Patents by Inventor Thomas Edward Pilutti

Thomas Edward Pilutti 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: 11724736
    Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Patent number: 11639173
    Abstract: A future location of a movable object is predicted to intersect a planned path of a host vehicle. A host vehicle component is actuated to output a signal indicating to move the movable object. Then, at least one of the movable object is determined to have moved or the planned path of the host vehicle is updated. Then, the host vehicle is operated along the planned path or the updated planned path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Hamid M. Golgiri, Jens Kotte
  • Patent number: 11505124
    Abstract: A vehicle hitch assistance system includes a first image sensor in connection with a portion of the vehicle and positioned forward of a forward hitch disposed in a cargo bed of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller configured to capture first image data with the first image sensor. The first image data depicts a coupler of a trailer. The controller is further configured to identify a trailer type of the trailer based on the first image data. The trailer type is configured to connect to the forward hitch. The controller is further configured to acquire position data identifying a coupler position of the coupler in the first image data, derive a vehicle path aligning the forward hitch with the coupler, and control a maneuvering system driving the vehicle along the vehicle path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Publication number: 20220299329
    Abstract: A user trained map for providing driver assistance in a vehicle is obtained by entering a training mode, acquiring and at least temporarily storing vehicle sensor data related to the vehicle's position during training mode while the vehicle is operating in training mode, generating and storing a trained digital map of a parking route at least partially based on the acquired vehicle sensor data, acquiring and storing position information related to a drop-off location and to a pickup location, the drop-off location and the pickup location being part of the parking route, and exiting the training mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ahmed Benmimoun, Chenhao Ma, Tony Tae-Jin Pak, Hamid M. Golgiri, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Michael Celli
  • Patent number: 11332191
    Abstract: A trailer sideswipe avoidance system for a vehicle towing a trailer is provided herein. The trailer sideswipe avoidance system includes a sensor system configured to detect objects in an operating environment of the vehicle. A controller receiving inputs from the sensor system is configured to determine a travel path of the towed trailer as the vehicle turns, determine whether an object detected in the operating environment of the vehicle is in the travel path of the towed trailer, determine a time until sideswiping of the object with the towed trailer, compare the time until sideswiping with a threshold time value, and prompt one or more vehicle systems to execute a sideswipe avoidance measure when the time until sideswiping is less than the threshold time value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Li Xu, Martin Miller, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Michael Celli
  • Publication number: 20210291901
    Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Publication number: 20210261124
    Abstract: A future location of a movable object is predicted to intersect a planned path of a host vehicle. A host vehicle component is actuated to output a signal indicating to move the movable object. Then, at least one of the movable object is determined to have moved or the planned path of the host vehicle is updated. Then, the host vehicle is operated along the planned path or the updated planned path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Hamid M. Golgiri, Jens Kotte
  • Patent number: 11084345
    Abstract: A vehicle hitch assistance system includes comprising an imaging system, a steering system, a dead reckoning device and a controller. The controller determines a hitch location within a vehicle exterior image received from the imaging system and controls the steering system to guide the vehicle in a reverse direction to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the hitch location, including by tracking the location of the vehicle using information received from the dead reckoning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Jacob Mattern, Hongtei Eric Tseng, John Paul Shaw, Jill Plavcan, Lisa Yeung, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Patent number: 11066100
    Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan Office Tech. Transfer, University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Publication number: 20210114521
    Abstract: A vehicle hitch assistance system comprises a first image sensor in connection with a portion of the vehicle and positioned forward of a forward hitch disposed in a cargo bed of the vehicle. The system further comprises a controller configured to capture first image data with the first image sensor. The first image data depicts a coupler of a trailer. The controller is further configured to identify a trailer type of the trailer based on the first image data. The trailer type is configured to connect to the forward hitch. The controller is further configured to acquire position data identifying a coupler position of the coupler in the first image data, derive a vehicle path aligning the forward hitch with the coupler, and control a maneuvering system driving the vehicle along the vehicle path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Publication number: 20210070362
    Abstract: A trailer sideswipe avoidance system for a vehicle towing a trailer is provided herein. The trailer sideswipe avoidance system includes a sensor system configured to detect objects in an operating environment of the vehicle. A controller receiving inputs from the sensor system is configured to determine a travel path of the towed trailer as the vehicle turns, determine whether an object detected in the operating environment of the vehicle is in the travel path of the towed trailer, determine a time until sideswiping of the object with the towed trailer, compare the time until sideswiping with a threshold time value, and prompt one or more vehicle systems to execute a sideswipe avoidance measure when the time until sideswiping is less than the threshold time value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Li Xu, Martin Miller, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Michael Celli
  • Patent number: 10710585
    Abstract: A trailer backup assist system is provided herein. The system includes a calibration feature for calibrating an imaging device used for hitch angle detection. The system also employs multiple hitch angle detection methods, a number of which may run in parallel to increase the intervals at which a hitch angle can be measured. The system additionally includes a predictive feature in which a hitch angle can be predicted in instances where a trailer sensing device fails. The system is further configured to estimate a trailer length and generate steering commands that are invariant to the estimated trailer length under certain conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zheng Hu, Erick Michael Lavoie, Darrel Alan Recker, John P. Joyce, Donald Jacob Mattern, Michael Hafner, Li Xu, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Publication number: 20200114921
    Abstract: Upon receiving a request to change lanes in a vehicle, a computer can determine that a first sightline toward a target lane is blocked, and can control the vehicle to move laterally in a current lane to obtain a second sightline toward the target lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: KYLE SIMMONS, HONGTEI ERIC TSENG, THOMAS EDWARD PILUTTI
  • Patent number: 10486549
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a camera and a display device. The camera is configured to capture an image and the display device is programmed to display the image. Each image includes a target, and the display device displays a virtual overlay on the image. The virtual overlay is displayed on the display device at a fixed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Ignaczak, Ali Hassani, Adil Nizam Siddiqui, Paul Theodosis, Christopher W. Bell, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Brian Bennie
  • Publication number: 20190308663
    Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Patent number: 10414437
    Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein. A human machine interface is configured to receive user-input for adjusting a pre-hitch position of a tow hitch of a vehicle. A controller is configured to generate commands for maneuvering the vehicle such that the tow hitch is moved to an adjusted pre-hitch position at which the tow hitch is aligned with a hitch coupler of a trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Luke Niewiadomski
  • Patent number: 10370030
    Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan Office Tech. Transfer, University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Patent number: 10363874
    Abstract: A hitch assist system and method are provided herein. An imager captures one or more images of a trailer having a hitch coupler. A user-input device is provided for specifying a location of the hitch coupler in the one or more captured images. A controller generates an image patch around the user-specified location, segments the image patch to identify the hitch coupler, and estimates a trailer height based on a height and projective geometry of the imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yi Zhang, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Patent number: 10358130
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive cruise control based on user defined parameters are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes a GPS receiver configured to provide a location of the vehicle, an adaptive cruise control; and a cruise control adjuster. In the example cruise control adjuster is configured to generate an action when a cruise control event is defined for the location. In the disclosed example the cruise control event is based on past changes to the adaptive cruise control at the location. The example cruise control adjuster is also configured to apply the action to the adaptive cruise control to change how the adaptive cruise control controls the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Shane Elwart, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, David Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20190202252
    Abstract: A vehicle hitch assistance system includes comprising an imaging system, a steering system, a dead reckoning device and a controller. The controller determines a hitch location within a vehicle exterior image received from the imaging system and controls the steering system to guide the vehicle in a reverse direction to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the hitch location, including by tracking the location of the vehicle using information received from the dead reckoning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Jacob Mattern, Hongtei Eric Tseng, John Paul Shaw, Jill Plavcan, Lisa Yeung, Thomas Edward Pilutti