Patents by Inventor Eugene J. Lau

Eugene J. Lau 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: 11634049
    Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Eugene J. Lau, Suzanne L. Johansson, Orhan Demirovic
  • Publication number: 20220274511
    Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Eugene J. Lau, Suzanne L. Johansson, Orhan Demirovic
  • Patent number: 11396248
    Abstract: An anchor attachment detection sensor for a vehicle including an anchor including an anchor attachment loop bar; a slide mount defining an opening, wherein the slide mount is positioned aft of the anchor attachment loop bar; a slide positioned in the opening of the slide mount, a plate secured to a first end of the slide, a spring, wherein the spring biases the plate against the anchor attachment loop bar; and a sensing device configured to transmit a control signal having a value, wherein the value of the control signal is based on a displacement of a portion of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene J. Lau, Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Suzanne L. Johansson
  • Patent number: 11358499
    Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Eugene J. Lau, Suzanne L. Johansson, Orhan Demirovic
  • Publication number: 20220134988
    Abstract: An anchor attachment detection sensor for a vehicle including an anchor including an anchor attachment loop bar; a slide mount defining an opening, wherein the slide mount is positioned aft of the anchor attachment loop bar; a slide positioned in the opening of the slide mount, a plate secured to a first end of the slide, a spring, wherein the spring biases the plate against the anchor attachment loop bar; and a sensing device configured to transmit a control signal having a value, wherein the value of the control signal is based on a displacement of a portion of the slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Eugene J. Lau, Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Suzanne L. Johansson
  • Publication number: 20210229626
    Abstract: An anchor attachment detection sensor for a vehicle. An anchor associated with a passenger seat includes an attachment loop. The anchor attachment detection sensor also includes a sensor affixed on and fully supported by the attachment loop. The sensor detects an interaction applied to the attachment loop and sensor by a child safety seat connector. A method of detecting the attachment of a child safety seat connector to an anchor in a motor vehicle includes detecting an interaction of the child safety seat connector with an attachment loop of an anchor using a sensor supported by the attachment loop and determining with a microprocessor control system coupled to the sensor if a child safety seat connector has been coupled to the anchor based on the interaction detected by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Orhan Demirovic, Tricia E. Morrow, Eugene J. Lau
  • Publication number: 20210114489
    Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Eugene J. Lau, Suzanne L. Johansson, Orhan Demirovic