Patents by Inventor Aaron L. Mills

Aaron L. Mills 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).

  • Publication number: 20240075930
    Abstract: A system has memory that stores instructions executable by the processor to instruct operation of at least one vehicle system (e.g., braking system, propulsion system, steering system, suspension system) in a minimum time mode for travel of the vehicle from a starting point to a destination point of a roadway. The system collects roadway data for the roadway from the starting point to the destination point. Based on the roadway data, the system determine a minimum time path from the starting point to the destination point and speed along the minimum time path. In response to a maximum acceleration input from a human driver of the vehicle when the vehicle is at the starting point, the system initiates the minimum time mode and instructs operation of at least one vehicle system to pursue the minimum time path and speed along the minimum time path from starting point to destination point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Barrett, Brendan Francis Diamond, Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Aaron L. Mills
  • Publication number: 20230334914
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to receive a plurality of first values for a respective plurality of variables transmitted over a communications network of a vehicle; determine a similarity measure between the first values and a plurality of second values of the variables; determine whether to transmit a collection of data transmitted over the communications network based on the similarity measure; and, upon so determining, transmit the collection of data to a server remote from the vehicle. The second values are a most similar set of values from an activation surface for a feature of the vehicle. The activation surface is a surface in a space defined by the variables dividing the space into regions in which activation of the feature is more or less likely than not, respectively, to have occurred when the variables have values in that region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicolas Salciccioli, David Michael Herman, Yashanshu Jain, Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 11724596
    Abstract: Systems and methods for road disturbance detection and torque vectoring control. A vehicle may comprise: a torque vectoring system for independently varying torque to a plurality of wheels, an external sensor suite, and an electronic control unit. The control unit may comprise one or more processors and memory storing executable instructions that, as a result of execution by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement an appropriate torque vectoring strategy. The torque vectoring strategy may comprise biasing torque towards or away from a wheel/motor/axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, Keith Weston, Aaron L. Mills, Jordan Barrett
  • Publication number: 20220396246
    Abstract: A first distance is determined between a location of a host vehicle and a received location of a remote vehicle, the remote vehicle being forward of the host vehicle. A second distance is determined between a target vehicle and the host vehicle. A time to reach is predicted between the target vehicle and the remote vehicle based on the first distance and the second distance. A brake of the host vehicle is pre-charged when the predicted time to reach is below a time threshold. Pre-charging of the brake of the host vehicle is suppressed when the predicted time to reach is above the time threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Purushothaman Rayalsamy, Justin T. Hughes, Hao Zhang, Aaron L. Mills, Alex Maurice Miller
  • Patent number: 11267465
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to, in a host vehicle, determine a threat number for a first target vehicle based on data received from the first target vehicle indicating at least one of a position, speed, or route history of the first target vehicle, identify a second target vehicle based on data collected with one or more host vehicle sensors when the threat number of the first target vehicle exceeds a threshold, determine that the first target vehicle and the second target vehicle are not a same vehicle, and, then, upon determining that the first target vehicle and the second target vehicle are not the same vehicle and that at least one of (a) a barrier is detected between the host vehicle and the first target vehicle or (b) that a threat number of the second target vehicle exceeds a second threshold, suppress a collision avoidance action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, Rebecca Lynne Seiler, Alex Maurice Miller, Gopichandra Surnilla, Alekhya Ratnala, Hao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220048505
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to, in a host vehicle, determine a threat number for a first target vehicle based on data received from the first target vehicle indicating at least one of a position, speed, or route history of the first target vehicle, identify a second target vehicle based on data collected with one or more host vehicle sensors when the threat number of the first target vehicle exceeds a threshold, determine that the first target vehicle and the second target vehicle are not a same vehicle, and, then, upon determining that the first target vehicle and the second target vehicle are not the same vehicle and that at least one of (a) a barrier is detected between the host vehicle and the first target vehicle or (b) that a threat number of the second target vehicle exceeds a second threshold, suppress a collision avoidance action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, Rebecca Lynne Seiler, Alex Maurice Miller, Gopichandra Surnilla, Alekhya Ratnala, Hao Zhang
  • Patent number: 11169520
    Abstract: A computer in a vehicle includes first and second electronic control units (ECUs). The first and second ECUs are programmed to monitor, respectively, a first operating condition and a second operating condition. Each operating condition includes one of path deviation, lane width, user awareness, or steering torque. The second ECU is programmed to monitor the second operating condition according to a protocol with a security measure. The first or second ECU is further programmed to control vehicle operation based on the first or second operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hafner, Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills, Jonathan Mcneely, Andrew Brown, Andreas Giersiefer, Zhao Wang, Bahgat Aboushaban, Shadi Jammoul
  • Patent number: 11117577
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify an error between a predicted steerable path of a vehicle based on data collected according to a first protocol and a predicted lane path based on data collected according to a second protocol and to identify a path fault when the error exceeds an error threshold for an elapsed time exceeding a time threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Michael Hafner, Aaron L. Mills, Zhao Wang, Bahgat Aboushaban
  • Publication number: 20200285233
    Abstract: A computer in a vehicle includes first and second electronic control units (ECUs). The first and second ECUs are programmed to monitor, respectively, a first operating condition and a second operating condition. Each operating condition includes one of path deviation, lane width, user awareness, or steering torque. The second ECU is programmed to monitor the second operating condition according to a protocol with a security measure. The first or second ECU is further programmed to control vehicle operation based on the first or second operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: MICHAEL HAFNER, NITENDRA NATH, AARON L. MILLS, JONATHAN MCNEELY, ANDREW BROWN, ANDREAS GIERSIEFER, ZHAO WANG, BAHGAT ABOUSHABAN, SHADI JAMMOUL
  • Publication number: 20200269837
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify an error between a predicted steerable path of a vehicle based on data collected according to a first protocol and a predicted lane path based on data collected according to a second protocol and to identify a path fault when the error exceeds an error threshold for an elapsed time exceeding a time threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: NITENDRA NATH, MICHAEL HAFNER, AARON L. MILLS, ZHAO WANG, BAHGAT ABOUSHABAN
  • Patent number: 10703366
    Abstract: A computer for a vehicle is described. The computer includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include, to: determine a trigger to initiate a highway assist mode; based on the determined trigger, determine vehicle-location data; and based on the data, inhibit initiation of the mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Xingping Chen, Kevin Wegienka, Shane Elwart, Bo Wu, Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 10703363
    Abstract: A system, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to pilot a vehicle based on determining first and second lane markers, where lane markers are mathematical descriptions of roadway lane markers applied to a roadway to mark traffic lanes, determine a missing first or second lane marker, and pilot the vehicle for a determined period of time based on a remaining first or second lane marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills, Patrick Lawrence Jackson Van Hoecke
  • Patent number: 10625740
    Abstract: A vehicle computer includes a memory and a processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include determining a first lane center, autonomously operating a host vehicle relative to the first lane center, detecting a change in the first lane center to a second lane center, selecting a filter, and applying the filter while transitioning autonomous operation of the host vehicle from the first lane center to the second lane center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills, Danielle Rosenblatt
  • Patent number: 10597033
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring and adjustment of gaps between vehicles. An example vehicle includes a rear sensing device and a controller. The controller is to determine a target lead gap for following a lead vehicle during adaptive cruise control and measure, via the rear sensing device, a trailing distance to a trailing vehicle. The controller also is to determine a target trailing gap for the trailing vehicle. The example vehicle also includes a cruise control unit to increase, responsive to the trailing distance being less than the target trailing gap, the target lead gap based on the trailing distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Makled, Michael McQuillen, Nitendra Nath, Nicolas Salciccioli, Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 10583835
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes automatically adapting vehicle acceleration responsive to a cruise control setpoint acceleration associated with a detected speed limit, and a drive setpoint acceleration based on the cruise control setpoint acceleration, wherein a cruise controller determines a distance control setpoint acceleration based on a detected vehicle distance from a vehicle traveling ahead, and wherein the drive setpoint acceleration is limited by the distance control setpoint acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Ediger, Benjamin Baecker, Stephanie Rosenberg, Benjamin Carl Mukkala, II, Aaron L. Mills, Manuel Strauch
  • Patent number: 10551836
    Abstract: A computing system can determine a probability of precipitation based on Bayesian inference conditioned on probabilities associated with vehicle wiper status, vehicle jerk, vehicle sway, and vehicle lateral offset. The computing system can disable a vehicle lane assist system based on the probability of precipitation and operate a vehicle with the disabled vehicle lane assist system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Ryan Danko, Aaron L. Mills
  • Publication number: 20190377339
    Abstract: A computing system can determine a probability of precipitation based on Bayesian inference conditioned on probabilities associated with vehicle wiper status, vehicle jerk, vehicle sway, and vehicle lateral offset. The computing system can disable a vehicle lane assist system based on the probability of precipitation and operate a vehicle with the disabled vehicle lane assist system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Ryan Danko, Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 10446033
    Abstract: A communication from a second vehicle is received. Upon failing to detect the second vehicle based on first vehicle sensor data, a message indicating a forward collision warning is sent. Upon detecting the second vehicle based on the first vehicle sensor data, the forward collision warning is suppressed and a first vehicle brake is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, Gopichandra Surnilla, Chet Hearn
  • Publication number: 20190217858
    Abstract: A vehicle computer includes a memory and a processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include determining a first lane center, autonomously operating a host vehicle relative to the first lane center, detecting a change in the first lane center to a second lane center, selecting a filter, and applying the filter while transitioning autonomous operation of the host vehicle from the first lane center to the second lane center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills, Danielle Rosenblatt
  • Publication number: 20190168754
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring and adjustment of gaps between vehicles. An example vehicle includes a rear sensing device and a controller. The controller is to determine a target lead gap for following a lead vehicle during adaptive cruise control and measure, via the rear sensing device, a trailing distance to a trailing vehicle. The controller also is to determine a target trailing gap for the trailing vehicle. The example vehicle also includes a cruise control unit to increase, responsive to the trailing distance being less than the target trailing gap, the target lead gap based on the trailing distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel A. Makled, Michael McQuillen, Nitendra Nath, Nicolas Salciccioli, Aaron L. Mills