Patents by Inventor Howard E. Churchwell
Howard E. Churchwell 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).
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Patent number: 10946825Abstract: An assembly includes a front console. The assembly includes a body having a reaction surface and supported by the front console. The assembly includes an actuator connected to the body, the body movable by the actuator to a deployed position. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the front console and inflatable to an inflated position that abuts the reaction surface. The assembly includes an inflator connected to the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard E. Churchwell, II, Swadad A. Carremm, Jayagopal Appukutty
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Patent number: 10825121Abstract: This disclosure describes a method and device for processing ride-sharing requests. The method and device process ride requests received from a first mobile device and generate a first hash corresponding to the ride request. The disclosure also describes a method and device for processing ride sharing responses. The method and device receives a ride request from a rider account, transmits a ride response to the rider account, compares a first location to a current location, determines that a difference between the first location and the current location is less than a threshold value, conducts a visual analysis of one or more persons proximate to the current location, requests that the rider audibly identify themselves, and determines, based at least in part on the audible identification and visual identification, that the rider is associated with the rider account.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard E. Churchwell, II, Soundousse Zouani
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Publication number: 20200172039Abstract: An assembly includes a front console. The assembly includes a body having a reaction surface and supported by the front console. The assembly includes an actuator connected to the body, the body movable by the actuator to a deployed position. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the front console and inflatable to an inflated position that abuts the reaction surface. The assembly includes an inflator connected to the airbag.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2018Publication date: June 4, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: MAHMOUD YOUSEF GHANNAM, HOWARD E. CHURCHWELL, II, SWADAD A. CARREMM, JAYAGOPAL APPUKUTTY
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Publication number: 20200134763Abstract: This disclosure describes a method and device for processing ride-sharing requests. The method and device process ride requests received from a first mobile device and generate a first hash corresponding to the ride request. The disclosure also describes a method and device for processing ride sharing responses. The method and device receives a ride request from a rider account, transmits a ride response to the rider account, compares a first location to a current location, determines that a difference between the first location and the current location is less than a threshold value, conducts a visual analysis of one or more persons proximate to the current location, requests that the rider audibly identify themselves, and determines, based at least in part on the audible identification and visual identification, that the rider is associated with the rider account.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard E. Churchwell, II, Soundousse Zouani
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Patent number: 10518607Abstract: A sound of a second vehicle engine is detected. Upon predicting a pollution event by comparing the detected sound to a stored sound model, a countermeasure is actuated in a first vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Howard E. Churchwell, II, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
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Publication number: 20190118751Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for classifying non-contact event around a vehicle based on a restraint control module accelerometer. An example vehicle includes impact sensors, a metal panel on an underside of the vehicle, an accelerometer mounted to the metal panel to measure vibrations of the metal panel caused by sound, a restraint control module. The restraint control module (a) classifies the sound as a collision event or a non-collision event, and (b) deploys an airbag when the sound is classified as the collision event and the impact sensors indicate the collision event.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard E. Churchwell, II, Brian Bennie, David James Tippy
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Patent number: 10239478Abstract: A deployable dent shield assembly for a vehicle includes a deployable dent shield element adapted for translation between a stowed position comprising a coiled configuration disposed below a vehicle element and a deployed position overlaying at least a portion of a vehicle door and/or fender. The dent shield assemblies may be manually-operated or power-operated.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Howard E. Churchwell, II, John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
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Publication number: 20190061467Abstract: A sound of a second vehicle engine is detected. Upon predicting a pollution event by comparing the detected sound to a stored sound model, a countermeasure is actuated in a first vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Howard E. Churchwell II, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
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Publication number: 20180298670Abstract: A hands-free power closure system for a vehicle includes a a power-operated closure, a proximity sensor system defining a predetermined sensing range, and a remote entry device adapted to store a power-operated closure open command in memory for a predetermined time period. The system further includes a power-operated closure control module in operative communication with the remote entry device, the proximity sensor system, and the power-operated closure. The remote entry device processor is adapted to disable the power-closure open command on expiration of the predetermined time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Jason Shomsky, John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard E. Churchwell, II
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Publication number: 20180281717Abstract: A deployable dent shield assembly for a vehicle includes a deployable dent shield element adapted for translation between a stowed position comprising a coiled configuration disposed below a vehicle element and a deployed position overlaying at least a portion of a vehicle door and/or fender. The dent shield assemblies may be manually-operated or power-operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Howard E. Churchwell, II, John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
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Patent number: 9994168Abstract: A dent shield for a vehicle door includes a running board having a first position for stepping into the vehicle door. The running board conceals or at least partially overlies a lifter including a linkage in the lowered position. The lifter includes an actuator for actuating the linkage to move the running board to a second position (which may be a tilted position) for at least partially shielding the vehicle door from dents or dings.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Howard E. Churchwell, II
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Patent number: 9893697Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically adjusting volume in a vehicle are provided. One method includes generating a noise prediction based on images received from a vehicle camera; determining a cabin noise level based on the noise prediction and an audio signal detected by a cabin microphone; and selectively amplifying a quiet passage within the detected audio signal to above the cabin noise level while maintaining volume level of remaining passages within the detected signal. A vehicle system includes a cabin microphone for detecting an audio signal; a camera for capturing images; and a processor configured to: generate a noise prediction based on the images; determine a cabin noise level based on the noise prediction and the detected audio signal; and selectively amplify a quiet passage within the detected signal to above the cabin noise level while maintaining volume level of remaining passages within the detected signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Howard E. Churchwell, II, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, John Jensen
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Patent number: 8044784Abstract: A sun protection system for a transportation vehicle has plurality of LCD zones laminated into one or more glazings of the vehicle. An occupant sensor detects an expanse of at least one occupant in the vehicle. A navigation system determines a vehicle location, a date and time value, and a heading. External and internal temperature sensors sense outside and inside temperatures. A controller generates respective drive signals for the respective LCD zones in a manual mode and in an automatic mode. The controller compares a temperature difference between the outside temperature and the inside temperature to a temperature threshold. The respective drive signals provide substantially zero attenuation if the temperature difference is less than the temperature threshold while in the automatic mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Y. Ghannam, Howard E. Churchwell, Todd N. Clark, John W. Jensen
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Publication number: 20110163866Abstract: A sun protection system for a transportation vehicle has plurality of LCD zones laminated into one or more glazings of the vehicle. An occupant sensor detects an expanse of at least one occupant in the vehicle. A navigation system determines a vehicle location, a date and time value, and a heading. External and internal temperature sensors sense outside and inside temperatures. A controller generates respective drive signals for the respective LCD zones in a manual mode and in an automatic mode. The controller compares a temperature difference between the outside temperature and the inside temperature to a temperature threshold. The respective drive signals provide substantially zero attenuation if the temperature difference is less than the temperature threshold while in the automatic mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Y. Ghannam, Howard E. Churchwell, Todd N. Clark, John W. Jensen