Patents by Inventor Mark GIJBELS

Mark GIJBELS 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: 20250218197
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the operation of a delivery vehicle, including the steps of generating a reference image dataset of a package, analyzing the reference image dataset in order to determine an ident dataset for the package, and temporarily storing the ident dataset, generating a partial image dataset of the package in the delivery vehicle, determining a spatial location dataset that is indicative of a spatial location of the package, analyzing the partial image dataset using the spatial location dataset allocation dataset for the package comparing the allocation dataset with the ident dataset in order to reidentify the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2024
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mathijs Lens, Pieter Robberechts, Turgay Isik Aslandere, Mark Gijbels, Wannes Meert, Jesse Davis, Toon Goedemé, Patrick Vandewalle
  • Publication number: 20250139566
    Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to a method (54) for managing the load space of a delivery vehicle (10), to a load space management system (12) for a load space (14) of a delivery vehicle (10), and to a delivery vehicle (10). A route plan (122) of the delivery vehicle (10) is received from a server (38). A respective load space position (48) at which a respective object (18) which has been introduced or is to be introduced into the load space (14) is to be placed is determined, taking into consideration at least the route plan (122), by an object placement logic (34), before or during the introduction of the respective object (18) into a load space (14) of the delivery vehicle (10). A respective load space position signal is outputted by a signaling device (52). The load space position signal indicates the respective determined load space position (48) for the respective object (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Abhinav Dhake, Roy Hendrikx, Mark Gijbels, Nicole Leonarda Wilhelmina Eikelenberg, Jeroen Lem, Detlef Kuck, Walter Pijls, Alexandra Holz
  • Publication number: 20240378901
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cargo-space management system (10) for a cargo space (14), to a vehicle (12) and to methods for loading and unloading objects. The cargo-space management system (10) comprises at least one camera system (16), a control device (24) having an object identification mechanism and a locating mechanism, and at least one human-machine interface (30). The control device (24) is coupled at least to the camera system (16) and the human-machine interface (30). At least one camera (18) of the camera system (16) has a mounting device (20) such that the respective camera (18) can be positioned in a displaceable manner within the cargo space (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Abhinav Dhake, Mark Gijbels, Alexander Katriniok
  • Publication number: 20240326643
    Abstract: A system for supplying a delivery vehicle with electric energy is described, which comprises an electrically drivable delivery vehicle for making a plurality of successive delivery journeys, in each case for transporting consignments on a respective delivery route from a starting point of the delivery route to recipients of the consignments, a supply vehicle for delivering replaceable battery modules to meeting points with the delivery vehicle, and a control device, which is designed to ascertain a likely energy requirement of the delivery vehicle for a subsequent delivery journey of the plurality of successive delivery journeys, taking into account a subsequent delivery route and a likely total weight of the delivery vehicle after loading consignments to be delivered on the subsequent delivery route at the starting point of the subsequent delivery route, and to prompt the supply vehicle to deliver a set of replaceable battery modules to a subsequent meeting point, which is the starting point of the subsequen
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Bas van den Heuvel, Rob Stalman, Mark Gijbels, Martin Kapp, Rainer Souschek
  • Publication number: 20240190671
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reloading consignments, in the case of which consignments are transported between at least one logistics center and at least one end customer by means of at least one large vehicle and at least one small vehicle, which may be at least two-axle road vehicles, wherein the small vehicle is electrically operated and has a smaller track width and a lower load capacity than the large vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Bas van den Heuvel, Rob Stalman, Mark Gijbels, Rainer Souschek, Martin Kapp, Pieter Diepenmaat, Wouter van der Hoog
  • Publication number: 20240190524
    Abstract: The invention relates to a railing arrangement for a loading platform of a utility vehicle, which railing arrangement, in a state of use, extends distally away from a loading opening of the utility vehicle in a longitudinal direction, having two railing units, the proximal ends of which are fastenable to both sides of the loading opening in a transverse direction and the distal ends of which are fastenable in the region of a distal end edge of the loading platform, such that at least one railing unit is inclined toward the transverse direction in relation to the longitudinal direction and the two railing units define a walkable area that becomes narrower, in the transverse direction, toward the distal end edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bas van den Heuvel, Rob Stalman, Mark Gijbels, Rainer Souschek, Martin Kapp, Pieter Diepenmaat, Wouter van der Hoog
  • Publication number: 20240190327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a logistics system having a large vehicle, a small vehicle and a container. According to the invention, in order to allow containers to be used on different vehicles in an improved manner, the container can be received, with a long side oriented along a transverse direction of the large vehicle, on said large vehicle and, interacting with same via a first movement arrangement, can be moved along a longitudinal direction of the large vehicle, said container can furthermore be received, with the long side oriented along a longitudinal direction of the small vehicle, on said small vehicle and, interacting with same via a second movement arrangement, can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the small vehicle, and said container has multiple legs which, in order for the container to be received on a vehicle, are adjustable from a deployed position into a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bas van den Heuvel, Rob Stalman, Mark Gijbels, Rainer Souschek, Martin Kapp, Pieter Diepenmaat, Wouter van der Hoog
  • Publication number: 20230054968
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for delivering mobile locker cabinets loaded with postal items to automatic parcel stations and for collecting empty mobile locker cabinets from automatic parcel stations by means of a delivery vehicle having a cargo space. In order to reduce the outlay associated with logistics of locker cabinets and thus to reduce the associated costs of logistics, depending on a delivery route, the locker cabinets loaded with postal items are arranged in a delivery sequence within the cargo space in such a way that a locker cabinet which forms a start of the delivery sequence and a locker cabinet which forms an end of the delivery sequence are accessible directly via a rear loading/unloading opening (8) of the cargo space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bas van den Heuvel, Mark Gijbels, Dwi Gross, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
  • Patent number: 11587015
    Abstract: A system for delivering articles (34) from a start point (54) to a destination point (56), having at least one drone (20), which a) has a flight control unit (22) configured for autonomous flying, b) has at least one flight motor realized as an electric motor (24), c) has a battery (28) that supplies the flight motor with voltage, d) has a programmable control (30) unit, and e) on its underside has a coupling (34) for electrical, and preferably also mechanical, connection, having a control center (50), which is wirelessly connected to the control unit (30) of the drone (20), having a mobility network consisting of a fleet of vehicles (44), in particular road vehicles, each vehicle having a drone carrier (40), which has a mating coupling (38) that acts in combination with the coupling (36), and having a digital mobility platform (46), which is wirelessly connected to the fleet of vehicles (44) and which is informed about their travel schedules, drone carriers (40) and current locations of the vehicles (44), an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Longin, Mark Gijbels
  • Patent number: 10802501
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus to automatically maneuver a wheelchair relative to a vehicle. The vehicle has a first sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor, and the wheelchair has a second sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor. The automatic maneuver is carried out both on the basis of sensor signals from the first sensor arrangement and on the basis of sensor signals from the second sensor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Longin, Mark Gijbels, Robin Celis, Gunther Cuypers
  • Publication number: 20200302357
    Abstract: A system for providing a mobility network is provided. The system is configured to receive a first request message transmitted from a first user device, the message indicating a pick-up location and a destination in a network area. The system is further configured to identify a first carrier unit available to respond to the first request message and generate a first response instruction providing data to indicate the pick-up location of the first request message. The system is further configured to transmit the first response instruction to the first carrier unit and generate path data and destination data according to the first response instruction and the first request message. The system is also configured to transmit the path data and the destination data to the first carrier unit and update the stored carrier unit operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: David LONGIN, Robin CELIS, Detlef KUCK, Lars KUHNERT, Mark GIJBELS
  • Patent number: 10733829
    Abstract: A system for delivering and/or picking up items comprising a container, which is closable via an openable/closable door and has access protection, and a standardized coupling mechanism for the option of fastening on a delivery vehicle, a mobile mini-vehicle or a stationary upright, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a receiving means on the holder and comprises an engagement means, which is for engagement in the receiving means and is arranged on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle and on the stationary upright such that the container is securable in a releasable manner optionally on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle or on the stationary upright, and a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Detlef Kuck, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Mark Gijbels, Tobias Ricke, Alexandra Holz
  • Patent number: 10703393
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an autonomous rail transport system with the aid of a rail network. The rail transport system according to the disclosure comprises at least one autonomous goods-carrying rail vehicle and at least two autonomous goods terminals. The goods-carrying rail vehicle is designed to transport at least one item of goods while the goods terminals are each designed to receive and/or release at least one item of goods. The item of goods is transported autonomously from a first goods terminal to a second goods terminal with the aid of the goods-carrying rail vehicle on the rail network. The rail network of the rail transport system according to the disclosure is a streetcar-line network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David Longin, Mark Gijbels, Robin Celis
  • Publication number: 20190295033
    Abstract: A system for delivering articles (34) from a start point (54) to a destination point (56), having at least one drone (20), which a) has a flight control unit (22) configured for autonomous flying, b) has at least one flight motor realized as an electric motor (24), c) has a battery (28) that supplies the flight motor with voltage, d) has a programmable control (30) unit, and e) on its underside has a coupling (34) for electrical, and preferably also mechanical, connection, having a control center (50), which is wirelessly connected to the control unit (30) of the drone (20), having a mobility network consisting of a fleet of vehicles (44), in particular road vehicles, each vehicle having a drone carrier (40), which has a mating coupling (38) that acts in combination with the coupling (36), and having a digital mobility platform (46), which is wirelessly connected to the fleet of vehicles (44) and which is informed about their travel schedules, drone carriers (40) and current locations of the vehicles (44), an
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Longin, Mark Gijbels
  • Publication number: 20180330561
    Abstract: A system for delivering and/or picking up items comprising a container, which is closable via an openable/closable door and has access protection, and a standardized coupling mechanism for the option of fastening on a delivery vehicle, a mobile mini-vehicle or a stationary upright, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a receiving means on the holder and comprises an engagement means, which is for engagement in the receiving means and is arranged on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle and on the stationary upright such that the container is securable in a releasable manner optionally on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle or on the stationary upright, and a corresponding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Detlef KUCK, James NEUGEBAUER, Torsten GERHARDT, Mark GIJBELS, Tobias RICKE, Alexandra HOLZ
  • Publication number: 20180222496
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an autonomous rail transport system with the aid of a rail network. The rail transport system according to the disclosure comprises at least one autonomous goods-carrying rail vehicle and at least two autonomous goods terminals. The goods-carrying rail vehicle is designed to transport at least one item of goods while the goods terminals are each designed to receive and/or release at least one item of goods. The item of goods is transported autonomously from a first goods terminal to a second goods terminal with the aid of the goods-carrying rail vehicle on the rail network. The rail network of the rail transport system according to the disclosure is a streetcar-line network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: David LONGIN, Mark GIJBELS, Robin CELIS
  • Publication number: 20180120860
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus to automatically maneuver a wheelchair relative to a vehicle. The vehicle has a first sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor, and the wheelchair has a second sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor. The automatic maneuver is carried out both on the basis of sensor signals from the first sensor arrangement and on the basis of sensor signals from the second sensor arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David LONGIN, Mark GIJBELS, Robin CELIS, Gunther CUYPERS