Patents by Inventor Michael Steffen

Michael Steffen 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: 20150167259
    Abstract: A soil compacting device has an upper mass and a lower mass that is coupled to the upper mass by a spring device and that has a soil contact element. In addition, a drive is provided for producing a working movement of the soil contact element. The drive has an electric motor, a drive frequency of a drive movement produced by the electric motor being equal to a frequency of the working movement of the soil contact element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 9026360
    Abstract: A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle configured to travel along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module. The determination module is configured to determine, based on a speed of the first vehicle, timing information corresponding to a time at which the first vehicle will travel proximate to the crossing on the first route. The communication module is configured to transmit the timing information to the remote crossing module. The timing information includes a reference time configured as an absolute time corresponding to a time for impeding travel of a second vehicle along the second route through the crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Jeffrey Baker, Aric Albert Weingartner, Michael Steffen, II, Jesse Lee Herlocker, William Shields
  • Patent number: 8995625
    Abstract: Methods, systems and articles for receiving, by a telecommunication device, audio input through a unified audio interface are disclosed herein. The telecommunication device is further configured to determine whether to handle the audio input as a command, as a request of a telecommunication device application, or as a network search request, the determining being based on one or more user-configurable rules or priorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Valerie Lynn Goulart, Jonathan L. Mann, Prarthana H. Panchal, Paula H. Wood, Sinclair M. Temple, Andrew R. Morrison, Gülay A. Birand
  • Patent number: 8976035
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods include a sensor subsystem (e.g., within a container-mounted device) that produces a sensor output, and a processing system that implements a state machine. Upon entry into a first state, the processing system starts a timer, and while in a second state, the processing system waits for a specific sensor output value to be received. The processing system transitions from the first state to the second state upon expiration of the timer, and the processing system transitions from the second state to the first state when the sensor output corresponds to the specific sensor output value. When the state machine is in the second state, the output device produces a human-perceptible indicia configured to prompt a human user to perform an action that is likely to cause the sensor to produce the sensor output that corresponds to the specific sensor output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Steffen, Rodrigo L. Borras
  • Patent number: 8974153
    Abstract: A tamping device for soil compaction having an upper mass with a drive and a lower mass that can be moved relative to the upper mass with a soil contacting element. In order to cause a working movement of the soil contacting element, a vibration generating device is provided. In addition to the vibration generating device, a manipulating device, for example in the form of a damping body, is provided in an operatively connected manner between the upper mass and the lower mass. The damping properties of the damping body can be modifiable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Wacker Neuson Production GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Publication number: 20140367526
    Abstract: A system includes a timing determination module configured to be disposed onboard an approaching vehicle system during travel of the approaching vehicle system along a first route toward a crossing between the first route and a second route. The timing determination module is configured to determine one or more arrival times of the approaching vehicle system to reach the crossing and to repeatedly communicate notification messages having the one or more arrival times to a remote crossing system that is configured to activate one or more warning devices disposed at or near the crossing to notify other vehicles on the second route that the approaching vehicle system is approaching the crossing along the first route. The timing determination module is configured to determine the one or more arrival times at different respective locations along the first route as the approaching vehicle system travels toward the crossing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael STEFFEN, II, Jeffrey Michael FRIES, Aric Albert WEINGARTNER, William SHIELDS, Sherri BOYD
  • Publication number: 20140365160
    Abstract: A system includes a communication module and an analysis module. The communication module is configured to be operably connectable to a wayside unit of a transportation network and to transmit a simulation message to the wayside unit. The simulation message simulates at least one of a request or command from at least one transportation network element corresponding to a wayside action to be performed by the wayside unit. The simulation message is configured to elicit a wayside message from the wayside unit upon receipt of the simulation message. The analysis module is configured to obtain the wayside message and to provide a display corresponding to the wayside message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael STEFFEN, II, Jeffrey FRIES, Aric Albert WEINGARTNER, Jesse HERLOCKER
  • Publication number: 20140361125
    Abstract: A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle configured to travel along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module. The determination module is configured to determine, based on a speed of the first vehicle, timing information corresponding to a time at which the first vehicle will travel proximate to the crossing on the first route. The communication module is configured to transmit the timing information to the remote crossing module. The timing information includes a reference time configured as an absolute time corresponding to a time for impeding travel of a second vehicle along the second route through the crossing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Jeffrey Baker, Aric Albert Weingartner, Michael Steffen, II, Jesse Lee Herlocker, William Shields
  • Publication number: 20140361126
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an absolute time associated with movement of a vehicle system, modifying the absolute time into a relative time, and controlling one or more warning devices using the relative time. A system includes a crossing module configured to receive an absolute time associated with movement of a vehicle system. The crossing module is configured to modify the absolute time into a relative time and to control one or more warning devices using the relative time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: MICHAEL STEFFEN, JESSE HERLOCKER, JEFFREY MICHAEL FRIES
  • Patent number: 8905625
    Abstract: The high flow water return fitting of the present invention is designed to connect directly to the end of a water return pipe in a swimming pool, spa, or the like. Water return fittings have been available for many years and have the primary purpose of returning filtered water back into a swimming pool, spa, or the like. However, the water return fitting of the present invention does not only return water into the swimming pool, it also substantially increases the water outflow so that a greater area of water in the pool can be circulated or agitated. The present invention has a uniquely curved nozzle with a flat flange. Both the curvature of the nozzle and the flat flange promote the accumulation of water within the nozzle so as to build up pressure that then pushes the water out a small outlet hole at a greater rate than does a conventional water return fitting. The outflow from the nozzle then creates a low pressure condition within a mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Infusion Pool Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Hartmann, Reza Afshar, Michael Steffen
  • Publication number: 20140346284
    Abstract: A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle that travels along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module that is configured to impede travel of a second vehicle through the crossing, and to identify an upcoming stop at a station within a range of a track detection system associated with the remote crossing module. The communication module is configured to communicatively couple the determination module to the remote crossing module, and to transmit an inhibit request message to the remote crossing module. The inhibit request message is configured to prevent the remote crossing module from activating a warning when the first vehicle is stopped at the station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Steven Ray Murphy, Michael Steffen, II, Jesse Lee Herlocker, Nels Jorgensen, Anuka Sawh
  • Patent number: 8893025
    Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium are provided for the generation of group-based information processing service utilizes one or more group-based information templates and contact processing information to determine a set of available contacts and applications or other executable components for inclusion in group-based information. The determination of the contacts or applications or other executable components may be completed automatically without requiring user interaction. Alternatively, at least some portion of the process may require, or provide for, at least some user interaction for the selection or management of the contacts or applications or other executable components included in group-based information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Natalie Phillips-Hamblett, Adam Holt, Sinclair M. Temple, Anthony Joseph Giardini
  • Publication number: 20140289329
    Abstract: Data related to an event is provided to a group of contacts while the event is occurring via an event user interface that enables the group of contacts to coordinate with one another during the event. In this regard, an event coordination service is provides the event data to each contact of the group for review via an event user interface that is persistently displayed on a telecommunication or other computing device associated with the contact for the contact's easy and immediate reference during the event. When the event ultimately concludes, display of the event user interface ceases as the group of contacts likely no longer needs immediate or ready reference to the event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jessi E. Alva, Teresa S. Valdez Klein
  • Publication number: 20140266753
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods include a sensor subsystem (e.g., within a container-mounted device) that produces a sensor output, and a processing system that implements a state machine. Upon entry into a first state, the processing system starts a timer, and while in a second state, the processing system waits for a specific sensor output value to be received. The processing system transitions from the first state to the second state upon expiration of the timer, and the processing system transitions from the second state to the first state when the sensor output corresponds to the specific sensor output value. When the state machine is in the second state, the output device produces a human-perceptible indicia configured to prompt a human user to perform an action that is likely to cause the sensor to produce the sensor output that corresponds to the specific sensor output value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Michael A. Steffen, Rodrigo L. Borras
  • Publication number: 20140262400
    Abstract: A piece of equipment which has a ground contact device for working on a ground region located below the ground contact device in the working position of the piece of equipment, a driving device which can be operated by an electric motor in order to produce a working movement of the ground contact device, an electrical energy accumulator, enclosed by a housing, for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy, and a covering device for covering the housing and thus the energy accumulator, which covering device is arranged above the energy accumulator in the working position. The piece of equipment may for example be a tamper, a vibration plate, a roller, or a breaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Wacker Neuson Produktion GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Berger, Michael Steffen, Christina Glanz, Philip Overfeld, Dirk Sibila, Helmut Braun
  • Publication number: 20140220942
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing communications on telecommunication devices utilizing communication categories are provided. A subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunication device are associated with one or more communication categories. Each communication category can be associated with a set of communication activities. Based on a selection of a specific contact, a telecommunication device can generate a display having display objects representative of communication categories associated with the selected contact. Additionally, based on a selection of a communication category, the telecommunication device can further generate a display including display objects representative of a set of communication activities corresponding to the selected communication category.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jasdeep Singh Chugh, Jared T. Benson, Christian Robertson, Shilpa R. Shah, Gabriel J. White, Gordon Kar Kee Kam
  • Publication number: 20140223203
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for provisioning a compact power filter connection to a well-grounded connector in such a way as to include a capacitive and inductive circuit connection, extremely near the connector and filter, such that EMC compatibility is created in a space roughly 30% of traditional mechanisms and design approach to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “post-internal ferrite bead re-radiation noise-less” manner, in a sense that ability to have noise introduced back onto a post-ferrite bead line has been greatly reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Alvin Derouen, Andrew Friend, Michael Steffen, Rick Filosa, Craig Irving, Wayne Kalinsky, James E Shaw, Moji Hosseini
  • Patent number: 8708599
    Abstract: A soil compacting device has an upper body and a lower body which is coupled to the upper body by a spring device and which has a soil contact element. Furthermore, a drive generates is provided for generating an operating motion of the soil contact element, and an energy store is provided for storing electrical energy. A cooling air flow, which is guided through a cooling air flow guide along the energy store, can be created by an air conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Wacker Neuson Produktion GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 8676626
    Abstract: A user of a telecommunications or other computing device may notify his or her contacts of an event of interest, which event may be modified by the user's contacts without requiring the permission of the originating user to do so. In this regard, an event organizing service receives an event notification request from a user of a telecommunications device (e.g., a mobile telephone), automatically identifies the user's contacts to whom the event notification is to be published, and publishes the event notification to the automatically identified contacts. A contact who receives the event notification may update the event, e.g., by modifying data describing the event, without the permission of the originating user. Accordingly, a contact who has received the event notification may modify the event (e.g., change the date/time, change the location, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Steffen Vance
  • Patent number: 8631070
    Abstract: Data related to an event is provided to a group of contacts while the event is occurring via an event user interface that enables the group of contacts to coordinate with one another during the event. In this regard, an event coordination service is provides the event data to each contact of the group for review via an event user interface that is persistently displayed on a telecommunication or other computing device associated with the contact for the contact's easy and immediate reference during the event. When the event ultimately concludes, display of the event user interface ceases as the group of contacts likely no longer needs immediate or ready reference to the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Steffen Vance, Jeffrey Allen Armantrout, Jessi E. Alva, Teresa S. Valdez Klein