Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Peter Gyumyeong Joh

Thomas Edward Pilutti

Dorian Jack Spero

Matthew Y Rupp

Wilford Trent Yopp

Christos T Kyrtsos

Vidya Nariyambut Murali

Jinesh J Jain

Harpreetsingh Banvait

Aaron Lewis Mills

Gerald H Engelman

Sneha Kadetotad

Matt Y Rupp

Brian Wolski

Wangdong Luo

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting available parking spaces in a parking environment. Radar systems are utilized to gather data about a parking lot environment. The radar data is provided to a neural network model as an input. Algorithms employing neural networks can be trained to recognize parked vehicles and conflicting data regarding debris, shopping carts, street lamps, traffic signs, pedestrians, etc. The neural network model processes the radar data to estimate parking space boundaries and to approximate the parking space boundaries as splines. The neural network model outputs spline estimations to a vehicle computer system. The vehicle computer system utilizes the spline estimates to detect available parking spaces. The spline estimates are updated as the vehicle navigates the parking environment.

Detecting available parking spaces

A vehicle system includes a processor having a memory. The processor is programmed to receive a first distance signal output by a radar sensor and calibrate an ultrasound sensor in accordance with the first distance signal output by the radar sensor. A method includes receiving a first distance signal output by a radar sensor, receiving a second distance signal output by an ultrasound sensor, and calibrating the ultrasound sensor in accordance with the first distance signal output by the radar sensor.

Ultrasound range correction

An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.

Autonomous lane control system

A system and method is provided for determining if a windshield wiper of a vehicle should be automatically activated. The system and method may include a sensor system that receives at least one distance signal indicative of a distance between an object and a front windshield of the vehicle. The sensor system may further receive a relative velocity of the object using the at least one distance signal, the relative velocity being indicative of a velocity between the object and the front windshield of the vehicle. The sensor system may determine whether a windshield wiper should be automatically activated in response to the distance signal being within a distance activation range and the relative velocity being within a velocity activation range or the relative velocity exceeding a maximum velocity threshold.

Sensor system and method for a vehicle

A vehicle may include a sensor configured to detect a rearward approaching object and at least one controller configured to cause the vehicle to accelerate in response to the sensor detecting a rearward approaching object while the vehicle is moving forward.

Vehicle and powertrain control based on rearward approaching object

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 sensor system for a host vehicle may detect whether another in-path vehicle is turning. The sensor system may include a transmitter, a receiver and a controller. Signals may be emitted by the transmitter over a detection area. The emitted signals may reflect off an object vehicle in the detection area and be received by the receiver. The receiver may include a number of channels, each corresponding to a different region of the detection area. The sensor system may determine whether the in-path vehicle is turning and in what direction based on the reflected signals received at each channel.

System and method for detecting a turning vehicle

A method and system for implementing the fusion of road geometry model information in different forms from different sources in a manner that is comprehensive, efficient, and effective. Such fused road geometry model information for a particular vehicle (i.e., an ego vehicle) provides for improved performance of active safety functionality. Examples of active safety functionalities include, but are not limited to, curve speed warning, selection of target objects that are potential threats to the ego vehicle by helping the ego vehicle's path prediction, and the like.

Fusion of road geometry model information gathered from disparate sources

A system and method for classifying a target vehicle using a sensor system, including a plurality of target vehicle sensors. The sensor system acquiring target vehicle data points that define at least an upper and lower portion of the target vehicle. The sensor system reconstructing a target vehicle shape using the target vehicle data points to provide a first and second target vehicle classification value. The sensor system determining an overall target vehicle classification based in part upon the first and second target vehicle classification values.

Growing community of inventors

Bloomfield Hills, MI, United States of America

Peter Gyumyeong Joh