Patents by Inventor Alan W Finch

Alan W Finch 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: 7400236
    Abstract: A lane monitoring system deployed on a vehicle is provided for monitoring the position of the vehicle relative to a lane in which the vehicle is traveling. The system comprises a front camera for capturing front lane image data relating to an area substantially to the front of the vehicle and a rear camera for capturing rear lane image data relating to an area substantially to the rear of the vehicle. A processor is coupled to the front camera and the rear camera and is configured to receive the front lane image data and the rear lane image data. The processor is further configured to determine the position of the vehicle relative to the lane boundary from (1) the front lane image data when the front camera is operational, and (2) the rear lane image data when the front camera is not operational and the rear camera is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Kade, Alan W. Finch, Kent S. Lybecker
  • Patent number: 7217020
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly according to the invention includes an integrated night vision illuminator element, such as an infrared illuminator. The headlamp assembly also includes a low beam light bulb element and a high beam light bulb element. A lens attached to the front of the headlamp housing encloses the two light bulb elements and the infrared illuminator within the housing. The headlamp assembly is preferably an integrated module that can be installed quickly and easily into an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Alan W Finch