • US6850628B2 — Lane recognition apparatus for vehicle
  • US6850629B2 — Image processing method for preventing lane deviation
  • US6868168B2 — Lane recognition system for vehicle
  • US6876300B2 — Electronic intelligent turn signal control system
  • US6879890B2 — Lane keep control apparatus and method for automotive vehicle
  • US6879706B2 — Apparatus and method for detecting traffic lane mark for automotive vehicle
  • US6927694B1 — Algorithm for monitoring head/eye motion for driver alertness with one camera
  • US20050200467A1 — Automatic signaling systems for vehicles
  • US6972675B2 — Vehicle turn signal system
  • US6973380B2 — Lane keep control apparatus and method for automotive vehicle
  • US6975218B2 — Lane based automatic turn signal deactivation
  • US6993425B2 — Automotive lane deviation avoidance system
  • US7002458B2 — Vehicular turning indicator
  • US7016517B2 — Travel road detector
  • US7085633B2 — System and method for improving vehicle operator driving assistance of automotive vehicle
  • US7091838B2 — Lane deviation alarm system
  • US7113866B2 — Method and device for determining vehicle lane changes using a vehicle heading and a road heading
  • US7164132B2 — Multilane remote sensing device
  • US20070069874A1 — Selectable lane-departure warning system and method
  • US7759819B2 — Illumination control device for vehicle
  • US20110051268A1 — Blind spot mirror
  • US20120221200A1 — Integrated vehicle control system and apparatus
  • US8473144B1 — Controlling vehicle lateral lane positioning

Classification

  • B60Q1/346primary — Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction with automatic actuation
  • B60Q1/34 — Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction
  • B60Q1/343 — Manually actuated switching arrangements therefor
  • B60Q1/40 — Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction having mechanical, electric or electronic automatic return to inoperative position
  • B60Q2900/30 — Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions

Family

  • US10046696B2 — B2 (2018)
  • US20200172004A1 — A1 (2020)
  • US20090189756A1 — A1 (2009)
  • US9248777B2 — B2 (2016)
  • US20180345850A1 — A1 (2018)
  • US7986223B2 — B2 (2011)
  • US11897388B2 — B2 (2024)
  • US9505343B2 — B2 (2016)
  • US8378805B2 — B2 (2013)
  • US20050200467A1 — A1 (2005)
  • US20130265152A1 — A1 (2013)
  • US10293743B2 — B2 (2019)
  • US20170057405A1 — A1 (2017)
  • US10569700B2 — B2 (2020)
  • US20160144776A1 — A1 (2016)
  • US20190270404A1 — A1 (2019)
  • US20110279257A1 — A1 (2011)
  • US7482916B2 — B2 (2009)

Abstract

An apparatus for use in a car includes: an input configured to receive data from a sensor; a processor configured to perform a statistical analysis using the data to determine a control parameter for controlling an automatic control of the car; and an output for providing the control parameter for controlling the automatic control of the car.

Also asserted by Wyoming Technology Licensing Inc

  • US 7,482,916 — Automatic signaling systems for vehicles (3 defendants)

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This page is assembled from public records — federal court dockets and the patent's own file — and is updated as the case list changes. It states what the record shows and is not an opinion on the validity or infringement of any claim. Patent data via Google Patents; docket data via CourtListener.