Patents by Inventor Mark A. Zurcher

Mark A. Zurcher 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).

  • Publication number: 20240317132
    Abstract: A system may have lights. The lights may be moved using a positioner. Control circuitry may use sensor circuitry to monitor the environment surrounding the system. The sensor circuitry may include one or more sensors to measure the shape of a surface in front of the system and the location of the surface relative to the system. The sensor circuitry may also measure light illumination on the surface. Based on the known shape of the surface in front of the system and the distance of the surface from the system, the control circuitry can predict where a light should be aimed on the surface. By comparing predictions of light illumination on the surface to measurements of light illumination on the surface, the system can determine how to move the light with the positioner to align the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher P. Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R. Stiehl, Mark A. Zurcher, Mikael B. Mannberg, Ryan J. Garrone, Xiaofeng Tang
  • Patent number: 12017577
    Abstract: A vehicle may have lights such as headlights. The lights may be moved using a positioner. Control circuitry in the vehicle may use sensor circuitry to monitor the environment surrounding the vehicle. The sensor circuitry may include one or more sensors such as a lidar sensor, radar sensor, image sensor, and/or other sensors to measure the shape of a surface in front of the vehicle and the location of the surface relative to the vehicle. These sensors and/or other sensors in the sensor circuitry also measure headlight illumination on the surface. Based on the known shape of the surface in front of the vehicle and the distance of the surface from the vehicle, the control circuitry can predict where a headlight should be aimed on the surface. By comparing predictions of headlight illumination on the surface to measurements of headlight illumination on the surface, the vehicle can determine how to move the headlight with the positioner to align the headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R Stiehl, Mark A Zurcher, Mikael B Mannberg, Ryan J Garrone, Xiaofeng Tang
  • Publication number: 20240093845
    Abstract: A system may have a support structure that separates an exterior region from an interior region. The system may include a lighting system with interior and/or exterior lights with adjustable diffusers. An interior light may be used as a task light, a cabin light, a sensor indicator light, or a trim light. Adjustments to the adjustable diffusers can be used to adjust the angular spread of emitted light for operation in different lighting modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Clarisse Mazuir, Paul J Costa, Stephen B Lynch, Kurt R Stiehl, Christopher P Child, Xiaofeng Tang, Christopher L Porritt, Michael C Wharton, Peter F Masschelein, Mark A Zurcher, Xin Li, Ryan J Garrone
  • Publication number: 20230001847
    Abstract: A vehicle may have lights such as headlights. The lights may be moved using a positioner. Control circuitry in the vehicle may use sensor circuitry to monitor the environment surrounding the vehicle. The sensor circuitry may include one or more sensors such as a lidar sensor, radar sensor, image sensor, and/or other sensors to measure the shape of a surface in front of the vehicle and the location of the surface relative to the vehicle. These sensors and/or other sensors in the sensor circuitry also measure headlight illumination on the surface. Based on the known shape of the surface in front of the vehicle and the distance of the surface from the vehicle, the control circuitry can predict where a headlight should be aimed on the surface. By comparing predictions of headlight illumination on the surface to measurements of headlight illumination on the surface, the vehicle can determine how to move the headlight with the positioner to align the headlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher P. Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R. Stiehl, Mark A. Zurcher, Mikael B. Mannberg, Ryan J. Garrone, Xiaofeng Tang