Patents by Inventor Michael Blackard
Michael Blackard 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: 20110043348Abstract: A method for providing guidance in shifting gears of vehicle includes obtaining data from a plurality of vehicle sensor, determining at least one shifting range based on the obtained data, the shifting range being represented by an engine speed, and displaying the shifting range to an operator of the vehicleType: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Michael Blackard, Subramanian Arumugam
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Patent number: 7072649Abstract: A multiple purpose antenna system for installation on a highway truck to receive and transmit signals. The system includes an antenna for communication of electromagnetic frequency signals having multiple band widths, a multiplex unit coupled to the antenna having circuitry for simultaneously passing multiple signals of band widths, and a filter unit. The filter is coupled to the multiplex unit for filtering signals received from the multiplex unit into multiple sets of band width ranges. The sets include a first frequency range for use by a first receiver apparatus, a second frequency range for use by a second receiver apparatus, and a third frequency range for use by a third receiver apparatus. The filter unit may be included within a satellite electronic communications unit. The first receiver apparatus may be a weather band radio apparatus. The third receiver apparatus may be an AM/FM commercial radio.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2002Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: Tommy Gustavsson, Michael Blackard
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Patent number: 6889127Abstract: A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle milleage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: Tommy Gustavsson, Michael Blackard, John Bate, Brian Kidd
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Patent number: 6828924Abstract: A communications system for use in a vehicle that allows the user of the communications system to safely communicate from inside the vehicle. The communications system includes a memory for storing messages that will be transmitted by the driver to a receiving party, a sensor for sensing movement of the truck, a display unit coupled to the memory and the sensor for selectively displaying stored messages, a selector for selecting at least one stored message to be communicated to the receiving party, and a transmitter for transmitting the one or more stored messages. The display unit selectively displays the stored messages based on whether or not the vehicle is stopped preventing the operator from being distracted while driving.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: Tommy Gustavsson, Riley Muse, Michael Blackard, Jon Quigley, John Bate, Brian Kidd
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Publication number: 20040093146Abstract: A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle miileage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: Tommy Gustavsson, Michael Blackard, John Bate, Brian Kidd
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Patent number: 6718906Abstract: A dual scale gauge, such as a speedometer, for a motor vehicle. The gauge includes a mechanical indicator, an overlay, a first light source, and a second light source. The mechanical indicator moves in response to a sensed condition of the motor vehicle. The overlay is positioned behind the indicator. The overlay includes first and second scales that are only visible when illuminated. The first light source illuminates the first scale when the gauge is operated in a first mode. The second light source illuminates the second scale when the gauge is operated in a second mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: Jon Quigley, Michael Blackard
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Publication number: 20030221606Abstract: A dual scale gauge, such as a speedometer, for a motor vehicle. The gauge includes a mechanical indicator, an overlay, a first light source, and a second light source. The mechanical indicator moves in response to a sensed condition of the motor vehicle. The overlay is positioned behind the indicator. The overlay includes first and second scales that are only visible when illuminated. The first light source illuminates the first scale when the gauge is operated in a first mode. The second light source illuminates the second scale when the gauge is operated in a second mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: Jon Quigley, Michael Blackard
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Patent number: 6629031Abstract: A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle mileage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: Tommy Gustavsson, Michael Blackard, John Bate, Brian Kidd
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Publication number: 20030088348Abstract: A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle mileage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Tommy Gustavsson, Michael Blackard, John Bate, Brian Kidd
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Publication number: 20030085819Abstract: A communications system for use in a vehicle that allows the user of the communications system to safely communicate from inside the vehicle. The communications system includes a memory for storing messages that will be transmitted by the driver to a receiving party, a sensor for sensing movement of the truck, a display unit coupled to the memory and the sensor for selectively displaying stored messages, a selector for selecting at least one stored message to be communicated to the receiving party, and a transmitter for transmitting the one or more stored messages. The display unit selectively displays the stored messages based on whether or not the vehicle is stopped preventing the operator from being distracted while driving.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: Tommy Gustavsson, Riley Muse, Michael Blackard, Jon Quigley, John Bate, Brian Kidd
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Publication number: 20030087608Abstract: A multiple purpose antenna system for installation on a highway truck to receive and transmit signals. The system includes an antenna for communication of electromagnetic frequency signals having multiple band widths, a multiplex unit coupled to the antenna having circuitry for simultaneously passing multiple signals of band widths, and a filter unit. The filter is coupled to the multiplex unit for filtering signals received from the multiplex unit into multiple sets of band width ranges. The sets include a first frequency range for use by a first receiver apparatus, a second frequency range for use by a second receiver apparatus, and a third frequency range for use by a third receiver apparatus. The filter unit may be included within a satellite electronic communications unit. The first receiver apparatus may be a weather band radio apparatus. The third receiver apparatus may be an AM/FM commercial radio.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: Tommy Gustavsson, Michael Blackard