Patents by Inventor Douglas Blue
Douglas Blue 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: 12071126Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive sensor data indicating a current position of an object, determine a predicted position of the object at a future time, and instruct a component of a vehicle to actuate based on the current position being in a first zone of a plurality of zones surrounding the vehicle and the predicted position being in a second zone of the plurality of zones different than the first zone. The zones are nonoverlapping and have preset boundaries relative to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aakar Mehra, David Dekime, Kenneth Harkenrider, Abhishek Sharma, Douglas Blue
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Publication number: 20230288932Abstract: A method is provided for the automatic unparking of a motor vehicle, with which a parking trajectory is determined on the basis of directly collected data about the motor vehicle surroundings and additionally on the basis of data relating to the motor vehicle surroundings and obtained during the movement of the motor vehicle to the parking position and stored on a memory device of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle and a system for carrying out the method will also be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2022Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy C. Bettger, Thomas Gerlitz, Douglas Blue, Ahmed Benmimoun, Nadja Wysietzki, Lars Kuhnert, Erick Michael Lavoie
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Publication number: 20230099598Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive sensor data indicating a current position of an object, determine a predicted position of the object at a future time, and instruct a component of a vehicle to actuate based on the current position being in a first zone of a plurality of zones surrounding the vehicle and the predicted position being in a second zone of the plurality of zones different than the first zone. The zones are nonoverlapping and have preset boundaries relative to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aakar Mehra, David Dekime, Kenneth Harkenrider, Abhishek Sharma, Douglas Blue
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Patent number: 11498554Abstract: A computer is programmed to identify a turning center defined by a turning radius of the vehicle and a heading angle of the vehicle, identify a boundary circle having a center defined by the turning center and a radius extending to a location of a detected object, identify coordinates for each of a plurality of vertices of an external contour of the vehicle, the external contour defining a plurality of line segments, each line segment connecting two of the vertices, upon identifying at least one line segment that intersects the boundary circle, identify at least one of an object distance or an intersection time between the object and the vehicle, and actuate at least one of a steering or a brake to avoid the object when the object distance is below a distance threshold or the intersection time is below a time threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Li Xu, Douglas Blue
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Patent number: 11279405Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein that includes a sensing system configured to detect a trailer and obstacles proximate the trailer. The hitch assist system also includes a controller in communication with the sensing system and configured to define a final vehicle heading direction relative to the trailer when a hitch ball of a vehicle is aligned with a coupler of the trailer; determine an uppermost/farthest position of the vehicle from the trailer; determine a lowermost/nearest position of the vehicle from the trailer; and determine a vehicle path that aligns the vehicle within the uppermost/farthest and lowermost/nearest positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Li Xu, Douglas Blue, Kyle Simmons, Luke Niewiadomski, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Peter Ling
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Publication number: 20210261118Abstract: A computer is programmed to identify a turning center defined by a turning radius of the vehicle and a heading angle of the vehicle, identify a boundary circle having a center defined by the turning center and a radius extending to a location of a detected object, identify coordinates for each of a plurality of vertices of an external contour of the vehicle, the external contour defining a plurality of line segments, each line segment connecting two of the vertices, upon identifying at least one line segment that intersects the boundary circle, identify at least one of an object distance or an intersection time between the object and the vehicle, and actuate at least one of a steering or a brake to avoid the object when the object distance is below a distance threshold or the intersection time is below a time threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Li Xu, Douglas Blue
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Publication number: 20200114968Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein that includes a sensing system configured to detect a trailer and obstacles proximate the trailer. The hitch assist system also includes a controller in communication with the sensing system and configured to define a final vehicle heading direction relative to the trailer when a hitch ball of a vehicle is aligned with a coupler of the trailer; determine an uppermost/farthest position of the vehicle from the trailer; determine a lowermost/nearest position of the vehicle from the trailer; and determine a vehicle path that aligns the vehicle within the uppermost/farthest and lowermost/nearest positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Li Xu, Douglas Blue, Kyle Simmons, Luke Niewiadomski, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Peter Ling
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Patent number: 10369988Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for autonomous parking of vehicles in perpendicular parking spots. An example vehicle includes a front corner, a camera, and an autonomous vehicle parker. The autonomous vehicle parker is to detect, via the camera, a perpendicular parking spot and an outer boundary of the perpendicular parking spot, determine a linear parking path located within the perpendicular parking spot and based on the outer boundary, and autonomously turn into the perpendicular parking spot such that the front corner travels along the linear parking path.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eric Hongtei Tseng, Li Xu, Kyle Simmons, Douglas Blue
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Patent number: 10330644Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting measurements of relative humidity using an ultrasonic sensor. In one example, a plurality of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies are transmitted from a single sensor, and attenuation values of reflected signals are determined only for those signals determined to have the same transit time from transmission to receipt, and where frequency of the plurality of ultrasonic signals may be changed responsive to an indication that the signals may be below a signal-to-noise threshold. In this way, by determining a difference between attenuation values between pairs of signals, where the signals comprise different frequencies and where the signals comprise the same transit times, relative humidity may be accurately determined.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Douglas Blue, Richard E. Soltis, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem
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Patent number: 10302596Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting measurements of relative humidity via the use of an ultrasonic sensor. In one example, the ultrasonic sensor for conducting the relative humidity measurement is selected from a plurality of ultrasonic sensors positioned at various locations on the vehicle, and where the selecting is accomplished in some examples via the use of one or more onboard cameras configured to identify suitable objects that are stationary with respect to the vehicle. In this way, robustness and accuracy of relative humidity measurements may be improved, lifetime of individual ultrasonic sensors may be extended, and vehicle operating conditions that depend on accurate relative humidity measurements may be improved.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Douglas Blue, Richard E. Soltis, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem
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Patent number: 10281921Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for autonomous parking of vehicles in perpendicular parking spots. An example vehicle includes a front corner, a sensor, and a parking controller. The parking controller is to detect, via the sensor, a perpendicular parking spot and determine a linear parking path located within the perpendicular parking spot along which the front corner is to travel. The parking controller also is to determine an approaching turn path to the linear parking path and autonomously turn along the approaching turn path and the linear parking path into the perpendicular parking spot.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kyle Simmons, Li Xu, Douglas Blue, Hongtei Eric Tseng
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Publication number: 20190101925Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for autonomous parking of vehicles in perpendicular parking spots. An example vehicle includes a front corner, a sensor, and a parking controller. The parking controller is to detect, via the sensor, a perpendicular parking spot and determine a linear parking path located within the perpendicular parking spot along which the front corner is to travel. The parking controller also is to determine an approaching turn path to the linear parking path and autonomously turn along the approaching turn path and the linear parking path into the perpendicular parking spot.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Kyle Simmons, Li Xu, Douglas Blue, Hongtei Eric Tseng
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Patent number: 10229231Abstract: A method for generating training data. The method may include executing a simulation process. The simulation process may include traversing one or more virtual sensors over a virtual road surface defining a plurality of virtual anomalies that are each sensible by the one or more virtual sensors. During the traversing, each of the one or more virtual sensors may be moved with respect to the virtual road surface as dictated by a vehicle-motion model modeling motion of a vehicle driving on the virtual road surface while carrying the one or more virtual sensors. Virtual sensor data characterizing the virtual road surface may be recorded. The virtual sensor data may correspond to what a real sensor would have output had it sensed the road surface in the real world.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa, Martin Saeger, Ashley Elizabeth Micks, Douglas Blue
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Publication number: 20180201256Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for autonomous parking of vehicles in perpendicular parking spots. An example vehicle includes a front corner, a camera, and an autonomous vehicle parker. The autonomous vehicle parker is to detect, via the camera, a perpendicular parking spot and an outer boundary of the perpendicular parking spot, determine a linear parking path located within the perpendicular parking spot and based on the outer boundary, and autonomously turn into the perpendicular parking spot such that the front corner travels along the linear parking path.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2017Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Eric Hongtei Tseng, Li Xu, Kyle Simmons, Douglas Blue
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Publication number: 20180095057Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting measurements of relative humidity using an ultrasonic sensor. In one example, a plurality of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies are transmitted from a single sensor, and attenuation values of reflected signals are determined only for those signals determined to have the same transit time from transmission to receipt, and where frequency of the plurality of ultrasonic signals may be changed responsive to an indication that the signals may be below a signal-to-noise threshold. In this way, by determining a difference between attenuation values between pairs of signals, where the signals comprise different frequencies and where the signals comprise the same transit times, relative humidity may be accurately determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Douglas Blue, Richard E. Soltis, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem
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Publication number: 20180095058Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting measurements of relative humidity via the use of an ultrasonic sensor. In one example, the ultrasonic sensor for conducting the relative humidity measurement is selected from a plurality of ultrasonic sensors positioned at various locations on the vehicle, and where the selecting is accomplished in some examples via the use of one or more onboard cameras configured to identify suitable objects that are stationary with respect to the vehicle. In this way, robustness and accuracy of relative humidity measurements may be improved, lifetime of individual ultrasonic sensors may be extended, and vehicle operating conditions that depend on accurate relative humidity measurements may be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Douglas Blue, Richard E. Soltis, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem
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Patent number: 9925978Abstract: A vehicle includes: motor(s), steering, processor(s) configured to: (a) receive a current heading; (b) receive a desired heading; (c) calculate a first steering angle (FSA) based on (a) and (b); (d) move the vehicle, via the motor(s) and steering: (i) in a first direction based on the FSA; (ii) in a second, opposing direction, based on an opposite of the FSA.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eric Hongtei Tseng, Li Xu, Kyle Simmons, Paul Theodosis, Douglas Blue
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Publication number: 20180022344Abstract: A vehicle includes: motor(s), steering, processor(s) configured to: (a) receive a current heading; (b) receive a desired heading; (c) calculate a first steering angle (FSA) based on (a) and (b); (d) move the vehicle, via the motor(s) and steering: (i) in a first direction based on the FSA; (ii) in a second, opposing direction, based on an opposite of the FSA.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Eric Hongtei Tseng, Li Xu, Kyle Simmons, Paul Theodosis, Douglas Blue
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Patent number: 9841765Abstract: Systems and methods for curb detection for parking are disclosed. An example vehicle parking assist system includes a processor and memory. An example program stored in the memory is configured to move a vehicle using a set of maneuvers to park the vehicle in a parking space based on an estimated location of a curb. The example program is also configured to compare a first yaw rate to a reference yaw rate to detect when the vehicle contacts the curb. Additionally, the example program is configured to move the vehicle using an adjusted set of maneuvers based on an actual location of the curb.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kyle Simmons, Li Xu, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Douglas Blue
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Patent number: D1069969Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Raphael Joseph Welsh, Douglas A. Thornton, Daniel A. Perkins, Micah Blue, Amy M. Heintz, Daniel G. Loesch