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: 20190111922
    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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills, Patrick Lawrence Jackson Van Hoecke
  • Publication number: 20190096255
    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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, Gopichandra Surnilla, Chet Hearn
  • Publication number: 20190061755
    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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xingping Chen, Kevin Wegienka, Shane Elwart, Bo Wu, Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 10183659
    Abstract: A camera is configured to be mounted facing a front of a vehicle. A computer is programmed to receive first and second images from the camera, determine a height of an obstacle located to the front of the vehicle using at least the first and second images, and, based at least in part on the height of the obstacle, send an instruction via a communications bus to a component controller to control a speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron L. Mills
  • Publication number: 20180319402
    Abstract: Embodiments include a vehicle system comprising a display capable of displaying a message indicating automatic activation of a driver assistance feature; at least one electronic control unit configured to determine whether preset driving conditions are met; and a processor configured to cause the display to display the message upon receiving a notification indicating satisfaction of the conditions, initiate a countdown, and automatically activate the driver assistance feature upon completion of the countdown. Embodiments also include a method of activating a driver assistance feature in a vehicle. The method includes receiving, at a processor, a notification indicating satisfaction of preset driving conditions; in response, displaying, on a display, a message indicating automatic activation of the driver assistance feature; initiating a countdown, using the processor; and automatically activating the driver assistance feature, using the processor, upon completion of the countdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, John Shutko, Shane Elwart, Timothy D. Zwicky, Nitendra Nath, Justin Teems
  • Patent number: 10108191
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for a driver interactive system for semi-autonomous modes of a vehicle. An example disclosed vehicle with semiautonomous features includes memory and a processor. The example processor causes the vehicle to determine, with a driver identification sensor, the identity of a driver. The example processor also causes the vehicle to determine which semiautonomous features are flagged for training based on a driver profile of the identified driver. Additionally, the example processor causes the vehicle to, in response to the driver activating one of the flagged semiautonomous features, provide an audiovisual description of the semiautonomous feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilluti, Shane Elwart, Aaron L. Mills, John Shutko
  • Patent number: 10093315
    Abstract: To deselect a target vehicle, certain actions are taken by an autonomously operating vehicle. An identified lane is identified. A target vehicle in the identified lane is selected. The target vehicle is determined to be departing the identified lane when an edge of the target vehicle crosses a virtual boundary. The target vehicle is deselected after determining that the target vehicle is departing the identified lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Brian Tamm, Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 10065637
    Abstract: A method for operating a driver assistance system (DAS) to avoid a collision of a vehicle with an object At least one object in the vehicle environment is detected by vehicle-mounted environmental sensors, and is evaluated in terms of risk of collision with the vehicle, an an automatic intervention into the vehicle movement is carried out depending on this evaluation. During the automatic intervention, the following steps are performed: 1) Carrying out an automatic braking of the vehicle depending on the evaluation of collision risk, and 2) permitting a steering intervention by the driver to perform an evasive steering maneuver, in reaction to which the automatic braking is terminated. The driver-initiated steering intervention must occur before a point-in-time at which the DAS has determined the collision cannot be avoided by steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt, Sabine Notelaers, Helmuth Bosch, Peter W. A. Zegelaar, Aaron L. Mills, Steven Yellin Schondorf
  • Publication number: 20180196428
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for a driver interactive system for semi-autonomous modes of a vehicle. An example disclosed vehicle with semiautonomous features includes memory and a processor. The example processor causes the vehicle to determine, with a driver identification sensor, the identity of a driver. The example processor also causes the vehicle to determine which semiautonomous features are flagged for training based on a driver profile of the identified driver. Additionally, the example processor causes the vehicle to, in response to the driver activating one of the flagged semiautonomous features, provide an audiovisual description of the semiautonomous feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Shane Elwart, Aaron L. Mills, John Shutko
  • Patent number: 9953420
    Abstract: First and second angles are measured from a nominal camera centerline to respective first and second positions. The first position is determined by the camera locating a first centerpoint in a first board. The second position is determined by the camera locating a second centerpoint in a second board. The first and second angles, and first and second horizontal distances of the camera from the first board and the second board, respectively, are used to obtain a determined vertical distance and a determined angle. The determined vertical distance measures a distance from the second centerpoint to a point determined by an intersection of a first line through the second board and a second line that is parallel to the floor and has an endpoint at the camera. The determined angle measures an angle of between third line extending from the camera in the nominal position and the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Wolski, Joel Matthew Bickmann, Aaron L. Mills
  • Publication number: 20180079409
    Abstract: To deselect a target vehicle, certain actions are taken by an autonomously operating vehicle. An identified lane is identified. A target vehicle in the identified lane is selected. The target vehicle is determined to be departing the identified lane when an edge of the target vehicle crosses a virtual boundary. The target vehicle is deselected after determining that the target vehicle is departing the identified lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Brian Tamm, Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 9746550
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes an input device interface and a processing device. The input device interface receives a radar signal. The processing device defines a region of interest between a host vehicle and a front vehicle, detects that a potential cut-in vehicle has entered the region of interest, and selects the potential cut-in vehicle as the new front vehicle. The vehicle system may be incorporated into an autonomous or partially autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 9682705
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine with auto-stop and auto-start functions. The vehicle additionally includes a braking system configured to apply braking torque to vehicle wheels. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to control the engine and braking system via an ACC system in response to a detected forward object. The controller is configured to automatically control the braking system in response to a distance to the detected forward object falling below a first predefined threshold and a vehicle speed falling below a second predefined threshold. In response to these inputs, the controller automatically controls the braking system to apply a braking torque to hold the vehicle stationary in the absence of powertrain torque based on a current road grade. The controller additionally controls the engine to auto-stop in response to these inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Kirk Pebley, Aaron L. Mills, Chad Michael Korte
  • Publication number: 20170123430
    Abstract: A computing device for a host vehicle includes a data storage medium and a processing device. The computing device is programmed to detect a host vehicle lane change from a first lane to a second lane, ignore a current target vehicle in the first lane before the host vehicle completes the lane change, and select a vehicle in the second lane as a new target vehicle before the host vehicle completes the lane change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills
  • Publication number: 20170072955
    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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas EDIGER, Benjamin BAECKER, Stephanie ROSENBERG, Benjamin Carl MUKKALA, II, Aaron L. MILLS, Manuel STRAUCH
  • Publication number: 20170043767
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine with auto-stop and auto-start functions. The vehicle additionally includes a braking system configured to apply braking torque to vehicle wheels. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to control the engine and braking system via an ACC system in response to a detected forward object. The controller is configured to automatically control the braking system in response to a distance to the detected forward object falling below a first predefined threshold and a vehicle speed falling below a second predefined threshold. In response to these inputs, the controller automatically controls the braking system to apply a braking torque to hold the vehicle stationary in the absence of powertrain torque based on a current road grade. The controller additionally controls the engine to auto-stop in response to these inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek KHAFAGY, Kirk PEBLEY, Aaron L. MILLS, Chad Michael KORTE
  • Publication number: 20170008518
    Abstract: A method for operating a driver assistance system (DAS) to avoid a collision of a vehicle with an object At least one object in the vehicle environment is detected by vehicle-mounted environmental sensors, and is evaluated in terms of risk of collision with the vehicle, an an automatic intervention into the vehicle movement is carried out depending on this evaluation. During the automatic intervention, the following steps are performed: 1) Carrying out an automatic braking of the vehicle depending on the evaluation of collision risk, and 2) permitting a steering intervention by the driver to perform an evasive steering maneuver, in reaction to which the automatic braking is terminated. The driver-initiated steering intervention must occur before a point-in-time at which the DAS has determined the collision cannot be avoided by steering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Christoph ARNDT, Sabine NOTELAERS, Helmuth BOSCH, Peter W.A. ZEGELAAR, Aaron L. MILLS, Steven Yellin SCHONDORF
  • Patent number: 9453910
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a radar sensor for detecting objects in the vehicle path. The radar sensor may become blocked by contaminants or debris. A controller monitoring the radar system may detect a radar blockage when a return signal magnitude is less than a threshold. A typical response may be to set a radar blockage diagnostic under such a condition. The controller may inhibit setting a radar blockage diagnostic when other data indicates that the radar sensor is not blocked. Data such as vehicle position, traffic information, camera images, and historical radar returns may be used. A controller may confirm a radar blockage diagnostic when other data indicates that the radar sensor may be blocked. Data such as temperature, vehicle position, surface roughness, automated brake interventions, and heating system status may be used. Return signal dependent functions may be operated based on the radar blockage diagnostic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, Aaron L. Mills, Dorian Jack Spero
  • Patent number: 9412277
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a first sensor configured to output a first signal and a second sensor configured to output a second signal. The first and second signals represent movement of a potential cut-in vehicle. The vehicle system further includes a processing device programmed to compare the movement of the potential cut-in vehicle to at least one threshold. The processing device selects the potential cut-in vehicle as an in-path vehicle if the movement exceeds the at least one threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills
  • Publication number: 20160144847
    Abstract: A camera is configured to be mounted facing a front of a vehicle. A computer is programmed to receive first and second images from the camera, determine a height of an obstacle located to the front of the vehicle using at least the first and second images, and, based at least in part on the height of the obstacle, send an instruction via a communications bus to a component controller to control a speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron L. Mills