Patents by Inventor Michael A. Morrell

Michael A. Morrell 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: 9122788
    Abstract: An appliance network has a network binder accessory to establish a private network among nodes that might be on different networks, using “one-click”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace J. Elston, III, Anthony E. Jenkins, Richard A. McCoy, Michael A. Morrell
  • Patent number: 8655995
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for commissioning a home network and inhibiting unaffiliated wireless communication devices that are physically proximate to each other from forming a wireless network. A wireless communication device may include a transceiver capable of communicating with at least a second device, a non-volatile memory capable of storing a network name, a controller, and a user input acceptance element capable of placing the controller in a network set-up mode. The controller may have a plurality of modes including the network set-up mode, as well as a status indicator for providing an indication of whether the device is operating with one of a parent status and a child status. A method for joining a wireless network may include entering a network set up mode, and scanning for a second device operating with a parent status. If the second device is operating with the parent status, the network name of the second device may be adopted as the network name.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace J. Elston, III, Anthony E. Jenkins, Gregory S. Lieto, Richard A. Mccoy, Michael A. Morrell
  • Patent number: 8028302
    Abstract: The invention relates to a network system of at least two appliances, each appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation on an article, and each appliance having its own software architecture. An embedded virtual router enables communication among appliance components independent of the architecture of the software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Glotzbach, Matthew P. Ebrom, Richard A. McCoy, Christopher S. Moes, Michael A. Morrell, Brian N. Radford, Anders B. Zeijlon
  • Publication number: 20110085287
    Abstract: A modular system comprises an appliance having a visible surface, a first service interface positioned on the visible surface, a cover detachably coupled to the visible surface and disposed to overlie the first service interface, a controller configured to selectively provide operational instructions to the appliance and/or the cover, and an antenna provided within the cover and operably connected to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew P. Ebrom, Wallace J. Elston, Anthony E. Jenkins, Gregory S. Lieto, Richard A. McCoy, Michael A. Morrell, Peter J. Richmond
  • Publication number: 20100287059
    Abstract: A comprehensive product management system for a product is provided. The system (10) includes discrete processes for planning (1000), engineering (2000), testing (3000), producing (4000), selling (6000), using (8000), and servicing (10000) a product comprising one or more components. It also includes a comprehensive relational database (30) containing information about the product, performance, sales, consumers, and markets, and system tools (20) for operating on the discrete processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. McCoy, Matthew P. Ebrom, Patrick J. Glotzbach, Mark E. Glotzbach, Michele A. Paustian, Matthew Nibbelink, Michael A. Morrell, Anthony E. Jenkins, Gregory S. Lieto, Wei Wang, Stephen D. Krefman
  • Publication number: 20100180019
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for commissioning a home network and inhibiting unaffiliated wireless communication devices that are physically proximate to each other from forming a wireless network. A wireless communication device may include a transceiver capable of communicating with at least a second device, a non-volatile memory capable of storing a network name, a controller, and a user input acceptance element capable of placing the controller in a network set-up mode. The controller may have a plurality of modes including the network set-up mode, as well as a status indicator for providing an indication of whether the device is operating with one of a parent status and a child status. A method for joining a wireless network may include entering a network set up mode, and scanning for a second device operating with a parent status. If the second device is operating with the parent status, the network name of the second device may be adopted as the network name.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wallace J. Elston, III, Anthony E. Jenkins, Gregory S. Lieto, Richard A. Mccoy, Michael A. Morrell
  • Publication number: 20080123557
    Abstract: An appliance network has a network binder accessory to establish a private network among nodes that might be on different networks, using “one-click”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace J. Elston, Anthony E. Jenkins, Richard A. McCoy, Michael A. Morrell