Patents by Inventor Wilford Trent Yopp

Wilford Trent Yopp 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: 10059175
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor and an autonomous mode controller configured to receive signals generated by the autonomous driving sensor. The autonomous mode controller controls at least one vehicle subsystem based at least in part on the signals received. Furthermore, the autonomous mode controller is configured to shade at least one vehicle window when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Andrew Waldis, Roger Arnold Trombley, Matthew Y. Rupp, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Patent number: 9720411
    Abstract: A computer in a vehicle is configured to operate the vehicle in at least one of an autonomous and a semi-autonomous mode. The computer is further configured to detect at least one condition of a roadway being traveled by the vehicle, the condition comprising at least one of a restricted lane, a restricted zone, a construction zone, and accident area, an incline, a hazardous road surface. The computer is further configured to determine at least one autonomous action based on the condition, the at least one autonomous action including at least one of altering a speed of the vehicle, controlling vehicle steering, controlling vehicle lighting, transitioning the vehicle to manual control, and controlling a distance of the vehicle from an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis, Peter Francis Worrel, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Patent number: 9552735
    Abstract: A computer in a first vehicle is configured to receive data relating to a second vehicle. The computer may use the data to determine that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously. Further, the computer may cause the first vehicle to take an action to autonomously operate the first vehicle based at least in part on determining that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Patent number: 9517771
    Abstract: A vehicle operator is identified. Based at least in part on the operator's identity, one or more parameters are determined specifying a mode for autonomously operating the vehicle. The vehicle is autonomously operated at least in part according to the one or more parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Douglas Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Louis Tijerina, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Patent number: 9475464
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining if a windshield wiper of a vehicle should be automatically activated. The system and method may include a sensor system that receives at least one distance signal indicative of a distance between an object and a front windshield of the vehicle. The sensor system may further receive a relative velocity of the object using the at least one distance signal, the relative velocity being indicative of a velocity between the object and the front windshield of the vehicle. The sensor system may determine whether a windshield wiper should be automatically activated in response to the distance signal being within a distance activation range and the relative velocity being within a velocity activation range or the relative velocity exceeding a maximum velocity threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wilford Trent Yopp, Peter Gyumyeong Joh, Wangdong Luo
  • Patent number: 9409549
    Abstract: At least one datum is received relating to a condition of a window in the vehicle. A determination is made to change a parameter based on the at least one datum, the parameter governing clearing the window. An instruction is provided to initiate or change operation of a vehicle component based on the change of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wilford Trent Yopp, Mark Allan Lippman
  • Patent number: 9360865
    Abstract: Data is obtained concerning at least one attribute of a vehicle operator. The attribute is used to determine an instruction for positioning a vehicle component during autonomous operation of the vehicle. Autonomous operation of the vehicle, including positioning the vehicle component according to the instruction, is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Patent number: 9150224
    Abstract: Instructions are provided to at least one vehicle control for autonomous operation of a vehicle. A change in position is detected of at the least one vehicle control. A determination is made whether to modify operation of the vehicle at least in part according to the change in position of the at least one vehicle control. The autonomous operation of the vehicle is modified according to the change in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20150261219
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor and an autonomous mode controller configured to receive signals generated by the autonomous driving sensor. The autonomous mode controller controls at least one vehicle subsystem based at least in part on the signals received. Furthermore, the autonomous mode controller is configured to shade at least one vehicle window when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Andrew Waldis, Roger Arnold Trombley, Matthew Y. Rupp, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20150241878
    Abstract: A computer in a vehicle is configured to operate the vehicle in at least one of an autonomous and a semi-autonomous mode. The computer is further configured to detect at least one condition of a roadway being traveled by the vehicle, the condition comprising at least one of a restricted lane, a restricted zone, a construction zone, and accident area, an incline, a hazardous road surface. The computer is further configured to determine at least one autonomous action based on the condition, the at least one autonomous action including at least one of altering a speed of the vehicle, controlling vehicle steering, controlling vehicle lighting, transitioning the vehicle to manual control, and controlling a distance of the vehicle from an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis, Peter Francis Worrel, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Patent number: 9096199
    Abstract: Instructions are provided to a vehicle braking mechanism for autonomous operation of the braking mechanism. At least one first parameter is retrieved for governing control of the braking mechanism. The first parameter is applied to operation of the braking mechanism. Data is collected relating to operation of the vehicle. At least one second parameter is determined for governing control of the braking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20150149017
    Abstract: A vehicle operator is identified. Based at least in part on the operator's identity, one or more parameters are determined specifying a mode for autonomously operating the vehicle. The vehicle is autonomously operated at least in part according to the one or more parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Douglas Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Louis Tijerna, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20150149019
    Abstract: A computer in a first vehicle is configured to receive data relating to a second vehicle. The computer may use the data to determine that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously. Further, the computer may cause the first vehicle to take an action to autonomously operate the first vehicle based at least in part on determining that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20150100191
    Abstract: A vehicle steering mechanism is autonomously operated. At least one first parameter for governing control of a steering mechanism is retrieved. The first parameter is applied to operation of the steering mechanism. Data is collected relating to operation of the vehicle. At least one second parameter for governing control of the steering mechanism is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20150100190
    Abstract: Instructions are provided to a vehicle braking mechanism for autonomous operation of the braking mechanism. At least one first parameter is retrieved for governing control of the braking mechanism. The first parameter is applied to operation of the braking mechanism. Data is collected relating to operation of the vehicle. At least one second parameter is determined for governing control of the braking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20150088374
    Abstract: At least one datum is received relating to a condition of a window in the vehicle. A determination is made to change a parameter based on the at least one datum, the parameter governing clearing the window. An instruction is provided to initiate or change operation of a vehicle component based on the change of the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wilford Trent Yopp, Mark Allan Lippman
  • Publication number: 20150088358
    Abstract: Instructions are provided to at least one vehicle control for autonomous operation of a vehicle. A change in position is detected of at the least one vehicle control. A determination is made whether to modify operation of the vehicle at least in part according to the change in position of the at least one vehicle control. The autonomous operation of the vehicle is modified according to the change in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20150088357
    Abstract: Data is obtained concerning at least one attribute of a vehicle operator. The attribute is used to determine an instruction for positioning a vehicle component during autonomous operation of the vehicle. Autonomous operation of the vehicle, including positioning the vehicle component according to the instruction, is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20150066282
    Abstract: A message is received from a vehicle via a network. A driver status is identified based on at least one of whether the message was received and content in the message. A driving instruction is determined based at least in part on the driver status. The driving instruction is transmitted via the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologeis, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Publication number: 20150066284
    Abstract: A condition of an operator of a vehicle is detected. It is determined that the condition is an impaired condition. At least one autonomous operation is performed based on the impaired condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp