Patents by Inventor Thomas Benzie

Thomas Benzie 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).

  • Method of teaching transmitter codes to remote receivers
    Patent number: 6512461
    Abstract: An improved method for programming a vehicle remote entry receiver includes transmitting the information over the vehicle data bus line. A diagnostic box which is typically utilized to check the electrical systems on the vehicle is provided with a switch that moves the vehicle receiver into a programming mode. Information with regard to the transmitters that are to be associated with the vehicle receiver may then be transmitted over the bus line to the receiver. Alternatively, the receiver itself may capture the transmitter signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Benzie, Steven Settles, Andrea Feldman
  • Sleep mode for vehicle monitoring system
    Patent number: 6198995
    Abstract: After a vehicle has entered a sleep mode, the disclosed method places the vehicle monitoring system into longer and longer nap periods provided the monitoring system does not receive a wake-up signal from one of a plurality of vehicle subsystems. During the nap periods, the monitoring system requires a reduced amount of operating power thereby decreasing the parasitic current drain on the battery during the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Settles, Thomas Benzie