Adrian Chernoff has generated thousands of ideas based on consumer insights and has been honored with 79 U.S. and 10 International patents. Forty-four more applications await approval by the U.S. and International patent offices.

Adrian has also worked with both private and government enterprises in many capacities. His pioneering work in the growth and development of “The New”—new ideas, products, and services—has led him to bridge disciplines and create elegant solutions for some of industry’s most pressing problems. At General Motors, for example, his work changed the way the entire automotive industry thinks about the future of transportation. (While he worked there, he filed more than an average of one patent every month.) His inventions covered a wide range of automotive features and functionality while simultaneously conjoining technology, design, and innovation.

RE-INVENTING TRANSPORTATION

Below is the complete list of Adrian Chernoff’s awarded, authored, published, and pending patents. The patents apply to a wide variety of fields and industry needs:

1. Automotive
   

   Vehicle Structures
   

   Vehicle Entertainment
   

   Vehicle Interiors
   

   Vehicle Storage
   

   Vehicle Controls
   

   Vehicle Safety
   

   Vehicle Body Panels
   

   
   

   Other
   

   Consumer Products
   

   Distributed Electricity
   

   Electronic Devices
   

   Consumer Electronics
   

   Water Features
   

   Labeling Systems
   

   RFID Applications

   Software
   

   Programmable Vehicles
   

   Man Machine Interface
   

   Human Machine Interface
   

   Driving Controls
   

   Software Devices
   

   Software Controls
   

   Vehicle Diagnostics
   

   
   

   Processes
   

   Manufacturing Processes
   

   Business Processes
   

   Commercial Transactions
   

   Business Methods
   

   Assembly and Automation
   

   
   

   Electronics
   

   By-wire systems
   

   E-corners
   

   Remote Controls
   

   Wheel Motors
   

   Adaptive Seating
   

   Fuel Cells
   

   Electrical Systems
   

   
   

   Materials
   

   Metal Forming
   

   Smart Materials
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

79 Issued United States Patents

8,052,188    Active material enabled self-presenting devices

7,987,030   Vehicle illumination system and method

7,900,986    Active Material based Concealment Assemblies

7,841,673    Vehicle braking system

7,761,209    Obstruction Detection Device for Vehicle Door and Method

7,597,169    Wheel module

7,594,697    Active Material Actuated Headrest Assemblies

7,513,007    Vehicle storage console

7,509,195    Driver Control Input Device for Drive-by-Wire System

7,494,170    Vehicle instrument panel having movable storage compartment

7,448,678    Active material actuated headrest assemblies

7,441,615    Modular chassis with simplified body-attachment interface

7,401,838    Reconfigurable sun visor

7,398,846    Vehicle wheel system

7,373,315    Vehicle body business methods

7,360,816    Vehicle development process characterized by market responsiveness

7,340,333    Multifunction control system

7,310,878    Automotive lower body component and method of manufacture

7,303,033    Vehicle frame assembly and method for same

7,301,442    Multi-functional fob

7,292,992    Methods of conducting vehicle business transactions

7,287,614    Engine compartment cover

7,281,600    Pre-engineered frame portion and method of use therefor

7,275,609    Vehicle body connection system

7,267,455    Device for Viewing media through falling liquid

7,258,188    Variable Seat Belt

7,225,542    Vehicle body compartment lid method of manufacturing

7,213,673    Reconfigurable by-wire foot pedals

7,197,364    Portable electronic controller

7,159,931    Automotive roof rack and accessories manufactured with QPF/SPF technology

7,142,963    Driver control input device for drive-by-wire system

7,140,672    Integrated front assembly

7,111,900    Vehicle floor having a unitary inner panel and outer panel

7,104,581    Vehicle body interchangeability

7,097,229    Vehicle closure system

7,096,986    Mobile chassis and interchangeable vehicle body with ram air circulation system

7,083,016    Mobile chassis and interchangeable vehicle body with waste heat rejection system

7,077,439    Vehicle bumper and method of making same

7,040,688    Vehicle door

7,036,848    Vehicle body configurations

7,032,958    Body and frame assembly for a vehicle and method of assembling a vehicle

7,028,791    Mobile chassis and interchangeable vehicle body with a hvac system

7,004,502    Frontal impact energy dissipation zone

7,000,318    Method of designing and manufacturing vehicles

6,997,281    Driver control input device for drive-by-wire vehicle

6,991,060    Vehicle having a movable driving position

6,991,055    Motorized cover system and method of use thereof

6,986,401    Systems packaged within flat vehicle chassis

6,976,307    Accelerated vehicle development process

6,971,471    Multi-directional drive

6,968,918    Vehicle chassis having programmable operating characteristics

6,959,475    Vehicle body business methods

6,948,740    Vehicle with multiple driver interfaces

6,948,226    Chassis frame packaging cavity loading method

6,938,712    Fuel cell powered chassis mobile electrical source and method of use thereof

6,935,658    Chassis frame module and method of use for same

6,935,449    Vehicle electrical distribution system and method of use therefor

6,923,282    Chassis subassembly module and method for using same

6,923,281    Full size vehicle remote control technology

6,905,138    Chassis with energy-absorption zones

6,899,194    Lower vehicle body structure and method of use therefor

6,898,496    Pivoting arm driver control input device

6,889,785    Vehicle chassis having systems responsive to non-mechanical control signals

6,886,885    Rear and side panel assembly for a vehicle and a method of assembling a vehicle

6,880,856    Vehicle body configurations

6,880,855    Rotary driver control input device

6,857,498    Console with driver's interface

6,846,038    Integral vehicle front assembly

6,845,839    Vehicle body platform

6,843,336    Vehicle belly pan

6,836,943    Vehicle body manufacturing process

6,830,117    Vehicle chassis having systems responsive to non-mechanical control signals

6,827,174    Driver control input device having opposing movable posts for steering

6,805,397    Vehicle door

6,793,275    Load-bearing body panel assembly for a motor vehicle

6,766,873    Fuel cell vehicle with by-wire technology

6,745,153    Data collection and manipulation apparatus and method

6,726,438    Chassis stacking

6,712,164    Vehicle having systems responsive to non-mechanical control signals

10 Issued International Patents: Each Issued on Average to 24 Countries

EP1446645        Wheel module           

WO03049964    Modular chassis with simplified body attachment interface

WO03019328    Methods of conducting vehicle business transactions

WO03019309    Vehicle chassis having programmable operating characteristics and method for using same

WO03018373    Vehicle chassis having systems responsive to non-mechanical control signals

WO03018361    Vehicle chassis having systems responsive to non-mechanical control signals

WO03018359    Vehicle chassis having systems responsive to non-mechanical control signals

WO03018358    Vehicle-body configurations

WO03018345    Fuel cell vehicle with by-wire technology

WO03018337    Vehicle body interchangeability

33 Published Pending Patent Applications

20110121607    Method of using an active material based on concealment assembly

20080053739    Pre-Engineered Frame portion and method of use therefor

20070118259    Vehicle Seat

20050189790    Automotive side frame and upper structure and method of manufacture

20050179242    Vehicle front seat configuration

20050173073    Labeling apparatus with elastic loop

20050110327    Vehicle seat

20050067889    Brake-by-wire input device arrangement

20050049944    Vehicle body interchangeability

20050046227    Vehicle door

20050046226    Vehicle bumper and method of making same

20050001455    Body and frame assembly for a vehicle and method of assembling a vehicle

20040216386    Vehicle door having unitary inner panel and outer panel

20040194280    Rolling chassis and assembled bodies

20040189054    Vehicle body configurations

20040164577    Adjustable armrest

20040163859    Vehicle having systems responsive to non-mechanical control signals

20040149500    Pre-engineered frame portion and method of use therefor

20040099468    Driver control input device for drive-by-wire vehicle

20040069556    Chassis frame module and method of use for same

20040066025    Frontal impact energy dissipation zone

20040018632    Hydrogen processing unit for fuel cell storage systems

20030127261    Wheelchair mobility system and method

20030094320    Vehicle body interchangeability

20030094319    Vehicle body interchangeability

20030040979    Methods of conducting vehicle business transactions

20030040828    Accelerated vehicle development process

20030038470    Mobile chassis and interchangeable vehicle body with a hvac system

20030038442    Vehicle chassis having programmable operating characteristics and method for using same

20030037987    Vehicle having systems responsive to non-mechanical control signals

20030037975    Vehicle chassis having systems responsive to non-mechanical control signals

20030037973    Fuel cell powered chassis mobile electrical source and method of use thereof

20030037970    Vehicle chassis having systems responsive to non-mechanical control signals

11 International Patents Applications Pending

DE102008040001   Active Material based Concealment Assemblies

DE112007000947   Active Material Actuated Headrest Assemblies

DE102008023786   Obstruction Detection Device for Vehicle Door and Method

DE200810011888   Active material enabled self-presenting devices

WO2007121422      Active material actuated headrest assemblies

DE102007001942   Reconfigurable sun visor

WO2004048183      Load-bearing body panel assembly for a motor vehicle

WO2004049161      Data collection and manipulation apparatus and method

DE102006024194   Vehicle illumination system and method

DE200510018558   Variable seat belt

DE200410040272   Vehicle door

INVENTIONS IN TRACTION

It takes time for inventions to become reality! Once an idea is birthed, it must be assimilated and understood; eventually, the invention makes the transition to reality by gaining traction. First, it may land in R&D, then design, and then real-world development. As these inventions pass through their growth stages, each innovation becomes a new product or service in the world. Sometimes these ideas are developed for one client but show up in another’s portfolio.

Regardless of how an invention hits the market, inventors love to see their forward-thinking ideas become future realities. Here are just a few examples of how Adrian’s ideas have become part of our everyday lives.

1. ★Onstar, the world's most comprehensive in-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system, is using patent 6,745,153, which is Data Collection and Manipulation Apparatus and Method for Comprehensive Vehicle Diagnostics. This system enables health check-ups on vehicle systems and can anticipate vehicle services by notifying owners that a check-up or preventative maintenance visit is needed. As quoted from Onstar.com: “OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is a comprehensive, automatic diagnostics systems check-and-report service; it is now available on most new GM vehicles. OnStar will collect diagnostic information about some of your vehicle's key operating systems about every 30 days while you drive. Then you'll receive reports and scheduled maintenance alerts.”
   

2. ★Ford’s inflatable seat belts (7,258,188: Variable Seat Belt) will debut on Ford’s next generation of Ford Explorers. Although this patent covers the next generation with respect to smart materials and seating advancements, it promotes new safety and comfort for occupants and drivers by inflating their seat belts upon impact. Referencing the Ford Motor Companies Press Release with Industry’s First Inflatable Seatbelt dated November 5, 2009: “The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck, and chest injuries for rear-seat passengers, often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to such injuries. ... The inflated belt helps distribute crash force energy across five times more of the occupant’s torso than a traditional belt. This expands [this belt’s] range of protection and reduces risk of injury by diffusing crash pressure over a larger area while [at the same time] providing additional support to the head and neck.  After deployment, the belt remains inflated for several seconds before dispersing its air through the pores of the air bag.”
   

3. ★Joysteer is using an advanced by-wire driver control system to enable handicapped and impaired drivers to steer, brake, and accelerate. It utilizes patent 6,880,855: Rotary Driver Control Input Device. This allows driving to become safer and easier by providing a mid-wrist rotation axis (thereby decoupling the lateral forces) and allowing accelerating and braking by variable switches. Per the Joysteer.ch website, the ”Joysteer won the Swiss Technology Award in 2005 for its electronic driving system for people with physical disabilities. Due to drivers’ individually adaptable input devices, Joysteer provides a reliable and easy-to-operate driving solution for a wide range of disabilities.”
   

4. ★Seimens eCorner motor-in-hub concept  as well as MIT Media Lab’s Robot Wheel (Integrated in-Wheel Motor Module) use drive, steering, braking, and suspension functions utilizes patent 7,398,846: Vehicle Wheel System. For Siemens VDO, a division of Siemens AG, “eCorner replaces the conventional wheel suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers, mechanical steering, hydraulic brakes and, above all, conventional internal combustion engines. For car owners, eCorner translates into improved fuel mileage, more safety, and greater convenience. eCorner provides designers with all-new freedom to create future cars with an electric drivetrain and electronic control. During the next decade, this system will integrate all systems into the wheel with the exception of electronic shock absorbers and electronic steering. The combustion engine won't have to disappear completely for the time being: it will be able to provide the necessary electrical power for flexible long-distance vehicles.” Youtube Video
   

5. ★Trexa electric vehicle platform leverages a plethora of Adrian’s patents, including patent 7,000,318: Method of Designing and Manufacturing Vehicles, patent 6,986,401: Systems Packaged within a Flat Vehicle Chassis, patent 6,959,475: Vehicle Body Business Methods, and patent 6,905,138: Chassis with Energy-Absorption Zones. The Trexa EV platform has energy-absorbing front, rear and side impact zones, lithium-ion batteries, and programmable electronics, and it encloses the vehicle’s drivetrain in a low-profile aluminum frame structure. It also has customizable range, suspension, torque, acceleration, top speed, and a range of vehicle lengths. The Trexa is scheduled be introduced by 2011; Seth Seaberg, Founder and CEO of Trexa, says the base model will cost $15,999.
   

Reinvention Patent Links

Reinventing Vehicle Platforms                 Reinventing Vehicle Interiors

Reinventing Vehicle Structures                 Reinventing Vehicle Driving

Reinventing Vehicle Safety                    Reinventing Vehicle Systems

Reinventing Vehicle Electrification          Reinventing Vehicle Connectivity

Visual Guide to Adrian Chernoff’s Patents: 72 Featured