Patents by Inventor Douglas L. Welk
Douglas L. Welk 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).
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Patent number: 11890933Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a vehicle occupancy-monitoring system. The system includes a controller circuit that receives occupant data from an occupancy-monitoring sensor of a vehicle. The controller circuit determines an occupancy status of respective seats in a cabin of the vehicle based on the occupancy-monitoring sensor. The controller circuit indicates the occupancy status of the respective seats on a display located in a field of view of occupants of the vehicle. The display is integral to one of a roof light module, a door panel, or a headliner of the cabin. The system can improve passenger safety by alerting the operator and other occupants about the occupancy status of the passengers.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Douglas L Welk, Timothy A. Suda
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Patent number: 11878708Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for monitoring an occupant located in an interior of a vehicle. The techniques include the detection an occupant in at least one image. Body points of the occupant are identified based on the at least one image, and a pose of the occupant is classified based on the detected body points. A recommendation for adapting the occupant's pose is provided based on the classified pose.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Alexander Barth, Douglas L. Welk
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Patent number: 11810443Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a vehicle-occupancy alert system. The system includes a controller circuit configured to receive occupant data from an occupancy-monitoring sensor configured to detect a presence of one or more objects inside a vehicle. The controller circuit is also configured to determine whether an operator of the vehicle has exited the vehicle based on the occupant data. The controller circuit is also configured to determine based on the occupant data that the one or more objects remain inside the vehicle for a time exceeding a first threshold after the operator has exited. The controller circuit is also configured to output an alert indicating the one or more objects remain inside the vehicle when the time exceeds the first threshold. The system can improve passenger safety by alerting the vehicle operator that a child remains in the vehicle unattended before the operator moves away from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Christopher A. Hedges, Douglas L Welk
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Publication number: 20230339366Abstract: This document describes one or more aspects of an in-vehicle occupant monitoring and calming system. In one example, the system includes a processor that receives occupant data from occupancy-monitoring sensors (e.g., microphones, cameras, radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors) of a vehicle. Based on the occupant data, the processor can determine whether the occupant is distressed and provide an image or video of the occupant to the driver. The processor can also display driver-selectable options to calm the distressed occupant. The options can include playing an audio or video file for the occupant, adjusting the ambient lighting of the vehicle, or rocking or gently vibrating the occupant's seat. In this way, the described system can monitor vehicle occupants and automatically display a video of the distressed occupant to the driver. In addition, the driver can calm the distressed occupant without removing their attention from driving.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Shiwen Ai, Douglas L. Welk
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Patent number: 11685385Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a driver-monitoring system. The system includes a controller circuit that receives monitoring data from a driver-monitor sensor that is configured to monitor a driver of a vehicle while the vehicle operates in an autonomous-driving mode. The controller circuit determines a score of one or more driver-supervisory metrics based on the monitoring data, each of the driver-supervisory metrics being indicative of whether the driver is supervising the operation of the vehicle. The controller circuit determines a supervision score based on the score of the driver-supervisory metrics. The supervision score is indicative of whether the driver is ready to resume control of the vehicle. The controller circuit indicates a driver-awareness status on a display in a field of view of the driver based on the supervision score. The system can improve vehicle safety by alerting the driver when the driver exhibits reduced driver awareness behavior.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Yang Yang, Douglas L. Welk
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Patent number: 11654919Abstract: Automated driver assistance systems (ADAS) and methods that provide user-specific ADAS warnings each involve determining an identity of the driver of the vehicle, accessing a memory configured to store a set of user profiles, each user profile defining a set of ADAS warnings, identifying a target user profile based on whether the driver identity corresponds to any of the set of user profiles, including accessing one of the set of stored user profiles or creating and storing a new user profile, and, during a period after identifying the target user profile, updating the set of ADAS warnings defined by the target user profile based on the vehicle's operation and providing ADAS warnings based on the set of ADAS warnings defined by the target user profile.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventors: Pardis Khayyer, Douglas L. Welk
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Publication number: 20230093419Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a vehicle occupancy-monitoring system. The system includes a controller circuit that receives occupant data from an occupancy-monitoring sensor of a vehicle. The controller circuit determines an occupancy status of respective seats in a cabin of the vehicle based on the occupancy-monitoring sensor. The controller circuit indicates the occupancy status of the respective seats on a display located in a field of view of occupants of the vehicle. The display is integral to one of a roof light module, a door panel, or a headliner of the cabin. The system can improve passenger safety by alerting the operator and other occupants about the occupancy status of the passengers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Douglas L. Welk, Timothy A. Suda
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Patent number: 11565653Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a vehicle occupancy-monitoring system. The system includes a controller circuit that receives occupant data from an occupancy-monitoring sensor of a vehicle. The controller circuit determines an occupancy status of respective seats in a cabin of the vehicle based on the occupancy-monitoring sensor. The controller circuit indicates the occupancy status of the respective seats on a display located in a field of view of occupants of the vehicle. The display is integral to one of a roof light module, a door panel, or a headliner of the cabin. The system can improve passenger safety by alerting the operator and other occupants about the occupancy status of the passengers.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Douglas L. Welk, Timothy A. Suda
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Publication number: 20220388527Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for monitoring an occupant located in an interior of a vehicle. The techniques include the detection an occupant in at least one image. Body points of the occupant are identified based on the at least one image, and a pose of the occupant is classified based on the detected body points. A recommendation for adapting the occupant's pose is provided based on the classified pose.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Alexander Barth, Douglas L. Welk
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Publication number: 20220358826Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a driver-monitoring system. The system includes a controller circuit that receives monitoring data from a driver-monitor sensor that is configured to monitor a driver of a vehicle while the vehicle operates in an autonomous-driving mode. The controller circuit determines a score of one or more driver-supervisory metrics based on the monitoring data, each of the driver-supervisory metrics being indicative of whether the driver is supervising the operation of the vehicle. The controller circuit determines a supervision score based on the score of the driver-supervisory metrics. The supervision score is indicative of whether the driver is ready to resume control of the vehicle. The controller circuit indicates a driver-awareness status on a display in a field of view of the driver based on the supervision score. The system can improve vehicle safety by alerting the driver when the driver exhibits reduced driver awareness behavior.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Yang Yang, Douglas L. Welk
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Patent number: 11423759Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a driver-monitoring system. The system includes a controller circuit that receives monitoring data from a driver-monitor sensor that is configured to monitor a driver of a vehicle while the vehicle operates in an autonomous-driving mode. The controller circuit determines a score of one or more driver-supervisory metrics based on the monitoring data, each of the driver-supervisory metrics being indicative of whether the driver is supervising the operation of the vehicle. The controller circuit determines a supervision score based on the score of the driver-supervisory metrics. The supervision score is indicative of whether the driver is ready to resume control of the vehicle. The controller circuit indicates a driver-awareness status on a display in a field of view of the driver based on the supervision score. The system can improve vehicle safety by alerting the driver when the driver exhibits reduced driver awareness behavior.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Yang Yang, Douglas L. Welk
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Publication number: 20220201481Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a system for modifying access to a communication device. The system includes a controller circuit configured to receive first-feature data generated by a first detector configured to detect identifying features of a driver of a vehicle. The controller circuit is also configured to receive second-feature data generated by a second detector configured to detect identifying features of a user of a communication device. The controller circuit is also configured to determine whether an identifying feature from the first-feature data matches a corresponding identifying feature from the second-feature data. The controller circuit is also configured to modify access to one or more functions of the communication device based on the determination. The system can reduce instances of driver distraction caused by the driver attempting to use the communication device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Paul R. Martindale, Douglas L. Welk
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Publication number: 20220189282Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a vehicle-occupancy alert system. The system includes a controller circuit configured to receive occupant data from an occupancy-monitoring sensor configured to detect a presence of one or more objects inside a vehicle. The controller circuit is also configured to determine whether an operator of the vehicle has exited the vehicle based on the occupant data. The controller circuit is also configured to determine based on the occupant data that the one or more objects remain inside the vehicle for a time exceeding a first threshold after the operator has exited. The controller circuit is also configured to output an alert indicating the one or more objects remain inside the vehicle when the time exceeds the first threshold. The system can improve passenger safety by alerting the vehicle operator that a child remains in the vehicle unattended before the operator moves away from the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Christopher A. Hedges, Douglas L. Welk
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Patent number: 11295598Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a vehicle-occupancy alert system. The system includes a controller circuit configured to receive occupant data from an occupancy-monitoring sensor configured to detect a presence of one or more objects inside a vehicle. The controller circuit is also configured to determine whether an operator of the vehicle has exited the vehicle based on the occupant data. The controller circuit is also configured to determine based on the occupant data that the one or more objects remain inside the vehicle for a time exceeding a first threshold after the operator has exited. The controller circuit is also configured to output an alert indicating the one or more objects remain inside the vehicle when the time exceeds the first threshold. The system can improve passenger safety by alerting the vehicle operator that a child remains in the vehicle unattended before the operator moves away from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Christopher A. Hedges, Douglas L. Welk
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Publication number: 20220067135Abstract: A method is provided for authenticating an occupant within an interior of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a camera which is configured to monitor the interior of the vehicle, and a processing device being configured to process image or video data provided by the camera. Characteristic features are determined being visible via the camera, and authenticating image or video data are captured via the camera while an occupant is present within the interior of the vehicle. Via the processing device, face recognition and liveliness check are performed for the occupant based on the authenticating image or video data, and an identification degree of the characteristic features is determined within the authenticating image or video data. Based on the face recognition, the liveliness check and the identification degree it is determined whether an authentication of the occupant is to be accepted.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Alexander Barth, Douglas L. Welk
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Publication number: 20220048517Abstract: Automated driver assistance systems (ADAS) and methods that provide user-specific ADAS warnings each involve determining an identify of the driver of the vehicle, accessing a memory configured to store a set of user profiles, each user profile defining a set of ADAS warnings, identifying a target user profile based on whether the driver identity corresponds to any of the set of user profiles, including accessing one of the set of stored user profiles or creating and storing a new user profile, and, during a period after identifying the target user profile, updating the set of ADAS warnings defined by the target user profile based on the vehicle's operation and providing ADAS warnings based on the set of ADAS warnings defined by the target user profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventors: Pardis Khayyer, Douglas L. Welk
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Publication number: 20210206343Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a vehicle occupancy-monitoring system. The system includes a controller circuit that receives occupant data from an occupancy-monitoring sensor of a vehicle. The controller circuit determines an occupancy status of respective seats in a cabin of the vehicle based on the occupancy-monitoring sensor. The controller circuit indicates the occupancy status of the respective seats on a display located in a field of view of occupants of the vehicle. The display is integral to one of a roof light module, a door panel, or a headliner of the cabin. The system can improve passenger safety by alerting the operator and other occupants about the occupancy status of the passengers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Douglas L. Welk, Timothy A. Suda
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Publication number: 20210209922Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a driver-monitoring system. The system includes a controller circuit that receives monitoring data from a driver-monitor sensor that is configured to monitor a driver of a vehicle while the vehicle operates in an autonomous-driving mode. The controller circuit determines a score of one or more driver-supervisory metrics based on the monitoring data, each of the driver-supervisory metrics being indicative of whether the driver is supervising the operation of the vehicle. The controller circuit determines a supervision score based on the score of the driver-supervisory metrics. The supervision score is indicative of whether the driver is ready to resume control of the vehicle. The controller circuit indicates a driver-awareness status on a display in a field of view of the driver based on the supervision score. The system can improve vehicle safety by alerting the driver when the driver exhibits reduced driver awareness behavior.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Yang Yang, Douglas L. Welk
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Publication number: 20210209927Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a vehicle-occupancy alert system. The system includes a controller circuit configured to receive occupant data from an occupancy-monitoring sensor configured to detect a presence of one or more objects inside a vehicle. The controller circuit is also configured to determine whether an operator of the vehicle has exited the vehicle based on the occupant data. The controller circuit is also configured to determine based on the occupant data that the one or more objects remain inside the vehicle for a time exceeding a first threshold after the operator has exited. The controller circuit is also configured to output an alert indicating the one or more objects remain inside the vehicle when the time exceeds the first threshold. The system can improve passenger safety by alerting the vehicle operator that a child remains in the vehicle unattended before the operator moves away from the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Christopher A. Hedges, Douglas L. Welk
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Publication number: 20190072955Abstract: A driver-alert system for an automated vehicle includes a display, and attention-detector, a hazard-detector, and a controller. The display is viewable by an operator of a host-vehicle. The attention-detector indicates when an operator is attentive to the display. The hazard-detector indicates when a hazard is present proximate to a travel-path of the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the attention-detector, the display, and the hazard-detector. The controller operates the display to warn the operator of the hazard only when the attention-detector indicates that the operator is attentive to the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Douglas L. Welk, Paul R. Martindale, Satish R