Patents by Inventor Rick D. Caprathe

Rick D. Caprathe 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).

  • Enabling device for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 6084531
    Abstract: An enabling device for a motor vehicle having an electronic ignition system and a passive anti-theft system includes an engine control circuit controlling the electronic ignition system of the motor vehicle, a passive anti-theft control circuit electrically connected to the engine control circuit for controlling the passive anti-theft system, and a latch electrically connected to the passive anti-theft control circuit to selectively enable the electronic ignition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Rick D. Caprathe, Robert J. Wilker
  • Override circuit for enabling internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 5696410
    Abstract: An enabling device for a motor vehicle having an electronic ignition system including an engine control circuit for controlling the electronic ignition system of the motor vehicle, a hardware limited operating system for controlling the electronic ignition system, a latch electrically connected to the control circuit to enable the electronic ignition system, and an override circuit electrically connected to the latch and the hardware limited operating system to enable the hardware limited operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Wilker, Rick D. Caprathe