Patents by Inventor Mike Kirchner

Mike Kirchner 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: 20240262402
    Abstract: A wayside device monitoring system is provided that may include wayside equipment control movement of vehicle systems through a segment of a route and/or monitor operation of the vehicle systems. The wayside equipment can record data indicative of the movement that is controlled the operation that is monitored. The monitoring system also can include a communication device coupled with the wayside equipment. The communication device can communicate the data recorded by the wayside equipment to at least one of the vehicle systems as the at least one of the vehicle systems move by the wayside equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Mike Kirchner, Brad Von Tersch, Chad Dietrich, Ralph Young
  • Publication number: 20220398924
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting or predicting potential collisions between vehicles are provided. The systems and methods may receive sensor output indicative of a location, a heading, and/or a moving speed of a first vehicle and/or a second vehicle. The systems and methods may predict a collision between the vehicles at an intersection between routes based on the received sensor output. The systems and methods may change movement of the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle responsive to predicting the collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: James Lucas, Brad Von Tersch, Mike Kirchner
  • Patent number: 11468766
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive crossing obstruction information from an optical sensor disposed proximate a crossing of a route traversed by a vehicle, with the crossing obstruction information indicating a presence of an obstruction to the crossing; obtain position information indicating a position of the vehicle traversing the route; determine proximity information of the vehicle indicating proximity of the vehicle to the crossing using the position information; determine a presence or absence of an alert state indicating a potential of the crossing being obstructed using the crossing obstruction information and the proximity information; and perform a responsive activity based responsive to a determination of the presence of the alert state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Xorail, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lucas, Brad Von Tersch, Mike Kirchner
  • Publication number: 20210209936
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive crossing obstruction information from an optical sensor disposed proximate a crossing of a route traversed by a vehicle, with the crossing obstruction information indicating a presence of an obstruction to the crossing; obtain position information indicating a position of the vehicle traversing the route; determine proximity information of the vehicle indicating proximity of the vehicle to the crossing using the position information; determine a presence or absence of an alert state indicating a potential of the crossing being obstructed using the crossing obstruction information and the proximity information; and perform a responsive activity based responsive to a determination of the presence of the alert state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: James Lucas, Brad Von Tersch, Mike Kirchner
  • Patent number: 8553857
    Abstract: A system establishes a telephone call between a calling party and a called party. The system receives a telephone call connection request, including identification of the called party, from the calling party and determines, based on the identification information, if the called party is currently connected to a data network. If the called party is currently connected to the data network, the system establishes the telephone call between the calling party and an instant messaging client of the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: Joel Hanson, Mark O'Brien, Tony Moey, Mike Kirchner, Tom Galvin, Donald J. Maurer, Don Fergus
  • Publication number: 20070230673
    Abstract: A system establishes a telephone call between a calling party and a called party. The system receives a telephone call connection request, including identification of the called party, from the calling party and determines, based on the identification information, if the called party is currently connected to a data network. If the called party is currently connected to the data network, the system establishes the telephone call between the calling party and an instant messaging client of the called party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: VERIZON BUSINESS GLOBAL LLC
    Inventors: Joel Hanson, Mark O'Brien, Tony Moey, Mike Kirchner, Tom Galvin, Donald Maurer, Don Fergus
  • Patent number: 7274778
    Abstract: A system establishes a telephone call between a calling party and a called party. The system receives a telephone call connection request, including identification of the called party, from the calling party and determines, based on the identification information, if the called party is currently connected to a data network. If the called party is currently connected to the data network, the system establishes the telephone call between the calling party and an instant messaging client of the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: Joel Hanson, Mark O'Brien, Tony Moey, Mike Kirchner, Tom Galvin, Donald J. Maurer, Don Fergus
  • Publication number: 20040161089
    Abstract: A system establishes a telephone call between a calling party and a called party. The system receives a telephone call connection request, including identification of the called party, from the calling party and determines, based on the identification information, if the called party is currently connected to a data network. If the called party is currently connected to the data network, the system establishes the telephone call between the calling party and an instant messaging client of the called party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Joel Hanson, Mark O'Brien, Tony Moey, Mike Kirchner, Tom Galvin, Donald J. Maurer, Don Fergus
  • Patent number: 6697474
    Abstract: A system establishes a telephone call between a calling party and a called party. The system receives a telephone call connection request, including identification of the called party, from the calling party and determines, based on the identification information, if the called party is currently connected to a data network. If the called party is currently connected to the data network, the system establishes the telephone call between the calling party and an instant messaging client of the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Hanson, Mark O'Brien, Tony Moey, Mike Kirchner, Tom Galvin, Donald J. Maurer, Don Fergus