Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Grant Inskeep

David Michael Herman

Yuzhou Li

Erick Michael Lavoie

Jayanthi Rao

Roy Zhou

Stephenie Worthy

Example door control systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives image data from a camera mounted to a vehicle. The image data is analyzed by a door control system to determine whether a user is near the vehicle. If a user is identified near the vehicle, the method determines whether the user intends to open a garage door based on the image data.

Door control systems and methods

A vehicle includes an interface having an electromagnetic transmitter and operable to receive tactile user input for control of a system of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a controller configured to modulate output having ultraviolet or infrared spectrum wavelength of the electromagnetic transmitter at a receiver capture rate to encode data into the output describing the control interface. The modulated output is responsive to a request.

Vehicle interface having electromagnetic communications

Example steering assistance systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a controller receives inputs from one or more sensors mounted to a vehicle. The controller processes the inputs from the one or more sensors to determine whether a steering change is needed. Responsive to determining that a steering change is needed, the controller provides a steering change recommendation to a driver of the vehicle via a physical rotation of the vehicle steering wheel in a recommended direction.

Steering assistance systems and methods

A manual mode training system for a vehicle having a manual transmission or a 'manual mode' transmission controlled by a paddle shifter. The system includes a sensor to obtain force and position information from a foot pedal of the vehicle, and a processor to receive the information. Based on the information, the processor may predict an intended vehicle response, determine an appropriate gear to achieve the intended vehicle response, and notify a driver, through a haptic feedback mechanism, how to shift the transmission of the vehicle to reach the appropriate gear. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.

Manual mode training system

Method and apparatus are disclosed for robust visual light communication for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. An example vehicle includes a visual light communication (VLC) transmitter, a VLC communication receiver, and a VLC module. The VLC module sends a first handshake message including characteristics of the VLC transmitter and the VLC receiver using a first level of error correction. The VLC module also adjusts transmission parameters based on a received second handshake message. Additionally, the VLC module transmits data using a second level of error correction.

Robust visual light communication for vehicle-to-vehicle communication

A visible light communication system has a two-dimensional array of sources and an image sensor with a pixel grid defining a pixel direction (which in some embodiments is a rolling shutter direction). Modulation of the light flashes the sources to define a series of one-dimensional patterns encoding the data to be transmitted. The patterns extend in a direction that projects onto the imager orthogonal to the pixel direction. In the case of a rolling shutter, the pattern is orthogonal to the rolling shutter direction, which allows the encoding of multiple bits per line of the image frame. In other cases, the orthogonal direction obtains the maximum resolving power available from the image sensor.

Visible light communication system with pixel alignment for high data rate

Method and apparatus are disclosed for a dual mode vehicle camera for visual light communication. An example vehicle includes a camera, a visual light communication (VLC) module, and a camera module. The camera includes a lens removable from a light path between an aperture and a CMOS sensor. The VLC module is communicatively coupled to the camera. The VLC module selects between first and second modes, and when in the second mode, removes the lens from the light path to receive VLC data via the camera. Additionally, the camera module captures images via camera when the VLC module selects the first mode.

Dual mode vehicle camera for visual light communication

A visible light communication (VLC) receiver captures frames of a scene with a camera to detect flashing light signals from a VLC transmitter such as an array of LEDs. The method assembles an enhanced dynamic range image sequence from the frames. At least one VLC source is detected in the enhanced sequence, wherein the source occupies a respective subwindow within the scene. An imaging exposure such as the exposure time used for capturing images at the subwindow is optimized according to a brightness of the respective VLC source. Then a plurality of subwindow images are captured using the optimized exposure. VLC data visible in the subwindow images is then decoded.

Growing community of inventors

Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Grant Inskeep