Patents by Inventor David Shaffer

David Shaffer 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: 10456287
    Abstract: A therapeutic sock is formed from a knit sock body formed in a tubular shape and terminating in a closed toe portion, the toe portion being divided into a first compartment configured accommodating a big toe and at least one additional compartment for other toes. At least one of the compartments has a area of increased compression as compared to a compression in other areas of the sock. The area of increased compression can be disposed on the first compartment and extend longitudinally along a medial edge of the first compartment and/or can be disposed on the at least one additional compartment and extend laterally around a circumference of the at least one additional compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: David Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20190167462
    Abstract: A therapeutic sock is formed from a knit sock body formed in a tubular shape and terminating in a closed toe portion, the toe portion being divided into a first compartment configured accommodating a big toe and at least one additional compartment for other toes. At least one of the compartments has a area of increased compression as compared to a compression in other areas of the sock. The area of increased compression can be disposed on the first compartment and extend longitudinally along a medial edge of the first compartment and/or can be disposed on the at least one additional compartment and extend laterally around a circumference of the at least one additional compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventor: David SHAFFER
  • Patent number: 9773417
    Abstract: A vehicle park assist system may include a sensor, a signal device, and a controller configured to locate via the sensors an available parking place and activate the signal device in response to locating the available parking place and recognizing a park trigger indicative of a desire to park in the available parking place upon passing the available parking place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Michael Funke, Andrew E. Ochmanski, Aric David Shaffer, Vinit Singh
  • Publication number: 20170200373
    Abstract: A vehicle park assist system may include a sensor, a signal device, and a controller configured to locate via the sensors an available parking place and activate the signal device in response to locating the available parking place and recognizing a park trigger indicative of a desire to park in the available parking place upon passing the available parking place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: James Michael Funke, Andrew E. Ochmanski, Aric David Shaffer, Vinit Singh
  • Patent number: 9696420
    Abstract: A method of assessing an area for parking a vehicle includes ultrasonically scanning the area to obtain ultrasonic data, radar scanning the area to obtain radar data, and determining whether to park the vehicle in the area based on both the ultrasonic data and the radar data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aric David Shaffer, Vern Stempnik, Brian Choi, Mark Crawford
  • Patent number: 9392874
    Abstract: A pressure reducing device for reducing pressure at bony prominences of limbs is disclosed. A preferred embodiment is formed of an elastic foam, having upper and lower portions similar to oppositely-facing square pyramids, but having four arced sides rather than flat sides, and where the four sides converge at their apexes to form a blunted peak. The cushion body is shaped and sized so as to reduce the loading and shearing forces over the bony prominences of limbs, thereby reducing pressure and to readily allow a user to move along the support surface and to change orientations (roll or lie on their side).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: David Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9384662
    Abstract: Parking assistance for a vehicle includes various elements directed to assessing whether a motion or position of a vehicle is conducive to detecting an available parking slot. In one instance, a signal is received, and the signal is used to calculate a movement parameter. For example, the movement parameter might include a distance between the driven vehicle and one or more objects or a passing angle of the driven vehicle relative to the one or more objects. The movement parameter is then compared to a movement parameter threshold, and a notification is transmitted when the movement parameter is violated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Choi, Andrew Ochmanski, Vernon Richard Stempnik, Aric David Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20160113408
    Abstract: A pressure reducing device for reducing pressure at bony prominences of limbs is disclosed. A preferred embodiment is formed of an elastic foam, having upper and lower portions similar to oppositely-facing square pyramids, but having four arced sides rather than flat sides, and where the four sides converge at their apexes to form a blunted peak. The cushion body is shaped and sized so as to reduce the loading and shearing forces over the bony prominences of limbs, thereby reducing pressure and to readily allow a user to move along the support surface and to change orientations (roll or lie on their side).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventor: David Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9224297
    Abstract: A method of determining an object distance from a vehicle includes sending a first transmission signal during a first burst period from a first transmitter, listening for a first reflection signal during a first listen period in a receiver, and sending a second transmission signal during a second burst period from a second transmitter. The second transmission signal is sent based on a time when the first transmission signal is sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aric David Shaffer, Vern Stempnik, Brian Choi, Michael David Kane
  • Publication number: 20150302750
    Abstract: Parking assistance for a vehicle includes various elements directed to assessing whether a motion or position of a vehicle is conducive to detecting an available parking slot. In one instance, a signal is received, and the signal is used to calculate a movement parameter. For example, the movement parameter might include a distance between the driven vehicle and one or more objects or a passing angle of the driven vehicle relative to the one or more objects. The movement parameter is then compared to a movement parameter threshold, and a notification is transmitted when the movement parameter is violated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: BRIAN CHOI, ANDREW OCHMANSKI, VERN RICHARD STEMPNIK, ARIC DAVID SHAFFER
  • Patent number: 9002564
    Abstract: A method of parking a vehicle includes calibrating a wheel speed count of the vehicle based on a measured length that is external to the vehicle, and parking the vehicle based on the calibrated wheel speed count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aric David Shaffer, Michael David Kane, Vern Stempnik
  • Patent number: 8957786
    Abstract: A method of parking a running vehicle includes measuring a length of a parked vehicle that is proximate to a desired parking location, and estimating the width of the parked vehicle based on a regression equation. The running vehicle is parked based on the estimated width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vern Stempnik, Brian Choi, Mark Crawford, Aric David Shaffer, Michael David Kane
  • Publication number: 20140347195
    Abstract: A method of parking a running vehicle includes measuring a length of a parked vehicle that is proximate to a desired parking location, and estimating the width of the parked vehicle based on a regression equation. The running vehicle is parked based on the estimated width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Vern Stempnik, Brian Choi, Mark Crawford, Aric David Shaffer, Michael David Kane
  • Publication number: 20140316632
    Abstract: A method of parking a vehicle includes calibrating a wheel speed count of the vehicle based on a measured length that is external to the vehicle, and parking the vehicle based on the calibrated wheel speed count.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aric David Shaffer, Michael David Kane, Vern Stempnik
  • Publication number: 20140313059
    Abstract: A method of determining an object distance from a vehicle includes sending a first transmission signal during a first burst period from a first transmitter, listening for a first reflection signal during a first listen period in a receiver, and sending a second transmission signal during a second burst period from a second transmitter. The second transmission signal is sent based on a time when the first transmission signal is sent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aric David Shaffer, Vern Stempnik, Brian Choi, Michael David Kane
  • Publication number: 20140300504
    Abstract: A method of assessing an area for parking a vehicle includes ultrasonically scanning the area to obtain ultrasonic data, radar scanning the area to obtain radar data, and determining whether to park the vehicle in the area based on both the ultrasonic data and the radar data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aric David Shaffer, Vern Stempnik, Brian Choi, Mark Crawford
  • Publication number: 20140148992
    Abstract: A system and method for outputting outside air temperature information and signaling apparatus configured for outputting powertrain operating information, the system comprising instructions causing the at least one data processing device to determine a first instance of signal strength calibration for the ultrasonic sensor based on a last known instance of outside air temperature and a first instance of powertrain operating information, instructions causing the at least one data processing device to determine a vehicle operating condition requiring alteration of the signal strength calibration for the ultrasonic sensor, instructions for altering the signal strength calibration for the ultrasonic sensor and instructions for altering an outside air temperature to be displayed to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Aric David Shaffer, Vernon Richard Stempnik, Michael David Kane, Stephen Varghese Samuel, Wangdong Luo, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Patent number: 8676438
    Abstract: Temperature compensation for ultrasonic sensors can have a significant error that is highly undesirable because temperature of ultrasonic sensors and the temperature of the medium through which they sense objects affect signal strength calibrations (e.g., echo thresholds) applied when detecting an object. In order to increase the detection capabilities and reported distance of an object, ultrasonic sensors need to adjust their detection criteria and distance calculations as the temperature of air surrounding a vehicle (i.e., outside air temperature) changes and also as the temperature of the sensor changes. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter provide for a simple, effective and consistent approach for determining a temperature upon which such detection criteria and distance calculation adjustments can be based.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Wilford Trent Yopp, Wangdong Luo, Stephen Varghese Samuel, Aric David Shaffer, Vern Stempnik, Michael David Kane
  • Publication number: 20140039750
    Abstract: Temperature compensation for ultrasonic sensors can have a significant error that is highly undesirable because temperature of ultrasonic sensors and the temperature of the medium through which they sense objects affect signal strength calibrations (e.g., echo thresholds) applied when detecting an object. In order to increase the detection capabilities and reported distance of an object, ultrasonic sensors need to adjust their detection criteria and distance calculations as the temperature of air surrounding a vehicle (i.e., outside air temperature) changes and also as the temperature of the sensor changes. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter provide for a simple, effective and consistent approach for determining a temperature upon which such detection criteria and distance calculation adjustments can be based.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wilford Trent Yopp, Wangdong Luo, Stephen Varghese Samuel, Aric David Shaffer, Vern Stempnik, Michael David Kane
  • Patent number: D777935
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: David Shaffer