Patents by Inventor Jack R. Worrall

Jack R. Worrall 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: 6663010
    Abstract: A system for setting vehicle operator preferences is provided. The system includes a vehicle control module for controlling a vehicle component such as an HVAC unit. A data link is connected to the vehicle control module and may be an infrared signal receiver, a radio frequency signal receiver, a vehicle communications bus, or any other suitable data link. A portable handheld computing device includes a program having vehicle preferences stored in a memory. Preferably, the vehicle preferences may be input by the operator into the portable handheld computing device. The portable handheld computing device may be a Handspring® device, a Palmpilot® device, or any other suitable portable computing device. The portable handheld computing device sends the vehicle preferences to the vehicle control module through the data link to control the vehicle component. The vehicle preferences are sent by IR, RF, or any other suitable means. The system may be used to control an HVA system, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: George Chene, Lee A. French, Dennis A. Kramer, Gerald D. Lawruk, Brian Jeffrey Mueller, Reno V. Ramsey, Wayne Shintaku, Jack R. Worrall
  • Patent number: 6587768
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for inspecting and maintaining a vehicle. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of capturing vehicle data including the steps of servicing a vehicle at a location corresponding to service data. Service data is input into a portable handheld computing device and transferred from the portable handheld computing device to a vehicle onboard computer. Vehicle warranty data is provided on the vehicle onboard computer. The service data and the vehicle warranty data are retrieved from the vehicle onboard computer. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of inspecting a vehicle includes communicating with the vehicle systems using a portable handheld computing device to automatically inspect the vehicle systems. Prompts are displayed on the portable handheld computing device to guide a vehicle inspector to inspect additional vehicle systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: George Chene, Jack R. Worrall, Reno V. Ramsey, Wayne Shintaku, Lee A. French, Brian Jeffrey Mueller, Gerald D. Lawruk, Dennis A. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20030033061
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for inspecting and maintaining a vehicle. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of capturing vehicle data including the steps of servicing a vehicle at a location corresponding to service data. Service data is input into a portable handheld computing device and transferred from the portable handheld computing device to a vehicle onboard computer. Vehicle warranty data is provided on the vehicle onboard computer. The service data and the vehicle warranty data are retrieved from the vehicle onboard computer. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of inspecting a vehicle includes communicating with the vehicle systems using a portable handheld computing device to automatically inspect the vehicle systems. Prompts are displayed on the portable handheld computing device to guide a vehicle inspector to inspect additional vehicle systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: George Chen, Jack R. Worrall, Reno V. Ramsey, Wayne Shintaku, Lee A. French, Brain Jeffrey Mueller, Gerald D. Lawruk, Dennis A. Kramer
  • Patent number: 6516251
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for automatically shutting down a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle system for performing a vehicle function such as brakes for performing braking of the vehicle. A vehicle control system controls the vehicle system by controlling valve switches or actuators to manipulate the vehicle system. A portable handheld computing device includes a program defining a vehicle shutdown sequence. Preferably, the portable handheld computing device is what is known as a personal digital assistant (PDA), such as a Handspring® or Palmpilot®. A cradle removably receives the portable handheld computing device to connect the portable handheld computing device with the vehicle control system, such as through the vehicle databus. A switch enables the portable handheld computing device to command the vehicle control system to perform the vehicle shutdown sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC.
    Inventors: George Chene, Lee A. French, Dennis A. Kramer, Gerald D. Lawruk, Brian Jeffrey Mueller, Reno V. Ramsey, Wayne Shintaku, Jack R. Worrall
  • Publication number: 20020165694
    Abstract: A method of utilizing a vehicle driver log is provided that includes the steps of navigating to a vehicle driver log input screen and inputting the vehicle information. The method further includes the steps of inputting driver status information including driver duty and driver activity over time and displaying the vehicle driver log on a vehicle driver log screen. The method may be effectuated using a portable handheld computing device including an input device for inputting the vehicle information and driver status information that includes the driver duty and driver activity. The computing device may include a processor for processing the vehicle and driver status information. A display device displays the vehicle driver log including the driver status information. A method for providing driver efficiency feedback is also provided. The method includes steps of monitoring vehicle operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: George Chene, Lee A. French, Dennis A. Kramer, Gerald D. Lawruk, Brian Jeffrey Mueller, Reno V. Ramsey, Wayne Shintaku, Jack R. Worrall
  • Publication number: 20020096572
    Abstract: A system for setting vehicle operator preferences is provided. The system includes a vehicle control module for controlling a vehicle component such as an HVAC unit. A data link is connected to the vehicle control module and may be an infrared signal receiver, a radio frequency signal receiver, a vehicle communications bus, or any other suitable data link. A portable handheld computing device includes a program having vehicle preferences stored in a memory. Preferably, the vehicle preferences may be input by the operator into the portable handheld computing device. The portable handheld computing device may be a Handspring® device, a Palmpilot® device, or any other suitable portable computing device. The portable handheld computing device sends the vehicle preferences to the vehicle control module through the data link to control the vehicle component. The vehicle preferences are sent by IR, RF, or any other suitable means. The system may be used to control an HVA system, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: George Chene, Lee A. French, Dennis A. Kramer, Gerald D. Lawruk, Brian Jeffrey Mueller, Reno V. Ramsey, Wayne Shintaku, Jack R. Worrall
  • Patent number: 6356824
    Abstract: A vehicle data storage system is provided which includes a plurality of sensors for sensing vehicle operating conditions, such as engine temperature. A control module receives the vehicle operating conditions and translates the vehicle operating conditions into vehicle information. A portable hand held computing device, such as a Handspring® or Palmpilot®, has a data storage device or memory that receives the vehicle information. The data storage device is limited by a particular memory capacity. A secondary storage device receives the vehicle information from the data storage device from the portable hand held computing device when the memory capacity reaches a desired memory capacity level, such as when there is only 10% of the memory left in the data storage device. Additionally, one of the vehicle operating conditions in one of the subsystem control modules may comprise a triggering event. The triggering event may be detecting a high engine temperature in an engine temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: George Chene, Lee A. French, Dennis A. Kramer, Gerald D. Lawruk, Brian Jeffrey Mueller, Reno V. Ramsey, Wayne Shintaku, Jack R. Worrall