Patents by Inventor DAVID M. HERMAN

DAVID M. HERMAN 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: 11100347
    Abstract: Abandoned articles left by a user departing from an autonomous vehicle are automatically detected by capturing image data including a plurality of diversely-illuminated images of a target area within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. A plurality of normal vectors are determined for respective pixels representing the target area in a normal extractor based on the images. A normal-driven map is stored in a first array in response to the plurality of normal vectors. A baseline map is stored in a second array compiled from baseline images of the target area in a nominal clean state. Differences between the normal-driven map and the baseline map indicative of an object not present in the clean state are detected in a comparator. Difficult to detect objects can be found using a single, fixed camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: David M. Herman
  • Patent number: 10896335
    Abstract: A visual scene around a vehicle is displayed to an occupant of the vehicle on a display panel as a virtual three-dimensional image from an adjustable point of view outside the vehicle. A simulated image is assembled corresponding to a selected vantage point on an imaginary parabolic surface outside the vehicle from exterior image data and a virtual vehicle image superimposed on a part of the image data. Objects are detected at respective locations around the vehicle subject to potential impact. An obstruction ratio is quantified for a detected object having corresponding image data in the simulated image obscured by the vehicle image. When the detected object has an obstruction ratio above an obstruction threshold, a corresponding bounding zone of the vehicle image is rendered at least partially transparent in the simulated image to unobscure the corresponding image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: David M. Herman
  • Publication number: 20200293799
    Abstract: Abandoned articles left by a user departing from an autonomous vehicle are automatically detected by capturing image data including a plurality of diversely-illuminated images of a target area within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. A plurality of normal vectors are determined for respective pixels representing the target area in a normal extractor based on the images. A normal-driven map is stored in a first array in response to the plurality of normal vectors. A baseline map is stored in a second array compiled from baseline images of the target area in a nominal clean state. Differences between the normal-driven map and the baseline map indicative of an object not present in the clean state are detected in a comparator. Difficult to detect objects can be found using a single, fixed camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventor: David M. Herman
  • Publication number: 20200218910
    Abstract: A visual scene around a vehicle is displayed to an occupant of the vehicle on a display panel as a virtual three-dimensional image from an adjustable point of view outside the vehicle. A simulated image is assembled corresponding to a selected vantage point on an imaginary parabolic surface outside the vehicle from exterior image data and a virtual vehicle image superimposed on a part of the image data. Objects are detected at respective locations around the vehicle subject to potential impact. An obstruction ratio is quantified for a detected object having corresponding image data in the simulated image obscured by the vehicle image. When the detected object has an obstruction ratio above an obstruction threshold, a corresponding bounding zone of the vehicle image is rendered at least partially transparent in the simulated image to unobscure the corresponding image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventor: David M. Herman
  • Publication number: 20200110172
    Abstract: Driver assistance is provided for parking a vehicle inside a garage with a powered garage door actuating system. During parking of the vehicle in the garage, remote scanning is performed around the vehicle to detect a path of a garage door. While in the parking mode, the garage door path is compared to a vehicle profile. Driver guidance is provided in order to locate the vehicle where the profile and path are non-interfering. In a parked mode, the door is monitored for actuations, and the garage door actuator is automatically commanded to reverse if the actuator is closing the door toward an interfering position with the profile. The vehicle profile may encompass an expansion zone recurrently occupied by a powered vehicle door or tailgate. If the interfering position coincides only with the expansion zone then the command to reverse the actuator is made only if the tailgate is not closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Nunzio DeCia, David M. Herman, Stephen J. Orris, JR., Nicholas A. Scheufler
  • Patent number: 10613219
    Abstract: Driver assistance is provided for parking a vehicle inside a garage with a powered garage door actuating system. During parking of the vehicle in the garage, remote scanning is performed around the vehicle to detect a path of a garage door. While in the parking mode, the garage door path is compared to a vehicle profile. Driver guidance is provided in order to locate the vehicle where the profile and path are non-interfering. In a parked mode, the door is monitored for actuations, and the garage door actuator is automatically commanded to reverse if the actuator is closing the door toward an interfering position with the profile. The vehicle profile may encompass an expansion zone recurrently occupied by a powered vehicle door or tailgate. If the interfering position coincides only with the expansion zone then the command to reverse the actuator is made only if the tailgate is not closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nunzio DeCia, David M. Herman, Stephen J. Orris, Jr., Nicholas A. Scheufler
  • Publication number: 20190349083
    Abstract: A visible light communication system has a two-dimensional array of sources and an image sensor with a pixel grid defining a pixel direction (which in some embodiments is a rolling shutter direction). Modulation of the light flashes the sources to define a series of one-dimensional patterns encoding the data to be transmitted. The patterns extend in a direction that projects onto the imager orthogonal to the pixel direction. In the case of a rolling shutter, the pattern is orthogonal to the rolling shutter direction, which allows the encoding of multiple bits per line of the image frame. In other cases, the orthogonal direction obtains the maximum resolving power available from the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: David M. Herman, Grant Inskeep
  • Patent number: 10476594
    Abstract: A visible light communication system has a two-dimensional array of sources and an image sensor with a pixel grid defining a pixel direction (which in some embodiments is a rolling shutter direction). Modulation of the light flashes the sources to define a series of one-dimensional patterns encoding the data to be transmitted. The patterns extend in a direction that projects onto the imager orthogonal to the pixel direction. In the case of a rolling shutter, the pattern is orthogonal to the rolling shutter direction, which allows the encoding of multiple bits per line of the image frame. In other cases, the orthogonal direction obtains the maximum resolving power available from the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Herman, Grant Inskeep
  • Patent number: 10366541
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle backup safety mapping. An example vehicle includes a display, a rear-view camera, and a processor. The processor generates a three-dimensional model of space behind the vehicle based on images from the rear-view camera The processor also generates an overlay based on the three-dimensional model. The overlay includes representation of objects not in the field of view of the rear-view camera. Additionally, the processor displays, on the display, the images from the rear-view camera and the overlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Herman, David A. Herman
  • Patent number: 10348404
    Abstract: A visible light communication system has a two-dimensional array of sources and an image sensor with a pixel grid defining a pixel direction (which in some embodiments is a rolling shutter direction). Modulation of the light flashes the sources to define a series of one-dimensional patterns encoding the data to be transmitted. The patterns extend in a direction that projects onto the imager orthogonal to the pixel direction. In the case of a rolling shutter, the pattern is orthogonal to the rolling shutter direction, which allows the encoding of multiple bits per line of the image frame. In other cases, the orthogonal direction obtains the maximum resolving power available from the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Herman, Grant Inskeep
  • Patent number: 10193627
    Abstract: A visible light communication (VLC) receiver captures frames of a scene with a camera to detect flashing light signals from a VLC transmitter such as an array of LEDs. The method assembles an enhanced dynamic range image sequence from the frames. At least one VLC source is detected in the enhanced sequence, wherein the source occupies a respective subwindow within the scene. An imaging exposure such as the exposure time used for capturing images at the subwindow is optimized according to a brightness of the respective VLC source. Then a plurality of subwindow images are captured using the optimized exposure. VLC data visible in the subwindow images is then decoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Herman, Grant Inskeep
  • Publication number: 20190026947
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle backup safety mapping. An example vehicle includes a display, a rear-view camera, and a processor. The processor generates a three-dimensional model of space behind the vehicle based on images from the rear-view camera The processor also generates an overlay based on the three-dimensional model. The overlay includes representation of objects not in the field of view of the rear-view camera. Additionally, the processor displays, on the display, the images from the rear-view camera and the overlay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: David M. Herman, David A. Herman
  • Patent number: 9957225
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating Friedreich's ataxia and other neurodegenerative or neuromuscular conditions using histone deacetylase inhibitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: Joel M. Gottesfeld, Ann-Kristin Jenssen, David M. Herman, Ryan Burnett, C. James Chou
  • Publication number: 20150080472
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating Friedreich's ataxia using histone deacetylase inhibitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: JOEL M. GOTTESFELD, ANN-KRISTIN JENSSEN, DAVID M. HERMAN, RYAN BURNETT, C. JAMES CHOU
  • Patent number: 8835502
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating Friedreich's ataxia using histone deacetylase inhibitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: Joel M. Gottesfeld, Kai Jenssen, David M. Herman, Ryan Burnett, C. James Chou
  • Publication number: 20130210918
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating Friedreich's ataxia using histone deacetylase inhibitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: Joel M. Gottesfeld, Kai Jenssen, David M. Herman, Ryan Burnett, C. James Chou
  • Publication number: 20110021562
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating Friedreich's ataxia using histone deacetylase inhibitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTUTE
    Inventors: KAI JENSSEN, DAVID M. HERMAN, JOEL M. GOTTESFELD, RYAN BURNETT, C. JAMES CHOU