Patents by Inventor David Michael Herman

David Michael Herman 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: 20210250178
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to augmented reality vehicle identification with visual light communication. For example, a mobile device may be configured for “scanning” an area having multiple parked vehicles within visual range of the mobile device, to identify a target vehicle. The mobile device may include an application for identifying the target vehicle using visual light communication (VLC) equipment and techniques that present an augmented reality outline or other identification of the target vehicle on the smartphone screen once the vehicle is identified by the system. The encrypted communication channels with the vehicle may be established to utilize vehicle headlamps, interior lights, or another light emitting device to establish the VLC between the user's phone and the vehicle VLC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Nicholas Scheufler
  • Patent number: 11079756
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring of steering wheel engagement for autonomous vehicles. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit configured to perform autonomous motive functions, a steering wheel, capacitive sensors coupled to the steering wheel, a second sensor configured to monitor an operator, and a controller. The controller is configured to detect a first heart rate via the capacitive sensors, detect a second heart rate via the second sensor, identify that an engagement-imitating device is coupled to the steering wheel responsive to determining that the first heart rate does not correlate with the second heart rate, and emit an alert responsive to determining that the engagement-imitating device is coupled to the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: David Michael Herman
  • Publication number: 20210232158
    Abstract: Aerial vehicle sensor calibration systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining a jarring event, determining when a drone is level relative to an aerial vehicle platform of a vehicle, the vehicle having a calibration controller, determining when the vehicle is level relative to a subordinate surface, and transmitting a signal to a drone controller by the calibration controller to calibrate a gyroscope or an accelerometer of the drone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel Makled, David Michael Herman
  • Publication number: 20210229672
    Abstract: A location of a light source outside a field of view of a polarimetric image of a vehicle interior can be determined. Then, upon (a) determining, based on the polarimetric image, that the light source is other than vehicle lighting or an exterior source and (b) detecting a vehicle occupant, a vehicle actuator can be actuated based on a determined location of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Michael Herman
  • Publication number: 20210229657
    Abstract: A system includes a processor is programmed to: identify, based on data from first sensors included in a first vehicle, a second vehicle moving within a first threshold distance of a travel path of the first vehicle and within a second threshold distance of the first vehicle. The processor is further programmed to receive, from second sensors included in the first vehicle, transient velocity data of the second vehicle; and determine an operating condition of the second vehicle based on the transient velocity data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Aaron Lesky, Ronald Beras, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Patent number: 11072963
    Abstract: A method to transfer thermal energy from an interior area includes, among other things, automatically transmitting a request to open a door to provide an opening from the interior area. The opening permits thermal energy to move from the interior area to an exterior area. At least some of the thermal energy within the interior area is generated when charging a vehicle within the interior area. An assembly includes, among other things, a door actuation module that automatically transmits a request to open a door to provide an opening from an interior area. The opening permits thermal energy to move from the interior area to an exterior area. At least some of the thermal energy within the interior area is generated when charging a vehicle within the interior area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Nunzio DeCia, Stephen Jay Orris, Jr., Nicholas Alexander Scheufler
  • Patent number: 11021159
    Abstract: A system includes a computer comprising a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions such that the processor is programmed to determine, based on vehicle lidar sensor data, a reflectivity of an area of a road surface, and to determine whether the area is wet based on the determined reflectivity of the area, a dry-condition reflectivity threshold for the area, and an angle of viewing the area from the lidar sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Publication number: 20210140808
    Abstract: A system includes a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a first temperature of a fluid stored by a fluid storage device and then actuate a fluid heating device to add heat energy to the fluid. The instructions include instructions to determine an amount of the heat energy added to the fluid. The instructions include instructions to determine a second temperature of the fluid stored by the fluid storage device after adding the heat energy to the fluid. The instructions include instructions to determine a quantity of the fluid stored by the fluid storage device based on the amount of the heat energy added to the fluid by the fluid heating device and a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Patent number: 10981564
    Abstract: A computing system can be programmed to determine a location, speed and direction for a first vehicle. The computer can be further programmed to determine probabilities for predicted locations, speeds and directions of the first vehicle based on identifying the first vehicle and the driving environment. The computer can be further programmed to operate a second vehicle based on the determined probabilities for predicted locations, speeds and directions of the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Stephen Jay Orris, Jr., David Joseph Orris, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Nunzio DeCia
  • Publication number: 20210082090
    Abstract: Optical surface degradation detection and remediation systems, devices, and methods are provided herein. An example method includes tracking a first object within images of an area of interest obtained over a period of time by an image sensor of a vehicle during vehicle movement; tracking a light source within the area of interest; determining a change in relative reflective intensity of the first object using the images, based on a light source angle formed between the light source and an optical plane of an optical surface the vehicle, the change in relative reflective intensity being indicative of veiling glare of the optical surface; and activating a remediating measure in response to the veiling glare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Venkatesh Krishnan, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Patent number: 10946789
    Abstract: A system includes at least one sensor; a plurality of lamps fixed relative to the sensor; at least one vehicle component attached to the lamps; and a computer communicatively coupled to the lamps, the at least one sensor, and the at least one vehicle component. The computer is programmed to sequentially activate the lamps, determine that an intensity for at least one of the lamps is below a respective intensity threshold based on data from the sensor during the sequential activations of the lamps, and actuate the at least one vehicle component in response to one of the intensities being below the respective intensity threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Patent number: 10944912
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for reducing flickering artifacts in imaged light sources. Example methods may include receiving images corresponding to a scene captured by a camera; determining a light source in the scene using at least one artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm; determining, using an event-based camera, data representing flickering of the light source, the flickering having a frequency; determining, based on the data, that a time duration of overlap between an on state of the light source and an exposure time of the camera is below a threshold; and delaying the exposure time of the camera by a delay time to increase the time duration of overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Michael Herman
  • Patent number: 10943129
    Abstract: A system includes a camera having a field of view, a cleaning apparatus positioned to clean the camera, and a computer communicatively coupled to the camera and the cleaning apparatus. The computer is programmed to detect an obstruction on the camera based on sensing a trajectory of an external light source relative to the field of view in data from the camera, and upon detecting the obstruction, activate the cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 10921485
    Abstract: A system includes an optical window, and an illuminator and a first light sensor deployed on a same side of the optical window. The system further includes a second light sensor on another side of the optical window. The system further includes a computer including a processor and memory. The memory includes instructions such that the processor is programmed to identify an obstruction on the optical window upon the first light sensor reporting first data from the illuminator that is above an expected threshold. The expected threshold is based on second data from the second light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 10917771
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle comprises a controller, programmed to output a warning to a registered mobile device via a server over a wireless network, responsive to a safety event indicative of a child being left in the vehicle in a dangerous condition triggered responsive to detection of presence of the child in a car seat and failure to receive confirmation that an adult occupant is still in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Joseph Orris, David Michael Herman, David A. Herman, Nunzio DeCia, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Stephen Jay Orris
  • Publication number: 20210032922
    Abstract: A method includes predicting an environmental condition at a location to which a vehicle is travelling, the environmental condition including at least one of water, dust, and pollution, determining that an object within the vehicle is at a distance greater than a threshold distance from an unobstructed window of the vehicle, and then actuating the unobstructed window to a closed position based on the environmental condition and the object being at the distance from the window greater than the threshold distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: DAVID MICHAEL HERMAN, ASHWIN ARUNMOZHI, MICHAEL ROBERTSON, JR., TYLER D. HAMILTON
  • Patent number: 10906425
    Abstract: A network of electric vehicle chargers is provided. The network may include a controller that, responsive to data indicating a threshold risk of utility grid power loss in a defined geographic area, broadcasts commands summoning vehicles in the defined geographic area to travel to and charge via the network, and prioritize charging of the vehicles at the network according to charge state data such that the vehicles having lowest state of charge are charged first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Nicholas Scheufler, David A. Herman, Nunzio DeCia, David Joseph Orris, Stephen Jay Orris, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210024069
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor programmed to identify, based on data from first sensors included in a first vehicle, that a second vehicle proximate to a route of the first vehicle is stationary. The processor is further programmed to receive, from second sensors included in the first vehicle, transient velocity data from the second vehicle; and determine an operating condition of the second vehicle based on the transient velocity data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: DAVID MICHAEL HERMAN, ASHWIN ARUNMOZHI, AARON LESKY, RONALD BERAS
  • Publication number: 20210020031
    Abstract: A vehicle may determine that it is stopped and detect a perimeter-modification event predefined as correlating to a changed vehicle perimeter. The vehicle may further, responsive to the perimeter-modification event, define an expanded vehicle perimeter, larger than a perimeter predefined as representing the vehicle in travel. The perimeter expansion may be done in accordance with a predefined modification associated with the detected perimeter modification event. The vehicle may additionally wirelessly share the expanded vehicle perimeter with at least one other vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: David Michael HERMAN
  • Publication number: 20210009137
    Abstract: A system includes a computer comprising a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions such that the processor is programmed to determine, based on vehicle lidar sensor data, a reflectivity of an area of a road surface, and to determine whether the area is wet based on the determined reflectivity of the area, a dry-condition reflectivity threshold for the area, and an angle of viewing the area from the lidar sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi