Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

David Kennedy

Stuart C Salter

Pietro Buttolo

Annette Lynn Huebner

Hussein H Berry

Peter Phung

William H Wurz

Jim Baumbick

Paul Kenneth Dellock

John Robert Van Wiemeersch

David Brian Glickman

Brendan F Diamond

Kristin Ann Hellman

Jeff Robert Seaman

Mike Kipley

Kenneth Mchugh

Laura Symington

A system includes a first vehicle computer programmed to monitor first vehicle sensor data as the first vehicle traverses a route; identify a location of interest along the route based on a topographic feature of the location of interest determined from the first vehicle sensor data; and store a selected subset of the first vehicle sensor data for the location of interest in a set of collected data about the route. The system further includes a second computer programmed to receive the collected data about the route; and based on the collected data about the route, generate a set of guidance data including one or more recommended operating parameters for the location of interest, whereby the recommending operating parameters are available to a third computer for a second vehicle.

Vehicle guidance

A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to record a first video of inputs to respective controls of a user interface of a vehicle, add metadata to the first video of respective times at which the respective inputs are provided, and generate a second video based on the first video and the metadata. The second video shows the user interface and highlights the respective controls corresponding to the respective inputs at the respective times.

Didactic videos for vehicle operation

The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods associated with a vehicle that is configured to provide photography assistance. An example method executed by processor of a vehicle may include generating a guidance associated with a photo capture operation and conveying the guidance to a vehicle controller. The processor may assist the vehicle controller to execute a vehicle maneuvering operation to capture a photograph of an object of photographical interest located outside the vehicle. The vehicle maneuvering operation can include parking the vehicle at a location that provides a view of the object or slowing down the vehicle while driving past the location. The photo capture operation can include the processor determining that the object is in a field of view of a camera mounted on the vehicle, configuring the camera to capture a photograph of the object, and operating the camera to capture the photograph of the object.

Vehicle operative as a photography assistant

The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for assisting a battery electric vehicle (BEV) execute a battery charging operation. In an example method, a processor of a battery charging advisory system in a BEV obtains information about a battery charging lot and evaluates the information to identify a battery charging station having a first charging cable that includes a first type of plug which is compatible for coupling to a charging port of the BEV. The processor may then identify a location of the charging port on the BEV and uses this information to determine an orientation of the BEV with respect to the battery charging station. The processor then provides an advisory for maneuvering the BEV into a position that allows coupling of the first charging cable of the battery charging station to the charging port of the BEV.

Systems and methods for assisting a battery electric vehicle execute a charging operation at a battery charging lot

A vehicle cargo utilization control system includes a processor disposed in a vehicle controller and a memory for storing executable instructions. The processor is programmed to execute the instructions to receive identity information associated with a vehicle user from a mobile device and vehicle sensory devices, and determine identity of the vehicle user. The system receives receive anthropometry information, and entry and exit data associated with the vehicle user that can indicate mobility limitations or special uses of the vehicle cargo hold that have been observed and recorded by the system. The processor may determine a vehicle recommendation based on the identity of the vehicle user and the anthropometry information, and cause a vehicle configuration change that modifies a vehicle system based on the unique user identity, mobility limitations, and predicted use of the vehicle.

Self learning vehicle cargo utilization and configuration control

A first message is broadcasted to a plurality of remote computers identifying an attribute of a host vehicle. A second message including a request to receive data about the identified attribute in response to broadcasting the first message is received from one of the remote computers. Upon receiving the second message, a host vehicle component is actuated to output at least one of light or sound associated with the identified attribute.

Vehicle operation for providing attribute data

A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive, from a charge-requesting vehicle, a charge request, determine a suggested provider pool for fulfilling the charge request, the suggested provider pool including multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles, send suggested provider data to the charge-requesting vehicle, the suggested provider data identifying the multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles, receive, from the charge-requesting vehicle, a provider selection identifying one of the multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles as a selected charge-providing vehicle, identify transfer parameters for a battery charge transfer from the selected charge-providing vehicle to the charge-requesting vehicle; and send a transfer initiation message to instruct the selected charge-providing vehicle to initiate the battery charge transfer according to the transfer parameters.

Coordinated bi-directional charging for vehicles

A computer can execute instructions to: receive power-receiving vehicle data identifying a power-receiving vehicle; identify one or more power-supplying vehicles for providing charging to the power-receiving vehicle; determine a rank for each of the identified one or more power-supplying vehicles based on the received power-receiving vehicle data and data received from the one or more power-supplying vehicles; upon selecting one of the one or more power-supplying vehicles, provide a navigation instruction to navigate at least one of the power-receiving vehicle and the selected power-supplying vehicle to a charging location based on a power-receiving vehicle location and a selected power-supplying vehicle location; and send access data to the power-receiving vehicle to access a charge port of the selected power-supplying vehicle; send a first light actuation instruction to the power-supplying vehicle based on a charging status; and send a second light actuation instruction to the power-receiving vehicle based on charging status.

Unattended bi-directional vehicle charging

The disclosure generally pertains to battery charging management of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In an example method, a processor generates an operational profile for a first BEV among a number of BEVs. The profile may be based on a mileage accumulation pattern, a parking pattern, and/or a battery charging pattern, detected over an information collection period. The mileage accumulation pattern may be based on the use of the first BEV for commuting from a residence to a workplace. The processor determines an availability of a battery charging outlet in a section of a garage of the residence, and based on the operational profile of the first BEV, identifies a period of time for charging a battery of the first BEV in the garage. The processor then issues a directive to park the first BEV in the section of the garage over the identified period of time for charging the battery.

Battery charging management for multiple battery electric vehicles

An item repositioning method includes, in response to a request for an item, moving a vehicle along a first route to a location of the item, loading the item in the vehicle using a lift assist device mounted to the vehicle, moving the vehicle along a second route to transport the item to a desired location, and at the desired location, unloading the item from the vehicle using the lift assist device.

Item repositioning method using a vehicle equipped with a lift assist device

The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for battery life cycle prediction for a preowned electrified vehicle including receiving state of charge (SOC) and mileage data associated with the preowned electrified vehicle, providing one or more driving maneuvers to be performed by a driver, providing one or more instructions to the driver to operate power-driven accessories of the preowned electrified vehicle, collecting data representing battery usage by the driver by monitoring the driving maneuvers and the operation of power-driven accessories as performed by the driver, and responsive to the collected data representing battery usage and the SOC and mileage, providing a battery life prediction for the preowned electrified vehicle.

System and method for a purchase advisor for preowned battery electric vehicles (BEVs)

The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for authorizing the use of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) charging apparatus by a short-term renter. In an example method, a processor provides an authorization for use of a BEV charging apparatus by a first individual. The BEV charging apparatus is located on the premises of a building. The processor further enables access to the BEV charging apparatus over a designated period of time for use by the first individual and configures a first lock to prevent unauthorized entry by the first individual into a first portion of the building. In one scenario, the first individual is a short-term renter, the BEV charging apparatus is located in a garage of the building, the first portion of the building is a first room of the building, and the first lock is installed in a door leading into the first room of the building.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn, MI, United States of America

David Kennedy