Christopher J O'Connor

US Patent:

8500191, Aug 6, 2013

Filed:

Jan 12, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/348914

Inventors:

Mohamed Ridha Baccouche - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jamel E. Belwafa - Ann Arbor MI, US
Christopher Stephen O'Connor - Livonia MI, US
Thierry Guimberteau - West Bloomfield MI, US
Saeed David Barbat - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B62D 25/20

US Classification:

29618708, 296204, 280784

Abstract:

A frangible vehicle sub-frame joint between a sub-frame and compartment pan. The sub-frame defines a clearance area forward of a collar. In a collision event, the collar is separated into a breakaway portion and a portion that is retained by the sub-frame. The breakaway portion breaks into a clearance area defined in front of the frame joint when the sub-frame is subjected to a front end impact.

US Patent:

20020072933, Jun 13, 2002

Filed:

Jun 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/881041

Inventors:

Glenn Vonk - Fuguay-Varina NC, US
Ann Frantz - Pontiac MI, US
David Whellan - Durham NC, US
Christopher O'Connor - Durham NC, US
George Goldman - Boonton Township NJ, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/002000

Abstract:

A health outcomes and disease management network and related method is provided for efficiently and effectively monitoring patient status as well as providing recommendations for improved patient healthcare. The system and method employs, among other things, a plurality of remote monitoring stations and a computer network. Each of the remote monitoring stations includes at least one measuring device, adapted to measure a physiological condition of a respective patient, and to provide data representative of the physiological condition for inclusion among patient health-related data pertaining to a respective patient. The health-related data can include, for example, data relating to a patient's heart. The computer network comprises a database containing accumulated health-related data pertaining to health-related conditions and treatment. The computer network is adapted to receive the patient health-related data from the remote monitoring stations via, for example, the Internet. Healthcare managers, each assigned to groups of patients, along with primary care providers, coordinate with each other to establish treatments programs for the patients based on their respective patient health-related data and the accumulated health-related data, and to revise the accumulated health-related data based on the patient health-related data. The computer network is further adapted to provide the accumulated health-related data stored in the database to organizations financing at least a portion of the treatment programs, and is adapted to receive financial data pertaining to the treatment programs from the organizations and to store the financial data in the database.

US Patent:

20020074528, Jun 20, 2002

Filed:

Dec 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/737538

Inventors:

Christopher O'Connor - Northville MI, US
Stephen Hawley - Bedford MA, US

Assignee:

PROSPECTS, CORP.

International Classification:

G01N021/86

US Classification:

250/559400

Abstract:

An object detection system employs a photo-emitter and photo-detector for synchronously detecting and processing an optical signal reflected from an object in a pinch zone of a window or door opening. A photo-emitter light signal is modulated by a modulation signal having an active phase and an inactive phase. The optical detector provides an optical detector signal that is a function of the intensity of the received light. The detected light signal is synchronously detected using a switching amplifier that multiplies the reflected modulated light signal by a first gain during the active phase and by a second gain during the inactive phase. The duration of the active and inactive phases and the first and second gains are selected such that the system gain will average to zero for ambient light when integrated over a predetermined measurement period. The synchronously detected signal is subtracted from a predetermined offset voltages and this difference is then integrated over the measurement period. The output of the integrator is then compared to a predetermined threshold value.

US Patent:

20020101694, Aug 1, 2002

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/029062

Inventors:

Christopher O'Connor - Northville MI, US
James Davis - Wixom MI, US

International Classification:

H02H003/00

US Classification:

361/063000

Abstract:

An obstacle detection system for vehicular environments including a monitoring sensor system and a mounting system is disclosed. An installer can make aiming adjustments, in the factory or field, to account for tolerance stack-up. The system includes a housing for mounting the monitoring sensor system to minimize cross-talk and interference between transmitter and receiver sections, to limit sensor system movement, and to enable gross and fine aiming adjustments. In one embodiment, a circuit board is disposed within a cradle assembly which, in turn, is mounted in or integral to the housing to position the obstacle detection sensor as necessary. The cradle in one embodiment is an enclosure for the circuit board. The sensor housing is mounted to the interior vehicle trim, door panel, and/or door sheet metal and ensures consistent mounting regardless of interior trim or factory installation variations. Integral adjustment mechanisms are incorporated for adjusting the orientation of the sensor system. The circuit board may be comprised of plural subsections interconnected by flexible circuit board, enabling accurate alignment of each subsection with respect to the environment to be monitored.

US Patent:

20020190195, Dec 19, 2002

Filed:

Aug 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/212602

Inventors:

Christopher O'Connor - Northville MI, US
Stephen Hawley - Bedford MA, US

International Classification:

G06M007/00

US Classification:

250/221000

Abstract:

An object detection system employs a photo-emitter and photo-detector for synchronously detecting and processing an optical signal reflected from an object in a pinch zone of a window or door opening. A photo-emitter light signal is modulated by a modulation signal having an active phase and an inactive phase. The optical detector provides an optical detector signal that is a function of the intensity of the received light. The detected light signal is synchronously detected using a switching amplifier that multiplies the reflected modulated light signal by a first gain during the active phase and by a second gain during the inactive phase. The duration of the active and inactive phases and the first and second gains are selected such that the system gain will average to zero for ambient light when integrated over a predetermined measurement period. The synchronously detected signal is subtracted from a predetermined offset voltage, and this difference is then integrated over the measurement period. The output of the integrator is then compared to a predetermined threshold value.

US Patent:

20040056199, Mar 25, 2004

Filed:

Sep 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/255143

Inventors:

Christopher O'Connor - Northville MI, US
James Davis - Wixom MI, US
Todd Vernaz - Farmington Hills MI, US
Stephen Hawley - Sarasota FL, US

International Classification:

G01J005/02

US Classification:

250/341100, 340/552000

Abstract:

In an infrared obstruction detection system, an apparatus is used to detect the presence of ambient light and initiate compensation to minimize the effects of the ambient light on the performance of the system. In one embodiment, the magnitude of the ambient light is measured and an offset proportional to that magnitude is fed to the obstruction detection system such that the data indicative of an obstacle are not obscured. In another embodiment, the apparatus continually monitors the effect of ambient light and adjusts the obstacle detection information during the changing states of the ambient light detected.

US Patent:

61374040, Oct 24, 2000

Filed:

May 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/318965

Inventors:

Christopher J. O'Connor - Northville MI

Assignee:

Prospects, Corp. - Novi MI

International Classification:

G08B 1300

US Classification:

340541

Abstract:

Motorized operating mechanisms for vehicle portal closure members, such as windows, sunroofs, sliding doors, hatches, or convertible tops are common in modern automobiles. Inadvertent operation of such closure members, however, has been known to cause injury and entrapment when such a member is directed to close at an inappropriate moment. A vehicle entrapment prevention system is provided which prevents undesired and possibly injurious operation of such a vehicle portal closure member. Undesired operation often occurs when younger occupants, such as small children, accidentally trigger the operating mechanism, which can cause the closure member to entrap an unsuspecting victim. Such an entrapment prevention system ensures safe operation by determining the presence of a responsible operator through the use of various sensors, and permits operation of a portal closure member only in the presence of such a responsible operator.

US Patent:

20220323812, Oct 13, 2022

Filed:

Apr 4, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/657794

Inventors:

Christopher S. O'Connor - Livonia MI, US

International Classification:

A63B 21/00
A63B 24/00
A63B 21/072
A63B 21/078

Abstract:

A weight training apparatus includes an electrical hoist and a cable coupled to the electrical hoist. A first end of the cable is coupled to the electrical hoist and a second end is configured to attach to a barbell assembly. A sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of a lift position of the barbell assembly. A controller is programmed to compare the lift position to an predetermined vertical locations and activate the electrical hoist to change the lift position of the barbell assembly based at least in part on at least one of the lift position or vertical lift velocity relative to the predetermined vertical locations.