Patents by Inventor Michael Kiefer

Michael Kiefer 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: 20050027633
    Abstract: A network based system to facilitate managing a consumer's financial development. This network based system includes at least one computer system operable to execute a consumer module, a communication module, a lead sourcing module, a creditor module, a financial processing module, and a counselor module. A number of databases such as a consumer database, creditor database, and lead database operably couple to the network based computer. Consumers, counselors and creditors may interact with one another through web-based user interfaces presented by modules executed on the network based computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Joey Fortuna, Michael Kiefer, Philip Shen, Ramesh Vishnubhatla, David Mashburn, George Fortuna
  • Publication number: 20040266583
    Abstract: A method is described for operating an automatic transmission in which a command for changing a current ratio of the automatic transmission is generated when achieving preset operating states of the vehicle automatically or by manual input in a manual shifting mode, the activated manual shifting mode being preferred to an automatic shifting mode. The manual shifting mode is quit when a current vehicle speed is less than a threshold value, or when a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle is within a defined range, a lateral acceleration is less than a threshold value and a driver type evaluation counter is less than a limiting value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20040142794
    Abstract: A shift device for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, particularly of a motor vehicle, is proposed in which the request to change the current ratio of the automatic transmission upon reaching preset operating states of the vehicle can be automatically generated or by manual input in a manual shifting mode. A pulse counter is here provided by way of successive pulses and manual input can be functionally interlinked wherein a shift signal can be generated depending on the linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20040098181
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle in the event of a spontaneous gas/pedal release (FastOff). The automatic transmission is driven by an internal combustion engine which can be influenced by an accelerator pedal and a signal proportional to a pedal position is fed to an electronic transmission control in which shifting characteristic field is stored and the spontaneous gas/pedal release (FastOff) is detected and an upshift block (FFO=1) is activated when a pedal position gradient (PSTG) falls below a pedal gradient threshold (KF_PSTG). The mode of the upshift block (FFO=1) is removed when a traction operation is detected when an actual engine torque (MMM) exceeds a push-pull line (KL_ZS) stored as a function of a value equivalent to an engine rotational speed (NMO) in dependence on a vehicle acceleration/deceleration (AIST) dependent on an overall tractional resistance (GFW) and pedal gradient thresholds (KW_PSTGPOS, KW_PSTGNEG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • Patent number: 6485922
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for identifying and characterizing compounds that modulate the activity of an LPA receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Atairgin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Erickson, J. Graham Goddard, Michael Kiefer