Patents by Inventor Michael D. Granruth

Michael D. Granruth 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: 8791806
    Abstract: A system is disclosed which provides real-time detection of hazardous driving behavior. The system collects information about the motion of a vehicle along a path, for example, using a global positioning satellite system receiver. Roadside signs along the path are detected and their content determined. That information is compared with information about the motion of the vehicle to provide information with regard to potentially hazardous driving behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Michael D. Granruth
  • Publication number: 20130135090
    Abstract: A system is disclosed which provides real-time detection of hazardous driving behavior. The system collects information about the motion of a vehicle along a path, for example, using a global positioning satellite system receiver. Roadside signs along the path are detected and their content determined. That information is compared with information about the motion of the vehicle to provide information with regard to potentially hazardous driving behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Michael D. Granruth
  • Patent number: 8292171
    Abstract: In a fuel card monitoring system the vehicle associate with the fuel card is provided with a transmitter and possibly a memory for relaying information associated with a credit transaction, relating to one or more of the vehicle position, the number of miles driven, the amount of fuel taken in, and the turning off and on of the vehicle engine. Information gathering devices may be provided on the vehicle for monitoring the fuel amount, the timing information and the location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Michael D. Granruth, Eric S. White
  • Publication number: 20090177482
    Abstract: In a concrete preparation and pouring process, concrete quality and batch consistency is improved by monitoring weather conditions at one or more locations relating to the process and taking the weather conditions into account in adjusting variables in the preparation and pouring process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Michael D. Granruth, Trent C. Hone
  • Publication number: 20090152346
    Abstract: In a fuel card monitoring system the vehicle associate with the fuel card is provided with a transmitter and possibly a memory for relaying information associated with a credit transaction, relating to one or more of the vehicle position, the number of miles driven, the amount of fuel taken in, and the turning off and on of the vehicle engine. Information gathering devices may be provided on the vehicle for monitoring the fuel amount, the timing information and the location of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Michael D. Granruth, Eric S. White
  • Publication number: 20040039527
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic status information pertaining to the location and state of a plurality of vehicles incorporates the use of an intelligent controller onboard the vehicle The onboard intelligent controller utilizes data received from a GPS receiver and a vehicle condition sensor to generate automatic status information that is transmitted by a wireless communication system to a state database. The state database is accessed by a central dispatch center, and the data records contained therein are utilized to provide visual indicators to a dispatcher regarding the identity, location and state of each vehicle within a fleet of vehicles. The system employs knowledge of allowable states and state transitions to effect appropriate status reporting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Wesley E. McDonald, Michael D. Granruth, Michael Gingras
  • Patent number: 6496775
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic status information pertaining to the location and delivery state of a plurality of delivery vehicles incorporates the use of an intelligent controller onboard the delivery vehicle. The onboard intelligent controller utilizes data received from a GPS receiver and a vehicle condition sensor to generate automatic status information that is transmitted by a wireless communication system to a delivery state database. The delivery state database is accessed by a central dispatch center, and the data records contained therein are utilized to provide visual indicators to a dispatcher regarding the identity, location and delivery state of each vehicle within a fleet of vehicles. The system employs knowledge of allowable states and state transitions to effect appropriate status reporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Tracer Net Corporation
    Inventors: Wesley E. McDonald, Jr., Michael D. Granruth
  • Publication number: 20020077750
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic status information pertaining to the location and delivery state of a plurality of delivery vehicles incorporates the use of an intelligent controller onboard the delivery vehicle The onboard intelligent controller utilizes data received from a GPS receiver and a vehicle condition sensor to generate automatic status information that is transmitted by a wireless communication system to a delivery state database. The delivery state database is accessed by a central dispatch center, and the data records contained therein are utilized to provide visual indicators to a dispatcher regarding the identity, location and delivery state of each vehicle within a fleet of vehicles. The system employs knowledge of allowable states and state transitions to effect appropriate status reporting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Wesley E. McDonald, Michael D. Granruth