Patents by Inventor Kenneth James McCaffrey

Kenneth James McCaffrey 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: 10708976
    Abstract: A vehicle system has a first communication processor connected to a vehicle network, a second communication processor connected to the first communication processor, and a vehicle processor configured to communicate with the first and second communication processors. The vehicle processor is programmed to, in response to received vehicle data via the vehicle network, communicate the vehicle data to a server via the first communication processor. The vehicle processor is further programmed to, in response to received infotainment data via the second communication processor, output the infotainment data to a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Alexander, Peter Treman, Kenneth James McCaffrey
  • Publication number: 20190180250
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to retrieve an appointment from a service appointment schedule. The processor is also configured to contact a vehicle associated with the retrieved appointment and determine if the vehicle is on-site at a service location. The processor is further configured to query a current vehicle location and vehicle destination if the vehicle is not on-site. Also, the processor is configured to determine if the vehicle is en-route to the service location based on the vehicle location and destination and update the appointment schedule with an expected arrival time if the vehicle is en-route. Once the vehicle is on-site, the processor can perform numerous interactions with the vehicle to provide a highly automated customer experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth James McCaffrey, David Alan Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20190156300
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to retrieve an appointment from a service appointment schedule. The processor is also configured to contact a vehicle associated with the retrieved appointment and determine if the vehicle is on-site at a service location. The processor is further configured to query a current vehicle location and vehicle destination if the vehicle is not on-site. Also, the processor is configured to determine if the vehicle is en-route to the service location based on the vehicle location and destination and update the appointment schedule with an expected arrival time if the vehicle is en-route. Once the vehicle is on-site, the processor can perform numerous interactions with the vehicle to provide a highly automated customer experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth James McCaffrey, David Alan Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20170066389
    Abstract: A vehicle system has a first communication processor connected to a vehicle network, a second communication processor connected to the first communication processor, and a vehicle processor configured to communicate with the first and second communication processors. The vehicle processor is programmed to, in response to received vehicle data via the vehicle network, communicate the vehicle data to a server via the first communication processor. The vehicle processor is further programmed to, in response to received infotainment data via the second communication processor, output the infotainment data to a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen ALEXANDER, Peter TREMAN, Kenneth James MCCAFFREY
  • Publication number: 20160125366
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to retrieve an appointment from a service appointment schedule. The processor is also configured to contact a vehicle associated with the retrieved appointment and determine if the vehicle is on-site at a service location. The processor is further configured to query a current vehicle location and vehicle destination if the vehicle is not on-site. Also, the processor is configured to determine if the vehicle is en-route to the service location based on the vehicle location and destination and update the appointment schedule with an expected arrival time if the vehicle is en-route. Once the vehicle is on-site, the processor can perform numerous interactions with the vehicle to provide a highly automated customer experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth James McCaffrey, David Alan Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8521654
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is an online method for advising a customer on service needs and facilitating the scheduling of a vehicle service appointment. The method can comprise receiving a service inquiry, receiving input information regarding potential service of the vehicle, transmitting an open appointments request to a dealer management system (DMS), receiving a plurality of open appointments from the DMS, causing display of the plurality of open appointments wherein one of the plurality of open appointments is selected as an appointment request, and transmitting the input information and the appointment request to the DMS to facilitate the scheduling of the vehicle service appointment. The last four steps outlined can be conducted in substantially real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David John Ford, John Garfield Graham, Joseph Retzbach, Kenneth James McCaffrey, Nadine Ann Mooney
  • Publication number: 20040059613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an online method and system for advising customers on service needs, facilitating the scheduling of vehicle service appointments, and checking vehicle service status. A preferred method embodiment of the present invention includes receiving a service inquiry, receiving input information regarding the potential service of the vehicle, and transmitting the input information and an appointment request to a vehicle service provider to facilitate the scheduling of the vehicle service appointment. A preferred computer system of the present invention is configured to receive a service inquiry, receive input information regarding the potential service of the vehicle, and transmit the input information and an appointment request to a vehicle service provider to facilitate the scheduling of the vehicle service appointment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David John Ford, John Garfield Graham, Joseph Retzbach, Kenneth James McCaffrey, Nadine Ann Mooney
  • Publication number: 20040059618
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is an online method for advising a customer on service needs and facilitating the scheduling of a vehicle service appointment. The method can comprise receiving a service inquiry, receiving input information regarding potential service of the vehicle, transmitting an open appointments request to a dealer management system (DMS), receiving a plurality of open appointments from the DMS, causing display of the plurality of open appointments wherein one of the plurality of open appointments is selected as an appointment request, and transmitting the input information and the appointment request to the DMS to facilitate the scheduling of the vehicle service appointment. The last four steps outlined can be conducted in substantially real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: David John Ford, John Garfield Graham, Joseph Retzbach, Kenneth James McCaffrey, Nadine Ann Mooney