Patents by Inventor Jonathan R. Schwarz
Jonathan R. Schwarz 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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Publication number: 20160373913Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for updating vehicles. A vehicle is located via a device that is disposed in proximity to the vehicle via a wireless search. A wireless connection is generated between the device and the vehicle. The wireless connection includes an assessment of an update required by the vehicle. The update is automatically, wirelessly provided from the device to the vehicle following the wireless connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: JONATHAN R. SCHWARZ, ROBERT A. HRABAK
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Patent number: 9442716Abstract: A method for adjusting a variable rate of requesting software data for a computer system onboard a vehicle is provided. The method determines a number of ignition cycles executed after first software data has been retrieved; and when the number of ignition cycles is greater than a threshold value, reduces a frequency for generating a software request, to obtain a reduced frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Susanta P. Sarkar, Jonathan R. Schwarz
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Patent number: 9431688Abstract: An exemplary system and method for use in cold environments in order to heat a high voltage vehicle battery, such as the type commonly found in hybrid vehicles. Some high voltage vehicle batteries—like those based on lithium-ion chemistries—perform better when their battery temperature is in a certain temperature range. In an exemplary embodiment, a battery heating system includes a switch, a battery heater and a high voltage vehicle battery, and initially uses electrical power from an external power source to heat the battery and then uses electrical power from an internal power source to heat the battery. The switch determines which power source is used to heat the battery, and may be dictated by whether the battery heating system is plugged into the external power source and/or a vehicle propulsion system is active, to cite several possibilities.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Thomas K. Dye, Ian L. Hanna, Gregory E. Smith
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Patent number: 9374355Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for programming a vehicle module. An exemplary vehicle includes a first module, a gateway module communicatively coupled to the first module, and an update module communicatively coupled to the gateway module. The update module is configured to provide authorization information and programming data to the gateway module. The gateway module is configured to verify that programming of the first module is authorized based at least in part on the authorization information and provide the programming data to the first module after verifying that the programming of the first module is authorized.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Douglas C. Martin, William E. Mazzara, Jr.
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Patent number: 9340121Abstract: A method and system for heating a vehicle battery, such as the type used for vehicle propulsion in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Depending on the battery chemistry involved, such batteries may not perform well in extremely cold environments. For instance, a lithium-ion battery can exhibit a high internal resistance when the battery is extremely cold, which in turn can negatively affect the available power or other capabilities of the battery. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method and system take advantage of the high internal resistance in a cold vehicle battery by purposely cycling electrical current in and/or out of the battery so that heat is created. This heat warms up the vehicle battery and thereby improves its overall performance and capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Gregory E. Smith, Damon R. Frisch, Ian L. Hanna, Brian J. Koch
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Patent number: 9285432Abstract: A method and system for manipulating, adjusting or otherwise controlling a state-of-charge (SOC) operating range for a high voltage vehicle battery, such as the type used for hybrid or electric vehicle propulsion. By providing a dynamic SOC operating range that changes in response to changing battery conditions, the battery performance may be improved so that the battery life is extended. Depending on the particular embodiment, the dynamic SOC operating range may have different combinations of hard and/or soft boundaries or limits.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Gregory E. Smith, Damon R. Frisch, Brian J. Koch, James C. Gibbs, Brandon R. Jones
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Patent number: 9253200Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for programming a vehicle module. An exemplary vehicle includes a first module, an authentication module communicatively coupled to the first module, and an update module communicatively coupled to the first module and the authentication module. The update module is configured to obtain a programming update for the first module that includes an authentication portion and a programming data portion. The update module provides the programming data portion to the first module and provides the authentication portion to the authentication module. The authentication module provides the authentication portion to the first module after the authentication portion is authenticated.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Douglas C. Martin, William E. Mazzara, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150121071Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for programming a vehicle module. An exemplary vehicle includes a first module, a gateway module communicatively coupled to the first module, and an update module communicatively coupled to the gateway module. The update module is configured to provide authorization information and programming data to the gateway module. The gateway module is configured to verify that programming of the first module is authorized based at least in part on the authorization information and provide the programming data to the first module after verifying that the programming of the first module is authorized.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: JONATHAN R. SCHWARZ, DOUGLAS C. MARTIN, WILLIAM E. MAZZARA, JR.
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Publication number: 20150121457Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for programming a vehicle module. An exemplary vehicle includes a first module, an authentication module communicatively coupled to the first module, and an update module communicatively coupled to the first module and the authentication module. The update module is configured to obtain a programming update for the first module that includes an authentication portion and a programming data portion. The update module provides the programming data portion to the first module and provides the authentication portion to the authentication module. The authentication module provides the authentication portion to the first module after the authentication portion is authenticated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: JONATHAN R. SCHWARZ, DOUGLAS C. MARTIN, WILLIAM E. MAZZARA, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150089489Abstract: A method for adjusting a variable rate of requesting software data for a computer system onboard a vehicle is provided. The method determines a number of ignition cycles executed after first software data has been retrieved; and when the number of ignition cycles is greater than a threshold value, reduces a frequency for generating a software request, to obtain a reduced frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: SUSANTA P. SARKAR, JONATHAN R. SCHWARZ
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Patent number: 8937452Abstract: A system and method for controlling a state-of-charge (SOC) of a vehicle battery, such as a high-voltage battery used by a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for vehicle propulsion, so that the SOC is maintained within a desired SOC range that is temperature-dependent. In an exemplary embodiment, the system and method use a battery temperature prediction to determine a desired SOC range, and then control the amount of charge on the vehicle battery such that the SOC is maintained within the desired SOC range. As the battery temperature prediction goes lower (i.e., as it gets colder), the desired SOC range may need to be adjusted or shifted upwards in order to account for increased internal battery resistance and to ensure that the vehicle battery has enough power to start the vehicle. Similarly, as the battery temperature prediction goes higher (i.e., as it gets warmer), the desired SOC range may need to be adjusted or shifted downwards in order to reduce degradation effects and improve battery.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Gregory E. Smith, Ian L. Hanna, Damon R. Frisch
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Patent number: 8713090Abstract: Enhancing user experiences using aggregated device usage data includes receiving aggregated usage data for a device, such as a computing device and/or a peripheral device. A current user context for the device is identified, and based on the aggregated usage data and the current user context an enhanced user interface is generated.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Vladimir Sadovsky, Michael D. Stokes, Jonathan R. Schwarz
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Patent number: 8662968Abstract: A thermal conditioning system for the energy storage system of a hybrid vehicle. At least one auxiliary air source, other than a permanently open air source, has a selectively operable actuator door which either connects or disconnects the auxiliary air source to the energy storage system blower, the air flow being selected to optimally temperature condition the energy storage system. The auxiliary air source preferably includes the HVAC ducting.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael G. Leffert, Tyler J Pilgeram, Ian L Hanna, Eric L. Mayberry, Jonathan R. Schwarz
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Patent number: 8660784Abstract: A method for determining driver efficiency in a vehicle includes the steps of measuring a vehicle parameter, and calculating the driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the vehicle parameter. The vehicle parameter is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Vernon L. Newhouse, Carlene M. Sienkiewicz, Emily R. Wu, Kevin S. Kidston, Jonathan R. Schwarz, Don St John
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Patent number: 8653960Abstract: A vehicle gauge and method for displaying an electric mode status of a vehicle that can operate in both an electric mode and one or more alternative modes. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method evaluates a number of throttle and non-throttle conditions and allocates portions of the total range of the vehicle gauge to these conditions. Based on these allocations, the method determines an overall vehicle gauge position that is representative of the electric mode status of the vehicle and provides this to the vehicle gauge so that the electric mode status can be displayed to the driver.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ian L. Hanna, Jonathan R. Schwarz, Neal A. Chaperon
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Publication number: 20130027048Abstract: A method and system for manipulating, adjusting or otherwise controlling a state-of-charge (SOC) operating range for a high voltage vehicle battery, such as the type used for hybrid or electric vehicle propulsion. By providing a dynamic SOC operating range that changes in response to changing battery conditions, the battery performance may be improved so that the battery life is extended. Depending on the particular embodiment, the dynamic SOC operating range may have different combinations of hard and/or soft boundaries or limits.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Gregory E. Smith, Damon R. Frisch, Brian J. Koch, James C. Gibbs, Brandon R. Jones
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Publication number: 20120261397Abstract: A method and system for heating a vehicle battery, such as the type used for vehicle propulsion in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Depending on the battery chemistry involved, such batteries may not perform well in extremely cold environments. For instance, a lithium-ion battery can exhibit a high internal resistance when the battery is extremely cold, which in turn can negatively affect the available power or other capabilities of the battery. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method and system take advantage of the high internal resistance in a cold vehicle battery by purposely cycling electrical current in and/or out of the battery so that heat is created. This heat warms up the vehicle battery and thereby improves its overall performance and capabilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Gregory E. Smith, Damon R. Frisch, Ian L. Hanna, Brian J. Koch
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Publication number: 20120200257Abstract: A system and method for controlling a state-of-charge (SOC) of a vehicle battery, such as a high-voltage battery used by a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for vehicle propulsion, so that the SOC is maintained within a desired SOC range that is temperature-dependent. In an exemplary embodiment, the system and method use a battery temperature prediction to determine a desired SOC range, and then control the amount of charge on the vehicle battery such that the SOC is maintained within the desired SOC range. As the battery temperature prediction goes lower (i.e., as it gets colder), the desired SOC range may need to be adjusted or shifted upwards in order to account for increased internal battery resistance and to ensure that the vehicle battery has enough power to start the vehicle. Similarly, as the battery temperature prediction goes higher (i.e., as it gets warmer), the desired SOC range may need to be adjusted or shifted downwards in order to reduce degradation effects and improve battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Gregory E. Smith, Ian L. Hanna, Damon R. Frisch
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Publication number: 20120188068Abstract: A vehicle gauge and method for displaying an electric mode status of a vehicle that can operate in both an electric mode and one or more alternative modes. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method evaluates a number of throttle and non-throttle conditions and allocates portions of the total range of the vehicle gauge to these conditions. Based on these allocations, the method determines an overall vehicle gauge position that is representative of the electric mode status of the vehicle and provides this to the vehicle gauge so that the electric mode status can be displayed to the driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ian L. Hanna, Jonathan R. Schwarz, Neal A. Chaperon
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Patent number: 8068974Abstract: A method for determining driver efficiency in a hybrid vehicle includes the steps of measuring a hybrid vehicle parameter, and calculating driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the hybrid vehicle parameter. The hybrid vehicle parameter is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Vernon L. Newhouse, Kevin S. Kidston, Carlene M. Sienkiewicz, Jonathan R. Schwarz, Emily R. Wu