Patents by Inventor Bruce Lightner

Bruce Lightner 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: 10682969
    Abstract: Video event recorders are coupled to a vehicle power source via an on-board diagnostic system including its power bus, data bus, and scanner port connector. Video event recorders are provided with a power input arranged in conjunction with a standard ODBII type “D” connector. Systems further include an extension cable between the connection and the vehicle event record to accommodate mounting needs associated with each. In advanced versions, both OBD power and data networks are coupled to the vehicle event recorded such that data relating to vehicle diagnostic systems can be captured in a triggered event along with video data. In addition, some versions are provided with special detection mechanism to determine the use state of a vehicle and adjust application of power accordingly. Thus an “in-use” detector is coupled to the vehicle and/or OBD systems to provide feedback which helps to conserve power and regulate the power connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Bruce Lightner
  • Publication number: 20180319356
    Abstract: Video event recorders are coupled to a vehicle power source via an on-board diagnostic system including its power bus, data bus, and scanner port connector. Video event recorders are provided with a power input arranged in conjunction with a standard ODBII type “D” connector. Systems further include an extension cable between the connection and the vehicle event record to accommodate mounting needs associated with each. In advanced versions, both OBD power and data networks are coupled to the vehicle event recorded such that data relating to vehicle diagnostic systems can be captured in a triggered event along with video data. In addition, some versions are provided with special detection mechanism to determine the use state of a vehicle and adjust application of power accordingly. Thus an “in-use” detector is coupled to the vehicle and/or OBD systems to provide feedback which helps to conserve power and regulate the power connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Bruce Lightner
  • Patent number: 10053032
    Abstract: Video event recorders are coupled to a vehicle power source via an on-board diagnostic system including its power bus, data bus, and scanner port connector. Video event recorders are provided with a power input arranged in conjunction with a standard ODBII type “D” connector. Systems further include an extension cable between the connection and the vehicle event record to accommodate mounting needs associated with each. In advanced versions, both OBD power and data networks are coupled to the vehicle event recorded such that data relating to vehicle diagnostic systems can be captured in a triggered event along with video data. In addition, some versions are provided with special detection mechanism to determine the use state of a vehicle and adjust application of power accordingly. Thus an “in-use” detector is coupled to the vehicle and/or OBD systems to provide feedback which helps to conserve power and regulate the power connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Bruce Lightner
  • Publication number: 20170080882
    Abstract: Video event recorders are coupled to a vehicle power source via an on-board diagnostic system including its power bus, data bus, and scanner port connector. Video event recorders are provided with a power input arranged in conjunction with a standard ODBII type “D” connector. Systems further include an extension cable between the connection and the vehicle event record to accommodate mounting needs associated with each. In advanced versions, both OBD power and data networks are coupled to the vehicle event recorded such that data relating to vehicle diagnostic systems can be captured in a triggered event along with video data. In addition, some versions are provided with special detection mechanism to determine the use state of a vehicle and adjust application of power accordingly. Thus an “in-use” detector is coupled to the vehicle and/or OBD systems to provide feedback which helps to conserve power and regulate the power connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Bruce Lightner
  • Patent number: 9554080
    Abstract: Video event recorders are coupled to a vehicle power source via an on-board diagnostic system including its power bus, data bus, and scanner port connector. Video event recorders are provided with a power input arranged in conjunction with a standard ODBII type “D” connector. Systems further include an extension cable between the connector and the vehicle event record to accommodate mounting needs associated with each. In advanced versions, both OBD power and data networks are coupled to the vehicle event recorded such that data relating to vehicle diagnostic systems can be captured in a triggered event along with video data. In addition, some versions are provided with special detection mechanism to determine the use state of a vehicle and adjust application of power accordingly. Thus an “in-use” detector is coupled to the vehicle and/or OBD systems to provide feedback which helps to conserve power and regulate the power connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Bruce Lightner
  • Patent number: 9224249
    Abstract: A telematics method and system includes, and uses, a telematics device with a controller in communication with a diagnostic system configured to receive diagnostic information from a host vehicle; a position-locating system configured to determine location information of the host vehicle; a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive information through a wireless network to and from at least one Internet-accessible website; and, a communication interface including at least a short range wireless interface link. The telematics device may be embodied in an access device, which may include the position-locating system. The access device may be a smartphone, or similar device, that retrieves/transmits diagnostic data/information, and other data/information to/from the vehicle via the short range wireless link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: HTI IP, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Alan Wettig, Paul Washicko, Eric C. Berkobin, Charles M. Link, II
  • Publication number: 20140277906
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for monitoring a vehicle that features the steps of: 1) generating a data packet including vehicle data retrieved from the vehicle using a wireless appliance; 2) transmitting the data packet over an airlink with the wireless appliance so that the data packet passes through a network and to a host computer system; 3) processing the data packet with the host computer system to generate a set of data; and 4) displaying the set of data on a web page hosted on the internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew J. Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers
  • Publication number: 20140172190
    Abstract: In telematics device mounted to a vehicle, an auxiliary processor detects an interrupt from an accelerometer and forwards the interrupt to a main processor—the interrupt wakes up the processor from a sleep mode. The main processor may then compare vehicle voltage and/or a value for a speed parameter to predetermined criteria to determine whether the interrupt was a false positive or if the accelerometer missed a detection of a user cranking up the vehicle. The main processor may also enter a conditional state if monitored information meets a minimum threshold. During the conditional state, the processor may operate according to rules for a current operational state and also according to rules for a changed state. The threshold for deeming a changed operational state is higher than for entering a conditional state to evaluate whether a change of operational state (i.e., on to off, or off to on) occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: HTI IP, LLC
    Inventors: Deep Kalinadhabhotla, Ivan Neflali Cardenas Perez, Bruce Lightner
  • Publication number: 20140152828
    Abstract: Video event recorders are coupled to a vehicle power source via an on-board diagnostic system including its power bus, data bus, and scanner port connector. Video event recorders are provided with a power input arranged in conjunction with a standard ODBII type “D” connector. Systems further include an extension cable between the connector and the vehicle event record to accommodate mounting needs associated with each. In advanced versions, both OBD power and data networks are coupled to the vehicle event recorded such that data relating to vehicle diagnostic systems can be captured in a triggered event along with video data. In addition, some versions are provided with special detection mechanism to determine the use state of a vehicle and adjust application of power accordingly. Thus an “in-use” detector is coupled to the vehicle and/or OBD systems to provide feedback which helps to conserve power and regulate the power connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Bruce Lightner
  • Patent number: 8649933
    Abstract: Video event recorders are coupled to a vehicle power source via an on-board diagnostic system including its power bus, data bus, and scanner port connector. Video event recorders are provided with a power input arranged in conjunction with a standard ODBII type “D” connector. Systems further include an extension cable between the connector and the vehicle event record to accommodate mounting needs associated with each. In advanced versions, both OBD power and data networks are coupled to the vehicle event recorded such that data relating to vehicle diagnostic systems can be captured in a triggered event along with video data. In addition, some versions are provided with special detection mechanism to determine the use state of a vehicle and adjust application of power accordingly. Thus an “in-use” detector is coupled to the vehicle and/or OBD systems to provide feedback which helps to conserve power and regulate the power connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Bruce Lightner
  • Patent number: 8447459
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for monitoring a vehicle that features the steps of: 1) generating a data packet including vehicle data retrieved from the vehicle using a wireless appliance; 2) transmitting the data packet over an airlink with the wireless appliance so that the data packet passes through a network and to a host computer system; 3) processing the data packet with the host computer system to generate a set of data; and 4) displaying the set of data on a web page hosted on the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: HT1 IP, LLC
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew J. Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers
  • Publication number: 20120259504
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for monitoring a vehicle that features the steps of: 1) generating a data packet including vehicle data retrieved from the vehicle using a wireless appliance; 2) transmitting the data packet over an airlink with the wireless appliance so that the data packet passes through a network and to a host computer system; 3) processing the data packet with the host computer system to generate a set of data; and 4) displaying the set of data on a web page hosted on the internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew J. Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers
  • Patent number: 8214100
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for monitoring a vehicle that features the steps of: 1) generating a data packet including vehicle data retrieved from the vehicle using a wireless appliance; 2) transmitting the data packet over an airlink with the wireless appliance so that the data packet passes through a network and to a host computer system; 3) processing the data packet with the host computer system to generate a set of data; and 4) displaying the set of data on a web page hosted on the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: HTI IP, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew J. Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers
  • Publication number: 20100228429
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for monitoring a vehicle that features the steps of: 1) generating a data packet including vehicle data retrieved from the vehicle using a wireless appliance; 2) transmitting the data packet over an airlink with the wireless appliance so that the data packet passes through a network and to a host computer system; 3) processing the data packet with the host computer system to generate a set of data; and 4) displaying the set of data on a web page hosted on the internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew J. Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers
  • Patent number: 7747365
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for monitoring a vehicle that features the steps of: 1) generating a data packet including vehicle data retrieved from the vehicle using a wireless appliance; 2) transmitting the data packet over an airlink with the wireless appliance so that the data packet passes through a network and to a host computer system; 3) processing the data packet with the host computer system to generate a set of data; and 4) displaying the set of data on a web page hosted on the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: HTIIP, LLC
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew J. Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers
  • Patent number: 7532962
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for monitoring a vehicle that includes a wireless appliance in electrical contact with an in-vehicle computer. The wireless appliance features: 1) a data-collection component that supports communication software that collects diagnostic data from the computer; and 2) a data-transmission component, in electrical communication with the data-collection electronics, configured to transmit an outgoing data packet comprising the diagnostic data over a network and receive over the same network an incoming data packet that modifies the communication software. The wireless appliance communicates with a host computer system that is configured to: 1) receive the outgoing data packet from the network; 2) process the outgoing data packet to generate a set of vehicle diagnostic data; 3) host a web site on the Internet that displays the vehicle diagnostic data; and 4) send out the incoming data packet over the same network to modify the communication software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: HT IIP, LLC
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew J. Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers, Wade Williams
  • Patent number: 7532963
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for monitoring a vehicle that includes a wireless appliance in electrical contact with an in-vehicle computer. The wireless appliance features: 1) a data-collection component that supports communication software that collects diagnostic data from the computer; and 2) a data-transmission component, in electrical communication with the data-collection electronics, configured to transmit an outgoing data packet comprising the diagnostic data over a network and receive over the same network an incoming data packet that modifies the communication software. The wireless appliance communicates with a host computer system that is configured to: 1) receive the outgoing data packet from the network; 2) process the outgoing data packet to generate a set of vehicle diagnostic data; 3) host a web site on the Internet that displays the vehicle diagnostic data; and 4) send out the incoming data packet over the same network to modify the communication software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: HTI IP, LLC
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew J. Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers, Wade Williams
  • Patent number: 7480551
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for monitoring a vehicle that includes a wireless appliance in electrical contact with an in-vehicle computer. The wireless appliance features: 1) a data-collection component that supports communication software that collects diagnostic data from the computer; and 2) a data-transmission component, in electrical communication with the data-collection electronics, configured to transmit an outgoing data packet comprising the diagnostic data over a network and receive over the same network an incoming data packet that modifies the communication software. The wireless appliance communicates with a host computer system that is configured to: 1) receive the outgoing data packet from the network; 2) process the outgoing data packet to generate a set of vehicle diagnostic data; 3) host a web site on the Internet that displays the vehicle diagnostic data; and 4) send out the incoming data packet over the same network to modify the communication software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: HTI IP, LLC
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew J. Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers, Wade Williams
  • Patent number: 7477968
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for monitoring a vehicle that includes a wireless appliance in electrical contact with an in-vehicle computer. The wireless appliance features: 1) a data-collection component that supports communication software that collects diagnostic data from the computer; and 2) a data-transmission component, in electrical communication with the data-collection electronics, configured to transmit an outgoing data packet comprising the diagnostic data over a network and receive over the same network an incoming data packet that modifies the communication software. The wireless appliance communicates with a host computer system that is configured to: 1) receive the outgoing data packet from the network; 2) process the outgoing data packet to generate a set of vehicle diagnostic data; 3) host a web site on the Internet that displays the vehicle diagnostic data; and 4) send out the incoming data packet over the same network to modify the communication software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: HTI, IP LLC.
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew J. Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers, Wade Williams
  • Patent number: RE47422
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for monitoring a vehicle that features the steps of: 1) generating a data packet including vehicle data retrieved from the vehicle using a wireless appliance; 2) transmitting the data packet over an airlink with the wireless appliance so that the data packet passes through a network and to a host computer system; 3) processing the data packet with the host computer system to generate a set of data; and 4) displaying the set of data on a web page hosted on the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers