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).
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Patent number: 11794726Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jian Wan, Harald Martinez, Michael A. Blommer, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Kwaku Prakah-Asante
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Patent number: 11753076Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Luke Niewiadomski
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Publication number: 20230236659Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jian Wan, Harald Christian Martinez, Kwaku Prakah-Asante, Kenneth Michael Mayer
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Publication number: 20230102144Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jian Wan, Harald Martinez, Michael A. Blommer, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Kwaku Prakah-Asante
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Publication number: 20230018061Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 11485413Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 11148488Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Roger Arnold Trombley, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Chen Zhang
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Patent number: 11126265Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yifan Chen, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, David Melcher, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, Ali Hassani, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Jeffrey Brian Yeung, Kenneth Michael Mayer
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Patent number: 11090991Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Li Xu, Roger Arnold Trombley, Luke Niewiadomski, Kyle Simmons, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Katherine Rouen
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Publication number: 20210009205Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Luke Niewiadomski
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Patent number: 10829152Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Luke Niewiadomski
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Publication number: 20200171897Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2018Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Li Xu, Roger Arnold Trombley, Luke Niewiadomski, Kyle Simmons, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Katherine Rouen
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Publication number: 20200148231Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2017Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Ali HASSANI, Kwaku O. PRAKAH-ASANTE, David MELCHER, Jeffrey Allen GREENBERG, Devinder Singh KOCHHAR, Jeffrey Brian YEUNG, Kenneth Michael MAYER
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Publication number: 20200148258Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Kenneth Michael Mayer, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Bo Bao, Luke Niewiadomski
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Publication number: 20200130744Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20200117275Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2017Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Yifan CHEN, Kwaku O. PRAKAH-ASANTE, David MELCHER, Jeffrey Allen GREENBERG, Ali HASSANI, Devinder Singh KOCHHAR, Jeffrey Brian YEUNG, Kenneth Michael MAYER
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Publication number: 20190389262Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Shannon Brooks-Lehnert, Roger Arnold Trombley, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Chen Zhang
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Publication number: 20190126926Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jason Maynard, Kenneth Michael Mayer, John Shutko, Benjamin Osafo-yeboah, Shane Elwart
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Patent number: 9296423Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: 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
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Patent number: 9248858Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: 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