Patents by Inventor Andrew Vaccariello

Andrew Vaccariello 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: 11914064
    Abstract: A method for localizing a user device using a Time-of-Flight (ToF) antenna array disposed on a vehicle, the method includes determining via a ToF localization controller, that a user device is positioned at a front region of a vehicle, calculating a distance to the user device from a combination of two ToF antennae of the ToF antenna array, and performing a 2-dimensional (2D) trilateration calculation. The method further includes evaluating a confidence metric value, determining a position of the user device based on the confidence metric value, and generating an unlock signal that unlocks a vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Vaccariello, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11710358
    Abstract: A method for localizing a user device using a Time of Flight (ToF) antenna array disposed on a vehicle, the method includes determining, via a ToF localization controller, that the user device is less than a threshold distance from the vehicle, determining an angle of arrival via the ToF localization controller and the ToF antenna array, and generating an unlock signal that unlocks a vehicle door responsive to determining that the user device is less than the threshold distance from the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Vaccariello, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11521434
    Abstract: A Phone-as-a-Key (PaaK) system uses a handheld mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) to act as a remote-control system for a vehicle. The vehicle has a wireless receiver adapted to receive and relay a user message to a vehicle electronic controller. The handheld mobile device comprises a wireless transmitter with an antenna mounted at a predetermined antenna location in the mobile device, an input element activated manually by a user to initiate the user message to control the vehicle electronic controller, and a display panel. A processor in the mobile device is to configured to display a help screen on the display panel informing a user of a handholding grip adapted to avoid a blocking of the predetermined antenna location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Vaccariello, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John R Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20220237965
    Abstract: A method for localizing a user device using a Time of Flight (ToF) antenna array disposed on a vehicle, the method includes determining, via a ToF localization controller, that the user device is less than a threshold distance from the vehicle, determining an angle of arrival via the ToF localization controller and the ToF antenna array, and generating an unlock signal that unlocks a vehicle door responsive to determining that the user device is less than the threshold distance from the vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Vaccariello, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20220236363
    Abstract: A method for localizing a user device using a Time-of-Flight (ToF) antenna array disposed on a vehicle, the method includes determining via a ToF localization controller, that a user device is positioned at a front region of a vehicle, calculating a distance to the user device from a combination of two ToF antennae of the ToF antenna array, and performing a 2-dimensional (2D) trilateration calculation. The method further includes evaluating a confidence metric value, determining a position of the user device based on the confidence metric value, and generating an unlock signal that unlocks a vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Vaccariello, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20220028184
    Abstract: A Phone-as-a-Key (PaaK) system uses a handheld mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) to act as a remote-control system for a vehicle. The vehicle has a wireless receiver adapted to receive and relay a user message to a vehicle electronic controller. The handheld mobile device comprises a wireless transmitter with an antenna mounted at a predetermined antenna location in the mobile device, an input element activated manually by a user to initiate the user message to control the vehicle electronic controller, and a display panel. A processor in the mobile device is configured to display a help screen on the display panel informing a user of a handholding grip adapted to avoid a blocking of the predetermined antenna location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Vaccariello, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John R Van Wiemeersch