Patents by Inventor R. Clarkson Griffin

R. Clarkson Griffin 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: 7699133
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for degrading and disabling a vehicle's engine throttle. The vehicle disable system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a throttle position signal, an electronic control module (“ECM”) input connected to the ECM on which the throttle position sensor provides the throttle position signal to the ECM, and an override input that enables an idling signal to be transmitted to the ECM instead of the throttle position signal. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving an input signal related to the state of the driver input mechanism, interpreting the input signal, and at least one of degrading and disabling the throttle based on the interpretation of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Bolduc, Christopher A. Hedges, Luis A. Prieto, R. Clarkson Griffin, Gerald P. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7598846
    Abstract: A vehicle disable system including an onboard computer linked to a throttle control relay. The onboard computer is capable of communicating to a remote control center by way of telecommunications link. If certain security protocols are breached, the control center communicates a shutdown command to the vehicle by way of the telecommunications link and the vehicle initiates a shutdown procedure for incapacitating the vehicle throttle controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Clarkson Griffin, Gerald P. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20080314673
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for degrading and disabling a vehicle's engine throttle. The vehicle disable system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a throttle position signal, an electronic control module (“ECM”) input connected to the ECM on which the throttle position sensor provides the throttle position signal to the ECM, and an override input that enables an idling signal to be transmitted to the ECM instead of the throttle position signal. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving an input signal related to the state of the driver input mechanism, interpreting the input signal, and at least one of degrading and disabling the throttle based on the interpretation of the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy D. Bolduc, Christopher A. Hedges, Luis A. Prieto, R. Clarkson Griffin, Gerald P. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7434649
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for degrading and disabling a vehicle's engine throttle. The vehicle disable system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a throttle position signal, an electronic control module (“ECM”) input connected to the ECM on which the throttle position sensor provides the throttle position signal to the ECM, and an override input that enables an idling signal to be transmitted to the ECM instead of the throttle position signal. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving an input signal related to the state of the driver input mechanism, interpreting the input signal, and at least one of degrading and disabling the throttle based on the interpretation of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Bolduc, Christopher A. Hedges, Luis A. Prieto, R. Clarkson Griffin, Gerald P. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20050184858
    Abstract: A vehicle disable system including an onboard computer linked to a throttle control relay. The onboard computer is capable of communicating to a remote control center by way of telecommunications link. If certain security protocols are breached, the control center communicates a shutdown command to the vehicle by way of the telecommunications link and the vehicle initiates a shutdown procedure for incapacitating the vehicle throttle controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: R. Clarkson Griffin, Gerald Hunt
  • Patent number: 6917890
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a vehicle electrical system having a data bus includes transmitting calibration data to a calibration data device, such as a memory card, associated with an electronic device, such as a radio, simultaneous to other vehicle assembly steps; and transferring at least a portion of the calibration data from the electronic device to electronic modules coupled to the data bus upon a triggering event, such as application of electric power to the vehicle electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Roger Davis, Jill G. Hersberger, Linda L. Miner, R. Clarkson Griffin
  • Publication number: 20040243331
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a vehicle electrical system having a data bus includes transmitting calibration data to a calibration data device, such as a memory card, associated with an electronic device, such as a radio, simultaneous to other vehicle assembly steps; and transferring at least a portion of the calibration data from the electronic device to electronic modules coupled to the data bus upon a triggering event, such as application of electric power to the vehicle electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: J. Roger Davis, Jill G. Hersberger, Linda L. Miner, R. Clarkson Griffin