Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Other

Robert Bruce Kleve

John Robert Van Wiemeersch

Thomas Lee Miller

Ritesh Pandya

Steven Yellin Schondorf

Brian Bennie

Kosta Papanikolaou

Eric L Reed

Kevin Thomas Hille

Ronald Patrick Brombach

Michael Hrecznyj

Dilip B Patel

John Thomas Ricks

Brian Petersen

Lisa Therese Boran

Jim Michael Weinfurther

Paul Aldighieri

Anthony Gerald King

Edward Andrew Pleet

Howard Paul Tsvi Linden

Thomas Joseph Hermann

Patrick Kevin Holub

Laura Viviana Hazebrouck

Noah Barlow Mass

Daniel Carl Bejune

H Paul Tsvi Linden

Greg Swadling

Brian Wolski

Karl Douglas Vandivier

David Paul Kaminski

Gregory Swadling

Rajesh K Patel

Doron M Elliott

Scott Alan Watkins

Mark L Jones

Andrea Bowes Chowanic

Cameron Smyth

Joseph Carl Beiser

Maria Eugenia Protopapas

Michael Kruntovski

Jacob Lucero

Jon Holt

Vilay Patel

Kenneth Nkosi Williams

Dae Wook Kwon

Neighborhood monitoring is performed by configuring a cluster server within a public network to maintain a cluster directory identifying cluster members including a neighborhood of smart listening devices and user vehicles. The neighborhood includes a cluster of dwellings, and the user vehicles includes an autonomous vehicle. The surroundings of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles are monitored using sensors in the smart listening devices and the user vehicles. When an alerting event is detected with one of the sensors, a corresponding one of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles that detected the alerting event initiates a message to another cluster member based on the cluster directory. A responsive action is executed in response to the detected alerting event which includes commanding the at least one autonomous vehicle to autonomously relocate to a designated location.

Network of home smart listening devices linked to autonomous vehicle

A powered latch system for motor vehicles includes at least one powered latch that can be controlled based, at least in part, on vehicle operating conditions. The system may be configured to control unlatching of the vehicle doors utilizing data relating to the vehicle speed and/or the existence of a crash event. The powered latch system can be configured as required for various vehicles, and to accommodate specific operating requirements with respect to child locks in various geographic jurisdictions.

Electronic safe door unlatching operations

A latch system for vehicle doors includes a powered latch including a powered actuator that is configured to unlatch the powered latch. An interior unlatch input feature such as an unlatch switch can be actuated by a user to provide an unlatch request. The system may include a controller that is operably connected to the powered actuator of the powered latch. The controller is configured such that it does not unlatch the powered latch if a vehicle speed is greater than a predefined value unless the interior latch feature is actuated at least two times according to predefined criteria.

Powered latch system for vehicle doors and control system therefor

A computer-implemented method for detecting a working condition of one or more vehicle components includes communicating with a cellular communication module in a vehicle over a telecommunications network. A vehicle component characteristic or identifier for the vehicle components is received over the telecommunication network. One or more operation status identifiers for the one or more vehicle components based on data from the vehicle is also received. A location for servicing or purchasing the one or more vehicle components based on the vehicle component characteristic or identifier is determined. A service status of the one or more vehicle components based on the one or more operation status identifiers is also determined. Based on the service status, a message including an identification of the vehicle components and a service or purchase location for the vehicle components is generated. The message is transmitted to a terminal for display.

Methods and systems for monitoring the condition of vehicle components from a nomadic wireless device or computer

Crowd-sourcing of vehicles and smart listening devices is used for neighborhood monitoring. A cluster server is configured within a public network to maintain a cluster directory identifying cluster members including a neighborhood of smart listening devices and user vehicles, wherein the neighborhood is associated with a cluster of dwellings. The surroundings of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles are monitored using sensors in the smart listening devices and the user vehicles. Upon detecting an alerting event with one of the sensors, a corresponding one of the smart listening devices and the user vehicles that detected the alerting event initiates a message to another cluster member based on the cluster directory. The cluster member receiving the message initiates its own responsive action to the alerting event.

Home smart listening devices linking to multiple transport vehicles

In a first illustrative embodiment, a processor operably programmed and configured to receive input defining one or more vehicle parameters to monitor and control during a vehicle rental. The processor may monitor and control the vehicle parameters during a vehicle rental period starting when an authorized user keylessly activates a vehicle during a defined start time. The processor may control driver behavior by limiting vehicle performance based on a predefined threshold of one or more vehicle parameters. The monitoring and control may continue until the rental period has expired or when the vehicle is returned to a predetermined geographic area designated by the vehicle owner. The processor may initiate wireless communication of the vehicle parameters to a vehicle rental administrative system through a cellular telephone located in proximity to the vehicle.

Hardware and controls for personal vehicle rental

A smart listening device comprises an audio detector responsive to speech and ambient sounds to provide digital audio signals. A distributed controller is coupled to the audio detector to execute responsive actions in response to the digital audio signals. A communications circuit establishes a first communication link with a backend. A vehicle database identifies at least one user transport vehicle and at least one responsive action corresponding to the user vehicle. The distributed controller has a monitoring mode for detecting preconfigured alerting events and has an alert/response mode for executing responsive actions associated with the detected alerting events. The communications circuit establishes a second communication link with the user vehicle when an executed responsive action is associated with a detected alerting event corresponding to the user vehicle in order to initiate the responsive action.

Home smart listening device linking to transport vehicle

In at least one embodiment, a system for authorizing use of a vehicle communication and information system may include one or more data processors configured to receive information associating one or more devices with a vehicle computer. The data processor(s) may be also configured to receive information identifying a user requesting authorization to command the vehicle controls from the one or more devices associated with the vehicle computer. The user(s) may be authorized to command the vehicle controls from the one or more devices associated with the vehicle computer based on performing an authentication process for authenticating the user, determining that the user is an authenticated user based on the authentication process, and enabling command of one or more vehicle controls from the one or more remote devices via the associated vehicle computer based on the user being authenticated.

Methods and systems for authenticating one or more users of a vehicle communications and information system

A pump system includes a pneumatic pump, a hose, a nozzle that can attach to a tire of a vehicle, and a processing device. The processing device receives a target tire pressure for the tire, receives a current tire pressure of the tire, and controls the operation of the pneumatic pump according to the target tire pressure and the current tire pressure. A method includes receiving a target tire pressure for a tire of a vehicle, receiving a current tire pressure of the tire, and controlling operation of a pneumatic pump according to the target tire pressure and the current tire pressure.

Pump with tire fill assist

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for transmitting vehicle information to a portable personal communication device (PCD) is provided. The apparatus comprises a communication module positioned in the first vehicle. The communication module is configured to transmit a first signal including static information and dynamic information to the first PCD. The static information includes one of a first vehicle serial number and a vehicle type and the dynamic information includes one of a connect status, a driver alert rating, and a silent alarm. The first PCD is arranged to control operation thereof based on at least one of the static information and the dynamic information.

Apparatus and method for transmitting static and dynamic information to a personal communication device in a vehicle

A vehicle system may include a controller configured to receive a height selection indicating a vehicle height from a plurality of vehicle height options, detect, via a first sensor, a low clearance structure and determine a clearance height, compare the vehicle height with the clearance height; and generate an alert in response to the vehicle height being greater than the clearance height.

System for determining clearance of approaching overhead structure

A vehicle door includes a powered latch configured to selectively retain the door in a closed position when the powered latch is latched, and permits the door to be opened when the powered latch is unlatched. The vehicle door further includes an exterior door handle having an outer side that faces away from the door structure, and an inner side that is spaced apart from an outer surface of the door to define a gap. A force sensor on the exterior door handle detects impact forces on the handle. The door also includes an unlatch switch that can be actuated by a user to request unlatching of the powered latch. A controller is configured to deny an unlatch request generated by actuation of the unlatch switch if the force sensor detects an impact on the exterior handle.

Electronic control system and sensor for electrically powered vehicle door latches

A powered door latch system for vehicles includes a controller configured to receive data concerning vehicle operating conditions. The door latch system also includes at least one electrically powered door latch having a powered actuator that can be actuated by the controller to unlatch the electrically powered latch. An emergency release is mechanically connected to the electrically powered latch to mechanically release the latch. The system also includes a user communication device such as a display screen that is operably connected to the controller. The user communication device provides a user with information concerning the location and/or operation of the emergency release if a predefined operating condition such as a loss of electrical power has occurred.

Customer coaching method for location of E-latch backup handles

A vehicle door includes a powered latch mechanism and an interior door handle having first and second sensors disposed on opposite sides of the interior door handle. The first and second sensors are configured to detect the presence of a user's hand to control operation of the powered latch mechanism. The powered latch may be unlatched if an unlatch switch is actuated and the first and second sensors detect the presence of a user's hand.

Electronic vehicle access control system

Growing community of inventors

Farmington, MI, United States of America

Robert Bruce Kleve