Patents by Inventor Jack M. Erick

Jack M. Erick 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: 6345233
    Abstract: A processor (12) located on a vehicle processes GPS coordinates input thereto to provide an area of protection around the vehicle. Railroad grade crossing data (82, 84) stored in a data base (30) is read therefrom to ascertain whether a grade crossing is within the area of protection. If so, heading data (86) stored in association with the grade crossing data (82, 84) is compared with the heading of the vehicle to determine if the vehicle is on a road that intersects the grade crossing. If so, a first level alert is provided to the vehicle operator. If, in addition, a train is in the vicinity of the crossing, a second level alert is provided to the operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Dynamic Vehicle Safety Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack M. Erick
  • Patent number: 6025789
    Abstract: Disclosed is a train proximity detector for detecting an RF carrier transmitted by a train, for a predefined period of time. Further, the encoded FSK data is decoded to determine if a match with a predefined data signature exists. If a match exists, visual and audio indications are provided to the operator, indicating a close proximity of a train. Modifications to train equipment can be made to cause the transmission of the carrier and FSK data on the activation of the train whistle, which is about 1500 feet from every crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Dynamic Vehicle Safety Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brent A. Lane, Jack M. Erick
  • Patent number: 5739768
    Abstract: Disclosed is a train proximity detector for detecting an RF carrier transmitted by a train, for a predefined period of time. Further, the encoded FSK data is decoded to determine if a match with a predefined data signature exists. If a match exists, visual and audio indications are provided to the operator, indicating a close proximity of a train. Modifications to train equipment can be made to cause the transmission of the carrier and FSK data on the activation of the train whistle, which is about 1500 feet from every crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Dynamic Vehicle Safety Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brent A. Lane, Jack M. Erick