Patents by Inventor David Anthony Hatton

David Anthony Hatton 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: 9479601
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive data, gathered by a vehicle, for use by a mobile application. The processor is further configured to receive instructions from the application interacting with the vehicle, for continuing usage in the extra-vehicular environment, utilizing the received data. Also, the processor is configured to determine that a mobile device, containing the processor, has left the vehicle. Additionally, the processor is configured to execute the instructions to continue application functionality while the mobile device remains out of contact with the vehicle in the extra-vehicular environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20160300417
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes one or more vehicle processors programmed to: provide a user interface to program a first wireless device as a new vehicle key and to delete a second wireless device as an existing vehicle key. The one or more vehicle processors may be further programmed to wirelessly transmit vehicle key security codes from the vehicle to the first device to program the first device. The one or more vehicle processors may be further programmed to display one or more programmed devices including the second device via a user interface for user selection to delete the second device as an existing vehicle key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventor: David Anthony HATTON
  • Publication number: 20160248905
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus including a controller that is electrically coupled to a plurality of transceivers within a vehicle for enabling bi-directional wireless communication via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) between the controller and an occupant communication device (OCD). The controller is further configured to: transmit an advertisement signal indicative of the vehicle being in motion from each transceiver to the OCD via BLE and to receive, at each transceiver, a scan request signal from the OCD via BLE at a first power level. The controller is further configured to determine the location of the OCD in the vehicle in response to receiving the scan request signal at each transceiver at the first power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Lee MILLER, Eric L. REED, Doron M. ELLIOTT, Bridget CHECHAK, David Anthony HATTON
  • Patent number: 9369830
    Abstract: A mobile device comprising at least one controller in communication with one or more transceivers. The one or more transceivers are capable of communication with a vehicle computing system. The at least one controller configured to establish a communication link with the vehicle computing system. The controller further configured to receive a signal having an unique user identification from the vehicle computing system. The controller further configured to search for a mobile application based on the signal and enable the mobile application that matches the unique user identifier. The controller further configured to launch the mobile application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Nelson, David Anthony Hatton, William Donald Hass, Hussein F. Nasrallah
  • Patent number: 9363318
    Abstract: A vehicle computing system having at least one controller communicating with a transceiver. The at least one controller programed to configure a wireless signal having a first application identifier for a first application to be launched at a nomadic device. The at least one controller further programed to broadcast the wireless signal including the first application identifier via the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Nelson, David Anthony Hatton, William Donald Hass, Hussein F. Nasrallah
  • Patent number: 9357368
    Abstract: A computer-program product embodied in a non-transitory computer read-able medium that is programmed for communicating accident data to a vehicle computing system (VCS) and at least one server. The computer-program product may comprise instructions for receiving a broadcast notification via short-range wireless communication from the VCS. The computer-program product may comprise further instructions for searching for a mobile application based on the broadcast notification. The computer-program product may comprise further instructions for enabling the mobile application matches with the broadcast notification. The computer-program product may comprise further instructions for transmitting a communication link to the VCS based on the broadcast notification. The computer-program product may comprise further instructions for receiving an accident notification from the VCS and communicating the accident notification to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Nelson, David Anthony Hatton, Hussein F. Nasrallah
  • Publication number: 20160144826
    Abstract: A smartwatch having at least one controller in communication with an user interface and a transceiver. The transceiver configured to communicate with a nomadic device. The at least one controller configured to, in response to a wireless signal having a unique user identifier received at the nomadic device, receive a control function from an application corresponding to the unique user identifier. The at least one controller may be further configured to configure the user interface based on the control function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas NELSON, David Anthony HATTON, Hussein F. NASRALLAH
  • Patent number: 9349231
    Abstract: A mobile device having a transceiver, a microphone, and a processor programmed to control a vehicle function at a vehicle computing system based on a received voice command via the microphone. The transceiver is configured to receive key fob security codes having predefined key assignments from the vehicle computing system. The microphone is configured to receive voice command inputs associated with the key fob security codes. The processor is programmed to configure a mobile device application to initiate vehicle control functions using the security codes, and in response to a voice command, transmit a vehicle function request to the vehicle computing system via the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Patent number: 9326092
    Abstract: A mobile device comprising at least one controller in communication with one or more transceivers. The one or more transceivers are capable of communication with a vehicle computing system (VCS) and a server. The at least one controller configured to establish a communication link with the server based on an accident notification received from the VCS. The controller further configured to receive a push notification from the server. The controller further configured to search for a mobile application based on the push notification and enable the mobile application that matches the push notification. The controller further configured to communicate a post-crash message to a predefined contact via the mobile application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Nelson, David Anthony Hatton, William Donald Hass, Hussein F. Nasrallah
  • Patent number: 9305453
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive instructions from a vehicle computing system (VCS) to being reporting a mobile device location. The processor is also configured to access a list of emergency contacts. Further, the processor is configured to determine that a mobile device has left a predetermined perimeter around a last known vehicle location. The processor is additionally configured to periodically report mobile device GPS coordinates to members of the emergency contacts list, until the mobile device reaches a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20160071395
    Abstract: A vehicle computing system enabling one or more processors to establish a communication connection with at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices within a vehicle while enabling and determining infotainment control based on the location of the handheld device in the vehicle. The system may determine if the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a driver or non-driver handheld computing device based on a detected location of the communication connection. The system may determine that the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a non-driver handheld computing device based on the detected location, therefore enabling infotainment control from the non-driver handheld device. The system may determine that the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a driver handheld computing device based on the detected location, therefore limiting infotainment control from the driver handheld device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Joseph DEMENIUK, David Anthony HATTON
  • Publication number: 20160063773
    Abstract: A first illustrative embodiment includes a restraint control module includes a transceiver in communication with a vehicle computer system, wherein the vehicle computer system is configured to communicate with a mobile device. The restraint control module also includes a processor in communication with the transceiver. The processor is configured to record an event data record, receive vehicle information from one or more vehicle sensors, determine an emergency vehicle event based upon the vehicle information and a pre-defined threshold, send the event data record to the mobile device via the vehicle computer system when an emergency vehicle event has occurred, and instruct the mobile device to send the event data record to an emergency-service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: David Anthony Hatton, Hussein F. Nasrallah, Abraham G. Philip, Clara Bennie
  • Publication number: 20150379790
    Abstract: A mobile device having a transceiver, a microphone, and a processor programmed to control a vehicle function at a vehicle computing system based on a received voice command via the microphone. The transceiver is configured to receive key fob security codes having predefined key assignments from the vehicle computing system. The microphone is configured to receive voice command inputs associated with the key fob security codes. The processor is programmed to configure a mobile device application to initiate vehicle control functions using the security codes, and in response to a voice command, transmit a vehicle function request to the vehicle computing system via the transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: David Anthony HATTON
  • Patent number: 9224289
    Abstract: A vehicle computing system enabling one or more processors to establish a communication connection with at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices within a vehicle while enabling and determining infotainment control based on the location of the handheld device in the vehicle. The system may determine if the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a driver or non-driver handheld computing device based on a detected location of the communication connection. The system may determine that the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a non-driver handheld computing device based on the detected location, therefore enabling infotainment control from the non-driver handheld device. The system may determine that the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a driver handheld computing device based on the detected location, therefore limiting infotainment control from the driver handheld device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Joseph Demeniuk, David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20150362997
    Abstract: A vehicle computing system comprising at least one controller configured to communicate with a wearable device. The at least one controller may be configured to receive data defining a first gesture made using the wearable wireless device. The controller may be further configured to determine a first predefined command, for controlling a vehicle system, previously stored in association with the first gesture. The controller may be further configured to control the vehicle system in accordance with the first predefined command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20150341744
    Abstract: A mobile device comprising at least one controller in communication with one or more transceivers. The one or more transceivers are capable of communication with a vehicle computing system. The at least one controller configured to establish a communication link with the vehicle computing system. The controller further configured to receive a signal having an unique user identification from the vehicle computing system. The controller further configured to search for a mobile application based on the signal and enable the mobile application that matches the unique user identifier. The controller further configured to launch the mobile application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas NELSON, David Anthony HATTON, William Donald HASS, Hussein F. NASRALLAH
  • Publication number: 20150341440
    Abstract: A vehicle computing system having at least one controller communicating with a transceiver. The at least one controller programed to configure a wireless signal having a first application identifier for a first application to be launched at a nomadic device. The at least one controller further programed to broadcast the wireless signal including the first application identifier via the transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas NELSON, David Anthony HATTON, William Donald HASS, Hussein F. NASRALLAH
  • Publication number: 20150341767
    Abstract: A mobile device comprising at least one controller in communication with one or more transceivers. The one or more transceivers are capable of communication with a vehicle computing system (VCS) and a server. The at least one controller configured to establish a communication link with the server based on an accident notification received from the VCS. The controller further configured to receive a push notification from the server. The controller further configured to search for a mobile application based on the push notification and enable the mobile application that matches the push notification. The controller further configured to communicate a post-crash message to a predefined contact via the mobile application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas NELSON, David Anthony HATTON, William Donald HASS, Hussein F. NASRALLAH
  • Publication number: 20150341766
    Abstract: A computer-program product embodied in a non-transitory computer read-able medium that is programmed for communicating accident data to a vehicle computing system (VCS) and at least one server. The computer-program product may comprise instructions for receiving a broadcast notification via short-range wireless communication from the VCS. The computer-program product may comprise further instructions for searching for a mobile application based on the broadcast notification. The computer-program product may comprise further instructions for enabling the mobile application matches with the broadcast notification. The computer-program product may comprise further instructions for transmitting a communication link to the VCS based on the broadcast notification. The computer-program product may comprise further instructions for receiving an accident notification from the VCS and communicating the accident notification to the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas NELSON, David Anthony HATTON, Hussein F. NASRALLAH
  • Patent number: 9168895
    Abstract: A vehicle computing system configured to program a mobile device as a key fob. The vehicle computing system includes a processor and a user interface. The user interface is configured to receive input from a user. The processor is configured to detect a valid key fob configured to control one or more vehicle control functions. The processor may transmit vehicle security codes for programming a connected mobile device to implement the one or more vehicle control functions based on a request to create a mobile device key fob via the user interface and a detected valid key fob. Once programmed, the mobile device may implement one or more vehicle control functions on the mobile device when the valid key fob is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton