Patents by Inventor Mark A. Cuddihy
Mark A. Cuddihy 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: 20240027568Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wireless transmitters and a processor configured to: receive, from a mobile device, signal strengths of signals from the wireless transmitters as detected by the mobile device. The processor is also configured to determine a location of the mobile device in a vehicle, based on a distance from the mobile device to each of the wireless transmitters, as indicated by the received signal strengths and store the location of the mobile device as an occupant location.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Mark A. CUDDIHY, Eric L. REED, Manoharprasad K RAO, Thomas Lee MILLER
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Patent number: 11815614Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wireless transmitters and a processor configured to: receive, from a mobile device, signal strengths of signals from the wireless transmitters as detected by the mobile device. The processor is also configured to determine a location of the mobile device in a vehicle, based on a distance from the mobile device to each of the wireless transmitters, as indicated by the received signal strengths and store the location of the mobile device as an occupant location.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Eric L. Reed, Manoharprasad K Rao, Thomas Lee Miller
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Patent number: 11624620Abstract: A method of in-vehicle tracking begins with establishing a communication link between a mobile device and a navigation system of a vehicle. The navigation system presents driving instructions leading to a destination. Each of a plurality of locations is serially passed over the communication link from the mobile device to the navigation system. Additionally, each of the plurality of locations is serially set, as it is communicated, as the destination within the navigation system. As the destination within the navigation system is updated, the driving instructions leading to that destination are updated as well.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Gary Steven Strumolo, Pramita Mitra, David Melcher, Ali Hassani, Craig Simonds
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Patent number: 11590913Abstract: A vehicle includes a rail-mounted component and a restraint monitoring system. The rail-mounted component can include one or more restraints. The restraint monitoring system includes a restraint control module, an encoder-decoder module, and a rail-mounted component control module. The rail-mounted component control module can include a restraint deployment loop and a restraint diagnostic loop. The restraint deployment loop can include a deployment signal amplifier. The restraint diagnostic loop can include a diagnostic signal amplifier. In examples that include both the deployment signal amplifier and the diagnostic signal amplifier, the deployment signal amplifier and the diagnostic signal amplifier may be wired in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David James Tippy, Alan George Dry, Mark A. Cuddihy, Derek Board, Jimmy Moua, Galen Keith Thomas, Ajeya Gupta, Johnathan Andrew Line
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Patent number: 11567166Abstract: Locating systems and methods for wireless seat belt monitoring in vehicles with removable or reconfigurable seats are provided herein. An example remote transceiver can be centrally located on a seat that is configured to be rearranged within a vehicle. The remote transceiver can include a processor and memory for storing instructions that include a unique code identifying the remote transceiver. The processor executes the instructions to receive low power signals from transmitters within an interior of the vehicle, determine received signal strength values of the low power signals. The received signal strength values are used by the vehicle receiver to determine a location of the remote transceiver within the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Cuddihy, Dilip Patel, Mark Andre Zielinski, Karthikeyan Sadatsharan
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Patent number: 11568193Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to an RFID system that includes a hybrid RFID tag offering a functionality of a passive RFID tag and an active RFID tag. When operating as a passive RFID tag, an RF signal received from an RFID reader is harvested to produce a DC voltage for powering the hybrid RFID tag. The harvested DC voltage is coupled into a capacitor at a slow-charging rate so as to avoid a capacitor inrush current causing an abrupt power supply voltage drop. A controller chip in the hybrid RFID tag can execute some RFID functions at this time, thereby speeding up a response to the RFID reader. The capacitor is then charged at a fast-charging rate for storing a reserve charge. The hybrid RFID tag can subsequently use the reserve charge to operate as an active RFID tag without waiting for an RF signal from the RFID reader.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Mark A. Cuddihy, Prem Chahal, Saikat Mondal
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Publication number: 20220326339Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wireless transmitters and a processor configured to: receive, from a mobile device, signal strengths of signals from the wireless transmitters as detected by the mobile device. The processor is also configured to determine a location of the mobile device in a vehicle, based on a distance from the mobile device to each of the wireless transmitters, as indicated by the received signal strengths and store the location of the mobile device as an occupant location.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Mark A. CUDDIHY, Eric L. REED, Manoharprasad K. RAO, Thomas Lee MILLER
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Publication number: 20220309307Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to an RFID system that includes a hybrid RFID tag offering a functionality of a passive RFID tag and an active RFID tag. When operating as a passive RFID tag, an RF signal received from an RFID reader is harvested to produce a DC voltage for powering the hybrid RFID tag. The harvested DC voltage is coupled into a capacitor at a slow-charging rate so as to avoid a capacitor inrush current causing an abrupt power supply voltage drop. A controller chip in the hybrid RFID tag can execute some RFID functions at this time, thereby speeding up a response to the RFID reader. The capacitor is then charged at a fast-charging rate for storing a reserve charge. The hybrid RFID tag can subsequently use the reserve charge to operate as an active RFID tag without waiting for an RF signal from the RFID reader.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Mark A. Cuddihy, Prem Chahal, Saikat Mondal
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Publication number: 20220297575Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive a reflection magnitude from an infrared sensor during a movement of an object relative to the infrared sensor, to determine a change of the reflection magnitude, and to detect the object based on comparing the determined change of the received reflection magnitude to a change threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Kevin Pline
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Patent number: 11391810Abstract: A system includes a plurality of vehicle-deployed wireless transmitters and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, from a mobile device, signal strengths of signals from the wireless transmitters as detected by the mobile device. The processor is further configured to determine a location of the mobile device in a vehicle, based on the distance from the mobile device to each of the respective transmitters, as indicated by the received signal strengths and store the location of the mobile device as an occupant location.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Eric L. Reed, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Thomas Lee Miller
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Patent number: 11350236Abstract: The disclosure pertains to minimizing delay when a customer seeks a ride in a ride-hail vehicle at a crowded venue where multiple customers are attempting to obtain rides in ride-hail vehicles. In an example procedure, a ride-hail service provider responds to a ride request originated from a personal device of the customer by providing a ride-ID code or some other form of ride-confirmation data. The customer enters any ride-hail vehicle at the crowded venue without interacting with the driver of the vehicle prior to getting into the vehicle. The personal device of the customer then uses communications such as Bluetooth® to execute a triangulation procedure for determining whether the personal device is inside the vehicle. Upon confirming that the personal device is inside the vehicle, the ride-ID code is automatically transmitted to a personal device of the driver and further communications may then be carried out for authenticating the ride.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Cuddihy, Kwaku Prakah-Asante
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Publication number: 20220124450Abstract: The disclosure pertains to minimizing delay when a customer seeks a ride in a ride-hail vehicle at a crowded venue where multiple customers are attempting to obtain rides in ride-hail vehicles. In an example procedure, a ride-hail service provider responds to a ride request originated from a personal device of the customer by providing a ride-ID code or some other form of ride-confirmation data. The customer enters any ride-hail vehicle at the crowded venue without interacting with the driver of the vehicle prior to getting into the vehicle. The personal device of the customer then uses communications such as Bluetooth® to execute a triangulation procedure for determining whether the personal device is inside the vehicle. Upon confirming that the personal device is inside the vehicle, the ride-ID code is automatically transmitted to a personal device of the driver and further communications may then be carried out for authenticating the ride.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Cuddihy, Kwaku Prakah-Asante
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Patent number: 11161409Abstract: Systems and methods for securing limited drivability of a vehicle by impaired drivers using blockchain are provided. The vehicle system uses blockchain to protect and disclose such vehicle deactivation, prevent false enabling/disabling of a vehicle, and saves this information to a shared ledger. A sensor system located on the vehicle, e.g., alcohol interlock sensors, interior sensors, and exterior sensors, may have access to this information along with fleet managers, OEM, and/or users. For example, when the alcohol interlock sensor is activated, it transmits a test request. Subsequently, the other sensors may identify the request and look for a known person inside or in the proximity of the vehicle. In a similar manner, whether the test has been conducted, as well as the results of the test may be verified by the other nodes, e.g., sensors/modules in the vehicle. Upon confirmation that the driver is impaired, the vehicle may be deactivated.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Ghannam, Mark Cuddihy, Brian Bennie, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Doug Thornburg
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Patent number: 11117546Abstract: Locating systems and methods for wireless seat belt monitoring in vehicles with removable or reconfigurable seats are provided herein. An example device includes a first transceiver associated with a seat belt buckle, the first transceiver having a processor and memory for storing instructions that include a first unique code identifying the first transceiver and a first orientation value of the seat belt buckle to a vehicle receiver, the first orientation value indicating a location of the seat belt buckle on a seat, the processor executes the instructions to transmit the first unique code and the first orientation value to a vehicle receiver.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Cuddihy, Dilip Patel, Mark Andre Zielinski, Karthikeyan Sadatsharan
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Publication number: 20210237681Abstract: Locating systems and methods for wireless seat belt monitoring in vehicles with removable or reconfigurable seats are provided herein. An example device includes a first transceiver associated with a seat belt buckle, the first transceiver having a processor and memory for storing instructions that include a first unique code identifying the first transceiver and a first orientation value of the seat belt buckle to a vehicle receiver, the first orientation value indicating a location of the seat belt buckle on a seat, the processor executes the instructions to transmit the first unique code and the first orientation value to a vehicle receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Cuddihy, Dilip Patel, Mark Andre Zielinski, Karthikeyan Sadatsharan
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Publication number: 20210239786Abstract: Locating systems and methods for wireless seat belt monitoring in vehicles with removable or reconfigurable seats are provided herein. An example remote transceiver can be centrally located on a seat that is configured to be rearranged within a vehicle. The remote transceiver can include a processor and memory for storing instructions that include a unique code identifying the remote transceiver. The processor executes the instructions to receive low power signals from transmitters within an interior of the vehicle, determine received signal strength values of the low power signals. The received signal strength values are used by the vehicle receiver to determine a location of the remote transceiver within the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Cuddihy, Dilip Patel, Mark Andre Zielinski, Karthikeyan Sadatsharan
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Publication number: 20210192861Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect an operating condition of a first vehicle based on at least one sensor of a second vehicle in communication with the processor. The processor is also configured to wirelessly broadcast the operating condition or associated alert including any vehicle identifying traits of the first vehicle as detected by the second-vehicle sensor or other detection systems of the second vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Manoharprasad K. RAO, Kwaku O. PRAKAH-ASANTE, Mark A. CUDDIHY
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Patent number: 11001215Abstract: A seatbelt payout measuring device with a rewind spring having a first end connected to a center spool and a second end connected to a rewind spring housing. A dielectric material layered immediately adjacent to the rewind spring forming a first layer and an electrolytic coil with dielectric material layered on both sides forming a second layer, isolating the rewind spring from the electrolytic coil. A capacitive measuring device having a first lead connected to the first end of the rewind spring and a second lead connected to a first end of the electrolytic coil. The capacitive measuring device measuring capacitance with belt pullout.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Mark A. Cuddihy, Mark Allan Lippman, Manoharprasad K. Rao
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Patent number: 10953771Abstract: A vehicle includes a base and a seat rotatable relative to the base. The vehicle includes a helical ramp fixed relative to one of the base and the seat. The vehicle includes a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) including a housing fixed relative to the other of the base and the seat and a plunger moveably supported by the housing. The plunger contacts the helical ramp.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mark A. Cuddihy, Dean M. Jaradi
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Patent number: 10953875Abstract: A railway prediction system may include a memory configured to maintain at least one driver profile having driver specific factors, a controller coupled to the memory and programmed to receive route factors indicative of a route and a railway crossing along the route, and instruct an alert in response to the presence of the railway crossing, a threshold according to the driver-specific factors, and an indication of a lack of deceleration of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kwaku Prakah-Asante, Mark A. Cuddihy