Patents by Inventor Mark Cuddihy

Mark 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).

  • Patent number: 11567166
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Dilip Patel, Mark Andre Zielinski, Karthikeyan Sadatsharan
  • Patent number: 11350236
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Kwaku Prakah-Asante
  • Publication number: 20220124450
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Kwaku Prakah-Asante
  • Patent number: 11161409
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Ghannam, Mark Cuddihy, Brian Bennie, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Doug Thornburg
  • Patent number: 11117546
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Dilip Patel, Mark Andre Zielinski, Karthikeyan Sadatsharan
  • Publication number: 20210237681
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Dilip Patel, Mark Andre Zielinski, Karthikeyan Sadatsharan
  • Publication number: 20210239786
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Dilip Patel, Mark Andre Zielinski, Karthikeyan Sadatsharan
  • Patent number: 9663052
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes determining a pre-crash collision confidence factor and estimating a time to collision. The method further includes deploying a reversible restraint in response to the confidence factor and the time to collision and deploying a non-reversible restraint in response to the confidence factor and the time to collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark Cuddihy, Wilford Yopp
  • Patent number: 8552848
    Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with blind spot detection and rear crossing path collision warning system. Programmable maximum range limit radar sensors mounted on the vehicle are used to provide blind spot object detection warning when the vehicle is traveling in a forward direction and rear crossing path collision warning when the vehicle is traveling in a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark Cuddihy, Eric L. Reed
  • Patent number: 8463500
    Abstract: A method of operating a restraint system comprises deploying an airbag in response to a pre-crash sensing system prior to collision in a first stage and controlling an inflation of the airbag in a second stage in response to acceleration signals of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Ian Hall
  • Patent number: 8165760
    Abstract: An electrically activated, electronically controlled web grabber in conjunction with a pre-impact braking system that holds the vehicle safety belt from the moment of activation, restricting forward movement of the occupant and can be activated prior to the impact to ensure occupant containment and deactivated upon command in order to release after an accident is avoided, or once the impact has started to allow other safety devices to take over control of the belts, for example, by load limiters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Priya Prasad
  • Patent number: 7588114
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor system for a vehicle having a vehicle safety system. The seat belt is retracted at a faster rate when a threat is detected using a high-voltage generated by a local power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Curtis Kalina
  • Patent number: 7568727
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the deployment of an airbag. The system includes a sensor adapted to generate a signal and a flexible member having an indicator portion. The indicator portion inhibits at least a portion of the signal from transmitting through the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sean Ryan, Mark Cuddihy
  • Publication number: 20080147279
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor system for a vehicle having a vehicle safety system. The seat belt is retracted at a faster rate when a threat is detected using a high-voltage generated by a local power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Curtis Kalina
  • Patent number: 7343999
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor system and a method of controlling the seat belt retractor system. The seat belt is retracted at a faster rate when a threat is detected using a high-voltage generated by a local power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Curtis Kalina
  • Publication number: 20070228704
    Abstract: A method of operating a restraint system comprises deploying an airbag in response to a pre-crash sensing system prior to collision in a first stage and controlling an inflation of the airbag in a second stage in response to acceleration signals of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Manoharprasad Rao, Ian Hall
  • Publication number: 20070228705
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes determining a pre-crash collision confidence factor and estimating a time to collision. The method further includes deploying a reversible restraint in response to the confidence factor and the time to collision and deploying a non-reversible restraint in response to the confidence factor and the time to collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad Rao, Mark Cuddihy, Wilford Yopp
  • Patent number: 7260461
    Abstract: A method of operating a restraint system includes classifying a collision into a collision classification, generating a protruding contact sensor output and deploying the restraint system in response to the contact sensor output and the output classification. The method may also use a pre-crash sensor with or without classification and deploy the restraint system in response to the pre-crash sensor signal and the protruding contact sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark Cuddihy, David Bauch, Joseph Brown
  • Publication number: 20070100527
    Abstract: A method of operating a restraint system includes classifying a collision into a collision classification, generating a protruding contact sensor output and deploying the restraint system in response to the contact sensor output and the output classification. The method may also use a pre-crash sensor with or without classification and deploy the restraint system in response to the pre-crash sensor signal and the protruding contact sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad Rao, Mark Cuddihy, David Bauch, Joseph Brown
  • Patent number: 7127073
    Abstract: An assembly includes a seat 60 having a seat base 64, an occupant sensor positioned in the seat base, said occupant sensor comprising a fluid filled bladder coupled to a pressure sensor, said pressure sensor generating a pressure signal, and an audio system having an electrical output coupled to a speaker, said speaker positioned near the seat, said speaker audibly coupled to the bladder. The assembly includes a compensation circuit (12) for a sensor (22) generating electrical sensor output near a speaker (18) of an audio system (16) that comprises an inverting circuit (26) coupled to the electrical output (16) of the audio system. The inverting circuit (26) generates an inverted electrical signal corresponding to a speaker audio output. A sensor controller (24) coupled to the inverting circuit (26) and the sensor (22) generates a compensated electrical output in response to the electrical sensor output and the inverted electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Joseph Brown, Kirsten Carr