Patents by Inventor Karl Douglas Vandivier

Karl Douglas Vandivier 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: 9251694
    Abstract: A method of vehicle monitoring includes monitoring one or more vehicle safety systems while a vehicle is in operation to detect an unsafe condition. The method also includes sending an alert to a handheld device if an unsafe condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Thomas Lee Miller, Steven Yellin Schondorf, Karl Douglas Vandivier, Paul Aldighieri
  • Publication number: 20140207333
    Abstract: A seat massage system for a vehicle includes a vehicle seating assembly that has a massaging apparatus. The seat massage system also includes a positioning device for determining a location of the vehicle. A controller controls the massaging apparatus based on the determined location of the vehicle or a location characteristic of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Karl Douglas Vandivier, Jeroen Lem, Yifan Chen, Basavaraj Tonshal, Steve Michell, Milind Modi
  • Patent number: 8666654
    Abstract: A computer-implemented navigation method for identifying one or more points of interest (POI) in a geographic location includes calculating a navigation route and receiving a reference point input. The reference point input may be unrelated to the navigation route and usable for identifying one or more POIs. The method further includes receiving one or more search parameters for searching for one or more POIs with respect to the reference point and identifying the one or more POIs based on the search parameters and reference point. The method also includes presenting the one or more POIs on a vehicle computer display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karl Douglas Vandivier, Dean T. Wisniewski, Mark Schneider, Jennifer L. Brace, Paul Aldighieri, Vilay Patel, Charles Michael Broadwater
  • Publication number: 20140015696
    Abstract: A method of vehicle monitoring includes monitoring one or more vehicle safety systems while a vehicle is in operation to detect an unsafe condition. The method also includes sending an alert to a handheld device if an unsafe condition is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Thomas Lee Miller, Steven Yellin Schondorf, Karl Douglas Vandivier, Paul Aldighieri
  • Patent number: 8558690
    Abstract: A method of vehicle monitoring includes monitoring one or more vehicle safety systems while a vehicle is in operation to detect an unsafe condition. The method also includes sending an alert to a handheld device if an unsafe condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Thomas Lee Miller, Steven Yellin Schondorf, Karl Douglas Vandivier, Paul Aldighieri
  • Patent number: 8335643
    Abstract: A computer-implemented navigation method for identifying one or more points of interest (POI) in a geographic location includes calculating a navigation route and receiving a reference point input. The reference point input may be unrelated to the navigation route and usable for identifying one or more POIs. The method further includes receiving one or more search parameters for searching for one or more POIs with respect to the reference point and identifying the one or more POIs based on the search parameters and reference point. The method also includes presenting the one or more POIs on a vehicle computer display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karl Douglas Vandivier, Dean T. Wisniewski, Mark Schneider, Jennifer L. Brace, Paul Aldighieri, Vilay Patel, Charles Michael Broadwater
  • Publication number: 20120041673
    Abstract: A computer-implemented navigation method for identifying one or more points of interest (POI) in a geographic location includes calculating a navigation route and receiving a reference point input. The reference point input may be unrelated to the navigation route and usable for identifying one or more POIs. The method further includes receiving one or more search parameters for searching for one or more POIs with respect to the reference point and identifying the one or more POIs based on the search parameters and reference point. The method also includes presenting the one or more POIs on a vehicle computer display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Karl Douglas Vandivier, Dean T. Wisniewski, Mark Schneider, Jennifer L. Brace, Paul Aldighieri, Vilay Patel, Charles Michael Broadwater
  • Publication number: 20110273279
    Abstract: A method for querying a vehicle system from a remote wireless device includes receiving an inquiry at a cellular transceiver included in a vehicle. The inquiry is sent from a remote server in communication with the remote wireless device and initiated by the remote wireless device. The method includes accessing one or more vehicle systems in accordance with the inquiry and querying the accessed one or more systems in accordance with the inquiry. The method also includes receiving information in accordance with the query from the one or more systems that were queried and transmitting the received information to the remote server through the cellular transceiver, for further transmission to the remote wireless device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karl Douglas Vandivier, Robert Bruce Kleve, Paul Aldighieri, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Steven Yellin Schondorf
  • Publication number: 20110080282
    Abstract: A method of vehicle monitoring includes monitoring one or more vehicle safety systems while a vehicle is in operation to detect an unsafe condition. The method also includes sending an alert to a handheld device if an unsafe condition is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Thomas Lee Miller, Steven Yellin Schondorf, Karl Douglas Vandivier, Paul Aldighieri
  • Patent number: 7571102
    Abstract: A controller for use in a vehicle having a number of modules that can listen to a microphone signal. The controller comprises a router and a microprocessor. The controller can route the microphone signal to each of the modules. The microprocessor can authorize at least one of the modules to listen to the microphone signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Karl Douglas Vandivier
  • Patent number: 6831978
    Abstract: A rear-view mirror assembly 10 is provided, including a housing 12 and a reflective surface 14. At least one microphone 18 is positioned behind the reflective surface 14 within the housing 12. At least one audio port 20 allows sound to pass through the reflective surface 14 to reach the at least one microphone 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Karl Douglas Vandivier
  • Publication number: 20040220811
    Abstract: A controller for use in a vehicle having a number of modules that can listen to a microphone signal. The controller comprises a router and a microprocessor. The controller can route the microphone signal to each of the modules. The microprocessor can authorize at least one of the modules to listen to the microphone signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Karl Douglas Vandivier
  • Publication number: 20030169876
    Abstract: A rear-view mirror assembly 10 is provided, including a housing 12 and a reflective surface 14. At least one microphone 18 is positioned behind the reflective surface 14 within the housing 12. At least one audio port 20 allows sound to pass through the reflective surface 14 to reach the at least one microphone 18.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Douglas Vandivier