Patents by Inventor Mark L. Zeinstra
Mark L. Zeinstra 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: 10306422Abstract: A method for controlling the operability and functionality of an electronic device with an electronic device detection system begins by determining whether an electronic device is located within the vehicle and proximate to an operator of the vehicle. The electronic device detection system defines a restricted zone in which electronic device use is partially or fully prohibited and a safe zone in which all or some of the functionality of electronic devices is enabled. Once it is determined that an electronic device is in use and within a restricted zone, a determination is made as to whether any usage prohibition conditions are satisfied. If usage prohibition conditions are satisfied, then particular functions of the electronic device may be disabled in a restricted zone. If prohibition conditions are not met, the electronic device may be totally enabled, partially enabled to allow certain functions, or the electronic device is never disabled.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Mark L. Zeinstra, Philip J. Vanderwall
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Patent number: 10284652Abstract: A method for providing network-based content to an in-vehicle telematics system is shown and described. The method includes include establishing a communications link between communications electronics of the vehicle telematics system and a remote content management server in communication with a plurality of remote content providers. The method further includes using the communications link to communicate with the remote content management server using an application programming interface. The processing electronics receives content from the plurality of remote content providers via the application programming interface. The communication between the remote content management server and at least one of the plurality of remote content providers is conducted according to a protocol for which the vehicle telematics system does not have an interface.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: VISTEON GLOBALTECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Brian L. Douthitt, Mark L. Zeinstra, David T. Dembinski, Kaloyan Tenchov
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Patent number: 9370041Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 9318017Abstract: A wireless control system for use in a vehicle and for use with a remote electronic system is provided. The wireless control system includes a transceiver for mounting in the vehicle. The transceiver is configured to communicate according to a Bluetooth communications standard. The transceiver is further configured to provide a control signal to the remote electronic system. The transceiver is also trainable to provide a carrier frequency and control information for the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
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Publication number: 20150339031Abstract: A method for contextually reconfiguring a user interface in a vehicle includes receiving context information for the vehicle, determining a vehicle context including at least one of a location of the vehicle and a condition of the vehicle based on the context information, determining one or more control options based on the vehicle context, and causing the user interface to display one or more selectable icons. The icons are displayed in response to the determined vehicle context and selecting an icon initiates one or more of the context-based control options.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2014Publication date: November 26, 2015Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Mark L. Zeinstra, Scott A. Hansen
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Publication number: 20150311935Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 8897708Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Publication number: 20140184393Abstract: A wireless control system for use in a vehicle and for use with a remote electronic system is provided. The wireless control system includes a transceiver for mounting in the vehicle. The transceiver is configured to communicate according to a Bluetooth communications standard. The transceiver is further configured to provide a control signal to the remote electronic system. The transceiver is also trainable to provide a carrier frequency and control information for the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
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Publication number: 20140164579Abstract: A method for providing network-based content to an in-vehicle telematics system is shown and described. The method includes include establishing a communications link between communications electronics of the vehicle telematics system and a remote content management server in communication with a plurality of remote content providers. The method further includes using the communications link to communicate with the remote content management server using an application programming interface. The processing electronics receives content from the plurality of remote content providers via the application programming interface. The communication between the remote content management server and at least one of the plurality of remote content providers is conducted according to a protocol for which the vehicle telematics system does not have an interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2011Publication date: June 12, 2014Inventors: Brian L. Douthitt, Mark L. Zeinstra, David T. Dembinski, Kaloyan Tenchov
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Patent number: 8634888Abstract: A wireless control system for use in a vehicle and for use with a remote electronic system is provided. The wireless control system includes a transceiver for mounting in the vehicle. The transceiver is configured to communicate according to a Bluetooth communications standard. The transceiver is further configured to provide a control signal to the remote electronic system. The transceiver is also trainable to provide a carrier frequency and control information for the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
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Publication number: 20130295908Abstract: A method for controlling the operability and functionality of an electronic device with an electronic device detection system begins by determining whether an electronic device is located within the vehicle and proximate to an operator of the vehicle. The electronic device detection system defines a restricted zone in which electronic device use is partially or fully prohibited and a safe zone in which all or some of the functionality of electronic devices is enabled. Once it is determined that an electronic device is in use and within a restricted zone, a determination is made as to whether any usage prohibition conditions are satisfied. If usage prohibition conditions are satisfied, then particular functions of the electronic device may be disabled in a restricted zone. If prohibition conditions are not met, the electronic device may be totally enabled, partially enabled to allow certain functions, or the electronic device is never disabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2012Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Mark L. Zeinstra, Philip J. Vanderwall
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Publication number: 20130285796Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Publication number: 20130285603Abstract: A wireless charging system includes a primary inductive coil configured to transfer electromagnetic energy to a secondary inductive coil of a portable electronic device. The wireless charging system also includes a coil driver electrically coupled to the primary inductive coil and configured to adjust an output signal of the primary inductive coil. The wireless charging system further includes a receiver configured to receive an input signal from the portable electronic device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the receiver and to the coil driver. The controller is configured to establish a wireless charging protocol based on the input signal, and to automatically regulate the output signal based on the established wireless charging protocol and the input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Mark L. Zeinstra, Sam J. Galioto, Gunnar J. Bracelly, Wolfgang Ziegler, Jens Ohler, Benjamin Algera, Jeffrey N. Golden, Thomas Wright
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Patent number: 8494449Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Publication number: 20130130626Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2013Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 8380251Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 8311584Abstract: A method is provided for creating a phonebook for a hands-free telephone system in a vehicle using phonebook entries retrieved from a remote phonebook of a mobile phone over a wireless communication link between a control module of the hands-free telephone system and the mobile phone. The method includes receiving a remote phonebook from the mobile phone, the remote phonebook including a plurality of entries, each entry including text data and numeric data, identifying the text data in each entry, generating an acoustic baseform for each entry based on the text data for each entry, storing the acoustic baseform for each entry in a baseform list, and storing the plurality of entries in a mobile phonebook associated with the baseform list.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Brian L. Douthitt, Steven G. Schultz, Ted W. Ringold, Jeffrey N. Golden, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Publication number: 20120009877Abstract: A control module for a wireless communication system in a vehicle having a plurality of operational settings includes a memory, a control circuit and a radio frequency transceiver. The memory is configured to store a plurality of performance characteristics associated with at least one mobile wireless communication device. The control circuit is coupled to the memory and is configured to retrieve at least one performance characteristic for a mobile wireless communication device associated with a vehicle occupant and used in conjunction with the wireless communication system. The control circuit is further configured to adjust at least one operational setting of the wireless communication system based on the at least one performance characteristics of the mobile wireless communication device. The radio frequency transceiver is coupled to the control circuit and is configured to communicate with the mobile wireless communication device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Mark L. Zeinstra, Michael A. Supanich, Walter M. Eadelman
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Publication number: 20110227698Abstract: A wireless control system for use in a vehicle and for use with a remote electronic system is provided. The wireless control system includes a transceiver for mounting in the vehicle. The transceiver is configured to communicate according to a Bluetooth communications standard. The transceiver is further configured to provide a control signal to the remote electronic system. The transceiver is also trainable to provide a carrier frequency and control information for the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
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Patent number: 8005473Abstract: A control module for a wireless communication system in a vehicle having a plurality of operational settings includes a memory, a control circuit and a radio frequency transceiver. The memory is configured to store a plurality of performance characteristics associated with at least one mobile wireless communication device. The control circuit is coupled to the memory and is configured to retrieve at least one performance characteristic for a mobile wireless communication device associated with a vehicle occupant and used in conjunction with the wireless communication system. The control circuit is further configured to adjust at least one operational setting of the wireless communication system based on the at least one performance characteristics of the mobile wireless communication device. The radio frequency transceiver is coupled to the control circuit and is configured to communicate with the mobile wireless communication device.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Mark L. Zeinstra, Michael A. Supanich, Walter M. Eadelman