Patents by Inventor Theresa PHELAN

Theresa PHELAN 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: 11091122
    Abstract: A method includes: predicting, by a computer device, a time a user will start driving a vehicle; determining, by the computer device, freezing conditions; determining, by the computer device, a time to start a deicing system of the vehicle based on the predicted time and the determined freezing conditions; and generating, by the computer device, an output to start the deicing system at the determined time. A system includes: a windshield wiper that is selectively driven by a windshield wiper motor; a wiper sensor configured to detect an amount of deflection of the windshield wiper from a baseline position; and a computer operatively connected to the windshield wiper motor and the wiper sensor, the computer being configured to: actuate the windshield wiper motor; receive data from the wiper sensor while the windshield wiper motor is actuated; and determine a thickness of ice on a windshield based on the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Theresa Phelan, John D. Wilson, Jeremy R. Fox
  • Publication number: 20200156593
    Abstract: A method includes: predicting, by a computer device, a time a user will start driving a vehicle; determining, by the computer device, freezing conditions; determining, by the computer device, a time to start a deicing system of the vehicle based on the predicted time and the determined freezing conditions; and generating, by the computer device, an output to start the deicing system at the determined time. A system includes: a windshield wiper that is selectively driven by a windshield wiper motor; a wiper sensor configured to detect an amount of deflection of the windshield wiper from a baseline position; and a computer operatively connected to the windshield wiper motor and the wiper sensor, the computer being configured to: actuate the windshield wiper motor; receive data from the wiper sensor while the windshield wiper motor is actuated; and determine a thickness of ice on a windshield based on the received data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory J. BOSS, Theresa PHELAN, John D. WILSON, Jeremy R. FOX