Patents by Inventor John Craig Elson

John Craig Elson 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: 11659939
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base that has a first heating element. A seat back has a second heating element. A sensor is coupled to the seat base and is configured to obtain a weight data. A user-interface assembly is operably coupled to the first and second heating elements. A controller is in communication with the sensor to receive the weight data. The controller is configured to control the first and second heating elements in response to the weight data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Amman, Avrokin Surnilla, Nikhitha Bekkanti, John Craig Elson
  • Patent number: 11644420
    Abstract: A system, comprising a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine, from an image including a portion of a surface of a human body, a reflected light intensity from the body surface portion, determine, a skin reflectance of the body surface portion based on a location of the body surface, a light source, and an image sensor location, and to determine, for the body surface portion, an incoming radiance, based on the skin reflectance and the reflected light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Avrokin Surnilla, David Michael Herman, John Craig Elson, Scott Andrew Amman, Nikhitha Bekkanti, Michael Monforton
  • Publication number: 20220160144
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base that has a first heating element. A seat back has a second heating element. A sensor is coupled to the seat base and is configured to obtain a weight data. A user-interface assembly is operably coupled to the first and second heating elements. A controller is in communication with the sensor to receive the weight data. The controller is configured to control the first and second heating elements in response to the weight data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Amman, Avrokin Surnilla, Nikhitha Bekkanti, John Craig Elson
  • Patent number: 11331982
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for purifying air for breathing. The apparatus includes an armrest having a receiver and an air purification module releasably received in the receiver. The air purification module is portable and displaceable between a first operating position held in the receiver and a second operating position remote from the armrest and the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel C. Huang, Kevin Michael Swenskowski, John Craig Elson, Clay Wesley Maranville, Lawrence C. Karas
  • Publication number: 20220128466
    Abstract: A system, comprising a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine, from an image including a portion of a surface of a human body, a reflected light intensity from the body surface portion, determine, a skin reflectance of the body surface portion based on a location of the body surface, a light source, and an image sensor location, and to determine, for the body surface portion, an incoming radiance, based on the skin reflectance and the reflected light intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Avrokin Surnilla, David Michael Herman, John Craig Elson, Scott Andrew Amman, Nikhitha Bekkanti, Michael Monforton
  • Patent number: 11272790
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base that has a first heating element. A seat back has a second heating element. A sensor is coupled to the seat base and is configured to obtain a weight data. A user-interface assembly is operably coupled to the first and second heating elements. A controller is in communication with the sensor to receive the weight data. The controller is configured to control the first and second heating elements in response to the weight data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Amman, Avrokin Surnilla, Nikhitha Bekkanti, John Craig Elson
  • Publication number: 20210186231
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base that has a first heating element. A seat back has a second heating element. A sensor is coupled to the seat base and is configured to obtain a weight data. A user-interface assembly is operably coupled to the first and second heating elements. A controller is in communication with the sensor to receive the weight data. The controller is configured to control the first and second heating elements in response to the weight data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Amman, Avrokin Surnilla, Nikhitha Bekkanti, John Craig Elson
  • Publication number: 20200361284
    Abstract: A climate control system for a vehicle includes a thermal management system and a controller configured to activate the thermal management system. The controller activates the thermal management system to satisfy a remote precondition request for a cabin of the vehicle, responsive to receiving the remote precondition request, data indicating the vehicle is in a ventilated area, and an estimated precondition time being less than a threshold precondition time. Each of the estimated precondition and threshold precondition times are derived from the remote precondition request and data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Franco RAGAZZI, Donald Peter SCHNEIDER, John Craig ELSON
  • Patent number: 10814697
    Abstract: A radiant heating system includes a radiant heating zone, a first radiant heating feature on a first side of the radiant heating zone and a second radiant heating feature on a second side of the radiant heating zone opposite the first side. A method of radiant heating is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Craig Elson, James George Gebbie
  • Publication number: 20200307359
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for purifying air for breathing. The apparatus includes an armrest having a receiver and an air purification module releasably received in the receiver. The air purification module is portable and displaceable between a first operating position held in the receiver and a second operating position remote from the armrest and the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel C. Huang, Kevin Michael Swenskowski, John Craig Elson, Clay Wesley Maranville, Lawrence C. Karas
  • Patent number: 10752090
    Abstract: An operator configurable radiant heating system is provided for a motor vehicle. That operator configurable radiant heating system includes a plurality of docking points provided at different locations within the motor vehicle and a radiant heating panel configured for docking with any of the docking points of the plurality of docking points. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Craig Elson, Victoria Leigh Schein, Kerrie Kathleen Gath, Clay Wesley Maranville
  • Patent number: 10569735
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of exhaust openings located along a length of the webbing, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt. The seat belt is configured such that air flowing out of the exhaust openings is substantially evenly distributed along the length of the webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Craig Elson, Kerrie Kathleen Gath, Clay Wesley Maranville, Victoria Leigh Schein
  • Patent number: 10532629
    Abstract: A radiant heating system includes a radiant heating element, a steering wheel position monitoring device and a controller configured to control the radiant heating element in response to steering wheel position data received from the steering wheel position monitoring device. A method of controlling operation of a radiant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Craig Elson, Kerrie Kathleen Gath, Clay Wesley Maranville, Victoria Leigh Schein, Donald Peter Schneider, III, Manfred Koberstein
  • Patent number: 10479162
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising first and second seat belt webbings each defining a passageway, and one or more tubular extension members extending between the first and second seat belt webbings. The vehicle seat belt system also includes a plurality of exhaust openings formed in at least one of the first and second webbings, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Craig Elson, Kerrie Gath, Clay Wesley Maranville, Victoria Schein
  • Patent number: 10471800
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a webbing, an electric powered device such as a heater coupled to the webbing, electrical circuitry connected to the heater and extending through a seat belt buckle and connector tongue, and an electric power source for providing electric power to the electric heater via the electrical circuitry. The electrical circuitry supplies power through the connector tongue and seat belt buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Wesley Maranville, John Craig Elson, Victoria Schein, Kerrie Gath
  • Patent number: 10442392
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of exhaust openings. The seat belt system also has an air porous compressible material disposed within the passageway. The seat belt buckle has an air delivery device that supplies air to the seat belt, wherein the air porous compressible material allows air to flow through the passageway when compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kerrie Gath, John Craig Elson, Victoria Schein, Clay Wesley Maranville
  • Publication number: 20190176566
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a webbing, an electric powered device such as a heater coupled to the webbing, electrical circuitry connected to the heater and extending through a seat belt buckle and connector tongue, and an electric power source for providing electric power to the electric heater via the electrical circuitry. The electrical circuitry supplies power through the connector tongue and seat belt buckle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Clay Wesley Maranville, John Craig Elson, Victoria Schein, Kerrie Gath
  • Publication number: 20190176747
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of exhaust openings located along a length of the webbing, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt. The seat belt is configured such that air flowing out of the exhaust openings is substantially evenly distributed along the length of the webbing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: John Craig Elson, Kerrie Kathleen Gath, Clay Wesley Maranville, Victoria Leigh Schein
  • Publication number: 20190176748
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of exhaust openings. The seat belt system also has an air porous compressible material disposed within the passageway. The seat belt buckle has an air delivery device that supplies air to the seat belt, wherein the air porous compressible material allows air to flow through the passageway when compressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Kerrie Gath, John Craig Elson, Victoria Schein, Clay Wesley Maranville
  • Publication number: 20190176567
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising first and second seat belt webbings each defining a passageway, and one or more tubular extension members extending between the first and second seat belt webbings. The vehicle seat belt system also includes a plurality of exhaust openings formed in at least one of the first and second webbings, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: John Craig Elson, Kerrie Gath, Clay Wesley Maranville, Victoria Schein