Patents by Inventor Stephen Michael Fox
Stephen Michael Fox 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).
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Patent number: 11977427Abstract: A method for handling power faults in a primary electronic device is provided. The method includes setting a power-off duration to an initial value and powering on a hardware interface. In response to detecting a power fault at the hardware interface, the hardware interface is power-cycled by a plurality of power cycles having progressively increasing power-off durations until a limit is reached. A primary electronic device for carrying out the method is also provided. The primary electronic device includes a controller, a memory, and a hardware interface for coupling the telematics device to a secondary electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
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Publication number: 20230367540Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling audio output in a telematics system are provided. In on method a telematics device determines that a parameter has exceeded a first threshold and sends an automatic volume control trigger message to an audio output device. The telematics device determines that a second parameter has exceeded a second threshold and sends an alert message to the audio output device. The audio output device performs an automatic volume control procedure then plays back and audible alert message.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
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Publication number: 20230137962Abstract: Devices and methods for restricting the use of the operator terminal of an operator of a vehicle are provided. In a method by an operator terminal, the operator terminal determines that the engine of the vehicle is running, determines that the operator is in the driver's seat, and changes the configuration of the operator terminal in response to determining that the engine is running and that the operator is in the driver's seat. The device and method can be used to restrict the use of cellular phones by drivers sitting in a vehicle with the engine running in accordance with laws in certain jurisdictions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Jobin Thayilchira
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Patent number: 11641036Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic monitoring devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices. The present disclosure also relates to detecting temperature of batteries, as well as emergency input and messages for telematic monitoring systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2022Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Samuel Zhao
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Patent number: 11623655Abstract: Systems and methods for restricting the use of vehicle operator's electronic device are provided. In a method by a telematics server, the server determines that a vehicle's engine is running and that the operator registered with the vehicle is in the driver's seat. In response, the server sends a message to the vehicle operator's electronic device for disabling at least one feature thereof. In a method by a vehicle operator's electronic device, the electronic device determines that the vehicle is running and that the operator is in the driver's seat. In response, the electronic device disables at least one feature thereof. The systems and methods can be used to discourage or restrict the use of electronic devices by drivers sitting in a vehicle with the engine running in accordance with laws in certain jurisdictions.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2022Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Jobin Thayilchira
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Patent number: 11613265Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
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Patent number: 11605032Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
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Patent number: 11605031Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
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Publication number: 20230072000Abstract: A method for handling power faults in a primary electronic device is provided. The method includes setting a power-off duration to an initial value and powering on a hardware interface. In response to detecting a power fault at the hardware interface, the hardware interface is power-cycled by a plurality of power cycles having progressively increasing power-off durations until a limit is reached. A primary electronic device for carrying out the method is also provided. The primary electronic device includes a controller, a memory, and a hardware interface for coupling the telematics device to a secondary electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
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Patent number: 11589160Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling audio output in a telematics system are provided. In on method a telematics device determines that a parameter has exceeded a first threshold and sends an automatic volume control trigger message to an audio output device. The telematics device determines that a second parameter has exceeded a second threshold and sends an alert message to the audio output device. The audio output device performs an automatic volume control procedure then plays back and audible alert message.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2022Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
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Patent number: 11558808Abstract: Systems and methods for restricting the use of vehicle operator's electronic device are provided. In a method a telematics server determines that a vehicle's engine is running, and that the operator registered with the vehicle is in the driver's seat. In response, the telematics server sends a message to the vehicle operator's terminal for changing the configuration thereof. A system including a telematics device, telematics server, and operator terminal may carry out the method. The system and method can be used to restrict the use of electronic devices by drivers sitting in a vehicle with the engine running in accordance with laws in certain jurisdictions.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Jobin Thayilchira
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Patent number: 11544128Abstract: A telematics device coupled to an input/output expander is provided. The telematics device includes a controller, an input/output expander interface for coupling the telematics device to the controller and a memory. The memory has machine-executable programming instructions which configure the telematics device to power-cycle the input/output expander interface by a plurality of power cycles having progressively increasing power-off durations, in response to detecting a power fault condition on the input/output expander interface.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2022Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
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Patent number: 11537955Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
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Publication number: 20220393259Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic monitoring devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices. The present disclosure also relates to detecting temperature of batteries, as well as emergency input and messages for telematic monitoring systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Samuel Zhao
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Publication number: 20220388397Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2021Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Irene Ai May Wong, Kartheek Gajjala, Tessa Shuk Ling Kam, Cong Zhu, Stephen Michael Fox
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Patent number: 11522235Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic monitoring devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices. The present disclosure also relates to detecting temperature of batteries, as well as emergency input and messages for telematic monitoring systems.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Samuel Zhao
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Patent number: 11494281Abstract: A method for handling input/output (I/O) expansion power faults in a telematics device is provided. The method includes setting an I/O expander power-off duration to an initial value and powering on an I/O expander interface. In response to detecting a power fault at the I/O expander interface, the I/O expander interface is powered-off dur the power-off duration and the power-off duration is increased. If the power-off duration is greater than the power-off duration limit, the I/O expander interface is permanently powered-off. The steps are repeated until either the power fault does not recur, or the I/O expander interface is permanently powered-off.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2022Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
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Patent number: 11488423Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Irene Ai May Wong, Kartheek Gajjala, Tessa Shuk Ling Kam, Cong Zhu, Stephen Michael Fox
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Patent number: 11427140Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
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Patent number: 11361596Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Geotab Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney