Patents by Inventor Michael R. Wiegers

Michael R. Wiegers 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: 20230386361
    Abstract: A racing coach device stores data representative of a first path of travel along a racetrack over a first time period and data representative of a second path of travel along the racetrack over a second time period. The racing coach device identifies, for each of a plurality of geolocations along the racetrack, a segment traversed along the first path of travel over which a speed reduction event occurred in the generated video data. The device determines an obstructed portion of the first time period over which the traversed segment along the first path of travel was extended in duration by the speed reduction event. The device determines an average lap time for the first path of travel and the second path of travel based on the obstructed portion of the first time period and controls an output device to provide the determined average lap time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Adam J. Spence, Joseph R. Avey, David J. Frank, Michael R. Wiegers, Quinn M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11710422
    Abstract: A racing coach device stores a first path of travel along a racetrack over a first time period and a second path of travel along the racetrack over a second time period. The racing coach device identifies, for each of a plurality of geolocations along the racetrack, one of the first path of travel or the second path of travel that is associated with a shorter duration of time over which the user traversed a segment of the path of travel associated with each of the plurality of geolocations. The device determines an optimal path of travel along the racetrack based on the identified first and second path of travel for each segment of the path of travel at each of the plurality of geolocations that results in a calculated lap time to traverse the racetrack that is less than the first time period and the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventors: Adam J. Spence, Joseph R. Avey, David J. Frank, Michael R. Wiegers, Quinn M. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20210192975
    Abstract: A racing coach device stores a first path of travel along a racetrack over a first time period and a second path of travel along the racetrack over a second time period. The racing coach device identifies, for each of a plurality of geolocations along the racetrack, one of the first path of travel or the second path of travel that is associated with a shorter duration of time over which the user traversed a segment of thepath of travel associated with each of the plurality of geolocations. The device determines an optimal path of travel along the racetrack based on the identified first and second path of travel for each segment of the path of travel at each of the plurality of geolocations that results in a calculated lap time to traverse the racetrack that is less than the first time period and the second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Adam J. Spence, Joseph R. Avey, David J. Frank, Michael R. Wiegers, Quinn M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 10473781
    Abstract: Various techniques are described that relate to the manner in which marine devices may generate and display a water depth contour map while navigating a body of water. The contour map includes contour lines associated with determined contour line data that indicate geolocations of underwater terrain existing at depths of the body of water specified by the contour lines. A boundary enclosing a region of interest for the body of water may be determined and the contour map may include contour lines determined using the determined contour line data within the region of interest. The boundary may correspond to a natural shoreline along the perimeter of a body of water or a portion of the body of the water. The boundary corresponding to a shoreline may be automatically identified based on a stored map by identifying geographic locations along the perimeter of the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventor: Michael R. Wiegers
  • Publication number: 20180074195
    Abstract: Various techniques are described that relate to the manner in which marine devices may generate and display a water depth contour map while navigating a body of water. The contour map includes contour lines associated with determined contour line data that indicate geolocations of underwater terrain existing at depths of the body of water specified by the contour lines. A boundary enclosing a region of interest for the body of water may be determined and the contour map may include contour lines determined using the determined contour line data within the region of interest. The boundary may correspond to a natural shoreline along the perimeter of a body of water or a portion of the body of the water. The boundary corresponding to a shoreline may be automatically identified based on a stored map by identifying geographic locations along the perimeter of the body of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventor: Michael R. Wiegers
  • Patent number: 8647214
    Abstract: A method and electronic device for analyzing golf swings associates actual ball flight data with sensed swing characteristics. The electronic device includes a location-determining component; a sensor; a display; and a computing device all housed within a portable, handheld or wearable enclosure. The computing device may associate the ball flight data with the swing characteristic data by storing the data together in memory, linking the data in memory, displaying representations of the data together, or by any other method. The computing device may also create a reference profile for a golfer based on ball flight data and sensed swing characteristics for a plurality of golf swings and may associate swing characteristics with particular golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventor: Michael R. Wiegers
  • Patent number: 8041029
    Abstract: A mounting device comprises a base for placement on a vehicle dashboard or other surface; an attachment mechanism positioned on the base for removably coupling with the electronic device; a battery system including a rechargeable battery positioned within the base or the attachment mechanism for providing power to the electronic device when it is coupled to the attachment mechanism; and at least one solar cell positioned on or incorporated into the base or the attachment mechanism for charging the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventor: Michael R. Wiegers
  • Publication number: 20110241607
    Abstract: An inductive charging station that does not have to be directly plugged into an electrical socket in order to recharge a battery of an electronic device. The inductive charging station is incorporated into a primary electronic device, such as a laptop computer, for charging or recharging a secondary electronic device, such as a mobile phone. The inductive charging station is electrically coupled with the power source of the primary electronic device so that it may be used to inductively charge the battery of the secondary electronic device without directly plugging either the inductive charging station or the secondary electronic device into an electrical socket or other source of electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventor: Michael R. Wiegers
  • Publication number: 20110208895
    Abstract: A method of writing data to an electronic device during assembly comprises attaching a resident memory element to one or more contact pads of a circuit board using a solder paste; reflowing the solder paste to affix the resident memory element to the contact pads; copying data from an external memory element to the resident memory element; and thereafter combining a device component with the circuit board to at least partially complete assembly of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventors: Michael R. Wiegers, Travis J. Hebner, Jay D. Schroeder, Ross R. Stutterheim
  • Patent number: 7925320
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device mount (10) operable to provide navigation information to an electronic device (D). The mount (10) generally includes a housing (12) operable to securely retain the electronic device (D) and removably couple with a surface. The housing (12) preferably encloses or supports various portions of an antenna (14), a processor (18), and/or a transmitter (16). The antenna (14) is operable to receive a navigation signal, the processor (18) is operable to generate navigation information utilizing the received navigation signal, and the transmitter (16) operable to wirelessly transmit the generated navigation information to the electronic device (D). Such a configuration enables the electronic device (D) to receive navigation information from the mount (10) while being compactly and securely retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Clifton A. Pemble, Warren R. Stevens, Michael R. Wiegers
  • Publication number: 20100193649
    Abstract: A mounting device comprises a base for placement on a vehicle dashboard or other surface; an attachment mechanism positioned on the base for removably coupling with the electronic device; a battery system including a rechargeable battery positioned within the base or the attachment mechanism for providing power to the electronic device when it is coupled to the attachment mechanism; and at least one solar cell positioned on or incorporated into the base or the attachment mechanism for charging the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventor: Michael R. Wiegers
  • Patent number: 7668654
    Abstract: A navigation device is provided that includes a GPS input that receives GPS information from a GPS satellite. The system also includes a non-GPS input that receives real-time content from a non-GPS source. The real-time content includes updates to travel conditions. The system also includes a navigation module that analyzes the updates from the non-GPS source in conjunction with the GPS information form the GPS satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Pemble, Michael R. Wiegers
  • Publication number: 20090298605
    Abstract: A method and electronic device for analyzing golf swings associates actual ball flight data with sensed swing characteristics. The electronic device includes a location-determining component; a sensor; a display; and a computing device all housed within a portable, handheld or wearable enclosure. The computing device may associate the ball flight data with the swing characteristic data by storing the data together in memory, linking the data in memory, displaying representations of the data together, or by any other method. The computing device may also create a reference profile for a golfer based on ball flight data and sensed swing characteristics for a plurality of golf swings and may associate swing characteristics with particular golf clubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventor: Michael R. Wiegers
  • Publication number: 20090138195
    Abstract: A navigation device is provided that includes a GPS input that receives GPS information from a GPS satellite. The system also includes a non-GPS input that receives real-time content from a non-GPS source. The real-time content includes updates to travel conditions. The system also includes a navigation module that analyses the updates from the non-GPS source in conjunction with the GPS information form the GPS satellite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Pemble, Michael R. Wiegers
  • Patent number: 7538723
    Abstract: A personal navigation device includes a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites; a processing system coupled with the GPS receiver for determining a location of the personal navigation device as a function of the GPS signals; a display coupled with the processing system for displaying information related to the location of the personal navigation device; a housing on which the display is mounted and in which the GPS receiver and processing system are housed; and an antenna coupled with the GPS receiver for assisting in reception of the GPS signals. The antenna is fixedly positioned along a plane that is generally parallel with a plane passing through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Davis, Joshua C. Reeson, Joe R. Dejmal, Michael R. Wiegers
  • Patent number: 7502686
    Abstract: A navigation device is provided that includes a GPS input that receives GPS information from a GPS satellite. The system also includes a non-GPS input that receives real-time content from a non-GPS source. The real-time content includes updates to travel conditions. The system also includes a navigation module that analyses the updates from the non-GPS source in conjunction with the GPS information form the GPS satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Pemble, Michael R. Wiegers
  • Patent number: 7468692
    Abstract: A navigation device comprises a data receiver and a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation device which are interconnected with a multi-pin connector. The data receiver provides an intermediate voltage level through the multi-pin connector, and a microprocessor within the GPS navigation device identifies a type of data transmission system associated with the data receiver. A plurality of intermediate voltage levels may be output wherein each level corresponds to a different type of transmitted data. The data receiver may further comprise a resistor network having a resistance value based on the type of transmitted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael R. Wiegers
  • Publication number: 20080218408
    Abstract: A personal navigation device includes a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites; a processing system coupled with the GPS receiver for determining a location of the personal navigation device as a function of the GPS signals; a display coupled with the processing system for displaying information related to the location of the personal navigation device; a housing on which the display is mounted and in which the GPS receiver and processing system are housed; and an antenna coupled with the GPS receiver for assisting in reception of the GPS signals. The antenna is fixedly positioned along a plane that is generally parallel with a plane passing through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: GARMIN LTD.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Davis, Joe R. Dejmal, Joshua C. Reeson, Michael R. Wiegers
  • Patent number: 7030810
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus (10) configured for removably coupling with and providing navigational capabilities to a portable, handheld computing device (12). The navigation apparatus (10) includes a navigation receiver (26) for receiving navigation signals from a plurality of sources; a processor (24) coupled with the navigation receiver (26) for determining a location of the navigation apparatus (10) as a function of the received navigation signals; and an interface/connector (44). The interface/connector (44) is either a Secure Digital slot connector or a Compact Flash slot connector. Location data stored in the navigation apparatus (10) and data representative of the location determined by the navigation apparatus (10) may be delivered from the processor (24) to the handheld computing device (12) so that it may be displayed and used by a user of the device (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Garman Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Walters, Michael R. Wiegers, Robert M. Kalis
  • Patent number: 6970130
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus (10) configured for removably coupling with and providing navigational capabilities to a portable, handheld computing device (12). The navigation apparatus (10) includes a navigation receiver (26) for receiving navigation signals from a plurality of sources; a processor (24) coupled with the navigation receiver (26) for determining a location of the navigation apparatus (10) as a function of the received navigation signals; and an interface/connector (44). The interface/connector (44) is either a Secure Digital slot connector or a Compact Flash slot connector. Location data stored in the navigation apparatus (10) and data representative of the location determined by the navigation apparatus (10) may be delivered from the processor (24) to the handheld computing device (12) so that it may be displayed and used by a user of the device (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Walters, Michael R. Wiegers, Robert M. Kalis