Patents by Inventor Rene A. Whelan

Rene A. Whelan 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).

  • Restricted operation of vehicle driven by secondary driver with rear passengers
    Patent number: 8751105
    Abstract: Restricted operating modes are provided for a motor vehicle when driven by a secondary driver (such as a less experienced driver). A seat occupancy sensor detects the presence of at least one rear seat passenger. A controller includes a memory storing rules defining a restricted operating mode containing a plurality of limitations to be applied to operation of various vehicle accessories in conjunction with the secondary driver. The controller selectively controls the operation of at least one of the accessories according to one of the rules in response to simultaneously detecting the secondary driver and the presence of at least one rear seat passenger. Use of the rules may also depend on whether the rear seat passenger has an unbuckled seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rene A. Whelan, Richard W. Smith, Abraham Phillip, Thomas L. Miller
  • RESTRICTED OPERATION OF VEHICLE DRIVEN BY SECONDARY DRIVER WITH REAR PASSENGERS
    Publication number: 20130179031
    Abstract: Restricted operating modes are provided for a motor vehicle when driven by a secondary driver (such as a less experienced driver). A seat occupancy sensor detects the presence of at least one rear seat passenger. A controller includes a memory storing rules defining a restricted operating mode containing a plurality of limitations to be applied to operation of various vehicle accessories in conjunction with the secondary driver. The controller selectively controls the operation of at least one of the accessories according to one of the rules in response to simultaneously detecting the secondary driver and the presence of at least one rear seat passenger. Use of the rules may also depend on whether the rear seat passenger has an unbuckled seat belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Rene A. Whelan, Richard W. Smith, Abraham Phillip, Thomas L. Miller