Patents by Inventor Michael Marbaix

Michael Marbaix 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: 11590964
    Abstract: A method for performing automatic valet parking, which includes selecting a road scenario applicable to a roadway; notifying a driver to release manual control elements of a motor vehicle and to leave the motor vehicle; checking whether the control elements have been released and the driver has left the motor vehicle and, in this case, entering an EXPLORE mode in which the motor vehicle is slowly driven autonomously and searches for a free car space or a parking space using the vehicle's own environmental sensors, before the motor vehicle is placed in a parking position; and then to change from the EXPLORE mode to a PARKING mode in which the motor vehicle is parked in the car space or in the parking space from the parking position by means of the longitudinal and lateral controllers and using the environmental data previously obtained from the environmental sensors in the EXPLORE mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Michael Marbaix, Evangelos Bitsanis, Turgay Aslandere, Alain Chevalier
  • Patent number: 11544430
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for performing a method for performing computer-aided simulations. The system loads an input dataset which is based on user interactions of a user indicating a manipulation of a representation of a component, provides a tracking dataset indicating changes in the representation through the manipulations by evaluating the input dataset, provides an output dataset which is based on evaluation of the tracking dataset by means of machine learning, where the output dataset assigns a model to the representation, and outputs the output dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Turgay Isik Aslandere, Evangelos Bitsanis, Michael Marbaix, Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier
  • Patent number: 11232654
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to identify a diagnostic test to perform for a vehicle component, identify one of a plurality of XiL platforms on which to perform the diagnostic test, and perform the diagnostic test on the identified XiL platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Michael Marbaix, Evangelos Bitsanis, Turgay Isik Aslandere
  • Patent number: 11208110
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method that models a motor vehicle sensor in a virtual test environment by way of definition. Using a sensor support, a raycast distribution shape, a group of raycast properties, a raycast reflection factor, and a raycast echo, a sensor in reality may be tested in a virtual environment to calibrate the sensor in reality. The sensor support is a virtual sensor support for a virtual sensor model, which forms a three-dimensional or two-dimensional avatar of the sensor in reality, in the virtual test environment. The sensor support has a sensor starting point that is used as an origin for a raycast distribution shape. The method extracts a special application of the sensor in reality in an application case, which is particularly useful for testing scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Michael Marbaix, Evangelos Bitsanis
  • Patent number: 11173924
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to collect control data indicating behavior of a vehicle controlled by a control program, collect virtual control data indicating behaviour of a virtual vehicle controlled by a virtual control program, and determine a difference between the control data and the virtual control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Evangelos Bitsanis, Turgay Isik Aslandere, Michael Marbaix, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier
  • Publication number: 20210097710
    Abstract: A request signal that indicates a quality for a determination of an orientation of a road user is received. The orientation of the road user is determined based on a) image data when the request signal indicates the quality is below a predetermined quality for the determination of the orientation of the road user, or b) on LIDAR data and image data when the request signal indicates the quality is the predetermined quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Turgay Isik Aslandere, Evangelos Bitsanis, Michael Marbaix, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Frederic Stefan
  • Publication number: 20210097769
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to generate physics data representing operation of a virtual vehicle with a physics simulator processor, collect movement data of a user with a tracking processor, and provide, from a virtual reality processor, one or more images to a virtual reality display of the user based on the physics data sets and the collected movement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Turgay Isik Aslandere, Evangelos Bitsanis, Michael Marbaix, Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier
  • Publication number: 20210061264
    Abstract: A method for performing automatic valet parking, which includes selecting a road scenario applicable to a roadway; notifying a driver to release manual control elements of a motor vehicle and to leave the motor vehicle; checking whether the control elements have been released and the driver has left the motor vehicle and, in this case, entering an EXPLORE mode in which the motor vehicle is slowly driven autonomously and searches for a free car space or a parking space using the vehicle's own environmental sensors, before the motor vehicle is placed in a parking position; and then to change from the EXPLORE mode to a PARKING mode in which the motor vehicle is parked in the car space or in the parking space from the parking position by means of the longitudinal and lateral controllers and using the environmental data previously obtained from the environmental sensors in the EXPLORE mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Michael Marbaix, Evangelos Bitsanis, Turgay Aslandere, Alain Chevalier
  • Publication number: 20200349307
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for performing a method for performing computer-aided simulations. The system loads an input dataset which is based on user interactions of a user indicating a manipulation of a representation of a component, provides a tracking dataset indicating changes in the representation through the manipulations by evaluating the input dataset, provides an output dataset which is based on evaluation of the tracking dataset by means of machine learning, where the output dataset assigns a model to the representation, and outputs the output dataset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Turgay Isik Aslandere, Evangelos Bitsanis, Michael Marbaix, Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier
  • Patent number: 10579512
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing software for autonomous vehicles by means of a loop simulation involves hardware in the form of one or more real autonomous vehicles able to carry out autonomous test drives in the real world. In response to a work order given by a user, a check is automatically carried out in order to determine which vehicles, among a plurality of real autonomous vehicles which are able to carry out autonomous test drives on globally distributed test tracks in the real world, are currently available for one or more tests defined in the work order. The performance of the software tests and the test drives is then automatically planned and coordinated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Evangelos Bitsanis, Michael Marbaix
  • Publication number: 20190322286
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to collect control data indicating behavior of a vehicle controlled by a control program, collect virtual control data indicating behaviour of a virtual vehicle controlled by a virtual control program, and determine a difference between the control data and the virtual control data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Evangelos Bitsanis, Turgay Isik Aslandere, Michael Marbaix, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier
  • Publication number: 20190325672
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to identify a diagnostic test to perform for a vehicle component, identify one of a plurality of XiL platforms on which to perform the diagnostic test, and perform the diagnostic test on the identified XiL platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Michael Marbaix, Evangelos Bitsanis, Turgay Isik Aslandere
  • Patent number: 10255168
    Abstract: Test cases for autonomous vehicles are generated automatically by using data which have been collected from vehicles participating in public road traffic. A test planning system for autonomous vehicle includes defined application cases for autonomous vehicles. The vehicles are configured to identify test cases with prediction analyzes of a reference catalog of driving situations and the defined application cases, and compare, via a comparative analyzes, the test cases and the defined application cases to compile an expanded set of test cases, wherein the expanded set of test cases are compared to the defined application cases to output a complete set of test cases. The system also includes a central database configured to query the complete set of test cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Michael Marbaix, Evangelos Bitsanis
  • Patent number: 10215109
    Abstract: A method for regulating the charge pressure pboost of a supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed. The method may include adjusting each of two wastegates, a variable turbine geometry, and a downstream compressor bypass valve to regulate engine boost pressure as a function of a first setpoint value for pressure between compressors and a pressure difference in a first regulation loop, a second setpoint value for pressure downstream of multiple compressors, and the pressure difference in a second regulation loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Arno Bartsch, Benedikt Seier, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Michael Marbaix
  • Patent number: 10217298
    Abstract: A method of operating a motor vehicle includes detecting at least one motor vehicle driver response, producing a perception model based on the detected motor vehicle driver response, and analyzing the perception model to at avoid least one motor vehicle driver response by adjusting a parameter of the motor vehicle. Analysis of the perception model can also be carried out to predict a motor vehicle driver response, in particular during the generation of new control software for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Evangelos Bitsanis, Michael Marbaix
  • Publication number: 20190039625
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method that models a motor vehicle sensor in a virtual test environment by way of definition. Using a sensor support, a raycast distribution shape, a group of raycast properties, a raycast reflection factor, and a raycast echo, a sensor in reality may be tested in a virtual environment to calibrate the sensor in reality. The sensor support is a virtual sensor support for a virtual sensor model, which forms a three-dimensional or two-dimensional avatar of the sensor in reality, in the virtual test environment. The sensor support has a sensor starting point that is used as an origin for a raycast distribution shape. The method extracts a special application of the sensor in reality in an application case, which is particularly useful for testing scenarios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic STEFAN, Alain Marie Roger CHEVALIER, Michael MARBAIX, Evangelos BITSANIS
  • Publication number: 20190043278
    Abstract: A test drive scenario database system for highly realistic, virtual test drive scenarios comprises at least one device that generates a virtual scene, a database memory and a control device. The control device has at least one data receiving unit with one or more data receiving interfaces, a configuration unit with at least one user interface and a data output unit with at least one data output interface. The device that generates a virtual scene is configured to display real, test drive scenario data in a virtual scenario, in which one or more parameters of the output test drive scenario data can be changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic STEFAN, Alain Marie Roger CHEVALIER, Evangelos BITSANIS, Michael MARBAIX
  • Publication number: 20190042679
    Abstract: A method for testing a virtual, autonomously driving, tested vehicle is carried out in a virtual test environment on a computer. The method comprises installing and operating software of the autonomously driving, tested vehicle in the computer. Installing and operating a virtual test scenario in the computer includes defining at least one variation point, at least one validation point, at least one drive command point, and analyzing the variation, validation and drive command points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic STEFAN, Alain Marie Roger CHEVALIER, Evangelos BITSANIS, Michael MARBAIX
  • Publication number: 20190041866
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle and a lidar sensor system mounted to a motor vehicle. A lidar sensor mounted onboard the vehicle is operated to detect an object, and to read a nano-fingerprint on the object. The nano-fingerprint may be a passive and invisible structure that can be read out with a laser scanner as a nano-barcode, a nano-QR code, or similar. A detection module extracts, from the sensor data, position data related to the object. The position data may be used to calculate a velocity and/or acceleration of a moving object, such as a second vehicle. A scanning module extracts, from the sensor data, object data encoded in the nano-fingerprint and utilizes the object data to identify the object. A control unit controls operation (such as steering, braking, etc.) of the vehicle utilizing the position data and the object data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic STEFAN, Alain Marie Roger CHEVALIER, Michael MARBAIX, Evangelos BITSANIS
  • Patent number: 10137885
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a vehicle having different operating modes affecting emissions include activating, by a vehicle controller, at least one of the different operating modes affecting emissions selected in response to an estimated population density of a designated area associated with a current location or an anticipated future location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Evangelos Bitsanis, Michael Marbaix