Patents by Inventor Ryan Skaff

Ryan Skaff 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).

  • Publication number: 20230030815
    Abstract: Systems and methods for complementary control of an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. A primary controller provides a first plurality of instructions to an AV platform for operating the AV in an autonomous mode along a planned path based on sensor data from a primary sensor system and a secondary sensor system, and provides information that includes a fallback monitoring region to a complementary controller. The complementary controller receives sensor data from the secondary sensor system that includes sensed data for a fallback monitoring region, analyzes the received sensor data to determine whether a collision is imminent with an object detected in the fallback monitoring region, and cause the AV platform to initiate a collision mitigation action if a collision is determined to be imminent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Happold, Ryan Skaff, Derek Hartl
  • Patent number: 10421420
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of displaying vehicle range includes receiving input corresponding to a level of charge remaining in a vehicle having at least a partial electric power source usable for vehicle locomotion. The method also includes determining a maximum remaining range which the vehicle can travel based at least on the level of charge. The method further includes displaying a maximum range boundary overlaid on a map, including at least an indicator at the center of the range indicating a current location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Skaff, Derek Hartl, Paul Aldighieri, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, David L. Watson, Dale Gilman, Craig Sandvig, Leslie Bodnar, Leann Kridner, Angela L. Watson
  • Patent number: 10052954
    Abstract: An information display system may include an information display including a gauge specifying energy consumption of a vehicle and an average efficiency indicator specifying an average of the energy consumption, and a controller, in communication with the information display, configured to calculate an average efficiency value based on an amount of the energy consumption per unit distance over time, and adjust the average efficiency indicator based upon the average efficiency value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Skaff, Dale Gilman, Paul Aldighieri
  • Patent number: 9919693
    Abstract: Driver braking performance feedback may be conveyed to a vehicle operator as a braking efficiency score using a vehicle display system. The display system may include a vehicle display for displaying a braking efficiency indicator or gauge corresponding to the braking efficiency score. The braking efficiency score may be based on a comparison of the total regenerative braking energy recaptured during at least one braking event to a either a maximum amount of braking energy that may be recaptured during the at least one braking event or an actual total braking energy expended during the at least one braking event. The braking efficiency score may be displayed upon the completion of a braking event or upon a completion of a trip including a plurality of braking events. The display may also convey a distance corresponding to a portion of a trip distance achieved through regenerative braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Aldighieri, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, David L. Watson, Dale Gilman, Ryan Skaff, Dale Scott Crombez, Christopher Adam Ochocinski
  • Patent number: 9718359
    Abstract: A vehicle information display may include a split braking gauge for conveying information relating to braking operation and efficiency to assist drivers in maximizing energy capture during braking in vehicle with regenerative braking systems. The split braking gauge may incorporate a side-by-side or stacked configuration for conveying both regenerative braking and friction braking values. The split braking gauge may include fixed thresholds or boundaries associated with dynamic threshold values that can change based on current vehicle operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Ryan Skaff, Derek Hartl
  • Patent number: 9613473
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes displaying a plurality of power consuming and producing vehicle components. The method also includes determining what components are currently consuming power and what components are currently delivering power, and to what magnitude the power is flowing between components. The method additionally includes displaying one or more arrows showing a powerflow from at least one power producing component to at least one power consuming or producing component. The method further includes displaying an indicia indicating the magnitude of the powerflow associated with the one or more arrows. Also, the method includes, for at least one power consuming component, displaying a gauge relating to a level of power being consumed by the at least one power consuming component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Hartl, Ryan Skaff, Angela L. Watson
  • Publication number: 20170028852
    Abstract: An information display system may include an information display including a gauge specifying energy consumption of a vehicle and an average efficiency indicator specifying an average of the energy consumption, and a controller, in communication with the information display, configured to calculate an average efficiency value based on an amount of the energy consumption per unit distance over time, and adjust the average efficiency indicator based upon the average efficiency value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan SKAFF, Dale GILMAN, Paul ALDIGHIERI
  • Patent number: 9499065
    Abstract: An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Skaff, Dale Gilman, Paul Aldighieri
  • Publication number: 20140372019
    Abstract: An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan SKAFF, Dale GILMAN, Paul ALDIGHIERI
  • Patent number: 8880317
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes determining a state of a vehicle ignition switch; determining a state of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle state including at least one of whether the vehicle is in a torque producing mode, whether the vehicle is moving, and whether the vehicle brake system is engaged; and, controlling the vacuum pump in response to the vehicle state and the ignition switch state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technolies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Gabor, Ryan Skaff
  • Patent number: 8874344
    Abstract: Driver braking performance feedback may be conveyed to a vehicle operator as a braking efficiency score using a vehicle display system. The display system may include a vehicle display for displaying a braking efficiency indicator or gauge corresponding to the braking efficiency score. The braking efficiency score may be based on a comparison of the total regenerative braking energy recaptured during at least one braking event to a either a maximum amount of braking energy that may be recaptured during the at least one braking event or an actual total braking energy expended during the at least one braking event. The braking efficiency score may be displayed upon the completion of a braking event or upon a completion of a trip including a plurality of braking events. The display may also convey a distance corresponding to a portion of a trip distance achieved through regenerative braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Aldighieri, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, David L. Watson, Dale Gilman, Ryan Skaff, Dale Scott Crombez, Christopher Adam Ochocinski
  • Patent number: 8860565
    Abstract: An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technlogies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Skaff, Dale Gilman, Paul Aldighieri
  • Patent number: 8849499
    Abstract: One or more embodiments may include a method for remotely obtaining information about an energy source of a vehicle. Information identifying one or more vehicles and one or more drivers of the vehicles may be received at one or more computing devices remote from a vehicle. Instructions from the one or more remote computing devices may be transmitted requesting information from the identified vehicle(s) about a status of an energy source for the identified vehicle(s). The status information may be received at the remote computing device(s). Based on the energy source status information and the driver identifying information, a vehicle energy source status with respect to one or more attributes of the vehicle drivers may be calculated. Additionally, the vehicle energy source status may be displayed at the one or more devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Elizabeth Profitt-Brown, Joseph Paul Rork, Brian Petersen, Edward Andrew Pleet, Kelly Lee Zechel, Yevgeniya Sosonkina, Susan Curry, Mary Smith, Ryan Skaff
  • Patent number: 8831808
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a motor that is configured to provide drive torque and to facilitate regenerative braking. The vehicle also includes a controller that is configured to receive input that is indicative of a vehicle speed and a battery state of charge (BSOC), and to disable the drive torque when the BSOC is less than a maximum discharge limit. The controller is also configured to activate regenerative braking when the BSOC is less than the maximum discharge limit and the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Stanek, Jeffery R. Grimes, William David Treharne, Ryan Skaff, Brian Gillespey
  • Publication number: 20140039726
    Abstract: One or more embodiments may include a method for remotely obtaining information about an energy source of a vehicle. Information identifying one or more vehicles and one or more drivers of the vehicles may be received at one or more computing devices remote from a vehicle. Instructions from the one or more remote computing devices may be transmitted requesting information from the identified vehicle(s) about a status of an energy source for the identified vehicle(s). The status information may be received at the remote computing device(s). Based on the energy source status information and the driver identifying information, a vehicle energy source status with respect to one or more attributes of the vehicle drivers may be calculated. Additionally, the vehicle energy source status may be displayed at the one or more devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Elizabeth Profitt-Brown, Joseph Paul Rork, Brian Petersen, Edward Andrew Pleet, Kelly Lee Zechel, Yevgeniva Sosonkina, Susan Curry, Mary Smith, Ryan Skaff
  • Publication number: 20130226377
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a motor that is configured to provide drive torque and to facilitate regenerative braking. The vehicle also includes a controller that is configured to receive input that is indicative of a vehicle speed and a battery state of charge (BSOC), and to disable the drive torque when the BSOC is less than a maximum discharge limit. The controller is also configured to activate regenerative braking when the BSOC is less than the maximum discharge limit and the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Stanek, Jeffery R. Grimes, William David Treharne, Ryan Skaff, Brian Gillespey
  • Publication number: 20130131946
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes determining a state of a vehicle ignition switch; determining a state of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle state including at least one of whether the vehicle is in a torque producing mode, whether the vehicle is moving, and whether the vehicle brake system is engaged; and, controlling the vacuum pump in response to the vehicle state and the ignition switch state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel A. Gabor, Ryan Skaff
  • Patent number: 8447505
    Abstract: A method and system are described for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having an economy mode of operation. When the vehicle fuel level decreases below a first threshold, an indication is provided to a vehicle user that the vehicle will enter the economy mode of vehicle operation. The economy mode of vehicle operation is automatically entered a predetermined period of time after providing the indication to the vehicle user. The economy mode of vehicle operation is exited in response to a user command to exit the economy mode of vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Ryan Skaff
  • Publication number: 20130073129
    Abstract: An information display system includes an information display that communicates relevant information relating to the operation of a vehicle. The information display conveys a score representing lifetime or long-term driving or operating efficiency of the vehicle. The score can be conveyed numerically or graphically using a number of indicators. Each indicator may correspond to a different achievement level attained for efficient driving or vehicle use behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Paul Stephen Bryan, Ryan Skaff, Thomas Scott Gee
  • Publication number: 20130073113
    Abstract: A method to control a vehicle includes assigning a predicted driving pattern to a predicted path for the vehicle, and providing a range for the vehicle using the predicted energy efficiency and an amount of energy available to the vehicle. The predicted driving pattern has an associated predicted energy efficiency. A vehicle includes a propulsion device coupled to wheels of the vehicle via a transmission, and a controller electronically coupled to the propulsion device. The controller is configured to: (i) assign a predicted driving pattern to a predicted path for the vehicle, the predicted driving pattern having a predicted energy efficiency, and (ii) provide a range for the vehicle using the predicted energy efficiency and an amount of energy available to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Hai Yu, William Paul Perkins, Anthony Mark Phillips, Ryan Skaff, Johannes Geir Kristinsson