Patents by Inventor Kai-Han Chang

Kai-Han Chang 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: 11854403
    Abstract: A method for providing a blind reveal warning on multi-focal plane augmented reality display includes receiving remote-vehicle data, which includes information about a plurality of remote vehicles. The remote vehicles include a first remote vehicle located directly in front of the host vehicle and a second remote vehicle in front of the first remote vehicle. The method further includes determining an approach rate of the first remote vehicle to the second remote vehicle. The method further includes determining a probability that the first remote vehicle will perform a blind reveal and comparing that probability with a predetermined threshold value. The method further includes, in response to determining that the probability that the first remote vehicle will perform the blind reveal is greater than the predetermined threshold value, transmitting a command signal to the display of the host vehicle to display a virtual image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss, Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Publication number: 20230406099
    Abstract: A system for generating an image for passengers in a vehicle includes a display adapted to project an image, a polarization rotator actuatable to rotate the polarization of an image to one of S-polarization and P-polarization, a reflector unit adapted to reflect S-polarized images to a first beam splitter, and to reflect P-polarized images to a second beam splitter, each of the first and second beam splitters adapted to receive an image and to reflect the image to an associated passenger, and a controller in communication with the display and the polarization rotator, the controller adapted to simultaneously actuate the display to alternate between projecting a first image and a second image, actuate the polarization rotator to alternate between rotating the polarization of an image to S-polarization and P-polarization, and synchronize the display and the polarization rotator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Manoj Sharma, Thomas A. Seder, Joseph F. Szczerba
  • Publication number: 20230408841
    Abstract: A system for generating a centrally located floating three-dimensional image display for a plurality of passengers positioned within a vehicle includes at least one display adapted to project a multiplexed image, a plurality of beam splitters, one beam splitter individually associated with each one of the plurality of passengers, and at least one passenger interface, each beam splitter adapted to receive a image from the at least one display and to reflect the image to the associated one of the plurality of passengers, wherein, each of the plurality of passengers perceives the image floating at a central location within the vehicle, the at least one passenger interface adapted to allow the plurality of passengers to receive annotated information and to provide input to the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang, Joseph F. Szczerba, Manoj Sharma
  • Patent number: 11833901
    Abstract: A method includes placing a physical target on a windshield of a vehicle, mounting a fixture inside the vehicle to position a camera array on the fixture within a line of sight of a passenger, capturing images of the physical target using the camera array, and determining a difference between actual and target locations of the physical target in each image. In addition, the method includes controlling the HUD to display a virtual target on the windshield, capturing images of the virtual target using the camera array, and determining a target location of the virtual target in each image based on the difference. Further, the method includes determining an offset between an actual location of the virtual target in each image and the target location of the virtual target in each image, and adjusting the location of an image projected onto the windshield by the HUD based on the offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang, Leslie G. Ferris, Guy N. Kennerly
  • Patent number: 11835720
    Abstract: A head-up display system of a vehicle visually transmits information to eyes of an occupant. The head-up display system comprises an illumination device configured to emit a display light and a windshield spaced from the illumination device and extending transverse to the display light. The head-up display system comprises a holographic panel coupled to and extending with the windshield and arranged to diffract the display light toward the eyes of the occupant. The display light emits toward the holographic panel in an entrance direction at an entrance angle relative to an axis normal to the holographic panel and diffracts away from the holographic panel in an exit direction at an exit angle relative to the axis, which is different than the entrance angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Publication number: 20230384614
    Abstract: A system for generating a centrally located floating three-dimensional image display for a plurality of passengers positioned within a vehicle includes a display adapted to project a multiplexed hologram comprising a plurality of three-dimensional holographic images, and a plurality of beam splitters, one beam splitter individually associated with each one of the plurality of passengers, each beam splitter adapted to receive one of the plurality of holographic images from the display and to reflect the one of the plurality of holographic images to the associated one of the plurality of passengers, wherein, each of the plurality of passengers perceives one of the plurality of three-dimensional holographic images floating at a central location within the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Manoj Sharma, Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder, Joseph F. Szczerba
  • Publication number: 20230375829
    Abstract: A hybrid augmented reality head-up display system for displaying graphics upon a windscreen of a vehicle includes a windscreen having a transparent substrate including light emitting particles dispersed within, a primary graphic projection device for generating a first set of images upon the windscreen of the vehicle based on visible light, and a secondary graphic projection device for generating a second set of images upon a secondary area the windscreen of the vehicle based on an excitation light. The first set of images are displayed upon a primary area of the windscreen. The light emitting particles in the windscreen emit visible light in response to absorbing the excitation light. The first set of images displayed upon the primary area of the windscreen cooperate with the second set of images displayed upon the secondary area of the windscreen to create an edge-to-edge augmented reality view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang, Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20230375852
    Abstract: A system for generating a centrally located floating image display for a plurality of passengers positioned within a vehicle includes a plurality of displays adapted to project a graphic light image, a plurality of beam splitters, one beam splitter individually associated with each one of the plurality of displays, each beam splitter adapted to receive a graphic light image from the associated one of the plurality of displays and to reflect the graphic light image to one of the plurality of passengers, wherein, each of the plurality of passengers perceives a floating image at a central location within the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Manoj Sharma, Thomas A. Seder, Joseph F. Szczerba
  • Patent number: 11808599
    Abstract: A route recording with real-time annotation and re-display system includes a first automobile vehicle having one or more camera systems. An imaging display device defining a head-up display (HUD) is positioned within the first automobile vehicle and receives camera imaging data from the one or more camera systems. The HUD includes a video display screen presenting the camera imaging data either in real-time or re-displayed from a pre-recorded image file. A microphone array receives vehicle operator voice data of a first operator of the first automobile vehicle. An annotated-recorded-route is created by adding a user input of the first operator of the first automobile vehicle including the voice data. The annotated-recorded-route identifies specific coordinates or locations along a travel route driven by the automobile vehicle through the voice data after activating recording of the camera imaging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Patent number: 11798240
    Abstract: A method for social networking using a multi-focal plane augmented reality display of a host vehicle includes receiving social-networking data from a remote device. The social-networking data includes information about at least one social interest of a remote user of the remote device. The remote device is located within a viewable area of a vehicle user of the host vehicle. The method further includes determining whether at least one social interest of the remote user matches a vehicle-user social interest of the vehicle user of the host vehicle using the social-networking data. The method further includes transmitting a command signal to the multi-focal plane augmented reality display of the host vehicle to display a virtual image on the multi-focal plane augmented reality display. The virtual image is indicative of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss, Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Publication number: 20230314157
    Abstract: A head-up display system includes a first plurality of on-board sensors adapted to detect vehicle driving characteristics, a wireless communication module adapted to receive information from external sources, a driver monitoring system adapted to track a driver's eyes, and a controller in electronic communication with the first plurality of on-board sensors and the wireless communication module, the controller adapted to determine if the vehicle is performing a parking maneuver, and, when the vehicle is performing a parking maneuver, to capture images of an environment surrounding the vehicle, detect objects within the environment, identify location markers for a parking space and objects within the environment surrounding the vehicle adjacent to the parking space, determine the position of the vehicle relative to the identified location markers and objects, and display, with a projection module a parking assist graphic adapted to provide guidance to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: John P. Weiss, Joseph F. Szczerba, Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang
  • Publication number: 20230316914
    Abstract: A method is designed to provide platooning information using a multi-focal plane augmented reality display of a host vehicle. The method includes receiving platooning data from at least one of a plurality of remote vehicles. Each of the plurality of remote vehicle is part of a platoon. The platooning data includes locations, trajectories, and headways of each of the plurality of remote vehicles. The method further includes determining whether the platoon is within a predetermined distance from the host vehicle using the platooning data. Further, the method includes transmitting a command signal to the multi-focal plane augmented reality display of the host vehicle to display a virtual image on the multi-focal plane augmented reality display. The virtual image is indicative of a platooning action related to the platoon that is within the predetermined distance from the host vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph Philip McLaine, Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss, Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang, Steven Landry
  • Publication number: 20230306850
    Abstract: A method for providing a blind reveal warning on multi-focal plane augmented reality display includes receiving remote-vehicle data, which includes information about a plurality of remote vehicles. The remote vehicles include a first remote vehicle located directly in front of the host vehicle and a second remote vehicle in front of the first remote vehicle. The method further includes determining an approach rate of the first remote vehicle to the second remote vehicle. The method further includes determining a probability that the first remote vehicle will perform a blind reveal and comparing that probability with a predetermined threshold value. The method further includes, in response to determining that the probability that the first remote vehicle will perform the blind reveal is greater than the predetermined threshold value, transmitting a command signal to the display of the host vehicle to display a virtual image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss, Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Publication number: 20230306692
    Abstract: A method for social networking using a multi-focal plane augmented reality display of a host vehicle includes receiving social-networking data from a remote device. The social-networking data includes information about at least one social interest of a remote user of the remote device. The remote device is located within a viewable area of a vehicle user of the host vehicle. The method further includes determining whether at least one social interest of the remote user matches a vehicle-user social interest of the vehicle user of the host vehicle using the social-networking data. The method further includes transmitting a command signal to the multi-focal plane augmented reality display of the host vehicle to display a virtual image on the multi-focal plane augmented reality display. The virtual image is indicative of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss, Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Publication number: 20230302900
    Abstract: An augmented reality head-up display system for displaying graphics upon a windscreen of a vehicle includes a controller in electronic communication with one or more non-visual object detection sensors, one or more image-capturing devices, and a graphic projection device. The controller executes instructions to receive a plurality of detection points that indicate a presence of an object from the one or more non-visual object detection sensors. The controller executes instructions to compare the plurality of detection points with the image data of the environment surrounding the vehicle to identify a visually imperceptible object located in the environment. In response to identifying the visually imperceptible object, the controller determines a notification symbol that signifies the visually imperceptible object. The notification symbol is overlaid at a position upon the windscreen where the visually imperceptible object would normally be visible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: John P. Weiss, Joseph F. Szczerba, Omer Tsimhoni, Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang
  • Publication number: 20230305311
    Abstract: A glare mitigation module for a head-up display system is configured to transmit display light emitted from an illumination device therethrough. The glare mitigation module comprises an input surface through which the display light from the illumination device enters the glare mitigation module and an output surface through which the display light from the illumination device exits the glare mitigation module in a display direction. The glare mitigation module further comprises a diffractive optical element comprising a plurality of layers stacked successively between the input and output surfaces, with the plurality of layers arranged to transmit the display light of the illumination device therethrough and to diffract an external light that enters the glare mitigation module through the output surface. The diffractive optical element is arranged to diffract the external light in a diffracted direction away from eyes of an occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Publication number: 20230302899
    Abstract: A head-up display system of a vehicle visually transmits information to eyes of a first occupant and eyes of a second occupant. The system includes an illumination device emitting first and second display lights having first and second polarizations, respectively. The system includes a windshield and a holographic panel including first and second layers. The display lights emit toward the holographic panel at an entrance angle relative to an axis normal to the holographic panel. The first layer diffracts the first display light having the first polarization in a first exit direction at a first exit angle relative to the axis toward the eyes of the first occupant. The second layer diffracts the second display light having the second polarization in a second exit direction at a second exit angle relative to the axis, and different than the first exit angle, toward the eyes of the second occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Publication number: 20230305300
    Abstract: A head-up display system of a vehicle visually transmits information to eyes of an occupant. The head-up display system comprises an illumination device configured to emit a display light and a windshield spaced from the illumination device and extending transverse to the display light. The head-up display system comprises a holographic panel coupled to and extending with the windshield and arranged to diffract the display light toward the eyes of the occupant. The display light emits toward the holographic panel in an entrance direction at an entrance angle relative to an axis normal to the holographic panel and diffracts away from the holographic panel in an exit direction at an exit angle relative to the axis, which is different than the entrance angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Patent number: 11766938
    Abstract: An augmented reality head-up display system for displaying graphics upon a windscreen of a vehicle includes a controller in electronic communication with one or more non-visual object detection sensors, one or more image-capturing devices, and a graphic projection device. The controller executes instructions to receive a plurality of detection points that indicate a presence of an object from the one or more non-visual object detection sensors. The controller executes instructions to compare the plurality of detection points with the image data of the environment surrounding the vehicle to identify a visually imperceptible object located in the environment. In response to identifying the visually imperceptible object, the controller determines a notification symbol that signifies the visually imperceptible object. The notification symbol is overlaid at a position upon the windscreen where the visually imperceptible object would normally be visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John P. Weiss, Joseph F. Szczerba, Omer Tsimhoni, Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang
  • Publication number: 20230296886
    Abstract: A head-up display system includes a laser adapted to project a holographic image, a spatial light modulator, an exit pupil replicator, a diffuser adapted to be positioned within a x-y plane at a center point of a vehicle eyellipse, the hologram projector adapted to project a dot pattern onto the diffuser, and a controller adapted to characterize an intensity distribution of the dot pattern, store the intensity distribution therein, acquire a location of a driver's eyes, map the location of the driver's eyes to the intensity distribution of the dot pattern, and implement corrective action based on the intensity distribution at the location of the driver's eyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A, Seder, Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss