Patents by Inventor Dean Winner

Dean Winner 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: 20220371867
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle comprises a distributed processor system including a vehicle network that facilitates an exchange of information with vehicle electronic components, and a distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture. The distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture includes an embedded information core having a core processor communicably coupled to the vehicle network, and a tablet having a tablet processor, where the tablet is communicably couplable to, and detachable from the distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture. When the tablet is detached from the distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture, the core processor functions as a primary processor that communicates with vehicle electronic components by communicating therewith across the vehicle network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Grothaus, Dean Winner, Anthony Castaneda, Dan Walton, Ray Denison, Allen Wagner, Jamison Frady
  • Patent number: 9699818
    Abstract: A monitoring system comprises a storage device monitor and a communication device. The storage device monitor is powered by an energy storage device (e.g., battery or fuel cell) to which the storage device monitor is attached. The communication device is mounted on an industrial vehicle or battery charger. A load is electrically connected to the communication device that is external to and independent from the storage device monitor. In operation, the communication device transmits an encoded message to the load. A controller of the storage device monitor detects the encoded message by sensing changes in a characteristic of the energy storage device that occur responsive to the communication device transmitting the encoded message to the load. The controller of the storage device monitor converts the encoded message into a discovery parameter, and pairs with the communication device across a wireless network based upon the discovery parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Brent J. Grothaus, Dean Winner
  • Publication number: 20150195861
    Abstract: A monitoring system comprises a storage device monitor and a communication device. The storage device monitor is powered by an energy storage device (e.g., battery or fuel cell) to which the storage device monitor is attached. The communication device is mounted on an industrial vehicle or battery charger. A load is electrically connected to the communication device that is external to and independent from the storage device monitor. In operation, the communication device transmits an encoded message to the load. A controller of the storage device monitor detects the encoded message by sensing changes in a characteristic of the energy storage device that occur responsive to the communication device transmitting the encoded message to the load. The controller of the storage device monitor converts the encoded message into a discovery parameter, and pairs with the communication device across a wireless network based upon the discovery parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Brent J. Grothaus, Dean Winner
  • Patent number: 9013323
    Abstract: A battery monitor is paired to a communication device, e.g., as provided on an industrial vehicle, battery charger, etc., for wireless communication. Pairing is implemented by transmitting an encoded message from the communication device to a load. The encoded message is detected by the battery monitor, by sensing changes in a characteristic of the battery that occur responsive to the communication device transmitting the encoded message to the load. The battery monitor then converts the encoded message into a discovery parameter. A paired wireless connection is set up between the communication device and the battery monitor using the discovery parameter such that the battery monitor and communication device wirelessly communicate thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Brent J. Grothaus, Dean Winner
  • Publication number: 20140266779
    Abstract: A battery monitor is paired to a communication device, e.g., as provided on an industrial vehicle, battery charger, etc., for wireless communication. Pairing is implemented by transmitting an encoded message from the communication device to a load. The encoded message is detected by the battery monitor, by sensing changes in a characteristic of the battery that occur responsive to the communication device transmitting the encoded message to the load. The battery monitor then converts the encoded message into a discovery parameter. A paired wireless connection is set up between the communication device and the battery monitor using the discovery parameter such that the battery monitor and communication device wirelessly communicate thereafter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent J. Grothaus, Dean Winner
  • Publication number: 20060152052
    Abstract: Seat repositioning systems for vehicles comprise an operator's seat having a seat bottom and optionally, a seat back, where the operator's seat further comprises an adjustable characteristic, such as seat rotation, seat height adjustment, tilt, or X-Y position. A seat release control is operable to release the operator's seat from a locked position for repositioning of the adjustable characteristic of the operator's seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Billger, Kevin Gilliland, Eric Kaiser, Leroy Kluver, Jay Pollack, Steven Pulskamp, Nicholas Thobe, Dean Winner
  • Publication number: 20060061178
    Abstract: Seat repositioning systems for vehicles comprise a seat release element that is operable to cause an operator's seat to be temporarily released from a locked position such that the operator's seat may be adjusted to a new position. By optionally positioning the seat control element proximate to an operator's working position, a vehicle operator may reposition the seat while simultaneously performing another task. Moreover, a controller may be provided that is capable of deciding whether or not to allow the operator's seat to be released based upon vehicle parameters such as vehicle speed or load handling conditions. Still further, the controller may temporarily disable select features of the vehicle depending upon the position of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Billger, Kevin Gilliland, Eric Kaiser, Leroy Kluver, Jay Pollack, Steven Pulskamp, Nicholas Thobe, Dean Winner