Patents by Inventor Ryan Todd

Ryan Todd 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: 11932088
    Abstract: A virtual visor system includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously snaps projected eye positions on the visor to a grid, which helps to minimize rapid and distracting changes in the optical state of the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jason Zink, Ryan Todd
  • Patent number: 11840130
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously adopts a gradient blocking mode for the optical state of the visor that includes a blocker and a transition gradient, which has the effect of making updates to optical state of the visor less distracting. Additionally, the transition gradient in the optical state of the visor makes the virtual visor system more robust against errors in positioning the blocker on the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ryan Todd, Jason Zink, Andy Woodrich
  • Patent number: 11813990
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously updates the optical state with blocker patterns that including padding in excess of what is strictly necessary to block the sunlight. This padding advantageously provides robustness against errors, allows for a more relaxed response time, and minimizes frequent small changes to the position of the blocker in the optical state of the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ryan Todd, Jason Zink, Andy Woodrich
  • Patent number: 11752951
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously detects whether the driver of other passenger is performing particular head gestures and updates the optical state of the visor using suitable modified procedures that accommodate the intent or goals of the driver or other passenger that are inferred from the predefined head gesture. In general, the modified procedures reduce distracting or frustrating updates to the optical state of the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jason Zink, Jolene Castillo, Ryan Todd, Sarah Maynard
  • Patent number: 11673454
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously limits the rate of change of the opacity of each pixel of the visor while updating the optical state of the visor. In this way, rapid and distracting changes in the optical state of the visor are avoided, thereby improving the safety of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ryan Todd, Jason Zink
  • Publication number: 20230020536
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The visor system advantageously detects certain combinations of facial expression and head gestures from which an error or issue with the operation of the visor system can be inferred. In response to such designated combinations of head gestures and facial expressions, the visor system adapts one or more operating or calibration parameters of the visor system to provide more accurate updates to the optical state of the visor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan Todd, Jason Zink, Andy Woodrich
  • Publication number: 20230020061
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The visor system advantageously predicts future positions of the head or eyes of the driver when the driver’s head is in motion. Based on the predictions, the optical state of the visor is updated proactively to anticipate future movements of head of the driver. In this way, some of the negative effects of measurement and processing latencies are mitigated when responding to rapid head motions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan Todd, Jason Zink
  • Publication number: 20230009396
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously updates the optical state with blocker patterns that including padding in excess of what is strictly necessary to block the sunlight. This padding advantageously provides robustness against errors, allows for a more relaxed response time, and minimizes frequent small changes to the position of the blocker in the optical state of the visor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan Todd, Jason Zink, Andy Woodrich
  • Publication number: 20230011268
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously detects whether the driver of other passenger is performing particular head gestures and updates the optical state of the visor using suitable modified procedures that accommodate the intent or goals of the driver or other passenger that are inferred from the predefined head gesture. In general, the modified procedures reduce distracting or frustrating updates to the optical state of the visor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Jason Zink, Jolene Castillo, Ryan Todd, Sarah Maynard
  • Publication number: 20220402339
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously limits the rate of change of the opacity of each pixel of the visor while updating the optical state of the visor. In this way, rapid and distracting changes in the optical state of the visor are avoided, thereby improving the safety of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan Todd, Jason Zink
  • Publication number: 20220396128
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously snaps projected eye positions on the visor to a grid, which helps to minimize rapid and distracting changes in the optical state of the visor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Zink, Ryan Todd
  • Publication number: 20220396127
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously adopts a gradient blocking mode for the optical state of the visor that includes a blocker and a transition gradient, which has the effect of making updates to optical state of the visor less distracting. Additionally, the transition gradient in the optical state of the visor makes the virtual visor system more robust against errors in positioning the blocker on the visor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan Todd, Jason Zink, Andy Woodrich
  • Publication number: 20220126653
    Abstract: A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity/transparency. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously eliminates unnecessary obstructions to the driver's view while also blocking distracting light sources, thereby improving the safety of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Zink, Ryan Todd, Xinyu Huang, Benzun Pious Wisely Babu
  • Publication number: 20210111962
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a graphical map display and a graphical list display relating to nodes in a node network are instantiated and displayed as part of a graphical user interface. In an embodiment, a selection if made from the graphical list display and aspects of the graphical map display are altered. In an embodiment, a selection is made from the graphical map display and the graphical list display is altered. In an embodiment, interaction between items from the graphical list display and the graphical map display cause the manipulation of data in the nodes comprising the node network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventor: Ryan Todd
  • Publication number: 20070051633
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for producing hydrogen and oxygen gas from an aqueous liquid utilizing a direct current power source. The apparatus utilizes an outer reaction chamber having a plurality of cathodes therein and an inner reaction chamber having an anode disposed therein. A direct current power source capable of supplying a pulsed output waveform is connected between the plurality of cathodes and the anode, thereby initiating a electrolytic reaction at the cathodes and anode and further, creating a pyrolitic reaction proximate the anode for enhanced liberation of hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Meyer, Ryan Todd