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).
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Patent number: 11912274Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 4, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Jeremy Lerner, Xingping Chen, Dina Tayim, Ryan Jones, Taylor Hawley
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Patent number: 11577725Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Jeremy Lerner, Md Nahid Pervez, Natalie Arguello, Andrea Bowes Chowanic, Scott Huggins, Jason Joseph Woo, Taylor Hawley, Xingping Chen, Nitendra Nath
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Publication number: 20220355794Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2021Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Jeremy Lerner, Xingping Chen, Dina Tayim, Ryan Jones, Taylor Hawley
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Patent number: 11333059Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jason Joseph Woo, Jeremy Lerner, Scott Huggins, Taylor Hawley, Timothy D. Zwicky
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Publication number: 20220120207Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jason Joseph Woo, Jeremy Lerner, Scott Huggins, Taylor Hawley, Timothy D. Zwicky
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Publication number: 20220063620Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Jeremy Lerner, MD NAHID Pervez, Natalie Arguello, Andrea Bowes Chowanic, Scott Huggins, Jason Joseph Woo, Taylor Hawley, Xingping Chen, Nitendra Nath
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Patent number: 10422649Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2015Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
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Patent number: 10409286Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Timothy D Zwicky, Kyle J Carey, Surjya Sarathi Ray
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Publication number: 20190025840Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Kyle J. Carey, Surjya Sarathi Ray
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Publication number: 20180319402Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2017Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, John Shutko, Shane Elwart, Timothy D. Zwicky, Nitendra Nath, Justin Teems
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Patent number: 9925988Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: FLORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Shane Elwart, Michael Hafner, Xingping Chen, Paul James Novak, Jiyi Liu, Andy Chuan Hsia, Levasseur Tellis, Greg Blaisdell Stevens
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Patent number: 9802566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
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Patent number: 9666069Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
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Patent number: 9612596Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Christopher Scott Nave, Andy Chuan Hsia, Levasseur Tellis, Reid James Steiger
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Publication number: 20160325779Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Timothy D. Zwicky, Christopher Scott Nave, Andy Chuan Hsia, Levasseur Tellis, Reid James Steiger
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Publication number: 20160121835Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
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Patent number: 9266487Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
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Publication number: 20150258954Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
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Publication number: 20150241226Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
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Publication number: 20150235557Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky