Patents by Inventor Michael Robertson

Michael Robertson 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: 11587411
    Abstract: A system for use in allowing a user to conduct one or more transactions at one or more touchpoints in a business facility includes an authentication component, a tracking component, and a control component. The authentication component is configured to authenticate the user as a person allowed to conduct the one or more transactions. The tracking component is configured to track the user's location within the facility as the user moves through the facility. The control component is configured (a) to receive authentication information from the authentication component, (b) to receive location information from the tracking component, (c) to use the location information to recognize that the user has moved into position to engage one of the touchpoints, and (d) to deliver a message to the touchpoint authorizing the touchpoint to engage in one or more transactions with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Robertson McNamara
  • Patent number: 11579252
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor having a field of view, a sensor window through which the field of view extends; an air nozzle positioned to direct airflow across the sensor window; a surface fixed relative to the sensor window, the surface including a plurality of heat-dissipation fins; and a cover extending over the fins and including an inlet. The inlet is positioned at an opposite edge of the sensor window from the air nozzle. The air nozzle is aimed at the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Raghu Raman Surineedi
  • Patent number: 11572731
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11571773
    Abstract: A method for installing sensors to a vehicle includes fixing a plurality of tolerance compensators to the vehicle. The method includes fixing a plurality of sensor brackets to a jig. The method includes fixing the jig to a vehicle. The method includes, after fixing the sensor brackets to the jig and the jig to the vehicle, fixing the sensor brackets to the vehicle by connecting the tolerance compensators to the sensor brackets and adjusting dimensions of the tolerance compensators to maintain positions of the sensor brackets relative to the vehicle and each other, the positions defined by the jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton, Venkatesh Krishnan, Paulo Henrique Ungaretti
  • Patent number: 11548658
    Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary moonroof systems for vehicles. An exemplary moonroof system may include a pod assembly that may be received within an opening of a headliner. The pod assembly may be utilized to dock, deploy, and land an unmanned aerial vehicle relative to the moonroof system. The pod assembly may include a charging and cooling system for charging and cooling the unmanned aerial vehicle when it is docked within the pod assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Segundo Baldovino, Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi
  • Publication number: 20220398670
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for identifying a counterpart entity of a transaction from a transaction string. In one example, a method may include identifying a transaction string from an account of a target entity, the transaction string comprising a record of a payment that changed a balance of the account, executing a machine learning model based on the transaction string to determine a counterpart entity of the transaction with respect to the target entity, wherein, during execution, the machine learning model receives the transaction string as input and outputs an identifier of the counterpart entity, generating a data structure comprising a first field that stores the transaction string and a second field that stores an identifier of the counterpart entity, and storing the data structure within a file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Tyler Howard, Jason Robinson, John Michael Robertson, Nathan Crockett, Andrew Toloff, Winn Martin, Marcel Crudele
  • Publication number: 20220397645
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing and a sensor unit attached to the housing. The sensor unit includes a cylindrical shell defining a vertical axis and rotatable around the axis relative to the housing. The cylindrical shell extends upward along the axis from a lower edge. The sensor unit includes a first frustoconical panel fixed to the cylindrical shell, centered on the axis, and extending downward and radially outward from the lower edge. The housing includes a second frustoconical panel centered on the axis, defining a gap with the first frustoconical panel, and defining an airflow outlet from the housing radially inside the second frustoconical panel relative to the axis. The sensor unit defines an airflow inlet radially inside the lower edge relative to the axis and positioned to receive airflow from the airflow outlet. At least one of the frustoconical panels includes a ridge extending into the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Petniunas, Venkatesh Krishnan, James Robert Hurd, III, Rashaun Phinisee, Daniel Klevorn, Michael Robertson, JR.
  • Patent number: 11520012
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a cylindrical sensor housing extending vertically upward from a sensor-housing bottom, a gutter elongated circumferentially around the sensor-housing bottom, a drain channel extending radially outward from the gutter, at least one air nozzle positioned radially outside the gutter and directed radially inward, and a panel extending above and radially inward from the air nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Sunil Reddy Patil, Rashaun Phinisee
  • Publication number: 20220357426
    Abstract: An assembly includes a base. The assembly housing includes a sensor housing rotatably supported by the base and having a sensor window. The sensor housing defines a passage that extends through the sensor housing from an inlet vent at a leading end of the passage to an outlet vent at trailing end of the passage. The outlet vent faces the sensor window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee, Raghuraman Surineedi, Michael Robertson, JR., Tyler D. Hamilton, Segundo Baldovino
  • Patent number: 11453018
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first sensor window defining a first plane, a second sensor window fixed relative to the first sensor window and defining a second plane different than the first plane, and a nozzle positioned to deliver fluid to the first and second sensor windows. The nozzle is translatable along a first axis, rotatable about the first axis, and rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ashwin Arunmozhi, Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11408984
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis oriented vertically, at least one air nozzle positioned below the sensor window and aimed upward, and a cap positioned above the sensor window and including a topside and an underside. The topside and the underside are disposed radially outward from the sensor window. The underside includes a first groove having a cross-section elongated circumferentially around the axis, and the cross-section of the first groove curves from a lower end upwardly and outwardly to an upper end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rashaun Phinisee, Sunil Reddy Patil, Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Michael Robertson, Jr., Raghu Raman Surineedi
  • Publication number: 20220236380
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base mounted to a vehicle defining a forward direction, a housing mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base around an axis in a direction of rotation, a sensing apparatus inside the housing and rotatable with the housing, a sensor window fixed to and rotatable with the housing, and a nozzle fixed relative to the base. The sensor window is flat. The sensing apparatus has a field of view through the sensor window. The nozzle is positioned to be aimed at the sensor window when the sensor window is at a first rotational position that is more than 0° and less than 90° from the forward direction relative to the axis in the direction of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Tyler D. Hamilton, Rashaun Phinisee, Michael Robertson, JR., Raghuraman Surineedi
  • Publication number: 20220236382
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base, a housing mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base around an axis in a direction of rotation, a sensing apparatus inside the housing and rotatable with the housing, and a sensor window extending from a point on the housing in a direction that is radially outward and circumferential relative to the axis. The sensor window is flat. The sensing apparatus has a field of view through the sensor window. An exterior surface of the sensor window faces in a direction that is radially outward and circumferentially in the direction of rotation relative to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Raghuraman Surineedi, Michael Robertson, JR., Rashaun Phinisee, Segundo Baldovino
  • Publication number: 20220236084
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base, a sensor body mounted to the base and rotatable around an axis relative to the base, a sensor window fixed relative to the sensor body, a sensing apparatus inside the sensor body and having a field of view through the sensor window, a vapor chamber fixed relative to the sensor body, and a heat pipe extending from the sensor body to the vapor chamber. The vapor chamber is spaced radially outward from the sensor body relative to the axis and has a curved shape extending circumferentially around the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, JR., Rashaun Phinisee, Raghuraman Surineedi, Segundo Baldovino
  • Publication number: 20220196801
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for a vehicle includes a base, a sensor body mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base around an axis in a direction of rotation, and a cover. The sensor body includes a sensor window and a wall having heat fins elongated circumferentially relative to the axis. The cover is positioned to cover the heat fins. The cover includes an inlet open in the direction of rotation. The cover defines an airflow path from the inlet through the heat fins. The cover includes an outlet positioned to direction air across the sensor window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Venkatesh Krishnan, Segundo Baldovino, Raghuraman Surineedi, Tyler D. Hamilton, Rashaun Phinisee, Colm Boran
  • Publication number: 20220196807
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base and a sensor housing mounted to the base. The sensor housing is rotatable relative to the base about an axis. The sensor housing includes a top panel having an exterior surface. A plurality of fins are disposed on the exterior surface and are fixed relative to the sensor housing. The fins extend radially outward relative to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rashaun Phinisee, Raghuraman Surineedi, Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, JR., Tyler D. Hamilton, Segundo Baldovino
  • Publication number: 20220185459
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining tire pressure of an aircraft tire. The apparatus includes a processing system configured to: obtain a first set and a second set of tire measurement data for an aircraft, wherein the first set is from a start of a flight cycle and the second set is from a time before the first set; and determine a steady state tire pressure based on the first and second sets of measurement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventor: Michael ROBERTSON
  • Publication number: 20220185042
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a pneumatic tyre including a pressure sensor(s) to measure an internal pressure within the tyre. A speed sensor(s) measures a rotational speed of the tyre. A controller is configured to receive data from the pressure sensor and the speed sensor and output indications related to a condition of the tyre. The controller determines the output indications by tracking the internal pressure with respect to time during use of the tyre, identifying at least one change in internal tyre pressure in a time interval. The time interval is between a first reference time and a second reference time, the reference times corresponding to points at which the speed sensor indicates different rotational speeds of the tyre. The controller further monitors the pressure change as a function of rotational speed of the tyre to provide an indicator of tyre condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Michael ROBERTSON, Mark Andrew JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 11353697
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a contaminant on a lens of a sensor upon determining a force applied to the lens based on an electric current exceeding a threshold and to actuate a cleaning component to remove the contaminant from the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., James Pizzimenti, Tyler D. Hamilton, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Patent number: 11331893
    Abstract: A film-application apparatus includes a body including a first body half, a second body half, and a hinge coupling the body halves; and a squeegee blade movable from a first position relative to the body to a second position relative to the body. The second body half is rotatable about the hinge relative to the first body half to a closed position. When the second body half is in the closed position, the body includes a top ring and a bottom ring both centered on an axis and defining an axial gap therebetween. When the second body half is in the closed position and the body is enclosing a sensor having a cylindrical sensor window, the axial gap exposes the cylindrical sensor window, and moving the squeegee blade from the first position to the second position covers substantially an entire surface area of the cylindrical sensor window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Cindy Anne Peters, Mark Edward Nichols, Michael Robertson, Jr.