Patents by Inventor Mark J. Scalf
Mark J. Scalf 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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Patent number: 9848447Abstract: Method and apparatus for notifying an emergency responder of a vehicle emergency. Communication is established with a cellular telephone located within the vehicle. The communication link is monitored and the vehicle occupant is notified of link loss. The apparatus monitors vehicle safety systems for detection of an emergency condition. Upon detection, the occupant is notified that an emergency call will be made. If no cancellation is received, vehicle location information is obtained from a global position system, synthesized into voice signals, and communicated to an emergency responder using the cellular telephone. A plurality of occupant and vehicle emergency information may also be provided. Emergency responders may be provided with a touch tone menu to select among the available information. Vehicle and occupant information may be communicated to the apparatus from external sources, such as a web server database via cellular telephone connection, or removable memory.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2007Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph J. Berry, Mark J. Scalf, Douglas R. VanDagens, Francis Luk, Timothy Robert Nixon
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Patent number: 8903351Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a computer processor in communication with persistent and non-persistent memory. The system also includes a local wireless transceiver in communication with the computer processor and configured to communicate wirelessly with a cellular telephone located at the vehicle. The system further includes a backup power circuit comprising a charge storage device such as a local battery or capacitor having enough charge to power the computer processor and local wireless transceiver long enough to send an emergency call signal to the cellular telephone, and an emergency call command signal is sent from the local wireless transceiver to the cellular telephone in the event a vehicle emergency is detected at the computer processor and vehicle power is lost. The signal causes the cellular telephone to place or continue an emergency call to an emergency responder or agency over the cellular telephone network.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Joseph J. Berry, Mark J. Scalf, Douglas R. VanDagens, Francis Luk, Timothy Robert Nixon
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Publication number: 20140024334Abstract: An apparatus for use within a vehicle to notify an emergency responder of a vehicle emergency, comprising an electrical interface configured to receive vehicle information from a vehicle data bus in communication with one or more vehicle modules. The apparatus also includes a wireless transceiver capable of establishing a wireless communication link with a mobile phone and capable of sending vehicle information to the mobile phone. The apparatus also includes an accelerometer capable of determining acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to detect a vehicle emergency occurring at or near the vehicle based on the accelerometer, output a wireless signal to the mobile phone to instruct the mobile phone to dial an emergency responder and establish communication with the emergency responder upon detection of the vehicle emergency; and to communicate with a pre-defined emergency contact other than the emergency responder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph J. Berry, Mark J. Scalf, Douglas R. VanDagens, Francis Luk, Timothy Robert Nixon
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Publication number: 20110098017Abstract: Method and apparatus for notifying an emergency responder of a vehicle emergency. Communication is established with a cellular telephone located within the vehicle. The communication link is monitored and the vehicle occupant is notified of link loss. The apparatus monitors vehicle safety systems for detection of an emergency condition. Upon detection, the occupant is notified that an emergency call will be made. If no cancellation is received, vehicle location information is obtained from a global position system, synthesized into voice signals, and communicated to an emergency responder using the cellular telephone. A plurality of occupant and vehicle emergency information may also be provided. Emergency responders may be provided with a touch tone menu to select among the available information. Vehicle and occupant information may be communicated to the apparatus from external sources, such as a web server database via cellular telephone connection, or removable memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2011Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Joseph J. Berry, Mark J. Scalf, Douglas R. VanDagens, Francis Luk, Timothy Robert Nixon
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Publication number: 20100227582Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a computer processor in communication with persistent and non-persistent memory. The system also includes a local wireless transceiver in communication with the computer processor and configured to communicate wirelessly with a cellular telephone located at the vehicle. The system further includes a backup power circuit comprising a charge storage device such as a local battery or capacitor having enough charge to power the computer processor and local wireless transceiver long enough to send an emergency call signal to the cellular telephone, and an emergency call command signal is sent from the local wireless transceiver to the cellular telephone in the event a vehicle emergency is detected at the computer processor and vehicle power is lost. The signal causes the cellular telephone to place or continue an emergency call to an emergency responder or agency over the cellular telephone network.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2009Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Joseph J. Berry, Mark J. Scalf, Douglas R. VanDagens, Francis Luk, Timothy Robert Nixon
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Publication number: 20090002145Abstract: Method and apparatus for notifying an emergency responder of a vehicle emergency. Communication is established with a cellular telephone located within the vehicle. The communication link is monitored and the vehicle occupant is notified of link loss. The apparatus monitors vehicle safety systems for detection of an emergency condition. Upon detection, the occupant is notified that an emergency call will be made. If no cancellation is received, vehicle location information is obtained from a global position system, synthesized into voice signals, and communicated to an emergency responder using the cellular telephone. A plurality of occupant and vehicle emergency information may also be provided. Emergency responders may be provided with a touch tone menu to select among the available information. Vehicle and occupant information may be communicated to the apparatus from external sources, such as a web server database via cellular telephone connection, or removable memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Joseph J. Berry, Mark J. Scalf, Douglas R. VanDagens, Francis Luk, Timothy Robert Nixon