Kristopher L Brown

US Patent:

20230100640, Mar 30, 2023

Filed:

Sep 28, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/487780

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kristopher Brown - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60W 30/18
B61L 25/02
G01C 21/34
B60W 40/04

Abstract:

This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for determining a passage status of a train through a railroad crossing. In an example method, a railroad crossing status detector system provided in a vehicle may determine that a train is approaching the railroad crossing. The determination is made by evaluating a first detection signal received from a first train detection apparatus located on one side of the railroad crossing. The railroad crossing status detector system may then evaluate a second detection signal received from a second train detection apparatus located on the other side of the railroad crossing and determine that the train has traveled past the railroad crossing. The system may also evaluate one or both detection signals to determine whether the train is currently located at the railroad crossing or is backing up after traveling at least partway across the railroad crossing.

US Patent:

20230076901, Mar 9, 2023

Filed:

Nov 14, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/986142

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
James J. Surman - Clinton Township MI, US
David Brian Glickman - Southfield MI, US
Kristopher Karl Brown - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

E05B 83/38
B60J 10/86
B60J 5/04

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a body having an uninterrupted side aperture that provides access to an interior passenger cabin. A front door is hingedly attached at a forward edge of the uninterrupted side aperture. The front door is selectively operable between front open and front closed positions. A rear door is hingedly attached at a rearward edge of the uninterrupted side aperture. The rear door is selectively operable between rear open and rear closed positions. A latching assembly is at least partially positioned within the body and configured to receive the front door in the front closed position and the rear door in the rear closed position. A sealing assembly is defined between a forward seal of the rear door and a rearward seal of the front door. The forward and rearward seals engage one another in a fully-closed position.

US Patent:

20230077123, Mar 9, 2023

Filed:

Sep 9, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/469972

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kristopher Karl Brown - Dearborn MI, US
John Robert Van Wiemeersch - Novi MI, US
Hussein H. Berry - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60R 25/01
B60R 25/31
B60R 25/24
G06T 7/70
G06K 9/00

Abstract:

A vehicle having powered door access is provided including a powered door having an actuator for moving the door between closed and open positions, at least one sensor for sensing a first user approaching the vehicle, and a transceiver for communicating with another vehicle. The vehicle also includes a controller determining a distance of the first user from the vehicle and communicating with the other vehicle which determines a second user from the other vehicle, wherein the controller prioritizes which of the vehicle and the other vehicle is granted permission to open a door based on the distances of the first user and the second user.

US Patent:

20230061499, Mar 2, 2023

Filed:

Aug 24, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/410951

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kristopher Brown - Dearborn MI, US
John Van Wiemeersch - Novi MI, US
Hussein Berry - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60R 25/31
B60R 25/24
B60R 25/01
B60R 25/30
G06K 9/00

Abstract:

This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for eliminating false activation of components of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked in a garage. Example components can be a door lock, a door latch, a door activation servomotor, or a light. In an example method, a vehicle entry authorization system of a vehicle operates a sensor system to obtain dimensional information of an interior portion of the garage. The vehicle entry authorization system may then detect a presence of a mobile device (such as a smartphone, smart device, or a vehicle key fob) and determines the location of the mobile device based on the dimensional information. If the mobile device is located outside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system refrains from activating a component of the vehicle. However, if the mobile device is located inside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system activates the component.

US Patent:

20230063946, Mar 2, 2023

Filed:

Aug 24, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/410940

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kristopher Brown - Dearborn MI, US
Peter Kung - Grosse Ile MI, US
Mike Kipley - Saline MI, US
John Van Wiemeersch - Novi MI, US
Hussein Berry - Dearborn MI, US

International Classification:

G07C 9/00
G08G 1/14

Abstract:

This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for eliminating false activation of components of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked in a garage. Example components can be a door lock, a door latch, a door activation servomotor, or a light. In an example method, a vehicle entry authorization system of a vehicle operates a sensor system to obtain dimensional information of an interior portion of the garage. The vehicle entry authorization system may then detect a presence of a mobile device (such as a phone-as-a-key or a vehicle key fob) and determines the location of the mobile device based on the dimensional information. If the mobile device is located outside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system refrains from activating a component of the vehicle. However, if the mobile device is located inside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system activates the component.

US Patent:

20230053760, Feb 23, 2023

Filed:

Aug 19, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/406840

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kristopher Karl BROWN - Dearborn MI, US
Heather WOYCIK - Ferndale MI, US
Paul Kenneth DELLOCK - Northville MI, US
Hussein BERRY - Dearborn MI, US

International Classification:

E05F 15/75
B60R 3/00

Abstract:

Motor vehicles may be equipped with running board activated powered closure member systems. A powered opening or closing sequence of a closure member may be initiated by activating a running board assembly of the powered closure member system in response to a user input. The user input can be provided by a limb of the user, for example. In some embodiments, the running board assembly may include integrated sensors for receiving the user input. In other embodiments, the running board assembly may be configured to function as a switch for receiving the user input.

US Patent:

20230053029, Feb 16, 2023

Filed:

Aug 3, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/392570

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kristopher Karl Brown - Dearborn MI, US
John Robert Van Wiemeersch - Novi MI, US
Hussein H. Berry - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 35/00
G06K 9/00
H04N 5/76
H04N 9/31
H04N 7/18
G10L 13/033
B60Q 1/24
B60R 25/01
B60R 25/30
B60R 25/10

Abstract:

A system includes a camera aimed externally to a vehicle, a window of the vehicle, a projector positioned to project on the window, and a computer communicatively coupled to the camera and the projector. The computer is programmed to, upon receiving data from the camera indicating a first person outside the vehicle, instruct the projector to project an image on the window depicting a second person inside the vehicle.

US Patent:

20230041503, Feb 9, 2023

Filed:

Aug 5, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/394545

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kristopher Karl Brown - Dearborn MI, US
Howard Paul Tsvi Linden - Southfield MI, US
Heather Woycik - Ferndale MI, US
John Robert Van Wiemeersch - Novi MI, US
Hussein H. Berry - Dearborn MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

E05F 15/40
B60J 5/04
E05F 15/60
E05F 15/75
G01G 9/00
G01G 19/08

Abstract:

A vehicle having powered door assist includes a plurality of powered doors, each powered door having an actuator for moving the door between closed and open door positions, and a plurality of sensors located on the vehicle for sensing objects proximate to the vehicle including one or more potential passengers expected to enter the vehicle and for sensing an obstacle within or proximate to a swing path of at least one of the plurality of powered doors. The vehicle also includes a controller determining an estimated weight of the one or more potential passengers, detecting expected height of the plurality of powered door with the estimated weight added to the vehicle, detecting height of a sensed obstacle within the swing path of one of the powered doors and determining whether the expected height of the one powered door will interfere with the sensed obstacle in the swing path.