Patents by Inventor Sam Hoff

Sam Hoff 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: 11879751
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a portable housing and at least one handle structure integrally formed with the portable housing. The inspection apparatus further includes a vision data system, a lighting system, a user interface system, a wireless communication system, and a controller. The vision data system includes one or more cameras provided on the first face of the portable housing. The vision data system is operable to capture component data. The lighting system is arranged with the vision data system at the first face. The lighting system includes diffused light emitting diode (LED) ring arranged around at least one of the one or more cameras. The manufacturing inspection apparatus is a stand-alone and all-in-one computing device. The manufacturing inspection apparatus processes and stores inspection data locally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raj Sohmshetty, Scott Mayberry, Vikas Rajendra, Sam Hoff
  • Publication number: 20230329435
    Abstract: A locking system for retractable and removable bins, and methods of use thereof, are provided. The locking system includes a retractable latch disposed within a carrier sized and shaped to receive one or more delivery bins. The locking system further includes a first retention feature disposed on the bin and configured to receive the latch in a first locked configuration where horizontal and vertical movement of the bin relative to the latch is prohibited. Additionally, the locking system includes a second retention feature disposed on the bin distal to the first retention feature and configured to receive the latch in a second locked configuration. The second retention feature has an opening such that, in the second locked configuration, vertical movement of the bin relative to the latch is permitted to thereby remove the bin from the latch through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Michael Lundeen, Raj Sohmshetty, Ireneusz Trybula, Sam Hoff
  • Publication number: 20230266723
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for determining preferred battery capacities. In an example method, a first set of data associated with scooter usage in a geographic area may be received. A first number of battery packs and a second number of battery packs for servicing the geographic area may be determined based at least on the first set of data, where the first number of battery packs has a first power capacity and the second number of battery packs has a second power capacity. A first cost associated with the first number of battery packs and a second cost associated with the second number of battery packs may be determined via a simulation model. The first cost may be determined to be lower than the second cost, and the first number of battery packs having the first power capacity may be selected to service the geographic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raj Sohmshetty, Vikas Rajendra, Sam Hoff, James Berg, Alan Beltran
  • Patent number: 11417015
    Abstract: A mapping system for an environment includes an image sensor configured to generate image data of the environment. The mapping system includes a fixed tag including position indicia, where the position indicia identifies a predefined position coordinate of the fixed tag. The mapping system includes an entity tag including entity indicia, where the entity indicia identifies an entity associated with the entity tag. The mapping system includes a controller configured to determine a position coordinate of the entity tag based on the image data, where the image data includes the position indicia and the entity indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Mayberry, Raj Sohmshetty, Sam Hoff
  • Publication number: 20220136872
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a portable housing and at least one handle structure integrally formed with the portable housing. The inspection apparatus further includes a vision data system, a lighting system, a user interface system, a wireless communication system, and a controller. The vision data system includes one or more cameras provided on the first face of the portable housing. The vision data system is operable to capture component data. The lighting system is arranged with the vision data system at the first face. The lighting system includes diffused light emitting diode (LED) ring arranged around at least one of the one or more cameras. The manufacturing inspection apparatus is a stand-alone and all-in-one computing device. The manufacturing inspection apparatus processes and stores inspection data locally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raj Sohmshetty, Scott Mayberry, Vikas Rajendra, Sam Hoff
  • Publication number: 20220122283
    Abstract: A mapping system for an environment includes an image sensor configured to generate image data of the environment. The mapping system includes a fixed tag including position indicia, where the position indicia identifies a predefined position coordinate of the fixed tag. The mapping system includes an entity tag including entity indicia, where the entity indicia identifies an entity associated with the entity tag. The mapping system includes a controller configured to determine a position coordinate of the entity tag based on the image data, where the image data includes the position indicia and the entity indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Mayberry, Raj Sohmshetty, Sam Hoff
  • Patent number: 9355510
    Abstract: A biometric access control system includes an equipment structure in communication with an identification station, which includes a processor, a user biometric reader, an equipment identification reader, a user interface to display categories of equipment authorized for use by a user and to receive input from the user including an indication to acquire or return the piece of equipment and a selection of an equipment category and a selection of a specific piece of equipment of the selected equipment category. The equipment structure includes storage locations for storing pieces of equipment assigned to the storage locations, and locks corresponding to the storage locations for individually securing the pieces of equipment to the structure, wherein an authorization signal from the identification station is receivable to release a lock containing the selected specific piece of equipment to permit removal of the selected specific piece of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Rick Crigger, David G. Foster, Sam Hoff
  • Publication number: 20150102901
    Abstract: A biometric access control system includes an equipment structure in communication with an identification station, which includes a processor, a user biometric reader, an equipment identification reader, a user interface to display categories of equipment authorized for use by a user and to receive input from the user including an indication to acquire or return the piece of equipment and a selection of an equipment category and a selection of a specific piece of equipment of the selected equipment category. The equipment structure includes storage locations for storing pieces of equipment assigned to the storage locations, and locks corresponding to the storage locations for individually securing the pieces of equipment to the structure, wherein an authorization signal from the identification station is receivable to release a lock containing the selected specific piece of equipment to permit removal of the selected specific piece of equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Rick Crigger, David G. Foster, Sam Hoff
  • Patent number: 8947201
    Abstract: A biometric access control system, and a weapon rack. The system may include an identification station including a biometric reader, an equipment identification reader, and a user interface, and an equipment structure in communication with the identification station and including a plurality of locks corresponding to a plurality of storage locations. The weapon rack may include a plurality of storage locations individually storing a plurality of weapons, and including a plurality of weapon stock receiving and supporting pockets to secure the weapons, a plurality of clamps corresponding to the plurality of storage locations to additionally secure the weapons, and a plurality of sensors aligned with the plurality of clamps to indicate presence or absence of the plurality of weapons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Rick Crigger, Dave Foster, Sam Hoff
  • Publication number: 20120228243
    Abstract: A biometric access control system, and a weapon rack. The system may include an identification station including a biometric reader, an equipment identification reader, and a user interface, and an equipment structure in communication with the identification station and including a plurality of locks corresponding to a plurality of storage locations. The weapon rack may include a plurality of storage locations individually storing a plurality of weapons, and including a plurality of weapon stock receiving and supporting pockets to secure the weapons, a plurality of clamps corresponding to the plurality of storage locations to additionally secure the weapons, and a plurality of sensors aligned with the plurality of clamps to indicate presence or absence of the plurality of weapons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Rick Crigger, Dave Foster, Sam Hoff
  • Patent number: 8207816
    Abstract: A biometric access control system for tracking critical assets and including an ID station incorporating a biometric input reader, an RFID antenna and reader and a wired or wireless (Bluetooth) communication device. A remotely positioned structure includes either or both of a rack or a locker for holding a plurality of the critical assets in individually locked fashion. A processor control built into the ID station operatively actuates each of a plurality of individual locking mechanisms incorporated into the rack structure or locker, in response to successive biometric and weapon selection inputs communicating with the processor, and for determining at least one of user identification and weapon release authorization prior to the processor actuating the locking mechanism to release the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Rick Crigger, Dave Foster, Sam Hoff
  • Publication number: 20080252414
    Abstract: A biometric access control system for tracking critical assets and including an ID station incorporating a biometric input reader, an RFID antenna and reader and a wired or wireless (Bluetooth) communication device. A remotely positioned structure includes either or both of a rack or a locker for holding a plurality of the critical assets in individually locked fashion. A processor control built into the ID station operatively actuates each of a plurality of individual locking mechanisms incorporated into the rack structure or locker, in response to successive biometric and weapon selection inputs communicating with the processor, and for determining at least one of user identification and weapon release authorization prior to the processor actuating the locking mechanism to release the weapon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Rick Crigger, Dave Foster, Sam Hoff