Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Michael Mcquillen

Daniel A Makled

Gopichandra Surnilla

Richard E Soltis

Mohannad Hakeem

Stephen B Smith

Jeremy Ferack

Radhakrishnan Swaminathan

Ross Dykstra Pursifull

Ali Ahmad Ayoub

David Michael Herman

James Alfred Hilditch

Imtiaz Ali

Naginder Gogna

Douglas Blue

Lyth Alobiedat

John Joseph Virga

Alex Szczepaniak

Matthew Affeldt

Martin Brown

Joseph Norman Ulrey

Larry Dean Elie

Michael Howard Shelby

Mathew Alan Boesch

Aaron Lewis Mills

Brian Joseph Robert

Ashwin Arunmozhi

Ray C Siciak

David John Kubinski

Philip Michael Gonzales

Bo Wu

Michael Adel Awad Alla

Nitendra Nath

Hao Zhang

Gopichandra Sumilla

Mohan Karulkar

Brian Wolski

Nicolas Salciccioli

Dane Miller

A vehicle that includes controller(s) and components that are coupled with, among other devices and systems, imaging sensors, transceivers, and obstacle and infrastructure detectors, which are configured to detect and predict locations and movements of roadway obstacles, infrastructure features and elements that include, for example, intersections and crosswalks, and positions, movement, and trajectories of pedestrians and other vehicles. Such roadway obstacles may include the other vehicles, pedestrians on and entering the crosswalks and roadway, and other potential obstacles. The controller(s) and device(s) are also coupled to and/or configured trajectory and intersection signal detectors, which detect the roadway obstacles and features such as the pedestrians, other vehicles, intersections, and crosswalks, as well as signals for the roadways and crosswalks. The vehicle controller(s) and device(s) generate and communicate signaling changes to the intersection and crosswalk infrastructure controllers, and message alerts that are communicated to the other vehicles.

Vehicle to vehicle and infrastructure communication and pedestrian detection system

A system includes a processor configured to receive a request from a host vehicle for video relating to a location specified in the request. The processor is also configured to determine whether a candidate vehicle receiving the request can provide the request video when the request is received. The processor is further configured to relay the request to a transceiver in wireless communication with the candidate vehicle, if the candidate vehicle cannot provide the requested video, otherwise record and transmit the requested video.

Method and apparatus for relayed on-demand localized video sharing

Aerial vehicle sensor calibration systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining a jarring event, determining when a drone is level relative to an aerial vehicle platform of a vehicle, the vehicle having a calibration controller, determining when the vehicle is level relative to a subordinate surface, and transmitting a signal to a drone controller by the calibration controller to calibrate a gyroscope or an accelerometer of the drone.

Aerial vehicle sensor calibration systems and methods

A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to predict a user arrival time based on data of a user and a user origin location, deactivate a propulsion of the vehicle upon arriving at the user origin location, and deactivate one or more additional vehicle components based on the user arrival time.

Enhanced vehicle operation

Systems and methods are provided for controlling deceleration fuel shut off (DFSO) in response to an external object or location, such as a target vehicle. In one example, a method may include, while operating an engine in DFSO, determining a rate of change of a range to the target vehicle, and commanding an exit from the DFSO based on the range rate of change. By exiting the DFSO based on the range rate of change, torque lash experienced by a driver may be correspondingly reduced as compared to exiting the DFSO based upon, for example, one or more powertrain operating conditions.

Systems and methods for controlling deceleration fuel shut off in response to detection of an external object or location

A communication system for a vehicle includes an accelerometer, and a controller electrically coupled to the accelerometer and configured to respond to a signal indicative of an accident of the vehicle. The controller's response to the signal includes activating an emergency mode, requesting biometric data of occupants of the vehicle, and transmitting data identifying the vehicle, a location of the vehicle and a time of activation, and biometric data.

Vehicle emergency broadcast

A system includes a processor configured to generate a new access key, responsive to a vehicle shutdown. The processor is also configured to connect to a previously identified user wireless device. The processor is further configured to deliver the new access key to the user wireless device, responsive to connection to the wireless device and locally store a copy of the new access key in a file designated for reference for a next-access attempt.

Method and apparatus for dynamic vehicle key generation and handling

Methods and systems are provided for accurately estimating intake aircharge based on the output of an intake oxygen sensor while flowing EGR, purge, or PCV hydrocarbons to the engine. The unadjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine fuel control while the hydrocarbon adjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine torque control. A controller is configured to sample the oxygen sensor at even increments in a time domain, stamp the sampled data in a crank angle domain, store the sampled data in a buffer, and then select one or more data samples corresponding to a last firing period from the buffer for estimating the intake aircharge.

Methods and systems for engine fuel and torque control

Embodiments provide a vehicle that can establish a network of nearby vehicles in order to upload large amounts of data. An example vehicle includes a sensor, a communication system, and a processor. The processor is configured to establish a network comprising a plurality of nearby vehicles having respective data upload rates, separate data gathered by the sensor into segments based on the respective data upload rates, and transmit to the plurality of nearby vehicles using the communication system (i) the segments, and (ii) instructions for uploading the segments to a server.

Methods and systems for vehicle data upload

Methods and apparatus to enable vehicle-to-vehicle guidance and tracking are disclosed. An example method includes transmitting, from a first vehicle, a first message to a second vehicle. The first message requests the second vehicle to become a leader vehicle. The example method further includes receiving a second message from the second vehicle. The second message includes leader information indicative of a travel path of the second vehicle. The example method also includes receiving authorization from the second vehicle for the first vehicle to follow the second vehicle.

Methods and apparatus to enable vehicle-to-vehicle guidance and tracking

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting heater power of an oxygen sensor. In one example, a method for an engine includes adjusting heater power of a heating element of the oxygen sensor when the heater power increases by a threshold amount. The method includes subsequently increasing heater power back to a baseline power level responsive to a temperature of the heating element.

Methods and systems for adjusting heater power of an oxygen sensor to reduce degradation from water

Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring and adjustment of gaps between vehicles. An example vehicle includes a rear sensing device and a controller. The controller is to determine a target lead gap for following a lead vehicle during adaptive cruise control and measure, via the rear sensing device, a trailing distance to a trailing vehicle. The controller also is to determine a target trailing gap for the trailing vehicle. The example vehicle also includes a cruise control unit to increase, responsive to the trailing distance being less than the target trailing gap, the target lead gap based on the trailing distance.

Monitoring and adjustment of gaps between vehicles

Methods and systems are provided for improving operation of a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. In one example, a method may include calibrating a vehicle humidity sensor position inside a cabin of the vehicle by obtaining one or more humidity measurements with one or more personal computing devices positioned inside the cabin, and may further include adjusting operation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system responsive to the calibration. In this way, an interior humidity sensor of a vehicle may be regularly calibrated, which may improve operation of the vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, and may further increase fuel economy.

Systems and methods for calibrating vehicle sensing devices

The present description relates generally to methods and systems for detecting thermal aging and blackening in oxygen sensors. Thermal aging and blackening effects may be differentiated based on a monitored change in impedance in each of a pump cell and a Nernst cell of the oxygen sensor following application of an alternating voltage. In response to detection of thermal aging and/or blackening in the oxygen sensor corrective measures may be taken to ensure accurate oxygen estimation using the sensor.

Oxygen sensor element blackening detection

Method and apparatus are disclosed for electric vehicle charging station parking spot monitoring system. An example electric vehicle charging station includes a communication module, sensors, and a charge controller. The communication module communicatively couples to a vehicle parked in a parking spot associated with the charging station. The sensors monitor the parking spot. The charge controller receives identifying information and battery information from the vehicle parked in the parking spot, and when the vehicle is not eligible for charging, sends the identifying information of the vehicle to a parking enforcement authority.

Growing community of inventors

Warren, MI, United States of America

Michael Mcquillen