Patents by Inventor Aaron S. Pfau

Aaron S. Pfau 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: 10676071
    Abstract: Methods and system for monitoring and evaluating irregularities on a sensor lens of a vehicle sensor are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes the steps of providing the vehicle with an actuator configured to move the sensor lens and a controller in electronic communication with the actuator, receiving sensor data corresponding to at least one characteristic of a vehicle environment from the at least one sensor, evaluating the sensor data to determine if the sensor data indicates an irregularity on the sensor lens of the at least one sensor, classifying the irregularity, storing irregularity data corresponding to the classified irregularity in a non-transient, computer-readable data medium, and, in response to the classified irregularity, automatically controlling the actuator to move the sensor lens from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Dusina, Scott W. Damman, Aaron S. Pfau
  • Patent number: 10458174
    Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomously closing an open door of a vehicle are disclosed. A door closing system for a vehicle includes a sensor system and an autonomous driving system. The sensor system determines if a door of the vehicle is open and determines if a surrounding of the vehicle is free of obstacles in a predetermined range. The autonomous driving system instructs the vehicle to move if a door of the vehicle is open and if the predetermined range of the surrounding of the vehicle is free of obstacles, such that the door is closed as a result of the movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Dusina, Aaron S. Pfau, Scott M. Damman
  • Publication number: 20190071916
    Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomously closing an open door of a vehicle are disclosed. A door closing system for a vehicle includes a sensor system and an autonomous driving system. The sensor system determines if a door of the vehicle is open and determines if a surrounding of the vehicle is free of obstacles in a predetermined range. The autonomous driving system instructs the vehicle to move if a door of the vehicle is open and if the predetermined range of the surrounding of the vehicle is free of obstacles, such that the door is closed as a result of the movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Dusina, Aaron S. Pfau, Scott M. Damman
  • Publication number: 20180319376
    Abstract: Methods and system for monitoring and evaluating irregularities on a sensor lens of a vehicle sensor are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes the steps of providing the vehicle with an actuator configured to move the sensor lens and a controller in electronic communication with the actuator, receiving sensor data corresponding to at least one characteristic of a vehicle environment from the at least one sensor, evaluating the sensor data to determine if the sensor data indicates an irregularity on the sensor lens of the at least one sensor, classifying the irregularity, storing irregularity data corresponding to the classified irregularity in a non-transient, computer-readable data medium, and, in response to the classified irregularity, automatically controlling the actuator to move the sensor lens from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Frank J. Dusina, Scott W. Damman, Aaron S. Pfau