Patents Examined by Robert J May
  • Patent number: 11629841
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a lamp that includes a unit having a slit. The slit receives various inserts that allow the lamp to adapt in appearance for changing the décor of a room and/or provide information to a user in proximity to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Paula Massoni
  • Patent number: 11623559
    Abstract: A vehicular forward viewing image capture system includes an accessory module configured for attachment at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, whereby a CMOS image sensor views through the windshield forward of the vehicle. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield, and while the vehicle is traveling along a road, captured image data is processed to determine movement of an object of interest viewed by the image sensor. Multiple frames of captured image data are processed in determining movement of the object of interest. The accessory module includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting to a vehicle wiring system of the vehicle. Image data captured by the image sensor may be processed for an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle. The vehicular forward viewing image capture system may compensate for misalignment of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 11622614
    Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In some embodiments, the mirror comprises one or more adjustable sections. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light column configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of a mirror section. In some embodiments, the light column can produce various color temperatures. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly comprises a capacitive touch sensor that allows control of one or more features of the light emitted from the light source. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured control on/off settings and other features of the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Guy Cohen, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 11614608
    Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating light from a light source includes a plurality of lenses that are substantially aligned with one another. Each lens includes a light-receiving end configured to receive the light from the light source and a light-transmitting end configured to transmit the light from the lens to a target. The light-receiving ends are aspherical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sijo Varghese, Jeffrey H. Hunt
  • Patent number: 11607986
    Abstract: A vehicle proctor includes a first sheet sized to cover a pair of headlights of the vehicle. A second sheet sized to be within 80% of the same surface area as the first sheet arranged in an opposing relationship. The first sheet and the second sheets are joined around their periphery. The first sheet has a heavier material than the second sheet. A flap is interconnected with the first sheet. The flap fits under the hood of the vehicle. The flap has an interior deformable material and has a thickness greater than the combination of the first and second sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Luis Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11608954
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp structure includes a housing located at the side of a vehicle and a lamp assembly located inside the housing. The lamp assembly includes a bezel fixed to the housing and a light diffusion unit located at the bezel. The light diffusion unit includes at least two surfaces and a light guide located inside the light diffusion unit. The light guide includes at least two optic surfaces configured to reflect light introduced thereinto. The lamp assembly also includes a light irradiation unit fastened to the light guide and being configured to irradiate light along the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, SL MIRRORTECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Heung Sun Bong, Jin Hee Lee, Chan Mook Choi, Chang Byung Ryu, Yong Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 11608016
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for management of electrical resources for electric vehicles. A method may include receiving, by a vehicle, sensor data indicative of a first luminosity of a location, and determining that the first luminosity of the location exceeds a luminosity threshold. The method may include determining, based on the first luminosity exceeding the luminosity threshold, a second luminosity to apply to lights of the vehicle while the vehicle is at the location, the second luminosity greater than zero. The method may include applying the second luminosity to the lights while the vehicle is at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Rajarshi Roychowdhury, Mark Eifert
  • Patent number: 11607990
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile object capable of appropriately communicating a status of the mobile object to the outside. The mobile object includes: a main body that moves; a pair of left and right headlights that are arranged on a front surface of the main body; and a pair of linear light emitters each including a light emission area which emits light linearly, the pair of linear light emitters being arranged respectively above the pair of left and right headlights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryoya Suzuki, Jin Sato, Yoshihiko Kamiya
  • Patent number: 11603974
    Abstract: A configurable vehicle lighting module system includes a shared lens that provides a first light pattern for a first vehicle lighting function and a second light pattern for a second vehicle lighting function. The shared lens includes a mounting axis as a reference for mounting on a vehicle. First internal optics direct light toward the shared lens to provide the first light pattern; second internal optics direct light toward the shared lens to provide the second light pattern. A coupling system joins the shared lens with either the first internal optics to form a first module configuration for the first vehicle lighting function or with the second internal optics to form a second module configuration for the second vehicle lighting function. The shared lens conceals physical differences between internal optics configurations such that the first and second light module configurations appear the same when viewed along the shared lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Chadwick Fritz, Don Hodnett, Greg Simons
  • Patent number: 11604309
    Abstract: An illumination device, including a fiber optic spiral wrapped around an electrical wire, a plug connected to the electrical wire on one end, and a fiber optic bundle connected to the fiber optic spiral and the electrical wire on an other end opposite the one end. The fiber optic bundle includes a bundle chamber attached to the electrical wire and the fiber optic spiral on a first end, and an illumination member at the wide end and attached to the electrical wire; and fiber optic strands extending from a second end opposite the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Schneider
  • Patent number: 11603975
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products to enhance the operation of a light system. A light apparatus includes an optical member to project light, one or more elastically deformable position adjustment members, and one or more light sources. The elastically deformable position adjustment members are operable to adjust a mounting position of the optical member, and include one or more photochromatic regions to facilitate movement of the one or more elastically deformable position adjustment members from a contracted state to an expanded state in response to exposure to UV light. The one or more light sources operable to selectively emit illuminating UV light in a direction that contacts the one or more photochromatic regions to thereby adjust a mounting position of the optical member and change a direction of light emitted by the lighting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Shailesh N Joshi, Ercan M Dede
  • Patent number: 11603035
    Abstract: To suitably irradiate with a high beam according to a situation in front of the own vehicle. A vehicle headlight system installed in an own vehicle provided with an automatic brake controller which automatically activates a brake system depending on a situation, including: a lamp unit which irradiates at least with a low beam and a high beam; and a controller which is connected to the automatic brake controller and the lamp unit and is configured to control the operation of the lamp unit; where, when the lamp unit is not performing irradiation of the high beam, the controller is configured to control the lamp unit to irradiate with the high beam in the situation in which state of the automatic brake controller transitions from a standby state to a state which activates the brake system to a hard braking or to a preparation state thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Muramatsu, Ryuichi Nakano
  • Patent number: 11603036
    Abstract: A winch drum light assembly comprises a bracket having at least one attachment location for attaching the bracket to a vehicle or to a vehicle component that is attached to the vehicle; and a light member for producing light and situated on the bracket, the light member including a power connection adapted for connecting the vehicle's power or an alternative source of power to the light member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Quadratec, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Bowes
  • Patent number: 11597314
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive sensor data indicating a road user, determine a gaze direction of the road user based on the sensor data, and adjust at least one of a color or direction of a lamp of a vehicle based on the gaze direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Marin Assaliyski
  • Patent number: 11590880
    Abstract: Particular embodiments may provide for a method of providing illumination for a vehicle. A signal to activate a headlamp assembly for a vehicle may be sent. The headlamp assembly may comprise a laser-based lamp positioned to provide high-beam illumination, including a plurality of beam subfields, and a light sensor configured to capture images of illuminated objects, wherein the light sensor is capable of sensing objects illuminated by visible-spectrum light. A focal region for the high-beam illumination may be determined based on images captured by the light sensor. Instructions to configure the laser-based lamp to modify a distribution of the high-beam illumination to increase brightness of one or more beam subfields of the high-beam illumination within the focal region may be sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Simon Baker, Erik Humm
  • Patent number: 11584294
    Abstract: A vehicle interior component comprising a cover with a surface providing a display region is disclosed. The component may comprise a composite layer/structure and light source to provide light at a first and a second visible color/wavelength. The composite layer may comprise light-transmissive segments with color and light-transmissive transparent/translucent segments; light at the first wavelength is transmitted through a first segment and transparent/translucent segment to present a first image/visual effect at the display region; light at the second wavelength is transmitted through a second segment and transparent/translucent segment to present a second image/visual effect at the display region; light at the first wavelength is obstructed by the second segment; light at the second wavelength is obstructed by the first segment; transparent/translucent segments transmit light at first and second wavelengths. The composite layer may comprise a multi-layer form on the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI YANFENG JINQIAO AUTOMOTIVE TRIM SYSTEMS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 11585509
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting system for a motor vehicle. The lighting system comprises at least one first light emitting device mounted on a front right side of the vehicle and adapted to project in front of the vehicle a first pixelated light beam. The lighting system further comprises at least one second light emitting device mounted on a front left side of the vehicle and adapted to project in front of the vehicle a second pixelated light beam. One of the first pixelated light beam and second pixelated light beam, called high resolution beam, has a number of pixels greater than or equal to at least five times, in particular greater than or equal to at least ten times, the number of pixels of the other of said pixelated light beams, called low resolution beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Sophie Clade, Taro Nishio
  • Patent number: 11577641
    Abstract: A light projection method for a moving body which is performed by a processor of the moving body is provided. The method comprises: irradiating light from a light source of the moving body; scanning the light irradiated from the light source with an angle range that is formed by swing a mirror portion of an optical scanner of the moving body; acquiring change information of the angle range at which the mirror portion swings; changing the angle range at which the mirror portion swings based on the acquired change information; and changing an irradiation range of the light irradiated from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mika Hamaoka, Shinya Shimizu, Fuminori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11577640
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp module and a vehicle including the vehicle lamp module are provided. The vehicle lamp module includes a beam pattern forming part to form a beam pattern of light irradiated externally from a vehicle, a sensor part provided at one side of the beam pattern forming part to sense an external region including the beam pattern, a driving part coupled to one side of the sensor part to provide a driving force for rotating the sensor part to change the external region that the sensor part faces, and a connection part interposed between the beam pattern forming part and the sensor part to selectively connect or disconnect the beam pattern forming part and the sensor part with or from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Myeong Je Kim
  • Patent number: 11572010
    Abstract: The invention belongs to the technical field of vehicles, and aims to provide a headlamp mounting structure which can achieve a trade-off between the “weakness” for pedestrian safety and protection and the “strength” for durability, impact resistance and modal parameters. To this end, the invention provides a vehicle headlamp mounting assembly and a vehicle. The vehicle headlamp mounting assembly includes an upper mounting bracket, a middle mounting bracket, a lower mounting bracket, a fender bracket, a connecting plate, and a reinforcing bracket. A bottom end of the reinforcing bracket is connected to the lower mounting bracket via at least one blind rivet. A first mounting structure is provided near an inner end of the upper mounting bracket. The fender bracket is provided with a second mounting structure. A third mounting structure is provided near the bottom end of the middle mounting bracket. A fourth mounting structure is provided near the bottom end of the reinforcing bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIO TECHNOLOGY (ANHUI) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xueyun Kang, Xuekai Shen, Dongting Wang, Xiaoli Liu, Wenjun Song, Jun Tao