Patents by Inventor Joshua Wheeler

Joshua Wheeler 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).

  • Publication number: 20250105936
    Abstract: A system, for providing radio content to a vehicle, includes a vehicle communication system, a vehicle infotainment system, and a vehicle entertainment support server remote from the vehicle. The vehicle communication system includes a tuner unresponsive to a first radio transmission medium and is configured to transmit a radio content request requesting radio content from an identified radio station (i.e., a desired radio station). The vehicle infotainment system configured to obtain an input identifying the desired radio station broadcasting in the first radio transmission medium and emit radio content from the desired radio station. The vehicle entertainment support server remote is configured to: receive radio content from a source, store the radio content in a selected staging memory; obtain the radio content request; and transmit the radio content in the selected staging memory in response to the transmitting radio station being the desired radio station in radio content request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Matthew Jones, Oliver Lei, Joshua Wheeler, David Richard Tengler
  • Publication number: 20250065677
    Abstract: A system communicatively coupled with a vehicle is disclosed. The system may include a detection unit configured to measure sound in proximity to a vehicle tire, and a processor communicatively coupled with the detection unit. The processor may be configured to obtain inputs from the detection unit, and identify a slow leakage in the vehicle tire based on the inputs. The processor may be further configured to output a notification responsive to a slow leakage identification. The system may be a part of the vehicle or may be part of a user device communicatively coupled to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vivekanandh Elangovan, Keith Weston, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Joshua Wheeler, Sai Prasanth Velusamy
  • Publication number: 20240416845
    Abstract: Mounting systems are described for mounting a vehicle component to an interior surface of a vehicle body panel. An exemplary mounting system may include a locking mount that can be secured to the interior surface of the vehicle body panel by a structural patch. The vehicle component may be an exciter that can be secured to the locking mount to achieve positive contact relative to the vehicle body panel and achieve desired acoustic requirements for broadcasting audio signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Lee Mitchell TOME, John ORISCHAK, Joshua WHEELER, Brian SCHABEL, Robert Lee GAGE
  • Patent number: 12138045
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to detect a position of a head of an occupant within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The instructions include instructions to conduct a hearing test based on the position of the head of the occupant. The instructions include instructions to output sound at least at one of a specified frequency or amplitude, the specified frequency or amplitude selected based on results of the hearing test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Wheeler, Pietro Buttolo, Cynthia M. Neubecker, Thomas Chrapkiewicz, David Graham Smith
  • Patent number: 11794663
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a transducer assembly for a vehicle having a resonating surface. The transducer assembly comprising a housing, a spacer connected to the housing, and a piezoelectric assembly disposed between the spacer and the housing. The spacer is configured to connect to the resonating surface to form an air gap between the resonating surface and the piezoelectric assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Wheeler, Scott Andrew Amman, David D. Knechtges, Ireneusz Trybula
  • Patent number: 11524629
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first sound generator supported at a front of the vehicle and positioned to generate sound in a vehicle-forward direction. The vehicle includes a second sound generator supported at a right side of the vehicle and positioned to generate sound in a vehicle-right direction. The vehicle includes a third sound generator supported at a left side of the vehicle and positioned to generate sound in a vehicle-left direction. The vehicle includes a computer in communication with the first, second, and third sound generators, the computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify an anticipated maneuver of the vehicle as a right-turn maneuver or a left-turn maneuver, actuate the first sound generator, and then, selectively actuate the second sound generator or the third generator based on the anticipated maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Joshua Wheeler, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman, Kristopher Karl Brown
  • Publication number: 20220370545
    Abstract: Methods of treating pruritis (e.g., associated with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis) are described. The methods can involve administering to a subject in need of treatment an antagonist of integrin ?v?3. The antagonist can block periostin-integrin signalling. The antagonist can be, for example, an antibody, a peptide having a RGD or SVD sequence, a peptidomimetic, an amine salt, a phosphoric acid salt, or a small molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Santosh K. Mishra, Thierry J M Olivry, Joshua Wheeler
  • Patent number: 11485303
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that uses a window as a keypad entry system that functions as a replacement for a keyless entry keypad in a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle window functional as a keypad using piezoelectric transducers that capture resonance from the vehicle window when pressure waves (e.g., generated by voice commands or taps) impact the glass. A transducer controller amplifies the vibrations from the vehicle window user tap or spoken commands and triangulates the signal to localize a position of the origination point of the tap, which may be mapped to a respective numeric or cardinal input value. The system may include a low power mode that receives input while the vehicle is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Joshua Wheeler, Scott Amman, Nicholas Colella
  • Patent number: 11488430
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system that uses a window as a microphone as a replacement for keyless entry to a vehicle. The system includes a window which acts as a microphone using a piezoelectric transducer that captures resonance on an outside surface of the vehicle window when pressure waves (e.g., voice commands or taps) impact it. To recognize this sound, a transducer controller amplifies vibrations from the window tap or spoken commands. The system may include a low-power mode that listens for input while the vehicle is off. In a second, high-power mode, the system may detect a tapping event, which may prompt a transition to a wake-up state. The system may associate a number and timing of taps with unique user keys, similar to key selections of numbers on a keypad. The system may also recognize verbal PIN code input using the piezoelectric transducer microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Joshua Wheeler, Scott Andrew Amman, Nicholas Colella
  • Patent number: 11404061
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive sensor data of an occupant of a vehicle, identify a type of mask worn by the occupant based on the sensor data, select a sound filter according to the type of mask from a plurality of sound filters stored in the memory, receive sound data, apply the selected sound filter to the sound data, and perform an operation using the filtered sound data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Amman, Cynthia M. Neubecker, Joshua Wheeler, Pietro Buttolo, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20220233105
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to detect a position of a head of an occupant within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The instructions include instructions to conduct a hearing test based on the position of the head of the occupant. The instructions include instructions to output sound at least at one of a specified frequency or amplitude, the specified frequency or amplitude selected based on results of the hearing test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Wheeler, Pietro Buttolo, Cynthia M. Neubecker, Thomas Chrapkiewicz, David Graham Smith
  • Publication number: 20220227308
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a transducer assembly for a vehicle having a resonating surface. The transducer assembly comprising a housing, a spacer connected to the housing, and a piezoelectric assembly disposed between the spacer and the housing. The spacer is configured to connect to the resonating surface to form an air gap between the resonating surface and the piezoelectric assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Wheeler, Scott Andrew Amman, David D. Knechtges, Ireneusz Trybula
  • Publication number: 20220223145
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive sensor data of an occupant of a vehicle, identify a type of mask worn by the occupant based on the sensor data, select a sound filter according to the type of mask from a plurality of sound filters stored in the memory, receive sound data, apply the selected sound filter to the sound data, and perform an operation using the filtered sound data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: SCOTT ANDREW AMMAN, CYNTHIA M. NEUBECKER, JOSHUA WHEELER, PIETRO BUTTOLO, BRIAN BENNIE, JOHN ROBERT VAN WIEMEERSCH
  • Patent number: 11358537
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a transducer assembly for a vehicle having a resonating surface. The transducer assembly comprising a housing, a spacer connected to the housing, and a piezoelectric assembly disposed between the spacer and the housing. The spacer is configured to connect to the resonating surface to form an air gap between the resonating surface and the piezoelectric assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Wheeler, Scott Andrew Amman, David D. Knechtges, Ireneusz Trybula
  • Patent number: 11355136
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify an occupant in a passenger cabin of a vehicle, detect a position of a head of the occupant relative to the passenger cabin, apply a first filter to speech from the occupant based on the position of the head, generate a second filter, apply the second filter to the speech, adjust the second filter based on a difference between the speech of the occupant filtered by the second filter and a prestored profile of the occupant, and perform an operation using the speech filtered by the first filter and the second filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Amman, Cynthia M. Neubecker, Pietro Buttolo, Joshua Wheeler, Brian Bennie
  • Publication number: 20220118925
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that uses a window as a keypad entry system that functions as a replacement for a keyless entry keypad in a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle window functional as a keypad using piezoelectric transducers that capture resonance from the vehicle window when pressure waves (e.g., generated by voice commands or taps) impact the glass. A transducer controller amplifies the vibrations from the vehicle window user tap or spoken commands and triangulates the signal to localize a position of the origination point of the tap, which may be mapped to a respective numeric or cardinal input value. The system may include a low power mode that receives input while the vehicle is off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Joshua Wheeler, Scott Amman, Nicholas Colella
  • Publication number: 20220108574
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system that uses a window as a microphone as a replacement for keyless entry to a vehicle. The system includes a window which acts as a microphone using a piezoelectric transducer that captures resonance on an outside surface of the vehicle window when pressure waves (e.g., voice commands or taps) impact it. To recognize this sound, a transducer controller amplifies vibrations from the window tap or spoken commands. The system may include a low-power mode that listens for input while the vehicle is off. In a second, high-power mode, the system may detect a tapping event, which may prompt a transition to a wake-up state. The system may associate a number and timing of taps with unique user keys, similar to key selections of numbers on a keypad. The system may also recognize verbal PIN code input using the piezoelectric transducer microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Joshua Wheeler, Scott Andrew Amman, Nicholas Colella
  • Patent number: 11217242
    Abstract: Detecting and isolating competing speech for voice controlled systems are provided herein. An example method includes isolating a voice command from a plurality of competing voice sound signals received internally or externally to a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of competing voice sound signals are received using a sensor coupled with a window of the vehicle, and processing the voice command by the voice command system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Huber, Joshua Wheeler, Scott Andrew Amman, Ranjani Rangarajan, Leah Busch, Nikhitha Bekkanti
  • Patent number: 11189174
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for accelerometer-based external sound monitoring for voice controlled autonomous parking. An example vehicle includes a body control module, an infotainment head unit, and an autonomy unit. The example body control module communicatively couples to a mobile device. The example infotainment head unit communicatively couples to an accelerometer mounted on a window of the vehicle. The example autonomy unit autonomously parks the vehicle in response to a first key word detected by the accelerometer when (i) a button is activated on the infotainment head unit and (ii) a message from the mobile device is being periodically received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Wheeler, Scott Andrew Amman, Ranjani Rangarajan, Leah Busch, John Edward Huber
  • Patent number: 11180098
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring of vehicle window vibrations for voice-command recognition. An example vehicle includes a window, an outer layer, a vibration sensor coupled to the window to detect audio vibrations, an audio actuator coupled to the outer layer to vibrate the outer layer, and a controller. The controller is to detect a voice command from a user via the vibration sensor, identify an audio response based upon the voice command, and emit the audio response to the user via the audio actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Wheeler, Scott Andrew Amman, Leah Busch, Ranjani Rangarajan, John Edward Huber