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: 9783230
    Abstract: A trailer backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer is provided herein. The system includes a steering input device for controlling a desired curvature. A controller is in communication with the steering input device and is configured to generate steering command for the vehicle to guide the vehicle and trailer onto a straight path when a straight backup request is initiated via the steering input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hafner, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Publication number: 20170282917
    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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Shane Elwart, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, David Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20170261994
    Abstract: Systems and methods for curb detection for parking are disclosed. An example vehicle parking assist system includes a processor and memory. An example program stored in the memory is configured to move a vehicle using a set of maneuvers to park the vehicle in a parking space based on an estimated location of a curb. The example program is also configured to compare a first yaw rate to a reference yaw rate to detect when the vehicle contacts the curb. Additionally, the example program is configured to move the vehicle using an adjusted set of maneuvers based on an actual location of the curb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Kyle Simmons, Li Xu, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Douglas Blue
  • Patent number: 9744972
    Abstract: A trailer backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes a brake system and a throttle sensor module outputting a throttle application signal. The system further includes a control module estimating a road grade beneath the trailer and outputting a brake torque request to the brake system based on the estimated road grade and the throttle application signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Nathaniel Abram Rolfes, Shane Elwart
  • Patent number: 9720411
    Abstract: A computer in a vehicle is configured to operate the vehicle in at least one of an autonomous and a semi-autonomous mode. The computer is further configured to detect at least one condition of a roadway being traveled by the vehicle, the condition comprising at least one of a restricted lane, a restricted zone, a construction zone, and accident area, an incline, a hazardous road surface. The computer is further configured to determine at least one autonomous action based on the condition, the at least one autonomous action including at least one of altering a speed of the vehicle, controlling vehicle steering, controlling vehicle lighting, transitioning the vehicle to manual control, and controlling a distance of the vehicle from an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis, Peter Francis Worrel, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Patent number: 9708000
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a trailer backup assist system includes a state estimator that determines a current position of a trailer relative to a waypoint position. In addition, the trailer backup assist system includes a trajectory planner that generates first and second circular trajectories tangent to one another spanning between the current and waypoint positions. The trailer backup assist system also includes a controller that reverses the trailer to the waypoint position along the first and second circular trajectories, which are dynamically regenerated as the trailer reverses along the first circular trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hafner, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Publication number: 20170174209
    Abstract: A backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes a brake module and a throttle module. The system further includes a controller having a vehicle speed detector and coupled with the brake module and the throttle module for implementing a backup mode including detecting an adverse operating condition and then adjusting at least one of the brake module and the throttle module and terminating the backup mode upon detecting the adverse operating condition for a time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Nathaniel Abram Rolfes, Michael Hafner
  • Patent number: 9623859
    Abstract: A backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes a brake module and a throttle module. The system further includes a controller having a vehicle speed detector and coupled with the brake module and the throttle module for implementing a backup mode including detecting an adverse operating condition and then adjusting at least one of the brake module and the throttle module and terminating the backup mode upon detecting the adverse operating condition for a time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Nathaniel Abram Rolfes, Michael Hafner
  • Patent number: 9616924
    Abstract: An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dorian Jack Spero, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matthew Y. Rupp, Peter Gyumyeong Joh
  • Patent number: 9616925
    Abstract: An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dorian Jack Spero, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matthew Y. Rupp, Peter Gyumyeong Joh
  • Patent number: 9616888
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a sensor that detects a speed of at least one nearby vehicle and outputs a speed signal representing the speed of the at least one nearby vehicle. The vehicle system further includes a processing device programmed to determine a set point speed based on the speed signal output by the sensor. The processing device generates a command signal to control a host vehicle in accordance with the set point speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Patent number: 9610945
    Abstract: An intersection of a host vehicle and a target vehicle is identified. Data relating to the target vehicle are collected. A map of a surrounding environment is developed. A driver intent probability is determined based at least in part on the map. A threat estimation is determined based at least in part on the driver intent probability. At least one of a plurality of safety systems is activated based at least in part on the threat estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Maurice Miller, Roger Arnold Trombley, Kun Deng, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Patrick Piastowski
  • Patent number: 9555832
    Abstract: A display system for a vehicle and trailer is disclosed. The system comprises an interface configured to receive a directional input and a controller in communication with the interface and a screen. The controller is operable to receive a hitch angle and determine a heading direction of the trailer. The controller is further operable to determine a predicted heading of the vehicle aligned with the trailer based on the hitch angle. The predicted heading of the trailer is then displayed by the controller on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Dean Smit, Matthew Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Shutko, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Patent number: 9552735
    Abstract: A computer in a first vehicle is configured to receive data relating to a second vehicle. The computer may use the data to determine that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously. Further, the computer may cause the first vehicle to take an action to autonomously operate the first vehicle based at least in part on determining that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20160362135
    Abstract: A backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes a trailer sensor module generating a trailer yaw rate and a vehicle sensor system generating a vehicle yaw rate and a vehicle speed. The system further includes a controller determining an estimated length of the trailer based on an estimated hitch angle, the vehicle yaw rate, the vehicle speed, and the trailer yaw rate in view of a kinematic relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Li Xu, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Publication number: 20160362104
    Abstract: An intersection of a host vehicle and a target vehicle is identified. Data relating to the target vehicle are collected. A map of a surrounding environment is developed. A driver intent probability is determined based at least in part on the map. A threat estimation is determined based at least in part on the driver intent probability. At least one of a plurality of safety systems is activated based at least in part on the threat estimation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Maurice Miller, Roger Arnold Trombley, Kun Deng, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Patrick Piastowski
  • Patent number: 9511764
    Abstract: A first vehicle may receive at least one message from a second vehicle, the message including data provided by the second vehicle. A computing device in the first vehicle is configured to analyze the data of the at least one message to determine that the second vehicle can operate as a lead vehicle. The computing device in the first vehicle is further configured to implement at least one operation in the first vehicle according to the data from the lead vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matthew Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis
  • Publication number: 20160332573
    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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Ignaczak, Ali Hassani, Adil Nizam Siddiqui, Paul Theodosis, Chris W. Bell, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Brian Bennie
  • Patent number: 9493187
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a trailer backup assist system includes a sensor that senses a measured hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer. The system also provides an input module that receives a desired curvature of the trailer. A controller of the system includes a curvature regulator determining a desired hitch angle based on the desired curvature and a steering angle of the vehicle. In addition, the controller of the system includes a hitch angle regulator generating a steering angle command based on the desired hitch angle and the measured hitch angle. In this embodiment, the controller is configured to operate the trailer backup assist system irrespective of the attached trailer having a conventional tongue or a gooseneck tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Roger Arnold Trombley, Michael Hafner, Matthew Y. Rupp, Douglas Scott Rhode, Darrel Alan Recker
  • Publication number: 20160297476
    Abstract: A trailer backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes a brake system and a throttle sensor module outputting a throttle application signal. The system further includes a control module estimating a road grade beneath the trailer and outputting a brake torque request to the brake system based on the estimated road grade and the throttle application signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Nathaniel Abram Rolfes, Shane Elwart