Patents by Inventor Patrick A. O'Connell

Patrick A. O'Connell 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: 20110289009
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ACTIVITY TRACKING AND PROPERTY TRANSACTION FACILITATING HUB (“HUB”) facilitates the generation, evaluation, and recording of information and activities related to property transactions and associated communications. In one implementation, the HUB dynamically generates an interface based on a user role, allows quick and efficient viewing of information relevant to an actual or potential property transaction, and records user activities or interactions to allow future access to a given interface state or set of relationships defined by interface element values, such as they may pertain to the given property transaction, an associated counterparty or contact, and/or the like. In one implementation, the HUB may provide a bifurcated display to allow for side-by-side visualization of required and available property information, attributes, and/or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Claiborne R. Rankin, JR., Patrick A. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20110289106
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A LEAD GENERATING HUB (“HUB”) facilitates the generation, evaluation, and recording of information and activities related to property transactions and associated communications. In embodiments, the HUB may be configured to identify leads for users based on user-entered information, user contacts, and/or the properties associated with a user and/or in which a user is interested. Leveraging connectivity between contract relationship management functionality, property listing service features, intelligent inbox coordination capabilities, and/or the like, the HUB may identify connections between user requirements and/or assets and opportunities to fulfill those requirements and/or to transact those assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Claiborne R. Rankin, JR., Patrick A. O' Brien
  • Publication number: 20110289010
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ACTIVITY TRACKING AND PROPERTY TRANSACTION FACILITATING HUB USER INTERFACE (“HUB”) facilitates the generation, evaluation, and recording of information and activities related to property transactions and associated communications. In one implementation, the HUB may allow for highly customizable mapping of spatiotemporal information in an integrated customer relationship management and real estate listing system; optimized scheduling of activities and/or appointments; efficient access to and economical display of contact information; dynamic sorting and filtering of searchable data; and/or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Claiborne R. Rankin, JR., Patrick A. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20110289161
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN INTELLIGENT INBOX COORDINATING HUB (“HUB”) facilitates the generation, evaluation, and recording of information and activities related to property transactions and associated communications. In embodiments, the HUB may be configured to effectuate intelligent inbox coordination, which may facilitate the processing of messages configured as email messages, XML data, HTTP POST message content, and/or the like for economical display and interaction. The HUB's intelligent inbox coordination features may allow for the distillation of large volumes of message data and/or content to highlight and/or direct users to the particular message and/or attachment containing data that is most interesting or relevant to them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Claiborne R. Rankin, JR., Patrick A. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20110288962
    Abstract: The APPARATUS, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A LEAD EXCHANGE FACILITATING HUB (“HUB”) facilitates the generation, evaluation, and recording of information and activities related to property transactions and associated communications. In embodiments, the HUB may be configured to transaction and/or exchange of lead information, such as contact information, real estate site drives, market comparables, marketing ideas, and/or the like. The HUB may engender a tailored and efficient forum for coordinating transactions of lead information based on a centralized database of contacts and other lead information associated with and/or belonging to users. In one embodiment, users may submit lead requests comprising parameters and/or criteria based on which one or more queries may be performed on that database. Other users having leads matching the request may then be notified and may decide whether to share their lead information with the requesting user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Claiborne R. Rankin, JR., Patrick A. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20110248658
    Abstract: The position of a rotor of a motor is determined. The motor includes the rotor and a stator and the stator includes a plurality of coils. The rotor further includes at least one rotating magnetic field device. When the rotor is moving below a threshold speed, the current in each of the plurality of coils of the stator is measured. A pre-programmed data structure is accessed. The pre-programmed data structure stores a plurality of stator currents associated with a plurality of predetermined rotor positions. A first absolute position of the rotor is determined from the data structure according to the measured current from each of the plurality of coils. When the rotor is moving above the threshold speed, one or more rising or falling edges of magnetic field strength associated with the at least one rotating magnetic field device of the rotor are sensed. At least one timing aspect of the rising and falling edges of magnetic field strength are compared to determine a second absolute position of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Rene Vivanco, Alex Kurnia
  • Publication number: 20110089928
    Abstract: Methods and systems for power conversion are disclosed, including receiving at least one interrupt indicative of a transient power condition of the power converter and switching the processor to operate in a second mode from a first mode responsive to the interrupt. The switching enables the processor to allocate greater resources to process a power output parameter of the power converter operating in the transient power condition compared to resources allocated by the processor operating in the first mode to process the power output parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7915888
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting an angular position of an electric motor are disclosed, including sending an electrical pulse through a stator coil of the electric motor, determining an approximate angular position of a rotor of the electric motor in response to detecting an timing of a returning electrical pulse from the stator coil, the timing of the returning electrical pulse being indicative of the angular position of the rotor; and determining an accurate position of the rotor in response to sensing a transition of a digital sensor in response to the rotor rotating relative to the stator, the transition being indicative of the accurate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Rene Vivanco, Alex Kurnia
  • Patent number: 7847523
    Abstract: Methods and systems for minimizing power loss in generator are disclosed, including providing one or more operating parameters for a generator, and determining an optimal field power and an optimal phase angle, where the optimal field power and the optimal phase angle substantially minimize a power loss in operating the generator at the one or more operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Conway, Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20100194192
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Donald J. Remboski, Dennis L. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7701079
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Donald J. Remboski, Dennis L. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20090251089
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting an angular position of an electric motor are disclosed, including sending an electrical pulse through a stator coil of the electric motor, determining an approximate angular position of a rotor of the electric motor in response to detecting an timing of a returning electrical pulse from the stator coil, the timing of the returning electrical pulse being indicative of the angular position of the rotor; and determining an accurate position of the rotor in response to sensing a transition of a digital sensor in response to the rotor rotating relative to the stator, the transition being indicative of the accurate position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Rene Vivanco, Alex Kurnia
  • Publication number: 20090254301
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting an angular position of a rotating device are disclosed, including sensing and counting high-resolution transitions of a high-resolution digital sensor in response to the rotating device rotating; sensing low-resolution transitions of a low-resolution digital sensor in response to the rotating device rotating, the low-resolutions transitions being spaced apart at uneven angles; determining an angular position of the rotating device in response to determining a number of high-resolution transitions between pairs of low-resolution transitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Rene Vivanco, Alex Kurnia
  • Publication number: 20090212746
    Abstract: Methods and systems for minimizing power loss in generator are disclosed, including providing one or more operating parameters for a generator, and determining an optimal field power and an optimal phase angle, where the optimal field power and the optimal phase angle substantially minimize a power loss in operating the generator at the one or more operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Conway, Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7443142
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automotive electrical system including a FET based rectifier and method of controlling the FET based rectifier without using either an alternator shaft position sensor or current sensors on each phase of the alternator output to control the switching of the FETs. In accordance with the teachings herein, the voltage and current on the DC bus of the automotive electrical system are sensed and switching of the FETs is controlled by a microcontroller that determines the appropriate switching times based on these sensed parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7414425
    Abstract: While a PWM-controlled, FET-switched three-phase motor is operating in a mechanical damping mode, a single current sensor is used to measure current in the motor. When mechanical feedback into the motor exceeds a predetermined threshold, a bank of the FET switches can be closed to provide damping of the mechanical feedback. This causes currents to circulate within the motor, which an external single current sensor cannot measure to determine current load or when the mechanical feedback is no longer a problem. The present invention periodically switches selected switches necessary to sample the current in at least one phase of the motor to determine when the mechanical feedback into the motor is no longer a problem, while preferably also maintaining an average zero voltage vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Scott W. Repplinger
  • Patent number: 7339327
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for driving a halogen lamp. A driving circuit is provided that is operable near a series resonance frequency. The driving circuit is coupled to the lamp in a series configuration. During startup, the circuit is driven above resonance. After the lamp has warmed up, the circuit is driven substantially at resonance. A controller is coupled to the driving circuit. The controller is operable to control the frequency of operation of the driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7271570
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automotive electrical system including a FET based rectifier and method of controlling the FET based rectifier without using either an alternator shaft position sensor or current sensors on each phase of the alternator output to control the switching of the FETs. In accordance with the teachings herein, the voltage and current on the DC bus of the automotive electrical system are sensed and switching of the FETs is controlled by a microcontroller that determines the appropriate switching times based on these sensed parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O′Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7193395
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are two techniques, neutral point switching and field voltage boost, that will increase the output of today's 12 volt automotive electrical systems in vehicle idle conditions solely by the addition of circuitry. Neutral point switching enables the flow of a third harmonic current, which does not normally flow at low speeds, but only at high speed. Boosting the field voltages can be obtained by integrating a field voltage boost circuit and voltage regulator to increase the field voltage, and consequently the field current, above the level obtained from the battery. Furthermore, the transient response of the alternator to a change in load is improved by temporarily increasing the field voltage above the level needed to sustain the load. These two techniques are compatible, and thus may be implemented together, or may be implemented independently. No changes to a standard alternator are required to accommodate the proposed additional circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7095214
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are two techniques, neutral point switching and field voltage boost, that will increase the output of today's 12 volt automotive electrical systems in vehicle idle conditions solely by the addition of circuitry. Neutral point switching enables the flow of a third harmonic current, which does not normally flow at low speeds, but only at high speed. Boosting the field voltages can be obtained by integrating a field voltage boost circuit and voltage regulator to increase the field voltage, and consequently the field current, above the level obtained from the battery. Furthermore, the transient response of the alternator to a change in load is improved by temporarily increasing the field voltage above the level needed to sustain the load. These two techniques are compatible, and thus may be implemented together, or may be implemented independently. No changes to a standard alternator are required to accommodate the proposed additional circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens