Patents by Inventor Kristopher Brown
Kristopher Brown 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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Patent number: 11753010Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for determining a passage status of a train through a railroad crossing. In an example method, a railroad crossing status detector system provided in a vehicle may determine that a train is approaching the railroad crossing. The determination is made by evaluating a first detection signal received from a first train detection apparatus located on one side of the railroad crossing. The railroad crossing status detector system may then evaluate a second detection signal received from a second train detection apparatus located on the other side of the railroad crossing and determine that the train has traveled past the railroad crossing. The system may also evaluate one or both detection signals to determine whether the train is currently located at the railroad crossing or is backing up after traveling at least partway across the railroad crossing.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Heather Woycik, Kristopher Brown
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Patent number: 11721144Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for eliminating false activation of components of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked in a garage. Example components can be a door lock, a door latch, a door activation servomotor, or a light. In an example method, a vehicle entry authorization system of a vehicle operates a sensor system to obtain dimensional information of an interior portion of the garage. The vehicle entry authorization system may then detect a presence of a mobile device (such as a phone-as-a-key or a vehicle key fob) and determines the location of the mobile device based on the dimensional information. If the mobile device is located outside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system refrains from activating a component of the vehicle. However, if the mobile device is located inside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system activates the component.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Inventors: Stuart Salter, Kristopher Brown, Peter Kung, Mike Kipley, John Van Wiemeersch, Hussein Berry
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Publication number: 20230100640Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for determining a passage status of a train through a railroad crossing. In an example method, a railroad crossing status detector system provided in a vehicle may determine that a train is approaching the railroad crossing. The determination is made by evaluating a first detection signal received from a first train detection apparatus located on one side of the railroad crossing. The railroad crossing status detector system may then evaluate a second detection signal received from a second train detection apparatus located on the other side of the railroad crossing and determine that the train has traveled past the railroad crossing. The system may also evaluate one or both detection signals to determine whether the train is currently located at the railroad crossing or is backing up after traveling at least partway across the railroad crossing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Heather Woycik, Kristopher Brown
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Publication number: 20230063946Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for eliminating false activation of components of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked in a garage. Example components can be a door lock, a door latch, a door activation servomotor, or a light. In an example method, a vehicle entry authorization system of a vehicle operates a sensor system to obtain dimensional information of an interior portion of the garage. The vehicle entry authorization system may then detect a presence of a mobile device (such as a phone-as-a-key or a vehicle key fob) and determines the location of the mobile device based on the dimensional information. If the mobile device is located outside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system refrains from activating a component of the vehicle. However, if the mobile device is located inside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system activates the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Stuart Salter, Kristopher Brown, Peter Kung, Mike Kipley, John Van Wiemeersch, Hussein Berry
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Publication number: 20230061499Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for eliminating false activation of components of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked in a garage. Example components can be a door lock, a door latch, a door activation servomotor, or a light. In an example method, a vehicle entry authorization system of a vehicle operates a sensor system to obtain dimensional information of an interior portion of the garage. The vehicle entry authorization system may then detect a presence of a mobile device (such as a smartphone, smart device, or a vehicle key fob) and determines the location of the mobile device based on the dimensional information. If the mobile device is located outside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system refrains from activating a component of the vehicle. However, if the mobile device is located inside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system activates the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart Salter, Kristopher Brown, John Van Wiemeersch, Hussein Berry
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Patent number: 11479422Abstract: Vehicle-based package delivery and alignment systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes performing a first alignment of a delivery door of a vehicle with a receiving door of a package locker using location signals that are indicative of a location of the package locker, performing a second alignment of the delivery door with the receiving door based on camera images of an alignment target, and transferring a package from the vehicle to the package locker.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Kendra White, Kristopher Brown, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman
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Patent number: 11036226Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for preventing an unwanted dismissal of an autonomous vehicle. This disclosure may be particularly useful when the autonomous vehicle is used in on-demand transportation applications, including ridesharing applications, or shuttle applications. An example method includes identifying a condition indicating an autonomous vehicle should remain stationary, and taking an action configured to prevent unwanted dismissal of an autonomous vehicle when the condition has been identified. Several example conditions and actions are discussed in the written description.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Kristopher Brown, Annette Lynn Huebner, David Brian Glickman, Pietro Buttolo
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Publication number: 20210130114Abstract: Vehicle-based package delivery and alignment systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes performing a first alignment of a delivery door of a vehicle with a receiving door of a package locker using location signals that are indicative of a location of the package locker, performing a second alignment of the delivery door with the receiving door based on camera images of an alignment target, and transferring a package from the vehicle to the package locker.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Kendra White, Kristopher Brown, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman
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Patent number: 10969910Abstract: A vehicle keypad device is provided that includes a touchscreen having an array of proximity sensors located on an exterior of a vehicle, a keypad display displaying virtual input icons proximate the proximity sensors, and a controller for dynamically adjusting size of the displayed virtual input icons based on a touch event.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Kristopher Brown, David Brian Glickman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
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Patent number: 10817141Abstract: A vehicle keypad device is provided that includes a touchscreen having an array of proximity sensors located on an exterior of a vehicle, a keypad display displaying virtual input button icons proximate the proximity sensors, and a controller determining a location of a user input from the proximity sensors, determining an offset of the input from one of the virtual input icons and adjusting a sensor area of the proximity sensors for the icon based on the offset.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Kristopher Brown, David Brian Glickman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
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Patent number: 10769874Abstract: A vehicle access control system is disclosed and includes a touch sensitive display for generating an input image and controller configured to control the input image generated on the touch sensitive display responsive to information regarding a height of an operator. The system controls a lock actuatable responsive a signal from the controller.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart Salter, Kristopher Brown, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo
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Publication number: 20200241529Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for preventing an unwanted dismissal of an autonomous vehicle. This disclosure may be particularly useful when the autonomous vehicle is used in on-demand transportation applications, including ridesharing applications, or shuttle applications. An example method includes identifying a condition indicating an autonomous vehicle should remain stationary, and taking an action configured to prevent unwanted dismissal of an autonomous vehicle when the condition has been identified. Several example conditions and actions are discussed in the written description.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Kristopher Brown, Annette Lynn Huebner, David Brian Glickman, Pietro Buttolo
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Publication number: 20200233540Abstract: A vehicle keypad device is provided that includes a touchscreen having an array of proximity sensors located on an exterior of a vehicle, a keypad display displaying virtual input button icons proximate the proximity sensors, and a controller determining a location of a user input from the proximity sensors, determining an offset of the input from one of the virtual input icons and adjusting a sensor area of the proximity sensors for the icon based on the offset.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Kristopher Brown, David Brian Glickman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
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Publication number: 20200192501Abstract: A vehicle keypad device is provided that includes a touchscreen having an array of proximity sensors located on an exterior of a vehicle, a keypad display displaying virtual input icons proximate the proximity sensors, and a controller for dynamically adjusting size of the displayed virtual input icons based on a touch event.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Kristopher Brown, David Brian Glickman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
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Publication number: 20200184751Abstract: A vehicle access control system is disclosed and includes a touch sensitive display for generating an input image and controller configured to control the input image generated on the touch sensitive display responsive to information regarding a height of an operator. The system controls a lock actuatable responsive a signal from the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Stuart Salter, Kristopher Brown, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo