Patents by Inventor Kenneth Michael Mayer

Kenneth Michael Mayer 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: 9248858
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Nave, John Shutko, Matt Y. Rupp, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit
  • Patent number: 9042603
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, John Shutko, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Nave
  • Patent number: 8930140
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Shutko, Shane Elwart, Kenneth Michael Mayer
  • Publication number: 20140379217
    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. 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: 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
  • 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: 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: 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: 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