Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Pilutti

Thomas E. Pilutti 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: 8996197
    Abstract: Apparatus for a vehicle operated on a roadway having lane markers includes an optical sensor providing optical data of the roadway. A first lane model is stored in an electronic memory in response to detected lane markers in the optical data. An electronic horizon system tracks a position of the vehicle and provides roadway data in response to the position. A second lane model is stored in the electronic memory in response to the roadway data. A confidence checker compares a discrepancy between the first and second lane models to a threshold in order to determine a confidence level. An output selector selects the first lane model when lane markers are detected in the optical data, and selects the second lane model if the lane markers are not detected in the optical data and the confidence level is greater than a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter G. Joh, Thomas E. Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Dorian Jack Spero, Brian Wolski
  • Publication number: 20140379164
    Abstract: Apparatus for a vehicle operated on a roadway having lane markers includes an optical sensor providing optical data of the roadway. A first lane model is stored in an electronic memory in response to detected lane markers in the optical data. An electronic horizon system tracks a position of the vehicle and provides roadway data in response to the position. A second lane model is stored in the electronic memory in response to the roadway data. A confidence checker compares a discrepancy between the first and second lane models to a threshold in order to determine a confidence level. An output selector selects the first lane model when lane markers are detected in the optical data, and selects the second lane model if the lane markers are not detected in the optical data and the confidence level is greater than a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Peter G. Joh, Thomas E. Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Dorian Jack Spero, Brian Wolski
  • Patent number: 8892304
    Abstract: A vehicle crash safety system includes a pre-crash sensing system configured for gathering and/or receiving target vehicle ride-height data, and at least one actuator operatively coupled to the sensing system and configured for adjusting a height of a portion of a host vehicle responsive to a command from the sensing system. A timing of the command is responsive to an estimated dynamic response time of the at least one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Davor Hrovat, Thomas E. Pilutti, Jerry H. Engleman, Eric H. Tseng, Dimitar P. Filev
  • Publication number: 20140195113
    Abstract: A vehicle crash safety system includes a pre-crash sensing system configured for gathering and/or receiving target vehicle ride-height data, and at least one actuator operatively coupled to the sensing system and configured for adjusting a height of a portion of a host vehicle responsive to a command from the sensing system. A timing of the command is responsive to an estimated dynamic response time of the at least one actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Davor Hrovat, Thomas E. Pilutti, Jerry H. Engleman, Eric H. Tseng, Dimitar P. Filev
  • Publication number: 20020188387
    Abstract: The present invention integrates an on-board navigation system to provide energy management for an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The HEV control strategy of the present invention accommodates the goals of fuel economy while always meeting driver demand for power and maintaining the functionality of the traction motor battery system using battery parameter controllers. In the preferred embodiment of the present strategy, a vehicle system controller tightly integrates the navigation system information with energy management while en route to a known destination. Present vehicle location is continuously monitored, expectations of driver demand are determined, and vehicle accommodations are made. The system can be configured to includes as part of its present vehicle location data on road patterns, geography with date and time, altitude changes, speed limits, driving patterns of a vehicle driver, and weather.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Joanne T. Woestman, Prabhakar B. Patil, Ross M. Stuntz, Thomas E. Pilutti
  • Patent number: 6487477
    Abstract: The present invention integrates an on-board navigation system to provide energy management for an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The HEV control strategy of the present invention accommodates the goals of fuel economy while always meeting driver demand for power and maintaining the functionality of the traction motor battery system using battery parameter controllers. In the preferred embodiment of the present strategy, a vehicle system controller tightly integrates the navigation system information with energy management while en route to a known destination. Present vehicle location is continuously monitored, expectations of driver demand are determined, and vehicle accommodations are made. The system can be configured to includes as part of its present vehicle location data on road patterns, geography with date and time, altitude changes, speed limits, driving patterns of a vehicle driver, and weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joanne T. Woestman, Prabhakar B. Patil, Ross M. Stunz, Thomas E. Pilutti