Patents Assigned to Global Technologies, Inc.
  • Linear bar graph
    Patent number: 9834092
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an automotive instrument cluster with a continuous LED bar graph. The automotive instrument includes a base, LED light sources placed on the base, LED compartments resulting from mounting plate separating plurality of LED lights from each other, an applique covering the top surfaces of the LED compartments wherein the top surface of the applique is perceived by a user, and the bottom surface of the applique covers the LED compartments from inside. The mounting plate is designed in a manner that the inner walls of subsequent LED compartments maintain a predetermined gap with bottom surface of the applique to enable the light to pass to the adjacent LED compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Krishnan Sabarinathan
  • Calibration of engine auto-stop delay times
    Patent number: 9828964
    Abstract: A auto-stop/start vehicle with an engine and a battery includes at least one controller that calibrates an engine auto-stop delay time based on a state of charge (SOC) of a battery. The calibrated engine auto-stop delay time increases as the SOC of the battery decreases, and decreases as the SOC of the battery increases. The controller further initiates shutdown of an engine upon expiration of the calibrated engine auto-stop delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Crist Gabriel, Cathleen Tistle
  • Capturing gesture-based inputs
    Patent number: 9823750
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for capturing gesture-based inputs are disclosed herein. The concept employs infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs), infrared (IR) sensor, and processing of the information obtained by the interplay of the two. The processed information may be effectively translated to various gesture-based control systems, such as those employed to interact with electronic systems and displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Paul Russ, Matthew Mark Mikolajczak, James Joseph Kornacki
  • Compression limiter having a drain
    Patent number: 9809178
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body panel assembly including first and second panels. Each panel defines different materials, and the first and second panels are fastened at a joint using a fastener. A compression limiter is disposed at the joint and configured to reduce stress on the first and second panels due to the fastener. The compression limiter has a first ring to contact the first panel and a second ring to contact the second panel. The first ring defines a drain extending through the first ring to the second ring on an outer periphery of the first ring, and is oriented such that moisture between the first and second panels is wicked through the drain and removed from the panel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Garret Sankey Huff, Niamh Hosking
  • Baffle for lubrication management in an axle assembly
    Patent number: 9810311
    Abstract: A vehicle axle includes a housing defining a sump, a gear assembly and a baffle. The gear assembly includes a ring gear disposed within the housing. The ring gear is configured to pump fluid throughout the housing. A pinion gear is meshed with the ring gear. The baffle is disposed within the sump and connected to the housing. The baffle has a first part being configured to control fluid flow across the ring gear and a second part attached to the first part. The second part is configured to control fluid flow across the pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, Michael Carter, Mark Steward, Marc Thomas Wilkins
  • Initiating an alert based on a mobile device being left behind
    Patent number: 9805580
    Abstract: A system and method for indicating an alert associated with a mobile device are provided. The system includes a device detector to detect whether the mobile device is in a state of wireless charging; an exit signal receiver to detect an event associated with an exit; a device determiner to determine, after the event is detected, whether the mobile device is in an area associated with the wireless charging; and a vehicle notifier to transmit an alert based the determination by the device determiner. Also provided is a method for augmenting a wireless charging system with a notification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Mark Schroeder, Dinu Petre Madau, Gary Edward Zack
  • Display element having adjustable inclination for head-up display
    Patent number: 9798142
    Abstract: A display element includes a projection screen for a head-up display and a pivot apparatus for adjusting an inclination of the projection screen about a horizontal inclination axis. The pivot apparatus includes an eccentric unit for adjusting the inclination. The eccentric unit is mechanically coupled directly to the projection screen. The eccentric unit includes a first gearwheel and an eccentric element which is formed eccentrically with respect to the first gearwheel and is fastened on the first gearwheel. The eccentric element is in the form of a disk and an area of a narrow side of the disk-shaped eccentric element is arranged eccentrically with respect to the first gearwheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerhard Pitz
  • Light emission module
    Patent number: 9800014
    Abstract: A light emission module includes a base, a laser diode driver, a laser diode, a monitor photodiode and a reflecting mirror. The laser diode driver, the laser diode and the monitor photodiode are disposed on the base. The monitor photodiode and the laser diode are located close to a front end of the laser diode driver. A rear side of the laser diode faces the laser diode driver. The reflecting mirror is disposed between the rear side of the laser diode and the monitor photodiode for reflecting a light emitted from the rear side of the laser diode to a light receiving surface of the monitor photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Global Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Jian-Hong Luo, Chao-Hung Tsai, Qiu-ning Zhao, Hua Liu
  • System and method for automatically adjusting an angle of a three-dimensional display within a vehicle
    Patent number: 9789762
    Abstract: A vehicle display assembly includes a three-dimensional (3D) display, and an actuator coupled to the 3D display. The actuator is configured to adjust an orientation of the 3D display relative to a vehicle occupant. The vehicle display assembly also includes a sensor assembly configured to monitor a position of a head of the vehicle occupant, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor assembly and to the actuator. The controller is configured to instruct the actuator to adjust the orientation of the 3D display based on the position of the head of the vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Javier Enriquez Ortiz
  • Self-disinfecting surface with printed LEDs for a surface of a vehicle
    Patent number: 9782504
    Abstract: A self-disinfecting surface covering for a vehicle is disclosed. The surface covering comprising a pair of electrodes substantially conforms to a vehicle panel. A plurality of printed LEDs suspended in a semiconductor ink are printed between the electrodes and configured to emit a disinfecting emission. An outer layer of the surface covering is disposed proximate one of the electrodes. The outer layer is operable to transmit at least a portion of the disinfecting emission therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Kevin Holub, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Stuart C. Salter
  • Touch surface and microprocessor assembly
    Patent number: 9785273
    Abstract: A method of operating a touch assembly having a touch surface, a haptic feedback device and a switch is provided. The method includes activating the haptic feedback device in response to the switch deactivating. The method also includes monitoring and adjusting the monitoring of the switch in response to the switch deactivating to prevent continued deactivation of the switch by the haptic feedback. A method of operating a touch assembly having a touch surface, a base, a haptic feedback device and a switch is also provided. The method includes sensing the location of a touch force on the touch surface and deactivating a switch in response to the touch force moving the touch surface relative to the base. The method proceeds with transmitting a signal only in response to the location of the touch force being sensed and the at least one switch being in the deactivated configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Allen Pfau, Jay Patrick Dark, David Michael Whitton
  • Multi-pass vehicle voice recognition systems and methods
    Patent number: 9779723
    Abstract: A voice recognition system for a vehicle includes a micro-phone for receiving speech from a user. The system further includes a memory having a partial set of commands or names for voice recognition. The memory further includes a larger set of commands or names for voice recognition. The system further includes processing electronics in communication with the microphone and the memory. The processing electronics are configured to process the received speech to obtain speech data. The processing electronics are further configured to use the obtained speech data to conduct at least two voice recognition passes. In a first pass, the speech data is compared to the partial set. In a second pass, the speech data is compared to the larger set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sorin M. Panainte, David J. Hughes
  • Object detection and method for vehicle door assist system
    Patent number: 9777528
    Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, an interference sensor, and a controller. The actuator is configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly. The interference sensor is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions along a radial extent of the door, and the controller is configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter
  • DISPLAY, IN PARTICULAR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20170276939
    Abstract: A display, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a projection module for generating an image in order to project it in the normal viewing direction of a user of the display, along an optical path. The display also includes a reflecting and/or displaying element, which is movable between various display positions. The display also includes a holder for the reflecting and/or displaying element. The holder can be moved vertically between various positioning states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Eric MACQUET
  • Manufacturing method and structure of carbon fiber rims
    Patent number: 9770939
    Abstract: A manufacturing method and structure of a carbon fiber rim is revealed. A metal strip is formed by heating a metal substrate to a moldable temperature and then extruded molding. The metal strip comprises two side walls, a connecting wall and an inner rim wall to form a space surrounded by the side walls, the connecting wall, and the inner rim wall. Next, two terminals of the strip are connected to form a circle as a rim frame's embryo. The two side walls, or the two side walls and the inner rim wall of the rim frame's embryo are milled to form plural through holes and become a rim frame. Afterwards, the surface of the rim frame is roughened and covered with a trimmed carbon fiber cloth having a predetermined shape. After heatsetting and surface treating, a carbon fiber rim having a light weight and a strong structure is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Alex Global Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wei-Chin Chen
  • Method for implementing capacitive sensing in the presence of conductive decorative materials
    Patent number: 9772724
    Abstract: Methods of forming a control panel include providing an electrically conductive substrate having a front surface. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the front surface of the substrate. A first electrode layer is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric layer, wherein the first dielectric layer electrically isolates the first electrode layer from the substrate. The first electrode layer is in electrical communication with a switch circuit adapted to detect a change in a capacitance of the first electrode layer. A substantially transparent film can be provided to cover the electrode. The front surface of the substrate is a decorative surface substantially visible through the first dielectric layer, the first electrode layer, and the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James Frederick Krier, David Michael Whitton
  • Photoluminescent vehicle illumination
    Patent number: 9771019
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises at least one light source disposed in a portion of a side mirror assembly of the vehicle. The light source is configured to emit an excitation emission at a first wavelength substantially along a side portion of the vehicle. The illumination apparatus further comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a surface of the vehicle. The excitation emission is configured to excite the photoluminescent portion to emit an output emission corresponding to a different color of light than the first excitation emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Michael James Whitens, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Expansion system
    Patent number: 9765598
    Abstract: A method of expanding a tubular member by assembling an expansion system having an expansion cone and an expansion sleeve and coupling a tubular member to the expansion system so that the expansion sleeve is at least partially disposed within the tubular member. The expansion system and tubular member are then disposed in a wellbore and the expansion cone is translated relative to the expansion sleeve and tubular member so as to radially expand the tubular member into engagement with the wellbore and the expansion system is removed from the wellbore. The tubular member is expanded to an inside diameter equal to an expansion diameter of the expansion cone plus twice a thickness of the expansion sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick Cornell Bennett
  • Touch surface and microprocessor assembly
    Patent number: 9766704
    Abstract: A touch assembly is provided including a touch surface for receiving a touch force. At least one haptic feedback device is coupled to the touch surface for selectively vibrating the touch surface. At least one switch is operably coupled with the touch surface and is adjustable between an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration. At least one microprocessor is in electrical communication with the at least one haptic feedback device and the at least one switch for actuating the at least one haptic feedback device in response to the at least one switch adjusting from the activated configuration to the deactivated configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Allen Pfau, Jay Patrick Dark, David Michael Whitton
  • Adaptive transmit power control for vehicle communication
    Patent number: 9769762
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for adaptive transmit power control for vehicle communication. An example disclosed vehicle includes a driving assistance unit and a communication module. The driving assistance unit determines an expected speed of target vehicles in the vicinity of the vehicle. The communication module determines a message type of a message received from a subsystem of the vehicle. Additionally, the communication module broadcasts the message at a power level. The power level is based on the message type and the expected speed of target vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Allen R. Murray, Oliver Lei