Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Aaron Matthew Delong

John Robert Van Wiemeersch

Ali Hassani

Vivekanandh Elangovan

Hamid M Golgiri

Ryan Edwin Hanson

Patrick Lawrence Jackson Van Hoecke

Timothy Thivierge, Jr

Jake S Schwartz

Brian Wilkerson

James Gilpin

This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods related to tool tracking. In an example embodiment, a method may involve detecting, by a tool monitoring device, a failure of a wireless communication system included in a tool that is stored in an enclosure. The tool monitoring device may determine that the failure is attributable to a temperature in the enclosure being outside an operating temperature range of the wireless communication system. A notification of the failure and/or a description of a cause for the failure may be displayed on a display screen of the tool monitoring device and/or transmitted to a tool tracking device. In an example implementation, the tool tracking device is located outside a vehicle, the enclosure is a toolbox placed in the vehicle, and the tool monitoring device, which is configured to monitor an operational status of the wireless communication system, is located in the vehicle.

Systems and methods for tracking a tool stored in an enclosure

A coil is electrically connected with an energy storage unit via circuitry. The coil wirelessly receives power from a cellular phone adjacent to the coil for transfer to the energy storage unit via the circuitry, and wirelessly receives data from the cellular phone. The coil may also wirelessly transfer power and data to the cellular phone.

Inductive power and data transfer between mobile device and vehicle via common coil

A transfer key system for a vehicle may include a key receptacle configured to detect the presence of a transfer key, and a controller configured to receive key status signals from the key receptacle, and activate the transfer key as an active transfer key in response to the status signal indicating a removal of the transfer key from the key receptacle and receiving an authentication signal from a user.

Vehicle transfer key management system

A system includes a first-vehicle processor configured to receive a signal broadcast from a second vehicle. The processor is also configured to determine a distance between a first transceiver, receiving the signal, and a second transceiver, transmitting the signal. The processor is further configured to determine second vehicle dimensions. Also, the processor is configured to digitally map a second vehicle perimeter around a second transceiver location, determined based on the distance and alert a first vehicle driver of a likely overlap condition of the second vehicle perimeter and a first vehicle perimeter.

Method and apparatus for low frequency localization of surrounding vehicles

Method and apparatus are disclosed for biometric authentication for a vehicle without prior registration. An example vehicle include a biometric scanner to generate a biometric token and a body control module. The body control module when the biometric token is authorized, enable san ignition switch. Additionally, when the biometric token is not authorized and an additional source of authorization is received, the body control module (a) tracks usage of the vehicle subsequent to receiving the biometric token, and (b) marks the biometric token as authorized when the usage satisfies a threshold.

Biometric authentication for a vehicle without prior registration

A system includes a processor configured to place a vehicle into a valet mode, restricting vehicle usage. The processor is also configured to determine that a valet tag, having a wireless connection to the vehicle, is in motion, while the vehicle is in valet mode and activate an external indicator usable to find the vehicle, responsive to the tag motion.

Growing community of inventors

Toledo, OH, United States of America

Aaron Matthew Delong