Patents by Inventor John Shutko

John Shutko 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: 8853946
    Abstract: A system and method for re-enabling automatic mode after manually overriding automatic mode of an automatic headlamp control system for a motor vehicle. The system and method monitors the headlamp state in a controller, recommends a headlamp state from the automatic mode of the automatic headlamp control system, monitors a driver request for headlamp state in the controller, and causes the controller to return to the automatic mode when the recommended headlamp state matches the driver request for a headlamp state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Brian Wolski, Timothy Prodin, John Shutko, Kenneth Michael Mayer
  • Publication number: 20140288769
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer coupled thereto. The system has a wireless receiver on the vehicle located a predetermined distance from a trailer mount, a wireless transmitter located at an end of the trailer opposite the trailer mount, and a controller for monitoring power returns of a signal transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver and for estimating a distance between the transmitter and the receiver as a function of a path loss propagation of the transmitted signal. The bitch angle is estimated using the estimated distance, the predetermined distance and a trailer length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Christopher Nave, John Shutko
  • Publication number: 20140288799
    Abstract: A driver performance mapping system for a vehicle system is disclosed. The system may include a GPS receiver generating GPS data indicative of a current location of the vehicle. In addition, the system may also have a radar device generating current gap data indicative of a current gap distance from the vehicle to a lead vehicle. Further, the system may include an electronic controller configured to generate learned gap data based on the current gap data and stored gap data, and then assign the learned gap data with the GPS data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Shane S. Elwart, Aaron L. Mills, John Shutko, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Ottavio Michelini
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140241584
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a trailer image. The processor is also configured to identify an axle in the trailer image and identify a tongue-end in the trailer image. Further, the processor is configured to receive a tire image, including a wheel diameter provided on a tire. The processor is additionally configured to retrieve the wheel diameter from the tire image. The processor is also configured to identify a wheel, having an indentified diameter corresponding to the wheel diameter, in the first image. Additionally, the processor is configured to calculate a distance from the axle to the tongue-end using the identified diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, John Shutko, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Nave
  • Publication number: 20140236532
    Abstract: A vehicle has a wireless receiver located a predetermined distance from a trailer mount. A wireless transmitter on the trailer is located at an end of the trailer opposite the end that attaches to a trailer mount on the vehicle and communicates with the wireless receiver on the vehicle. A controller on the vehicle monitors the power returns of the signal transmitted between the transmitter and the receiver. A hitch angle monitoring system monitors hitch angle over time. The controller monitors power returns of a signal transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver and estimates a distance between the transmitter and the receiver as a function of a path loss propagation of the transmitted signal. The trailer length is equal to the distance estimated by the controller at times when the hitch angle is zero minus the predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Christopher Nave, John Shutko
  • Patent number: 8718866
    Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of at least one of commanding an occupant communication device and entering data into the occupant communication device based on whether a driver is a primary or a secondary driver is provided. A controller is configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of whether the driver is the primary driver or the secondary driver. The controller is configured to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is one of the primary and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is configured to selectively control the operation of at least one of commanding the occupant communication device and entering data into the occupant communication device based on whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, John Shutko
  • Publication number: 20140058655
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Eric L. Reed, John Shutko, Christopher Scott Nave
  • Publication number: 20140058622
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Shutko
  • Publication number: 20140058668
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Shutko, Shane Elwart, Kenneth Michael Mayer
  • Publication number: 20140052337
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Nave, John Shutko, Matt Y. Rupp, Kenneth Michael Mayer
  • Publication number: 20130268160
    Abstract: A trailer backup steering input apparatus provides a trailer steering information signal to a trailer backup assist control module of a vehicle through a signal interface thereof. The trailer steering information signal is configured for enabling the trailer backup assist control module to generate electrical steering commands for a steering system of the vehicle as a function of the trailer steering information signal. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is self-contained and physically detachable/detached form the vehicle. Advantageously, such a trailer backup steering input apparatus saves space, allows for greater flexibility with interior styling of the vehicle, and allows all drivers regardless of stature the ability to have the trailer backup steering input apparatus easily accessible while utilizing the trailer backup assist functionality of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, John Shutko
  • Publication number: 20130154477
    Abstract: A system and method for re-enabling automatic mode after manually overriding automatic mode of an automatic headlamp control system for a motor vehicle. The system and method monitors the headlamp state in a controller, recommends a headlamp state from the automatic mode of the automatic headlamp control system, monitors a driver request for headlamp state in the controller, and causes the controller to return to the automatic mode when the recommended headlamp state matches the driver request for a headlamp state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Wolski, Timothy Prodin, John Shutko, Kenneth Michael Mayer
  • Patent number: 8467933
    Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of performing emergency notification in a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a controller configured to receive at least one driver status signal indicative of whether the driver is one of the primary driver and the secondary driver from a key ignition device positioned on at least one of a primary key and the secondary key. The controller is configured to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is one of the primary and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is configured to selectively control the operation of performing emergency notification based on whether the driver of the vehicle is one of the primary driver and the secondary driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, John Shutko, Abraham Philip
  • Patent number: 8120478
    Abstract: An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is provided. The information display system determines which engine on reasons are true and applies a prioritization strategy to determine which engine on reasons are displayed to an operator via an information display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Skaff, Derek Hartl, Angela L. Watson, David Watson, Paul Stephen Bryan, John Shutko
  • Publication number: 20100265050
    Abstract: An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is provided. The information display system determines which engine on reasons are true and applies a prioritization strategy to determine which engine on reasons are displayed to an operator via an information display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Skaff, Derek Hartl, Angela L. Watson, David Watson, Paul Stephen Bryan, John Shutko
  • Publication number: 20090312902
    Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of performing emergency notification in a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a controller configured to receive at least one driver status signal indicative of whether the driver is one of the primary driver and the secondary driver from a key ignition device positioned on at least one of a primary key and the secondary key. The controller is configured to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is one of the primary and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is configured to selectively control the operation of performing emergency notification based on whether the driver of the vehicle is one of the primary driver and the secondary driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, John Shutko, Abraham Philip
  • Publication number: 20090312901
    Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of at least one of commanding an occupant communication device and entering data into the occupant communication device based on whether a driver is a primary or a secondary driver is provided. A controller is configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of whether the driver is the primary driver or the secondary driver. The controller is configured to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is one of the primary and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is configured to selectively control the operation of at least one of commanding the occupant communication device and entering data into the occupant communication device based on whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, John Shutko