Patents by Inventor Nicholas Alexander Scheufler

Nicholas Alexander Scheufler 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: 11565636
    Abstract: A current location and a destination location of a vehicle are identified. A stowage parameter is predicted based on the current and destination locations. A vehicle component is actuated based on the stowage parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, David Joseph Orris, Stephen Jay Orris, Jr., Nunzio Decia, David A. Herman
  • Patent number: 11262204
    Abstract: Data to initiate movement of a vehicle is received from a first user. The first user is identified. A determination is made whether to initiate the movement of the vehicle based at least in part on the data and the one or more characteristics of the first user. The movement of the vehicle is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, David A. Herman, Nunzio Decia, Stephen Jay Orris, Jr., David Joseph Orris
  • Publication number: 20220044563
    Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more vehicle-exterior displays and a processor. The vehicle receives indication of a second proximate vehicle, the indication including viewing preferences for an occupant of the second proximate vehicle. The vehicle selects content for display on at least one of the vehicle-exterior displays and selects at least one display having an exterior orientation determined to be viewable based on a heading of the second proximate vehicle. The vehicle then displays the selected content on the selected display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Nithya Somanath, Shiqi Qiu, Arun Dutta, Bhagyashri S. Katti, Matthew R. Goulet, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler
  • Patent number: 11170644
    Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more vehicle-exterior displays and a processor. The vehicle receives indication of a second proximate vehicle, the indication including viewing preferences for an occupant of the second proximate vehicle. The vehicle selects content for display on at least one of the vehicle-exterior displays and selects at least one display having an exterior orientation determined to be viewable based on a heading of the second proximate vehicle. The vehicle then displays the selected content on the selected display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nithya Somanath, Shiqi Qiu, Arun Dutta, Bhagyashri S. Katti, Matthew R. Goulet, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler
  • Patent number: 11157114
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to project an icon onto a surface having a pattern, capture an image of the icon and the pattern, identify a change between the pattern in the image and a default pattern, identify a user input based on the change from the default pattern, and actuate a component based on the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Nunzio DeCia
  • Publication number: 20210233399
    Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more vehicle-exterior displays and a processor. The vehicle receives indication of a second proximate vehicle, the indication including viewing preferences for an occupant of the second proximate vehicle. The vehicle selects content for display on at least one of the vehicle-exterior displays and selects at least one display having an exterior orientation determined to be viewable based on a heading of the second proximate vehicle. The vehicle then displays the selected content on the selected display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Nithya Somanath, Shiqi Qiu, Arun Dutta, Bhagyashri S. Katti, Matthew R. Goulet, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10875496
    Abstract: An object outside of a vehicle can be detected with vehicle sensor data. A load for the vehicle can be predicted at least in part based on classifying the object. A vehicle component can be actuated based on the predicted load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, David A. Herman, Nunzio DeCia, David Joseph Orris, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Stephen Jay Orris, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200207289
    Abstract: A current location and a destination location of a vehicle are identified. A stowage parameter is predicted based on the current and destination locations. A vehicle component is actuated based on the stowage parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas Alexander SCHEUFLER, David Joseph ORRIS, Stephen Jay ORRIS, Jr., Nunzio DECIA, David A. HERMAN
  • Publication number: 20200141174
    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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Nunzio DeCia, Stephen Jay Orris, JR., Nicholas Alexander Scheufler
  • Patent number: 10628690
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automated detection of trailer properties. An example vehicle includes an inter-vehicle communication module and an infotainment head unit. The infotainment head unit is configured to detect presence of an attached trailer. The infotainment head unit is also configured to, in response to a determination that the attached trailer is an unrecognized trailer broadcast a request for images via the inter-vehicle communication module, perform semantic segmentation on the images, generate a three dimensional point cloud using the segmented images, and estimate a property of the attached trailer based on the three dimensional point cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, David A. Herman, Stephen Jay Orris, Jr., Nunzio DeCia, David Joseph Orris, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler
  • Patent number: 10600234
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for inter-vehicle cooperation for vehicle self imaging. An example vehicle includes an inter-vehicle communication module and a infotainment head unit. The infotainment head unit determines a pose of the vehicle and, in response to receiving an input to generate a composite image, broadcasts a request for images of the vehicle. The request message includes the pose. The infotainment head unit also generates the composite image of the vehicle based on the images and display the composite image on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, David A. Herman, David Joseph Orris, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Nunzio DeCia, Stephen Jay Orris, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200055515
    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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Stephen Jay Orris, Jr., David Joseph Orris, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Nunzio DeCia
  • Publication number: 20200023811
    Abstract: An object outside of a vehicle can be detected with vehicle sensor data. A load for the vehicle can be predicted at least in part based on classifying the object. A vehicle component can be actuated based on the predicted load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, David A. Herman, Nunzio DeCia, David Joseph Orris, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Stephen Jay Orris, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190347498
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automated detection of trailer properties. An example vehicle includes an inter-vehicle communication module and an infotainment head unit. The infotainment head unit is configured to detect presence of an attached trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, David A. Herman, Stephen Jay Orris, JR., Nunzio DeCia, David Joseph Orris, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler
  • Patent number: 10417911
    Abstract: Method and apparatus herein are for inter-vehicle cooperation for physical exterior damage detection. An example vehicle includes an inter-vehicle communication module and a body control module. The body control module is to monitors an area around the vehicle and characteristics of the vehicle to detect a triggering event and, in response to detecting the trigger event, broadcasts a request for images. Additionally, the body control module generates a composite image based on the images and compares the composite image to a reference image to identify damage on the vehicle. In response to identifying damage, the body control module takes an action specified by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, David A. Herman, Nunzio DeCia, Stephen Jay Orris, Jr., Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, David Joseph Orris
  • Patent number: 10402666
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for vehicle monitoring of infrastructure lighting, an example of which includes a vehicle having a camera, an inter-vehicle communication module and a controller. The controller is to identify a stationary infrastructure object within an image captured by the camera and identify, in response to determining that the stationary infrastructure object includes a lamp, whether the lamp is inoperable. The controller also is to send, via vehicle-to-infrastructure communication utilizing the inter-vehicle communication module, an alert to an infrastructure communication node indicating that the lamp is inoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Jay Orris, Jr., David A. Herman, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Nunzio DeCia, David Michael Herman, David Joseph Orris
  • Publication number: 20190210560
    Abstract: Data including vehicle occupant authentication information is received. A request to control a vehicle component is received. A role for the vehicle occupant is identified. A determination is made whether the identified role includes a permission to control the vehicle component. The requested control of the vehicle component is performed if the identified role includes the permission to control the vehicle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Nunzio DECIA, Nicholas Alexander SCHEUFLER, David A. HERMAN, David Joseph ORRIS, Stephen Jay ORRIS