Patents by Inventor Tricia E. Morrow
Tricia E. Morrow 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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Patent number: 11719024Abstract: A method of deactivating a secondary lock feature of a vehicle includes sensing a movement of an interior door handle, and determining a status of the secondary lock feature to ascertain whether the secondary lock feature is active. The method includes starting a timer to measure an elapsed time since sensing the movement of the interior door handle, sensing an environmental condition of an interior passenger compartment of the vehicle with a sensor, and setting an unlock delay time based on the environmental condition. When the secondary lock feature is disposed in an active state and the elapsed time period is greater than or equal to the unlock delay time, the method includes automatically generating a control signal to thereby deactivate the secondary lock feature.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan, George Baker, Besi Rrumbullaku, David T. Proefke, Tricia E. Morrow
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Patent number: 11634049Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Eugene J. Lau, Suzanne L. Johansson, Orhan Demirovic
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Publication number: 20220274511Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Eugene J. Lau, Suzanne L. Johansson, Orhan Demirovic
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Patent number: 11396248Abstract: An anchor attachment detection sensor for a vehicle including an anchor including an anchor attachment loop bar; a slide mount defining an opening, wherein the slide mount is positioned aft of the anchor attachment loop bar; a slide positioned in the opening of the slide mount, a plate secured to a first end of the slide, a spring, wherein the spring biases the plate against the anchor attachment loop bar; and a sensing device configured to transmit a control signal having a value, wherein the value of the control signal is based on a displacement of a portion of the slide.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eugene J. Lau, Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Suzanne L. Johansson
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Patent number: 11358499Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Eugene J. Lau, Suzanne L. Johansson, Orhan Demirovic
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Publication number: 20220134988Abstract: An anchor attachment detection sensor for a vehicle including an anchor including an anchor attachment loop bar; a slide mount defining an opening, wherein the slide mount is positioned aft of the anchor attachment loop bar; a slide positioned in the opening of the slide mount, a plate secured to a first end of the slide, a spring, wherein the spring biases the plate against the anchor attachment loop bar; and a sensing device configured to transmit a control signal having a value, wherein the value of the control signal is based on a displacement of a portion of the slide.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Eugene J. Lau, Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Suzanne L. Johansson
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Publication number: 20210229626Abstract: An anchor attachment detection sensor for a vehicle. An anchor associated with a passenger seat includes an attachment loop. The anchor attachment detection sensor also includes a sensor affixed on and fully supported by the attachment loop. The sensor detects an interaction applied to the attachment loop and sensor by a child safety seat connector. A method of detecting the attachment of a child safety seat connector to an anchor in a motor vehicle includes detecting an interaction of the child safety seat connector with an attachment loop of an anchor using a sensor supported by the attachment loop and determining with a microprocessor control system coupled to the sensor if a child safety seat connector has been coupled to the anchor based on the interaction detected by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Orhan Demirovic, Tricia E. Morrow, Eugene J. Lau
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Publication number: 20210114489Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Tricia E. Morrow, Dorel M. Sala, Eugene J. Lau, Suzanne L. Johansson, Orhan Demirovic
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Patent number: 10949659Abstract: A system and method for detecting an occupant within a seat of a vehicle. The method includes: obtaining onboard sensor data from at least one occupant detection sensor, wherein the at least one occupant detection sensor is a biometric sensor, and wherein the onboard sensor data includes data extracted from a sensor response of the biometric sensor; determining an occupant presence classification selected from a plurality of occupant presence classifications based on an evaluation of the onboard sensor data, wherein the evaluation is carried out using occupant detection sensor parameters in combination with the onboard sensor data, and wherein the plurality of occupant presence classifications include an occupant not present classification, an occupant spaced away from seat classification, and an occupant directly on seat classification; and carrying out a vehicle action in response to the determined occupant presence classification.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Scott D. Thomas, Chad M. O'Brien, Dorel M. Sala, Tricia E. Morrow
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Publication number: 20200392768Abstract: A method of deactivating a secondary lock feature of a vehicle includes sensing a movement of an interior door handle, and determining a status of the secondary lock feature to ascertain whether the secondary lock feature is active. The method includes starting a timer to measure an elapsed time since sensing the movement of the interior door handle, sensing an environmental condition of an interior passenger compartment of the vehicle with a sensor, and setting an unlock delay time based on the environmental condition. When the secondary lock feature is disposed in an active state and the elapsed time period is greater than or equal to the unlock delay time, the method includes automatically generating a control signal to thereby deactivate the secondary lock feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2019Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan, George Baker, Besi Rrumbullaku, David T. Proefke, Tricia E. Morrow
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Publication number: 20200334453Abstract: A system and method for detecting an occupant within a seat of a vehicle. The method includes: obtaining onboard sensor data from at least one occupant detection sensor, wherein the at least one occupant detection sensor is a biometric sensor, and wherein the onboard sensor data includes data extracted from a sensor response of the biometric sensor; determining an occupant presence classification selected from a plurality of occupant presence classifications based on an evaluation of the onboard sensor data, wherein the evaluation is carried out using occupant detection sensor parameters in combination with the onboard sensor data, and wherein the plurality of occupant presence classifications include an occupant not present classification, an occupant spaced away from seat classification, and an occupant directly on seat classification; and carrying out a vehicle action in response to the determined occupant presence classification.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Chad M. O'Brien, Dorel M. Sala, Tricia E. Morrow
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Patent number: 10569737Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a pawl actuator control module. The pawl actuator control module controls a pawl actuator of a seatbelt retractor to disengage a pawl of the seatbelt retractor from a control disc of the seatbelt retractor. The pawl actuator control module disengages the pawl of the retractor from the control disc when at least one of: a tongue of the seatbelt is disengaged from a seatbelt buckle; a button on the buckle is pressed; a manual disengagement button is pressed; an occupant is present in the seat; and a user provides an instruction to disengage the pawl via a user interface device. The seatbelt retractor allows a seatbelt to be extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is disengaged from the control disc and prevents the seatbelt from being extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is engaged with the control disc.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Julie A. Kleinert, Paul M. Van Rooyen, Fred W. Huntzicker, Sean T. Coughlin, Tricia E. Morrow, Antonio Antonucci
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Patent number: 10471930Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided. In various embodiments, the vehicle includes a body; one or more occupant seats disposed within the body for an occupant of the vehicle; and, for each occupant seat, a restraint device, one or more sensible elements, and one or more sensors. The restraint device is configured to provide restraint for the occupant when the restraint device is properly worn by the occupant. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat. The one or more sensible elements are disposed as part of the restraint device. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat, and are configured to sense the one or more sensible elements when the one or more sensible elements are in proximity to the one or more sensors, as an indication that the restraint device is not properly worn by the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Scott D. Thomas, Dorel M. Sala, Tricia E. Morrow, Senthil Karuppaswamy
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Publication number: 20190184853Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat base, and a biometric sensor arranged in at least one of the seat back and the seat base. The biometric sensor is configured to detect a physiological characteristic of a seat occupant. A controller is operatively connected to the biometric sensor. The controller is configured to provide an output signal in response to a physiological characteristic detected signal from the biometric sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Dorel M. Sala, Tricia E. Morrow, Chad M. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20190152430Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided. In various embodiments, the vehicle includes a body; one or more occupant seats disposed within the body for an occupant of the vehicle; and, for each occupant seat, a restraint device, one or more sensible elements, and one or more sensors. The restraint device is configured to provide restraint for the occupant when the restraint device is properly worn by the occupant. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat. The one or more sensible elements are disposed as part of the restraint device. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat, and are configured to sense the one or more sensible elements when the one or more sensible elements are in proximity to the one or more sensors, as an indication that the restraint device is not properly worn by the occupant.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: May 23, 2019Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Scott D. Thomas, Dorel M. Sala, Tricia E. Morrow, Senthil Karuppaswamy
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Publication number: 20190106082Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a pawl actuator control module. The pawl actuator control module controls a pawl actuator of a seatbelt retractor to disengage a pawl of the seatbelt retractor from a control disc of the seatbelt retractor. The pawl actuator control module disengages the pawl of the retractor from the control disc when at least one of: a tongue of the seatbelt is disengaged from a seatbelt buckle; a button on the buckle is pressed; a manual disengagement button is pressed; an occupant is present in the seat; and a user provides an instruction to disengage the pawl via a user interface device. The seatbelt retractor allows a seatbelt to be extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is disengaged from the control disc and prevents the seatbelt from being extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is engaged with the control disc.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Julie A. KLEINERT, Paul M. Van Rooyen, Fred W. Huntzicker, Sean T. Coughlin, Tricia E. Morrow, Antonio Antonucci
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Patent number: 10144388Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for determining the state of a restraint system provided within a vehicle includes incorporating one or more marker components into a restraint system component located within the vehicle, then receiving sensor data associated with the position of one or more of the marker components. The method further includes determining, with a processor, a state of the restraint system based on the sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Tricia E. Morrow, Senthil Karuppaswamy
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Publication number: 20180312136Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for determining the state of a restraint system provided within a vehicle includes incorporating one or more marker components into a restraint system component located within the vehicle, then receiving sensor data associated with the position of one or more of the marker components. The method further includes determining, with a processor, a state of the restraint system based on the sensor data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2017Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: TRICIA E. MORROW, SENTHIL KARUPPASWAMY
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Patent number: 9764688Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a method of using vehicle sensors to produce an alert.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: William A. Biondo, Julie A. Kleinert, Fred W. Huntzicker, Tricia E. Morrow
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Publication number: 20170166121Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a method of using vehicle sensors to produce an alert.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: WILLIAM A. BIONDO, JULIE A. KLEINERT, FRED W. HUNTZICKER, TRICIA E. MORROW