Patents by Inventor Karl Henn
Karl Henn 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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Publication number: 20190193591Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with sensors. A controller measures pressure in a plurality of regions with a seated occupant over a period of time. A change in pressure is determined from an initial seating position to a second seating position and evaluated to determine a vector of pressure change. A fidget is identified if the vector exceeds a predetermined value. A camera is directed at the seat bottom and the seat back. The controller evaluates a camera input to determine anatomical dimensions of the seated occupant.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Francesco MIGNECO, David GALLAGHER, Samuel HANLON, Karl HENN, Michelle A. PERENY
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Patent number: 10328823Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a translatable seat cushion, a pivotal seat back, and a head restraint adapted to be mounted for translation adjacent the seat back. An actuator is operably connected to at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. A controller is in electrical communication with the actuator and is configured to receive input indicative of occupant anthropometry data, current physical condition and/or activity level, compare the input with predetermined data ranges, and adjust at least one of the plurality of settings of the actuator to a predetermined setting based on the predetermined range. A computer-program product is programmed for automatically adjusting a seat assembly. A method for adjusting a seat assembly receives anthropometry data for an occupant.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Terry O'Bannon, Michelle A. Pereny, Samuel R. Hanlon, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Gerald Patrick, Karl Henn
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Publication number: 20190184857Abstract: A vehicle seat control system comprises a plurality of seats, a plurality of wireless receivers arranged about the seats, a controller for each of the seats, and a data network between the wireless receivers and controllers. Each of the seats has a seat customization function controlled by its controller. The wireless receivers receive a wireless signal from a portable electronic device. At least one of the controllers measures signal strengths and times of flight for the wireless signal using the wireless receivers, analyzes the signal strengths and times of flight to detect a location of the electronic device, and determines if the location is in any of the seating zones. When the location is in one of the seating zones, the seat customization function for the seating zone with the location is controlled according to the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: James Brackenbury, Samuel Hanlon, Karl Henn
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Patent number: 10239420Abstract: A system and method for positioning a seat arrangement in a vehicle includes moving the seat arrangement forward by a first amount when a certain criteria are met. The criteria may include at least one criterion related to occupancy of a seat directly behind the seat arrangement and at least one criterion related to a likelihood of an impact into the vehicle from behind the seat arrangement. The method may also include not moving the seat arrangement forward by the first amount when at least one of the criteria is not met.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Mladen Humer, Karl Henn, Jasmine Pizana, Curtis Hudson
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Patent number: 10213147Abstract: A method for a vehicle includes using sensors in a vehicle seat to detect biometrics of a person sitting in the seat and a vehicle controller determining from the biometrics of the person whether the person requires medical attention. In response to the person requiring medical attention, a request for assistance for the person is broadcasted via a V2X transceiver of the vehicle to medical practitioners of a medical practitioner network who are near a location of vehicle during the broadcasting. The medical practitioner network includes the person as a subscriber and medical practitioners as providers. Alternately, in response to the person requiring medical attention, the vehicle controller uses an autonomous vehicle control system of the vehicle to drive the vehicle to a medical facility.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: David Gallagher, Francesco Migneco, Arjun Yetukuri, Karl Henn, Gerald Patrick
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Publication number: 20180333093Abstract: A method for a vehicle includes using sensors in a vehicle seat to detect biometrics of a person sitting in the seat and a vehicle controller determining from the biometrics of the person whether the person requires medical attention. In response to the person requiring medical attention, a request for assistance for the person is broadcasted via a V2X transceiver of the vehicle to medical practitioners of a medical practitioner network who are near a location of vehicle during the broadcasting. The medical practitioner network includes the person as a subscriber and medical practitioners as providers. Alternately, in response to the person requiring medical attention, the vehicle controller uses an autonomous vehicle control system of the vehicle to drive the vehicle to a medical facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: David Gallagher, Francesco Migneco, Arjun Yetukuri, Karl Henn, Gerald Patrick
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Patent number: 10034631Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a vehicle seat, piezoelectric sensors individually positioned at respective locations within the seat corresponding to anatomical locations of a person sitting in the seat, and a controller. The sensors to generate electrical signals in response to mechanical stress applied on the sensors from biologically motivated force inputs of the person. The controller to detect from the electrical signals generated by the sensors biometric information of the person corresponding to the biologically motivated force inputs of the person.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: David Gallagher, Francesco Migneco, Arjun Yetukuri, Karl Henn, Gerald Patrick
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Patent number: 10011194Abstract: A system and method for positioning a seat arrangement in a vehicle having a front seat arrangement and a rear seat arrangement includes moving the rear seat arrangement rearward relative to the vehicle when a plurality of criteria are met, including at least one criterion related to occupancy of the rear seat arrangement and at least one criterion related to a likelihood of impact into the vehicle from behind the vehicle. The rear seat arrangement is not moved rearward when at least one of the criteria is not met.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Ray Scott, David Kazyak, Karl Henn, Jasmine Pizana, Mladen Humer, Arjun Yetukuri
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Publication number: 20180170215Abstract: A system and method for positioning a seat arrangement in a vehicle includes moving the seat arrangement forward by a first amount when a certain criteria are met. The criteria may include at least one criterion related to occupancy of a seat directly behind the seat arrangement and at least one criterion related to a likelihood of an impact into the vehicle from behind the seat arrangement. The method may also include not moving the seat arrangement forward by the first amount when at least one of the criteria is not met.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Arjun YETUKURI, Mladen HUMER, Karl HENN, Jasmine PIZANA, Curtis HUDSON
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Patent number: 9987961Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion and a pivotal seat back. Sensors are connected to the seat cushion and/or the seat back to detect a seating position. An actuator is connected to the seat cushion and/or the seat back for adjustment. A controller is configured to receive data from the plurality sensors, compare the data to determine if the occupant is seated evenly, and adjust the actuator to balance the occupant posture seating position. The controller is in electrical communication with an inflation device to inflate a first air bladder assembly in a thoracic region of the seat back. A second air bladder assembly oriented in a lumbar region, a sacrum region, and/or a scapular region of the seat back is inflated after initiating inflation of the first air bladder assembly for sequential posture alignment.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Gerald Patrick, Karl Henn, Kim Krulek, Michelle A. Pereny, Samuel Hanlon
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Patent number: 9884570Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion, and a seat back. Sensors are operably connected to the seat cushion and the seat back to detect a seating position of an occupant. An actuator is operably connected to the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. An interactive user interface permits manual adjustment of the actuator. A controller is in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors, the at least one actuator, and the user interface. The controller is configured to receive seating position data input indicative of a manually selected seating position. Detection data is received from the plurality of sensors, and compared to the manually selected seating position to determine if the occupant is seated evenly. The at least one actuator adjusts an occupant seating position to the manually selected seating position.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Samuel R. Hanlon, Karl Henn, Michelle A. Pereny, Gerald Patrick
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Patent number: 9845026Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion adapted to be mounted for translation. A seat back is adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent the seat cushion. At least one actuator is operably connected to at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of at least one of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. A controller is in electrical communication with the at least one actuator and configured to: receive a data input indicative of occupant anthropometry data, receive a mode selection input indicative of a selected seat positioning mode, compare the data input with predetermined data ranges for the selected seat positioning mode, and adjust at least one of the plurality of settings of the at least one actuator to a predetermined setting based on the predetermined data range.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Michelle A. Pereny, Karl Henn, Samuel R. Hanlon, Gerald Patrick
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Publication number: 20160339802Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion, and a seat back. Sensors are operably connected to the seat cushion and the seat back to detect a seating position of an occupant. An actuator is operably connected to the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. An interactive user interface permits manual adjustment of the actuator. A controller is in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors, the at least one actuator, and the user interface. The controller is configured to receive seating position data input indicative of a manually selected seating position. Detection data is received from the plurality of sensors, and compared to the manually selected seating position to determine if the occupant is seated evenly. The at least one actuator adjusts an occupant seating position to the manually selected seating position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Samuel R. HANLON, Karl HENN, Michelle A. PERENY, Gerald PATRICK
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Publication number: 20160339801Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion adapted to be mounted for translation. A seat back is adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent the seat cushion. At least one actuator is operably connected to at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of at least one of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. A controller is in electrical communication with the at least one actuator and configured to: receive a data input indicative of occupant anthropometry data, receive a mode selection input indicative of a selected seat positioning mode, compare the data input with predetermined data ranges for the selected seat positioning mode, and adjust at least one of the plurality of settings of the at least one actuator to a predetermined setting based on the predetermined data range.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Michelle A. PERENY, Karl HENN, Samuel R. HANLON, Gerald PATRICK
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Publication number: 20150352990Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion and a pivotal seat back. Sensors are connected to the seat cushion and/or the seat back to detect a seating position. An actuator is connected to the seat cushion and/or the seat back for adjustment. A controller is configured to receive data from the plurality sensors, compare the data to determine if the occupant is seated evenly, and adjust the actuator to balance the occupant posture seating position. The controller is in electrical communication with an inflation device to inflate a first air bladder assembly in a thoracic region of the seat back. A second air bladder assembly oriented in a lumbar region, a sacrum region, and/or a scapular region of the seat back is inflated after initiating inflation of the first air bladder assembly for sequential posture alignment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Winsen C. ZOUZAL, Ashford Allen GALBREATH, Gerald PATRICK, Karl HENN, Kim KRULEK, Michelle A. PERENY, Samuel HANLON
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Publication number: 20150352979Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a translatable seat cushion, a pivotal seat back, and a head restraint adapted to be mounted for translation adjacent the seat back. An actuator is operably connected to at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. A controller is in electrical communication with the actuator and is configured to receive input indicative of occupant anthropometry data, current physical condition and/or activity level, compare the input with predetermined data ranges, and adjust at least one of the plurality of settings of the actuator to a predetermined setting based on the predetermined range. A computer-program product is programmed for automatically adjusting a seat assembly. A method for adjusting a seat assembly receives anthropometry data for an occupant.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Terry O'BANNON, Michelle A. PERENY, Samuel R. HANLON, Ashford Allen GALBREATH, Gerald PATRICK, Karl HENN
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Publication number: 20150351692Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion, a seat back, and a head restraint. A plurality of sensors is operably connected to at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back to detect a seating position of an occupant. A media device is provided. A controller is in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors and the media device, and is configured to receive data from the plurality sensors, compare the data to determine if the occupant is seated evenly, and operate the media device to inform the occupant of an uneven posture seating position. A computer-program product is programmed for automatically displaying a pressure distribution upon a seat assembly. The displayed pressure distribution of the seat assembly is from measured pressure values from a plurality of sensors in a plurality of zones of the seat assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Michelle A. PERENY, Samuel R. HANLON, Michael R. POWELL, Ashford Allen GALBREATH, Richard L. HARBAUGH, Terry O'BANNON, Gerald PATRICK, Karl HENN
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Patent number: 9126518Abstract: A vehicle seat frame (10) includes a plurality of frame components (16, 40, 42, 50, 60, 62, 64). At least one of the frame components (16, 40, 42, 50, 60, 62, 64) is fixedly connected to another of the frame components (16, 40, 42, 50, 60, 62, 64), defining a fixed joint (84, 86, 88, 90). In each fixed joint (84, 86, 88, 90), one of the frame components (16, 40, 42, 50, 60, 62, 64) is connected to another of the frame components (16, 40, 42, 50, 60, 62, 64) only by at least one of structural adhesive, a fastener (72, 74), and a fixed swaged joint (76).Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Vincent Adragna, Michael Powell, Karl Henn, David J. Abdella
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Patent number: 8927040Abstract: An extraction device (110) for extracting at least one ingredient from a biological sample (112) is disclosed, specifically for extracting metabolites from a plant specimen. The extraction device (110) has at least one liquid charger (116) which is adapted to be brought in contact with a first side (122) of the sample (112). The liquid charger (116) is adapted to apply an extraction liquid (128), specifically at least one solvent, to the first side (122) of the sample (112). The extraction device (110) further has at least one sampling device (118) which is adapted to be brought in contact with a second side (124) of the sample (112). The sampling device (118) is adapted to collect sample fluid (126) comprising the extraction liquid (128) and the ingredient.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: BASF Plant Science Company GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Brand, Karl Henn, Sven Mahler, Ralf Looser
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Patent number: 8783768Abstract: The present invention relates a vehicle seat assembly comprising a frame, a cushion supported on the frame, and a trim cover assembly secured over the cushion, the trim cover assembly comprising a leather trim material and a reinforcing layer secured to the leather trim material, the reinforcing layer being less flexible than the leather trim material, the trim cover assembly having a percent reduction in stretch relative to a similar trim cover assembly not having the reinforcing layer of 40% to 95% as measured according to SAE J855.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Paul S. Severinski, Karl Henn, Pusheng Chen, Thomas A. Welch, Sr., Louella Patterson, Larry Hulme, William Paruszkiewicz, Benedict J. Messina, Bryan Orlando