Patents by Inventor Bryan Hunt

Bryan Hunt 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: 9527515
    Abstract: Data is collected during the operation of a vehicle and used to produce a ranking of a driver's performance, and that ranking is shared on a hosted website, such that the drivers can compare their performance metrics to their peers. Fleet operators can use these performance metrics as incentives, by linking driver pay with performance. Individual fleet operators can host their own website, where driver rankings in that fleet can be compared, or the website can be hosted by a third party, and multiple fleet operators participate. The third party can offset their costs for operating the website by charging participating fleet operators a fee, and/or by advertising revenue. In some embodiments, all driver performance data is displayed in an anonymous format, so that individual drivers cannot be identified unless the driver shares their user ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan Hunt, Charles Michael McQuade
  • Publication number: 20160350693
    Abstract: A non-transitory memory medium having machine instructions stored thereon for remotely monitoring vehicle performance data, generating a driver performance ranking based on the vehicle performance data, and generating a webpage for displaying the driver performance ranking. Further, the machine instructions, when implemented by a processor, carry out the functions of analyzing the vehicle performance data to generate a driver performance ranking; and automatically generating a webpage for displaying the driver performance ranking on a driver performance ranking website.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: BRYAN HUNT, CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE
  • Publication number: 20160342924
    Abstract: Vehicle data is collected during the operation of a vehicle and used to repeatedly find slope being traveled upon and using this slope, the mass of the vehicle at a plurality of different locations. Using this information, a ranking of a driver's performance is determined. Fleet operators can use these performance metrics as incentives, by linking driver pay with performance. Individual fleet operators can host their own website, where driver rankings in that fleet can be compared, or a website can be hosted by a third party, and multiple fleet operators participate. The third party can offset their costs for operating the website by charging participating fleet operators a fee, and/or by advertising revenue. In some embodiments, all driver performance data is displayed in an anonymous format, so that individual drivers cannot be identified unless the driver shares their user ID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: BRYAN HUNT, CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE
  • Publication number: 20160342926
    Abstract: A method of reporting a performance of a driver of a fleet vehicle that includes, while operating the fleet vehicle, automatically collecting vehicle data that can be used to evaluate the driver's performance and enabling a specific driver to be associated with the vehicle data and using a computing device to analyze the vehicle data to calculate a driver efficiency performance ranking. The driver efficiency performance ranking is displayed on a driver efficiency performance ranking website, where the display includes information about a performance bonus the driver is eligible for by meeting a specified performance ranking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: BRYAN HUNT, CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE
  • Publication number: 20160342925
    Abstract: Vehicle data is collected during the operation of a vehicle is used to assess various aspects of driver performance and originate a performance ranking. A performance improvement tip is displayed on a website to assist the driver in improving his performance. In preferred embodiments the performance ranking for the driver is displayed. In preferred embodiments, the tip informs the driver of the degree an aspect of his driving performance decreased his ranking relative to other drivers. In a preferred embodiment, information regarding the driver's performance with respect to one or more time period-specific campaigns is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: BRYAN HUNT, CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE
  • Patent number: 9489280
    Abstract: Three dimensional accelerometer data is used to determine a slope the vehicle is traveling over at a specific point in time. The slope data can then be combined with other metrics to provide an accurate, slope corrected vehicle mass. The vehicle mass can then be used along with other vehicle data to determine an amount of work performed by a vehicle, enabling s detailed efficiency analysis of the vehicle to be performed. To calculate slope, horizontal ground speed (VHGS) can be calculated using the Pythagorean Theorem. One can take the Z/Up magnitude and divide it by the horizontal ground speed. Replacing Z, x and y with directional vectors enables one to calculate slope. The slope data is then used to determine the mass of the vehicle at that time. Pervious techniques to calculate mass did not factor in slope, and thus are not accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan Hunt, Charles Michael McQuade
  • Publication number: 20160311441
    Abstract: Data is collected during the operation of a vehicle and used to produce a ranking of a driver's efficiency performance, and that ranking is shared on a hosted website, such that the drivers can compare their performance metrics to their peers. Fleet operators can use these performance metrics as incentives, by linking driver pay with efficiency performance. Individual fleet operators can host their own website, where driver rankings in that fleet can be compared, or the website can be hosted by a third party, and multiple fleet operators participate. The third party can offset their costs for operating the website by charging participating fleet operators a fee, and/or by advertising revenue. In some embodiments, all driver efficiency performance data is displayed in an anonymous format, so that individual drivers cannot be identified unless the driver shares their user ID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: BRYAN HUNT, CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE
  • Publication number: 20160244067
    Abstract: Data is collected during the operation of a vehicle and used to produce a ranking of a driver's performance, and that ranking is shared on a hosted website, such that the drivers can compare their performance metrics to their peers. Fleet operators can use these performance metrics as incentives, by linking driver pay with performance. Individual fleet operators can host their own website, where driver rankings in that fleet can be compared, or the website can be hosted by a third party, and multiple fleet operators participate. The third party can offset their costs for operating the website by charging participating fleet operators a fee, and/or by advertising revenue. In some embodiments, all driver performance data is displayed in an anonymous format, so that individual drivers cannot be identified unless the driver shares their user ID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan Hunt, Charles Michael McQuade
  • Patent number: 9412282
    Abstract: Data is collected during the operation of a vehicle and used to produce a ranking of a driver's efficiency performance, and that ranking is shared on a hosted website, such that the drivers can compare their performance metrics to their peers. Fleet operators can use these performance metrics as incentives, by linking driver pay with efficiency performance. Individual fleet operators can host their own website, where driver rankings in that fleet can be compared, or the website can be hosted by a third party, and multiple fleet operators participate. The third party can offset their costs for operating the website by charging participating fleet operators a fee, and/or by advertising revenue. In some embodiments, all driver efficiency performance data is displayed in an anonymous format, so that individual drivers cannot be identified unless the driver shares their user ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Hunt, Charles Michael McQuade
  • Patent number: 9384111
    Abstract: Three dimensional GPS or vehicle position data is used to determine a slope the vehicle is traveling over at a specific point in time. The slope data can then be combined with other metrics to provide an accurate, slope corrected vehicle mass. The vehicle mass can then be used along with other vehicle data to determine an amount of work performed by a vehicle, enabling s detailed efficiency analysis of the vehicle to be performed. To calculate slope, horizontal ground speed (VHGS) can be calculated using the Pythagorean Theorem. One can take the Z/Up magnitude and divide it by the horizontal ground speed. Replacing Z, x and y with directional vectors enables one to calculate slope. The slope data is then used to determine the mass of the vehicle at that time. Pervious techniques to calculate mass did not factor in slope, and thus are not accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Hunt, Charles Michael McQuade
  • Patent number: 9358986
    Abstract: A remote user can define one or more zone based driver/vehicle behavior definitions. Current vehicle location is analyzed at the vehicle or remotely to determine if the vehicle is approaching or has arrived at a location for which a zone based driver/vehicle behavior has been defined. For zone based driver behavior definitions, a display in the vehicle automatically displays the zone based driver behavior definition to the driver. In some embodiments driver compliance is tracked and non-compliance is reported to the remote user. For zone based vehicle behavior definitions, a vehicle controller at the vehicle responsible for controlling the defined behavior is reprogrammed to impose the defined behavior (no regeneration at location, max speed at location, no idle over 2 minutes at location, etc.). Once the vehicle has left the zone, the controller programming reverts to its prior state, and/or zone based driver behavior definition is no longer displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Bryan Hunt
  • Patent number: 9360609
    Abstract: A 3D image projector having a translucent rotatable hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder having differently polarized sections, and the projector being capable of passing a light beam generally orthogonally through a wall of the hollow cylinder is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Youngshik Yoon, Charles Bryan Hunt, Mark Alan Schultz
  • Patent number: 9292978
    Abstract: System and method for reducing data transfer rates when a quality of the cellular or satellite link (i.e., a long range wireless data link) is poor. Such a concept is particularly well suited to embodiments where the vehicle data being logged or collected includes position data, because consumers of vehicle data that includes position data often desire to have such data exported from the vehicle on frequent basis, so that the physical location of fleet vehicles can be tracked in real-time. In one embodiment, before transmitting data a current location of the vehicle is checked against known bad locations, and no data is sent when the current location is known to be bad. In another embodiment, if successful data transmission is not confirmed during a first time period, additional transmission attempts are delayed for a second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Bryan Hunt
  • Patent number: 9280435
    Abstract: Three dimensional GPS or vehicle position data is used to determine a slope the vehicle is traveling over at a specific point in time. The slope data can then be combined with other metrics to provide an accurate, slope corrected vehicle mass. The vehicle mass can then be used along with other vehicle data to determine an amount of work performed by a vehicle, enabling s detailed efficiency analysis of the vehicle to be performed. To calculate slope, horizontal ground speed (VHGS) can be calculated using the Pythagorean Theorem. One can take the Z/Up magnitude and divide it by the horizontal ground speed. Replacing Z, x and y with directional vectors enables one to calculate slope. The slope data is then used to determine the mass of the vehicle at that time. Pervious techniques to calculate mass did not factor in slope, and thus are not accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan Hunt, Charles Michael McQuade
  • Patent number: 9229906
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for implementing vehicle ECU reprogramming, so the ECU programming, which plays a large role in vehicle performance characteristics, is tailored to current operational requirements, which may be different than the operational characteristics selected by the manufacturer when initially programming the vehicle ECU (or ECUs) with specific instruction sets, such as fuel maps. In one embodiment, a controller monitors the current operational characteristics of the vehicle, determines the current ECU programming, and determines if a different programming set would better suited to the current operating conditions. In the event that the current programming set should be replaced, the controller implements the ECU reprogramming. In a related embodiment, users are enabled to specify the ECU programming to change, such as changing speed limiter settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Bryan Hunt, Dan Mayer
  • Patent number: 9170913
    Abstract: Three dimensional accelerometer data is used to determine a slope the vehicle is traveling over at a specific point in time. The slope data can then be combined with other metrics to provide an accurate, slope corrected vehicle mass. The vehicle mass can then be used along with other vehicle data to determine an amount of work performed by a vehicle, enabling a detailed efficiency analysis of the vehicle to be performed. To calculate slope, horizontal ground speed (VHGS) can be calculated using the Pythagorean Theorem. One can take the Z/Up magnitude and divide it by the horizontal ground speed. Replacing z, x and y with directional vectors enables one to calculate slope. The slope data is then used to determine the mass of the vehicle at that time. Previous techniques to calculate mass did not factor in slope, and thus are not accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Hunt, Charles Michael McQuade
  • Patent number: 9167209
    Abstract: A method for control comprises a set top box receiving coordinates from a touch sensing screen. The coordinates are interpreted for controlling the set top box, and in accordance with the interpreted coordinates an action is performed. A further method for control comprises a set top box receiving a signal representative of displacement. A control function is determined from the displacement representative signal and the control function is activated. In accordance with the control function a signal is formed for communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Gregory William Cook, Charles Bryan Hunt, Ronald Douglas Johnson
  • Patent number: 8918229
    Abstract: Three dimensional accelerometer data is used to determine a slope the vehicle is traveling over at a specific point in time. The slope data can then be combined with other metrics to provide an accurate, slope corrected vehicle mass. The vehicle mass can then be used along with other vehicle data to determine an amount of work performed by a vehicle, enabling s detailed efficiency analysis of the vehicle to be performed. To calculate slope, horizontal ground speed (VHGS) can be calculated using the Pythagorean Theorem. One can take the Z/Up magnitude and divide it by the horizontal ground speed. Replacing Z, x and y with directional vectors enables one to calculate slope. The slope data is then used to determine the mass of the vehicle at that time. Pervious techniques to calculate mass did not factor in slope, and thus are not accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Hunt, Charles Michael McQuade
  • Patent number: 8914184
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for implementing vehicle ECU reprogramming, so the ECU programming, which plays a large role in vehicle performance characteristics, is tailored to current operational requirements, which may be different than the operational characteristics selected by the manufacturer when initially programming the vehicle ECU (or ECUs) with specific instruction sets, such as fuel maps. In one embodiment, a controller monitors the current operational characteristics of the vehicle, determines the current ECU programming, and determines if a different programming set would better suited to the current operating conditions. In the event that the current programming set should be replaced, the controller implements the ECU reprogramming. In a related embodiment, users are enabled to specify the ECU programming to change, such as changing speed limiter settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Bryan Hunt, Dan Mayer
  • Publication number: 20140277831
    Abstract: System and method for reducing data transfer rates when a quality of the cellular or satellite link (i.e., a long range wireless data link) is poor. Such a concept is particularly well suited to embodiments where the vehicle data being logged or collected includes position data, because consumers of vehicle data that includes position data often desire to have such data exported from the vehicle on frequent basis, so that the physical location of fleet vehicles can be tracked in real-time. In one embodiment, before transmitting data a current location of the vehicle is checked against known bad locations, and no data is sent when the current location is known to be bad. In another embodiment, if successful data transmission is not confirmed during a first time period, additional transmission attempts are delayed for a second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: BRYAN HUNT