Patents by Inventor Leslie G. Ferris

Leslie G. Ferris 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20220171185
    Abstract: A head-up display for a vehicle. The head-up display comprises a picture generating unit configured to project an image onto a glass surface and an optical stack. The optical stack comprises an infrared reflective waveplate and a dual brightness enhancement film. The infrared reflective waveplate transforms an incoming solar light beam from unpolarized light to incoming polarized light having an incoming S-polarization component and an incoming P-polarization component. The dual brightness enhancement film receives the incoming polarized light from the infrared reflective waveplate and eliminates substantially all of the incoming P-polarization component. The dual brightness enhancement film transmits substantially all of the incoming S-polarization component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas A. SEDER, Kai-Han Chang, Shailendra Kaushik, Leslie G. Ferris, Guy N. Kennerly
  • Publication number: 20220111728
    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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas A. SEDER, Kai-Han CHANG, Leslie G. FERRIS, Guy N. KENNERLY
  • Patent number: 11106044
    Abstract: An alignment system for a HUD is provided and includes a mirror, a mirror actuator, first and second light sources, an optic assembly, and a control module. The mirror actuator adjusts mirror orientation. The first light source generates a first light beam. The mirror directs the first light beam from the HUD to a combiner to generate a virtual image. The second light source generates a second light beam. The optic assembly directs the second light beam to the combiner to generate a fiducial. The control module: performs an alignment process including, based on received inputs, controlling the mirror actuator to adjust mirror orientation to adjust a position of the virtual image and align a portion of the virtual image, the fiducial and an eye of a viewer; determines a height of the eye based on a mirror angle; and displays another virtual image based on the height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Seder, Kai-Han Chang, Leslie G. Ferris, Omer Tsimhoni
  • Publication number: 20210003851
    Abstract: An alignment system for a HUD is provided and includes a mirror, a mirror actuator, first and second light sources, an optic assembly, and a control module. The mirror actuator adjusts mirror orientation. The first light source generates a first light beam. The mirror directs the first light beam from the HUD to a combiner to generate a virtual image. The second light source generates a second light beam. The optic assembly directs the second light beam to the combiner to generate a fiducial. The control module: performs an alignment process including, based on received inputs, controlling the mirror actuator to adjust mirror orientation to adjust a position of the virtual image and align a portion of the virtual image, the fiducial and an eye of a viewer; determines a height of the eye based on a mirror angle; and displays another virtual image based on the height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas A. SEDER, Kai-Han CHANG, Leslie G. FERRIS, Omer TSIMHONI
  • Patent number: 10302937
    Abstract: A head-up display system includes a projector configured for emitting a first ray of light having a first intensity, and a lens having a first surface facing the projector and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface. The lens is configured for refracting the first ray of light to emit from the second surface a second ray of light having a second intensity that is less than the first intensity, and a third ray of light that is parallel to the second ray of light and has a third intensity that is less than the second intensity. The system also includes a cured film disposed on the first surface and formed from an anti-reflection coating composition, wherein the cured film is configured for minimizing the third intensity. A device includes a windshield, an operator eyebox spaced apart from the windshield, and the head-up display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Leslie G. Ferris, Thomas A. Seder
  • Patent number: 10114217
    Abstract: A head-up display system includes a housing, a liquid crystal display disposed within the housing and configured for emitting a first ray of light, and a reflector stack disposed adjacent the liquid crystal display within the housing. The reflector stack is configured for transmitting therethrough the first ray of light and includes a retardation plate and an optical film disposed on the retardation plate and facing the liquid crystal display. The head-up display system also includes a radiative heat sink disposed on the housing and a turn mirror spaced apart from the reflector stack. The turn mirror is configured for directing a first solar ray to the reflector stack such that the first solar ray reflects off the reflector stack to the radiative heat sink as a second solar ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Seder, Leslie G. Ferris, James A. Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20180239133
    Abstract: A head-up display system includes a housing, a liquid crystal display disposed within the housing and configured for emitting a first ray of light, and a reflector stack disposed adjacent the liquid crystal display within the housing. The reflector stack is configured for transmitting therethrough the first ray of light and includes a retardation plate and an optical film disposed on the retardation plate and facing the liquid crystal display. The head-up display system also includes a radiative heat sink disposed on the housing and a turn mirror spaced apart from the reflector stack. The turn mirror is configured for directing a first solar ray to the reflector stack such that the first solar ray reflects off the reflector stack to the radiative heat sink as a second solar ray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Seder, Leslie G. Ferris, James A. Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20170038584
    Abstract: A head-up display system includes a projector configured for emitting a first ray of light having a first intensity, and a lens having a first surface facing the projector and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface. The lens is configured for refracting the first ray of light to emit from the second surface a second ray of light having a second intensity that is less than the first intensity, and a third ray of light that is parallel to the second ray of light and has a third intensity that is less than the second intensity. The system also includes a cured film disposed on the first surface and formed from an anti-reflection coating composition, wherein the cured film is configured for minimizing the third intensity. A device includes a windshield, an operator eyebox spaced apart from the windshield, and the head-up display system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Leslie G. Ferris, Thomas A. Seder