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).

  • Publication number: 20150243159
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventor: David Anthony HATTON
  • Publication number: 20150245190
    Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes one or more processors configured to output a computer generated speech signal for at least a portion of vehicle parameter data based on at least one condition detection signal. The one or more processors are further configured to output the speech signal to a call center over a voice channel via a wireless communication. The one or more processors are further configured to receive a geographic location of a vehicle so that the speech signal is in a selected language based on a language associated with the geographic location of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventor: David Anthony HATTON
  • Patent number: 9117373
    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: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20150175127
    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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventor: David Anthony HATTON
  • Patent number: 9055409
    Abstract: A roadside assistance system includes a vehicle computing system (VCS), an intermediate system, operable to communicate with the VCS and at least one backend system, and a backend roadside assistance processing system, operable to receive data from the intermediate system and operable to receive calls from the VCS. The VCS is operable to establish communication with the intermediate system. The VCS is further operable to transfer data to the intermediate system, to place a call to the backend roadside assistance processing system, and to relay at least a MIN to the backend roadside assistance processing system. The intermediate system is operable to process transferred data and relay data to the backend roadside system. The backend roadside system is operable to compare the MIN relayed from the VCS with data received from the intermediate system to formulate a dispatch order and to dispatch roadside assistance in accordance with the dispatch order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Hatton, David Chronowski, Chad Evert Esselink, Ninos Ziazadeh, George Edward Kimmerling
  • Patent number: 9049584
    Abstract: A vehicle communication system enables one or more processors to receive indication that an emergency event has taken place from an emergency detection sensor position throughout the vehicle. An emergency condition detection signal may be automatically sent by a detection sensor, or manually sent by a vehicle occupant pushing an emergency assistance button. The processor may receive vehicle parameter data indicating one or more vehicle parameters including, but not limited to, vehicle global position coordinates. The processor may transmit a communication to an emergency response center that an emergency has been indicated at the vehicle. The vehicle parameter data may be transmitted to the emergency response center using a data transmission signal. If the data transmission signal has failed transmission after several attempts, the processor may convert at least a portion of the vehicle parameter data to speech signals and communicate the speech signals to the emergency response center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20150123822
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: David Anthony HATTON
  • Patent number: 9002536
    Abstract: A mobile device enabling one or more processors to receive vehicle key security codes from a vehicle key. The mobile device may receive a signal from a transmitter associated with a vehicle key, the signal being indicative of one or more security codes associated with the vehicle key. The mobile device may store the one or more security codes in memory and configure a mobile device application to implement one or more vehicle control functions using the security codes. The mobile device may wirelessly transmit commands for implementing the one or more vehicle control functions using the security codes to a vehicle associated with the key. The wireless transmission of commands may include short range wireless communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Patent number: 8989699
    Abstract: Various embodiments include communicating emergency information to a vehicle. A computer may receive one or more emergency notifications issued by a government agency. Additionally, a geographic location of a vehicle may be determined based on GPS data. At least one emergency notification may be selected based on the geographic location of the vehicle and a geographic attribute of the emergency notifications. The selected emergency notifications may be output so that the notification may be presented to a vehicle occupant. In some embodiments, the notification may be output depending on the direction that the vehicle is travelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Hatton, Robert Earl Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8977324
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving coordinates, at a vehicle associated computing system (VACS), corresponding to a vehicle's location. The method also includes using the VACS to compare the coordinates to a predetermined set of geographic borders, wherein the geographic borders determine at least language boundaries. The method further includes using the VACS to determine a local language based at least in part on the coordinate comparison. The method additionally includes using the VACS to transmit an emergency message in at least the determined local language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Hatton, Brian Y. Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 8938224
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for transmitting information to a personal communication device (PCD) is provided. The system includes a communication module for being positioned in a vehicle. The communication module is configured to generate a vehicle status signal indicative of the vehicle being in a moving state and to generate a device name signal indicative of an identity of the communication module in the vehicle. The communication module is further configured to transmit the vehicle status signal and the device name signal to the PCD for limiting the operation of the PCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Doron M. Elliott, Thomas Lee Miller, David Anthony Hatton
  • Patent number: 8933822
    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: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20140370839
    Abstract: A method of call arbitration includes connecting a vehicle computing system to a remote phone system. The vehicle computing system is used to transmit a pre-recorded or dynamically generated message to the remote phone system. The vehicle computing system also receives an outgoing message spoken in the vehicle to the remote phone system. The pre-recorded or dynamically generated message and the outgoing message are combined into a first signal for relay to the remote phone system as a single message. The vehicle computing system receives an incoming spoken message from the remote phone system. Finally, the received incoming message and the pre-recorded or dynamically generated message are combined into a second signal for playback as a single message through a vehicle audio system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Patent number: 8903354
    Abstract: A method of call arbitration includes connecting a vehicle computing system to a remote phone system. The vehicle computing system is used to transmit a pre-recorded or dynamically generated message to the remote phone system. The vehicle computing system also receives an outgoing message spoken in the vehicle to the remote phone system. The pre-recorded or dynamically generated message and the outgoing message are combined into a first signal for relay to the remote phone system as a single message. The vehicle computing system receives an incoming spoken message from the remote phone system. Finally, the received incoming message and the pre-recorded or dynamically generated message are combined into a second signal for playback as a single message through a vehicle audio system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20140277837
    Abstract: A mobile device enabling one or more processors to receive vehicle key security codes from a vehicle key. The mobile device may receive a signal from a transmitter associated with a vehicle key, the signal being indicative of one or more security codes associated with the vehicle key. The mobile device may store the one or more security codes in memory and configure a mobile device application to implement one or more vehicle control functions using the security codes. The mobile device may wirelessly transmit commands for implementing the one or more vehicle control functions using the security codes to a vehicle associated with the key. The wireless transmission of commands may include short range wireless communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20140280439
    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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20140266810
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Patent number: 8818325
    Abstract: An emergency response system includes a restraint control module (RCM), a global positioning system module (GPSM), at least one output, at least one input, an SPDJB, and a vehicle associated computing system (VACS) in communication with the RCM, the GPSM, the at least one output, the at least one input and the SPDJB. Upon detection of an emergency event, the RCM requests that the VACS place an emergency call. Upon receiving a request from the RCM, the VACS queries the GPSM to obtain vehicle coordinates, informs the occupant of the onset of the call, and instructs a wireless device in communication with the VACS to place an emergency call. The VACS is operable to determine when an emergency call is connected. Once the emergency call is connected, the VACS relays a message indicating connection to the RCM, and contacts the SPDJB to contacts the Smart Power Distribution Junction Box (SPDJB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Publication number: 20140206308
    Abstract: A vehicle communication system enables one or more processors to receive indication that an emergency event has taken place from an emergency detection sensor position throughout the vehicle. An emergency condition detection signal may be automatically sent by a detection sensor, or manually sent by a vehicle occupant pushing an emergency assistance button. The processor may receive vehicle parameter data indicating one or more vehicle parameters including, but not limited to, vehicle global position coordinates. The processor may transmit a communication to an emergency response center that an emergency has been indicated at the vehicle. The vehicle parameter data may be transmitted to the emergency response center using a data transmission signal. If the data transmission signal has failed transmission after several attempts, the processor may convert at least a portion of the vehicle parameter data to speech signals and communicate the speech signals to the emergency response center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Patent number: 8775020
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for transmitting vehicle information to an occupant communication device (OCD) is provided. The system comprises a communication module positioned within the vehicle. The communication device is configured to receive a transmission status signal indicative of a transmission mode for the vehicle. The communication device is further configured to transmit the transmission status signal over a wireless protocol to the OCD such that the OCD is disabled from being controlled by switches positioned thereon if the transmission mode enables movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, David Anthony Hatton, Douglas Paul Walser, Derrick E. Cook