Patents by Inventor Brian Ginther

Brian Ginther 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).

  • Publication number: 20230234565
    Abstract: A vehicle operable by an unrestrained or uncontained rider and including a controller programmed to identify a trigger for an autonomous vehicle response. A sensor of the vehicle is in communication with the controller and operable to detect a predefined condition as the trigger. A rider sensor system in communication with the controller includes one or both of: a rider cognition sensor, and a rider physical sensor to detect physical engagement between rider and vehicle. On the condition of the controller determining from the rider sensor system that there is positive rider engagement, the controller is programmed to instruct a first level of autonomous vehicle response to the one or more actuators to effect a change in the operation of the vehicle in response to identification of the trigger. In the absence of positive rider engagement determined by the controller, the first level of autonomous vehicle response is prohibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Cindy Ann Miller, Matthew David Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 11518376
    Abstract: A saddle-ride vehicle includes a forward travel sensor a brake that decelerates the vehicle by actuation of a rider-operable brake control. A controller identifies a trigger for an autonomous braking event for the brake. A rider sensor system is in electrical communication with the controller and includes one or both of: a rider cognition sensor operable to detect parameters of rider cognition and report rider cognition status to the controller, and a rider physical sensor operable to detect parameters of a physical engagement between a rider and the vehicle and report rider physical engagement status to the controller. The controller is programmed to perform one or both of the following in response to the identification of the autonomous braking event trigger: checking for a positive cognitive engagement of the rider with the rider cognition sensor, and checking for a positive physical engagement of the rider with the rider physical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Cindy Ann Miller, Matthew David Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20210016771
    Abstract: A saddle-ride vehicle includes a forward travel sensor a brake that decelerates the vehicle by actuation of a rider-operable brake control. A controller identifies a trigger for an autonomous braking event for the brake. A rider sensor system is in electrical communication with the controller and includes one or both of: a rider cognition sensor operable to detect parameters of rider cognition and report rider cognition status to the controller, and a rider physical sensor operable to detect parameters of a physical engagement between a rider and the vehicle and report rider physical engagement status to the controller. The controller is programmed to perform one or both of the following in response to the identification of the autonomous braking event trigger: checking for a positive cognitive engagement of the rider with the rider cognition sensor, and checking for a positive physical engagement of the rider with the rider physical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Cindy Ann Miller, Matthew Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 10793146
    Abstract: A saddle-ride vehicle includes a forward travel sensor a brake that decelerates the vehicle by actuation of a rider-operable brake control. A controller identifies a trigger for an autonomous braking event for the brake. A rider sensor system is in electrical communication with the controller and includes one or both of: a rider cognition sensor operable to detect parameters of rider cognition and report rider cognition status to the controller, and a rider physical sensor operable to detect parameters of a physical engagement between a rider and the vehicle and report rider physical engagement status to the controller. The controller is programmed to perform one or both of the following in response to the identification of the autonomous braking event trigger: checking for a positive cognitive engagement of the rider with the rider cognition sensor, and checking for a positive physical engagement of the rider with the rider physical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Cindy Ann Miller, Matthew David Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20180319395
    Abstract: A saddle-ride vehicle includes a forward travel sensor a brake that decelerates the vehicle by actuation of a rider-operable brake control. A controller identifies a trigger for an autonomous braking event for the brake. A rider sensor system is in electrical communication with the controller and includes one or both of: a rider cognition sensor operable to detect parameters of rider cognition and report rider cognition status to the controller, and a rider physical sensor operable to detect parameters of a physical engagement between a rider and the vehicle and report rider physical engagement status to the controller. The controller is programmed to perform one or both of the following in response to the identification of the autonomous braking event trigger: checking for a positive cognitive engagement of the rider with the rider cognition sensor, and checking for a positive physical engagement of the rider with the rider physical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Cindy Ann Miller, Matthew David Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 10071785
    Abstract: System, method, and assembly for controlling a vehicle. In one example, the system includes a first suspension system and a first controller. The first controller is configured to receive an input signal representing vehicle operating parameters. The first controller is also configured to receive a first target displacement determined by a second controller for a second suspension system of the vehicle. The first controller is further configured to determine a second target displacement for the first suspension system of the vehicle based on the first target displacement and the input signal. The first controller is also configured to set a height of the first suspension system based on the second target displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Joseph P. Lomonaco, Maxim Kolesnikov, Bryan Fulmer
  • Publication number: 20180208189
    Abstract: A saddle-ride vehicle includes a forward travel sensor a brake that decelerates the vehicle by actuation of a rider-operable brake control. A controller identifies a trigger for an autonomous braking event for the brake. A rider sensor system is in electrical communication with the controller and includes one or both of: a rider cognition sensor operable to detect parameters of rider cognition and report rider cognition status to the controller, and a rider physical sensor operable to detect parameters of a physical engagement between a rider and the vehicle and report rider physical engagement status to the controller. The controller is programmed to perform one or both of the following in response to the identification of the autonomous braking event trigger: checking for a positive cognitive engagement of the rider with the rider cognition sensor, and checking for a positive physical engagement of the rider with the rider physical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Cindy Ann Miller, Matthew David Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 10029683
    Abstract: A saddle-ride vehicle includes a forward travel sensor a brake that decelerates the vehicle by actuation of a rider-operable brake control. A controller identifies a trigger for an autonomous braking event for the brake. A rider sensor system is in electrical communication with the controller and includes one or both of: a rider cognition sensor operable to detect parameters of rider cognition and report rider cognition status to the controller, and a rider physical sensor operable to detect parameters of a physical engagement between a rider and the vehicle and report rider physical engagement status to the controller. The controller is programmed to perform one or both of the following in response to the identification of the autonomous braking event trigger: checking for a positive cognitive engagement of the rider with the rider cognition sensor, and checking for a positive physical engagement of the rider with the rider physical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Cindy Ann Miller, Matthew David Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20170050697
    Abstract: System, method, and assembly for controlling a vehicle. In one example, the system includes a first suspension system and a first controller. The first controller is configured to receive an input signal representing vehicle operating parameters. The first controller is also configured to receive a first target displacement determined by a second controller for a second suspension system of the vehicle. The first controller is further configured to determine a second target displacement for the first suspension system of the vehicle based on the first target displacement and the input signal. The first controller is also configured to set a height of the first suspension system based on the second target displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Joseph P. Lomonaco, Maxim Kolesnikov, Bryan Fulmer
  • Patent number: 9428242
    Abstract: Actuator assemblies and methods and systems for using the same. One actuator assembly includes an actuator, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a command signal from a vehicle electronic control unit, receive a data signal from a sensor, determine a control signal for the actuator based on the command signal from the vehicle electronic control unit and the data signal from the sensor, transmit the control signal to the actuator, determine a status signal based on the control signal, and transmit the status signal to the vehicle electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Joseph P. Lomonaco, Maxim Kolesnikov, Bryan Fulmer
  • Publication number: 20150239523
    Abstract: Actuator assemblies and methods and systems for using the same. One actuator assembly includes an actuator, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a command signal from a vehicle electronic control unit, receive a data signal from a sensor, determine a control signal for the actuator based on the command signal from the vehicle electronic control unit and the data signal from the sensor, transmit the control signal to the actuator, determine a status signal based on the control signal, and transmit the status signal to the vehicle electronic control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, Joseph P. Lomonaco, Maxim Kolesnikov, Bryan Fulmer
  • Patent number: 8396633
    Abstract: A method of regulating an axle disconnect device that is operable in an axle assembly of a vehicle drivetrain includes monitoring a plurality of parameters, determining whether an occurrence of at least one of a traction event and a stability event is imminent based on at least one of the parameters, the stability event being determined based on a first set parameters, and the traction event being determined based on a second set of parameters that includes less parameters than the first set of parameters, and regulating the axle disconnect device to an engaged position if the occurrence of the at least one of the traction event and the stability event is imminent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Buszek, Brian Ginther, Earl David Ray
  • Publication number: 20120245814
    Abstract: A method of regulating an axle disconnect device that is operable in an axle assembly of a vehicle drivetrain includes monitoring a plurality of parameters, determining whether an occurrence of at least one of a traction event and a stability event is imminent based on at least one of the parameters, the stability event being determined based on a first set parameters, and the traction event being determined based on a second set of parameters that includes less parameters than the first set of parameters, and regulating the axle disconnect device to an engaged position if the occurrence of the at least one of the traction event and the stability event is imminent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: BORGWARNER, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Buszek, Brian Ginther, Earl David Ray
  • Patent number: 8204657
    Abstract: A method of regulating an axle disconnect device that is operable in an axle assembly of a vehicle drivetrain includes monitoring a plurality of parameters, determining whether an occurrence of at least one of a traction event and a stability event is imminent based on at least one of the parameters, the stability event being determined based on a first set parameters, and the traction event being determined based on a second set of parameters that includes less parameters than the first set of parameters, and regulating the axle disconnect device to an engaged position if the occurrence of the at least one of the traction event and the stability event is imminent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Buszek, Brian Ginther, Earl David Ray
  • Publication number: 20100262326
    Abstract: A method of regulating an axle disconnect device that is operable in an axle assembly of a vehicle drivetrain includes monitoring a plurality of parameters, determining whether an occurrence of at least one of a traction event and a stability event is imminent based on at least one of the parameters, the stability event being determined based on a first set parameters; and the traction event being determined based on a second set of parameters that includes less parameters than the first set of parameters, and regulating the axle disconnect device to an engaged position if the occurrence of the at least one of the traction event and the stability event is imminent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Buszek, Brian Ginther, Earl David Ray
  • Publication number: 20050064993
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling torque delivery independently, i.e., asymmetrically, to the two rear axles and wheels of a vehicle with front wheel drive provides improved vehicle handling and performance. The apparatus includes a prime mover, transaxle, power takeoff, rear axle having a pair of independently controllable modulating clutches driving respective rear axle and wheels, various vehicle sensors and a microprocessor. The method, embodied in software in the microprocessor, senses wheel speeds, yaw rate, lateral acceleration, throttle position and steering wheel angle, determines various reference values and oversteer and understeer conditions and activates one or both of the two clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Ginther, John Peterson