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).
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Patent number: 11724736Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Patent number: 11639173Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Hamid M. Golgiri, Jens Kotte
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Patent number: 11505124Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti
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Publication number: 20220299329Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ahmed Benmimoun, Chenhao Ma, Tony Tae-Jin Pak, Hamid M. Golgiri, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Michael Celli
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Patent number: 11332191Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Li Xu, Martin Miller, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Michael Celli
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Publication number: 20210291901Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Publication number: 20210261124Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Hamid M. Golgiri, Jens Kotte
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Patent number: 11084345Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald Jacob Mattern, Hongtei Eric Tseng, John Paul Shaw, Jill Plavcan, Lisa Yeung, Thomas Edward Pilutti
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Patent number: 11066100Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan Office Tech. Transfer, University of MichiganInventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Publication number: 20210114521Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti
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Publication number: 20210070362Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Li Xu, Martin Miller, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Michael Celli
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Patent number: 10710585Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zheng Hu, Erick Michael Lavoie, Darrel Alan Recker, John P. Joyce, Donald Jacob Mattern, Michael Hafner, Li Xu, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Thomas Edward Pilutti
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Publication number: 20200114921Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: KYLE SIMMONS, HONGTEI ERIC TSENG, THOMAS EDWARD PILUTTI
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Patent number: 10486549Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brad Alan Ignaczak, Ali Hassani, Adil Nizam Siddiqui, Paul Theodosis, Christopher W. Bell, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Brian Bennie
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Publication number: 20190308663Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Patent number: 10414437Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 4, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Luke Niewiadomski
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Patent number: 10370030Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan Office Tech. Transfer, University of MichiganInventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Patent number: 10363874Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yi Zhang, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Thomas Edward Pilutti
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Patent number: 10358130Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Shane Elwart, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, David Hamilton
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Publication number: 20190202252Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald Jacob Mattern, Hongtei Eric Tseng, John Paul Shaw, Jill Plavcan, Lisa Yeung, Thomas Edward Pilutti