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).

  • Driver entry detector for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 9823349
    Abstract: Driver-detection technology includes various systems, methods, and apparatuses. For example, an active infrared (IR) sensor might be affixed in the driver's footwell of a motor vehicle and detect the driver's entry into the vehicle. The detection of the driver by the IR sensor is usable to personalize motor-vehicle features, such as seat position, steering-wheel position, interior lighting, radio controls, mirror angles, and touch-screen configuration, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Carla Ann Gale
  • Autonomous vehicle restraint deployment
    Patent number: 9815425
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a base, a driver seat rotatably disposed on the base, a sensor, and a processor. The sensor is programmed to measure an angular displacement of the driver seat relative to the base and output a displacement signal representing the angular displacement. The processor is programmed to receive the displacement signal and select at least one of a plurality of passive safety devices based at least in part on the angular displacement represented by the displacement signal and only deploy the selected passive safety devices during a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Saeed David Barbat
  • Gesture-activated hood release system
    Patent number: 9777516
    Abstract: A gesture-activated hood release system for a motor vehicle is provided. That system incorporates a gesture sensor, a first actuator and a second actuator. Further, the system includes a controller that is responsive to the gesture sensor to activate the first actuator and open a primary hood latch and then, after a predetermined time delay, activate the second actuator and open the secondary hood latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Iskander Farooq, Mark A. Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao
  • DETECTING OCCUPANT PRESENCE ON A VEHICLE SEAT
    Publication number: 20170259698
    Abstract: A system for detecting that an occupant is present in a vehicle seat. The system includes a bladder disposed in the vehicle seat, a pressure sensor, and a fluid pump. A conduit provides a single line into the bladder, a first branch of the single line connected to the fluid pump, and a second branch connected to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is communicatively coupled to a computing device. The computing device is programmed to detect that the occupant is present in the vehicle seat according to two or more data, including a first pressure value and a second pressure value that is detected at a time following detection of the first pressure value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao
  • ROTATABLE SEAT ENERGY ABSORPTION
    Publication number: 20170247006
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a vehicle floor from a forward-facing position to a rear-facing position. The seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. A seat belt assembly extends at least partially from the seat back. At least one airbag is incorporated into the seat belt assembly and is deployable when the vehicle seat is rotated to at least one of the rear-facing position and a position between the forward-facing position and the rear-facing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Saeed David Barbat, Srinivasan Sundararajan
  • Rotatable seat energy absorption
    Patent number: 9744933
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a vehicle floor from a forward-facing position to a rear-facing position. The seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. A seat belt assembly extends at least partially from the seat back. At least one airbag is incorporated into the seat belt assembly and is deployable when the vehicle seat is rotated to at least one of the rear-facing position and a position between the forward-facing position and the rear-facing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Saeed David Barbat, Srinivasan Sundararajan
  • Front passenger knee bolster deployment control
    Patent number: 9744929
    Abstract: A system comprises a controller for a vehicle. The controller comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The controller is programmed to receive first data values from a first sensor which detects infrared light. The infrared sensor is disposed in a line of sight to a vehicle front passenger foot well. The controller is further programmed to activate a front passenger knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the first data values, that an object is present in the front passenger foot well and is in motion. The controller is yet further programmed to deactivate the knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the first data values, that there is no motion in the front passenger foot well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy
  • WIRELESS-BASED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPENING A HOOD OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20170241169
    Abstract: A wireless-based system is provided for opening the hood of a motor vehicle. That wireless-based system includes a wireless latch release actuator. Further, the wireless-based system also includes a controller. The controller is configured to release a secondary hood latch when (a) the wireless latch release actuator is activated, (b) a primary hood latch has already been released and (c) a motor vehicle wheel is stationary whereby the hood may be opened. A related hood opening method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Jialiang Le
  • Flexible electro-resistive impact detection sensor for front rail mounted airbag
    Patent number: 9731673
    Abstract: A sensing device for actuating an airbag system in a motor vehicle comprises an airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition, an inflator operationally coupled with the airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas, an impact detection sensor for generating a signal upon an offset impact event, and a controller for processing the signal generated by the sensor and electrically actuating the inflator upon computing a predetermined impact severity to a forward corner of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle further comprises a front bumper beam attached proximate a distal end of a front rail and the sensor comprises a flexible electro-resistive sensor mounted to a rear side of an outboard portion of the front bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy
  • Autonomous vehicle restraint selection
    Patent number: 9731628
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a base, a seat rotatably disposed on the base, a sensor, and a processor. The sensor is programmed to measure an angular displacement of the seat relative to the base and output a displacement signal representing the angular displacement. The processor is programmed to receive the displacement signal and deploy at least one passive safety device based at least in part on the angular displacement represented by the displacement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Saeed David Barbat
  • AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT
    Publication number: 20170210322
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a base, a driver seat rotatably disposed on the base, a sensor, and a processor. The sensor is programmed to measure an angular displacement of the driver seat relative to the base and output a displacement signal representing the angular displacement. The processor is programmed to receive the displacement signal and select at least one of a plurality of passive safety devices based at least in part on the angular displacement represented by the displacement signal and only deploy the selected passive safety devices during a collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Saeed David Barbat
  • AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE RESTRAINT SELECTION
    Publication number: 20170210248
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a base, a seat rotatably disposed on the base, a sensor, and a processor. The sensor is programmed to measure an angular displacement of the seat relative to the base and output a displacement signal representing the angular displacement. The processor is programmed to receive the displacement signal and deploy at least one passive safety device based at least in part on the angular displacement represented by the displacement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Saeed David Barbat
  • DOOR-MOUNTED AIRBAG ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20170210329
    Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door, an inflator mounted to the door, and a passive restraint. The passive restraint has a first airbag chamber and a second airbag chamber. The first airbag chamber is in communication with the inflator and is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The second airbag chamber is in communication with the inflator and is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The first airbag chamber in the inflated position extends transverse to the second airbag chamber in the inflated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy, Saeed David Barbat
  • Driver interface with inferred park logic
    Patent number: 9714706
    Abstract: A vehicle driver interface eliminates the need for the direct driver selection of a park mode. Instead, a park mechanism is automatically engaged in response to either a transition into an ignition Off state, or detection of the absence of a driver. The park mechanism is released in response to selection of a drive mode, which can be either a forward drive mode or a reverse drive mode. To permit idling with the driver present, an electronic park brake is automatically engaged when the vehicle comes to a stop in a drive mode, and is automatically released when the driver taps the accelerator pedal. A stay-in-neutral mode overrides the automatic engagement of the park mechanism or the electronic parking brake to permit operations such as towing the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hubert Szawarski, Mark A. Cuddihy, Craig Pattinson, Thomas Overbeck
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION SYSTEM TO EXCHANGE OCCUPANT INFORMATION
    Publication number: 20170182958
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of antennas, positioned to be capable of receiving a wireless near field communication (NFC) device signal associated with a device located in any one of a driver's back pocket or front pocket, a center console or a passenger seat. The system also includes an NFC reader, in communication with the plurality of antennas. The NFC reader is operable to assign, based at least in part on a number of signals received and a signal strength, one of one or more devices associated with detected signals to a driver. The NFC reader is in communication with a vehicle computing system, operable to retrieve additional information associated with the device assigned to the driver and to apply that information to control vehicle settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Mark A. CUDDIHY, Manoharprasad K. RAO
  • Incapacitated driving detection and prevention
    Patent number: 9676395
    Abstract: Biometric data is received from a wearable device. The biometric data concerns a vehicle operator measured by at least one sensor in the wearable device. A load score is determined. The load score is a measurement of operator capacity to operate the vehicle based at least in part on the biometric data from the wearable device. At least one vehicle component is actuated based at least in part on the load score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Adil Nizam Siddiqui, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, Brad Alan Ignaczak, Patrick Kevin Holub, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Gary Steven Strumolo, Pramita Mitra, David Melcher, Mark A. Cuddihy, Craig John Simonds, Ali Hassani
  • Method for operating a pre-crash sensing system to deploy airbags using confidence factors prior to collision
    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
  • FRONT PASSENGER KNEE BOLSTER DEPLOYMENT CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170144621
    Abstract: A system comprises a controller for a vehicle. The controller comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instruction executable by the processor. The controller is programmed to receive first data values from a first sensor which detects infrared light. The infrared sensor is disposed in a line of sight to a vehicle front passenger foot well. The controller is further programmed to activate a front passenger knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the first data values, that an object is present in the front passenger foot well and is in motion. The controller is yet further programmed to deactivate the knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the first data values, that there is no motion in the front passenger foot well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy
  • DRIVER KNEE BOLSTER DEPLOYMENT CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170144620
    Abstract: A system comprises a controller for a vehicle. The controller comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The controller is programmed to receive data values from a sensor to detect infrared light. The sensor is in a line of sight to a vehicle foot well. The controller is further programmed to activate a knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the data values, that an object is present in the foot well. The controller is yet further programmed to deactivate the knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the data values, that there is no object in the foot well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy
  • Vehicle fuel filler assembly
    Patent number: 9643487
    Abstract: A vehicle and a fuel filler assembly may be provided. The fuel filler assembly may include a housing, a panel assembly, and a sensor assembly. The panel assembly may be carried by the housing and may include a door and a hinge extending from the door. The hinge may have indicia disposed thereon and the sensor assembly may be configured to provide a signal indicative of a location of the indicia relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hubert Szawarski, Mark A. Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao