Patents by Inventor Douglas Scott Rhode

Douglas Scott Rhode 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: 11724736
    Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Publication number: 20210291901
    Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Patent number: 11066100
    Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan Office Tech. Transfer, University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Patent number: 10759466
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to detect a service controller connected to a vehicle, upon authenticating the service controller, receive an operation mode for a vehicle component from the service controller, and actuate the vehicle component within operating limits based on the operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Douglas Scott Rhode, Wassim Mahmoud Nahle, Michael Adel Awad Alla, Cheri Lyn Hansen
  • Patent number: 10737666
    Abstract: A system includes a switch biased to a neutral position, a camera, and a computer communicatively coupled to the switch and the camera. The computer is programmed to activate a vehicle brake upon receiving data from the switch that the switch is in the neutral position and to activate the vehicle brake upon determining that an operator of the switch is in an inattentive state based on data received from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Adel Awad Alla, Cheri Lyn Hansen, Jeffrey Yizhou Hu, Joseph F. Stanek, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Patent number: 10589713
    Abstract: A computer that may be programmed to: in response to receiving an indication that a vehicle is approaching a geofence boundary, retract slack in a webbing associated with a seat in the vehicle by actuating a seatbelt retractor; then receive measurement data from one or more sensors associated with the seat; using the data, determine whether an occupant occupies the seat; and when no occupant occupies the seat, then transmit an instruction to stop the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Colm Boran, Mark Crawford, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Publication number: 20190308663
    Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Patent number: 10370030
    Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan Office Tech. Transfer, University of Michigan
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Publication number: 20190161063
    Abstract: A system includes a switch biased to a neutral position, a camera, and a computer communicatively coupled to the switch and the camera. The computer is programmed to activate a vehicle brake upon receiving data from the switch that the switch is in the neutral position and to activate the vehicle brake upon determining that an operator of the switch is in an inattentive state based on data received from the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Adel Awad Alla, Cheri Lyn Hansen, Jeffrey Yizhou Hu, Joseph F. Stanek, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Patent number: 10286880
    Abstract: A system includes a nozzle directed toward a sensor window and a Venturi valve including a discharger that is connected to the nozzle. The Venturi valve is connected to a fluid input valve and an air source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Schmidt, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Publication number: 20190100231
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to detect a service controller connected to a vehicle, upon authenticating the service controller, receive an operation mode for a vehicle component from the service controller, and actuate the vehicle component within operating limits based on the operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Douglas Scott Rhode, Wassim Mahmoud Nahle, Michael Adel Awad Alla, Cheri Lyn Hansen
  • Patent number: 10183640
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: (a) a rotatable door including: a door stop assembly configured to arrest opening of the door; a rotatable handle; a haptic feedback assembly arranged to vibrate the handle; (b) processor(s) configured to simultaneously activate the door stop and haptic feedback assemblies. The haptic feedback assembly is disposed within the rotatable handle. The processor(s) are configured to: compute a time-to-collision, and run the haptic feedback assembly at a level based on the time-to-collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, Levasseur Tellis, David J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10160281
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect a first road feature, an adjustable suspension system, and a processing device. The processing device is configured to determine, using a drive history map, a location of the vehicle based on the first road feature and apply a suspension profile to the suspension system. The suspension profile is associated with a second road feature identified by the drive history map, which is at a different location from the first road feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, Shane Elwart, Nanjun Liu, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • Patent number: 10150470
    Abstract: A system includes a computing device that includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. One instruction is to determine a transition in performance of a steering system actuator of a vehicle to a diminished operating mode. Another instruction is to determine a maneuverable envelope of vehicle velocity and path curvature adapted to the diminished operating mode. Another instruction is to select a vehicle velocity within the envelope for a path curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dexin Wang, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Publication number: 20180346021
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for virtual torsion bar steering controls are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a sensor associated with a steering system to measure an operational angle of the steering system, a virtual torsion bar operatively coupled to the steering system, the virtual torsion bar to calculate a control torque based on a request angle and the operational angle, and a torque compensator to control an output torque of the steering system based on the control torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Dexin Wang, Steven R. El Aile, Mohamad Wajih Issam Farhat, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Patent number: 10088844
    Abstract: A wearable computing device in a vehicle is identified by a computer in a vehicle. Collected data is received relating to autonomous operation of the vehicle. A message is sent to the wearable computing device based at least in part on the collected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Douglas Scott Rhode, Matt Y. Rupp, John Shutko, Roger Arnold Trombley, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Andrew Waldis
  • Publication number: 20180272998
    Abstract: A system includes a nozzle directed toward a sensor window and a Venturi valve including a discharger that is connected to the nozzle. The Venturi valve is connected to a fluid input valve and an air source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Schmidt, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Publication number: 20180238098
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: (a) a rotatable door including: a door stop assembly configured to arrest opening of the door; a rotatable handle; a haptic feedback assembly arranged to vibrate the handle; (b) processor(s) configured to simultaneously activate the door stop and haptic feedback assemblies. The haptic feedback assembly is disposed within the rotatable handle. The processor(s) are configured to: compute a time-to-collision, and run the haptic feedback assembly at a level based on the time-to-collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, Levasseur Tellis, David J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10053143
    Abstract: A controller for a power steering system estimates rack force and its derivative, such as based on lateral acceleration, yaw rate, vehicle speed, or other parameters. A control torque is calculated based on the rack force, its derivative, and the vehicle speed and is summed with an input torque from the driver to determine an amount of assist torque to provide. The control torque may be a shape function that has a sign determined by the sign of the derivative and a magnitude that decreases from a maximal value with increase in the magnitude of the rack force. The maximal value may be determined according to vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dexin Wang, Timothy Gerard Offerle, Douglas Scott Rhode, Taehyun Shim, Yijun Li
  • Patent number: 10046760
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for autonomously valet parking a vehicle based on images obtained from a plurality of plenoptic (light field) cameras. An example vehicle includes a plenoptic camera to obtain an image external to the vehicle and a controller. The controller is to autonomously navigate a vehicle toward a parking space identified as unoccupied and generate, based on the image, an occupancy map indicating occupied regions in a plurality of concentric regions. The controller also is to determine whether the parking space is available based on the occupancy map and send, in response to determining the parking space is unavailable, an error message to a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Douglas Scott Rhode