Patents by Inventor Christopher P. Ricci

Christopher P. Ricci 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).

  • Patent number: 10862764
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a universal chassis that may be mounted in the head unit of a vehicle. The chassis may accept one or more modules that each have common dimensions. With a common form factor, the universal chassis is configurable as different modules with different functionality may be inserted into the chassis with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: AUTOCONNECT HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10762553
    Abstract: Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided that use identifiers and sensed power source parameters to determine whether a rule, such as a warranty or licensing requirement, has been violated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10753761
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a universal modular battery and power system are provided. The universal modular battery may include a number of modular interconnection features that enable a number of universal modular batteries to be stacked for use in a universal battery power system. The modular interconnection features facilitate the modular addition or subtraction of batteries in the universal battery power system to, among other things, alter a power capacity of the system. The universal batteries in a power system may be exchanged, swapped, or moved from one power system to another, including power systems associated with different vehicles and/or buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10699326
    Abstract: A device includes a microprocessor and a computer readable medium coupled to the microprocessor. The computer readable medium includes instructions stored thereon that cause the microprocessor to receive output from at least one sensor monitoring an interior space of a vehicle and determine, based on the received output, a condition of an occupant in the interior space of the vehicle. The instructions cause the microprocessor to determine, based on the determined condition of the occupant, to alter a first presentation of information displayed to a display device of the vehicle to a second presentation of the information displayed to the display device. The instructions case the microprocessor to render the second presentation of the information to the display device of the vehicle to replace the first presentation of the information displayed to the display device of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10699305
    Abstract: Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10685503
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that detects a first presence of a driver in a vehicle, based upon detecting the first presence, provides a user interface for the driver to enter first user information, information, and communicates the first sensitive information to a vendor to authenticate the combines the first user information and the vehicle information to generate the first sensitive driver to enable the vendor to perform a financial transaction with the driver using the first sensitive information while the vehicle is in motion. The processor is programmed to initiate automatically, on behalf of the driver, the financial transaction with the vendor in response to a sensed state or location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10679276
    Abstract: A vehicle, based on user preferences and while the vehicle is in motion: in response to identification of a first event (e.g., a third party resident being in a vehicle location and/or on the route of the vehicle) and based on the user preferences, determines that the user desires to perform a transaction with the third party, automatically sends a first communication to the third party for the user (the first communication being part of a secure session and enabling authentication of the user by the third party), at a second later time and while the vehicle is in motion, and in response to identification of a second event, automatically sends a different second communication to the third party. The second communication is part of the secure session and enables the third party to complete the transaction with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10672060
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that determines a need for communication with a third party vendor, retrieves the user rule from the memory (the user rule defining to which third party vendor the vehicle can send a first communication to address the need and defining a geographic location of the third party vendor relative to a current location of the vehicle, a monetary amount the vehicle can pay to a third party vendor for a product or service to address the need, and a time limit for the third party vendor to provide the product or service to address the need), based on the user rule, selects a third party vendor from among multiple possible third party vendors, and when determined by the user rule, automatically sends the first communication to the selected third party vendor to order the product or service and provides an authorization to the selected third party vendor to complete the order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10632852
    Abstract: Techniques for electric vehicle systems, and in particular to a vehicle optical charging system and method of use. In one embodiment, a system for vehicle optical charging comprises: an optical charging station configured to transmit an optical signal, the optical charging station comprising a directive element configured to direct the transmitted optical signal; a receiving vehicle comprising an electrical storage unit and a receiver configured to receive the transmitted optical signal, the receiver in electrical communication with the electrical storage unit; wherein the received optical signal enables charging of the electrical storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10611251
    Abstract: A control system for a rechargeable vehicle control system, comprises: a processor and a computer readable medium, in communication with the processor, that comprises processor executable instructions. The processor executable instructions comprise: a vehicle tracker that identifies rechargeable electric vehicles currently using a transportation network and tracks a last known position in the transportation network of each rechargeable electric vehicle and a vehicle router that directs the rechargeable electric vehicles to one of plural charging segments located along the transportation routes in the transportation network to receive a charge, thereby load balancing the rechargeable electric vehicles over the plurality of charging segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20200104326
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a detecting an intruder near or within a vehicle are disclosed. Specifically, a method to detect and identify a person near or within a vehicle as an authorized or an unauthorized user is provided. In the event an unauthorized user is detected within a vehicle, the system may take a number of actions. In one embodiment, the actions comprise providing notice to one or more authorized users of the vehicle, disabling the vehicle, notifying emergency personnel or police, and emitting a visual or audio alarm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10604020
    Abstract: Devices and systems are provided to isolate and/or reduce vibration from a charging panel. A system for reducing vibration between a charging panel of an electric vehicle and the electric vehicle may include a charging panel, an armature coupled to the charging panel, and a floating section, wherein the armature is between the floating section and the charging panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20200077130
    Abstract: An intelligent television is provided that can collect viewer information for use by a rating service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20200068060
    Abstract: A docking station for docking portable electronic devices is disclosed. The docking station is configured to mechanically accept and operatively interface with the portable electronic device for non-contact charging and data transfer. The docking station can provide security features for providing and/or restricting access to computational facilities such as printers, databases, installed programs, etc. Such security features can include installing applications on such portable devices that limit access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher P. Ricci, Dennis J. Dupray
  • Patent number: 10556599
    Abstract: Systems of an electric vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. Methods are provided that determine whether a vehicle power source is authorized to power a vehicle at a specific level, and if the power source is not authorized to power the vehicle, alter an ability of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10534819
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a detecting an intruder near or within a vehicle are disclosed. Specifically, a method to detect and identify a person near or within a vehicle as an authorized or an unauthorized user is provided. In the event an unauthorized user is detected within a vehicle, the system may take a number of actions. In one embodiment, the actions comprise providing notice to one or more authorized users of the vehicle, disabling the vehicle, notifying emergency personnel or police, and emitting a visual or audio alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: IP Optimum Limited
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10532663
    Abstract: Techniques for electric vehicle systems, and in particular to an electric vehicle emergency charging system and method of use. In one embodiment, a system for charging a moving electric vehicle is provided, the system comprising: an electrical storage unit disposed on the electric vehicle; a charging panel in electrical communication with the electrical storage unit; a vehicle controller that determines if the electrical storage unit requires charging and configured to determine if an overhead power source is available to charge the electrical storage unit; wherein the charging panel receives the charge from the overhead power source and charges the electrical storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20200004791
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a system that provides various outputs based on a user profile and determined context. An output provided by the present disclosure can change a configuration of a vehicle, device, building, and/or a system associated with the user profile. The configurations can include comfort and interface settings that can be adjusted based on the user profile information. Further, the user profiles can track health data related to the user and make adjustments to the configuration to assist the health of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20190394097
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an application store on board a vehicle. The application store contains, in one configuration, a plurality of applications for installation on an on board computer of the vehicle, with the applications provided to the vehicle operator being provided to the operator being based on predetermined types of information related to the vehicle, its state, operation, and/or configuration, vehicle location, vehicle type, make, model, and/or year of manufacture, and/or occupant(s) and/or occupant(s) of other vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20190392107
    Abstract: A system to access one or more user profiles that govern one or more vehicle functions. The system cooperates with a processor and verification module which are adapted to verify, using one or more of biometric information, gesture recognition, facial recognition and device identification information, that a user has authority to access the one or more user profiles, where the one or more profiles are stored in one or more of a vehicle, a cloud and a communications device. An edit module is further provided and adapted to allow the user to make one or more edits to the one or more user profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci