Patents by Inventor Greg Lantz
Greg Lantz 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).
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Patent number: 12641404Abstract: A system is described for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone or similar device as an active transponder that communicates with roadside equipment. The system may use existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth® LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further aspect, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and responds with identification information. Transaction processing may be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or back office equipment. The system may be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring and also for access control. A coded card may be scanned by the smart card to enter identification for access control.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2024Date of Patent: May 26, 2026Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel, Yousuf Kamal
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Publication number: 20260087284Abstract: A system combining readers for various communication protocols (e.g., RFID transponders and Bluetooth devices) for automated roadway tolling and monitoring is described. Because of the ubiquity of communication devices (e.g., Bluetooth devices), filtering methods are described to narrow received signals (e.g., Bluetooth signals) to a particular monitored traffic lane and to further associate the signal (e.g, Bluetooth signal) with a registered toll tag (e.g., RFID toll tag) associated with a vehicle. The signal strength of the signal (e.g, Bluetooth signal) at each of a plurality of receiver antennas may be used to identify the location of the communication device (e.g., Bluetooth device) that emitted the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2025Publication date: March 26, 2026Applicant: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel
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Publication number: 20260025645Abstract: A system for tracking vehicle position using a smartphone in the vehicle as an active transponder, which is detected by roadside equipment, is described. The system may use existing RF transceivers on the smartphone, such as BLE or WiFi, to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smartphone. The smartphone may be alerted and/or awaken by roadside beacons, and then respond with its identification information. Processing can be performed on the smartphone and/or by roadside or central office equipment. Vehicle location detection can be enhanced through the use of directional antenna matrices, such as a Butler matrix. The system can be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2025Publication date: January 22, 2026Applicant: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel
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Publication number: 20260004274Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth® compatible transceiver (BLEET) is described. The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs. The BLEET may be used in a congestion pricing (CP) toll area, wherein the smart phone determines a toll rate based on the location, when triggered by the BLEET, that the BLEET was read by an RFID reader located on a boundary of the CP toll area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2025Publication date: January 1, 2026Inventors: Kelly Gravelle, Yousuf Kamal, Greg Lantz, Paul Hamel, Dale Scott, Duane Wrasman, Donald Brady, Scott Brosi, Alice Klemashevich
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Publication number: 20260004275Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth® compatible transceiver (BLEET) is described. The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs. The BLEET may be used in a congestion pricing (CP) toll area, wherein the smart phone determines a toll rate based on the location, when triggered by the BLEET, that the BLEET was read by an RFID reader located on a boundary of the CP toll area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2025Publication date: January 1, 2026Inventors: Kelly Gravelle, Yousuf Kamal, Greg Lantz, Paul Hamel, Dale Scott, Duane Wrasman, Donald Brady, Scott Brosi, Alice Klemashevich
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Patent number: 12505322Abstract: A system combining readers for RFID transponders and Bluetooth® devices for automated roadway tolling and monitoring is described. Because of the ubiquity of Bluetooth® devices, filtering methods are described to narrow received Bluetooth® signals to a particular monitored traffic lane and to further associate the Bluetooth® signal with a registered RFID toll tag in a vehicle. Signal strength of the Bluetooth® signal at each of a plurality of receiver antennas may be used to identify the location of the Bluetooth® device that emitted the signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2023Date of Patent: December 23, 2025Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel
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Patent number: 12483870Abstract: A system for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone in the vehicle as an active transponder, which is detected by roadside equipment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further embodiment, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and only then responds with its identification information. Processing can be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or central office equipment as is the case in prior art active or passive transponder-based tolling systems. Vehicle location detection can be enhanced through the use of directional antenna matrices such as a Butler matrix. The system can be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2024Date of Patent: November 25, 2025Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel
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Patent number: 12437285Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth® compatible transceiver (BLEET) is described. The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs. The BLEET may be used in a congestion pricing (CP) toll area, wherein the smart phone determines a toll rate based on the location, when triggered by the BLEET, that the BLEET was read by an RFID reader located on a boundary of the CP toll area.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2020Date of Patent: October 7, 2025Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, Yousuf Kamal, Greg Lantz, Paul Hamel, Dale Scott, Duane Wrasman, Donald Brady, Scott Brosi, Alice Klemashevich
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Publication number: 20240406698Abstract: A system is described for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone or similar device as an active transponder that communicates with roadside equipment. The system may use existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth® LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further aspect, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and responds with identification information. Transaction processing may be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or back office equipment. The system may be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring and also for access control. A coded card may be scanned by the smart card to enter identification for access control.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel, Yousuf Kamal
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Publication number: 20240330623Abstract: A system combining readers for RFID transponders and Bluetooth® devices for automated roadway tolling and monitoring is described. Because of the ubiquity of Bluetooth® devices, filtering methods are described to narrow received Bluetooth® signals to a particular monitored traffic lane and to further associate the Bluetooth® signal with a registered RFID toll tag in a vehicle. Signal strength of the Bluetooth® signal at each of a plurality of receiver antennas may be used to identify the location of the Bluetooth® device that emitted the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Kelly GRAVELLE, John Todd ELSON, Greg LANTZ, Michael MELVILLE, Paul HAMEL
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Publication number: 20240334168Abstract: A system for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone in the vehicle as an active transponder, which is detected by roadside equipment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further embodiment, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and only then responds with its identification information. Processing can be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or central office equipment as is the case in prior art active or passive transponder-based tolling systems. Vehicle location detection can be enhanced through the use of directional antenna matrices such as a Butler matrix. The system can be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel
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Patent number: 12069552Abstract: A system is described for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone or similar device as an active transponder that communicates with roadside equipment. The system may uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth® LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further aspect, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and responds with identification information. Transaction processing may be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or back office equipment. The system may be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring and also for access control. A coded card may be scanned by the smart card to enter identification for access control.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2022Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel, Yousuf Kamal
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Patent number: 12056566Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth® compatible transceiver is described as a (BLEET). The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2023Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, Yousuf Kamal, Greg Lantz, Paul Hamel, Dale Scott, Duane Wrasman, Donald Brady, Scott Brosi, Alice Klemashevich
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Patent number: 12015969Abstract: A system for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone in the vehicle as an active transponder, which is detected by roadside equipment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further embodiment, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and only then responds with its identification information. Processing can be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or central office equipment as is the case in prior art active or passive transponder-based tolling systems. Vehicle location detection can be enhanced through the use of directional antenna matrices such as a Butler matrix. The system can be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2021Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel
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Patent number: 11836569Abstract: A system combining readers for RFID transponders and Bluetooth® devices for for automated roadway tolling and monitoring is described. Because of the ubiquity of Bluetooth® devices, filtering methods are described to narrow received Bluetooth® signals to a particular monitored traffic lane and to further associate the Bluetooth® signal with a registered RFID toll tag in a vehicle. Signal strength of the Bluetooth® signal at each of a plurality of receiver antennas may be used to identify the location of the Bluetooth® device that emitted the signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: AMTECH SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel
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Patent number: 11663427Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth compatible transceiver is described as a (BLEET). The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2022Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, Yousuf Kamal, Greg Lantz, Paul Hamel, Dale Scott, Duane Wrasman, Donald Brady, Scott Brosi, Alice Klemashevich
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Publication number: 20220256323Abstract: A system is described for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone or similar device as an active transponder that communicates with roadside equipment. The system may uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth® LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further aspect, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and responds with identification information. Transaction processing may be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or back office equipment. The system may be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring and also for access control. A coded card may be scanned by the smart card to enter identification for access control.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel, Yousuf Kamal
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Patent number: 11341345Abstract: An RFID transponder including a Bluetooth® compatible transceiver is described a (BLEET). The Bluetooth® compatible transceiver may be configured to set data that is transmitted via one or more RFID transceivers in the transponder and to return data received by the RFID transceiver(s) to a client application running, for example, on a user's smart phone. The BLEET may be used for electronic vehicle tracking or tolling. Vehicle occupancy data may be set by the user with the client application via a Bluetooth® connection in connection with high occupancy vehicle tolling and express lane incentive programs.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, Yousuf Kamal, Greg Lantz, Paul Hamel, Dale Scott, Duane Wrasman, Donald Brady, Scott Brosi, Alice Klemashevich
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Patent number: 11323865Abstract: A system is described for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone or similar device as an active transponder that communicates with roadside equipment. The system may uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth® LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further aspect, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and responds with identification information. Transaction processing may be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or back office equipment. The system may be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring and also for access control. A coded card may be scanned by the smart card to enter identification for access control.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLCInventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel, Yousuf Kamal
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Publication number: 20210306825Abstract: A system for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone in the vehicle as an active transponder, which is detected by roadside equipment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further embodiment, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and only then responds with its identification information. Processing can be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or central office equipment as is the case in prior art active or passive transponder-based tolling systems. Vehicle location detection can be enhanced through the use of directional antenna matrices such as a Butler matrix. The system can be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel