Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

University of Michigan

Matt Y Rupp

Thomas Edward Pilutti

Roger Arnold Trombley

Erick Michael Lavoie

David Dean Smit

Douglas Scott Rhode

Taehyun Shim

Martin Fitzpatrick Frey

John Shutko

Andrew Waldis

Rajit Johri

Shane Elwart

John Patrick Joyce

Hongtei Eric Tseng

Wilford Trent Yopp

Kenneth Michael Mayer

Devinder Singh Kochhar

Christopher Scott Nave

Jeff Allen Greenberg

Christopher Attard

Dale Scott Crombez

Alex Maurice Miller

Michael Hafner

Gerald H Engelman

Levasseur Tellis

Peter Francis Worrel

Timothy D Zwicky

Louis Tijerina

Peter Gyumyeong Joh

Dorian Jack Spero

Brian Wolski

Richard Lee Stephenson

Roger Amold Trombley

A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.

Trailer backup assist curvature control

A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.

A wearable computing device in a vehicle is identified by a computer in a vehicle. Collected data is received relating to autonomous operation of the vehicle. A message is sent to the wearable computing device based at least in part on the collected data.

Wearable computer in an autonomous vehicle

A computer in a vehicle is configured to operate the vehicle in at least one of an autonomous and a semi-autonomous mode. The computer is further configured to detect at least one condition of a roadway being traveled by the vehicle, the condition comprising at least one of a restricted lane, a restricted zone, a construction zone, and accident area, an incline, a hazardous road surface. The computer is further configured to determine at least one autonomous action based on the condition, the at least one autonomous action including at least one of altering a speed of the vehicle, controlling vehicle steering, controlling vehicle lighting, transitioning the vehicle to manual control, and controlling a distance of the vehicle from an object.

Autonomous driving sensing system and method

A computer in a first vehicle is configured to receive data relating to a second vehicle. The computer may use the data to determine that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously. Further, the computer may cause the first vehicle to take an action to autonomously operate the first vehicle based at least in part on determining that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously.

Autonomous vehicle identification

A method of inputting a path is provided. The method includes the steps of generating an aerial view of a vehicle and a trailer based on at least one of image data and satellite image data, displaying the aerial view on a display having a touch screen, and registering a touch event on the touch screen that inputs an intended path for the vehicle and the trailer.

Method of inputting a path for a vehicle and trailer

The trailer backup assist system has a human machine interface coupled to a controller having a setup module, a calibration module, an activation module and a control module configured to receive trailer measurements, apply trailer measurements, activate and control vehicle systems to calibrate and implement a curvature control algorithm that controls the reverse movement of the vehicle-trailer combination in a manner consistent with a driver request. When incorrect trailer measurements have been entered, the trailer backup assist system recognizes the error, initiates a warning and requests corrective action to correct the trailer measurements. Default values for a maximum controllable curvature limit and a maximum controllable angle replace the limits calculated and applied by the calibration model that used incorrect trailer measurements, until corrected trailer measurements may be entered by the driver.

Maximum trailer angle determination and control for a trailer backup assist system

The trailer backup assist system has a human machine interface coupled to a controller having a setup module, a calibration module, an activation module and a control module configured to receive trailer measurements, apply trailer measurements, activate and control vehicle systems to calibrate and implement a curvature control algorithm that controls the reverse movement of the vehicle-trailer combination in a manner consistent with a driver request.

Trailer backup assist system

A vehicle comprises a trailer angle detection apparatus and a trailer backup control system coupled to the trailer angle detection apparatus. The trailer angle detection apparatus is configured for outputting a signal generated as a function of an angle between the vehicle and a trailer towably attached to the vehicle. The trailer backup control system includes a jackknife enabling condition detector and a jackknife counter-measures controller. The jackknife counter-measures controller alters a setting of at least one vehicle operating parameter for alleviating an adverse jackknife condition during backing of the trailer by the vehicle when the jackknife enabling condition detector determines that a jackknife enabling condition has been attained at a particular point in time during backing of the trailer by the vehicle.

Detection of and counter-measures for jackknife enabling conditions during trailer backup assist

A vehicle is operated at least partially autonomously. A predicted path of the vehicle is monitored to identify an object with which the vehicle is likely to collide. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided that includes the predicted path, a proposed path for the vehicle to avoid a collision with an object, and the vehicle. A selection is made to follow one of the predicted path and the proposed path. The GUI is updated to include the selected one of the predicted path and the proposed path, along with a location of the vehicle on the selected one of the predicted path and the proposed path.

In-vehicle path verification

A computer in a first vehicle is programmed to receive a first set of data from at least one sensor in the first vehicle and to receive a second set of data from at least one second vehicle. The second set of data is from at least one sensor in the at least one second vehicle. The computer is further programmed to use both the first set of data and the second set of data to identify at least one feature of a road being traversed by the first vehicle.

Autonomous control in a dense vehicle environment

A trailer backup control system includes a jackknife enabling condition detector and a jackknife counter-measures controller. The jackknife counter-measures controller alters a setting of at least one vehicle operating parameter for alleviating an adverse jackknife condition during backing of the trailer by the vehicle when the jackknife enabling condition detector determines that a jackknife enabling condition has been attained at a particular point in time during backing of the trailer by the vehicle, restricts a trailer backup steering input apparatus and issues a warning to the driver using the trailer backup steering input apparatus.

Apparatus for a vehicle operated on a roadway having lane markers includes an optical sensor providing optical data of the roadway. A first lane model is stored in an electronic memory in response to detected lane markers in the optical data. An electronic horizon system tracks a position of the vehicle and provides roadway data in response to the position. A second lane model is stored in the electronic memory in response to the roadway data. A confidence checker compares a discrepancy between the first and second lane models to a threshold in order to determine a confidence level. An output selector selects the first lane model when lane markers are detected in the optical data, and selects the second lane model if the lane markers are not detected in the optical data and the confidence level is greater than a predetermined level.

Lane monitoring with electronic horizon

A trailer backup steering input apparatus is coupled to a vehicle. The trailer backup steering input apparatus comprises a rotatable control element (e.g., a knob) and a rotatable control element movement sensing device. The rotatable control element biased to an at-rest position between opposing rotational ranges of motion. The rotatable control element movement sensing device is coupled to the rotatable control element for sensing movement of the rotatable control element. The rotatable control element movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of an amount of rotation of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position, a rate movement of the rotatable control element, and/or a direction of movement of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position.

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Canton, MI, United States of America

Matt Y Rupp