Patents by Inventor Larry Elie

Larry Elie 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: 10982481
    Abstract: A system for determining a door condition includes a hinge including a first portion coupled with a door and a second portion coupled with a vehicle frame and rotatably coupled with the first portion. The system further includes a sensor outputting a signal related to a position of the first portion relative to the second portion and a controller receiving the signal and determining whether the signal corresponds to a door closed condition or a door open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Jeff A. Wallace
  • Patent number: 10745957
    Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. An interference sensor forms a portion of a door opening seal and is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
  • Patent number: 10570656
    Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle comprises an actuator configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly and an interference sensor. The interference sensor is configured to generate an electromagnetic field in an interference zone between the door and a body of the vehicle. Based on changes or fluctuations in the electromagnetic field, the interference sensor is configured to detect an obstruction in the electromagnetic field and generate a detection signal. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter
  • Publication number: 20190383647
    Abstract: A system for determining a door condition includes a hinge including a first portion coupled with a door and a second portion coupled with a vehicle frame and rotatably coupled with the first portion. The system further includes a sensor outputting a signal related to a position of the first portion relative to the second portion and a controller receiving the signal and determining whether the signal corresponds to a door closed condition or a door open condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Jeff A. Wallace
  • Patent number: 10443287
    Abstract: A system for determining a door condition includes a hinge including a first portion coupled with a door and a second portion coupled with a vehicle frame and rotatably coupled with the first portion. The system further includes a sensor outputting a signal related to a position of the first portion relative to the second portion and a controller receiving the signal and determining whether the signal corresponds to a door closed condition or a door open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Jeff A. Wallace
  • Patent number: 10030431
    Abstract: A method of closing a vehicle door includes the steps of providing a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body, transmitting a door closing signal to a controller, identifying a current position of the door using a position sensor, closing the door using a power assist device powered from a hinge axis of the door, monitoring the door position during closing, releasing a catch of a latch mechanism when a latch striker of the vehicle body is partially received in the latch mechanism, and latching the door to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
  • Patent number: 9890576
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a door rotatably coupled to a vehicle body, wherein a power assist device is coupled between the door and the vehicle body on a hinge assembly. An audio sensor is disposed on the vehicle and is operably coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to receive voice command data from the audio sensor via a signal, identify a control command correlating to the voice command data, and output a signal to the power assist device to move the door according to parameters defined within the control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
  • Publication number: 20180002967
    Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. An interference sensor forms a portion of a door opening seal and is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
  • Patent number: 9818246
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle door includes a power assist device coupled between a door and a door opening of the vehicle and a sensor. The system further includes a controller that receives a signal from the sensor, identifies a recognized user from image data within the signal, interprets a control gesture by the recognized user from video data within the signal, and causes the power assist device to move the door in response to the control gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
  • Patent number: 9797178
    Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. An interference sensor forms a portion of a door opening seal and is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
  • Patent number: 9777528
    Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, an interference sensor, and a controller. The actuator is configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly. The interference sensor is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions along a radial extent of the door, and the controller is configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter
  • Publication number: 20170028966
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a door opening, a door mounted adjacent the opening and moveable relative to the opening between a closed position and a range of open positions, and a controller. The controller determines whether an instantaneous door position is the closed position or within the range of open positions and prevents one of vehicle movement and engine ignition in response to the door being within the range of open positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
  • Publication number: 20170030128
    Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly and an interference sensor. The interference sensor is configured to generate an electromagnetic field in an interference zone between the door and a body of the vehicle. Based on changes or fluctuations in the electromagnetic field, the interference sensor is configured to scan the interference zone for an obstruction and generate a detection signal. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to the detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter
  • Publication number: 20170030134
    Abstract: A system to control an automatic vehicle door is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The actuator is configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. The sensor is operable to measure a characteristic of a location of the vehicle, and the controller is configured to control the actuator to limit motion of the door based on the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
  • Publication number: 20170030135
    Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, an interference sensor, and a controller. The actuator is configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly. The interference sensor is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions along a radial extent of the door, and the controller is configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter
  • Publication number: 20170030127
    Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. An interference sensor forms a portion of a door opening seal and is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
  • Publication number: 20170030133
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a door rotatably coupled to a vehicle body, wherein a power assist device is coupled between the door and the vehicle body on a hinge assembly. An audio sensor is disposed on the vehicle and is operably coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to receive voice command data from the audio sensor via a signal, identify a control command correlating to the voice command data, and output a signal to the power assist device to move the door according to parameters defined within the control command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
  • Publication number: 20170030137
    Abstract: A method of closing a vehicle door includes the steps of providing a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body, transmitting a door closing signal to a controller, identifying a current position of the door using a position sensor, closing the door using a power assist device powered from a hinge axis of the door, monitoring the door position during closing, releasing a catch of a latch mechanism when a latch striker of the vehicle body is partially received in the latch mechanism, and latching the door to the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
  • Publication number: 20170030737
    Abstract: A system for determining a door condition includes a hinge including a first portion coupled with a door and a second portion coupled with a vehicle frame and rotatably coupled with the first portion. The system further includes a sensor outputting a signal related to a position of the first portion relative to the second portion and a controller receiving the signal and determining whether the signal corresponds to a door closed condition or a door open condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Jeff A. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20170032599
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle door includes a power assist device coupled between a door and a door opening of the vehicle and a sensor. The system further includes a controller that receives a signal from the sensor, identifies a recognized user from image data within the signal, interprets a control gesture by the recognized user from video data within the signal, and causes the power assist device to move the door in response to the control gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures