Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Benjamin M Rocci

Mark Anthony Rockwell

Christian Krozal

Douglas Raymond Martin

David Randolph Roberts

John Eric Rollinger

Tyler Kelly

Michael David Beeney

Michiel Jacques Van Nieuwstadt

Julia Helen Buckland

Vincent Martinez

Emil G Serban

Anil Shah

Derrick Portis

Owen Bailey

Changjoon Im

Robert Stanko

Data elements are identified, from a diagnostic request received from a remote server, to collect from controllers of the vehicle. The data elements are captured for inclusion in a diagnostic data message, responsive to receipt of the diagnostic request to allow the data elements to be collected without approval of the diagnostic request. The data elements are stored to the data storage. The remote server is queried for an approval status of the diagnostic request. Responsive to the approval status specifying that the diagnostic request is approved, the diagnostic data message is sent to the server. Responsive to the approval status failing to specify within a predefined time period that the diagnostic request is approved, the data elements are discarded from the data storage to maintain data privacy for the diagnostic request upon condition that the diagnostic request is not approved.

On-board data request approval management

A system includes a memory storing a battery profile corresponding to a battery identifier of a high-voltage battery of a vehicle and a processor. The processor is programmed to periodically send the battery profile to a server, and, responsive to detecting a change in the battery identifier, request the server to send a battery profile corresponding to the battery identifier as changed.

Cloud managed high voltage battery profile recovery

A system includes a test environment and a processor. The processor is programmed to perform, on the test environment, a diagnostic request specifying a plurality of elements of information, responsive to receipt of a successful result of the diagnostic request from the test environment within a predefined timeout period, approve the diagnostic request for execution by fleet vehicles, and otherwise, retest the diagnostic request as a plurality of requests.

Cloud-managed validation and execution for diagnostic requests

A system includes a wireless transceiver providing access to primary and secondary hotspot in-vehicle networks and a vehicle processor. The vehicle processor monitors data usage on the secondary hotspot network, and, responsive to the data usage exceeding a predefined data limit, throttles a data transfer rate of the secondary hotspot network in a predefined manner, while leaving the primary hotspot network unconstrained.

Method and apparatus for providing varied data limits to varied wireless devices using the same vehicle hotspot

Methods and systems are provided for improving efficiency of an exhaust gas after treatment system of a vehicle. In one example, a first group of engine cylinders is operated with a rich air-fuel ratio continuously while a second group of engine cylinders is operated with a lean air-fuel ratio continuously. The rich and lean exhaust gases from the two groups of engine cylinders may be oxidized within an exhaust gas after treatment system to improve catalyst efficiency.

Method and system for improving exhaust system efficiency

A system includes a memory storing diagnostic data and survey requirements indicating a survey question and vehicles to receive the survey question. A processor is programmed to identify vehicles that match the survey requirements, send a survey question for the identified vehicles to be answered by vehicle occupants, receive answer to the question from the vehicles, and annotate the diagnostic data with to the answer.

In-vehicle surveys for diagnostic code interpretation

A processor of a vehicle is programmed to send a message to a mobile device connected to the processor to request an application permissions update for the vehicle from a remote server, responsive to the vehicle lacking application permissions for a vehicle-enabled mobile application executed by a mobile device. The processor is further programmed to receive, from the server, the application permissions update including both the application permissions and a diagnostic request to receive data from the vehicle.

Cloud-configurable diagnostics via application permissions control

Methods and systems are provided for expediting emission control device heating. In one example, a method may include flowing air from an intake of an engine to one or more emission control devices via an air injection system while operating a turbocharger via an electric motor to maintain a desired airflow to the engine in response to an emission control device heating condition. In this way, fresh air is provided to the one or more emission control devices without degrading engine performance or increasing engine speed.

Method and system for emission control device heating

From diagnostic configurations, individual data elements and a frequency for collection of each data element including removing redundant collection of data elements are identified. Diagnostic data from the vehicle in accordance with the identification are periodically collected. The diagnostic data is sent to the server with instructions that specify each data element in the diagnostic data and for which configurations each data element in the diagnostic data is required.

Managed vehicle data delivery

A server includes a processor, programmed to responsive to receiving a first message indicative of detection of a flying object from a first vehicle, notify a second vehicle to detect the flying object, responsive to receiving a second message indicative of detection of the flying object from the second vehicle, calculate a location including a coordinate and an altitude of the flying object using the first message and the second message, and send a report including the location of the flying object to a predefined entity, wherein the first message includes a location of the first vehicle, a first time stamp, and a first angle of the object captured by a first camera against the horizon, and the second message includes a location of the second vehicle, a second time stamp, and a second angle of the object captured by a second camera against the horizon.

Airspace regulation enforcement via connected vehicles

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a source of degradation in an exhaust system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include actuating an electric turbocharger to rotate in a first direction to evaluate integrity of an exhaust pipe of the exhaust system and rotation the turbocharger in a second direction to assess an exhaust manifold of the exhaust system, after an engine of the vehicle is turned off. Pressures generated in the exhaust system are compared to thresholds based on barometric pressure and/or turbocharger speed.

Detection of leaks and blockages in a vehicle exhaust system

A system includes a processor configured to determine that a first user will transition from a first climate-controllable environment to a second climate-controllable environment within a threshold time. The processor is also configured to compare first and second environment temperatures. The processor is further configured to detect whether a second-user control device is in communication with a second-environment climate control and set the second-environment climate control to a desired temperature, based on the first environment temperature, responsive to an absence of the second-user control device.

Method and apparatus for unified personal climate management

A system includes a processor configured to receive information indicating the presence of an upcoming obstacle along a route and determine a vehicle-control strategy to minimize expected fuel usage between a current location and an obstacle location. The processor may further control the vehicle in accordance with the control strategy or recommend driver actions in accordance with the control strategy.

Method and apparatus for adaptive vehicular control

A storage maintains energy estimates corresponding to function requests for vehicles. A processor of a server is programmed to receive a function request for a vehicle, and direct the vehicle to perform the function request responsive to determining, according to battery information received from the vehicle and an energy estimate corresponding to the function request, that the vehicle has sufficient energy to perform the function request.

Cloud-based connectivity energy budget manager

Methods and systems are provided for expediting exhaust particulate filter regeneration. In one example, an engine controller may generate an exotherm at the filter by operating engine cylinders with air-fuel imbalance while using electric assist to a turbocharger to meet a torque demand and raise an intake airflow to enhance the effect of the exotherm. Once heated, the filter may be regenerated by flowing extra air to the exhaust via an air pump and injecting extra fuel to an exhaust passage via an exhaust injector.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Benjamin M Rocci