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).
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Publication number: 20190111922Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: April 18, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills, Patrick Lawrence Jackson Van Hoecke
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Publication number: 20190096255Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aaron L. Mills, Gopichandra Surnilla, Chet Hearn
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Publication number: 20190061755Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xingping Chen, Kevin Wegienka, Shane Elwart, Bo Wu, Aaron L. Mills
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Patent number: 10183659Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Aaron L. Mills
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Publication number: 20180319402Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2017Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, John Shutko, Shane Elwart, Timothy D. Zwicky, Nitendra Nath, Justin Teems
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Patent number: 10108191Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Edward Pilluti, Shane Elwart, Aaron L. Mills, John Shutko
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Patent number: 10093315Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Nitendra Nath, Brian Tamm, Aaron L. Mills
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Patent number: 10065637Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christoph Arndt, Sabine Notelaers, Helmuth Bosch, Peter W. A. Zegelaar, Aaron L. Mills, Steven Yellin Schondorf
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Publication number: 20180196428Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2017Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Shane Elwart, Aaron L. Mills, John Shutko
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Patent number: 9953420Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian Wolski, Joel Matthew Bickmann, Aaron L. Mills
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Publication number: 20180079409Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nitendra Nath, Brian Tamm, Aaron L. Mills
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Patent number: 9746550Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills
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Patent number: 9682705Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Kirk Pebley, Aaron L. Mills, Chad Michael Korte
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Publication number: 20170123430Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills
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Publication number: 20170072955Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Andreas EDIGER, Benjamin BAECKER, Stephanie ROSENBERG, Benjamin Carl MUKKALA, II, Aaron L. MILLS, Manuel STRAUCH
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Publication number: 20170043767Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek KHAFAGY, Kirk PEBLEY, Aaron L. MILLS, Chad Michael KORTE
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Publication number: 20170008518Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Christoph ARNDT, Sabine NOTELAERS, Helmuth BOSCH, Peter W.A. ZEGELAAR, Aaron L. MILLS, Steven Yellin SCHONDORF
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Patent number: 9453910Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shane Elwart, Aaron L. Mills, Dorian Jack Spero
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Patent number: 9412277Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills
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Publication number: 20160144847Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Aaron L. Mills