Patents by Inventor Christopher Ludwig

Christopher Ludwig 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: 11974103
    Abstract: An in-car headphone system may include a first headset associated with a vehicle occupant and configured to transmit audio signals to an associated occupant; at least one interior microphone configured to receive an interior audio signal from within a vehicle cabin; at least one exterior microphone configured to receive an exterior audio signal acquired from outside of the vehicle; and a processor configured to receive at least one of the interior audio signal from the at least one interior microphone and the exterior audio signal from the at least one exterior microphone; determine whether at least one of the interior audio signal and exterior audio signal include a trigger command or an alert signal; and transmit the audio signal that includes the trigger command or alert signal to the first headset in response to the audio signals including a trigger command or an alert signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Riley Winton, Christopher Ludwig, Jason Choi, Philippe Dreiling
  • Patent number: 11958345
    Abstract: Techniques for an augmented media experience in a vehicle cable include a first display surface positioned on a ceiling of the vehicle cabin, a second display surface positioned on the ceiling of the vehicle cabin, a memory storing a media application and a processor coupled to the memory. The first display surface is movable relative to the second display surface. The processor, when executing the media application performs the steps of deploying the first display surface to a deployed position where the first display surface is positioned between a first glass panel in a ceiling of the vehicle cabin and an interior of the vehicle cabin and displaying media content in the vehicle cabin using the first display surface and the second display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Riley Winton, Gorm Jorgensen, Christopher Ludwig, Christopher Trestain
  • Publication number: 20240101008
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a loudspeaker assembly including a first loudspeaker and a first acoustic lens is provided. The first loudspeaker is positioned on a first side of a headrest of a first vehicle seat for transmitting a first audio output toward one of a side pillar and a door of a vehicle. The first acoustic lens is coupled to the first loudspeaker and defining a first opening to enable the first audio output to pass from the first opening at a first predetermined angle. The first acoustic lens is positioned between the first loudspeaker and the one of the side pillar and the door of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Chris LUDWIG, Riley WINTON, Christopher Michael TRESTAIN, David MOSSINGTON
  • Patent number: 11937067
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a contrast mode and a front optimized mode for audio in a vehicle is provided. An audio controller is programmed to transmit first audio content in a first zone seating area and to transmit second audio content in a second zone seating area. The audio controller receives a first indication to transmit the first audio content in the first zone seating area and the second audio content in the second zone seating area in the contrast mode to provide an equal listening experience. The audio controller receives a second indication to transmit the first audio content in the first zone seating area and the second audio content in the second zone seating area in the front optimized mode to increase a quality of sound in the first zone seating area and to decrease a quality of sound in the second zone seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Riley Winton, Christopher Michael Trestain, Chris Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20240059201
    Abstract: A headrest assembly for a vehicle includes a head support having a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side. A left support arm is coupled to the left side and aright support aim is coupled to the right side. A left speaker module is coupled to the left support arm and a right speaker module is coupled to the right support arm, the left and right speaker modules each including a housing having a front face with at least one speaker mounted therein for generating audio output. The left and right support arms are arranged to position the left and right speaker modules in a retracted position with respect to the head support to provide a surround sound mode, a first extended position to provide an individual sound zone (ISZ) mode, and a second extended position to provide a binaural mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David MOSSINGTON, Tingli CAI, Riley WINTON, Adam Michael SACHS, Christopher LUDWIG, Christopher Michael TRESTAIN
  • Publication number: 20240064446
    Abstract: A modular audio assembly for use with a vehicle headrest includes a speaker assembly including a support member arranged to be rotatably mounted to the vehicle headrest, and a speaker module coupled to the support member, the speaker module including a housing having a front face and at least one speaker mounted therein for generating audio output. An actuator is operably connected to the speaker assembly and configured to position the speaker assembly in an inactive position with the front face generally adjacent a lateral side of the vehicle headrest and in an active position with the speaker assembly rotated away from the lateral side of the vehicle headrest and the front face oriented in an inward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gerhard DOBERSTEIN, Riley WINTON, David MOSSINGTON, Christopher LUDWIG, Rui Edson JUSTINO DE OLIVEIRA
  • Patent number: 11845588
    Abstract: A filling slit is formed in a first panel of web material of a flexible pouch enclosure formed from the first panel and an opposing second panel of the web material and having a resealable closing assembly having interlocking male and female members joined to a flange. After the flexible pouch enclosure is at least partially filled with a product through an opening in the first panel of the web material that is created by the filling slit, the filling slit is closed by sealing the first panel to the flange of the resealable closing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Steele, Christopher Ludwig, Eric Plourde
  • Publication number: 20230294909
    Abstract: An enclosure includes a first panel, a second panel coupled with the first panel along outer edges of the first panel and the second panel, and a gusset panel having first and second legs. The first leg may be coupled with the first panel. The second leg may have opposite ends and a middle portion with at least the middle portion separate from the first panel and the second panel. The second leg and the second panel may form an auxiliary port through which product can be loaded into an interior volume disposed between the first panel and the second panel. The middle portion of the second leg of the gusset panel may be coupled with the second panel after the product is loaded into the interior volume between the first panel and the second panel to enclose the product in the interior volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Ludwig
  • Patent number: 11729549
    Abstract: A vehicle loudspeaker system, including at least two microphones forming a microphone array, at least one loudspeaker configured to emit non-human sound, a processor programmed to receive incoming audio signals from the microphone array. The processor further programmed to apply beamforming to the incoming audio signals, determine whether human generated sound is detected within the audio signal, and instruct the loudspeaker to adjust the non-human sound in response to human generated sound being detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Trestain, Riley Winton, Christopher Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20230216897
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving a set of two or more first media signals from two or more consoles included in a vehicle, where each of the two or more consoles are included in a common communication session, combining the set of two or more first media signals to generate a composite media signal, transmitting, via a communication link, the composite media signal to a remote destination, receiving, via the communication link, a remote media signal from the remote destination, and causing the two or more first media signals and the remote media signal to be reproduced at the two or more consoles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Riley WINTON, Christopher Michael TRESTAIN, Maxwell B. WILLIS, Carl Alexander SANDSTROM, Christopher LUDWIG
  • Publication number: 20230214171
    Abstract: Various embodiments also include a computer-implemented method comprising determining a communications mode for a plurality of consoles operating within a vehicle, based on the determined communications mode, initiating an in-vehicle communication between a set of consoles included in the plurality of consoles, where the set of consoles includes at least a first console and a second console, in response to the in-vehicle communication, causing each of the set of consoles to attenuate volumes of a set of content items playing on each of the set of consoles, and receiving a speech signal generated by a first user of the set of consoles, and causing the set of consoles to reproduce the speech signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Riley WINTON, Christopher LUDWIG, Gorm Haldor JORGENSEN, Carl Alexander SANDSTROM, Christopher Michael TRESTAIN, Maxwell B. WILLIS, Brian DAGG, Peter BUTH
  • Publication number: 20230128948
    Abstract: A valve application system includes a rotary cutter configured to cut individual valves from a valve string. The valve string is configured to be fed between the rotary cutter and a vacuum transfer tool where the rotary cutter is configured to cut the individual valves from the valve string. The valves are configured to be transferred from the vacuum transfer tool to the ultrasonic anvil. A web is configured to be fed between the ultrasonic anvil and the ultrasonic horn where the valves are ultrasonically sealed to the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20230132169
    Abstract: A method of forming a multi-chambered pouch includes filling a first liquid into a chamber of the pouch through an opening; forming a frangible seal above the first liquid to provide a first sub-chamber having the first liquid and an open second sub-chamber above the first sub-chamber; sealing the first liquid in the first sub-chamber; filling a second liquid into the second sub-chamber through the opening; forming a seal over the second liquid within the second sub-chamber; sealing the second liquid in the second sub-chamber; and forming a permanent seal that intersects the frangible seal to form a first retaining chamber, a second retaining chamber, a third retaining chamber, and a fourth retaining chamber, wherein the first retaining chamber and the second retaining chamber retain the first liquid, and wherein the third retaining chamber and the fourth retaining chamber retain the second liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20220402428
    Abstract: Techniques for an augmented media experience in a vehicle cable include a first display surface positioned on a ceiling of the vehicle cabin, a second display surface positioned on the ceiling of the vehicle cabin, a memory storing a media application and a processor coupled to the memory. The first display surface is movable relative to the second display surface. The processor, when executing the media application performs the steps of deploying the first display surface to a deployed position where the first display surface is positioned between a first glass panel in a ceiling of the vehicle cabin and an interior of the vehicle cabin and displaying media content in the vehicle cabin using the first display surface and the second display surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Riley WINTON, Gorm JORGENSEN, Christopher LUDWIG, Christopher TRESTAIN
  • Patent number: 11503401
    Abstract: A dual-zone automotive multimedia system may include a first infotainment device associated with a front zone of a vehicle, at least one second infotainment device associated with a rear zone of a vehicle, wherein the at least one second infotainment device includes a directional loudspeaker arranged facing the rear zone of the vehicle, and a processor programmed to transmit audio signals to the first and second infotainment devices to create sound at each of the front and rear zones, wherein the audio signal transmitted to the directional loudspeaker relates to playback at the rear zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Riley Winton, Christopher Ludwig, Christopher Michael Trestain, Maxwell Boone Willis
  • Patent number: 11463813
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an audio system is provided. The audio system includes a first loudspeaker, a second loudspeaker, and an audio controller. The first loudspeaker is positioned on first side of a vehicle to transmit a first audio signal to a driver. The second loudspeaker is positioned on a second side of the vehicle to transmit a second audio signal to a passenger. The audio controller is configured to increase an audio experience for only the driver of the vehicle by at least one of controlling a voltage provided to the first loudspeaker to cause a first overall excursion of the first loudspeaker to be greater than a second overall excursion of the second loudspeaker, and limiting an amount of current that is delivered only to the first loudspeaker to prevent the first loudspeaker from temporarily shutting down due to an overcurrent condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Riley Winton, Christopher Ludwig, Brian Sterling, Arndt Hensgens
  • Patent number: 11453333
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a moodroof media application provides media content into a vehicle cabin. In operation, the moodroof media application determines at least one state associated with the vehicle cabin based on sensor data from at least one sensor. The moodroof media application then receives media content associated with the at least one state. The moodroof media application further causes visual content associated with the media content to be displayed on at least one display surface positioned on a ceiling of the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Riley Winton, Gorm Jorgensen, Christopher Ludwig, Christopher Trestain
  • Patent number: 11370584
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pouches or packages with at least two separate storage volumes, wherein a bubble valve, protruding element valve or pressure actuated valve is provided for each storage volume. The two bubble valves may be presented in parallel configuration, angled slightly toward each other, or at right angles to each other. The bubble valves may also have different sized openings in order to adjust the proportion of products mixed and to adjust for differing viscosities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Ludwig, Michal Gawlik
  • Publication number: 20220095045
    Abstract: An in-car headphone system may include a first headset associated with a vehicle occupant and configured to transmit audio signals to an associated occupant; at least one interior microphone configured to receive an interior audio signal from within a vehicle cabin; at least one exterior microphone configured to receive an exterior audio signal acquired from outside of the vehicle; and a processor configured to receive at least one of the interior audio signal from the at least one interior microphone and the exterior audio signal from the at least one exterior microphone; determine whether at least one of the interior audio signal and exterior audio signal include a trigger command or an alert signal; and transmit the audio signal that includes the trigger command or alert signal to the first headset in response to the audio signals including a trigger command or an alert signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Riley WINTON, Christopher LUDWIG, Jason CHOI, Philippe DREILING
  • Publication number: 20220095046
    Abstract: An in-car headphone system may include a first headset associated with a vehicle occupant and configured to transmit audio signals to an associated occupant; at least one interior microphone configured to receive an interior audio signal from within a vehicle cabin; at least one exterior microphone configured to receive an exterior audio signal acquired from outside of the vehicle; and a processor configured to receive at least one of the interior audio signal from the at least one interior microphone and the exterior audio signal from the at least one exterior microphone; determine whether at least one of the interior audio signal and exterior audio signal include a trigger command or an alert signal; and transmit the audio signal that includes the trigger command or alert signal to the first headset in response to the audio signals including a trigger command or an alert signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Riley WINTON, Christopher LUDWIG