Patents by Inventor Diane Marie LaHaie

Diane Marie LaHaie 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: 11022519
    Abstract: A system for aiming a headlamp of a vehicle includes a displaceable aiming surface and an imaging system. The imaging system includes a translatable aim box carrying at least one headlamp imager oriented to capture images of a single headlamp and/or one or more vehicle features adjacent to the single headlamp. At least one fixed imager is oriented to capture one or more images of the displaceable aiming surface. The translatable aim box may be configured to translate between the single headlamp and another headlamp. One or more computing devices are configured to perform methods for headlamp aim correction using the described system. Methods for headlamp aim correction are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Diane Marie LaHaie, Ghassan E. Mady, Simon Howard Curwood, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Hardyal Singh, Jeffrey Paul Spencer
  • Publication number: 20200149991
    Abstract: A system for aiming a headlamp of a vehicle includes a displaceable aiming surface and an imaging system. The imaging system includes a translatable aim box carrying at least one headlamp imager oriented to capture images of a single headlamp and/or one or more vehicle features adjacent to the single headlamp. At least one fixed imager is oriented to capture one or more images of the displaceable aiming surface. The translatable aim box may be configured to translate between the single headlamp and another headlamp. One or more computing devices are configured to perform methods for headlamp aim correction using the described system. Methods for headlamp aim correction are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Diane Marie LaHaie, Ghassan E. Mady, Simon Howard Curwood, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Hardyal Singh, Jeffrey Paul Spencer
  • Patent number: 10527519
    Abstract: A system for aiming a headlamp of a vehicle includes a displaceable aiming surface and an imaging system. The imaging system includes a translatable aim box carrying at least one headlamp imager oriented to capture images of a single headlamp and/or one or more vehicle features adjacent to the single headlamp. At least one fixed imager is oriented to capture one or more images of the displaceable aiming surface. The translatable aim box may be configured to translate between the single headlamp and another headlamp. One or more computing devices are configured to perform methods for headlamp aim correction using the described system. Methods for headlamp aim correction are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Diane Marie LaHaie, Ghassan E. Mady, Simon Howard Curwood, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Hardyal Singh, Jeffrey Paul Spencer
  • Patent number: 10464469
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a lamp housing that houses a headlamp adjuster assembly moveable between an adjustment position and an inaccessible stowed position within the lamp housing, and a holder to hold the headlamp adjuster assembly in the adjustment position. The holder is selectively removable such that the headlamp adjuster assembly retracts to the inaccessible stowed position. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, biasing a headlamp adjuster toward the inaccessible stowed position, installing the holder to hold the headlamp adjuster external to the lamp housing against the biasing force, adjusting a position of a headlamp with the headlamp adjuster, and removing the holder such that the headlamp adjuster retracts to the inaccessible stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Diane Marie LaHaie, Lisa Hohmann, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Matthew W. Roosen, John Matthew Teodecki
  • Patent number: 10337954
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a housing, at least one lamp located in the housing, at least one beam alignment light source positioned in the housing and configured to project an image to aid in alignment of the at least one lamp, and at least one beam alignment mechanism operably coupled to the housing and configured to adjust the direction of light from the at least one lamp based on an image projected by the beam alignment light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Kenneth Helwig, David A. Brown, Simon Howard Curwood, Diane Marie LaHaie, Matt W. Roosen, Brian Carroll, Ken Alan Ward
  • Publication number: 20190061601
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a lamp housing that houses a headlamp adjuster assembly moveable between an adjustment position and an inaccessible stowed position within the lamp housing, and a holder to hold the headlamp adjuster assembly in the adjustment position. The holder is selectively removable such that the headlamp adjuster assembly retracts to the inaccessible stowed position. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, biasing a headlamp adjuster toward the inaccessible stowed position, installing the holder to hold the headlamp adjuster external to the lamp housing against the biasing force, adjusting a position of a headlamp with the headlamp adjuster, and removing the holder such that the headlamp adjuster retracts to the inaccessible stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Diane Marie LaHaie, Lisa Hohmann, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Matthew W. Roosen, John Matthew Teodecki
  • Publication number: 20180312103
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a housing. One or more lamps are located in the housing. A beam alignment light source is positioned in the housing and is configured to aid in alignment of the one or more lamps. A beam alignment mechanism is operably coupled to the housing and configured to adjust the direction of light from at least one of the one or more lamps. A method of aligning the vehicle headlamp includes the steps of: illuminating an alignment light source within the vehicle headlamp; projecting the illuminated alignment light source onto a surface; aligning the alignment light source to a pre-determined position on the surface; and adjusting one or more lamps to correspond with the pre-determined position of the alignment light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen Kenneth Helwig, David A. Brown, Simon Howard Curwood, Diane Marie LaHaie, Matt W. Roosen, Brian Carroll, Ken Alan Ward
  • Patent number: 9863843
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp aiming system includes a displaceable aiming surface and an imaging system. The imaging system includes an indexing aim box having at least one imager oriented to capture images of a headlamp and/or one or more vehicle features adjacent to the headlamp and at least one fixed imager oriented to capture one images of the displaceable aiming surface to determine a headlamp cutoff height. The displaceable aiming surface is configured to selectively displace to allow passage of the vehicle. The indexing aim box is configured to translate between the headlamp and another headlamp. One or more computing devices are configured to perform methods for headlamp aim correction using the described system. The methods include providing image inputs from the imaging system and calculating therefrom an aim correction of the headlamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Diane Marie LaHaie, Ghassan E. Mady, Simon Howard Curwood, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Hardyal Singh, Jeffrey Paul Spencer
  • Publication number: 20170336285
    Abstract: A system for aiming a headlamp of a vehicle includes a displaceable aiming surface and an imaging system. The imaging system includes a translatable aim box carrying at least one headlamp imager oriented to capture images of a single headlamp and/or one or more vehicle features adjacent to the single headlamp. At least one fixed imager is oriented to capture one or more images of the displaceable aiming surface. The translatable aim box may be configured to translate between the single headlamp and another headlamp. One or more computing devices are configured to perform methods for headlamp aim correction using the described system. Methods for headlamp aim correction are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Diane Marie LaHaie, Ghassan E. Mady, Simon Howard Curwood, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Hardyal Singh, Jeffrey Paul Spencer
  • Publication number: 20170315017
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp aiming system includes a displaceable aiming surface and an imaging system. The imaging system includes an indexing aim box having at least one imager oriented to capture images of a headlamp and/or one or more vehicle features adjacent to the headlamp and at least one fixed imager oriented to capture one images of the displaceable aiming surface to determine a headlamp cutoff height. The displaceable aiming surface is configured to selectively displace to allow passage of the vehicle. The indexing aim box is configured to translate between the headlamp and another headlamp. One or more computing devices are configured to perform methods for headlamp aim correction using the described system. The methods include providing image inputs from the imaging system and calculating therefrom an aim correction of the headlamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Diane Marie LaHaie, Ghassan E. Mady, Simon Howard Curwood, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Hardyal Singh, Jeffrey Paul Spencer
  • Patent number: 9707884
    Abstract: A camouflaged vehicle includes a vehicle having lighting equipment and a plurality of windows, a camouflage positioned over an exterior of the vehicle and allowing visibility through at least a portion of the plurality of windows, and additional lighting equipment supported by said vehicle outside of said camouflage. At least a portion of the lighting equipment may be visible through the camouflage. A control module for controlling the lighting equipment is provided and the additional lighting equipment is controlled by the control module in parallel with the lighting equipment, and sensors, positioned between the control module and the lighting equipment, sense the application of power and generate additional control signals to operate the additional lighting equipment. The additional lighting equipment may include a minimum number of lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment required to satisfy the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Arun Kumar, Diane Marie LaHaie, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Hardyal Singh, Sleiman N. Abdelnour
  • Publication number: 20160264039
    Abstract: A camouflaged vehicle includes a vehicle having lighting equipment and a plurality of windows, a camouflage positioned over an exterior of the vehicle and allowing visibility through at least a portion of the plurality of windows, and additional lighting equipment supported by said vehicle outside of said camouflage. At least a portion of the lighting equipment may be visible through the camouflage. A control module for controlling the lighting equipment is provided and the additional lighting equipment is controlled by the control module in parallel with the lighting equipment, and sensors, positioned between the control module and the lighting equipment, sense the application of power and generate additional control signals to operate the additional lighting equipment. The additional lighting equipment may include a minimum number of lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment required to satisfy the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Arun Kumar, Diane Marie LaHaie, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Hardyal Singh, Sleiman N. Abdelnour
  • Patent number: 9354139
    Abstract: A headlamp aimer box includes a housing defining an opening and a tunnel, a window disposed within the opening, and a whiteboard disposed at one end of the tunnel. The box further includes a mirror disposed within the tunnel. The mirror redirects a beam passing through the window from a headlamp toward the whiteboard. A length of the tunnel is such that light patterns directed by facets of the headlamp sufficiently cross a median line associated with the headlamp to form a developed beam on the whiteboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Diane Marie Lahaie, Arun Kumar, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, John Wesley Wilds, Stephanie Askew, Michael Wegrzyn, Sleiman N. Abdelnour
  • Publication number: 20150233784
    Abstract: A headlamp aimer box includes a housing defining an opening and a tunnel, a window disposed within the opening, and a whiteboard disposed at one end of the tunnel. The box further includes a mirror disposed within the tunnel. The mirror redirects a beam passing through the window from a headlamp toward the whiteboard. A length of the tunnel is such that light patterns directed by facets of the headlamp sufficiently cross a median line associated with the headlamp to form a developed beam on the whiteboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Albert EKLADYOUS, Diane Marie LAHAIE, Arun KUMAR, Mahendra Somasara DASSANAYAKE, John Wesley WILDS, Stephanie ASKEW, Michael WEGRZYN, Sleiman N. Abdelnour
  • Patent number: 8988672
    Abstract: A method of aiming a light source includes using an image-capturing device to capture a light beam pattern from the light source. Here, the light beam pattern is configured to include a plurality of contrast ratios transitioning from a first intensity region to a second intensity region. The method includes processing the contrast ratios of the light beam pattern to obtain corresponding values of the contrast ratios, transitioning from the first intensity region to the second intensity region, where the corresponding values are logarithmic values, which in turn generate a related response curve. Finally, the method provides for using the logarithmic values and the response curve to aim the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Wesley Wilds, Michael Wegrzyn, Stephanie Askew, Albert Ekladyous, Arun Kumar, Diane Marie LaHaie
  • Publication number: 20140015962
    Abstract: A method of aiming a light source includes using an image-capturing device to capture a light beam pattern from the light source. Here, the light beam pattern is configured to include a plurality of contrast ratios transitioning from a first intensity region to a second intensity region. The method includes processing the contrast ratios of the light beam pattern to obtain corresponding values of the contrast ratios, transitioning from the first intensity region to the second intensity region, where the corresponding values are logarithmic values, which in turn generate a related response curve. Finally, the method provides for using the logarithmic values and the response curve to aim the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Wesley Wilds, Michael Wegrzyn, Stephanie Askew, Albert Ekladyous, Arun Kumar, Diane Marie LaHaie