Patents by Inventor Philip R. Horton

Philip R. Horton 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).

  • Systems and Methods for Encouraging the Use of Vehicle Seat Belts
    Publication number: 20090062990
    Abstract: Seat belt detection systems and methods for encouraging the use of vehicle seat belts are provided. One system includes a driver seat including a seat belt, a seat belt detector coupled to the seat belt, at least one interior component, and a controller in communication with the seat belt detector and the interior component(s), wherein the controller is configured to disable at least one function of the interior component(s) if the seat belt is not fastened. A method includes determining the presence of an occupant in a seat having an associated seat belt, determining whether the seat belt is fastened, and disabling at least one function of an interior component if the seat belt is not fastened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: William S. Materna, James Y. Khoury, Anne F. Ginn, Philip R. Horton, Holger Wolf