Patents by Inventor Pietro Buttolo

Pietro Buttolo 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).

  • Pick-up cargo bed capacitive sensor systems and methods
    Patent number: 11062582
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a vehicle cargo bed capacitive sensor system programmed to determine when items in the cargo bed (e.g., the bed of a pickup truck) are being manipulated. The system may include one or more capacitive sensors disposed on one or more cargo bed walls. The system detects items exiting the cargo bed (e.g., by falling out of the cargo bed), and detects shifting cargo. The system may also detect a person reaching into the cargo bed, and can provide information such as the location where the cargo was taken or lost from the cargo bed, and live feed images of the intruding party. The system may automatically extend and contract the capacitive field to control sensor sensitivity, and adjust the sample rate of the sensor data based on characteristics of vehicle operation, such as drive mode, speed, GPS direction, and other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo
  • VEHICLE STORAGE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20210179018
    Abstract: A roof panel storage system for vehicle is disclosed herein. A storage bag is configured to hold a roof panel of the vehicle. The sensor is coupled to the storage bag and is configured to sense a position of the storage bag. A sound source device is coupled to the storage bag and is configured to issue an auditory alert based on the sensed position of the storage bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Baumbick, Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman
  • System and method for preventing unwanted dismissal of autonomous vehicle
    Patent number: 11036226
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for preventing an unwanted dismissal of an autonomous vehicle. This disclosure may be particularly useful when the autonomous vehicle is used in on-demand transportation applications, including ridesharing applications, or shuttle applications. An example method includes identifying a condition indicating an autonomous vehicle should remain stationary, and taking an action configured to prevent unwanted dismissal of an autonomous vehicle when the condition has been identified. Several example conditions and actions are discussed in the written description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Kristopher Brown, Annette Lynn Huebner, David Brian Glickman, Pietro Buttolo
  • Object detection and management
    Patent number: 11030868
    Abstract: A mat includes a receiving surface, a transceiver, and a computer. The computer is programmed to cause the transceiver to transmit a beacon, including one or both of a mat identifier and location, upon detecting an approaching delivery vehicle. The computer is programmed to, upon detecting placement of an object on the receiving surface, transmit a confirmation message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Annette L. Huebner, James Stewart Rankin, II
  • Capacitive sensor system for cargo bed cap tampering detection
    Patent number: 11024139
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a vehicle cargo bed capacitive sensor system configured to determine when a cargo bed cap installed on the cargo bed (e.g., the bed of a pickup truck) changes position or is being manipulated in some way. The system may include one or more capacitive sensors disposed on one or more cargo bed walls, between the cargo cap and the cargo bed. The system detects when the cargo bed cap is removed, and detects when particular cargo bed doors are opened using the sensors. The system may also provide a control system that allows users to authorize individuals to access particular areas, group individual bins together for access control, and can provide information when the system detects unauthorized access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo
  • Methods and systems for enabling gesture control for a vehicle feature
    Patent number: 11023049
    Abstract: A vehicle gesture system includes a processor connected to a transceiver and programmed to detect a wireless device associated with a vehicle feature settings interface for a first vehicle feature. The processor is further programmed to detect the wireless device based on received user input at the vehicle feature settings interface of the first vehicle feature. The processor is further programmed to control a setting for the first vehicle feature based on received data associated with one or more gestures made using the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stephen Ronald Tokish, James Stewart Rankin, II, Yifan Chen, Gary Steven Strumolo, Stuart C. Salter
  • CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR ASSEMBLY HAVING MULTIPLE SENSING CONFIGURATIONS
    Publication number: 20210152175
    Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor assembly is provided that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first compliant dielectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a controller processing signals associated with the first and second electrodes and selectively reconfiguring operation of the first and second electrodes in different proximity sensor arrangements to provide a plurality of capacitive sensors. The capacitive proximity assembly may be selectively reconfigured into up to four capacitive sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, James Robert Chascsa, II
  • VEHICLE SEATING ASSEMBLY HAVING CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR
    Publication number: 20210146800
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seat base, a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat base and having a front portion and a rear portion, and an actuator operable to change a position of the seating assembly. The assembly also includes a capacitive proximity sensor located on the seat back and configured to detect a user touch command and a user pressure command, and a controller for receiving the user touch command and pressure command and controlling the actuator to change a position of the seating assembly based on a user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jerry R. Brown, Sean Bayle West, Pietro Buttolo, James Robert Chascsa, II
  • VEHICLE FLOOR ASSEMBLY HAVING CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR
    Publication number: 20210152176
    Abstract: A vehicle floor assembly includes a floor structure and a capacitive proximity sensor assembly configured to detect a user touch command and a user pressure command. The floor assembly further includes a controller for receiving the user touch command and pressure command and controlling a vehicle related operation based on the detected user input commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Vivien J. Martinage, Christian Lange, Michael Contino, Nir Siegel
  • Wheel well heating method
    Patent number: 10988027
    Abstract: An exemplary wheel well heating method includes, among other things, in response to an environmental condition, generating thermal energy to heat a wheel well area of a vehicle. The method further includes powering the generating with power from a power source that is external to the vehicle. Another exemplary wheel well heating method includes generating thermal energy to heat a wheel well area of a vehicle, and adjusting the generating in response to a state of charge of a power supply of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Annette Huebner, Pietro Buttolo, David Brian Glickman
  • RIDE-SHARE ACCESSIBILITY
    Publication number: 20210117871
    Abstract: A method includes transmitting a ride-share request to a ride-share server, the ride-share request including information about an accessibility device, determining a present orientation of the accessibility device, and transmitting the present orientation of the accessibility device to the ride-share vehicle. Another method includes transmitting a present orientation of an accessibility device, receiving a target orientation of the accessibility device, illuminating a light projector, determining that the accessibility device is in the target orientation, and turning off the light projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Pramita MITRA, Pietro BUTTOLO, Basavaraj TONSHAL, Qianyi WANG, Gary Steven STRUMOLO, Kelly Lee ZECHEL, Brian NASH, Theodore WINGROVE
  • Variable size user input device for vehicle
    Patent number: 10969910
    Abstract: A vehicle keypad device is provided that includes a touchscreen having an array of proximity sensors located on an exterior of a vehicle, a keypad display displaying virtual input icons proximate the proximity sensors, and a controller for dynamically adjusting size of the displayed virtual input icons based on a touch event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Kristopher Brown, David Brian Glickman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Autonomous delivery vehicle with exterior scanning system
    Patent number: 10953789
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a storage compartment configured to house a package for delivery and a side-mirror assembly. The side-mirror assembly includes an imager and a puddle light aimed to illuminate an area in a field of view of the imager. A vehicle controller is programmed to receive data representing a code associated with the delivery, energize the puddle lamp to illuminate the area, and unlock the storage compartment responsive to the imager detecting an image encoding data matching the code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Wheel well heater and heating method
    Patent number: 10946839
    Abstract: An exemplary extruded heater assembly includes, among other things, a backing, a heating layer having a conductive ink printed on a film, and a wear layer. The heating layer is sandwiched between the backing and the wear layer. An exemplary method includes, among other things, extruding together a backing, a heating layer having a conductive ink printed on a film, and a wear layer to provide an extruded structure. The method further includes mounting the extruded structure within a wheel well of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Annette Huebner, Pietro Buttolo, David Brian Glickman
  • Wheel depth water capacitive fender molding
    Patent number: 10928239
    Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting a water depth level using capacitive sensors. The systems and methods disclosed herein receive a first capacitive signal from a first capacitive sensor in a wheel well of a vehicle. The systems and methods may determine that the first capacitive signal is not below a threshold value. The systems and methods display an image in a cab of the vehicle, wherein the image corresponds to a water depth level associated with the first capacitive signal. The systems and methods receive a second capacitive signal from a second capacitive sensor corresponding to a rising water level. The systems and methods display a warning message, on a display, indicating the rising water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Pietro Buttolo, Steven Schondorf, David James Tippy, Brian Bennie
  • OBJECT DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20210049878
    Abstract: A mat includes a receiving surface, a transceiver, and a computer. The computer is programmed to cause the transceiver to transmit a beacon, including one or both of a mat identifier and location, upon detecting an approaching delivery vehicle. The computer is programmed to, upon detecting placement of an object on the receiving surface, transmit a confirmation message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Pietro BUTTOLO, Stuart C. SALTER, Paul Kenneth DELLOCK, Annette L. HUEBNER, James Stewart RANKIN, II
  • VEHICLE SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20210031753
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a sensor system of a bumper or a skid plate. The sensor system includes a plurality of first sensors and at least one second sensor. The sensor system emits a first electrical field from each of the first sensors when the plurality of first sensors are active and the at least one second sensor is inactive. The sensor system emits a second electrical field when the plurality of first sensors are active and the at least one second sensor is active. The first electrical field projects a first distance from the skid plate. The second electrical field projects a longer, second distance from the skid plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • VEHICLE SKID PLATE SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20210024141
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a bumper assembly, a skid plate, and a capacitive sensor system of the skid plate. A sensing method for a vehicle includes using a capacitive sensing system to detect a proximity of a vehicle to an object. The capacitive sensing system is incorporated into a skid plate that is vertically beneath a portion of a bumper assembly of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • IN-VEHICLE COMPONENT USER INTERFACE
    Publication number: 20200369153
    Abstract: A system may include an in-vehicle component, including a first control set to configure the component, configured to identify a device associated with a user approach to the component; and send an interaction request to the device to cause the device to display a user interface for the component including a second control set to configure the component, the second control set including at least one function unavailable in the first control set. A personal device may receive, from an in-vehicle component including a first control set to configure the component, a user interface definition descriptive of a second control set to configure the component; and receive, from the component, a request to display a user interface for the component including the second control set to configure the component, the second control set including at least one function unavailable in the first control set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Pietro BUTTOLO, James Stewart RANKIN, Dipanjan GHOSH, Gary Steven STRUMOLO, Stuart C. SALTER
  • VIRTUAL SOOTHING IN A TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20200353936
    Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to virtual soothing in a transportation vehicle are described. A method for soothing a passenger in a vehicle may involve receiving monitoring data relevant to the passenger from a plurality of sensors in the vehicle. The method may also involve determining a soothing need or an emergency condition of the passenger based on the monitoring data. The method may further involve presenting a multimedia message to the passenger that addresses the soothing need or the emergency condition. The multimedia message may be specific to the passenger and relevant to the soothing need or the emergency condition. The multimedia message may exhibit characteristics that enable the passenger to perceive the multimedia message as being verbally generated by a guardian with whom the passenger is personally acquainted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Stuart SALTER, Pietro BUTTOLO, Annette HUEBNER, Paul Kenneth DELLOCK