Patents by Inventor Michael C. Heitmann

Michael C. Heitmann 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).

  • Publication number: 20200409678
    Abstract: Embodiments include methods, systems, and computer readable storage medium for a method for providing a software update to a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes entering, by a vehicle, a wakeup state. The method further includes sending, by the vehicle, a vehicle registration request to a computing environment. The method further includes receiving, by the vehicle, a confirmation that the vehicle is to receive one or more software updates based on the vehicle registration of the vehicle. The method further includes receiving, by the vehicle, the one or more software updates from the computing environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Xi Ju, Lakshmi V. Thanayankizil, Fan Bai, John Sergakis, Michael C. Heitmann
  • Publication number: 20190102158
    Abstract: In an example, an access point device for providing software updates to vehicles is disclosed. In an example implementation, the access point device includes a communication module that is configured to establish a wireless connection with respective control modules of the vehicles. The communication module is configured to receive vehicle identification information from the respective vehicles. The access point device also includes a vehicle update determination module that is configured to establish a connection with a server and determine whether a software update is available from the server for the vehicles based upon the vehicle identification information. The vehicle update determination module is configured to initiate a download of the software update from the server when the software update is available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Lakshmi V. THANAYANKIZIL, John SERGAKIS, Wen GU, Michael C. HEITMANN
  • Publication number: 20130280951
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprises a male connector and a female connector. The female connector includes a housing having an inner surface defining a cavity configured to receive the male connector. The male connector includes a housing having an outer surface configured to enable the male connector to be at least partially inserted into the cavity. The outer surface comprises a background region and an indicator region configured to emit a detectable quantity of light that is distinguishable from light emitted by the background region of the male connector and from light emitted by the housing of the female connector. The indicator region is shaped and positioned to be at least partially exposed whenever the male connector is not fully assembled into the female connector and to be completely within the housing of the female connector whenever the male connector is fully assembled into the female connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Heitmann, Bernard J. Slovan
  • Patent number: 8556651
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprises a male connector and a female connector. The female connector includes a housing having an inner surface defining a cavity configured to receive the male connector. The male connector includes a housing having an outer surface configured to enable the male connector to be at least partially inserted into the cavity. The outer surface comprises a background region and an indicator region configured to emit a detectable quantity of light that is distinguishable from light emitted by the background region of the male connector and from light emitted by the housing of the female connector. The indicator region is shaped and positioned to be at least partially exposed whenever the male connector is not fully assembled into the female connector and to be completely within the housing of the female connector whenever the male connector is fully assembled into the female connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Heitmann, Bernard J. Slovan
  • Patent number: 6638075
    Abstract: A window system for a vehicle including a glass assembly, an electrical device coupled to the glass assembly, a conducting post electrically coupled to the electrical device, sheet metal in the vehicle forming an aperture in the vehicle for accepting the glass assembly, a locating tab located on the border of the aperture, where the conducting post couples to the locating tab to position the glass assembly within the aperture to create an electrical connection to an electrical system in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventors: James R. Spaulding, Joseph Bosy, Michael C. Heitmann, James Arthur Cole
  • Publication number: 20030162415
    Abstract: A window system for a vehicle including a glass assembly, an electrical device coupled to the glass assembly, a conducting post electrically coupled to the electrical device, sheet metal in the vehicle forming an aperture in the vehicle for accepting the glass assembly, a locating tab located on the border of the aperture, where the conducting post couples to the locating tab to position the glass assembly within the aperture to create an electrical connection to an electrical system in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: James R. Spaulding, Joseph Bosy, Michael C. Heitmann, James Arthur Cole