Patents by Inventor Brian D. Tillman

Brian D. Tillman 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: 9606790
    Abstract: Electronic modules in motor vehicles are reflashed without encountering errors due to insufficient electrical power becoming available during a reflashing. A server system stores a database of update files together with data corresponding to a respective current draw and a respective reflash time associated with the respective update files when applied in each respective vehicle. A vehicle sends pedigree information to the server system which then identifies relevant update files and corresponding current draw and reflash time data for the particular vehicle. The relevant update files and corresponding data are sent to the particular vehicle. A state of charge of a battery in the vehicle is determined. A depleted state of charge is estimated that would remain after applying a relevant update file. The update file is not applied if the estimated depleted state of charge is less than a predetermined state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Medville Jay Throop, Brian D. Tillman, Paul A. Mueller, April D. Johnson, Charles H. Nagi
  • Publication number: 20160077827
    Abstract: Electronic modules in motor vehicles are reflashed without encountering errors due to insufficient electrical power becoming available during a reflashing. A server system stores a database of update files together with data corresponding to a respective current draw and a respective reflash time associated with the respective update files when applied in each respective vehicle. A vehicle sends pedigree information to the server system which then identifies relevant update files and corresponding current draw and reflash time data for the particular vehicle. The relevant update files and corresponding data are sent to the particular vehicle. A state of charge of a battery in the vehicle is determined. A depleted state of charge is estimated that would remain after applying a relevant update file. The update file is not applied if the estimated depleted state of charge is less than a predetermined state of charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: MEDVILLE JAY THROOP, BRIAN D. TILLMAN, PAUL A. MUELLER, APRIL D. JOHNSON, CHARLES H. NAGI
  • Patent number: 9229704
    Abstract: Electronic modules in motor vehicles are reflashed without encountering errors due to insufficient electrical power becoming available during a reflashing. A server system stores a database of update files together with data corresponding to a respective current draw and a respective reflash time associated with the respective update files when applied in each respective vehicle. A vehicle sends pedigree information to the server system which then identifies relevant update files and corresponding current draw and reflash time data for the particular vehicle. The relevant update files and corresponding data are sent to the particular vehicle. A state of charge of a battery in the vehicle is determined. A depleted state of charge is estimated that would remain after applying a relevant update file. The update file is not applied if the estimated depleted state of charge is less than a predetermined state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Medville Jay Throop, Brian D. Tillman, Paul A. Mueller, April D. Johnson, Charles H. Nagi
  • Publication number: 20150277890
    Abstract: Electronic modules in motor vehicles are reflashed without encountering errors due to insufficient electrical power becoming available during a reflashing. A server system stores a database of update files together with data corresponding to a respective current draw and a respective reflash time associated with the respective update files when applied in each respective vehicle. A vehicle sends pedigree information to the server system which then identifies relevant update files and corresponding current draw and reflash time data for the particular vehicle. The relevant update files and corresponding data are sent to the particular vehicle. A state of charge of a battery in the vehicle is determined. A depleted state of charge is estimated that would remain after applying a relevant update file. The update file is not applied if the estimated depleted state of charge is less than a predetermined state of charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Medville Jay Throop, Brian D. Tillman, Paul A. Mueller, April D. Johnson, Charles H. Nagi