Patents by Inventor Keith Weston

Keith Weston 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: 12115959
    Abstract: A vehicle includes wheels, brakes, and a controller. The wheels are configured to propel the vehicle. The brakes are configured to generate a braking torque at the wheels. The controller is programed to, in response to (i) a commanded braking torque and (ii) a relative jounce between two of the wheels exceeding a threshold, operate the brakes to increase the braking torque to less than the commanded braking torque. The controller is further programed to, in response to (i) the commanded braking torque and (ii) a droop of at least one of the wheels exceeding a threshold, operate the brakes to increase the braking torque to less than the commanded braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Filip Tomik, Brendan F. Diamond, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jordan Barrett, Michael Alan Mcnees, Matthew Johnson
  • Patent number: 12115880
    Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for adaptive prediction of electrified vehicle performance including receiving a set of goal parameters identifying a drivers performance requirements, receiving a set of fixed parameters related to course, vehicle and passenger status, receiving past energy consumption data for the electrified vehicle and the driver, generating an adaptive prediction of a future state of charge (SOC) of one or more electricity sources, and providing a dynamic control alteration based on the adaptive prediction, the dynamic control alteration as a function of the set of goal parameters. The adaptive prediction is based on the set of goal parameters, the set of fixed parameters and the past energy consumption data. The adaptive prediction includes updated parameters based on performance of the electrified vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, Jim Stevens, Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 12103512
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle having an electrically powered trailer towed thereto. The vehicle has a vehicle powertrain, and the trailer has a trailer powertrain. A controller, in order to propel the vehicle with the trailer towed thereto, operates the vehicle powertrain and the trailer powertrain according to a combined efficiency map based on (i) an efficiency map associated with the vehicle powertrain and (ii) an efficiency map associated with the trailer powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, David Guglielmo, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Shehan Haputhanthri, Brendan F. Diamond
  • Patent number: 12103514
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an off-road feature of a vehicle includes determining that the vehicle is in an off-road area based upon a location of the vehicle and sensed terrain characteristics at the location. Upon determining that the vehicle is in the off-road area, the vehicle monitors parameters for enablement of the off-road feature of the vehicle. The off-road feature is enabled in response to the parameters being within a predetermined range based upon a number of transitions between an enabled state and a disabled state within a predetermined time being less than a transition threshold. Parameter monitoring for enablement of the off-road feature is ceased upon determining that the vehicle has moved from the off-road area to an on-road area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Keith Weston, Jordan Barrett, Brendan Francis Diamond, Michael Alan Mcnees
  • Publication number: 20240317223
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to, in response to one of a vehicle feature of a vehicle being active or the vehicle being in a preset geographic area, control acceleration and braking of the vehicle based on input from an input device of the vehicle according to a low-speed mode; and in response to the low-speed mode being inactive, control acceleration and braking of the vehicle not according to the low-speed mode. In the low-speed mode, acceleration occurs upon receiving input from the input device. In the low-speed mode, braking occurs upon not receiving input from the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Hair, Brendan Francis Diamond, Keith Weston, Victor Martinez, Lorne Forsythe, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jordan Barrett, Alexander Ferencz
  • Publication number: 20240308426
    Abstract: An event detection system is for a vehicle. The system includes a processor, a sensor suite electrically connected to the processor, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operations including receive an ON command, and receive data from the sensor suite. The data is indicative of the event, and the event includes the planting of unknown cargo on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Brendan Diamond, Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Keith Weston, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Patent number: 12090917
    Abstract: A system for power reduction during vehicle access. A memory storing instructions executable by a processor includes instructions to receive an access message by a target vehicle, authenticate the access message, and determine either an occurrence of a power-saving condition or a non-occurrence of the power-saving condition. The instructions include activating a greeting indicator upon authentication of the access message and determining the non-occurrence of the power-saving condition, and determining not to activate the greeting indicator upon authentication of the access message and determining the occurrence of the power-saving condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Brendan Francis Diamond, Jonathan Hair, Michael Alan McNees, Stuart C. Salter, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20240300485
    Abstract: In a host vehicle, it can be determined that current ambient light is below a light activation threshold. A target vehicle can be detected with lights insufficiently activated for the current ambient light. A component of the host vehicle can be actuated based on a location of the target vehicle detected with lights insufficiently activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Francis Diamond, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Keith Weston, Jordan Barrett
  • Patent number: 12077156
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine that a vehicle is carrying a load; in response to an activation of an adaptive cruise control while the vehicle is carrying the load, operate the adaptive cruise control according to a set of parameters, the parameters being based on the load; while the adaptive cruise control is inactive and the vehicle is carrying the load, determine an expected operation of the adaptive cruise control, the expected operation being how the adaptive cruise control would operate according to the set of the parameters if active; and adjust at least one of the parameters based on a comparison of the expected operation with an actual operation performed by an operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jordan Barrett, Brendan Francis Diamond, Keith Weston
  • Patent number: 12065145
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for providing a vehicle occupant preparation system for certain acceleration modes. In an example method, sensor data associated with one or more sensors of the vehicle may be generated when a vehicle is in an acceleration mode. Subsequently, an orientation of an occupant in the vehicle relative to a seat or other structure within an interior of the vehicle may be determined using the sensor data. The orientation of the occupant may comprise at least a position of a head of the occupant or a direction the head of the occupant is facing. It may be determined that the orientation of the occupant is not within a predetermined orientation threshold. A notification associated with the orientation of the occupant may then be presented. In some instances, a performance parameter of the vehicle may be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, Keith Weston, Jordan Barrett, Andrew Lewandowski
  • Publication number: 20240273993
    Abstract: A weighted sum of factors indicating that a charger device of a vehicle is required for a route to be traversed by the vehicle is computed. A charger presence signal indicating that the charger device is not present within the vehicle is identified. A remind signal is sent to an HMI to cause the HMI to display a reminder, the reminder indicating that the vehicle charger device should be brought into the vehicle for traversing the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Brendan F. DIAMOND, Jonathan HAIR, Lars Niklas PETTERSSON, Keith WESTON
  • Publication number: 20240270234
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to determine threshold speed for a vehicle and trailer are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes memory, instructions, and programmable circuitry to execute the instructions to access information associated with at least one of a vehicle or a trailer coupled to the vehicle, determine, by executing a model based on the information, a threshold speed for the vehicle and the trailer, and prevent, by activating at least one vehicle control, the vehicle and the trailer from travelling at or above the threshold speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Brendan Diamond, Jordan Barrett, Matthew Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240262241
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery, an electric machine, an electrical port, sensors, and a controller. The battery is configured to store electrical power. The electric machine is configured to receive electrical power from the battery to propel the vehicle. The electrical port is configured to receive an electrical connector of a charging station to initiate a charging operation of the battery. The sensors are configured to monitor an exterior of the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to the sensors detecting an unidentified individual approaching the vehicle, eject the electrical connector from the electrical port or enable full operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Brendan F. DIAMOND, Lorne FORSYTHE, Keith WESTON, Stuart C. SALTER
  • Patent number: 12054195
    Abstract: An operation assistance system for a first vehicle that is connected to a second vehicle that propels the connected first and second vehicles includes: a sensor system of the first vehicle that detects a feature in an operating environment of at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and a controller that is in communication with the sensor system and that prompts a power assist steering system of the first vehicle to execute a steering command based on the sensor system detecting the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Brendan F. Diamond, Jordan Barrett, Andrew Denis Lewandowski
  • Publication number: 20240253509
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a system and method for managing the use of an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) assembly and a charge port assembly of an electrified vehicle, including balancing usage and identifying potential wear of the same. Among other benefits, this disclosure is able to readily identify whether potential wear originates from the EVSE assembly or the charge port assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, Christopher Schnettler, Jonathan Hair, Keith Weston, Stuart C. Salter
  • Publication number: 20240246478
    Abstract: A vehicle for use in collective zone lighting includes a wireless transceiver and a controller. The controller is configured to create a group of vehicles using wireless messaging, via the wireless transceiver, between the vehicle and one or more other vehicles, and instruct the group of vehicles to collectively light an area using exterior lights of a plurality of the group of vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Keith WESTON, John Robert VAN WIEMEERSCH, Aaron Bradley JOHNSON, Brendan F. DIAMOND, Stuart C. SALTER
  • Publication number: 20240241936
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle configured to be driven by a driver is provided. The vehicle has a human-machine interface (HMI). The system includes an interior sensor suite, a processor electrically connected to the interior sensor suite and the HMI, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including determine, based on the interior sensor suite, if there is a passenger in the vehicle, determine, when there is a passenger in the vehicle and based on the interior sensor suite, whether the passenger or the driver is attempting to use the HMI, and permit the passenger and not the driver to use the HMI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Brendan Diamond, Michael Alan Mcnees
  • Publication number: 20240239532
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an automotive drone deployment system. The automotive drone deployment system may comprise at least a vehicle and a deployable drone. The vehicle may have an interior sensor suite and a plurality of potential exit points for the deployable drone. Objects and occupants of the vehicle may be retained when calculating the plurality of potential exit points. A route may be selected from the plurality of potential exit points. The vehicle may provide the drone with trajectory commands to control the path of the drone. The commands may be received by the drone and realized via the drone-based control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, Keith Weston, Michael Alan Mcnees, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jordan Barrett
  • Patent number: 12036981
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods to protect a side-view mirror of a vehicle. An example method executed by a processor includes obtaining a first dimensional parameter associated with a body portion of a vehicle (for example, a width or a length of the vehicle) and a second dimensional parameter associated with a side-view mirror attached to the vehicle (for example, a protrusion distance of the side-view mirror). A turning path characteristic associated with a movement of the vehicle may then be determined, followed by determining a probability of a collision between the side-view mirror and an object located outside the vehicle. Determining the probability may be based on the first dimensional parameter, the second dimensional parameter, and the turning path characteristic. If the probability of the collision exceeds a threshold value, an alert may be issued, or a preventive maneuver executed in order to prevent the collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jordan Barrett, Brendan Diamond, Michael Alan Mcnees
  • Publication number: 20240227782
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to prevent trailer sway are disclosed. An example apparatus to prevent trailer sway of a trailer coupled to a vehicle includes prediction circuitry to predict, based on sensor data from one or more sensors of the vehicle, whether a trailer sway condition associated with the vehicle is likely to occur, and control activation circuitry to, in response to the prediction that the trailer sway is likely to occur, activate at least one vehicle control of the vehicle to prevent the trailer sway condition from occurring, the at least one vehicle control to include applying torque to at least one of one or more trailer wheels of the trailer or one or more vehicle wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Matthew Johnson, Brendan Diamond, Jordan Barrett, Andrew Niedert, Lars Niklas Pettersson