Patents by Inventor Patrick Minjeur
Patrick Minjeur 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).
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Publication number: 20240131976Abstract: A deployable structure includes a reconfigurable member formed from a plurality of elements defining a first end, a second end that is opposite the first end, a first side extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side, opposite the first side, extending between the first end and the second end. A first inflatable rigidizing member extends along the first side across each of the plurality of elements and a second inflatable rigidizing member extends along the second side across each of the plurality of elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Patrick Minjeur, Paul W. Alexander, Lisa M. Simms
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Publication number: 20240109462Abstract: A vehicle seat and storage system includes a vehicle seat having a seat base and a seat back extending from the seat base. A storage apparatus is connected to the seat back and is movable from a stowed position against the seat back to an extended position away from the seat back. The storage apparatus is configured to position and secure one or more cargo items. A seat motor is operably connected to the seat. The seat motor is configured to move the seat back from a first position extending upward from the seat base to a second position where the seat back is disposed flat against the seat base.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2022Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Patrick Minjeur, David M. Aller, Christopher Stephen Flemming, Lisa M. Simms, John Joseph Katona, Owen Rauch, Siddhant Kansal, Zachariah Smith, Paul W. Alexander
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Patent number: 11872923Abstract: A roof rail hoist system includes a support rail mountable to a vehicle roof. The support rail includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion including a recess that extends between the first end and the second end. A winch arm is mounted to the support rail. The winch arm is pivotable between a first position, wherein the winch arm resides in the recess and a second position, wherein the winch arm extends outwardly from the support rail. A winch motor is mounted to the support rail. The winch motor includes a cable spool. A winch cable is provided on the cable spool.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Patrick Minjeur, Owen Rauch
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Patent number: 11807090Abstract: A test system for detecting impairment aboard a motor vehicle includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and sensors in communication therewith. The sensors are positioned within a vehicle interior, and include at least a touch screen and a microphone, and possibly an eye-tracking camera. In response to receiving a start request indicative of a requested start event of the motor vehicle, the ECU executes instructions to initiate a cognitive response test via the sensors. The ECU determines a test score of a driver during the test while the motor vehicle remains off, compares the test score to baseline scores to determine a passing or failing test result, and executes a control action aboard the motor vehicle in response to the passing or failing test result. The ECU may disable or immobilize the motor vehicle in response to the failing test result.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Patrick Minjeur, David H. Clifford
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Patent number: 11807187Abstract: A seatbelt having a receiver having an opening configured to receive a latch-plate, an extended pushbutton at least partially disposed within the receiver, and a magnet at least partially disposed within the extended pushbutton, wherein the magnet is configured to align the latch-plate with the opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Patrick Minjeur, James L Benigni
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Publication number: 20220227284Abstract: A method for controlling forward lighting of a vehicle includes projecting, from a headlamp of the vehicle, an optimization pattern ahead of the vehicle and capturing, by a vehicle sensor, image data of the optimization pattern. The method also includes receiving, by a vehicle controller, the image data of the optimization pattern, measuring, from the image data, a headlamp aim offset defined as a difference in a position of the optimization pattern from a nominal position, and controlling an aim of the headlamp of the vehicle based on the headlamp aim offset.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Patrick Minjeur
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Publication number: 20210291650Abstract: A test system for detecting impairment aboard a motor vehicle includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and sensors in communication therewith. The sensors are positioned within a vehicle interior, and include at least a touch screen and a microphone, and possibly an eye-tracking camera. In response to receiving a start request indicative of a requested start event of the motor vehicle, the ECU executes instructions to initiate a cognitive response test via the sensors. The ECU determines a test score of a driver during the test while the motor vehicle remains off, compares the test score to baseline scores to determine a passing or failing test result, and executes a control action aboard the motor vehicle in response to the passing or failing test result. The ECU may disable or immobilize the motor vehicle in response to the failing test result.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2020Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Patrick Minjeur, David H. Clifford
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Patent number: 10766403Abstract: A method includes generating a first beam pattern via a headlamp assembly arranged on a motor vehicle and detecting, via a camera, an object in the first light beam pattern. The method additionally includes receiving, via an electronic controller, a signal from the camera indicative of the object, identifying the object as another motor vehicle, and determining a distance between the headlamp assembly and the other vehicle. The method also includes determining a first amount of glare the first beam pattern generates to the other vehicle at the determined distance and identifying when the first amount of glare exceeds target glare. The method further includes identifying a second beam pattern corresponding to a second amount of glare that is below the target glare and switching the headlamp assembly from generating the first beam pattern to generating the second light beam pattern.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Patrick Minjeur, Michael K. Larsen
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Patent number: 8972178Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reporting occupied and unoccupied parking spaces are disclosed. The techniques include determining that a mobile computing device has entered a parking area and determining whether the mobile computing device has entered a pedestrian mode. The pedestrian mode is indicative of a user of the mobile computing device parking a vehicle and exiting the vehicle. When the mobile computing device has entered the pedestrian mode, the technique includes determining a first location of the mobile computing device at a first time corresponding to the mobile computing device entering the pedestrian mode, and providing an occupied notification to a remote computing device, the occupied notification including the first location and indicating that a parking spot corresponding to the first location is occupied. Techniques are further disclosed for reporting unoccupied parking spaces to the mobile computing device.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Joshua G Windeler, Patrick Minjeur, Jonathan M Rener, Ross S Maunders
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Publication number: 20140156183Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reporting occupied and unoccupied parking spaces are disclosed. The techniques include determining that a mobile computing device has entered a parking area and determining whether the mobile computing device has entered a pedestrian mode. The pedestrian mode is indicative of a user of the mobile computing device parking a vehicle and exiting the vehicle. When the mobile computing device has entered the pedestrian mode, the technique includes determining a first location of the mobile computing device at a first time corresponding to the mobile computing device entering the pedestrian mode, and providing an occupied notification to a remote computing device, the occupied notification including the first location and indicating that a parking spot corresponding to the first location is occupied. Techniques are further disclosed for reporting unoccupied parking spaces to the mobile computing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: Joshua G. Windeler, Patrick Minjeur, Jonathan M. Rener, Ross S. Maunders