Patents by Inventor Timothy D. Zwicky

Timothy D. Zwicky 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: 11912274
    Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to access sensor data of a first sensor of a vehicle while an adaptive cruise control feature of the vehicle is active, detect, based on the sensor data of the first sensor, a stationary object located along a path of travel of the vehicle, wherein the stationary object is located outside of a range of a second sensor of the vehicle, determine a presence of an intersection within a threshold distance of the stationary object that is along the path of travel of the vehicle, and responsive to a determination that the stationary object is a stopped vehicle of the intersection, adjust, by the adaptive cruise control feature, the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Jeremy Lerner, Xingping Chen, Dina Tayim, Ryan Jones, Taylor Hawley
  • Patent number: 11577725
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to control at least one of a steering system or a propulsion system to operate a vehicle at a speed below a speed threshold. The instructions include instructions to determine whether one or more second vehicles a first distance from the vehicle are traveling below the speed threshold. The instructions include instructions to, upon determining the second vehicles are traveling below the speed threshold, continue to control the steering system or the propulsion system. The instructions include instructions to, upon determining the second vehicles are not traveling below the speed threshold, transition control of the steering system or the propulsion system to a human operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Jeremy Lerner, Md Nahid Pervez, Natalie Arguello, Andrea Bowes Chowanic, Scott Huggins, Jason Joseph Woo, Taylor Hawley, Xingping Chen, Nitendra Nath
  • Publication number: 20220355794
    Abstract: A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to access sensor data of a first sensor of a vehicle while an adaptive cruise control feature of the vehicle is active, detect, based on the sensor data of the first sensor, a stationary object located along a path of travel of the vehicle, wherein the stationary object is located outside of a range of a second sensor of the vehicle, determine a presence of an intersection within a threshold distance of the stationary object that is along the path of travel of the vehicle, and responsive to a determination that the stationary object is a stopped vehicle of the intersection, adjust, by the adaptive cruise control feature, the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Jeremy Lerner, Xingping Chen, Dina Tayim, Ryan Jones, Taylor Hawley
  • Patent number: 11333059
    Abstract: A system comprising a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to: receive at least one of expected upcoming traffic behavior or actual upcoming traffic behavior corresponding to an upcoming segment of a roadway being traversed by a vehicle; adjust a radiator hysteresis timer based on the expected upcoming traffic behavior or the actual upcoming traffic behavior; and transmit a control signal to an actuator to actuate a radiator fan based on the adjusted radiator hysteresis timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Joseph Woo, Jeremy Lerner, Scott Huggins, Taylor Hawley, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Publication number: 20220120207
    Abstract: A system comprising a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to: receive at least one of expected upcoming traffic behavior or actual upcoming traffic behavior corresponding to an upcoming segment of a roadway being traversed by a vehicle; adjust a radiator hysteresis timer based on the expected upcoming traffic behavior or the actual upcoming traffic behavior; and transmit a control signal to an actuator to actuate a radiator fan based on the adjusted radiator hysteresis timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Joseph Woo, Jeremy Lerner, Scott Huggins, Taylor Hawley, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Publication number: 20220063620
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to control at least one of a steering system or a propulsion system to operate a vehicle at a speed below a speed threshold. The instructions include instructions to determine whether one or more second vehicles a first distance from the vehicle are traveling below the speed threshold. The instructions include instructions to, upon determining the second vehicles are traveling below the speed threshold, continue to control the steering system or the propulsion system. The instructions include instructions to, upon determining the second vehicles are not traveling below the speed threshold, transition control of the steering system or the propulsion system to a human operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Jeremy Lerner, MD NAHID Pervez, Natalie Arguello, Andrea Bowes Chowanic, Scott Huggins, Jason Joseph Woo, Taylor Hawley, Xingping Chen, Nitendra Nath
  • Patent number: 10422649
    Abstract: First and second sets of data are collected in a vehicle from respective data sources. Each of the first and second sets of data are provided for determinations respectively selected from first and second categories of autonomous vehicle operations. A determination is made to take an autonomous action selected from the first category of autonomous vehicle operations. Data is used from each of the first and second data sets relating respectively to the first and second categories of autonomous vehicle operations to determine the autonomous action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Patent number: 10409286
    Abstract: Example highway detection systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives data from a vehicle data bus in a first vehicle and detects a speed of the first vehicle based on the received data. The method also determines a speed of an oncoming vehicle and a lateral distance between the first vehicle and the oncoming vehicle based on the received data. One or more processors determine whether the first vehicle is driving on a highway based on the speed of the first vehicle, the speed of the oncoming vehicle, and the lateral distance between the first vehicle and the oncoming vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D Zwicky, Kyle J Carey, Surjya Sarathi Ray
  • Publication number: 20190025840
    Abstract: Example highway detection systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives data from a vehicle data bus in a first vehicle and detects a speed of the first vehicle based on the received data. The method also determines a speed of an oncoming vehicle and a lateral distance between the first vehicle and the oncoming vehicle based on the received data. One or more processors determine whether the first vehicle is driving on a highway based on the speed of the first vehicle, the speed of the oncoming vehicle, and the lateral distance between the first vehicle and the oncoming vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Kyle J. Carey, Surjya Sarathi Ray
  • Publication number: 20180319402
    Abstract: Embodiments include a vehicle system comprising a display capable of displaying a message indicating automatic activation of a driver assistance feature; at least one electronic control unit configured to determine whether preset driving conditions are met; and a processor configured to cause the display to display the message upon receiving a notification indicating satisfaction of the conditions, initiate a countdown, and automatically activate the driver assistance feature upon completion of the countdown. Embodiments also include a method of activating a driver assistance feature in a vehicle. The method includes receiving, at a processor, a notification indicating satisfaction of preset driving conditions; in response, displaying, on a display, a message indicating automatic activation of the driver assistance feature; initiating a countdown, using the processor; and automatically activating the driver assistance feature, using the processor, upon completion of the countdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, John Shutko, Shane Elwart, Timothy D. Zwicky, Nitendra Nath, Justin Teems
  • Patent number: 9925988
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a computer. The computer is programmed to command application of one of up to a predetermined steering torque value and up to a predetermined net asymmetric braking force value. Each predetermined force is selected to achieve a predetermined vehicle yaw torque that is at most the lesser of a first maximum yaw torque resulting from actuating a steering system and a second maximum yaw torque resulting from actuating a brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: FLORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Shane Elwart, Michael Hafner, Xingping Chen, Paul James Novak, Jiyi Liu, Andy Chuan Hsia, Levasseur Tellis, Greg Blaisdell Stevens
  • Patent number: 9802566
    Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Patent number: 9666069
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an autonomous driving sensor configured to detect a road condition and output at least one road condition signal representing the road condition, an autonomous mode controller configured to control the vehicle according to the at least one road condition signal, and a communication module configured to broadcast the road condition signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Patent number: 9612596
    Abstract: A vehicle may be steered without a driver's hands being on a vehicle steering control mechanism. A presence of an object within a predetermined distance of the vehicle may be detected using data from at least one object detection sensor that provides data to at least one of a passive safety system, a lane control system, a speed control system, and a brake control system. A steering control mechanism hands-on mode can then be enabled based at least in part on the presence of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Christopher Scott Nave, Andy Chuan Hsia, Levasseur Tellis, Reid James Steiger
  • Publication number: 20160325779
    Abstract: A vehicle may be steered without a driver's hands being on a vehicle steering control mechanism. A presence of an object within a predetermined distance of the vehicle may be detected using data from at least one object detection sensor that provides data to at least one of a passive safety system, a lane control system, a speed control system, and a brake control system. A steering control mechanism hands-on mode can then be enabled based at least in part on the presence of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Christopher Scott Nave, Andy Chuan Hsia, Levasseur Tellis, Reid James Steiger
  • Publication number: 20160121835
    Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Patent number: 9266487
    Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Publication number: 20150258954
    Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Publication number: 20150241226
    Abstract: First and second sets of data are collected in a vehicle from respective data sources. Each of the first and second sets of data are provided for determinations respectively selected from first and second categories of autonomous vehicle operations. A determination is made to take an autonomous action selected from the first category of autonomous vehicle operations. Data is used from each of the first and second data sets relating respectively to the first and second categories of autonomous vehicle operations to determine the autonomous action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • Publication number: 20150235557
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an autonomous driving sensor configured to detect a road condition and output at least one road condition signal representing the road condition, an autonomous mode controller configured to control the vehicle according to the at least one road condition signal, and a communication module configured to broadcast the road condition signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky