Patents by Inventor Gary Watkins

Gary Watkins 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: 9014968
    Abstract: A commuter route learning program learns a telematics subscriber's common travel routes (e.g. work-home, home-school, etc.) and offers traffic reports based on the routes. In one aspect, three modes are used to establish routes and offer traffic reports. These modes include a Learn Mode during which the commuter route learning program learns new commuter trips, a Pattern Recognition Mode during which the commuter route learning program recognizes and categorizes routes from patterns of trips, and an Execution Mode during which the commuter route learning program automatically provides commuter route traffic congestion information to a subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventor: Gary A. Watkins
  • Patent number: 8526930
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring communications between a wireless device and a vehicle telematics unit over a short-range wireless communication link includes receiving a serial port profile (SPP) software application at a wireless device from a central facility; storing the SPP software application at the wireless device; identifying third-party software applications stored on the wireless device using the SPP software application; sending the identity of the third-party software applications to the central facility; and communicating between the wireless device and a vehicle telematics unit via a short-range wireless communication link using the stored SPP software application and data transmitted using one or more software templates that have been received by the vehicle telematics unit in response to the identity of the third-party software applications sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, Richard C. Vanitvelt, Leonard C. Nieman
  • Publication number: 20130012179
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring communications between a wireless device and a vehicle telematics unit over a short-range wireless communication link includes receiving a serial port profile (SPP) software application at a wireless device from a central facility; storing the SPP software application at the wireless device; identifying third-party software applications stored on the wireless device using the SPP software application; sending the identity of the third-party software applications to the central facility; and communicating between the wireless device and a vehicle telematics unit via a short-range wireless communication link using the stored SPP software application and data transmitted using one or more software templates that have been received by the vehicle telematics unit in response to the identity of the third-party software applications sent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, Richard C. Vanitvelt, Leonard C. Nieman
  • Patent number: 8321125
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a recommended route, based, in part, on fuel consumption, to a requesting vehicle using data collected from other vehicles. The system includes, but is not limited, to a communication system that is configured to receive vehicle data from a plurality of vehicles. A data storage system is in communication with the communication system and is configured to store the vehicle data as compiled vehicle data. A processor is in communication with the data storage system and the communication system. The processor is configured to utilize the compiled vehicle data to calculate a recommended route that is based, in part, on fuel consumption. The communication system is further configured to transmit the recommended route to the requesting vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Tengler, Richard A. Johnson, Gary A. Watkins, Laurence J. Tretyak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8000452
    Abstract: A method for a predictive interactive voice recognition system includes receiving a voice call, associating said voice call with a behavioral pattern, and invoking a service context responsive to said behavioral pattern. The system provides advantages of improved voice recognition and more efficient use of the voice user interface to obtain services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, James M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7945359
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing vehicle maintenance client notification within a telematics equipped mobile vehicle that includes monitoring the mobile vehicle for vehicle system maintenance information, determining an oil-life value based on the vehicle system maintenance information, determining when the oil-life value exceeds at least one oil-life threshold level, sending the vehicle system maintenance information to a call center responsive to the oil-life threshold level determination, and generating a service reminder, at the call center, based on the received vehicle system maintenance information. The step of determining when the oil-life value exceeds the oil-life threshold level may include comparing the determined oil-life value with the at least one oil-life threshold level, determining at least one oil-life threshold level that is exceeded by the oil-life value, and initiating a vehicle data upload based on the at least one exceeded oil-life threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, Michael J. Devereux, Jon M. Brancheau
  • Publication number: 20100332113
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a recommended route, based, in part, on fuel consumption, to a requesting vehicle using data collected from other vehicles. The system includes, but is not limited, to a communication system that is configured to receive vehicle data from a plurality of vehicles. A data storage system is in communication with the communication system and is configured to store the vehicle data as compiled vehicle data. A processor is in communication with the data storage system and the communication system. The processor is configured to utilize the compiled vehicle data to calculate a recommended route that is based, in part, on fuel consumption. The communication system is further configured to transmit the recommended route to the requesting vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: STEVEN C. TENGLER, RICHARD A. JOHNSON, GARY A. WATKINS, LAURENCE J. TRETYAK, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100185524
    Abstract: A method of operating a telematics unit comprising the steps of: first operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode containing a first set of operations assisting tracking of at least one of (a) the telematics unit and (b) a vehicle containing the telematics unit through storage and travel; and second operating the telematics unit in a customer service mode containing a second set of operations supporting a customer associated with the vehicle, wherein the first set of operations contains at least one operation unique from the second set of operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, Christopher L. Oesterling, Wylie R. Burt
  • Publication number: 20100082245
    Abstract: A system and method for individually updating a location-based geometric boundary of a subscriber vehicle that is one of many subscriber vehicles are disclosed herein. The method includes obtaining a garage address of the subscriber vehicle, and determining a location-based geometric boundary of the subscriber vehicle from at least the garage address. The method further includes monitoring at least one of a service event including at least a vehicle registration event, a driving distance, or a driving speed to determine a driving pattern of the subscriber vehicle. The location-based geometric boundary of the subscriber vehicle is dynamically updated based at least on the driving pattern of the subscriber vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: RUSSELL A. PATENAUDE, CHRISTINE E. MEISSNER, GARY A. WATKINS
  • Publication number: 20090322560
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for enhancing subscriber privacy while delivering location-based in-vehicle alerts to the subscribers of a mobile traffic reporting system by disassociating subscriber information from location information transmitted by a traffic probe vehicle. In various examples, the in-vehicle alerts include Flash Flood alerts, Hurricane alerts, Amber alerts, as well as non-crisis alerts, such as traffic hotspots, locations of inexpensive gas stations, and various points of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven C. Tengler, Richard A. Johnson, Gary A. Watkins
  • Patent number: 7599843
    Abstract: A method of operating a telematics unit comprising the steps of: first operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode containing a first set of operations assisting tracking of at least one of (a) the telematics unit and (b) a vehicle containing the telematics unit through storage and travel; and second operating the telematics unit in a customer service mode containing a second set of operations supporting a customer associated with the vehicle, wherein the first set of operations contains at least one operation unique from the second set of operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, Christopher L Oesterling, Wylie R Burt
  • Publication number: 20090177351
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing vehicle maintenance client notification within a telematics equipped mobile vehicle that includes monitoring the mobile vehicle for vehicle system maintenance information, determining an oil-life value based on the vehicle system maintenance information, determining when the oil-life value exceeds at least one oil-life threshold level, sending the vehicle system maintenance information to a call center responsive to the oil-life threshold level determination, and generating a service reminder, at the call center, based on the received vehicle system maintenance information. The step of determining when the oil-life value exceeds the oil-life threshold level may include comparing the determined oil-life value with the at least one oil-life threshold level, determining at least one oil-life threshold level that is exceeded by the oil-life value, and initiating a vehicle data upload based on the at least one exceeded oil-life threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, Michael J. Devereux, Jon M. Brancheau
  • Patent number: 7548815
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics device within a mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes generating at least one personal route profile, comparing predetermined GPS hotspots to the personal route profiles, detecting real-time traffic updates associated with the predetermined GPS hotspots, identifying GPS hotspots corresponding to the personal route profile and based on the real-time traffic updates, and providing information relating to selected identified GPS hotspots based on the real-time traffic updates. The personal route profile may be generated from a user interface. The predetermined GPS hotspots may be created based on user interface input. The selected GPS hotspots may include all identified GPS hotspots within a predetermined geographic area of the personal route profile. The selected GPS hotspots may include GPS hotspots in the forward path of a vehicle including the telematics device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, Thomas P. Grau
  • Patent number: 7522980
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing vehicle maintenance client notification within a telematics equipped mobile vehicle that includes monitoring the mobile vehicle for vehicle system maintenance information, determining an oil-life value based on the vehicle system maintenance information, determining when the oil-life value exceeds at least one oil-life threshold level, sending the vehicle system maintenance information to a call center responsive to the oil-life threshold level determination, and generating a service reminder, at the call center, based on the received vehicle system maintenance information. The step of determining when the oil-life value exceeds the oil-life threshold level may include comparing the determined oil-life value with the at least one oil-life threshold level, determining at least one oil-life threshold level that is exceeded by the oil-life value, and initiating a vehicle data upload based on the at least one exceeded oil-life threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, Michael J. Devereux, Jon M. Brancheau
  • Publication number: 20090088973
    Abstract: A commuter route learning program learns a telematics subscriber's common travel routes (e.g. work-home, home-school, etc.) and offers traffic reports based on the routes. In one aspect, three modes are used to establish routes and offer traffic reports. These modes include a Learn Mode during which the commuter route learning program learns new commuter trips, a Pattern Recognition Mode during which the commuter route learning program recognizes and categorizes routes from patterns of trips, and an Execution Mode during which the commuter route learning program automatically provides commuter route traffic congestion information to a subscriber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Watkins
  • Patent number: 7406169
    Abstract: The current invention provides a method for automated unit service requests from a telematics unit. A unit request call trigger is set at the telematics unit from a call center. A unit request call is received based on the unit request call trigger. The telematics unit is configured in response to the received unit request call. A computer usable medium with suitable computer program code is employed for automated unit service requests from a telematics unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Rockett, Gary A. Watkins
  • Patent number: 7403098
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of deploying disaster alerts to a mobile vehicle. The method includes determining disaster area coordinates of a disaster area and calculating buffer coordinates of a buffer region based on the disaster area coordinates. The method further describes a vehicle circle based on a radius of at least one location coordinate of the mobile vehicle and compares the vehicle circle with the buffer region coordinates. The disaster area coordinates are compared with the vehicle circle. The method then deploys at least one disaster alert based on the comparison of the vehicle circle and buffer region coordinates and disaster area coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, Jie Song, Nebojsa Nedeljkovic, Dwayne A. Crocker, Christine E. Meissner
  • Patent number: 7286047
    Abstract: A method of monitoring electronic module data in a mobile vehicle. The method includes receiving at least one trigger event status indicator responsive to a trigger set from at least one of a plurality of vehicles at a vehicle analysis engine, via a wireless network, modifying the trigger set based on the trigger event status indicators and sending the modified trigger set to the plurality of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oesterling, Gary A. Watkins, Wanli Chiu
  • Patent number: 7245951
    Abstract: A method for telematic data transfer comprising the steps of: monitoring parameters for personal communications made through a telematics unit in a vehicle between the telematics unit and at least one remote location; determining a communication requirement for communicating between the telematics unit and the remote location; and scheduling and executing the determined communication responsive to the monitored parameters to increase likelihood of success of the determined communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oesterling, Gary A. Watkins, Jeffrey M. Stefan
  • Patent number: 7194073
    Abstract: In a system including a telematics unit and a data center, a method for automatically replenishing pre-paid calling units within the telematics is based on an occurrence of a trigger event as detected by the telematics units. Upon being notified of the trigger event, the data center automatically uploads a replenishment package to the telematics unit or uploads a replenishment package selected by the telematics unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Watkins, Christopher L. Oesterling