Patents by Inventor Nathan P. Makarewicz

Nathan P. Makarewicz 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: 10991121
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing operator-state detection including tracking position of an operator-facing camera are described. Systems and methods include receiving a first image captured by an operator-facing camera, detecting a first position of the operator-facing camera with respect to the calibration object, ascertaining the first position with respect to at least one fiducial marker within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, capturing, via controller, a second image using the operator-facing camera, determining the second image is captured by the operator-facing camera from a second position with respect to the at least one fiducial marker, and analyzing, based on determining the second image is captured by the operator-facing camera from the second position, the second image to identify facial features of the operator. The receiving, detecting, ascertaining, determining, and analyzing are performed via a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Debbie E. Nachtegall, Nathan P. Makarewicz, Paul W. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20200167951
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing operator-state detection including tracking position of an operator-facing camera are described. Systems and methods include receiving a first image captured by an operator-facing camera, detecting a first position of the operator-facing camera with respect to the calibration object, ascertaining the first position with respect to at least one fiducial marker within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, capturing, via controller, a second image using the operator-facing camera, determining the second image is captured by the operator-facing camera from a second position with respect to the at least one fiducial marker, and analyzing, based on determining the second image is captured by the operator-facing camera from the second position, the second image to identify facial features of the operator. The receiving, detecting, ascertaining, determining, and analyzing are performed via a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Debbie E. Nachtegall, Nathan P. Makarewicz, Paul W. Alexander
  • Patent number: 10346715
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assessing possible misalignment of cameras installed on vehicles. In accordance with one example, a camera is mounted on a body of the vehicle, and is configured to generate camera images. Each of the camera images includes a plurality of pixels. A processor is configured to at least facilitate analyzing the pixels of the camera images with respect to color, brightness, or both; and determining whether the camera is misaligned in its mounting on the vehicle based on the analyzing of the color, the brightness, or both, of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nathan P. Makarewicz, Joseph Machak, Mohannad Murad
  • Publication number: 20180293458
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assessing possible misalignment of cameras installed on vehicles. In accordance with one example, a camera is mounted on a body of the vehicle, and is configured to generate camera images. Each of the camera images includes a plurality of pixels. A processor is configured to at least facilitate analyzing the pixels of the camera images with respect to color, brightness, or both; and determining whether the camera is misaligned in its mounting on the vehicle based on the analyzing of the color, the brightness, or both, of the pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: NATHAN P. MAKAREWICZ, JOSEPH MACHAK, MOHANNAD MURAD
  • Patent number: 9081039
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sensing electrical faults. The system includes a current sensor disposed between a battery and at least one electrical load. The current sensor is capable of sensing electrical current flowing from the battery to the load at a sensitivity sufficient to detect a current transient. The system also includes a controller in communication with the current sensor. The controller is capable of comparing the sensed current transient to a predetermined current transient for the load and signaling a fault when the sensed current transient and the predetermined current transient vary by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Julson, Nathan P. Makarewicz, Gary W. Taraski, Paul Capalau
  • Publication number: 20130308237
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sensing electrical faults. The system includes a current sensor disposed between a battery and at least one electrical load. The current sensor is capable of sensing electrical current flowing from the battery to the load at a sensitivity sufficient to detect a current transient. The system also includes a controller in communication with the current sensor. The controller is capable of comparing the sensed current transient to a predetermined current transient for the load and signaling a fault when the sensed current transient and the predetermined current transient vary by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. JULSON, Nathan P. MAKAREWICZ, Gary W. TARASKI, Paul CAPALAU
  • Patent number: 8461846
    Abstract: A method of estimating a state of charge of a battery in a vehicle undergoing a vehicle assembly process. The method may include the steps of: installing the battery in the vehicle; employing a sensor mounted in the vehicle to automatically sense battery net amp hours during at least a portion of the vehicle assembly process; storing the net amp hours in a control module mounted in the vehicle; mounting a data link connector in the vehicle to provide communication with the controller; temporarily connecting a tool connector of a battery test assembly to the data link connector and transmitting the stored net amp hours data to the battery test tool from the control module; and comparing the net amp hours to a predetermined maximum net amp hours to estimate if the state of charge of the battery is acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Nathan P Makarewicz
  • Publication number: 20120105067
    Abstract: A method of estimating a state of charge of a battery in a vehicle undergoing a vehicle assembly process. The method may include the steps of: installing the battery in the vehicle; employing a sensor mounted in the vehicle to automatically sense battery net amp hours during at least a portion of the vehicle assembly process; storing the net amp hours in a control module mounted in the vehicle; mounting a data link connector in the vehicle to provide communication with the controller; temporarily connecting a tool connector of a battery test assembly to the data link connector and transmitting the stored net amp hours data to the battery test tool from the control module; and comparing the net amp hours to a predetermined maximum net amp hours to estimate if the state of charge of the battery is acceptable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Nathan P. Makarewicz