Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Anthony Melatti

Hamid M Golgiri

Patrick Lawrence Jackson Van Hoecke

Danielle Rosenblatt

Aaron Matthew DeLong

John Robert Van Wiemeersch

Patrick Gordon Collins

Dale F Jordan, Iii

Yevgeniya Sosonkina

Wendy L Maclennan

Thomas Jorda

Jack Van Hoecke

Jack Lawrence Jackson Van Hoecke

Nicole Anklam

The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for assigning alternative energy vehicles to travel routes based on vehicle wear-and-tear ratings. Wear-and-tear ratings may be influenced by factors such as, for example, road grade, travel speed, electric motor use, and battery use, on various travel routes. An example method for determining a wear-and-tear rating of an alternative energy vehicle may involve determining an amount of stress imposed upon an electric motor of an alternative energy vehicle due to a grade of a road on a travel route, and an amount of energy consumed from a battery of the alternative energy vehicle due to a speed of travel on the travel route. The wear-and-tear rating of the alternative energy vehicle may then be determined based on the amount of stress imposed upon the electric motor and/or the amount of energy consumed from the battery on the travel route.

Systems and methods to assign travel routes to alternative energy vehicles

A system includes a processor configured to receive a user profile responsive to an efficiency determination request for a vehicle model. The processor is also configured to obtain efficiency-affecting data from the user profile. The processor is further configured to compare the efficiency-affecting data to data gathered from drivers of the vehicle model, to determine a correlation between the user profile and similar drivers of the vehicle model. Also, the processor is configured to predict fuel efficiency for the new vehicle model based on efficiency achieved by the similar drivers.

Method and apparatus for driver-centric fuel efficiency determination and utilization

A method of monitoring user location relative to a vehicle in an industrial setting is provided. The method includes, in response to a proximity of the vehicle to a user mobile device being less than a threshold proximity when the user mobile device is outside of a pedestrian zone defined by a perimeter, effecting an annunciation mode at the user mobile device.

Mobile device for connected manufacturing facility

A foldable card includes first and second sections, each defining a base and a layer of a blade of a key extending therefrom; and a hinge interface connecting the bases of the first and second sections, wherein the first section is configured to fold over the second section at the hinge interface so that a top surface of the first section is against a bottom surface of the second section and each of the layers of the blades align to form the blade of the key, and the first and second sections are configured to fold at the hinge interface into a storage position to form a collective flat surface.

Folding backup key

Systems, methods, and computer program products for upgrading a vehicle's functionality based on the manner in which the vehicle is operated. A predefined operating condition of the vehicle that can be assisted by a vehicle feature not presently provided by the vehicle is identified. Thereafter, a notification is communicated to a user interface that indicates availability of the vehicle feature. Subsequently, the vehicle is upgraded to provide the vehicle feature responsive to input to the user interface submitting a request to perform the upgrade.

Upgradeable vehicle

Electric charging stations with docking management and methods of use are disclosed herein. An example system can include a base station providing electrical power, a charging interface configured to couple with a charging port of a vehicle and a cradle of the base station, a controller associated with at least one of the base station, the charging interface, or combinations thereof, the controller configured to execute a docking ruleset to determine when a docking failure occurs between the charging interface and the cradle of the base station and execute a remediating action in response to the docking failure.

Electric charging stations with docking management and methods of use

Method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing damage to an object within a charging field of a wireless vehicle battery charger. An example vehicle includes a wireless vehicle battery charger having a charging field, a plurality of Bluetooth antennas, and a processor. The processor is configured to identify a location of an object using one or more of the plurality of Bluetooth antennas, and, responsive to determining that the object is within the charging field, disable the wireless vehicle battery charger.

Systems and methods for vehicle wireless charging

A keycard may include electronics to allow access to vehicle functions. A keycard system for a vehicle includes a plurality of sections of a stacking key, and a keycard, including a key holder defining a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve having an opening for receiving a respective one of the plurality of sections, wherein the key holder further includes electronics configured to wirelessly provide access to the vehicle. A foldable keycard includes hinged sections, each defining a base and a layer of a blade of a key extending therefrom; and an electronic vehicle access component arranged at the base of one of the sections opposite the blades, and configured to fold away from the blades to allow the keycard to be inserted into a lock.

Backup key with wireless capabilities

A system includes a processor configured to receive a vehicle request, including a requesting-occupant physical parameter. The processor is also configured to send a request, including the physical parameter, to a vehicle-hailing service. The processor is further configured to receive identification of a vehicle having sufficient space to accommodate the requesting-occupant, based on the physical parameter, responsive to the request. Also, the processor is configured to receive confirmation of the vehicle from the requesting-occupant, and request use of the vehicle, responsive to the confirmation.

Method and apparatus for ride-share planning using spatial awareness

A system includes a processor configured to determine that measured vehicle variable values match a predefined set of vehicle variable values associated with recommending vehicle feature engagement. The processor is further configured to determine that the feature has not been used with a threshold frequency in a vehicle in which the variable values were measured. Also, the processor is configured to responsive to the match and use below the threshold, present a recommendation to engage the feature.

Method and apparatus for adaptive vehicle feature recommendations

A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine a vehicle launch path based on a specified speed and vehicle physical attributes, and upon detecting an object in the launch path, to deactivate the vehicle launch.

Vehicle launch mode control

Example parking management systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives an image that includes a parking area for the unmarked parking of vehicles. The method defines a plurality of unmarked parking spaces in the parking area and assigns a first vehicle to a first unmarked parking space in the parking area.

Parking management systems and methods

A system for a vehicle comprises a camera configured to capture an image of a forward path of the vehicle; a screen configured to display the image; and a processor, configured to, responsive to an input to the screen identify two edges of at least one object of the image, measure a first distance between the two edges and output the first distance.

Measurements via vehicle sensors

Method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting and mitigating unauthorized vehicle license plate removal. An example vehicle includes a detection circuit having an insulator configured to slide along an axis based on a rotation of a screw holding a license plate, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, based on a position of the insulator, that the screw has been removed while the vehicle is locked, and responsively activate a camera directed toward the license plate.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Anthony Melatti