Patents by Inventor Ivan Vukovic

Ivan Vukovic 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: 20260163661
    Abstract: A vehicle identifies, from V2X messages received to a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) transceiver of a vehicle, message information from the received V2X messages indicative of locations of senders of the received V2X messages. The vehicle creates a virtual bounding box surrounding the vehicle based on a current location of the vehicle and a predefined size of the vehicle. The vehicle identifies whether any of the senders are located inside the vehicle using one or more factors, the factors including whether the locations of the senders of the received V2X messages are within the virtual bounding box. The configuration of the vehicle is updated based on whether any of the senders are located inside the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2025
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Inventors: Krishna BANDI, Sathyanarayana Chary PALAKONDA, Ivan VUKOVIC, Gopichandra SURNILLA, Joseph ZANE
  • Patent number: 12651485
    Abstract: A toll advertisement message (TAM) broadcast from a roadside unit of a roadway is received. The TAM may include a public key of a toll charger cloud. Responsive to receipt of the TAM, a tolling usage message (TUM) is sent. The TUM may include information encrypted with a public key of a toll service provider, information encrypted with the public key of the toll charger cloud, and a public key of the telematics control unit. Responsive to broadcast of the TUM, a toll usage message acknowledgement (TUM-ACK message. A toll receipt message (TRM) is also received. The TRM is encrypted with the public key of the telematics control unit. The TRM is decrypted using a private key of the telematics control unit corresponding to the public key of the telematics control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sathyanaraya Chary Palakonda, Krishna Bandi, Allen R. Murray, Ivan Vukovic, Syed Amaar Ahmad, Jovan Milivoje Zagajac
  • Publication number: 20260126541
    Abstract: A position of a mobile device relative to a vehicle is determined. Time-of-flight (TOF) messages exchanged between ultra-wideband (UWB) anchors and a mobile device are detected via UWB anchors of a vehicle. Responsive to a lack of receipt of TOF messages from a quantity of the UWB anchors necessary for performing trilateration for at least a plurality of consecutive ranging rounds, the vehicle switches on a radar mode to detect angle of arrival and distance information between the UWB anchors and the mobile device. Responsive to switching on a radar mode, the vehicles receive channel impulse response (CIR) data from the UWB anchors. A position of the mobile device is determined based on the CIR data and the TOF messages. The position of the mobile device it utilized for one or more vehicle application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2024
    Publication date: May 7, 2026
    Inventors: Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Ivan Vukovic
  • Patent number: 12601216
    Abstract: A vehicle including a detection unit and a processor is disclosed. The detection unit may be configured to receive a position information from a user device in proximity to the vehicle. The processor may be configured to determine that the user device may be moving in a predefined pattern in proximity to the vehicle based on the position information. The processor may further determine that the vehicle may be in a first vehicle operational state, of a plurality of vehicle operational states, responsive to determining that the user device may be moving in the predefined pattern in proximity to the vehicle. The processor may additionally perform a first operation on a first vehicle component responsive to determining that the vehicle may be operating in the first vehicle operational state. The first vehicle component may be associated with the first vehicle operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Inventors: Ivan Vukovic, Jean de Dieu Mutangana, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Bradley G. Hochrein
  • Patent number: 12586105
    Abstract: A sum report is generated for each vehicle of a plurality of vehicles, the respective sum report indicating an account of the vehicle to be charged and a total sum owed by the vehicle. An aggregate report is generated indicating total amounts owed to each of a plurality of charger domains across the plurality of vehicles without indicating the accounts of the vehicles. The sum reports and the aggregate report are sent to a RUC service provider, the RUC service provider being configured to charge the vehicles using the sum reports and credit the charger domains using the aggregate report, while being unable to determine which routes were taken by the vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2026
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Vukovic, Krishna Bandi, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Syed Amaar Ahmad, Joseph Zane
  • Publication number: 20260063790
    Abstract: Ultra-wideband (UWB) radar and ranging sessions is performed. Responsive to one or more mobile devices being detected within the vehicle, an inside schedule mode is activated with an inside scheduling of UWB radar sessions and UWB ranging sessions for UWB anchors of the vehicle. Responsive to the vehicle entering a key-off state, and no mobile devices being detected within the vehicle, an outside schedule mode is activated with an outside scheduling of UWB radar sessions and UWB ranging sessions for the UWB anchors of the vehicle. In the inside schedule mode, the UWB anchors perform localization within the vehicle and moving object detection outside the vehicle. In the outside schedule mode, the UWB anchors perform localization of the one or more mobile devices outside the vehicle and moving object detection and/or localization inside and/or outside the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2024
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Inventors: Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Ivan Vukovic, Jean de Dieu MUTANGANA, Sanketh Venkatesh Prasad, Bryan Michael Bolger, Jeffrey Wallat
  • Publication number: 20250388188
    Abstract: Macro-micro gesture detection is provided. Performance of a macro portion of a macro-micro gesture is detected by a mobile device, using phone-as-a-key (PaaK) sensors of a vehicle, the macro-micro gesture requesting invocation of a function of the vehicle. Using one or more inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors of the mobile device, performance of a micro portion of the macro-micro gesture is detected. Arbitrating is performed to validate that the function of the vehicle is to be performed in view of performance of both the micro portion and the macro portion. The function of the vehicle is invoked responsive to the validation being successful.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2024
    Publication date: December 25, 2025
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Ivan Vukovic, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Jean de Dieu Mutangana, Sanketh Venkatesh Prasad, Bradley G. Hochrein
  • Patent number: 12483293
    Abstract: Self-optimization of an ultra-wideband (UWB) network is performed. A configuration of UWB anchors of a vehicle is identified. A state vector is constructed based on the identified configuration, the state vector including values for status and ranging quality indicators for each of the UWB anchors. A next state is predicted based on the state vector using reinforcement learning to optimize UWB coverage, wherein a conditional probability of the next state depends only on the state vector. Unified configuration interface (UCI) commands are sent to the UWB anchors to reconfigure the UWB anchors based on the predicted next state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jean de Dieu Mutangana, Ivan Vukovic, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, John Eric Rollinger
  • Publication number: 20250350382
    Abstract: Detection and correction of obstruction of vehicle wireless anchor points within a vehicle is performed. A wireless environment of a cabin of the vehicle is characterized using one or more ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers of a phone-as-a-key (PaaK) system of the vehicle, the characterizing including to compute an initial characterization of paths and signal strength between a transmitter and a receiver of the one or more UWB transceivers. The wireless environment is periodically remeasured to compute an updated characterization of the paths and the signal strengths. Responsive to changes in the wireless environment as compared to the initial characterization indicating an impairment of in-cabin presence features, the impairment is remedied by switching which of the one or more UWB transceivers are used to perform the characterizing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Inventors: Jean de Dieu MUTANGANA, Ivan Vukovic, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Sanketh Venkatesh Prasad
  • Publication number: 20250326407
    Abstract: A method including the receipt of a marshaling request, the identification of a channel load threshold, the determination of whether a vehicle of one or more vehicles satisfies a distribution-related criterion, and the assignment of the vehicle to a road-side unit of a plurality of road-side units. The assignment is based on at least a determination that a communication load of the road-side unit is below the channel load threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 23, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Vukovic, Krishna Bandi, Syed Amaar Ahmad
  • Patent number: 12431018
    Abstract: An enforcement vehicle receives vehicle broadcasts from motorist vehicles, including vehicle identification information. The enforcement vehicle presents the identification information in a selectable manner on a display and receives selection of one of the motorist vehicles. The enforcement vehicle sends a communication request to the selected motorist vehicle and receives confirmation from the motorist vehicle, resulting in an open communication channel. Further, enforcement vehicle receives identification of information to be provided from the motorist vehicle and sends an information request for the identified information. Responsive to receiving a response to the information request, the enforcement vehicle, or a process associated therewith, determines whether information included in the response indicates compliance with a predefined requirement, and, responsive to non-compliance, alerts an occupant of the enforcement vehicle of the existence of and at least one characteristic of the non-compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Krishna Bandi, Ivan Vukovic, Jovan Milivoje Zagajac, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Syed Amaar Ahmad, Brennan Hamilton
  • Patent number: 12425115
    Abstract: A vehicle identifies, from V2X messages received to a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) transceiver of a vehicle, message information from the received V2X messages indicative of locations of senders of the received V2X messages. The vehicle creates a virtual bounding box surrounding the vehicle based on a current location of the vehicle and a predefined size of the vehicle. The vehicle identifies whether any of the senders are located inside the vehicle using one or more factors, the factors including whether the locations of the senders of the received V2X messages are within the virtual bounding box. The configuration of the vehicle is updated based on whether any of the senders are located inside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Krishna Bandi, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Ivan Vukovic, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Zane
  • Publication number: 20250277401
    Abstract: A vehicle including a detection unit and a processor is disclosed. The detection unit may be configured to receive a position information from a user device in proximity to the vehicle. The processor may be configured to determine that the user device may be moving in a predefined pattern in proximity to the vehicle based on the position information. The processor may further determine that the vehicle may be in a first vehicle operational state, of a plurality of vehicle operational states, responsive to determining that the user device may be moving in the predefined pattern in proximity to the vehicle. The processor may additionally perform a first operation on a first vehicle component responsive to determining that the vehicle may be operating in the first vehicle operational state. The first vehicle component may be associated with the first vehicle operational state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Publication date: September 4, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Vukovic, Jean de Dieu Mutangana, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Bradley G. Hochrein
  • Publication number: 20250267599
    Abstract: Monitoring, detecting, estimating, and alerting of cellular vehicle-to-everything PC5 (CV2X-PC5) operation status of a vehicle is performed. Inputs indicative of message timing of messages over CV2X-PC5 are received, the messages being used for one or more subscribed vehicle features. Time synchronization of the received inputs is monitored. It is determined whether a synchronization issue is detected, including to perform regression estimation for early prediction of potential time synchronization issues. Responsive to occurrence of the synchronization issue, an alternate wireless communication medium of the vehicle is used to mitigate effects of the synchronization issue on the one or more subscribed vehicle features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2024
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Inventors: Krishna Bandi, Ivan Vukovic, Bryan Michael Bolger, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda
  • Publication number: 20250267405
    Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more wireless transceivers configured to establish one or more wireless communications with a mobile device; a plurality of speakers configured to output an audio; and a controller programmed to measure a location of a user carrying the mobile device within a predefined range from the vehicle using the one or more wireless communications, and adjust a volume of the one or more speakers using the location of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Inventors: Sathyanarayana Chary PALAKONDA, Brian SCHABEL, Lee Mitchell TOME, Ivan VUKOVIC, Jean de Dieu MUTANGANA
  • Publication number: 20250253888
    Abstract: Self-optimization of an ultra-wideband (UWB) network is performed. A configuration of UWB anchors of a vehicle is identified. A state vector is constructed based on the identified configuration, the state vector including values for status and ranging quality indicators for each of the UWB anchors. A next state is predicted based on the state vector using reinforcement learning to optimize UWB coverage, wherein a conditional probability of the next state depends only on the state vector. Unified configuration interface (UCI) commands are sent to the UWB anchors to reconfigure the UWB anchors based on the predicted next state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Jean de Dieu Mutangana, Ivan Vukovic, Nicholas Alexander Scheufler, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, John Eric Rollinger
  • Publication number: 20250244437
    Abstract: A tracking approach for mobile devices is performed. Responsive to detecting, using a transceiver of the vehicle, a mobile device reaching a first distance from a vehicle, a designated UWB anchor of a plurality of UWB anchors of the vehicle is activated to perform time-of-flight (TOF) distance measurements between the vehicle and the mobile device. Responsive to the TOF distance measurements between the mobile device and the designated UWB anchor indicating the mobile device has reached a closer, second distance from the vehicle, the plurality of UWB anchors are activated to perform trilateration between the vehicle and the mobile device to identify a position of the mobile device. Based on the position, a subset of the UWB anchors of the vehicle are utilized to continue to perform the trilateration, and a remainder of the UWB anchors other than the subset of the UWB anchors are inhibited to save power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2024
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Inventors: Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Jean de Dieu Mutangana, Ivan Vukovic
  • Patent number: 12373865
    Abstract: Computing vehicle-centric road usage without high definition (HD) road maps is performed. Road usage charging (RUC) charge geometry rules defining a zone in which RUC are charged are received via a V2X transceiver of a vehicle. The vehicle determines a roadway type based on captured sensor data indicative of the surroundings of the vehicle, the roadway type being selected from a plurality of roadway types including a first roadway type where RUC charge is incurred and a second roadway type where RUC charge is not incurred. The vehicle identifies applicable rules of the RUC charge geometry rules according to a current location of the vehicle, the applicable rules specifying how tariffs are computed for the determined roadway type. The vehicle accumulates, by the vehicle, vehicle RUC charge using vehicle bus data indicative of progress of the vehicle within the zone and the determined roadway type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Krishna Bandi, Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Brennan Hamilton, Ivan Vukovic, Swetha Shailendra
  • Patent number: 12370977
    Abstract: Path-based approach to passive vehicle entry is provided. A vehicle receives messages over a first protocol from a mobile device, each of the messages indicating a heading of the mobile device and a current location of the mobile device. The vehicle and the mobile device pair responsive to the current location of the mobile device being within a first threshold distance to the vehicle. Responsive to the heading indicating that the mobile device is headed towards the vehicle and the current location of the mobile device being within a second threshold distance from the vehicle, the second threshold distance being closer to the vehicle than the first threshold distance, the vehicle activates one or more second transceivers to perform time of flight distance measurement between the vehicle and the mobile device to obtain more precise positional accuracy, and otherwise maintains the one or more second transceivers in a deactivated mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Jeffrey Wallat, Ivan Vukovic, Kirsen J. Quan
  • Publication number: 20250240841
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a first communication device, a plurality of second communication devices, and a controller. The first communication device is configured to communicate using a first wireless communication method. The plurality of second communication devices are configured to communicate using a second wireless communication method and are disposed at two or more known locations along a vehicle. The controller is configured to define a communication schedule identifying a designated communication session for a portable device (PD) to communicate via the second wireless communication method, provide, via the first communication device to the PD, data indicative of a designated communication session of the communication schedule for the PD to communicate via the second wireless communication method, and store a location of the PD in response to detecting the location of the PD based on a message provided by the plurality of second communication devices at the designated communication session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Inventors: Sathyanarayana Chary Palakonda, Ivan Vukovic, Jeffrey Wallat, Jean de Dieu Mutangana, Lisa Gentile