Patents by Inventor Frederic Stefan

Frederic Stefan 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: 11872981
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle performs a maneuver using a trajectory determined according to an external environment. The vehicle has a plurality of environment sensors and a controller device configured to acquire an environment data set (UDS) using the environment sensors, which it transmits to a cloud computer. The cloud computer reads in the environment data set (UDS), generates a supplemental data set (EDS) for supplementing the environment data set (UDS), combines the environment data set (UDS) with the supplemental data set (EDS) in order to generate a supplemented environment data set (UDS?), and transmits the supplemented environment data set (UDS?) to the controller device. The supplemental data set (EDS) may be obtained by evaluating data of other road users within a predetermined radius of the vehicle. The controller device evaluates the supplemented environment data set (UDS?) for the purpose of controlling the trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Christoph Arndt
  • Patent number: 11670075
    Abstract: An intention of a road user to traverse a passage between a first vehicle and a second vehicle is determined. A required width of the passage is determined based on a nature of the road user. A current width of the passage is determined. Upon determining the current width of the passage is less than the required width of the passage, a drive of at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle is actuated to increase the current width of the passage at least to the required width of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Frederic Stefan
  • Publication number: 20230066337
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle having at least one motor-driven electric machine which serves as a traction motor, having the steps of: loading vehicle data of the motor vehicle, which are indicative of a sound emission requirement, feeding a trained artificial neural network with the vehicle data in order to obtain sound emission generator control data, and feeding a sound emission generator of the motor vehicle with the sound emission generator control data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Christoph Arndt Dr habil
  • Patent number: 11590964
    Abstract: A method for performing automatic valet parking, which includes selecting a road scenario applicable to a roadway; notifying a driver to release manual control elements of a motor vehicle and to leave the motor vehicle; checking whether the control elements have been released and the driver has left the motor vehicle and, in this case, entering an EXPLORE mode in which the motor vehicle is slowly driven autonomously and searches for a free car space or a parking space using the vehicle's own environmental sensors, before the motor vehicle is placed in a parking position; and then to change from the EXPLORE mode to a PARKING mode in which the motor vehicle is parked in the car space or in the parking space from the parking position by means of the longitudinal and lateral controllers and using the environmental data previously obtained from the environmental sensors in the EXPLORE mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Michael Marbaix, Evangelos Bitsanis, Turgay Aslandere, Alain Chevalier
  • Patent number: 11544430
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for performing a method for performing computer-aided simulations. The system loads an input dataset which is based on user interactions of a user indicating a manipulation of a representation of a component, provides a tracking dataset indicating changes in the representation through the manipulations by evaluating the input dataset, provides an output dataset which is based on evaluation of the tracking dataset by means of machine learning, where the output dataset assigns a model to the representation, and outputs the output dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Turgay Isik Aslandere, Evangelos Bitsanis, Michael Marbaix, Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier
  • Publication number: 20220415171
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a passage along a single-track roadway section, wherein confrontational meetings of vehicles moving in opposite directions of travel are avoided through speed adjustment and use of stopping facilities within the single-track roadway section. A system and a vehicle for carrying out the method are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt Dr habil, Frederic Stefan
  • Patent number: 11535156
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the blind spot of a motor vehicle has a mirror assembly with at least one mirror element that can be moved using an actuator, and a microphone assembly. The microphone assembly is designed to determine the sound direction, and the movable mirror element is in the form of a sound reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt, Uwe Gussen, Frederic Stefan
  • Patent number: 11400857
    Abstract: A high-beam assistance system of a motor vehicle determines whether or not an unseen vehicle with headlamps switched on is approaching from the opposite direction before the unseen vehicle enters the field of view of a camera in the host vehicle. Wherein the registered images do not include any approaching vehicle on the roadway, the high-beam assistance system determines an expected illumination information item which is estimated to result from illumination by the host headlamps, determines an actual illumination information item contained in the registered images, and compares the expected illumination information item and the actual illumination information item. If the actual illumination information item deviates from the expected illumination information item, then the illumination provided by the host headlamps is adjusted from a high-beam state to a low-beam state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt, Frederic Stefan, Anke Dieckmann
  • Publication number: 20220048532
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (2) is operated in conjunction with a barrier assembly (e.g., a passing gate). After reading an environment data record (UDS) from environment sensors (14) of the motor vehicle (2), the environment data record (UDS) is evaluated for an approach to a barrier assembly (4). A stopping data record (SDS) is determined which is indicative of a stopping position of the motor vehicle (2) in front of the barrier assembly (4). An interaction data record (IDS) associated with the barrier is determined which is indicative of an interaction with the barrier assembly (4) such as opening a driver window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventor: Frederic Stefan
  • Publication number: 20220041096
    Abstract: A high-beam assistance system of a motor vehicle determines whether or not an unseen vehicle with headlamps switched on is approaching from the opposite direction before the unseen vehicle enters the field of view of a camera in the host vehicle. Wherein the registered images do not include any approaching vehicle on the roadway, the high-beam assistance system determines an expected illumination information item which is estimated to result from illumination by the host headlamps, determines an actual illumination information item contained in the registered images, and compares the expected illumination information item and the actual illumination information item. If the actual illumination information item deviates from the expected illumination information item, then the illumination provided by the host headlamps is adjusted from a high-beam state to a low-beam state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt, Frederic Stefan, Anke Dieckmann
  • Patent number: 11242070
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for determining an attention requirement level of a driver of a vehicle is provided, which comprises a first signal processing unit (101), a second signal processing unit (104), a third signal processing unit (107), a fourth signal processing unit (110), and an attention requirement determination unit (113), connected to the first, second, third and fourth signal processing unit (101, 104, 107, 110) and configured to determine an attention requirement level (114) as a function of current values of the first, second, third and fourth attention requirement parameters (103, 106, 109, 112). In addition, a vehicle (200) having such an apparatus (100) and an operating method (300) for the apparatus (100) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Frederic Stefan
  • Patent number: 11232654
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to identify a diagnostic test to perform for a vehicle component, identify one of a plurality of XiL platforms on which to perform the diagnostic test, and perform the diagnostic test on the identified XiL platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Michael Marbaix, Evangelos Bitsanis, Turgay Isik Aslandere
  • Patent number: 11208110
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method that models a motor vehicle sensor in a virtual test environment by way of definition. Using a sensor support, a raycast distribution shape, a group of raycast properties, a raycast reflection factor, and a raycast echo, a sensor in reality may be tested in a virtual environment to calibrate the sensor in reality. The sensor support is a virtual sensor support for a virtual sensor model, which forms a three-dimensional or two-dimensional avatar of the sensor in reality, in the virtual test environment. The sensor support has a sensor starting point that is used as an origin for a raycast distribution shape. The method extracts a special application of the sensor in reality in an application case, which is particularly useful for testing scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Michael Marbaix, Evangelos Bitsanis
  • Publication number: 20210354685
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle performs a maneuver using a trajectory determined according to an external environment. The vehicle has a plurality of environment sensors and a controller device configured to acquire an environment data set (UDS) using the environment sensors, which it transmits to a cloud computer. The cloud computer reads in the environment data set (UDS), generates a supplemental data set (EDS) for supplementing the environment data set (UDS), combines the environment data set (UDS) with the supplemental data set (EDS) in order to generate a supplemented environment data set (UDS?), and transmits the supplemented environment data set (UDS?) to the controller device. The supplemental data set (EDS) may be obtained by evaluating data of other road users within a predetermined radius of the vehicle. The controller device evaluates the supplemented environment data set (UDS?) for the purpose of controlling the trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Christoph Arndt
  • Patent number: 11173924
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to collect control data indicating behavior of a vehicle controlled by a control program, collect virtual control data indicating behaviour of a virtual vehicle controlled by a virtual control program, and determine a difference between the control data and the virtual control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Evangelos Bitsanis, Turgay Isik Aslandere, Michael Marbaix, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier
  • Publication number: 20210237577
    Abstract: Method and system for controlling motor vehicle functions with tracking of passenger positions and body orientations as well as movements, including of the limbs, and projection of a virtual user interface display onto any free surface within the vehicle cabin, wherein the user interface is used by a passenger to change vehicle functions, and with evaluation of passenger positions and body orientations as well as movements of the limbs in relation to the virtual user interface display to control the motor vehicle functions assigned to the virtual user interface display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Christoph Arndt Dr Habil, Uwe Gussen, Frank Petri
  • Patent number: 11062437
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to instruct image capture of a vehicle from a plurality of predefined perspectives, the perspectives defined to result in images providing a 360 degree capture of a vehicle surface. The processor is also configured to receive a plurality of images, at least one from each perspective, of a vehicle from a mobile device camera. The processor is further configured to build a 3-D model of the vehicle surface from the images and compare the 3-D model to a stored reference model of the vehicle surface in order to recognize damage to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Frederic Stefan
  • Publication number: 20210142801
    Abstract: A determination of a controller for a controlled system includes reading in a data record representative of a task of the controller, selecting a controller type for the controller from a group of archived controller type data records by evaluating the data record using machine learning, selecting a control quality data record including archived values for a control quality of the selected controller type using the machine learning, and outputting an output data record that includes the controller type and the control quality data record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Frederic Stefan
  • Patent number: 10988145
    Abstract: A method for a vehicle control procedure, wherein in the case of this vehicle control procedure a closed loop control of the vehicle velocity is performed on the basis of a predetermined desired value, may comprise the following steps: determining on the basis of at least one predetermined criterion whether in the case of the closed loop control the vehicle velocity leaves a value range that is defined by at least one velocity threshold value while taking into consideration a tolerance range that defines predetermined, permitted deviations from this value range; and implementing a corresponding measure while modifying the vehicle control procedure in dependence upon the result of this determination procedure, wherein the determination procedure is performed on the basis of a signal analysis of at least one measurement signal that describes the movement status of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Erik Alpman, Urs Christen, Rainer Busch
  • Patent number: 10976435
    Abstract: The invention relates to an active parking assist system (4) for a motor vehicle (2), wherein the parking assist system (4) comprises a plurality of capacitive ultrasonic converters (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j, 6k, 6l, 6m, 6n, 6o) which are essentially spaced evenly in a horizontally circumferential manner outside the motor vehicle (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt Dr habil, Uwe Gussen, Frederic Stefan, Frank Petri