Patents by Inventor Samuel Hong
Samuel Hong 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: 11981248Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle may include light units and controllers for operating the light units. Each light unit is multifunctional in that the light unit may operate in various modes, which may be invoked at different times under varying circumstances. A light unit on the first end of a vehicle may operate as a headlight if the first end is the front end of the vehicle. On the other hand, the light unit may operate as a tail light if the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. Furthermore, the light unit may operate as a turn signal in either direction or brake light while the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. The light unit includes a lens array positioned to receive light from various light sources. The lighting system may operate in a fashion that allows for lighting redundancy on each end of the vehicle in the event of a lighting controller failure.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Moritz Boecker, Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Collin MacGregor
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Publication number: 20240149538Abstract: A method of manufacturing a backed cross-ply prepreg comprises cutting, using a cutting machine, a first continuous length of a unidirectional prepreg into first prepreg segments, each having an opposing pair of segment cut edges that are non-parallel to a lengthwise direction of the unidirectional prepreg. The method also includes picking up, using a pick-and-place system, the first prepreg segments off of the cutting machine, and placing the first prepreg segments in end-to-end relation onto a conveyor belt of an adhesion machine, and in an orientation such that the segment cut edges are generally parallel to a lengthwise direction of the conveyor belt. The method also includes feeding, using the conveyor belt, the first prepreg segments to an adhesion station of the adhesion machine, and adhering, using the adhesion station, the first prepreg segments to a continuous length of a backing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2024Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Shuonan Dong, Silas L. Studley, Samuel F. Pedigo, Nathan A. Secinaro, Lukas Wavrin, Kevin Hsu, James Hutchinson, Connor Burch, Nini Hong, Devin Ide, Lucky Singh, Santosh Devasia
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Patent number: 11931472Abstract: A system for disinfecting an autonomous vehicle includes a light assembly having LEDs configured to emit UVC light into a passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle. The light assembly includes a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs. In examples, the heat sink is disposed in the path of forced air associated with a climate control system of the vehicle. The climate control system may be controlled based on a temperature proximate the LEDs and/or the heat sink. In some examples, the light assembly is integrated into the ceiling of the vehicle and can further include visible light emitters and/or other features.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Chang Gi Samuel Hong, James Michael Eccleston, Andrew Frank Raczkowski, Goutham Shanmuga Sundaram, Andrew Mark Stieber
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Patent number: 11919256Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a cutting machine, an adhesion machine, and a pick-and-place system. The cutting machine sequentially cuts a continuous length of a unidirectional prepreg into prepreg segments. Each prepreg segment has an opposing pair of segment cut edges that are non-parallel to a lengthwise direction of the unidirectional prepreg. The adhesion machine has a conveyor belt and an adhesion station. The pick-and-place system sequentially picks up the prepreg segments from the cutting machine, and places the prepreg segments in end-to-end relation on the conveyor belt, and in an orientation such that the segment cut edges are generally parallel to a lengthwise direction of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt feeds the prepreg segments to the adhesion station. The adhesion station adheres the prepreg segments to a continuous length of a backing material, thereby resulting in a continuous length of a backed cross-ply prepreg.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignees: The Boeing Company, University of WashingtonInventors: Shuonan Dong, Silas L. Studley, Samuel F. Pedigo, Nathan A. Secinaro, Lukas Wavrin, Kevin Hsu, James Hutchinson, Connor Burch, Nini Hong, Devin Ide, Lucky Singh, Santosh Devasia
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Publication number: 20230311746Abstract: A reflector unit may behave as a retroreflector to reflect light of a selected color. The reflector unit may comprise a first reflector having a first color, a second reflector having a second color, and a mask that either allows incoming light to reach the first reflector and not the second reflector or allows incoming light to reach the second reflector and not the first reflector. An active light unit may emit light of a particular color in response to receiving light. In this fashion, the active light unit may simulate the operation of a reflector. The reflector unit and the active light unit may operate on a bi-directional vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Da Liu, Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Andrew Mark Stieber
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Patent number: 11730844Abstract: Methods and system for disinfecting an autonomous vehicle includes one or more LEDs coupled to the autonomous vehicle to emit UVC light into a passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle can include sensors to confirm that the passenger compartment is empty and can be configured to prevent ingress of passengers into the passenger compartment while the UVC light is being emitted. Moreover, visible light indicators in the vehicle can be controlled to provide different visual indicators during the disinfecting cycle and when the vehicle is available to a passenger. In examples, the disinfecting cycle can be performed while the autonomous vehicle is in use, e.g., while the autonomous vehicle is traversing to a location to retrieve a passenger. The methods and systems can provide improved cleaning and disinfection of autonomous vehicles without the need to take the vehicles out of operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Chang Gi Samuel Hong, James Michael Eccleston, Andrew Frank Raczkowski, Andrew Mark Stieber, Goutham Shanmuga Sundaram
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Patent number: 11608972Abstract: A reflector unit may behave as a retroreflector to reflect light of a selected color. The reflector unit may comprise a first reflector having a first color, a second reflector having a second color, and a mask that either allows incoming light to reach the first reflector and not the second reflector or allows incoming light to reach the second reflector and not the first reflector. An active light unit may emit light of a particular color in response to receiving light. In this fashion, the active light unit may simulate the operation of a reflector. The reflector unit and the active light unit may operate on a bi-directional vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Da Liu, Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Andrew Mark Stieber
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Patent number: 11242972Abstract: A reflector unit may behave as a retroreflector to reflect light of a selected color. The reflector unit may comprise a first reflector having a first color, a second reflector having a second color, and a mask that either allows incoming light to reach the first reflector and not the second reflector or allows incoming light to reach the second reflector and not the first reflector. An active light unit may emit light of a particular color in response to receiving light. In this fashion, the active light unit may simulate the operation of a reflector. The reflector unit and the active light unit may operate on a bi-directional vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Andrew Mark Stieber, George William Sabet Fahmy, Evan David Cook
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Publication number: 20220009407Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle may include light units and controllers for operating the light units. Each light unit is multifunctional in that the light unit may operate in various modes, which may be invoked at different times under varying circumstances. A light unit on the first end of a vehicle may operate as a headlight if the first end is the front end of the vehicle. On the other hand, the light unit may operate as a tail light if the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. Furthermore, the light unit may operate as a turn signal in either direction or brake light while the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. The light unit includes a lens array positioned to receive light from various light sources. The lighting system may operate in a fashion that allows for lighting redundancy on each end of the vehicle in the event of a lighting controller failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Moritz Boecker, Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Collin MacGregor
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Patent number: 11173829Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle may include light units and controllers for operating the light units. Each light unit is multifunctional in that the light unit may operate in various modes, which may be invoked at different times under varying circumstances. A light unit on the first end of a vehicle may operate as a headlight if the first end is the front end of the vehicle. On the other hand, the light unit may operate as a tail light if the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. Furthermore, the light unit may operate as a turn signal in either direction or brake light while the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. The light unit includes a lens array positioned to receive light from various light sources. The lighting system may operate in a fashion that allows for lighting redundancy on each end of the vehicle in the event of a lighting controller failure.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Moritz Boecker, Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Collin MacGregor
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Publication number: 20210180772Abstract: A reflector unit may behave as a retroreflector to reflect light of a selected color. The reflector unit may comprise a first reflector having a first color, a second reflector having a second color, and a mask that either allows incoming light to reach the first reflector and not the second reflector or allows incoming light to reach the second reflector and not the first reflector. An active light unit may emit light of a particular color in response to receiving light. In this fashion, the active light unit may simulate the operation of a reflector. The reflector unit and the active light unit may operate on a bi-directional vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Da Liu, Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Andrew Mark Stieber
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Patent number: 10948147Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle may include light units and controllers for operating the light units. Each light unit is multifunctional in that the light unit may operate in various modes, which may be invoked at different times under varying circumstances. A light unit on the first end of a vehicle may operate as a headlight if the first end is the front end of the vehicle. On the other hand, the light unit may operate as a tail light if the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. Furthermore, the light unit may operate as a turn signal in either direction or brake light while the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. The light unit includes a lens array positioned to receive light from various light sources. The lighting system may operate in a fashion that allows for lighting redundancy on each end of the vehicle in the event of a lighting controller failure.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Nahuel Elias Battaglia, Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Timothy David Kentley-Klay, Christopher John Stoffel
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Publication number: 20210071839Abstract: A reflector unit may behave as a retroreflector to reflect light of a selected color. The reflector unit may comprise a first reflector having a first color, a second reflector having a second color, and a mask that either allows incoming light to reach the first reflector and not the second reflector or allows incoming light to reach the second reflector and not the first reflector. An active light unit may emit light of a particular color in response to receiving light. In this fashion, the active light unit may simulate the operation of a reflector. The reflector unit and the active light unit may operate on a bi-directional vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Andrew Mark Stieber, George William Sabet Fahmy, Evan David Cook
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Publication number: 20210010650Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle may include light units and controllers for operating the light units. Each light unit is multifunctional in that the light unit may operate in various modes, which may be invoked at different times under varying circumstances. A light unit on the first end of a vehicle may operate as a headlight if the first end is the front end of the vehicle. On the other hand, the light unit may operate as a tail light if the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. Furthermore, the light unit may operate as a turn signal in either direction or brake light while the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. The light unit includes a lens array positioned to receive light from various light sources. The lighting system may operate in a fashion that allows for lighting redundancy on each end of the vehicle in the event of a lighting controller failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Nahuel Elias Battaglia, Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Timothy David Kentley-Klay, Christopher John Stoffel
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Patent number: 10823353Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle may include light units and controllers for operating the light units. Each light unit is multifunctional in that the light unit may operate in various modes, which may be invoked at different times under varying circumstances. A light unit on the first end of a vehicle may operate as a headlight if the first end is the front end of the vehicle. On the other hand, the light unit may operate as a tail light if the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. Furthermore, the light unit may operate as a turn signal in either direction or brake light while the first end is the rear end of the vehicle. The light unit includes a lens array positioned to receive light from various light sources. The lighting system may operate in a fashion that allows for lighting redundancy on each end of the vehicle in the event of a lighting controller failure.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Nahuel Elias Battaglia, Chang Gi Samuel Hong, Timothy David Kentley-Klay, Christopher John Stoffel
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Patent number: 10737902Abstract: A device and method for storing cables commonly associated with mobile devices. A platform of the device has two posts around which a cable is wound, and a flexible cover attached to the posts that can fully enclose the cable and platform when closed. While remaining attached to the posts, the cover can be opened to allow access to the cavity for winding or unwinding the cable.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Inventor: Samuel Hong-Yen Pai
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Publication number: 20200115184Abstract: A device and method for storing cables commonly associated with mobile devices. A platform of the device has two posts around which a cable is wound, and a flexible cover attached to the posts that can fully enclose the cable and platform when closed. While remaining attached to the posts, the cover can be opened to allow access to the cavity for winding or unwinding the cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventor: Samuel Hong-Yen Pai
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Patent number: 9959719Abstract: An entry sensor, which supports either wireless or wired operation, facilitates installation and is adjustable for gaps between a building entry barrier such as a door or window and the surrounding frame. The sensor, which may be implemented as a single piece design, includes an adjustment mechanism that enables an installer to vary the extension of the sensor to match the actual gap so that the sensor properly secures the building entry when closed. The sensor includes a detector that determines the state of a switch that is responsive to the movement of a plunger mechanism, where the state is indicative whether the building entry barrier is opened or closed, and that may determine whether the sensor is tampered with. The sensor also may facilitate battery replacement that protects the associated circuitry during the replacement.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Salus North America, Inc.Inventors: Samuel Hong-Yen Pai, Wai-Leung Ha, Shen Owyang, Dick Kwai Chan, Wai Yin Shum, Kwok Wa Kenny Kam, Guang Quan Feng
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Publication number: 20170365142Abstract: An entry sensor, which supports either wireless or wired operation, facilitates installation and is adjustable for gaps between a building entry barrier such as a door or window and the surrounding frame. The sensor, which may be implemented as a single piece design, includes an adjustment mechanism that enables an installer to vary the extension of the sensor to match the actual gap so that the sensor properly secures the building entry when closed. The sensor includes a detector that determines the state of a switch that is responsive to the movement of a plunger mechanism, where the state is indicative whether the building entry barrier is opened or closed, and that may determine whether the sensor is tampered with. The sensor also may facilitate battery replacement that protects the associated circuitry during the replacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Samuel Hong-Yen Pai, Wai-Leung Ha, Shen Owyang, Dick Kwai Chan, Wai Yin Shum, Kwok Wa Kenny Kam, Guang Quan Feng
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Patent number: 9761098Abstract: An entry sensor, which supports either wireless or wired operation, facilitates installation and is adjustable for gaps between a building entry barrier such as a door or window and the surrounding frame. The sensor, which may be implemented as a single piece design, includes an adjustment mechanism that enables an installer to vary the extension of the sensor to match the actual gap so that the sensor properly secures the building entry when closed. The sensor includes a detector that determines the state of a switch that is responsive to the movement of a plunger mechanism, where the state is indicative whether the building entry barrier is opened or closed, and that may determine whether the sensor is tampered with. The sensor also may facilitate battery replacement that protects the associated circuitry during the replacement.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Salus Controls, Inc.Inventors: Samuel Hong-Yen Pai, Wai-Leung Ha, Shen Owyang, Dick Chan, Wai Yin Shum, Kwok Wa Kenny Kam, Guang Quan Feng