Patents by Inventor Scott Rhodes
Scott Rhodes 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: 10370030Abstract: A vehicle has a trailer backup steering input apparatus, a trailer backup assist control module coupled to the a trailer backup steering input apparatus, and an electric power assist steering system coupled to the trailer backup assist control module and. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is configured for outputting a trailer path curvature signal approximating a desired curvature for a path of travel of a trailer towably coupled to the vehicle. The trailer backup assist control module is configured for determining vehicle steering information as a function of the trailer path curvature signal. The electric power assist steering system is configured for controlling steering of steered wheels of the vehicle as a function of the vehicle steering information.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan Office Tech. Transfer, University of MichiganInventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, David Dean Smit, Erick Michael Lavoie, Martin Fitzpatrick Frey, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Taehyun Shim, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley
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Publication number: 20190161063Abstract: A system includes a switch biased to a neutral position, a camera, and a computer communicatively coupled to the switch and the camera. The computer is programmed to activate a vehicle brake upon receiving data from the switch that the switch is in the neutral position and to activate the vehicle brake upon determining that an operator of the switch is in an inattentive state based on data received from the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2017Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Adel Awad Alla, Cheri Lyn Hansen, Jeffrey Yizhou Hu, Joseph F. Stanek, Douglas Scott Rhode
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Patent number: 10286880Abstract: A system includes a nozzle directed toward a sensor window and a Venturi valve including a discharger that is connected to the nozzle. The Venturi valve is connected to a fluid input valve and an air source.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David Schmidt, Douglas Scott Rhode
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Publication number: 20190100231Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to detect a service controller connected to a vehicle, upon authenticating the service controller, receive an operation mode for a vehicle component from the service controller, and actuate the vehicle component within operating limits based on the operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Douglas Scott Rhode, Wassim Mahmoud Nahle, Michael Adel Awad Alla, Cheri Lyn Hansen
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Patent number: 10240979Abstract: A pulse generator generates high voltage discharge pulses in a manner that may be controlled and monitored. Pulse generator operation may be monitored to measure characteristics associated with pulse generator operation and to produce pulse generator data representative of those characteristics. Pulse generator operation may be monitored by monitoring the discharge pulses produced by the pulse generator and/or the charging of energy storage elements within the pulse generator in preparation for a subsequent discharge pulse. The pulse generator data may be used, for example, to identify pulse generator wear or degradation, to identify problems with pulse generator operation, and/or to control pulse generator operation for improved performance. The pulse generator may also be configured and controlled to generate a high-voltage initiation pulse to initiate a subsequent discharge pulse while being contained within a relatively small form factor.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Cascodium Inc.Inventors: Patrick J. Cobler, Scott A. Rhodes, Paul D. Butler, Neal R. Butler, Michael R. Dynok
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Patent number: 10183640Abstract: A vehicle includes: (a) a rotatable door including: a door stop assembly configured to arrest opening of the door; a rotatable handle; a haptic feedback assembly arranged to vibrate the handle; (b) processor(s) configured to simultaneously activate the door stop and haptic feedback assemblies. The haptic feedback assembly is disposed within the rotatable handle. The processor(s) are configured to: compute a time-to-collision, and run the haptic feedback assembly at a level based on the time-to-collision.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, Levasseur Tellis, David J. Schmidt
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Patent number: 10166172Abstract: A bottle assembly includes a container and a vent assembly positionable at least in part of a rim of the container. A collar assembly generally defines a closure for the container and is releasably engaged with a neck of the container. The collar assembly and the vent assembly are configured relative to one another to permit selective configuration between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the collar assembly urges the vent assembly onto the rim of the container such that at least a majority of a cross-section of a lateral vent of the vent assembly is disposed below the rim. In the second configuration, in which the vent assembly is omitted from the bottle assembly, the collar assembly substantially sealingly engages the rim of the container.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: HANDI-CRAFT COMPANYInventors: Scott Rhodes, Bernard J. Kemper, Charles H. Miller
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Patent number: 10160281Abstract: A vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect a first road feature, an adjustable suspension system, and a processing device. The processing device is configured to determine, using a drive history map, a location of the vehicle based on the first road feature and apply a suspension profile to the suspension system. The suspension profile is associated with a second road feature identified by the drive history map, which is at a different location from the first road feature.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, Shane Elwart, Nanjun Liu, Thomas Edward Pilutti
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Patent number: 10150470Abstract: A system includes a computing device that includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. One instruction is to determine a transition in performance of a steering system actuator of a vehicle to a diminished operating mode. Another instruction is to determine a maneuverable envelope of vehicle velocity and path curvature adapted to the diminished operating mode. Another instruction is to select a vehicle velocity within the envelope for a path curvature.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dexin Wang, Douglas Scott Rhode
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Publication number: 20180346021Abstract: Methods and apparatus for virtual torsion bar steering controls are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a sensor associated with a steering system to measure an operational angle of the steering system, a virtual torsion bar operatively coupled to the steering system, the virtual torsion bar to calculate a control torque based on a request angle and the operational angle, and a torque compensator to control an output torque of the steering system based on the control torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Dexin Wang, Steven R. El Aile, Mohamad Wajih Issam Farhat, Douglas Scott Rhode
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Patent number: 10088844Abstract: A wearable computing device in a vehicle is identified by a computer in a vehicle. Collected data is received relating to autonomous operation of the vehicle. A message is sent to the wearable computing device based at least in part on the collected data.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Douglas Scott Rhode, Matt Y. Rupp, John Shutko, Roger Arnold Trombley, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Andrew Waldis
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Publication number: 20180272998Abstract: A system includes a nozzle directed toward a sensor window and a Venturi valve including a discharger that is connected to the nozzle. The Venturi valve is connected to a fluid input valve and an air source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Schmidt, Douglas Scott Rhode
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Publication number: 20180238098Abstract: A vehicle includes: (a) a rotatable door including: a door stop assembly configured to arrest opening of the door; a rotatable handle; a haptic feedback assembly arranged to vibrate the handle; (b) processor(s) configured to simultaneously activate the door stop and haptic feedback assemblies. The haptic feedback assembly is disposed within the rotatable handle. The processor(s) are configured to: compute a time-to-collision, and run the haptic feedback assembly at a level based on the time-to-collision.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Douglas Scott Rhode, Levasseur Tellis, David J. Schmidt
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Patent number: 10053143Abstract: A controller for a power steering system estimates rack force and its derivative, such as based on lateral acceleration, yaw rate, vehicle speed, or other parameters. A control torque is calculated based on the rack force, its derivative, and the vehicle speed and is summed with an input torque from the driver to determine an amount of assist torque to provide. The control torque may be a shape function that has a sign determined by the sign of the derivative and a magnitude that decreases from a maximal value with increase in the magnitude of the rack force. The maximal value may be determined according to vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dexin Wang, Timothy Gerard Offerle, Douglas Scott Rhode, Taehyun Shim, Yijun Li
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Patent number: 10046713Abstract: A vehicle roof mount includes at least one datum feature. The datum feature is provided according to at least one datum. The at least one datum is determined according to a specified orientation of a sensor included in a sensor frame. The sensor frame is mateable to the roof mount.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Clay Wesley Maranville, Douglas Scott Rhode, Rick H. Wykoff, Randal Henry Visintainer
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Patent number: 10046760Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for autonomously valet parking a vehicle based on images obtained from a plurality of plenoptic (light field) cameras. An example vehicle includes a plenoptic camera to obtain an image external to the vehicle and a controller. The controller is to autonomously navigate a vehicle toward a parking space identified as unoccupied and generate, based on the image, an occupancy map indicating occupied regions in a plurality of concentric regions. The controller also is to determine whether the parking space is available based on the occupancy map and send, in response to determining the parking space is unavailable, an error message to a driver.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, Douglas Scott Rhode
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Patent number: 10028890Abstract: A bottle assembly includes a container having a liquid chamber defined therein, and a vent assembly positionable substantially entirely within the liquid chamber of the container. A collar assembly generally defines a closure for the container and is releasably engageable with a neck of the container. The collar assembly and the container are configured relative to each other to enable selective configuration between a first configuration in which the vent assembly is disposed substantially entirely within the liquid chamber of the container and a second configuration in which the vent assembly is omitted from the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2014Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: HANDI-CRAFT COMPANYInventors: Scott Rhodes, Idus L. Rhodes, II, Charles H. Miller, Bernard J. Kemper
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Publication number: 20180170307Abstract: A computer that may be programmed to: in response to receiving an indication that a vehicle is approaching a geofence boundary, retract slack in a webbing associated with a seat in the vehicle by actuating a seatbelt retractor; then receive measurement data from one or more sensors associated with the seat; using the data, determine whether an occupant occupies the seat; and when no occupant occupies the seat, then transmit an instruction to stop the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Colm Boran, Mark Crawford, Douglas Scott Rhode
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Patent number: D843220Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Sameer Kirti Talsania, Drew Alexander Read Palin, Sean Joseph Huls, Xavi Cortadellas, Brandon Scott Rhodes, Carlos Hernan Marina, Matthew Schmunk, John Lester Ostby, Tucker H. Fort, Joey Miguel Zeledon, Elijah Morris Worden, IV, Wayne Allen Posey, Eric Jay Brunella, Bruce Joseph Ankenbrandt
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Patent number: D853790Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Drew Alexander Read Palin, Sean Joseph Huls, Brandon Scott Rhodes, Xavi Cortadellas, Tucker Fort, Laura Sink, Alexander Ian James Wastney, John Lester Ostby, Matthew Schmunk