Patents by Inventor Vivekanandh Elangovan

Vivekanandh Elangovan 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: 20230090051
    Abstract: A device localization system for a vehicle and a mobile device configured as a Phone-as-a-Key (PaaK) is described. The system includes a fob-free mode for performing remote control vehicle features using a selective mobile device localization technique that reduces motive functionality of the vehicle, based location of a user performing the vehicle control during the remote-control operation. The system determines a geographic position of a user using a single Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) antenna, and establishes establish a high-fidelity zone based on a change in mobile device position. The system reduces a motive functionality of the vehicle, based on the selective mobile device localization, from a first motive mode having a full motive functionality to a second motive mode responsive to determining that the mobile device is not present in the high-fidelity zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Hassani, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11590962
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes first and second wireless modules and a processor. The processor estimates a region of probability representative of possible locations of a mobile device based on a first signal strength indicator. When the region of probability overlaps a virtual boundary, the processor polls a key fob, estimates a distance of the key fob from the vehicle based on a second signal strength indicator, and when the key fob is within the virtual boundary, enable autonomous parking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20230050828
    Abstract: Utilizing an access device is provided. A command mapping of user input to RKE commands is utilized to identify a RKE command based on the user input to one or more motion or orientation sensor of the access device. Responsive to the environmental input from one or more environmental sensors of the access device being indicative of command entry, a transceiver of the access device is activated, the RKE command is sent, and the transceiver is deactivated. Otherwise, the user input of the RKE command is ignored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Vivekanandh ELANGOVAN, Jochen SCHUBERT
  • Patent number: 11569983
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a wireless transceiver; and one or more controllers, programmed to receive, via the wireless transceiver, a hailing instruction that identifies a user to ride in the vehicle, the hailing instruction including an identifier of a mobile device of the user, responsive to receiving a key from the mobile device via a wireless connection between the mobile device and the wireless transceiver, associate the key with the identifier, and send the key and the identifier as an associated pair to a server via the wireless transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Hassani, Hamid M. Golgiri, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11535196
    Abstract: A device localization system for a vehicle and a mobile device configured as a Phone-as-a-Key (PaaK) is described. The system includes a fob-free mode for performing remote control vehicle features using a selective mobile device localization technique that reduces motive functionality of the vehicle, based location of a user performing the vehicle control during the remote-control operation. The system determines a geographic position of a user using a single Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) antenna, and establishes establish a high-fidelity zone based on a change in mobile device position. The system reduces a motive functionality of the vehicle, based on the selective mobile device localization, from a first motive mode having a full motive functionality to a second motive mode responsive to determining that the mobile device is not present in the high-fidelity zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Hassani, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11527117
    Abstract: Interference-avoiding distance measurement is provided. A controller of a first wireless device is configured for wireless communication over a first transmission protocol with a second wireless device. One or more occupied channels of a second transmission protocol are identified, the first and second transmission protocols having overlapping frequency spectrums. A channel plan is constructed according to the occupied channels, the channel plan using a set of channels of the first transmission protocol that do not overlap in frequency with the one or more occupied channels of the second transmission protocol. Phase-based ranging is performed using data scanned via the channel plan. A distance measurement is indicated based on the phase-based ranging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11521434
    Abstract: A Phone-as-a-Key (PaaK) system uses a handheld mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) to act as a remote-control system for a vehicle. The vehicle has a wireless receiver adapted to receive and relay a user message to a vehicle electronic controller. The handheld mobile device comprises a wireless transmitter with an antenna mounted at a predetermined antenna location in the mobile device, an input element activated manually by a user to initiate the user message to control the vehicle electronic controller, and a display panel. A processor in the mobile device is to configured to display a help screen on the display panel informing a user of a handholding grip adapted to avoid a blocking of the predetermined antenna location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Vaccariello, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John R Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20220377051
    Abstract: A first computer is connected to a communication network and is assigned a first network address on the communication network. A second computer is connected to the communication network and is assigned the first network address on the communication network. A first message, including the first network address and a request to generate a random number, is transmitted by the first computer via the communication network. A first reply message, including the random number, is received from the second computer in response to the request. A second network address is assigned for the second computer by the first computer based on the random number. A second message, including the second network address and the random number, is transmitted by the first computer via the communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vivekanandh Elangovan, Timothy Thivierge, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220375285
    Abstract: A method for forming bonded mobile device connection with a vehicle includes determining a request count comprising a plurality of Bluetooth advertisement requests received from a mobile device with respect to time, determining an invalid Consumer Access Key (CAK) transmission count associated with the plurality of Bluetooth advertisement requests, generating an active bond record with the request count and the invalid CAK transmission count, determining, based on the active bond record, that a Global Attribute Profile (GATT) service associated with the mobile device is inactive, and disabling a Bluetooth advertisement response setting associated with the GATT service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Nelson, Vivekanandh Elangovan
  • Patent number: 11505161
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an automotive computer in communication with a mobile device using an authentication manager to increase and/or reduce user privileges that determine a level of vehicle control or feature access that is granted to the user. The authentication manager may increase or decrease the user privilege to standard rider status until the authentication manager has confirmed elevated status for that user via a cloud security challenge question or via a local identification method such as using the mobile device authentication features. This process may be additionally triggered based on environmental or context-based use cases, such as a high traffic condition, local cyber-attack, or transportation of sensitive goods. The system may utilize the authentication to perform out of band pairing of the mobile device and the vehicle, which may add additional security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Hassani, Hamid M. Golgiri, Cameron Smyth, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Alyssa Hauler
  • Publication number: 20220337087
    Abstract: A coil is electrically connected with an energy storage unit via circuitry. The coil wirelessly receives power from a cellular phone adjacent to the coil for transfer to the energy storage unit via the circuitry, and wirelessly receives data from the cellular phone. The coil may also wirelessly transfer power and data to the cellular phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron Matthew DeLong, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Vivekanandh Elangovan
  • Publication number: 20220305154
    Abstract: A vehicle apparatus charges and sanitizes a mobile device. The mobile device has an inductive power receiver coil for wireless charging. A storage bin in the vehicle (such as a center console or a glove compartment) has a movable lid. A tray of the charging/sanitizing apparatus is adapted to receive a side surface of the mobile device so that a majority of the side surface is suspended from the tray by a gap. A first wireless power link is configured to inductively charge the mobile device from the tray to the power receiver coil. A plurality of ultraviolet emitters are disposed at a plurality of locations inside the storage bin to illuminate an exterior of the mobile device when the movable lid is closed. At least some of the ultraviolet emitters are also inductively powered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Hrecznyj, John Van Wiemeersch, Vivekanandh Elangovan
  • Publication number: 20220292388
    Abstract: A machine-learning localization scheme is provided. Calibration data is received from a plurality of vehicles, the calibration data including wireless data indicative of locations of mobile devices within the plurality of vehicles, ground truth data with respect to the locations of the mobile devices, and contextual information with respect to one or more of operating system versions of the mobile devices or battery levels of the mobile devices. A machine-learning model is trained using the wireless data and the contextual information as inputs and the ground truth data as output. Responsive to an error rate for the machine-learning model being within an error target, the machine-learning model is provided to the plurality of vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Vivekanandh ELANGOVAN, Ali HASSANI, Hemanth Yadav ARADHYULA, Hamid M. GOLGIRI, John Robert VAN WIEMEERSCH
  • Publication number: 20220237965
    Abstract: A method for localizing a user device using a Time of Flight (ToF) antenna array disposed on a vehicle, the method includes determining, via a ToF localization controller, that the user device is less than a threshold distance from the vehicle, determining an angle of arrival via the ToF localization controller and the ToF antenna array, and generating an unlock signal that unlocks a vehicle door responsive to determining that the user device is less than the threshold distance from the vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Vaccariello, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20220236363
    Abstract: A method for localizing a user device using a Time-of-Flight (ToF) antenna array disposed on a vehicle, the method includes determining via a ToF localization controller, that a user device is positioned at a front region of a vehicle, calculating a distance to the user device from a combination of two ToF antennae of the ToF antenna array, and performing a 2-dimensional (2D) trilateration calculation. The method further includes evaluating a confidence metric value, determining a position of the user device based on the confidence metric value, and generating an unlock signal that unlocks a vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Vaccariello, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20220222988
    Abstract: Interference-avoiding distance measurement is provided. A controller of a first wireless device is configured for wireless communication over a first transmission protocol with a second wireless device. One or more occupied channels of a second transmission protocol are identified, the first and second transmission protocols having overlapping frequency spectrums. A channel plan is constructed according to the occupied channels, the channel plan using a set of channels of the first transmission protocol that do not overlap in frequency with the one or more occupied channels of the second transmission protocol. Phase-based ranging is performed using data scanned via the channel plan. A distance measurement is indicated based on the phase-based ranging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Vivekanandh ELANGOVAN, John Robert VAN WIEMEERSCH
  • Publication number: 20220135002
    Abstract: A device localization system for a vehicle and a mobile device configured as a Phone-as-a-Key (PaaK) is described. The system includes a fob-free mode for performing remote control vehicle features using a selective mobile device localization technique that reduces motive functionality of the vehicle, based location of a user performing the vehicle control during the remote-control operation. The system determines a geographic position of a user using a single Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) antenna, and establishes establish a high-fidelity zone based on a change in mobile device position. The system reduces a motive functionality of the vehicle, based on the selective mobile device localization, from a first motive mode having a full motive functionality to a second motive mode responsive to determining that the mobile device is not present in the high-fidelity zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Hassani, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20220119001
    Abstract: A system comprises a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the processor to detect a roadside device via at least one vehicle sensor of a plurality of vehicle sensors; determine a location of a vehicle based on a fixed location of the roadside device; determine a location correction adjustment, wherein the location correction adjustment comprises a difference between an assumed location of the vehicle and the determined location of the vehicle, wherein the assumed location is obtained from a navigation system of the vehicle; and adjust the assumed location based on the location correction adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jochen Schubert, Timothy Thivierge, Vivekanandh Elangovan
  • Publication number: 20220111820
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an automotive computer in communication with a mobile device using an authentication manager to increase and/or reduce user privileges that determine a level of vehicle control or feature access that is granted to the user. The authentication manager may increase or decrease the user privilege to standard rider status until the authentication manager has confirmed elevated status for that user via a cloud security challenge question or via a local identification method such as using the mobile device authentication features. This process may be additionally triggered based on environmental or context-based use cases, such as a high traffic condition, local cyber-attack, or transportation of sensitive goods. The system may utilize the authentication to perform out of band pairing of the mobile device and the vehicle, which may add additional security.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Hassani, Hamid M. Golgiri, Cameron Smyth, Vivekanandh Elangovan, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Alyssa Hauler
  • Patent number: 11267439
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for activation of valet mode for vehicles. An example vehicle system includes a remote near-field communication (NFC) device and a vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine, a cabin, and an interior NFC reader located in the cabin. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to enter a valet mode and authenticate the remote NFC device for the valet mode when the engine is active and the interior NFC reader communicates with the remote NFC device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vivekanandh Elangovan, Aaron Matthew DeLong, Ali Hassani