Patents by Inventor Willes H. Weber
Willes H. Weber 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: 7646884Abstract: A vision system (10) for a vehicle (14) includes a light source (46) that generates an illumination beam (20). A receiver (62) generates a first image signal and a second image signal. The first image signal is generated in response to a reflected portion of the illumination beam (20). A controller is coupled to the light source (46) and the receiver (62). The controller generates an image in response to the first image signal and the second image signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2008Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignees: Ford Motor Company, JP Morgan Chase BankInventors: Jeffrey T. Remillard, Kenneth E. Nietering, Willes H. Weber, David J. Scholl, Michael A. Marinelli
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Publication number: 20080210870Abstract: A vision system (10) for a vehicle (14) includes a light source (46) that generates an illumination beam (20). A receiver (62) generates a first image signal and a second image signal. The first image signal is generated in response to a reflected portion of the illumination beam (20). A controller is coupled to the light source (46) and the receiver (62). The controller generates an image in response to the first image signal and the second image signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Jeffrey T. Remillard, Kenneth E. Nietering, Willes H. Weber, David J. Scholl, Michael A. Marinelli
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Patent number: 7319805Abstract: A vision system (10) for a vehicle (14) includes a light source (46) that generates an illumination beam (20). A receiver (62) generates a first image signal and a second image signal. The first image signal is generated in response to a reflected portion of the illumination beam (20). A controller is coupled to the light source (46) and the receiver (62). The controller generates an image in response to the first image signal and the second image signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignees: Ford Motor Company, Lear CorporationInventors: Jeffrey T. Remillard, Kenneth E. Nietering, Willes H. Weber, David J. Scholl, Michael A Marinelli
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Patent number: 7121685Abstract: A color-corrected lighting system for night vision applications includes a near infrared light source and a thin-sheet optical element disposed a distance from the near infrared source. The optical element includes an input surface for receiving light from the near infrared source and an output surface for emitting the received light in a desired emission pattern. The system also includes a visible, non-red light source in the form of a plate having a plurality of non-red LEDs arranged thereon. The plate is proximate a surface of the optical element such that the output surface of the optical element emits the visible light to mask the emitted near infrared light. A camera is adapted to receive the near infrared light from the near infrared light source reflected off an object within a camera field of view, and a display images objects detected within the camera field of view.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey T. Remillard, Willes H. Weber, Kenneth E. Nietering, Michael A. Marinelli
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Patent number: 7079974Abstract: A system and method for detecting an object is provided. The method includes emitting a light pulse. The method further includes receiving a reflection of the light pulse. The method further includes indicating a presence of the object from the received light pulse. Finally, the method includes adjusting sensitivity of the indicating step based on an elapsed time from the emission.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber, Allan J. Lippa
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Patent number: 6967569Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a light source generating an illumination beam, a receiver having a pixel array for capturing an image in response to at least a reflected portion of the illumination beam, the image corresponding to a first horizontal field of view (FOV) angle, and a controller coupled to the light source and the receiver. The controller receives a vehicle speed input and, in response, selects a portion of the image as a non-linear function of the vehicle speed to generate a second horizontal FOV angle for displaying to the vehicle operator. The displayed angular FOV decreases, non-linearly, as the vehicle speed increases.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2003Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Willes H. Weber, Timothy Potter, Aric Shaffer
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Patent number: 6900437Abstract: A lighting system for night vision applications including a near infrared light source, a visible light source, a beamsplitter and an optical element. The beamsplitter is arranged to reflect light emitting from either the near infrared light source or the visible light source and transmit light emitting from the other of the near infrared light source or visible light source so as to produce a color-corrected light source. The optical element is disposed a predetermined distance from the color-corrected light source. The optical element includes an input surface for receiving light from the color-corrected light source and an output surface for emitting the received light in a desired emission pattern. In one embodiment, each of the near infrared light source and visible light source is associated with respective first and second optical elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Timothy Fohl, Willes H. Weber
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Patent number: 6897465Abstract: A system and method for determining a distance of an object is provided. The method includes transmitting a light pulse to a polymeric light reflector at a first time. The method further includes reflecting the light pulse from the reflector. The method further includes receiving a portion of the light pulse reflected from an object at a second time. Finally, the method includes determining a distance of the object from the reflector based on a time difference between substantially the first and second times.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber, Allan J. Lippa
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Patent number: 6809870Abstract: A night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes a detector for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a signal responsive to the received light.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy Fohl, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Patent number: 6730913Abstract: A method of detecting objects with a night vision system is provided. The night vision system includes a light source and a camera. The method includes activating the light source as a sequence of light pulses wherein each light pulse is increasing in intensity for a predetermined number of pulses to form a pulse train. The camera is activated as a corresponding sequence of detection windows wherein each of the windows corresponds to one of the light pulses for receiving reflected light resulting from the corresponding light pulse. The light pulses and detection windows are configured such that a time delay between each corresponding light pulse and detection window is increasing throughout the pulse train. In another variation, the camera gain is increased throughout the pulse train. In yet another variation, the light pulses have constant amplitude, the camera gain is constant for all pulses, and the number of camera gain windows increases as the delay increases.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Publication number: 20040033024Abstract: A light coupling apparatus for coupling a linear diode laser array to an optical fiber. The apparatus includes a cylindrical lens positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to the linear diode laser array. The cylindrical lens has a length substantially equal to the length of the linear diode laser array, and receives emitted light from the plurality of diode lasers within the linear diode laser array to collimate the light. The collimated light is received by a wedge-shaped coupling element between the cylindrical lens and the optical fiber. The coupling element has a length (L) extending from an input surface to an output surface. The input surface defines a radius of curvature along a height (h) that is substantially equal to the cylindrical lens length. The coupling element tapers from its input surface to its output surface. The input surface also has an associated width (w1), and the output surface has an associated width (w2).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber, Timothy Fohl
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Patent number: 6690017Abstract: A night vision system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes an illumination subsystem for illuminating a region proximate the vehicle, a receiver for receiving light reflected off objects in the illuminated region and generating a signal responsive to the received light. A GPS unit is included in operative communication with a GPS network for generating a time signal and vehicle directional data. A controller is programmed to periodically pulse on the illuminating device and the receiver substantially simultaneously as a function of the time signal and the vehicle directional data. In particular, vehicles traveling in opposite directions will have their night vision system activated out-of-phase with each other so that neither night vision system is “blinded” by illumination emitting from the other.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Publication number: 20030230715Abstract: A lighting system for night vision applications including a near infrared light source, a visible light source, a beamsplitter and an optical element. The beamsplitter is arranged to reflect light emitting from either the near infrared light source or the visible light source and transmit light emitting from the other of the near infrared light source or visible light source so as to produce a color-corrected light source. The optical element is disposed a predetermined distance from the color-corrected light source. The optical element includes an input surface for receiving light from the color-corrected light source and an output surface for emitting the received light in a desired emission pattern. In one embodiment, each of the near infrared light source and visible light source is associated with respective first and second optical elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Timothy Fohl, Willes H. Weber
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Publication number: 20030155513Abstract: A method of detecting objects with a night vision system is provided. The night vision system includes a light source and a camera. The method includes activating the light source as a sequence of light pulses wherein each light pulse is increasing in intensity for a predetermined number of pulses to form a pulse train. The camera is activated as a corresponding sequence of detection windows wherein each of the windows corresponds to one of the light pulses for receiving reflected light resulting from the corresponding light pulse. The light pulses and detection windows are configured such that a time delay between each corresponding light pulse and detection window is increasing throughout the pulse train. In another variation, the camera gain is increased throughout the pulse train. In yet another variation, the light pulses have constant amplitude, the camera gain is constant for all pulses, and the number of camera gain windows increases as the delay increases.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Publication number: 20030155514Abstract: A night vision system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes an illumination subsystem for illuminating a region proximate the vehicle, a receiver for receiving light reflected off objects in the illuminated region and generating a signal responsive to the received light. A GPS unit is included in operative communication with a GPS network for generating a time signal and vehicle directional data. A controller is programmed to periodically pulse on the illuminating device and the receiver substantially simultaneously as a function of the time signal and the vehicle directional data. In particular, vehicles traveling in opposite directions will have their night vision system activated out-of-phase with each other so that neither night vision system is “blinded” by illumination emitting from the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Publication number: 20030128434Abstract: A night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes an infrared light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the infrared light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes an infrared camera for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a video signal responsive to the received light.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2003Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Timothy Fohl, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Patent number: 6538820Abstract: A night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes an infrared light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the infrared light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes an infrared camera for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a video signal responsive to the received light.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Fohl, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber
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Publication number: 20030036881Abstract: A system and method for detecting an object is provided. The method includes emitting a light pulse. The method further includes receiving a reflection of the light pulse. The method further includes indicating a presence of the object from the received light pulse. Finally, the method includes adjusting sensitivity of the indicating step based on an elapsed time from the emission.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber, Allan J. Lippa
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Publication number: 20030034462Abstract: A system and method for determining a distance of an object is provided. The method includes transmitting a light pulse to a polymeric light reflector at a first time. The method further includes reflecting the light pulse from the reflector. The method further includes receiving a portion of the light pulse reflected from an object at a second time. Finally, the method includes determining a distance of the object from the reflector based on a time difference between substantially the first and second times.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber, Allan J. Lippa
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Publication number: 20020166972Abstract: A night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes an infrared light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the infrared light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes an infrared camera for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a video signal responsive to the received light.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Timothy Fohl, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Willes H. Weber