Patents by Inventor Alex Maurice Miller

Alex Maurice Miller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9802566
    Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Patent number: 9666069
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an autonomous driving sensor configured to detect a road condition and output at least one road condition signal representing the road condition, an autonomous mode controller configured to control the vehicle according to the at least one road condition signal, and a communication module configured to broadcast the road condition signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Patent number: 9610945
    Abstract: An intersection of a host vehicle and a target vehicle is identified. Data relating to the target vehicle are collected. A map of a surrounding environment is developed. A driver intent probability is determined based at least in part on the map. A threat estimation is determined based at least in part on the driver intent probability. At least one of a plurality of safety systems is activated based at least in part on the threat estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Maurice Miller, Roger Arnold Trombley, Kun Deng, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Patrick Piastowski
  • Publication number: 20160362104
    Abstract: An intersection of a host vehicle and a target vehicle is identified. Data relating to the target vehicle are collected. A map of a surrounding environment is developed. A driver intent probability is determined based at least in part on the map. A threat estimation is determined based at least in part on the driver intent probability. At least one of a plurality of safety systems is activated based at least in part on the threat estimation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Maurice Miller, Roger Arnold Trombley, Kun Deng, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Patrick Piastowski
  • Patent number: 9335162
    Abstract: A vehicle system for estimating a trailer length is disclosed. The system incorporates at least one sensor configured to measure a wheel steer angle and a trailer angle in communication with a processor. The processor is operable to determine a first length by a first computation method and determine a second length by a second computation method. The processor is further operable to validate an estimated trailer length based on the first length and the second length and perform a back-up function for the trailer based on the estimated trailer length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christos Kyrtsos, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Alex Maurice Miller, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Publication number: 20160121835
    Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Publication number: 20160096514
    Abstract: A vehicle impact is determined to be likely to occur. Determinations are made that a vehicle speed is below a first predetermined threshold, that a vehicle pedal condition is met, and that a vehicle acceleration is below a second predetermined threshold. At least one instruction is then provided that includes at least one of an instruction to override an acceleration request and an instruction to suppress a throttle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Maurice Miller, Stephen William Rouhana
  • Patent number: 9266487
    Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Patent number: 9218739
    Abstract: A method for assisting a driver includes determining that a host vehicle and first and second surrounding vehicles are approaching an intersection on at least two different road segments; determining when the first and second vehicles have stopped at the intersection; determining when the first and second vehicles proceed through the intersection; and identifying an actual order-of-progression of the first and second vehicles through the intersection. Simultaneously or sequentially with determination of the actual order-of-progression, attempting to determine a present geographic location of the host vehicle and consulting an on-board database to attempt to identify a regulatory order-of-progression for the present geographic location. If the regulatory order-or-progression is identified, the driver is advised regarding the regulatory order-of-progression. If the attempt to identify the regulatory order-or-progression is not successful, the driver is advised regarding the actual order-of-progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Alex Maurice Miller
  • Patent number: 9174649
    Abstract: A vehicle sub-system controller is configured to receive a first message and a second message, wherein the first message includes at least a command for the controller, and the second message includes at least a target value for the controller to achieve. A fault may be detected with respect to the first message; and an adjustment to the sub-system may be locally determined in the sub-system controller to achieve the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Andrew Brown, Scott J. Lauffer, Sarra Awad Yako, Shane Elwart, Douglas Scott Rhode, Alex Maurice Miller, Tobias John Pallett, John A. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20150268341
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a fascia, a sensor array disposed on the fascia, and a processing device. The sensor array has a plurality of ultrasonic sensors, each configured to output a sensor signal. The processing device is configured to process the sensor signals and control operation of the sensor array to generate a three dimensional image of an object near the vehicle based at least in part on the sensor signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christos Kyrtsos, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Alex Maurice Miller
  • Publication number: 20150258954
    Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Patent number: 9123251
    Abstract: An improved vision-based system generates object detection corresponding to different viewing areas based on vehicle speed. At lower vehicle speeds, the system covers a wider field of view and a near zone while at higher vehicle speeds the system covers a normal or narrower field of view and a far zone. The system includes a lens package having a movable lens, an image sensor and an image transformer. The movable lens is movable between a first position representing a wide angle view and a second position representing a normal angle view. Each of these views generates an image such that a wide angle view generates a wide angle image and a normal angle view generates a normal angle image. The wide angle view is associated with the vehicle's passive safety systems while the normal angle view is associated with the vehicle's active safety systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Alex Maurice Miller
  • Publication number: 20150241226
    Abstract: First and second sets of data are collected in a vehicle from respective data sources. Each of the first and second sets of data are provided for determinations respectively selected from first and second categories of autonomous vehicle operations. A determination is made to take an autonomous action selected from the first category of autonomous vehicle operations. Data is used from each of the first and second data sets relating respectively to the first and second categories of autonomous vehicle operations to determine the autonomous action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Publication number: 20150235557
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an autonomous driving sensor configured to detect a road condition and output at least one road condition signal representing the road condition, an autonomous mode controller configured to control the vehicle according to the at least one road condition signal, and a communication module configured to broadcast the road condition signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Publication number: 20150197281
    Abstract: A system for backing a vehicle and a trailer is provided herein. The system includes an imaging system configured to detect contiguous lane markers while imaging an operating environment of the vehicle and trailer. The system also includes a user interface configured to display the contiguous lane markers in relation to the vehicle and trailer wherein the user is enabled to select a target space bounded by the contiguous lane markers. A backup assist system is also provided to determine a steering trajectory into the target space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Alex Maurice Miller, Michael Hafner, Sudipto Aich
  • Patent number: 9079587
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matt Y. Rupp, Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Timothy D. Zwicky, Levasseur Tellis, Richard Lee Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20150166069
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor configured to monitor at least one condition while the vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode. A processing device is configured to control at least one vehicle subsystem while the vehicle is operating in the autonomous mode. The processing device is configured to control the at least one vehicle subsystem according to a driver preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, ALEX MAURICE MILLER, THOMAS EDWARD PILUTTI, MATT Y. RUPP, RICHARD LEE STEPHENSON, LEVASSEUR TELLIS, ROGER ARNOLD TROMBLEY, ANDREW WALDIS, TIMOTHY D. ZWICKY
  • Publication number: 20150055120
    Abstract: An improved vision-based system generates object detection corresponding to different viewing areas based on vehicle speed. At lower vehicle speeds the system covers a wider field of view and a near zone while at higher vehicle speeds the system covers a normal or narrower field of view and a far zone. The system includes a lens package having a movable lens, an image sensor and image transformer. The movable lens is movable between a first position representing a wide angle view and a second position representing a normal angle view. Each of these views generates an image such that a wide angle view generates a wide angle image and a normal angle view generates a normal angle image. The wide angle view is associated with the vehicle's passive safety systems while the normal angle view is associated with the vehicle's active safety systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Alex Maurice Miller
  • Publication number: 20140267688
    Abstract: A vehicle and trailer display system is disclosed. The display system includes a plurality of imaging devices disposed on the vehicle, each having a field of view. The display system further includes a screen disposed in the vehicle operable to display images from the imaging devices. A controller is in communication with the imaging devices and the screen and is operable to receive a hitch angle corresponding to the angle between the vehicle and the trailer. Based on the hitch angle, the controller is operable to select a field of view of an imaging device to display on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sudipto Aich, Roger Arnold Trombley, John Shutko, Alex Maurice Miller