Patents by Inventor Keith Weston

Keith Weston 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).

  • Publication number: 20230374743
    Abstract: In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a passenger motor vehicle including a robotic arm configured for use in performing an additive manufacturing operation. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, David Brian Glickman, Keith Weston, Stuart C. Salter, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ellen Cheng-chi Lee
  • Publication number: 20230373479
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine that a vehicle is carrying a load; in response to an activation of an adaptive cruise control while the vehicle is carrying the load, operate the adaptive cruise control according to a set of parameters, the parameters being based on the load; while the adaptive cruise control is inactive and the vehicle is carrying the load, determine an expected operation of the adaptive cruise control, the expected operation being how the adaptive cruise control would operate according to the set of the parameters if active; and adjust at least one of the parameters based on a comparison of the expected operation with an actual operation performed by an operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jordan Barrett, Brendan Francis Diamond, Keith Weston
  • Publication number: 20230373504
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a vehicle to mitigate vision obstructions includes collecting data on potential vision obstructions in a sightline of an operator of a vehicle, determining, based on the data, that a vision obstruction has occurred or is about to occur, and actuating a corrective measure in the vehicle. Collected data may include camera data from inside the vehicle and estimated environmental conditions, and the collected data may be used to disable the ADAS based on a detected or impending vision obstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Francis Diamond, Keith Weston, Jordan Barrett, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, David Michael Russell, Lars Niklas Pettersson
  • Publication number: 20230373486
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to, in response to a vehicle towing a trailer being in reverse, determine a relative orientation of the trailer to the vehicle; while the vehicle is in reverse, in response to the relative orientation exceeding a threshold, brake the vehicle; and then, upon receiving an operator input, permit the vehicle to travel in reverse with the relative orientation exceeding the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jordan Barrett, Brendan Francis Diamond, Michael Alan Mcnees
  • Publication number: 20230364999
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting regenerative braking in response to normal loads applied to each of a vehicle's wheels coupled to an electric machine. In one example, a regenerative braking torque for a wheel may be adjusted in response to a normal load that is applied to the wheel as wheel load changes during vehicle braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Lars Niklas Pettersson, Matthew Johnson, Brendan Diamond, Keith Weston, Andrew Lewandowski, Andrew Niedert
  • Patent number: 11813982
    Abstract: A target vehicle can be identified for sound recording. A microphone on the host vehicle is activated to record sounds emanating from the target vehicle. A host vehicle assist feature is operated to maintain a sound recording proximity to the target vehicle. Then the sounds emanating from the target vehicle are recorded while the host vehicle is within the sound recording proximity of the target vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jordan Barrett, Jennifer Bloedow
  • Publication number: 20230356707
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle having an electrically powered trailer towed thereto. The vehicle has a vehicle powertrain, and the trailer has a trailer powertrain. A controller, in order to propel the vehicle with the trailer towed thereto, operates the vehicle powertrain and the trailer powertrain according to a combined efficiency map based on (i) an efficiency map associated with the vehicle powertrain and (ii) an efficiency map associated with the trailer powertrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, David Guglielmo, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Shehan Haputhanthri, Brendan F. Diamond
  • Publication number: 20230356724
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one drive wheel, a powerplant, a clutch, and a controller. The powerplant is configured to generate and deliver power to the at least one drive wheel. The clutch is disposed between the at least one drive wheel and the powerplant. The controller is programmed to, in response to detecting the at least one drive wheel disengaging the ground during a vehicle jump, open the clutch to disconnect the at least one drive wheel from the powerplant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Joshua Sharpe, Brendan F. Diamond, James Trent, David Michael Russell
  • Publication number: 20230347886
    Abstract: A system receives confirmation that a vehicle has accepted automatic control imposition for a drive within a geo-fenced boundary. The system tracks travel of a plurality of vehicles, including the vehicle, within the geo-fenced boundary. The system may determine that the vehicle has a threshold likelihood of encountering at least one of another vehicle or a boundary of the geo-fence at a threshold speed or above and responsive to the determination, impose automatic control on the vehicle, including at least one of controlled braking or speed limiting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Brown, Brendan F. Diamond, Joshua Sharpe, Keith Weston
  • Publication number: 20230339369
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for automatic adjustment of a seat in a vehicle. In an example method, a processor may evaluate a detector signal to determine an occupancy status of a second seat located behind a first seat in a vehicle. The processor may then execute a seat movement operation of the first seat based on the occupancy status of the second seat. The seat movement operation may involve either moving the first seat backwards over a first distance based on the second seat being unoccupied or moving the first seat backwards over a second distance that is smaller than the first distance based on the second seat being occupied. The first seat may be moved backwards at either a first speed of movement or a second speed of movement based on factors such as an available separation distance between the first seat and the second seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, Keith Weston, Jordan Barrett, Andrew Denis Lewandowski
  • Publication number: 20230339455
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control stability of a vehicle and trailer are disclosed. An example apparatus to control stability of a vehicle and trailer includes stability monitoring circuitry to determine, based on sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle, whether a vehicle stability condition associated with the vehicle is satisfied, and stability control circuitry to, in response to the vehicle stability condition not being satisfied, adjust a load distribution on front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle by adjusting a vehicle pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Matthew Johnson, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Brendan Diamond
  • Publication number: 20230331226
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for providing a vehicle occupant preparation system for certain acceleration modes. In an example method, sensor data associated with one or more sensors of the vehicle may be generated when a vehicle is in an acceleration mode. Subsequently, an orientation of an occupant in the vehicle relative to a seat or other structure within an interior of the vehicle may be determined using the sensor data. The orientation of the occupant may comprise at least a position of a head of the occupant or a direction the head of the occupant is facing. It may be determined that the orientation of the occupant is not within a predetermined orientation threshold. A notification associated with the orientation of the occupant may then be presented. In some instances, a performance parameter of the vehicle may be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, Keith Weston, Jordan Barrett, Andrew Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 11781515
    Abstract: An interactive remote start function is provided. A remote start request selected from a human machine interface (HMI) of an access application of a mobile device is received to a vehicle. Responsive to an estimated energy consumption of the vehicle exceeding available energy of the vehicle, a plurality of corrective actions are sent to the mobile device to be displayed in the HMI. A selection of one of the plurality of corrective actions is received from the mobile device. The one of the plurality of corrective actions is implemented to mitigate the estimated energy consumption of the vehicle exceeding the available energy of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Brendan F. Diamond
  • Patent number: 11760355
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive data indicating a lane change by a first vehicle that is towing a second vehicle, the data including data indicating a direction that first wheels of the first vehicle are turning while the first vehicle is performing the lane change; and during the lane change, instruct a steering system of the second vehicle to turn second wheels of the second vehicle in a same direction as the first wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Keith Weston, Brendan F. Diamond, Jordan Barrett
  • Patent number: 11752826
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle may include determining a proximity to a stuck condition based on measured vehicle motion parameters and a wheel speed measured by a wheel speed sensor associated with one or more wheels of the vehicle. The method may further include generating a notification to a driver of the vehicle in response to the proximity to the stuck condition indicating that the vehicle is either in a stuck condition or a nearly stuck condition, and responsive to driver selection of an unstuck mode, executing an unstuck algorithm to automatically control operation of the vehicle to achieve a free condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Johnson, Keith Weston, Jonathan Sullivan, David Michael Russell, Rohit Hippalgaonkar
  • Patent number: 11753860
    Abstract: A vehicle having a powered tailgate is provided. The vehicle includes a body, a powered tailgate pivotally connected to the body, an actuator operatively coupled to the tailgate to move the tailgate between open and closed positions, and sensors configured to sense an object in a swing path of the tailgate. The vehicle also includes a controller for processing signals output from the sensor and identifying and classifying the object, and controlling the actuator to move the tailgate between the open and closed positions based on the classified object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Brendan Diamond, Michael Alan McNees, Jordan Barrett
  • Patent number: 11758634
    Abstract: A plurality of light sources are mounted in a vehicular passenger cabin. Each light source illuminates a respective illumination zone with a midpoint. Each light source is configured to illuminate at a plurality of brightness levels up to a full brightness. A gaze tracker monitors an occupant cabin to detect a gaze point. A controller responds to an illumination request from the occupant to actuate at least two light sources to illuminate the passenger cabin at the gaze point. The controller uses the gaze point to select a respective brightness level for each light source based on a proximity of the gaze point to respective midpoints of the illumination zones. At least a first one of the actuated light sources with a midpoint closer to the gaze point provides a higher brightness level than a second one of the actuated light sources with a midpoint farther from the gaze point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan F. Diamond, Keith Weston, Michael A. McNees, Anthony J. Maraldo
  • Patent number: 11745559
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for isolating an interior of a motor vehicle from poor outdoor air quality. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a system and method configured to identify conditions associated with poor outdoor air quality and to respond to those conditions by isolating the interior of the motor vehicle from the outdoor environment. An example system includes a selector configured to permit a user to select a drive mode of the motor vehicle, a location system configured to detect a location of the motor vehicle, and a controller configured to issue one or more commands to isolate an interior of the motor vehicle from an environment outside the motor vehicle based on either a selected drive mode or a detected location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Brendan Diamond, Michael Alan McNees
  • Patent number: 11746871
    Abstract: A method for mitigating torque steer in a vehicle having a steering axle with a limited slip differential and a pair of output members. The limited slip differential includes a pair of differential outputs and a clutch. The method includes: operating the limited slip differential with the clutch in the first condition; determining that the vehicle is in a state in which a torque steer condition is occurring or is likely to occur; and operating the clutch to reduce a torque differential between the differential outputs to mitigate the torque steer condition. A vehicle with a steering axle and a controller that is configured to operate a clutch in the steering axle to attenuate torque steer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Jonathan Michael Graves, Andrew Monticello, Brent Clark
  • Publication number: 20230264569
    Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to monitor conditions of a roadway as a vehicle travels the roadway while an adaptive cruise control feature of the vehicle is active, identify an expected condition change based on the monitoring the conditions of the roadway, determine a preferred power state for an engine of the vehicle based on the expected condition change, determine that an engine power state transition is planned for the engine, the engine power state transition including transitioning the engine from a current power state to a planned power state, and resolve the engine power state transition based on the preferred power state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Barrett, Keith Weston, Brendan Francis Diamond, Andrew Denis Lewandowski