Patents by Inventor James J. Surman

James J. Surman 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).

  • Heatable vehicle keypad assembly and keypad heating method
    Patent number: 10296213
    Abstract: An exemplary heatable keypad assembly includes, among other things, a touch-sensitive sensor providing a keypad, and a heating element that includes a conductive polymer-based material and is disposed adjacent the touch-sensitive sensor. An exemplary keypad heating method includes, among other things, holding a heating element having a conductive polymer-based material near a touch-sensitive sensor. The touch-sensitive sensor provides a keypad adjacent a transparent panel of a vehicle. The method further includes activating the conductive polymer-based material to heat an area of the transparent panel adjacent the keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, James J. Surman, Cornel Gardner
  • HEATABLE VEHICLE KEYPAD ASSEMBLY AND KEYPAD HEATING METHOD
    Publication number: 20190138202
    Abstract: An exemplary heatable keypad assembly includes, among other things, a touch-sensitive sensor providing a keypad, and a heating element that includes a conductive polymer-based material and is disposed adjacent the touch-sensitive sensor. An exemplary keypad heating method includes, among other things, holding a heating element having a conductive polymer-based material near a touch-sensitive sensor. The touch-sensitive sensor provides a keypad adjacent a transparent panel of a vehicle. The method further includes activating the conductive polymer-based material to heat an area of the transparent panel adjacent the keypad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, James J. Surman, Cornel Gardner
  • Light Apparatus with Film Layer to Blend with Surrounding Body Member
    Publication number: 20190137069
    Abstract: A light apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a light surrounded by a vehicle member, a film on a substrate layer to form a lens for the light, and a support comprising a first structure positioned behind the light and one portion of the lens and a second structure positioned behind a remaining portion of the lens. In one example, the light apparatus comprises a daytime running light and turn signal assembly. In one example, the apparatus and a method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, configuring a control to deactivate the light such that the assembly has a same appearance as the vehicle member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • Vehicle user input control system and method
    Patent number: 10281990
    Abstract: A vehicle user input control system and method is provided having a user input located on a vehicle, a plurality of proximity sensors located proximate the user input, and a controller processing signals generated by the proximity sensors to detect at least one of a trajectory and orientation of a hand proximate to the user input and determining the hand is associated with one of a driver and passenger of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Pietro Buttolo
  • Interior lighting assemblies and units that produce natural and courtesy light patterns
    Patent number: 10272831
    Abstract: A dome light assembly that includes a reflective surface facing an interior; a light-diffusing element over the reflective surface having a plurality of corresponding opposed edges and LED sources; and a controller for directing the sources to transmit a plurality of light patterns from the element into the interior based at least in part on a plurality of inputs. Further, each source is configured to direct incident light into the corresponding edge. These light patterns include natural light and other light patterns. The inputs include manual inputs, weather inputs, exterior light sensor inputs, temporal inputs and global positioning system inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Methods and systems for fuel system monitoring
    Patent number: 10240542
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a fuel dispensing nozzle coupled to a fuel tank of a vehicle and providing a visual indication of the presence of the fuel dispensing nozzle to a vehicle operator. In one example, a method may include detecting the fuel dispensing nozzle within the fuel tank and illuminating a portion of a fuel tank access region. Further, vehicle operation may be adjusted based on the detection, and one or more alerts may be communicated to the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Bending method for printed circuit board
    Patent number: 10237970
    Abstract: A bendable printed circuit board is provided. The bendable circuit board may include a circuit board having first and second sections and at least one plated wire that electrically connects and mechanically joins the first and second sections together. The first section may be pivotable with respect to the second section through the at least one plated wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Todd Jared Konet
  • Luminescent windshield display
    Patent number: 10220784
    Abstract: A display system of a vehicle is provided herein. The display system includes light sources and an indicator that luminesces in response to light excitation by the light sources. A controller is provided for selectively operating each of the light sources based on input from one or more proximity sensors. The indicator luminesces in one of a number of colors depending on which of the light sources is activated and each color indicates the proximity of a detected object relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Aaron Bradley Johnson
  • SMART DROP OFF LIGHTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190061616
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a plurality of lights. A controller is in communication with a sensing system for detecting the presence of an electronic device carried by a vehicle occupant. The controller is configured to assign a seating area to the electronic device based on a detected cabin location of the device and operate the lights based on the assigned seating area and information indicative of an impending vehicle departure of the vehicle occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Cornel Lewis Gardner, James J. Surman, James Stewart Rankin, II
  • Seatbelt stowage assembly
    Patent number: 10207636
    Abstract: A seatbelt stowage assembly comprises a housing including an outer rim and a cover and further defining a compartment. The housing is disposed within a headliner of a vehicle and is configured to house a seatbelt in a stowed position. The seatbelt stowage assembly also includes a light source disposed within the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Benjamin Yilma, Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo
  • TIRE WEAR DETECTION APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20190047330
    Abstract: Tire wear detection apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a tire including a wear bar coupled thereto. The example vehicle also includes a light source to emit a light and means for directing the light to the tire. At least a portion of the wear bar is to glow when exposed to the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman, James J. Surman, Terry Lobsinger
  • Illuminated vehicle container assembly and container illumination method
    Patent number: 10202069
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle container assembly includes an outer bin, an inner bin received within the outer bin, and a lighting assembly that illuminates an interior of the inner bin through a translucent area of the inner bin. An exemplary vehicle container illumination method includes illuminating an interior area of an inner bin through a translucent area of the inner bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Vehicle light system
    Patent number: 10195985
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle includes a headliner including a cover. A first luminescent structure is disposed on the cover and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by a light assembly. The light assembly is disposed below the headliner. A controller is configured to activate the light assembly. The light assembly independently illuminates various portions of the luminescent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Carol C. Kordich, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Julian Lopacki
  • TRAFFIC SYSTEM LINKED ILLUMINATING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20190035264
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle system includes an illuminating vehicle assembly and a control system configured to communicate with a traffic control device and control the illuminating vehicle assembly to emit lighting effects that are synchronized with the traffic control device. An exemplary method for controlling the illuminating vehicle assembly includes receiving a wireless signal from a traffic control device, and controlling the illuminating vehicle assembly to produce a lighting effect that is synchronized with a corresponding lighting effect of the traffic control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner, James J. Surman
  • Vehicle light strip with optical element
    Patent number: 10189401
    Abstract: A vehicle light strip is provided herein. The vehicle light strip includes a housing member. A light assembly is disposed inside the housing member and has a light source and a photoluminescent structure that is configured to luminesce in response to light excitation by the light source. An optical element is configured to transmit a portion of luminescent light toward a front wall of the housing member and direct another portion of luminescent light toward at least one side wall of the housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, Harry Lobo
  • INDICATOR SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE WEAR COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20190025225
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a wear component comprising a plurality of layers disposed in an engine compartment. The layers comprise a photoluminescent portion and a cover layer disposed over the photoluminescent portion. The apparatus further comprises a light source located in the engine compartment. The light source is configured to emit an excitation emission configured to illuminate the photoluminescent portion to emit an output emission having a color different than the excitation emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Terry R. Lobsinger, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Vehicle windshield lighting assembly
    Patent number: 10186177
    Abstract: A lighting assembly of a vehicle is provided herein including a windshield and an electroluminescent member sealed within the windshield and configured to illuminate in response to applied electrical power. A reflector is optically coupled to the electroluminescent member and is configured to enhance the brightness thereof. A fit is coupled to the windshield and is positioned to at least partially conceal the electroluminescent member from a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Tom F. Boettger, James J. Surman, David C. Allen
  • Vehicle climate status indicator
    Patent number: 10179542
    Abstract: A climate status indicator for a vehicle includes a light guide positioned around a vent perimeter. The climate status indicator additionally includes a light device coupled to at least one vent fin. The light guide and/or the light device are configured to provide a visual indicator of a climate status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Gary D. Mullen, James J. Surman, Wei Xu, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Manfred Koberstein
  • ILLUMINATED VEHICLE CONTAINER ASSEMBLY AND CONTAINER ILLUMINATION METHOD
    Publication number: 20190009710
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle container assembly includes an outer bin, an inner bin received within the outer bin, and a lighting assembly that illuminates an interior of the inner bin through a translucent area of the inner bin. An exemplary vehicle container illumination method includes illuminating an interior area of an inner bin through a translucent area of the inner bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Light system
    Patent number: 10173582
    Abstract: A window for a vehicle is provided herein. The window includes a light guide disposed between an outer panel and an inner panel. A light source is optically coupled with the light guide and is configured to direct excitation light towards a luminescent structure. The luminescent structure luminesces in response to receiving the excitation light. A controller is configured to illuminate the light source when an electronic device having an application thereon is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman