Patents by Inventor Kenneth Michael Mayer

Kenneth Michael Mayer 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: 11794726
    Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual vehicle parking assistance are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a current vehicle position and vehicle dimensions of a vehicle, determining parking space dimensions of a parking space, receiving a desired parking position for the vehicle through an augmented reality interface, the augmented reality interface including a three-dimensional vehicle model based on the vehicle dimensions, the augmented reality interface being configured to allow a user to virtually place the three-dimensional vehicle model in the parking space to determine the desired parking position, determining a virtual parking procedure for the vehicle based on the desired parking position selected by the user and the parking space dimensions of a parking space and causing the vehicle to autonomously park based on the virtual parking procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jian Wan, Harald Martinez, Michael A. Blommer, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Kwaku Prakah-Asante
  • Patent number: 11753076
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and identifying a plurality of trailers within in a specified area of the image data. The specified area is less than a total field of the image data and corresponds at least with left and right steering angle limits of the vehicle. The controller further receives a selection of a subject trailer of the plurality of trailers identified within the specified area, identifies a coupler of the subject trailer, and outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the subject trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Luke Niewiadomski
  • Publication number: 20230236659
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for providing a delivery assistance service having an augmented-reality digital companion (ARDC). In an example method, a first set of instructions can be received via the ARDC. The first set of instructions can direct a delivery driver to an assigned delivery vehicle within a parking lot. A second set of instructions including a driving destination can be received via the ARDC. When the delivery driver has reached the driving destination, a third set of instructions can be received via the ARDC. The third set of instructions can include a route from the driving destination to a delivery location. When the delivery driver is traveling along the route, first pop-up information can be provided via the ARDC. The delivery request can be completed, and second pop-up information can be provided via the ARDC to assist the delivery driver in reaching an intended destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jian Wan, Harald Christian Martinez, Kwaku Prakah-Asante, Kenneth Michael Mayer
  • Publication number: 20230102144
    Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual vehicle parking assistance are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a current vehicle position and vehicle dimensions of a vehicle, determining parking space dimensions of a parking space, receiving a desired parking position for the vehicle through an augmented reality interface, the augmented reality interface including a three-dimensional vehicle model based on the vehicle dimensions, the augmented reality interface being configured to allow a user to virtually place the three-dimensional vehicle model in the parking space to determine the desired parking position, determining a virtual parking procedure for the vehicle based on the desired parking position selected by the user and the parking space dimensions of a parking space and causing the vehicle to autonomously park based on the virtual parking procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jian Wan, Harald Martinez, Michael A. Blommer, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Kwaku Prakah-Asante
  • Publication number: 20230018061
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller executing an initial alignment process including searching for a trailer within a specified area of image data that is less than a total field of the image data in directions corresponding with both a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and the trailer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal distance, presenting an indication to a driver of the vehicle to reposition the vehicle when the trailer is not identified within the specified area, and removing the indication when the trailer is identified within the specified area. The controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the specified area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Douglas Rogan, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Chen Zhang, Roger Arnold Trombley, Peter Ling, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Steven Wayne Friedlander
  • Patent number: 11485413
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and identifying a trailer within a specified area of the image data and then identifying a coupler of the trailer. The specified area is less than a total field of the image data. The controller then outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Douglas Rogan, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Chen Zhang, Roger Arnold Trombley, Peter Ling, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Steven Wayne Friedlander
  • Patent number: 11148488
    Abstract: A vehicle system is configured to control a trailer alignment routine. The system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to control motion of the vehicle to an aligned position, wherein the hitch ball is aligned with the coupler position. In response to the aligned position, the controller activates a service brake holding the vehicle and while maintaining the service brake activation, the controller activates a parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Roger Arnold Trombley, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Chen Zhang
  • Patent number: 11126265
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor that is programmed to receive input specifying a component in a vehicle and data specifying a location of a wearable device in the vehicle. The processor is programmed to determine a distance of the wearable device from a location of the component and actuate the wearable device to provide haptic output based on the determined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yifan Chen, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, David Melcher, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, Ali Hassani, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Jeffrey Brian Yeung, Kenneth Michael Mayer
  • Patent number: 11090991
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller identifying a trailer coupler within a specified area relative to the vehicle. The specified area is defined between a maximum distance and a minimum distance from a rear of the vehicle and within left and right lateral vehicle control limits. The controller also outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Li Xu, Roger Arnold Trombley, Luke Niewiadomski, Kyle Simmons, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Katherine Rouen
  • Publication number: 20210009205
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and identifying a plurality of trailers within in a specified area of the image data. The specified area is less than a total field of the image data and corresponds at least with left and right steering angle limits of the vehicle. The controller further receives a selection of a subject trailer of the plurality of trailers identified within the specified area, identifies a coupler of the subject trailer, and outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the subject trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Luke Niewiadomski
  • Patent number: 10829152
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle, identifying a plurality of trailers within the image data, receiving a selection of a subject trailer of the plurality of trailers, identifying a coupler of the subject trailer, and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the subject trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Luke Niewiadomski
  • Publication number: 20200171897
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller identifying a trailer coupler within a specified area relative to the vehicle. The specified area is defined between a maximum distance and a minimum distance from a rear of the vehicle and within left and right lateral vehicle control limits. The controller also outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Li Xu, Roger Arnold Trombley, Luke Niewiadomski, Kyle Simmons, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Katherine Rouen
  • Publication number: 20200148231
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to receive biometric data, from a transdermal patch in a vehicle during operation of a vehicle, wherein the biometric data include a measurement of a chemical. The computer is programmed to actuate a vehicle component, upon determining from a combination of the measurement of the chemical and vehicle operating data that a risk threshold is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Ali HASSANI, Kwaku O. PRAKAH-ASANTE, David MELCHER, Jeffrey Allen GREENBERG, Devinder Singh KOCHHAR, Jeffrey Brian YEUNG, Kenneth Michael MAYER
  • Publication number: 20200148258
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle, identifying a plurality of trailers within the image data, receiving a selection of a subject trailer of the plurality of trailers, identifying a coupler of the subject trailer, and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the subject trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Luke Niewiadomski
  • Publication number: 20200130744
    Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and identifying a trailer within a specified area of the image data and then identifying a coupler of the trailer. The specified area is less than a total field of the image data. The controller then outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Douglas Rogan, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Chen Zhang, Roger Arnold Trombley, Peter Ling, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Steven Wayne Friedlander
  • Publication number: 20200117275
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor that is programmed to receive input specifying a component in a vehicle and data specifying a location of a wearable device in the vehicle. The processor is programmed to determine a distance of the wearable device from a location of the component and actuate the wearable device to provide haptic output based on the determined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Yifan CHEN, Kwaku O. PRAKAH-ASANTE, David MELCHER, Jeffrey Allen GREENBERG, Ali HASSANI, Devinder Singh KOCHHAR, Jeffrey Brian YEUNG, Kenneth Michael MAYER
  • Publication number: 20190389262
    Abstract: A vehicle system is configured to control a trailer alignment routine. The system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to control motion of the vehicle to an aligned position, wherein the hitch ball is aligned with the coupler position. In response to the aligned position, the controller activates a service brake holding the vehicle and while maintaining the service brake activation, the controller activates a parking brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Roger Arnold Trombley, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Chen Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190126926
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine a maximum vehicle speed based on a road curvature. The memory stores instructions to limit a vehicle speed at the determined maximum vehicle speed, upon receiving a user acceleration request while a user torque request at a vehicle steering wheel is undetected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Maynard, Kenneth Michael Mayer, John Shutko, Benjamin Osafo-yeboah, Shane Elwart
  • Patent number: 9296423
    Abstract: The trailer backup assist system has a human machine interface coupled to a controller having a setup module, a calibration module, an activation module and a control module configured to receive trailer measurements, apply trailer measurements, activate and control vehicle systems to calibrate and implement a curvature control algorithm that controls the reverse movement of the vehicle-trailer combination in a manner consistent with a driver request. When incorrect trailer measurements have been entered, the trailer backup assist system recognizes the error, initiates a warning and requests corrective action to correct the trailer measurements. Default values for a maximum controllable curvature limit and a maximum controllable angle replace the limits calculated and applied by the calibration model that used incorrect trailer measurements, until corrected trailer measurements may be entered by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Matt Y. Rupp, David Dean Smit, Roger Arnold Trombley, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Erick Michael Lavoie, Christopher Scott Nave, John Shutko, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Patent number: 9248858
    Abstract: The trailer backup assist system has a human machine interface coupled to a controller having a setup module, a calibration module, an activation module and a control module configured to receive trailer measurements, apply trailer measurements, activate and control vehicle systems to calibrate and implement a curvature control algorithm that controls the reverse movement of the vehicle-trailer combination in a manner consistent with a driver request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Nave, John Shutko, Matt Y. Rupp, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit