Patents by Inventor Bang Kim Cao
Bang Kim Cao 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: 20240054827Abstract: Methods and apparatus for indications in automated vehicle hold systems are disclosed. An example apparatus includes determining that the automated vehicle hold system is active. Based on the determination that the automated vehicle hold system is active, initiating a delay timer. Prior to the delay timer elapsing, providing, by executing instructions with at least one processor, a first indication corresponding to the auto hold not being engaged, and upon the delay timer elapsing, providing a second indication corresponding to the auto hold being engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao
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Patent number: 10940758Abstract: Terrain assist apparatus and related methods for use with vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vehicle controller configured to determine, based on vehicle sensor data, a condition of a vehicle associated with driving on sand. The vehicle controller is also to generate, via an output device, information instructing a vehicle occupant to configure a driving mode of the vehicle that is associated with controlling vehicle speed. The vehicle controller is also to control a parameter of the vehicle based on a setting of the driving mode to resolve the condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bang Kim Cao, Michael Edward Brewer, Brandon Cameron, William Gregory Suter, David John Messih, Christopher Wernette
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Patent number: 10836366Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for automatic calibration of electronic trailer brake gain. An example apparatus includes a trailer brake gain calibration module programmed to compare a calculated trailer brake torque to at least one of a first or second threshold, adjust a gain value based upon satisfaction of at least one of the first or second threshold, and apply a pressure to a trailer brake based on the gain value.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alex James, Thomas Salmon, Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao
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Patent number: 10829098Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein that perform automatic downhill snub braking. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes an electronic powertrain controller to cause a deceleration of a vehicle in response to a first request from an electronic cruise controller, the first request responsive to a change in grade of a driving surface and an electronic brake controller to apply snub braking to the vehicle in response to a second request received from the electronic cruise controller, the second request responsive to a speed of the vehicle reaching a maximum speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao, Kurt Howard Nickerson
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Patent number: 10625750Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a user interface to receive a command to place a vehicle in an autonomous control mode of the vehicle; and a stuck mode controller to autonomously shift a transmission of the vehicle alternately between a reverse gear and a forward gear of the vehicle when in the autonomous control mode to autonomously rock the vehicle back and forth. A timing of the shifting of the transmission is based on a ratio of a velocity of the vehicle to an acceleration of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
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Publication number: 20200017078Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein that perform automatic downhill snub braking. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes an electronic powertrain controller to cause a deceleration of a vehicle in response to a first request from an electronic cruise controller, the first request responsive to a change in grade of a driving surface and an electronic brake controller to apply snub braking to the vehicle in response to a second request received from the electronic cruise controller, the second request responsive to a speed of the vehicle reaching a maximum speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao, Kurt Howard Nickerson
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Publication number: 20190366846Abstract: Terrain assist apparatus and related methods for use with vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vehicle controller configured to determine, based on vehicle sensor data, a condition of a vehicle associated with driving on sand. The vehicle controller is also to generate, via an output device, information instructing a vehicle occupant to configure a driving mode of the vehicle that is associated with controlling vehicle speed. The vehicle controller is also to control a parameter of the vehicle based on a setting of the driving mode to resolve the condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Bang Kim Cao, Michael Edward Brewer, Brandon Cameron, William Gregory Suter, David John Messih, Christopher Wernette
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Publication number: 20190366989Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for automatic calibration of electronic trailer brake gain. An example apparatus includes a trailer brake gain calibration module programmed to compare a calculated trailer brake torque to at least one of a first or second threshold, adjust a gain value based upon satisfaction of at least one of the first or second threshold, and apply a pressure to a trailer brake based on the gain value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Alex James, Thomas Salmon, Donald A. Perlick, Bang Kim Cao
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Patent number: 10495161Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform brake sweeping procedures on vehicle brakes are described herein. An example apparatus includes a controller to determine when a vehicle has made a turn, compare an angle at which the vehicle has turned to an angle threshold, and schedule a brake sweeping procedure based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Salmon, Alex James, Bang Kim Cao, Donald A. Perlick
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Publication number: 20190283767Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a user interface to receive a command to place a vehicle in an autonomous control mode of the vehicle; and a stuck mode controller to autonomously shift a transmission of the vehicle alternately between a reverse gear and a forward gear of the vehicle when in the autonomous control mode to autonomously rock the vehicle back and forth. A timing of the shifting of the transmission is based on a ratio of a velocity of the vehicle to an acceleration of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
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Patent number: 10358141Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a command to place a vehicle in a stuck mode. The stuck mode corresponds to an autonomous control mode of the vehicle. The method further includes autonomously controlling the vehicle in the stuck mode to attempt to extricate the vehicle from a stuck condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
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Publication number: 20180229698Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform brake sweeping procedures on vehicle brakes are described herein. An example apparatus includes a controller to determine when a vehicle has made a turn, compare an angle at which the vehicle has turned to an angle threshold, and schedule a brake sweeping procedure based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Thomas Salmon, Alex James, Bang Kim Cao, Donald A. Perlick
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Patent number: 10029688Abstract: A stop/start hybrid vehicle includes an engine configured for stopping and restarting during travel, a multiple-ratio transmission, a brake pedal, and an electronic parking brake. The transmission can be shifted into reverse gear either when the brake pedal is applied or unapplied. At least one controller is programmed to control the vehicle under these scenarios. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is applied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller restarts the engine. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is unapplied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller inhibits the engine from restarting until the brake pedal is applied. The controller can also be programmed to apply the electronic parking brake while the brake pedal remains unapplied after a predetermined time from the transmission being shifted into the reverse gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Kirk Pebley, Eric Michael Rademacher, Hank L. Kwong, Bang Kim Cao
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Publication number: 20180111625Abstract: Methods and apparatus to extricate a vehicle from a stuck condition, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a command to place a vehicle in a stuck mode. The stuck mode corresponds to an autonomous control mode of the vehicle. The method further includes autonomously controlling the vehicle in the stuck mode to attempt to extricate the vehicle from a stuck condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2016Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao
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Publication number: 20170267242Abstract: A stop/start hybrid vehicle includes an engine configured for stopping and restarting during travel, a multiple-ratio transmission, a brake pedal, and an electronic parking brake. The transmission can be shifted into reverse gear either when the brake pedal is applied or unapplied. At least one controller is programmed to control the vehicle under these scenarios. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is applied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller restarts the engine. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is unapplied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller inhibits the engine from restarting until the brake pedal is applied. The controller can also be programmed to apply the electronic parking brake while the brake pedal remains unapplied after a predetermined time from the transmission being shifted into the reverse gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2016Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek KHAFAGY, Kirk PEBLEY, Eric Michael RADEMACHER, Hank L. KWONG, Bang Kim CAO
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Patent number: 9037341Abstract: A method and system for displaying a traction control ON/OFF menu at a display module in a vehicle upon detection of vehicle characteristics and conditions that may warrant a driver's desire to manually disable the traction control feature. The method and system verify traction control is enabled on the vehicle, verify the traction control ON/OFF menu is not already being displayed at a display module, a controller receives at least one signal indicating an occasion that may warrant manual deactivation of traction control and the controller initiates displaying the traction control ON/OFF menu for the convenience of the driver.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Inventors: Jerry Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao, Anthony Joseph Rendi
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Publication number: 20130325255Abstract: A method and system for displaying a traction control ON/OFF menu at a display module in a vehicle upon detection of vehicle characteristics and conditions that may warrant a driver's desire to manually disable the traction control feature. The method and system verify traction control is enabled on the vehicle, verify the traction control ON/OFF menu is not already being displayed at a display module, a controller receives at least one signal indicating an occasion that may warrant manual deactivation of traction control and the controller initiates displaying the traction control ON/OFF menu for the convenience of the driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Jerry Alex James, Donald A. Perlick, Thomas Salmon, Bang Kim Cao, Anthony Joseph Rendi