Patents by Inventor John K. Howe

John K. Howe 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: 7020620
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of tracking a vehicle during a vehicle-related multi-step process. A vehicle identifier is received for uniquely identifying a vehicle. A daily time target for each day of the repair process is preselected. A delay is then identified during a repair step if the time allocated to the vehicle is less than the preselected daily time target. A length of time for the delay is stored. Also, a reason for a delay is determined for why the vehicle was delayed during at least one of the multi-step processes. A proficiency of the repair process can then be reported such that a repair facility can assess areas of improvement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Guy O. Bargnes, John K. Howe, Charles Kelly, Jean-Claude Pierre, Chris W. Lavington, Antonio C. Torres
  • Patent number: 6990461
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for analyzing and prioritizing business aspects of a vehicle-related multi-step process. The method calculates a relative strength of a particular category for the vehicle-related business. The method then assigns a strength indicator for the particular category based upon the calculations. The method also analyzes the performance, projections, and production workforce shift profiles for the vehicle-related business.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Guy O. Bargnes, John K. Howe, Charles Kelly, Jean-Claude Pierre, Chris W. Lavington, Antonio C. Torres
  • Publication number: 20040162754
    Abstract: A method of determining an efficiency of a repair process. The method includes the step of creating a vehicle identifier for the vehicle. The identified vehicle is examined to locate areas in need of repair. An extent of a repair is then estimated. Further, a total labor hours is estimated to perform the repair process. A vehicle production start period is determined and a vehicle production finish period is determined. A total shop production hours based upon when the repair shop opened and closed for each day between the vehicle production start period and the vehicle production finish period is simultaneously determined. A production process efficiency is then calculated for the completed repair process by dividing the total shop production hours by the estimated total labor hours, which reveals a true efficiency of the repair process by calculating the production process efficiency in terms of hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Guy O. Bargnes, John K. Howe, Charles Kelly, Jean-Claude Pierre, Chris W. Lavington, Antonio C. Torres
  • Publication number: 20030171981
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus is provided for tracking a vehicle during a vehicle-related multi-step process. A vehicle identifier is received for uniquely identifying a vehicle. A delay reason is received for why the vehicle was delayed during at least one of the multi-step processes. An association is stored among the delay reason, the step at which the vehicle delay occurred, and the vehicle identifier. The stored association is used to identify at least one delay reason for the vehicle. The method and apparatus also analyze business aspects of the vehicle-related multi-step process and succinctly summarize the business analysis with respect to performance, priorities, projections, and production workforce shift profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Guy O. Bargnes, John K. Howe, Charles Kelly, Jean-Claude Pierre, Chris W. Lavington, Antonio C. Torres