Patents by Inventor Christopher Scott Nave
Christopher Scott Nave 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).
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Patent number: 9612596Abstract: A vehicle may be steered without a driver's hands being on a vehicle steering control mechanism. A presence of an object within a predetermined distance of the vehicle may be detected using data from at least one object detection sensor that provides data to at least one of a passive safety system, a lane control system, a speed control system, and a brake control system. A steering control mechanism hands-on mode can then be enabled based at least in part on the presence of the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Christopher Scott Nave, Andy Chuan Hsia, Levasseur Tellis, Reid James Steiger
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Publication number: 20160325779Abstract: A vehicle may be steered without a driver's hands being on a vehicle steering control mechanism. A presence of an object within a predetermined distance of the vehicle may be detected using data from at least one object detection sensor that provides data to at least one of a passive safety system, a lane control system, a speed control system, and a brake control system. A steering control mechanism hands-on mode can then be enabled based at least in part on the presence of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Christopher Scott Nave, Andy Chuan Hsia, Levasseur Tellis, Reid James Steiger
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Patent number: 9374562Abstract: A system and method for calculating a horizontal camera to target distance is provided. A camera on board a vehicle is configured to image a target on a trailer that is aligned with the vehicle. A controller is in communication with the camera and is supplied a user-obtained measurement. The controller is configured to calculate a first horizontal distance and a second horizontal distance, and to sum the first and second horizontal distances to calculate a horizontal camera to target distance.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Erick Michael Lavoie, Bradley G. Hockrein, Don Jacob Mattern
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Patent number: 9346396Abstract: A supplemental vehicle lighting system that is responsive to a trailer backup assist system is provided. The system includes a rear vehicle fixture defining a keylock hole customarily used in conjunction with a corresponding keylock cylinder. A light assembly is provided in the place of a keylock cylinder and operably coupled to the keylock hole. The light assembly includes a housing having a barrel that is concentrically aligned with the keylock hole and includes a distal end and a proximal end. A lighting device is disposed inside the housing and operable to emit light through the barrel beginning from the proximal end. A lens is coupled to the distal end of the barrel and is disposed to at least partially coincide with the keylock hole, wherein the lens is configured to disperse light emitted from the lighting device to illuminate a rear vehicle area.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Chad Clement, Udayakumar Ramasami, Sleiman N. Adelnour, Stephen Kenneth Helwig
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Patent number: 9296423Abstract: The trailer backup assist system has a human machine interface coupled to a controller having a setup module, a calibration module, an activation module and a control module configured to receive trailer measurements, apply trailer measurements, activate and control vehicle systems to calibrate and implement a curvature control algorithm that controls the reverse movement of the vehicle-trailer combination in a manner consistent with a driver request. When incorrect trailer measurements have been entered, the trailer backup assist system recognizes the error, initiates a warning and requests corrective action to correct the trailer measurements. Default values for a maximum controllable curvature limit and a maximum controllable angle replace the limits calculated and applied by the calibration model that used incorrect trailer measurements, until corrected trailer measurements may be entered by the driver.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Matt Y. Rupp, David Dean Smit, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Erick Michael Lavoie, Christopher Scott Nave, John Shutko, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Douglas Scott Rhode
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Patent number: 9283892Abstract: A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Shutko
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Patent number: 9102272Abstract: A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Eric L. Reed, John Shutko, Christopher Scott Nave
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Patent number: 8930140Abstract: A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Shutko, Shane Elwart, Kenneth Michael Mayer
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Publication number: 20140379217Abstract: The trailer backup assist system has a human machine interface coupled to a controller having a setup module, a calibration module, an activation module and a control module configured to receive trailer measurements, apply trailer measurements, activate and control vehicle systems to calibrate and implement a curvature control algorithm that controls the reverse movement of the vehicle-trailer combination in a manner consistent with a driver request. When incorrect trailer measurements have been entered, the trailer backup assist system recognizes the error, initiates a warning and requests corrective action to correct the trailer measurements. Default values for a maximum controllable curvature limit and a maximum controllable angle replace the limits calculated and applied by the calibration model that used incorrect trailer measurements, until corrected trailer measurements may be entered by the driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Matt Y. Rupp, David Dean Smit, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Erick Michael Lavoie, Christopher Scott Nave, John Shutko, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Douglas Scott Rhode
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Publication number: 20140218506Abstract: A system and method for calculating a horizontal camera to target distance is provided. A camera on board a vehicle is configured to image a target on a trailer that is aligned with the vehicle. A controller is in communication with the camera and is supplied a user-obtained measurement. The controller is configured to calculate a first horizontal distance and a second horizontal distance, and to sum the first and second horizontal distances to calculate a horizontal camera to target distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Erick Michael Lavoie, Bradley G. Hockrein, Don Jacob Mattern
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Publication number: 20140133170Abstract: A supplemental vehicle lighting system that is responsive to a trailer backup assist system is provided. The system includes a rear vehicle fixture defining a keylock hole customarily used in conjunction with a corresponding keylock cylinder. A light assembly is provided in the place of a keylock cylinder and operably coupled to the keylock hole. The light assembly includes a housing having a barrel that is concentrically aligned with the keylock hole and includes a distal end and a proximal end. A lighting device is disposed inside the housing and operable to emit light through the barrel beginning from the proximal end. A lens is coupled to the distal end of the barrel and is disposed to at least partially coincide with the keylock hole, wherein the lens is configured to disperse light emitted from the lighting device to illuminate a rear vehicle area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Chad Clement, Udayakumar Ramasami
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Publication number: 20140058622Abstract: A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Shutko
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Publication number: 20140058655Abstract: A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Eric L. Reed, John Shutko, Christopher Scott Nave
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Publication number: 20140058668Abstract: A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Shutko, Shane Elwart, Kenneth Michael Mayer
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Publication number: 20100114467Abstract: A system and method are provided to determine the collision status of a nearby vehicle or vehicles. If a nearby vehicle has been in a collision, responsive systems may be triggered automatically. Responses may include warning the driver of the host vehicle and/or warning drivers of other vehicles or centralized networks by, among other methods, V2V or V2I communications. Responses may also include automatically triggering countermeasures in the host vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Stephen Varghese Samuel, Christopher Scott Nave, Wilford Trent Yopp, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Publication number: 20100114418Abstract: A system and method are provided to determine the side-impact collision status of a nearby vehicle or vehicles. If a nearby vehicle has been in a collision, responsive systems may be triggered automatically. Responses may include warning the driver of the host vehicle and/or warning drivers of other vehicles or centralized networks by, among other methods, V2V or V2I communications. Responses may also include automatically triggering countermeasures in the host vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Stephen Varghese Samuel, Christopher Scott Nave, Wilford Trent Yopp, Roger Arnold Trombley