Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Patrick Lawrence Jackson Van Hoecke

Hamid M Golgiri

Anthony Melatti

Danielle Rosenblatt

Omar Makke

Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin

Aaron Matthew DeLong

Perry Robinson Macneille

John Robert Van Wiemeersch

Aaron Lewis Mills

Yimin Liu

Nitendra Nath

Stephen T Schmidt

Jeffrey Yeung

Aaron Matthew Delong

Adam Thomas Rainey

James Issac

Bradley Pankow

Matthew Wolfe

A system includes a processor configured to receive a user profile responsive to an efficiency determination request for a vehicle model. The processor is also configured to obtain efficiency-affecting data from the user profile. The processor is further configured to compare the efficiency-affecting data to data gathered from drivers of the vehicle model, to determine a correlation between the user profile and similar drivers of the vehicle model. Also, the processor is configured to predict fuel efficiency for the new vehicle model based on efficiency achieved by the similar drivers.

Method and apparatus for driver-centric fuel efficiency determination and utilization

A foldable card includes first and second sections, each defining a base and a layer of a blade of a key extending therefrom; and a hinge interface connecting the bases of the first and second sections, wherein the first section is configured to fold over the second section at the hinge interface so that a top surface of the first section is against a bottom surface of the second section and each of the layers of the blades align to form the blade of the key, and the first and second sections are configured to fold at the hinge interface into a storage position to form a collective flat surface.

Folding backup key

A system includes a first-vehicle processor configured to receive a signal broadcast from a second vehicle. The processor is also configured to determine a distance between a first transceiver, receiving the signal, and a second transceiver, transmitting the signal. The processor is further configured to determine second vehicle dimensions. Also, the processor is configured to digitally map a second vehicle perimeter around a second transceiver location, determined based on the distance and alert a first vehicle driver of a likely overlap condition of the second vehicle perimeter and a first vehicle perimeter.

Method and apparatus for low frequency localization of surrounding vehicles

A user destination is identified based on received location information from a user. A first seat in a vehicle is assigned to the user based on the user destination. At least one of the first seat and a second seat in the vehicle is moved upon user entry until a distance between the first seat and the second seat is greater than a distance threshold.

Vehicle seat operation

Systems, methods, and computer program products for upgrading a vehicle's functionality based on the manner in which the vehicle is operated. A predefined operating condition of the vehicle that can be assisted by a vehicle feature not presently provided by the vehicle is identified. Thereafter, a notification is communicated to a user interface that indicates availability of the vehicle feature. Subsequently, the vehicle is upgraded to provide the vehicle feature responsive to input to the user interface submitting a request to perform the upgrade.

Upgradeable vehicle

A system includes a computer remote from a vehicle. The computer is programmed to store a label of an odor associated with a user, instruct the vehicle to pick up the user, receive data from an environmental sensor in the vehicle, and output a message upon determining that the data indicate that a level of the odor exceeds a threshold.

Transportation system using odor preferences

Method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing damage to an object within a charging field of a wireless vehicle battery charger. An example vehicle includes a wireless vehicle battery charger having a charging field, a plurality of Bluetooth antennas, and a processor. The processor is configured to identify a location of an object using one or more of the plurality of Bluetooth antennas, and, responsive to determining that the object is within the charging field, disable the wireless vehicle battery charger.

Systems and methods for vehicle wireless charging

A keycard may include electronics to allow access to vehicle functions. A keycard system for a vehicle includes a plurality of sections of a stacking key, and a keycard, including a key holder defining a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve having an opening for receiving a respective one of the plurality of sections, wherein the key holder further includes electronics configured to wirelessly provide access to the vehicle. A foldable keycard includes hinged sections, each defining a base and a layer of a blade of a key extending therefrom; and an electronic vehicle access component arranged at the base of one of the sections opposite the blades, and configured to fold away from the blades to allow the keycard to be inserted into a lock.

Backup key with wireless capabilities

A system includes a processor configured to receive a set of vehicle-specific, user-specified vehicle physical system settings for a first vehicle. The processor is also configured to use a known first vehicle physical configuration to convert the system settings into user-centric settings, representing at least spacing between physical components achieved in the first vehicle by the user-specified settings. The processor is further configured to save the converted user-centric settings with respect to a user profile.

Method and apparatus for globalized portable occupant vehicle settings

A system for allowing control of vehicle features includes a computer programmed to wirelessly connect to first and second user devices authorized to access, respectively, first and second sets of vehicle features. The first and second sets of vehicle features differ by at least one feature. The computer is further programmed to actuate a feature from the first set of vehicle features upon receipt of a first device command, and to actuate a feature from the second set of vehicle features upon receipt of a second device command.

Vehicle feature control

A system includes a processor configured to receive a vehicle request, including a requesting-occupant physical parameter. The processor is also configured to send a request, including the physical parameter, to a vehicle-hailing service. The processor is further configured to receive identification of a vehicle having sufficient space to accommodate the requesting-occupant, based on the physical parameter, responsive to the request. Also, the processor is configured to receive confirmation of the vehicle from the requesting-occupant, and request use of the vehicle, responsive to the confirmation.

Method and apparatus for ride-share planning using spatial awareness

A system, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to pilot a vehicle based on determining first and second lane markers, where lane markers are mathematical descriptions of roadway lane markers applied to a roadway to mark traffic lanes, determine a missing first or second lane marker, and pilot the vehicle for a determined period of time based on a remaining first or second lane marker.

In-vehicle traffic assist

A system includes a processor configured to determine that measured vehicle variable values match a predefined set of vehicle variable values associated with recommending vehicle feature engagement. The processor is further configured to determine that the feature has not been used with a threshold frequency in a vehicle in which the variable values were measured. Also, the processor is configured to responsive to the match and use below the threshold, present a recommendation to engage the feature.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Patrick Lawrence Jackson Van Hoecke