Patents by Inventor Arnav Sharma

Arnav Sharma 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: 11702077
    Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes an imaging system, a vehicle control system including at least one vehicle sensor, and a controller. The controller controls the vehicle using the vehicle control system to move the vehicle into an aligned position, where a hitch ball on the vehicle is aligned with the coupler, including monitoring a signal from the vehicle sensor and tracking a position of the coupler relative to the hitch ball in image data. When the signal indicates an unintended stopped vehicle state, the controller determines a distance from the hitch ball to the coupler. If the distance is above a predetermined threshold, the controller controls the vehicle control system to cause the vehicle to move. If the distance is below the predetermined threshold, the controller indicates the unintended stopped vehicle state to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Roger Trombley, Donald Jacob Mattern, Yu Ling, Arnav Sharma
  • Patent number: 11531331
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate a vehicle to execute a maneuver. The instructions include instructions to determine one of that a human operator is in the vehicle or that a human operator is not in the vehicle. The instructions include instructions to select one, and only one, of an in-vehicle human machine interface physically connected to the vehicle or a mobile user device wirelessly connected for providing commands to the vehicle based on whether a human operator is in the vehicle or is not in the vehicle. The instructions include instructions to actuate the vehicle based on commands from, and only based on commands from, the selected one of the in-vehicle human machine interface and the mobile user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Hamid M. Golgiri, Arnav Sharma
  • Patent number: 11479297
    Abstract: A vehicle system configured to control a trailer alignment routine includes a hitch mounted on a vehicle and a controller. The controller is configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer and control motion of the vehicle to toward an aligned position. The controller is further configured to control a braking procedure of the vehicle including a plurality of concurrent deceleration control procedures in response to a portion of the vehicle passing a gradual stopping distance. The concurrent deceleration procedures include monitoring an elapsed time following the portion of the vehicle passing the gradual stopping distance and monitoring a remaining distance to the aligned position based on a velocity of the vehicle and comparing the remaining distance to a rapid stopping distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Donald Jacob Mattern, Mohamed El-sawah, Roger Arnold Trombley, Douglas Rogan, Nikhil Nagraj Rao, Arnav Sharma
  • Patent number: 11433722
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a vehicle brake system, an accelerometer mounted on the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives a first signal from the accelerometer and, during reversing of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction, transmits an actuation signal to the vehicle brake system when the first signal from the accelerometer indicates a deceleration in the longitudinal direction above a predetermined rate within a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Arnav Sharma, Douglas Rogan, Luke Niewiadomski, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Publication number: 20220185285
    Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes an imaging system, a vehicle control system including at least one vehicle sensor, and a controller. The controller controls the vehicle using the vehicle control system to move the vehicle into an aligned position, where a hitch ball on the vehicle is aligned with the coupler, including monitoring a signal from the vehicle sensor and tracking a position of the coupler relative to the hitch ball in image data. When the signal indicates an unintended stopped vehicle state, the controller determines a distance from the hitch ball to the coupler. If the distance is above a predetermined threshold, the controller controls the vehicle control system to cause the vehicle to move. If the distance is below the predetermined threshold, the controller indicates the unintended stopped vehicle state to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Roger Trombley, Donald Jacob Mattern, Yu Ling, Arnav Sharma
  • Patent number: 11358639
    Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a controller that receives the scene data and identifying the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, outputting a powertrain control signal to the vehicle powertrain control system, and a brake control signal to the vehicle brake system to maneuver the vehicle, including reversing along the backing path and stopping the vehicle at an endpoint of the path, and outputs a video image to the vehicle human-machine interface including a graphical overlay on the image data. The graphical overlay indicates potential movement of the hitch ball past the coupler and being positioned in the image data between a bumper of the vehicle and the hitch ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, Donald Jacob Mattern, Craig Schmatz, Li Xu, Arnav Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220178715
    Abstract: A vehicle is determined to be in a parking area based on vehicle sensor data. A mapping operation mode is activated based on determining the vehicle is in the parking area. A travel path of the vehicle through the parking area is recorded based on receiving a user input selecting the mapping operation mode. A map of the parking area is updated based on the recorded travel path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hamid M. Golgiri, Chenhao Ma, Tony Tae-Jin Pak, Arnav Sharma, Ahmed Benmimoun
  • Patent number: 11299158
    Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes an imaging system, a vehicle control system including at least one vehicle sensor, and a controller. The controller controls the vehicle using the vehicle control system to move the vehicle into an aligned position, where a hitch ball on the vehicle is aligned with the coupler, including monitoring a signal from the vehicle sensor and tracking a position of the coupler relative to the hitch ball in image data. When the signal indicates an unintended stopped vehicle state, the controller determines a distance from the hitch ball to the coupler. If the distance is above a predetermined threshold, the controller controls the vehicle control system to cause the vehicle to move. If the distance is below the predetermined threshold, the controller indicates the unintended stopped vehicle state to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Roger Trombley, Donald Jacob Mattern, Yu Ling, Arnav Sharma
  • Patent number: 11208145
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a steering system having steered vehicle wheels mounted on an exterior of the vehicle and a steering motor mechanically coupled with the steered vehicle wheels. The system further includes controller that acquires control of the steered vehicle wheels by connection with the steering motor and, after acquiring control of the steered vehicle wheels, receives a command to execute an automated hitching maneuver and controls the steered vehicle wheels using the steering motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Kyle Simmons, Arnav Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210380120
    Abstract: A hitching assistance system for a vehicle includes a steering system including a vehicle steering wheel and a controller executing an automated hitching maneuver including controlling the steering system to back the vehicle toward a trailer, monitoring the hitching assistance system for an interruption event affecting execution of the automated hitching maneuver, detecting the interruption event and identifying the interruption event as one of a standard interruption event or an exception interruption event, upon identifying the standard interruption event, causing the steering wheel to move to a centered position and ceasing control of the steering system, and upon identifying the exception interruption event, ceasing control of the steering system without causing the steering wheel to move to the centered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Trombley, Arnav Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210347410
    Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a vehicle steering system, a detection system outputting a signal including scene data of an area to a rear of the vehicle, and a controller that controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle according to an initial alignment maneuver that positions the vehicle relative to the trailer, such that the trailer is within the area to the rear of the vehicle. The controller further receives the scene data and identifies the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, and controls the vehicle steering system to maneuver the vehicle including reversing along the backing path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, George Edmund Walley, Arnav Sharma, Roger Arnold Trombley, Frederic Christen, Kyle Simmons, Li Xu, Eric Hongtei Tseng
  • Patent number: 11155298
    Abstract: A vehicle maneuvering apparatus comprises a steering control system configured to control a steering angle of a plurality of steered wheels of a vehicle. The controller is further configured to control the vehicle to stop in a stopped position upon completing a vehicle alignment routine and identify an alignment error distance between the hitch and the coupler position in the stopped position. The controller is further configured to calculate a change distance of the hitch based on the steering angle and calculate an aligned steering error distance. The aligned steering error distance is calculated by comparing the change distance to the alignment error. Based on the aligned steering error distance, the controller may selectively suppress the steering angle alignment routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Kyle Simmons, Roger Arnold Trombley, Arnav Sharma, Li Xu
  • Patent number: 11124201
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a steering system including a vehicle steering wheel, a powertrain control system including an accelerator and a gear selector, a brake system including service brakes and a parking brake, and a controller. The controller executes an automated hitching maneuver, monitors the system for an interruption event. Upon identifying a standard interruption event, the controller causes the steering wheel to move to a centered position, causes the gear selector to engage a park mode, engages the parking brake, and ceases control of the steering system, the powertrain control system and the brake system. Upon identifying an exception interruption event, the controller ceases control of the steering system, the powertrain control system, and the brake system without causing the steering wheel to move to the centered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Trombley, Arnav Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210284238
    Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a controller that receives the scene data and identifying the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, outputting a powertrain control signal to the vehicle powertrain control system, and a brake control signal to the vehicle brake system to maneuver the vehicle, including reversing along the backing path and stopping the vehicle at an endpoint of the path, and outputs a video image to the vehicle human-machine interface including a graphical overlay on the image data. The graphical overlay indicates potential movement of the hitch ball past the coupler and being positioned in the image data between a bumper of the vehicle and the hitch ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, Donald Jacob Mattern, Craig Schmatz, Li Xu, Arnav Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210223770
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate a vehicle to execute a maneuver. The instructions include instructions to determine one of that a human operator is in the vehicle or that a human operator is not in the vehicle. The instructions include instructions to select one, and only one, of an in-vehicle human machine interface physically connected to the vehicle or a mobile user device wirelessly connected for providing commands to the vehicle based on whether a human operator is in the vehicle or is not in the vehicle. The instructions include instructions to actuate the vehicle based on commands from, and only based on commands from, the selected one of the in-vehicle human machine interface and the mobile user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Hamid M. Golgiri, Arnav Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210094615
    Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a steering system including a set of vehicle steered wheels and a controller. The controller checks the system for a plurality of pre-maneuver conditions and communicates to a driver the need to correct at least one of the pre-maneuver conditions. When all pre-maneuver conditions are met, the controller executes an automated hitching maneuver that includes controlling the steered wheels of the steering system in backing the vehicle toward the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Arnav Sharma, Roger Trombley
  • Publication number: 20210070357
    Abstract: A vehicle system configured to control a trailer alignment routine comprises a hitch mounted on a vehicle and a controller. The controller is configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer and control motion of the vehicle to toward an aligned position. The controller is further configured to control a braking procedure of the vehicle comprising a plurality of concurrent deceleration control procedures in response to a portion of the vehicle passing a gradual stopping distance. The concurrent deceleration procedures comprise monitoring an elapsed time following the portion of the vehicle passing the gradual stopping distance and monitoring a remaining distance to the aligned position based on a velocity of the vehicle and comparing the remaining distance to a rapid stopping distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Donald Jacob Mattern, Mohamed El-sawah, Roger Arnold Trombley, Douglas Rogan, Nikhil Nagraj Rao, Arnav Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210061354
    Abstract: A vehicle maneuvering apparatus comprises a steering control system configured to control a steering angle of a plurality of steered wheels of a vehicle. The controller is further configured to control the vehicle to stop in a stopped position upon completing a vehicle alignment routine and identify an alignment error distance between the hitch and the coupler position in the stopped position. The controller is further configured to calculate a change distance of the hitch based on the steering angle and calculate an aligned steering error distance. The aligned steering error distance is calculated by comparing the change distance to the alignment error. Based on the aligned steering error distance, the controller may selectively suppress the steering angle alignment routine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Kyle Simmons, Roger Arnold Trombley, Arnav Sharma, Li Xu
  • Publication number: 20210009143
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a steering system including a vehicle steering wheel, a powertrain control system including an accelerator and a gear selector, a brake system including service brakes and a parking brake, and a controller. The controller executes an automated hitching maneuver, monitors the system for an interruption event. Upon identifying a standard interruption event, the controller causes the steering wheel to move to a centered position, causes the gear selector to engage a park mode, engages the parking brake, and ceases control of the steering system, the powertrain control system and the brake system. Upon identifying an exception interruption event, the controller ceases control of the steering system, the powertrain control system, and the brake system without causing the steering wheel to move to the centered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Trombley, Arnav Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210001854
    Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes an imaging system, a vehicle control system including at least one vehicle sensor, and a controller. The controller controls the vehicle using the vehicle control system to move the vehicle into an aligned position, where a hitch ball on the vehicle is aligned with the coupler, including monitoring a signal from the vehicle sensor and tracking a position of the coupler relative to the hitch ball in image data. When the signal indicates an unintended stopped vehicle state, the controller determines a distance from the hitch ball to the coupler. If the distance is above a predetermined threshold, the controller controls the vehicle control system to cause the vehicle to move. If the distance is below the predetermined threshold, the controller indicates the unintended stopped vehicle state to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Li Xu, Roger Trombley, Donald Jacob Mattern, Yu Ling, Arnav Sharma