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).

  • Patent number: 10106074
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly is provided herein. The mirror assembly includes a housing. A first light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a first light output window disposed on an inboard portion of the housing. A second light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a second light output window disposed on a bottom portion of the housing. A third light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a third light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10099606
    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: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10086751
    Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle is provided herein. The lighting system includes a structure of the vehicle and a spotlight having a body coupled to the structure. A light assembly is disposed inside the body and is configured to project a light beam outwardly from the body. The operation of the light assembly and the directionality of the light beam is based on input from a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, James J. Surman, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10077576
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle keypad assembly includes, among other things a virtual button having a first area and a second area, a first phosphor between the first area and a light source, and a different, second phosphor between the second area and the light source. An exemplary vehicle keypad illumination method includes, among other things, selectively illuminating a first area of a keypad in one of a plurality of different colors while illuminating a different, second area of the keypad in a single color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Patent number: 10080257
    Abstract: Vehicle apparatus includes a glass windshield and a wiper system. A wiper blade has a parking region on the windshield. A deicer selectably provides heat to the parking region. A windshield temperature sensor detects a temperature of the windshield at the parking region. A head-up display is mounted proximate the windshield to display a temperature indicator responsive to the detected temperature. An automatic control circuit is configured to automatically deactivate the deicer when detecting a deiced condition in response to the detected temperature. A manual control element is configured to manually activate and deactivate the deicer. Thus, excessive heating can be avoided based on feedback of the windshield temperature. In addition, the driver is reminded that the deicer is active in a way that simultaneously provides information enabling the driver to independently evaluate the vehicle conditions and to make informed decisions about when to intervene in the automatic operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • Publication number: 20180257546
    Abstract: An illumination assembly is provided herein. The illumination assembly includes a first light source configured to generate an illumination pattern. A second light source is configured to generate an image within the illumination pattern. A lens is optically coupled with the first and second light sources. A controller is configured to control the activation state of the first and second light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron Bradley Johnson, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, James J. Surman
  • Publication number: 20180257553
    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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Carol C. Kordich, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Julian Lopacki
  • Patent number: 10075013
    Abstract: A vehicle charging compartment is disclosed. The compartment comprises a charging device comprising a plurality of light sources configured to emit a charging emission. The light sources are disposed on an interior surface formed by the compartment. A controller is configured to selectively illuminate the charging device in response to an environmental condition and a vehicle fault communicated to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Kristin Ann Hellman, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10059238
    Abstract: A seating assembly is provided herein. The seating assembly includes a partition disposed between first and second seats. The partition includes a panel movable between a stowed position and a deployed position along a track assembly. A first lamp is configured to project a first image onto the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Joshua Greiner
  • Patent number: 10064259
    Abstract: A vehicle badge is provided herein. The badge includes one or more light sources configured to illuminate in a pseudorandom sequence. Each respective light source illuminates in a first illumination sequence defined by a first set of parameters and a subsequent second illumination sequence defined by a second set of parameters. A controller is operably coupled with the light sources and has a counter therein. The counter determines the subsequent illumination sequence while the first illumination sequence occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, James Stewart Rankin
  • Patent number: 10064256
    Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a controller in communication with at least one light source and an occupancy sensor. The controller is configured to control an activation emission output from the light source configured to charge a persistent luminescent portion. The controller is further configured to detect an occupancy of the vehicle and charge the luminescent portion by periodically outputting the activation emission. The controller determines the periodicity of the output based on the occupancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Annette Lynn Huebner, Pietro Buttolo, Scott Holmes Dunham
  • Publication number: 20180229694
    Abstract: A self-cleaning system is provided for the interior of a motor vehicle. That self-cleaning system includes a photoactive self-cleaning surface, a sun shade, an actuator displacing the sun shade between an opened position and a closed position and a controller. A related method of self-cleaning a surface in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Chester Stanislaus Walawender
  • Publication number: 20180235082
    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: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. SALTER, James J. SURMAN, Todd Jared KONET
  • Patent number: 10035473
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel. A trim piece is positioned on the instrument panel and includes a surface defining a pattern. The pattern includes a body portion and a border portion. A diffraction grating is positioned within the boarder portion. The diffraction grating has a thickness of between about 250 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Michael A. Musleh, Joseph Myszka
  • Publication number: 20180208105
    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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10023100
    Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly is disclosed herein. The vehicle trim assembly includes a member having a transmissive member portion therein. A light source is configured to emit light through the light transmissive portion. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed within the member. A second photoluminescent structure is separated from the member and operably coupled with the light source. The first and second photoluminescent structures are configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Pietro Buttolo, Dragos Maciuca
  • Patent number: 10011219
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle includes a body panel and a badge attached to the panel. The badge includes a substrate and a housing attached thereto that define a cavity therebetween. A reflective member is disposed within the cavity. A light source is disposed within the cavity and is configured to emit excitation light in a first direction to illuminate a viewable portion of the badge and in a second direction towards the reflective member. The reflective member redirects the light through a peripheral portion of the badge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stephen Kenneth Helwig
  • Publication number: 20180157329
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Pietro Buttolo
  • Publication number: 20180154823
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly is provided herein. The mirror assembly includes a housing. A first light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a first light output window disposed on an inboard portion of the housing. A second light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a second light output window disposed on a bottom portion of the housing. A third light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a third light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 9989216
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises at least one vehicle panel having a first photoluminescent portion and a second photoluminescent portion. The first photoluminescent portion has a first luminescent absorption range and the second photoluminescent portion has a second luminescent absorption range. The illumination apparatus further comprises a first light source configured to emit a first emission at a first wavelength, wherein the first wavelength is within the first absorption range and outside the second absorption range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman