Patents by Inventor Alyssa Chatten

Alyssa Chatten 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: 11275368
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for key fobs for vehicle remote park-assist. An example key fob for a vehicle includes buttons including a lock button, an unlock button, and a trigger button. The example key fob also includes an antenna and a controller. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a lock signal responsive to detecting the lock button is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, an unlock signal responsive to detecting the unlock button is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a remote-start signal responsive to detecting a remote-start combination of the buttons is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a remote park-assist (RePA) signal to initiate RePA of the vehicle responsive to detecting a RePA combination of the buttons is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Erick Michael Lavoie, Daniel M. King, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten
  • Patent number: 11188070
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mitigating key fob error for remote parking assist systems. An example vehicle includes wireless modules that communicatively couple to a key fob and a mobile device and a processor. The processor, when the key fob is usable, estimates a location of an operator based on the key fob, and operate an autonomous parking system in a first mode. Additionally, the processor, when the key fob is not usable, estimates the location of the operator based on the mobile device, and operate the autonomous parking system in a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Alyssa Chatten
  • Patent number: 10814866
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is to designate a mobile device responsive to determining the remote parking is inactive and receiving an activation request from the mobile device. When the mobile device is designated, the controller also is to process remote parking signals of the mobile device, stop the remote parking when the sensor detects engagement of a door handle, and prevent processing of other nonemergency requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 10793144
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle remote park-assist communication counters. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to implement a counter into remote parking communication between the communication module and a mobile device and, when the counter exceeds a threshold, monitor for a reset vehicle event and a reset mobile event. The controller also is to reset the counter responsive to detecting at least one of the reset vehicle event and the reset mobile event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Alyssa Chatten, Vivekanandh Elangovan, Joby Jester
  • Publication number: 20200307555
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for key fob utilization for vehicle remote park-assist. An example vehicle system for remote park-assist (RePA) includes a key fob. The key fob includes a low frequency (LF) antenna to receive a beacon and an ultra-high frequency (UHF) antenna to transmit a return signal including a distance indicator and a RePA signal. The example vehicle system also includes a vehicle. The vehicle includes an LF module to transmit the beacon at a predefined interval, a receiver-transceiver module to receive the return signal and the RePA signal, a controller to enable RePA responsive to determining that the distance indicator is less than a tethering threshold distance, and an autonomy unit to perform RePA based on the RePA signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Daniel M. King, Erick Michael Lavoie, Vivekanandh Elangovan, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten
  • Publication number: 20200310407
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for key fobs for vehicle remote park-assist. An example key fob for a vehicle includes buttons including a lock button, an unlock button, and a trigger button. The example key fob also includes an antenna and a controller. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a lock signal responsive to detecting the lock button is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, an unlock signal responsive to detecting the unlock button is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a remote-start signal responsive to detecting a remote-start combination of the buttons is pressed. The controller is configured to transmit, via the antenna, a remote park-assist (RePA) signal to initiate RePA of the vehicle responsive to detecting a RePA combination of the buttons is pressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Erick Michael Lavoie, Daniel M. King, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten
  • Publication number: 20200276970
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is to designate a mobile device responsive to determining the remote parking is inactive and receiving an activation request from the mobile device. When the mobile device is designated, the controller also is to process remote parking signals of the mobile device, stop the remote parking when the sensor detects engagement of a door handle, and prevent processing of other nonemergency requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 10759417
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is to designate a mobile device responsive to determining the remote parking is inactive and receiving an activation request from the mobile device. When the mobile device is designated, the controller also is to process remote parking signals of the mobile device, stop the remote parking when the sensor detects engagement of a door handle, and prevent processing of other nonemergency requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 10747218
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for remote parking assist. An example vehicle includes ultra-wide angle cameras and a processor coupled to memory. The processor generates an interface based on a location of the mobile device including an overhead representation of the vehicle generated using images from the cameras and representations of a position of a mobile device and a boundary around the vehicle. The processor also sends the interface to the mobile device, and when the mobile device is not within the boundary, prevents autonomous parking of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Hamid M. Golgiri
  • Patent number: 10683004
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes a door, an autonomy unit, a communication module, a vehicle speed sensor for monitoring a vehicle speed, and a controller. The controller is to cause the autonomy unit to perform remote parking upon receiving, via the communication module, a remote parking signal. The controller also is to receive an unlock request during performance of the remote parking and prevent unlocking of the door responsive to determining the vehicle speed is greater than a threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 10579252
    Abstract: Electrostatic friction textures on a touchscreen panel are used to create the sensation of braille text in a contextual menu adapted to an automotive environment. In particular, a center stack touchscreen friction display in a passenger vehicle provides one set of touch controls and HMI data to the driver while simultaneously providing either the same control options and HMI to the passenger in Braille form or a completely different set of information and menu structure in Braille form. The manner of providing a Braille display in an automobile is adapted for vehicle vibration and movement, the types of functions normally presented and/or controlled by passengers, and other challenges Braille readers of different ages, health, or experience may face when attempting to read Braille in a vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald P. Brombach, Laura V. Hazebrouck, John R. Van Wiemeersch, Ryan E. Hanson, Alyssa Chatten
  • Patent number: 10562539
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for transferring control of one or more vehicle functions from a driver HUD to a passenger HUD. An example vehicle includes a driver HUD, a passenger HUD, and a processor. The processor is configured for enabling control of one or more vehicle functions via the driver HUD responsive to determining that the vehicle speed is below a threshold. The processor is also configured for transitioning control of the one or more vehicle functions from the driver HUD to the passenger HUD responsive to determining that the vehicle speed has increased above the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alyssa Chatten, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ali Hassani, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Thomas Joseph Hermann, Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Publication number: 20200018976
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for passenger heads-up displays for vehicles. An example vehicle includes a passenger seat, a passenger heads-up display (HUD) to present a virtual interface in front of the passenger seat, and a controller. The controller is to identify a mode selection for the passenger HUD and determine, based on the mode selection, the virtual interface and an apparent distance of the virtual interface for a passenger. The controller also is to present, via the passenger HUD, the virtual interface at the apparent distance for the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Erick Michael Lavoie, Thomas Joseph Hermann, Alyssa Chatten
  • Publication number: 20200017122
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for transferring control of one or more vehicle functions from a driver HUD to a passenger HUD. An example vehicle includes a driver HUD, a passenger HUD, and a processor. The processor is configured for enabling control of one or more vehicle functions via the driver HUD responsive to determining that the vehicle speed is below a threshold. The processor is also configured for transitioning control of the one or more vehicle functions from the driver HUD to the passenger HUD responsive to determining that the vehicle speed has increased above the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Alyssa Chatten, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ali Hassani, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Thomas Joseph Hermann, Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Patent number: 10493981
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to perform, via the autonomy unit, remote parking upon receiving, via the communication module, a remote parking signal from a mobile device. The controller also is to receive an unlock request during the remote parking from a first key fob, determine a number of key fobs within a tethering range, and prevent processing of the unlock request when the number of key fobs is one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 10442409
    Abstract: A roof-rack for a vehicle and method of operation where the siderails and the crossbars are both automatically movable via a control circuit to clear snow from a vehicle roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alyssa Chatten, Erick M. Lavoie, John R. Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20190308612
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is to designate a mobile device responsive to determining the remote parking is inactive and receiving an activation request from the mobile device. When the mobile device is designated, the controller also is to process remote parking signals of the mobile device, stop the remote parking when the sensor detects engagement of a door handle, and prevent processing of other nonemergency requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20190308614
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to perform, via the autonomy unit, remote parking upon receiving, via the communication module, a remote parking signal from a mobile device. The controller also is to receive an unlock request during the remote parking from a first key fob, determine a number of key fobs within a tethering range, and prevent processing of the unlock request when the number of key fobs is one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20190308613
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes a door, an autonomy unit, a communication module, a vehicle speed sensor for monitoring a vehicle speed, and a controller. The controller is to cause the autonomy unit to perform remote parking upon receiving, via the communication module, a remote parking signal. The controller also is to receive an unlock request during performance of the remote parking and prevent unlocking of the door responsive to determining the vehicle speed is greater than a threshold speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20190308615
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle remote park-assist communication counters. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to implement a counter into remote parking communication between the communication module and a mobile device and, when the counter exceeds a threshold, monitor for a reset vehicle event and a reset mobile event. The controller also is to reset the counter responsive to detecting at least one of the reset vehicle event and the reset mobile event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Alyssa Chatten, Vivekanandh Elangovan, Joby Jester