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).

  • 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20230298277
    Abstract: A method for displaying infrastructure information on a multi-focal plane augmented reality display of a vehicle includes receiving infrastructure data. The infrastructure data includes information about a location of at least one infrastructure along a route of the vehicle. The method further includes receiving vehicle-location data. The vehicle-location data includes information about a location of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a position of the vehicle relative to the location of the least one infrastructure using the infrastructure data and the vehicle-location data. The method further includes transmitting a command signal to the multi-focal plane augmented reality display to display a virtual image showing the infrastructure information of the infrastructure on the multi-focal plane augmented reality display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss, Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Patent number: 11762195
    Abstract: A holographic display system for a motor vehicle includes a coherent light source for generating a beam of coherent light and a spatial light modulator (SLM) having a two-dimensional pixel array, which is encoded with a hologram for modulating a phase of the coherent light. The SLM generates a first diffracted beam associated with a main image and a second diffracted beam associated with a conjugate image, where the first and second diffracted beams are angularly spaced from one another by a first angle. The system further includes an optical component for angularly spacing the first and second diffracted beams from one another by a second angle that is larger than the first angle. The system further includes a display surface receiving the first diffracted beam from the optical component to display the main image, with the display surface being free of the second diffracted beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Publication number: 20230291879
    Abstract: A head-up display system includes a hologram projector 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 compare the location of the projected dot pattern to the center point of the vehicle eyellipse to identify misalignment of the projected dot pattern relative to the center point of the vehicle eyellipse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder, Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20230290156
    Abstract: A method for displaying lane information on an augmented reality display includes receiving roadway data. The roadway data includes information about a roadway along a route of a vehicle. The roadway includes a plurality of lanes. The roadway data includes lane information about at least one of the plurality of lanes along the route of the vehicle. The method further includes receiving vehicle-location data. The vehicle-location data indicates a location of the vehicle. The method further includes determining that that the vehicle is approaching a road junction using the vehicle-location data and the roadway data. The method further includes, in response to determining that the vehicle is approaching the road junction, transmitting a command signal to a dual-focal plane augmented reality display to display at least one virtual image that is indicative of the lane information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss, Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Patent number: 11735138
    Abstract: A projection system includes a projection device and a control module. The projection device is configured to project (i) a first image in a first virtual image plane, and (ii) a second image in a second virtual image plane, wherein the second virtual image plane is further from an eyebox than the first virtual image plane. The control module is configured to: determine an ambient light luminance level; determine a first luminance level for the first virtual image plane based on the ambient light luminance level; determine a second luminance level of the second virtual image plane based on the first luminance level of the first virtual image plane; and control the at least one projection device to display (i) the first image in the first virtual image plane having the first luminance level, and (ii) the second image in the second virtual image plane having the second luminance level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 11702096
    Abstract: A vehicle type database includes a plurality of vehicle type profiles. Each of the vehicle type profiles is associated with a vehicle type having a vehicle type specific aerodynamic profile and includes optimal following ranges associated with the vehicle type. Each of the optimal following distance ranges is based on the vehicle type specific aerodynamic profile of the vehicle type and a vehicle speed of the vehicle type wherein a trailing vehicle disposed in the optimal following range is configured to operate at an optimal fuel efficiency. A first optimal following distance range is identified based on a first vehicle type and a first vehicle speed using a first vehicle type profile associated with the first vehicle type. A command is issued to the AR vehicle HUD display system to display a graphical representation of the first optimal following distance to overlay an actual view of the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James W. Wells, Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang, Bahram Khalighi
  • Patent number: 11699368
    Abstract: A head-up display for displaying graphics upon a windscreen of a vehicle includes a graphic projection module for generating one or more graphic images upon the windscreen of the vehicle, a forward-facing camera collecting image data representative of a view of a surrounding environment of the vehicle visible through the windscreen, an ambient light sensor detecting a level of ambient light present in the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and one or more controllers in electronic communication with the graphic projection module, the forward-facing camera, and the ambient light sensor. The one or more controllers executes instructions to determine the level of ambient light present in the surrounding environment of the vehicle based on an ambient light signal, and adjusts a saturation level of one or more colors of the one or more graphic images generated by the graphic projection module based on the level of ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Patent number: 11697346
    Abstract: A head-up display system for a vehicle includes at least one light source adapted to project an image upon an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle, a driver monitoring system adapted to track a position of a driver's eyes, at least one non-visual sensor adapted to detect objects within an environment surrounding the vehicle, at least one image capturing device adapted to capture images of the environment surrounding the vehicle, and, a controller in communication with the at least one laser, the at least one non-visual sensor and the at least one image capturing device, the controller adapted to identify lane markers and objects within the environment surrounding the vehicle, determine the position of the vehicle within a lane of a roadway the vehicle is traveling upon, and, display, with the at least one light source, a lane position alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John P. Weiss, Joseph F. Szczerba, Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 11699250
    Abstract: A method for low visibility driving includes receiving image data from a visible-light camera. The image data includes an image of an area in front of a vehicle. The method includes receiving sensor data from an object-detecting sensor. The object-detecting sensor is configured to detect an object in front of the vehicle. The sensor data includes information about the object in front of the vehicle. The method further includes detecting the object in front of the vehicle using the sensor data received from the object-detecting sensor and determining whether the visible-light camera is unable to detect the object in front of the vehicle that was detected by the object-detecting sensor. The method further includes commanding a display to generate a virtual image using the sensor data to identify the object in front of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Morgan Lee McCann, Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss, Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Publication number: 20230175855
    Abstract: A method for replaying route data with annotation for re-display comprises: recording a recorded-route-replay by a first user of a first automobile vehicle and saving the recorded-route-replay to a website; electing to trigger playback of the recorded-route-replay by a second user of a second automobile vehicle and entering a predetermined key word by the second user to trigger playback; contacting a website and downloading from the website GPS tagged pictures for a predetermined next trip travel distance of the second automobile vehicle; and retrieving one of the GPS tagged pictures when a GPS trigger location is reached during the trip of the second automobile vehicle and displaying the one of the GPS tagged pictures on an image screen of a head-up display of second automobile vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 11662811
    Abstract: A display system for a vehicle includes a display unit mounted to the vehicle and is selectively operable in a first mode as a holographic display and in a second mode as a mirror. Holographic images may include rear view images obtained from a camera or computer generated graphics. Holographic images are displayed at a virtual image plane behind the display to reduce the operator's eyes accommodation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Publication number: 20230160715
    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: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Patent number: 11654771
    Abstract: A multi-view display device is provided for a collaborative co-pilot system (system) of a vehicle having a windshield. The system includes one or more input devices for generating an input signal associated with a road condition. The multi-view display device includes one or more single-user viewing devices, with each single-user viewing device including an Augmented Reality Head Up Display module (ARHUD) for generating a dedicated display associated with the road condition. The ARHUD projects the dedicated display onto an associated portion of the windshield that is visible to a corresponding single user and overlaying a road geometry associated with the road condition. The multi-view display device further includes an Extended View Display module (EV display module) for generating a common display that is visible to a plurality of users including each one of the single users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder, Joseph F. Szczerba, John P. Weiss
  • Patent number: 11658204
    Abstract: A display comprises a substrate. Sets of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged on the substrate. Each of the sets of LEDs comprises a red LED, a green LED, a blue LED, and each of the sets of LEDs forming a pixel of the display. A sensor is embedded in each of the sets of LEDs. The sensor is arranged in a plane in which the red, green, and blue LEDs are arranged in each of the sets of LEDs. A cover including a dielectric material covers the sets of LEDs. The sensor is configured to sense at least one of ambient light and proximity of an object to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder, James A. Carpenter