Patents by Inventor Richard H. Stephan

Richard H. Stephan 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: 20140288812
    Abstract: Approaches for indicating vehicle fuel efficiency for vehicle usage patterns are provided. Patterns of inefficient operation are detected and conveyed to a user to inform the user of the impact of his/her inefficient operation. In these embodiments, a fuel efficiency tool provides this capability. The fuel efficiency tool comprises: an analysis component configured to analyze usage patterns of a vehicle; a calculation component configured to calculate a vehicle fuel efficiency for each of the usage patterns; and a notification component configured to: provide a real-time notification to a user of the vehicle indicating each of the following via a feedback device within the vehicle: a numerical representation of the vehicle fuel efficiency calculated for each of the plurality of recurring driver habits; and a monetary value indicating an amount of money sacrificed by at least one vehicle usage pattern that is contributing to inefficient vehicle fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Rendell L. Green, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, James W. Seaman, Richard H. Stephan
  • Patent number: 8793064
    Abstract: Approaches for indicating a vehicle fuel efficiency for at least one vehicle usage pattern are provided. Vehicle usage patterns are analyzed to discern if the vehicle is being operated in a fuel-efficient manner. Patterns of inefficient operation are detected and conveyed to the user to inform the user of the impact of his/her inefficient operation. A fuel efficiency tool provides this capability. Specifically, the fuel efficiency tool comprises: an analysis component configured to analyze a set of vehicle usage patterns of a vehicle, and a calculation component configured to calculate a vehicle fuel efficiency for each of the set of vehicle usage patterns. The fuel efficiency tool further comprises a notification component configured to provide a notification to a user of the vehicle indicating a vehicle fuel efficiency calculated for at least one of the set of vehicle usage patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rendell L. Green, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, James W. Seaman, Richard H. Stephan
  • Publication number: 20110145042
    Abstract: An invention for indicating a vehicle fuel efficiency for at least one vehicle usage pattern is provided. The invention analyzes vehicle usage patterns to discern if the vehicle is being operated in a fuel-efficient manner. Patterns of inefficient operation are detected and conveyed to the user to inform the user of the impact of his/her inefficient operation. In these embodiments, a fuel efficiency tool provides this capability. Specifically, the fuel efficiency tool comprises: an analysis component configured to analyze a set of vehicle usage patterns of a vehicle, and a calculation component configured to calculate a vehicle fuel efficiency for each of the set of vehicle usage patterns. The fuel efficiency tool further comprises a notification component configured to provide a notification to a user of the vehicle indicating a vehicle fuel efficiency calculated for at least one of the set of vehicle usage patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rendell L. Green, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, James W. Seaman, Richard H. Stephan