Patents by Inventor Zachary David Nelson

Zachary David Nelson 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: 11625672
    Abstract: A method for parcel delivery service that permits secure and timely delivery of items to unattended vehicles. The method includes receiving an order to deliver an item to a vehicle. A current location of the vehicle may be determined using vehicle identification information. After the vehicle has been located, the item may be authenticated at the vehicle, and access to the interior of the vehicle may be automatically provided to enable the vehicle to securely receive the item. A corresponding system is also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Boccuccia, Zachary David Nelson, Jennifer L. Brace, Lindsay Chan, Shant Tokatyan
  • Patent number: 11345423
    Abstract: An activity tracker includes a device that includes a sensor component, a radio, a housing, and a removable portion. The sensor component is configured to obtain bicycle route information based on one or more sensors. The radio is configured to wirelessly communicate the bicycle route information to a remote computing device. The housing includes at least a portion of the sensor component and the radio. The removable portion includes a battery. The removable portion and the housing, when coupled, create a watertight seal to protect electronic components of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary David Nelson, Sudipto Aich, Chih-Wei Tang
  • Patent number: 11338876
    Abstract: An activity tracker includes a device that includes a sensor component, a radio, and a mounting member. The sensor component is configured to obtain bicycle route information based on information from one or more sensors. The sensor component detects pedal proximity and calculates a pedal rotation speed based on data provided by an integrated pedal cadence sensor. The radio is configured to wirelessly communicate the bicycle route information to a remote computing device. The mounting members are for mounting the device to a bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary David Nelson, Darioush Xirakis Aghaiyazdi, Sudipto Aich, Chih-Wei Tang
  • Patent number: 11267440
    Abstract: Example user identification systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method determines a first step pulse associated with a user carrying a key fob and detects a user device proximate the key fob. The method further identifies a second step pulse measured by the user device and determines whether the first and second step pulses match. If the step pulses match, the user carrying the key fob is identified as the owner of the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary David Nelson, Shane Elwart, Bibhrajit Halder, Jonathan Thomas Mullen, Scott Vincent Myers, Tory Smith, Walter Joseph Talamonti
  • Publication number: 20210221462
    Abstract: An activity tracker includes a device that includes a sensor component, a radio, a housing, and a removable portion. The sensor component is configured to obtain bicycle route information based on one or more sensors. The radio is configured to wirelessly communicate the bicycle route information to a remote computing device. The housing includes at least a portion of the sensor component and the radio. The removable portion includes a battery. The removable portion and the housing, when coupled, create a watertight seal to protect electronic components of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Zachary David NELSON, Sudipto AICH, Chih-Wei TANG
  • Publication number: 20210221461
    Abstract: An activity tracker includes a device that includes a sensor component, a radio, and a mounting member. The sensor component is configured to obtain bicycle route information based on information from one or more sensors. The sensor component detects pedal proximity and calculates a pedal rotation speed based on data provided by an integrated pedal cadence sensor. The radio is configured to wirelessly communicate the bicycle route information to a remote computing device. The mounting members are for mounting the device to a bicycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Zachary David NELSON, Darioush Xirakis AGHAIYAZDI, Sudipto AICH, Chih-Wei TANG
  • Publication number: 20210197763
    Abstract: Example user identification systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method determines a first step pulse associated with a user carrying a key fob and detects a user device proximate the key fob. The method further identifies a second step pulse measured by the user device and determines whether the first and second step pulses match. If the step pulses match, the user carrying the key fob is identified as the owner of the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Zachary David NELSON, Shane ELWART, Bibhrajit HALDER, Jonathan Thomas MULLEN, Scott Vincent MYERS, Tory SMITH, Walter Joseph TALAMONTI
  • Publication number: 20210097486
    Abstract: A method for parcel delivery service that permits secure and timely delivery of items to unattended vehicles. The method includes receiving an order to deliver an item to a vehicle. A current location of the vehicle may be determined using vehicle identification information. After the vehicle has been located, the item may be authenticated at the vehicle, and access to the interior of the vehicle may be automatically provided to enable the vehicle to securely receive the item. A corresponding system is also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Boccuccia, Zachary David Nelson, Jennifer L. Brace, Lindsay Chan, Shant Tokatyan
  • Patent number: 10933806
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for indicating a status of a vehicle or a seat in a vehicle are disclosed herein. A system includes a plurality of seats in a vehicle, a light-diffusing fiber optic light source attached to at least one of the seats, a receiver configured to receive a status of at least one of the seats, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine an illumination scheme based on the status of at least one of the seats and illuminate the light-diffusing fiber optic light source according to the illumination scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary David Nelson, Hyung Min Baek, Daniel Boccuccia
  • Patent number: 10698404
    Abstract: A controller of a motorcycle determines that the motorcycle is lane-splitting. The controller transmits a notification to vehicles in proximity to the motorcycle. In response to the notifications, the vehicles facilitate lane-splitting by the motorcycle. In particular the vehicles may flash lights to communicate that the vehicle has received the notification and will facilitate lane-splitting. The vehicles may facilitate lane-splitting by refraining from performing lane changes. The vehicles may further notify the motorcycle if lane changes are needed and the motorcycle controller may provide an alert to a rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Zachary David Nelson
  • Publication number: 20200074396
    Abstract: A method for parcel delivery service that permits secure and timely delivery of items to unattended, dynamic locations. The method includes receiving an order to deliver an item to a vehicle. A current location of the vehicle may be determined using vehicle identification information. After the vehicle has been located, the item may be authenticated at the vehicle, and access to the interior of the vehicle may be automatically provided to enable the vehicle to securely receive the item. A corresponding system is also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel BOCCUCCIA, Zachary David NELSON, Jennifer L. BRACE, Lindsay CHAN, Shant TOKATYAN
  • Publication number: 20190369203
    Abstract: A bicycle-sharing system includes bicycles having beacons mounted thereto. Sensors are distributed throughout an urban environment and detect the beacons. Stations report check-in and check-out of the bicycles. Using reported detections of the bicycles and the check-in and check-out locations, a trajectory of the bicycle is determined. Where multiple sensors detect the beacon at a time, triangulation may be performed to more accurately determine the bicycle location. Trajectories of bicycles may be used for planning purposes or to track stolen or mislaid bicycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Arthur Erik ZYSK, JR., Zachary David NELSON, Jayanthi RAO, John Randolf VINCENT, Mark Allan LIPPMAN
  • Publication number: 20190344707
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for indicating a status of a vehicle or a seat in a vehicle are disclosed herein. A system includes a plurality of seats in a vehicle, a light-diffusing fiber optic light source attached to at least one of the seats, a receiver configured to receive a status of at least one of the seats, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine an illumination scheme based on the status of at least one of the seats and illuminate the light-diffusing fiber optic light source according to the illumination scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary David NELSON, Hyung Min BAEK, Daniel BOCCUCCIA
  • Publication number: 20180275650
    Abstract: A controller of a motorcycle determines that the motorcycle is lane-splitting. The controller transmits a notification to vehicles in proximity to the motorcycle. In response to the notifications, the vehicles facilitate lane-splitting by the motorcycle. In particular the vehicles may flash lights to communicate that the vehicle has received the notification and will facilitate lane-splitting. The vehicles may facilitate lane-splitting by refraining from performing lane changes. The vehicles may further notify the motorcycle if lane changes are needed and the motorcycle controller may provide an alert to a rider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventor: Zachary David Nelson
  • Patent number: 10005352
    Abstract: A drive unit for a vehicle includes a drive unit spindle. The drive unit spindle extends along an axis for connecting the drive unit to the vehicle. The drive unit further includes one or more wheel assemblies. Each of the wheel assemblies has a hub that is removably supported by the spindle along the axis. At least one of the wheel assemblies includes a wheel which rotates about the hub and a motor connected to the wheel to rotate the wheel about the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sudipto Aich, David Melcher, Zachary David Nelson, Christopher Peplin, Jamel Seagraves
  • Patent number: 9970778
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a charging interface that is configured to connect to a bicycle battery and a processing device programmed to determine a state of charge of the bicycle battery. The processing device further estimates traveling ranges of a vehicle and a bicycle. The vehicle system further includes a navigation module programmed to generate a route to a selected destination based on the estimated traveling ranges of the vehicle and the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sudipto Aich, David Melcher, Zachary David Nelson, Christopher Peplin, Jamel Seagraves
  • Patent number: 9840128
    Abstract: A vehicle air vent system may include a vehicle air vent having an airflow mechanism configured to control the direction of airflow therefrom, a user interface positioned around a periphery of the vent; and a controller programmed to, based on a received touch point signal from the interface, instruct the mechanism to direct airflow from the vent in a direction corresponding to a location of the received touch point signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Livingston, Zachary David Nelson
  • Publication number: 20170219366
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a charging interface that is configured to connect to a bicycle battery and a processing device programmed to determine a state of charge of the bicycle battery. The processing device further estimates traveling ranges of a vehicle and a bicycle. The vehicle system further includes a navigation module programmed to generate a route to a selected destination based on the estimated traveling ranges of the vehicle and the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sudipto Aich, David Melcher, Zachary David Nelson, Christopher Peplin, Jamel Seagraves
  • Patent number: 9707911
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for identifying a person as a driver of a vehicle. Aspects include using in-vehicle sensors to increase the accuracy of driver identification initially determined using other mechanisms. As such, at least two different types of sensory devices can be utilized to gather data in an effort to identify the driver. The data gathered from the first sensor (e.g., at a key fob) is processed to identify the driver based on learned characteristic patterns, such as the driver's gait, before the driver enters the vehicle. The data gathered from the second sensor (e.g., in an in-vehicle face or voice recognition system) is processed to confirm the driver. The confirmation is based on biometric data and learned characteristic patterns. Data from the second sensor is provided back to the first sensor to confirm the driver identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Vincent Myers, Shane Elwart, Walter Joseph Talamonti, Jonathan Thomas Mullen, Zachary David Nelson, Tory Smith, Bibhrajit Halder, Kyu Jeong Han
  • Patent number: 9658076
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a charging interface that is configured to connect to a bicycle battery and a processing device programmed to determine a state of charge of the bicycle battery. The processing device further estimates traveling ranges of a vehicle and a bicycle. The vehicle system further includes a navigation module programmed to generate a route to a selected destination based on the estimated traveling ranges of the vehicle and the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sudipto Aich, David Melcher, Zachary David Nelson, Christopher Peplin, Jamel Seagraves