Patents by Inventor John Lockwood

John Lockwood 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: 10950129
    Abstract: An infrastructure component includes a sensor, a transmitter, and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the transmitter. The computer is programmed to, in response to receiving data from the sensor indicating an object approaching a predesignated zone, determine an estimated time until the object reaches the predesignated zone; and then instruct the transmitter to broadcast a message to nearby vehicles, the message including an identifier of the predesignated zone and the estimated time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helen Kourous-Harrigan, John Lockwood, Mostafa Parchami, Matthew Baer Wilmes, Faizan Shaik
  • Patent number: 10810871
    Abstract: A vehicle bears labels describing handling characteristics of the vehicle for the benefit of autonomous vehicles in proximity to the vehicle. The labels may be nonvisible, such as through use of UV or IR inks. The labels may be present such that they are visible regardless of view direction and may be affixed using a vehicle wrap applied to panels of the vehicle. Autonomous vehicles detect the labels and retrieve handling characteristics from a local database or a remote server. The autonomous vehicles are therefore relieved from the processing required to predict or infer the handling characteristics of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Randal Henry Visintainer, Rajendra Rao, John A Lockwood
  • Patent number: 10642279
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John A. Lockwood, Joseph F. Stanek
  • Publication number: 20200005631
    Abstract: A vehicle bears labels describing handling characteristics of the vehicle for the benefit of autonomous vehicles in proximity to the vehicle. The labels may be nonvisible, such as through use of UV or IR inks. The labels may be present such that they are visible regardless of view direction and may be affixed using a vehicle wrap applied to panels of the vehicle. Autonomous vehicles detect the labels and retrieve handling characteristics from a local database or a remote server. The autonomous vehicles are therefore relieved from the processing required to predict or infer the handling characteristics of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Randal Henry Visintainer, Rajendra Rao, John A. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 10417682
    Abstract: A retailing system for providing interaction between a customer and a retailer to assist in the completion of a sale, comprising, a customer interface arranged to display to a customer information about at least one item, an input module arranged to receive input regarding a potential sale of the at least one item from the customer for provision to a database via a communications system, wherein the database is arranged to provide the input from the customer to at least one other user associated with the retailer on a retailer interface viewable by the at least one other user, wherein the at least one other user utilizes the interface to review the input and interact with the customer to assist in the completion of the sale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: BETWEEN THE FLAGS (AUST) PTY LTD
    Inventors: Grant Oayda, David John Lockwood, Dean Pham
  • Patent number: 10272737
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an HVAC system including a climate control circuit coupled to onboard sensors, a human-machine interface, and climate actuators. The actuators are responsive to respective command parameters generated by the control circuit in response to the sensors and the human-machine interface. A wireless communication system transmits vehicle HVAC data to and receives crowd data from a remote server. The control circuit initiates a request for crowd data via the communication system to the remote server, wherein the request includes peer parameters for identifying a vehicle environment. The control circuit receives a response via the communication system from the remote server. The response comprises crowd data and at least one weight indicating a confidence level associated with the crowd data. The control circuit generates at least one command parameter using a set of fuzzy rules responsive to the crowd data and the weight from the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Stanek, John A. Lockwood, Mark Davison, Jeffrey A. Palic, Lisa Scott
  • Patent number: 9977431
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John A. Lockwood, Joseph F. Stanek
  • Publication number: 20180086178
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an HVAC system including a climate control circuit coupled to onboard sensors, a human-machine interface, and climate actuators. The actuators are responsive to respective command parameters generated by the control circuit in response to the sensors and the human-machine interface. A wireless communication system transmits vehicle HVAC data to and receives crowd data from a remote server. The control circuit initiates a request for crowd data via the communication system to the remote server, wherein the request includes peer parameters for identifying a vehicle environment. The control circuit receives a response via the communication system from the remote server. The response comprises crowd data and at least one weight indicating a confidence level associated with the crowd data. The control circuit generates at least one command parameter using a set of fuzzy rules responsive to the crowd data and the weight from the response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Stanek, John A. Lockwood, Mark Davison, Jeffrey A. Palic, Lisa Scott
  • Patent number: 9849751
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an HVAC system including a climate control circuit coupled to onboard sensors, a human-machine interface, and climate actuators. The actuators are responsive to respective command parameters generated by the control circuit in response to the sensors and the human-machine interface. A wireless communication system transmits vehicle HVAC data to and receives crowd data from a remote server. The control circuit initiates a request for crowd data via the communication system to the remote server, wherein the request includes peer parameters for identifying a vehicle environment. The control circuit receives a response via the communication system from the remote server. The response comprises crowd data and at least one weight indicating a confidence level associated with the crowd data. The control circuit generates at least one command parameter using a set of fuzzy rules responsive to the crowd data and the weight from the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Stanek, John A. Lockwood, Mark Davison, Jeffrey A. Palic, Lisa Scott
  • Publication number: 20170139420
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: John A. Lockwood, Joseph F. Stanek
  • Publication number: 20170139421
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: John A. Lockwood, Joseph F. Stanek
  • Patent number: 9637024
    Abstract: An exemplary method of controlling an electrified vehicle includes adjusting operation of an electrified vehicle in response to a difference between a first energy consumption rate and a second energy consumption rate. The first energy consumption rate is based on energy consumption over a first duration. The second energy consumption rate is based on energy consumption over a second duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Jason Meyer, John A. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 9555885
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, John A. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 9555704
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, inhibiting operation of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle based on a proximity of the vehicle to a fueling location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Lisa Scott, Jeffrey Alan Palic, Mark Davison, John A Lockwood, Donald Charles Franks
  • Patent number: 9556787
    Abstract: A system and method for improving engine starting and stopping is described. In one example, turbine vanes are adjusted to increase engine exhaust backpressure to reduce engine stopping time and to limit engine speed overshoot during engine starting. The system and method may reduce engine emissions and improve a vehicle driving experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joe F. Stanek, John A. Lockwood, Sam Hashemi, Donald Charles Franks
  • Publication number: 20160347452
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Joe F. Stanek, John A. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 9505405
    Abstract: Data is collected from vehicle sensors to generate a virtual map of objects proximate to the vehicle. Based on the virtual map, an in-vehicle computer determines a traffic condition in front of and behind a host vehicle. The in-vehicle computer determines collision avoidance maneuvers. The computer instructs vehicle control units to implement the collision avoidance maneuvers. The computer may additionally or alternatively communicate the collision avoidance maneuvers to a driver via an interface. In the case of unavoidable collisions, the computer determines and initiates damage mitigation actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Tobias John Pallett, Sarra Awad Yako, Mark Davison, Mark Douglas Malone, Mathew Alan Boesch, John A. Lockwood, Hsin-hsiang Yang, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Manoharprasad K. Rao
  • Patent number: 9409644
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, John A. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20160207530
    Abstract: Data is collected from vehicle sensors to generate a virtual map of objects proximate to the vehicle. Based on the virtual map, an in-vehicle computer determines a traffic condition in front of and behind a host vehicle. The in-vehicle computer determines collision avoidance maneuvers. The computer instructs vehicle control units to implement the collision avoidance maneuvers. The computer may additionally or alternatively communicate the collision avoidance maneuvers to a driver via an interface. In the case of unavoidable collisions, the computer determines and initiates damage mitigation actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Tobias John Pallett, Sarra Awad Yako, Mark Davison, Mark Douglas Malone, Mathew Alan Boesch, John A. Lockwood, Hsin-hsiang Yang, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Manoharprasad K. Rao
  • Publication number: 20160200166
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an HVAC system including a climate control circuit coupled to onboard sensors, a human-machine interface, and climate actuators. The actuators are responsive to respective command parameters generated by the control circuit in response to the sensors and the human-machine interface. A wireless communication system transmits vehicle HVAC data to and receives crowd data from a remote server. The control circuit initiates a request for crowd data via the communication system to the remote server, wherein the request includes peer parameters for identifying a vehicle environment. The control circuit receives a response via the communication system from the remote server. The response comprises crowd data and at least one weight indicating a confidence level associated with the crowd data. The control circuit generates at least one command parameter using a set of fuzzy rules responsive to the crowd data and the weight from the response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Stanek, John A. Lockwood, Mark Davison, Jeffrey A. Palic, Lisa Scott