Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Alyssa Chatten

John Robert Van Wiemeersch

Erick Michael Lavoie

Ali Hassani

Vivekanandh Elangovan

Thomas Joseph Hermann

Laura Viviana Hazebrouck

Hamid M Golgiri

Ryan Edwin Hanson

Ronald Patrick Brombach

Daniel M King

Michael Hrecznyj

Joby Jester

Method and apparatus are disclosed for key fobs for vehicle remote park-assist. An example key fob for a vehicle includes buttons including a lock button, an unlock button, and a trigger button. The example key fob also includes an antenna and a controller. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a lock signal responsive to detecting the lock button is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, an unlock signal responsive to detecting the unlock button is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a remote-start signal responsive to detecting a remote-start combination of the buttons is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a remote park-assist (RePA) signal to initiate RePA of the vehicle responsive to detecting a RePA combination of the buttons is pressed.

Key fobs for vehicle remote park-assist

Method and apparatus are disclosed for mitigating key fob error for remote parking assist systems. An example vehicle includes wireless modules that communicatively couple to a key fob and a mobile device and a processor. The processor, when the key fob is usable, estimates a location of an operator based on the key fob, and operate an autonomous parking system in a first mode. Additionally, the processor, when the key fob is not usable, estimates the location of the operator based on the mobile device, and operate the autonomous parking system in a second mode.

Mitigating key fob unavailability for remote parking assist systems

Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is to designate a mobile device responsive to determining the remote parking is inactive and receiving an activation request from the mobile device. When the mobile device is designated, the controller also is to process remote parking signals of the mobile device, stop the remote parking when the sensor detects engagement of a door handle, and prevent processing of other nonemergency requests.

Input signal management for vehicle park-assist

Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle remote park-assist communication counters. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to implement a counter into remote parking communication between the communication module and a mobile device and, when the counter exceeds a threshold, monitor for a reset vehicle event and a reset mobile event. The controller also is to reset the counter responsive to detecting at least one of the reset vehicle event and the reset mobile event.

Vehicle remote park-assist communication counters

Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for remote parking assist. An example vehicle includes ultra-wide angle cameras and a processor coupled to memory. The processor generates an interface based on a location of the mobile device including an overhead representation of the vehicle generated using images from the cameras and representations of a position of a mobile device and a boundary around the vehicle. The processor also sends the interface to the mobile device, and when the mobile device is not within the boundary, prevents autonomous parking of the vehicle.

Mobile device tethering for remote parking assist

Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes a door, an autonomy unit, a communication module, a vehicle speed sensor for monitoring a vehicle speed, and a controller. The controller is to cause the autonomy unit to perform remote parking upon receiving, via the communication module, a remote parking signal. The controller also is to receive an unlock request during performance of the remote parking and prevent unlocking of the door responsive to determining the vehicle speed is greater than a threshold speed.

Electrostatic friction textures on a touchscreen panel are used to create the sensation of braille text in a contextual menu adapted to an automotive environment. In particular, a center stack touchscreen friction display in a passenger vehicle provides one set of touch controls and HMI data to the driver while simultaneously providing either the same control options and HMI to the passenger in Braille form or a completely different set of information and menu structure in Braille form. The manner of providing a Braille display in an automobile is adapted for vehicle vibration and movement, the types of functions normally presented and/or controlled by passengers, and other challenges Braille readers of different ages, health, or experience may face when attempting to read Braille in a vehicle cabin.

Automotive touchscreen with simulated texture for the visually impaired

Method and apparatus are disclosed for transferring control of one or more vehicle functions from a driver HUD to a passenger HUD. An example vehicle includes a driver HUD, a passenger HUD, and a processor. The processor is configured for enabling control of one or more vehicle functions via the driver HUD responsive to determining that the vehicle speed is below a threshold. The processor is also configured for transitioning control of the one or more vehicle functions from the driver HUD to the passenger HUD responsive to determining that the vehicle speed has increased above the threshold.

Systems and methods for control of vehicle functions via driver and passenger HUDs

Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to perform, via the autonomy unit, remote parking upon receiving, via the communication module, a remote parking signal from a mobile device. The controller also is to receive an unlock request during the remote parking from a first key fob, determine a number of key fobs within a tethering range, and prevent processing of the unlock request when the number of key fobs is one.

A roof-rack for a vehicle and method of operation where the siderails and the crossbars are both automatically movable via a control circuit to clear snow from a vehicle roof.

Vehicle roof snow removal

Method and apparatus are disclosed for providing discrete autonomous notifications to a passenger of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes a plurality of seats, a plurality of audio transducers, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a passenger seat corresponding to a passenger having a predetermined destination, determine a notification based on the predetermined destination, and transmit, via one or more of the plurality of audio transducers, a notification to the passenger based on a determined passenger head position.

Growing community of inventors

Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Alyssa Chatten