Patents by Inventor Allan K. Lewis

Allan K. Lewis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180244198
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for overlaying on an in-vehicle display road objects associated with potential hazards are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method may include: responsive to detecting a presence of a detected vehicle in proximity to the local vehicle, determining, by a processing device, a position of the detected vehicle, a speed of the detected vehicle, and a time to the local vehicle of the detected vehicle; determining, by the processing device, whether the detected vehicle, in proximity to the local vehicle, represents a potential hazard to the local vehicle based on the position of the detected vehicle, the speed of the detected vehicle, and a time to the local vehicle of the detected vehicle; and responsive to determining that the detected vehicle, in proximity to the local vehicle, represents a potential hazard to the local vehicle, overlaying, by the processing device, a warning indicium on the in-vehicle display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Yi G. Glaser, Allan K. Lewis, Daniel S. Glaser, Mohammad Naserian, Paul E. Krajewski
  • Publication number: 20180246641
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for triggering control of a zone of a vehicle using a zone image overlay on an in-vehicle display are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method may include: displaying a primary image on the in-vehicle display; overlaying a zone image as the zone image overlay onto the primary image on the in-vehicle display, wherein the zone image overlay is associated with the zone of the vehicle; receiving a selection of the zone image overlay; responsive to receiving the selected zone image overlay, displaying a control interface on the in-vehicle display, wherein the control interface comprises a selectable option for controlling an aspect of the zone; and responsive to receiving a selection of the selectable option for controlling the aspect of the zone, adjusting the aspect of the zone based on the selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Yi G. Glaser, Allan K. Lewis, Daniel S. Glaser, Mohammad Naserian, Paul E. Krajewski
  • Publication number: 20180215386
    Abstract: A host vehicle includes a combustion engine configured to provide a propulsion torque to satisfy a propulsion demand. The vehicle also includes at least one sensor configured to detect a position of a reference vehicle. A vehicle controller is programmed to determine a path between a current host vehicle location and an upcoming intersection. The controller is also programmed to forecast a path clearance time at which the host vehicle is able to traverse the intersection in response to sensor data indicating the reference vehicle moving within the path ahead of the host vehicle. The controller is further programmed to deactivate the engine prior to a host vehicle stop based on the path clearance time being greater than a time threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Mohammad NASERIAN, Allan K. LEWIS
  • Patent number: 10017117
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant viewing system and a corresponding method for displaying a vehicle occupant on an image display unit. The system may comprise one or more vehicle interior cameras for obtaining occupant images of one or more occupants in rear seats of the vehicle. The system may include two vehicle interior cameras, one in a forward facing orientation and another in a rear facing orientation, which can capture occupant images of occupants in forward facing positions and occupants in rear facing positions such as infants in car seats. The system may also include one or more modular vehicle interior cameras that are moveable between various orientations in order to capture occupant images of either forward or rear facing passengers. Adjustments can be made to display the occupant images to the driver in a more intuitive arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Allan K. Lewis, Michael T. Chaney, Jr., Mohammad Naserian
  • Publication number: 20180160030
    Abstract: A side rear view camera is located at a driver or passenger side of the vehicle, captures video beside and behind the vehicle, and has a predetermined field of view (FOV). The predetermined FOV is defined by a first predetermined horizontal angle of view (AOV) and a first predetermined vertical AOV. A display is located and visible within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. A display module, on the display: displays a first portion of the video from within a first predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV, the first predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV being defined by a second predetermined horizontal AOV and a second predetermined vertical AOV; and selectively displays a second portion of the video from within a second predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV, the second predetermined portion of the predetermined FOV being defined by a third predetermined horizontal AOV and a third predetermined vertical AOV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Michael T. CHANEY, JR., Allan K. LEWIS, Mohammad NASERIAN, Valor YALDO, Mohannad MURAD
  • Patent number: 9987983
    Abstract: A parking assist system and method that uses one or more cameras on the side of a vehicle to provide modified video output to an electronic display unit that can assist a driver with parallel parking. The modified video output provides the driver with real time visual feedback of the position of the vehicle, with respect to a curb or other barrier, and may also indicate if the current position is compliant with local parking regulations, as determined based on the vehicle's current location. The modified video output includes one or more visual indicators that may be graphically superimposed over top of the video output from the side camera so that the driver can see in real time when the vehicle is or is not lawfully parallel parked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Allan K. Lewis, Michael T. Chaney, Jr., Mohammad Naserian
  • Patent number: 9975487
    Abstract: A rear vision system and a corresponding method for use with a host vehicle towing a trailer or other object. The rear vision system may include a rear facing camera, a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) unit, vehicle dynamic sensors, a navigation unit, a control unit, and an electronic display mirror. When the towed trailer obstructs the rear facing camera, the system and method look for unseen vehicles behind the trailer and use the V2V unit to gather information from these vehicles. This information is then used to generate a rendering that graphically depicts or represents the unseen vehicle, and the rendering is superimposed on top of the video output from the rear facing camera in the form of enhanced video output, which is then displayed on the electronic display mirror. Thus, the driver is able to “see” behind the obstructing trailer without the use of additional cameras installed on the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Allan K. Lewis, Mohammad Naserian
  • Publication number: 20180118199
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a trailer distance module, a trailer contact module, a trailer distance module, and at least one of a driver warning module, a brake control module, and a steering control module. The trailer distance module determines a distance from a cab of a truck to a fifth wheel trailer attached to the truck based on an input from a sensor. The trailer contact module identifies potential contact between the trailer and the truck cab based on the cab-to-trailer distance. The driver warning module warns a driver of the potential contact. The brake control module applies a brake of at least one of the truck and the trailer when potential contact is identified. The steering control module increases an amount of driver effort required to steer the truck in at least one direction when potential contact is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Michael T. CHANEY, JR., Allan K. LEWIS, Mohammad NASERIAN
  • Publication number: 20180113331
    Abstract: A smart sensor-cover apparatus for covering a sensor, such as a vehicle sensor, includes controllable layers, responsive to inputs, such as a wavelength-filtering controllable layer to selectively filter out select wavelengths of light; a polarizing layer controllable layer to selectively polarize or allow through light; a concealing controllable layer to change between a visible state and a concealed state; and an outermost, cleaning, layer configured to melt incident ice. The outermost layer in various embodiments has an outer surface positioned generally flush with an outer vehicle surface for operation of the apparatus, to promote the concealing effect when the concealing layer is not activate. The outermost layer may be configured to self-mend when scratched, and in some cases is hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or super hydrophilic outer surface. An insulating component, such as a glass or polycarbonate layer, is positioned between each adjacent controllable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Jinsong Wang, Allan K. Lewis, Qingrong Zhao, Michael T. Chaney, JR., Robert D. Sims, III, Wende Zhang, Xiaosong Huang
  • Publication number: 20170334357
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant viewing system and a corresponding method for displaying a vehicle occupant on an image display unit. The system may comprise one or more vehicle interior cameras for obtaining occupant images of one or more occupants in rear seats of the vehicle. The system may include two vehicle interior cameras, one in a forward facing orientation and another in a rear facing orientation, which can capture occupant images of occupants in forward facing positions and occupants in rear facing positions such as infants in car seats. The system may also include one or more modular vehicle interior cameras that are moveable between various orientations in order to capture occupant images of either forward or rear facing passengers. Adjustments can be made to display the occupant images to the driver in a more intuitive arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Allan K. Lewis, Michael T. Chaney, JR., Mohammad Naserian
  • Publication number: 20170274827
    Abstract: A rear vision system for a host vehicle and a method of using the same, where the rear vision system includes an electronic display mirror that is designed to replace a traditional rearview mirror. The electronic display mirror has an integrated electronic video display that is coupled to a rearward facing camera at the back of the vehicle and displays a video feed from the camera to the driver in real time. The electronic display mirror can display enhanced video output that shows the area behind the host vehicle, along with performance metrics that are superimposed on the video and provide relevant information to the driver. For example, the enhanced video output may include an estimated time difference between the host vehicle and the closest trailing vehicle superimposed on the video; this may be particularly useful when the host vehicle is involved in a performance driving event, like a race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Allan K. Lewis, Mohammad Naserian, Michael T. Chaney, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170232890
    Abstract: A parking assist system and method that uses one or more cameras on the side of a vehicle to provide modified video output to an electronic display unit that can assist a driver with parallel parking. The modified video output provides the driver with real time visual feedback of the position of the vehicle, with respect to a curb or other barrier, and may also indicate if the current position is compliant with local parking regulations, as determined based on the vehicle's current location. The modified video output includes one or more visual indicators that may be graphically superimposed over top of the video output from the side camera so that the driver can see in real time when the vehicle is or is not lawfully parallel parked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Allan K. Lewis, Michael T. Chaney, JR., Mohammad Naserian
  • Publication number: 20170217368
    Abstract: A rear vision system and a corresponding method for use with a host vehicle towing a trailer or other object. The rear vision system may include a rear facing camera, a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) unit, vehicle dynamic sensors, a navigation unit, a control unit, and an electronic display mirror. When the towed trailer obstructs the rear facing camera, the system and method look for unseen vehicles behind the trailer and use the V2V unit to gather information from these vehicles. This information is then used to generate a rendering that graphically depicts or represents the unseen vehicle, and the rendering is superimposed on top of the video output from the rear facing camera in the form of enhanced video output, which is then displayed on the electronic display mirror. Thus, the driver is able to “see” behind the obstructing trailer without the use of additional cameras installed on the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Allan K. Lewis, Mohammad Naserian