Patents by Inventor Brian David Tillman
Brian David Tillman 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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Patent number: 11639142Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller powered by a controller power source independent from a vehicle power supply, programmed to responsive to detecting an in-vehicle network wakeup initiated by an electronic controller unit (ECU) requesting to communicate during a vehicle OFF state, record an ECU communication via the in-vehicle network; and responsive to detecting a vehicle ON state, send the recorded ECU communication to a server.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian David Tillman, Jaafar Abbass, Paul Anthon Mueller
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Patent number: 11527113Abstract: A system comprises a processor that is programmed to define a plurality of vehicle groups based on vehicle specification data and define a plurality of sub-groups for each of the vehicle groups based on environmental data and sensor data received from each of a plurality of vehicles. The processor is programmed to adjust fuel tank leak detection classifiers for the sub-groups based on ground truth data. The ground truth data include, for each of the plurality of vehicles, a leak detection status and a leak test result.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Imad Hassan Makki, Aed M. Dudar, Medville Jay Throop, Brian David Tillman, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Robert Roy Jentz
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Publication number: 20200223376Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller powered by a controller power source independent from a vehicle power supply, programmed to responsive to detecting an in-vehicle network wakeup initiated by an electronic controller unit (ECU) requesting to communicate during a vehicle OFF state, record an ECU communication via the in-vehicle network; and responsive to detecting a vehicle ON state, send the recorded ECU communication to a server.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2019Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Brian David TILLMAN, Jaafar ABBASS, Paul Anthon MUELLER
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Patent number: 10706642Abstract: A system includes at least one processor configured to, in response to receiving a VIN from a remote vehicle, transmit to the vehicle a parameter definition selected based on fields of the VIN to configure an ECU of the vehicle to enter a logging mode to capture, aggregate, and send operational data of the vehicle, and a bandwidth configuration file for a modem of the vehicle based on historical throughput requirements associated with operational data. The parameter definition may include a reporting application configured to be executed by a processor of the ECU to generate a processed parameter from a raw parameter associated with vehicle operation. Also, the parameter definition may include updated firmware for the ECU, and the reporting application is configured to be executed by the ECU after the updated firmware is installed in the ECU.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Medville Jay Throop, Praveen Kumar Yalavarty, Douglas B. Thornburg, John William Schmotzer, Brian David Tillman
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Publication number: 20200160628Abstract: A system comprises a processor that is programmed to define a plurality of vehicle groups based on vehicle specification data and define a plurality of sub-groups for each of the vehicle groups based on environmental data and sensor data received from each of a plurality of vehicles. The processor is programmed to adjust fuel tank leak detection classifiers for the sub-groups based on ground truth data. The ground truth data include, for each of the plurality of vehicles, a leak detection status and a leak test result.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2017Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Fling Finn TSENG, Imad Hassan MAKKI, Aed M. DUDAR, Medville Jay THROOP, Brian David TILLMAN, Dimitar Petrov FILEV, Robert Roy JENTZ
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Publication number: 20200117438Abstract: A boundary of a geofence spanning a plurality of time zones is received by a vehicle. A primary time zone of the geofence is identified. Installation of a software update is initiated responsive to the vehicle being located within the geofence and a current time within the primary time zone being within a period of time for software updates.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Brian WITHUN, Brian David TILLMAN, Stephanie GAGE, Mohamad NASSER
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Patent number: 10564954Abstract: A vehicle includes an onboard controller(s) coupled to a wireless transceiver, which are configured to connect to a remote server, and to respond to a remote software update message for a vehicle from the remote server(s). In response, the controller(s) download a software update to the vehicle from the remote server(s). The controller(s) are further configured to detect a vehicle idle state, to determine whether the vehicle is unattended, such that the software update may proceed. If the idle state is detected, and in response to the remote software update message, the controller(s) configure the vehicle to a program mode, having vehicle conditions that include key on, transmission in park, and engine off. If the program mode configurations are successful, then the controller(s) update and/or flash the downloaded updates to in-vehicle, onboard computer processing systems and controller(s), which may include for example an engine control unit (ECU), among others.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian David Tillman, Medville Jay Throop, Ylldes Zeneli, Karl Nathan Clark
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Patent number: 10460533Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a processor configured to buffer records of vehicle information created at a scheduled acquisition rate, and to buffer event files of vehicle information created upon the occurrence of predetermined triggering events. The processor may be further configured to cause the buffered records to be wirelessly transmitted on a last-in first-out basis if a signal strength in a vicinity of the vehicle is greater than a first predetermined threshold, and to cause the buffered files to be wirelessly transmitted if the signal strength is greater than a second predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel William Forthoffer, Medville Jay Throop, Brian David Tillman
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Publication number: 20190108010Abstract: A vehicle includes an onboard controller(s) coupled to a wireless transceiver, which are configured to connect to a remote server, and to respond to a remote software update message for a vehicle from the remote server(s). In response, the controller(s) download a software update to the vehicle from the remote server(s). The controller(s) are further configured to detect a vehicle idle state, to determine whether the vehicle is unattended, such that the software update may proceed. If the idle state is detected, and in response to the remote software update message, the controller(s) configure the vehicle to a safe mode, having vehicle conditions that include key on, transmission in park, and engine off. If the safe mode configurations are successful, then the controller(s) update and/or flash the downloaded updates to in-vehicle, onboard computer processing systems and controller(s), which may include for example an engine control unit (ECU), among others.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Brian David TILLMAN, Medville Jay THROOP, Ylldes ZENELI, Karl Nathan CLARK
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Patent number: 10242509Abstract: A vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) may control a vehicle subsystem and be configured to receive from a remote server via a vehicle telematics unit (TCU), a parameter definition of a processed parameter to be computed by the ECU; generate the processed parameter according to the parameter definition based on a raw parameter generated by the ECU; and send the processed parameter to a vehicle data buffer associated with the ECU for upload to the remote server via the TCU.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Medville Jay Throop, Leighton Barnes, Douglas B. Thornburg, Brian David Tillman, John William Schmotzer
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Patent number: 10061574Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to wirelessly receive update requests from a plurality of vehicles. The processor is also configured to, for each request, determine if any vehicle modules require updating. Also, the processor is configured to retrieve an updated version and sending the updated version to a vehicle for reflashing, for each module that requires updating. The processor is additionally configured to receive confirmation for each module that has been reflashed and update a vehicle configuration with a version identifier corresponding to the updated version for each reflashed module.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul Mueller, Medville J. Throop, Brian David Tillman, April Deneane Johnson, Gregory William Farrey, Jason Michael Miller, John Dolinsky, Charles Henry Nagi, Thomas Eric Svenson
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Publication number: 20170330393Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a processor configured to buffer records of vehicle information created at a scheduled acquisition rate, and to buffer event files of vehicle information created upon the occurrence of predetermined triggering events. The processor may be further configured to cause the buffered records to be wirelessly transmitted on a last-in first-out basis if a signal strength in a vicinity of the vehicle is greater than a first predetermined threshold, and to cause the buffered files to be wirelessly transmitted if the signal strength is greater than a second predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Daniel William FORTHOFFER, Medville Jay THROOP, Brian David TILLMAN
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Patent number: 9721398Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a processor configured to buffer records of vehicle information created at a scheduled acquisition rate, and to buffer event files of vehicle information created upon the occurrence of predetermined triggering events. The processor may be further configured to cause the buffered records to be wirelessly transmitted on a last-in first-out basis if a signal strength in a vicinity of the vehicle is greater than a first predetermined threshold, and to cause the buffered files to be wirelessly transmitted if the signal strength is greater than a second predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel William Forthoffer, Medville Jay Throop, Brian David Tillman
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Publication number: 20170092018Abstract: A system includes at least one processor configured to, in response to receiving a VIN from a remote vehicle, transmit to the vehicle a parameter definition selected based on fields of the VIN to configure an ECU of the vehicle to enter a logging mode to capture, aggregate, and send operational data of the vehicle, and a bandwidth configuration file for a modem of the vehicle based on historical throughput requirements associated with operational data. The parameter definition may include a reporting application configured to be executed by a processor of the ECU to generate a processed parameter from a raw parameter associated with vehicle operation. Also, the parameter definition may include updated firmware for the ECU, and the reporting application is configured to be executed by the ECU after the updated firmware is installed in the ECU.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Medville Jay Throop, Praveen Kumar Yalavarty, Douglas B. Thornburg, John William Schmotzer, Brian David Tillman
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Patent number: 9557981Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining that a connection to an update server should be established. The method also includes establishing a wireless connection with the update server. The method further includes sending at least a VIN number to the update server and downloading one or more module updates corresponding to the sent VIN number. Also, the method includes verifying the one or more downloaded updates. The method further includes flashing one or more modules to which the one or more updates correspond. Additionally, the method includes verifying the functionality of each module which has been flashed.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Medville Jay Throop, Brian David Tillman, Scott David Wojtkowicz, Daniel William Forthoffer
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Publication number: 20160203652Abstract: A vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) may control a vehicle subsystem and be configured to receive from a remote server via a vehicle telematics unit (TCU), a parameter definition of a processed parameter to be computed by the ECU; generate the processed parameter according to the parameter definition based on a raw parameter generated by the ECU; and send the processed parameter to a vehicle data buffer associated with the ECU for upload to the remote server via the TCU.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Medville Jay THROOP, Leighton BARNES, Douglas B. THORNBURG, Brian David TILLMAN, John William SCHMOTZER
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Publication number: 20140282467Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to wirelessly receive update requests from a plurality of vehicles. The processor is also configured to, for each request, determine if any vehicle modules require updating. Also, the processor is configured to retrieve an updated version and sending the updated version to a vehicle for reflashing, for each module that requires updating.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Paul Anthon Mueller, Medville J. Throop, Brian David Tillman, April Deneane Johnson, Gregory William Farrey, Jason Michael Miller, John Dolinsky, Charles Henry Nagi, Thomas Eric Svenson
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Publication number: 20130031540Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining that a connection to an update server should be established. The method also includes establishing a wireless connection with the update server. The method further includes sending at least a VIN number to the update server and downloading one or more module updates corresponding to the sent VIN number. Also, the method includes verifying the one or more downloaded updates. The method further includes flashing one or more modules to which the one or more updates correspond. Additionally, the method includes verifying the functionality of each module which has been flashed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Medville Jay Throop, Brian David Tillman, Scott David Wojtkowicz, Daniel William Forthoffer
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Publication number: 20110166741Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a processor configured to buffer records of vehicle information created at a scheduled acquisition rate, and to buffer event files of vehicle information created upon the occurrence of predetermined triggering events. The processor may be further configured to cause the buffered records to be wirelessly transmitted on a last-in first-out basis if a signal strength in a vicinity of the vehicle is greater than a first predetermined threshold, and to cause the buffered files to be wirelessly transmitted if the signal strength is greater than a second predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Daniel William Forthoffer, Medville Jay Throop, Brian David Tillman