Patents by Inventor Scott Alan Watkins
Scott Alan Watkins 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).
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Patent number: 8577548Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus and a method for transmitting at least one of an audio signal and a video signal based on driver status and an occurrence of a predetermined vehicle event is provided. The apparatus comprises an entertainment device. The entertainment device is configured to receive a key identification signal from a key indicative of the driver being one of a primary driver and a secondary driver and to receive a vehicle status signal to detect the occurrence of the predetermined vehicle event. The entertainment device is further configured to disable the transmission of the at least one of the audio signal and the video signal in response to the key identification signal indicating that the driver is the secondary driver and to detecting the occurrence of the predetermined vehicle event.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Scott Alan Watkins, Matthew J. Dalebout, Andrew D. Sarkisian
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Publication number: 20130274957Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for recording events in a vehicle based on driver status of a driver is provided. The apparatus comprises a vehicle interface device. The device is configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of the driver being one of a primary driver and a secondary driver. The device is further configured to receive at least one vehicle event signal corresponding to vehicle events in response to the driver status signal indicating that the driver is the secondary driver and to store the at least one vehicle event signal to record the vehicle events. The device is further configured to generate a report indicating the recorded vehicle events for transmission to at least one of the primary driver and the secondary driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Scott Alan Watkins, Brian Bennie
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Patent number: 8466781Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for recording events in a vehicle based on driver status of a driver is provided. The apparatus comprises a vehicle interface device. The device is configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of the driver being one of a primary driver and a secondary driver. The device is further configured to receive at least one vehicle event signal corresponding to vehicle events in response to the driver status signal indicating that the driver is the secondary driver and to store the at least one vehicle event signal to record the vehicle events. The device is further configured to generate a report indicating the recorded vehicle events for transmission to at least one of the primary driver and the secondary driver.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Scott Alan Watkins, Brian Bennie
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Patent number: 8384535Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the operation of notifying drivers of the fluid level. Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and generates driver status signals. A fluid level sensing device is operable to generate a fluid level signal indicative of the fluid level. A controller is coupled to the fluid level sensing device and the key ignition device. The controller determines whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver in response to the driver status signals. The controller notifies the primary or secondary driver of the fluid level in response to the fluid level signal. The controller selectively controls the operation of notifying the primary or the secondary driver based on whether the driver is the primary or secondary driver.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Scott Alan Watkins
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Publication number: 20120326857Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a device for controlling one or more vehicle features for a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The device comprises at least one controller that is configured to receive at least one driver status signal indicative of the driver being one of the primary driver and the secondary driver and to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the one of the primary driver and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is further configured to control one or more vehicle features and to prevent the one or more vehicle features from being disabled in response to determining that the at least one driver status signal indicates that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Scott Alan Watkins
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Publication number: 20120280786Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for programming keys to a vehicle to establish primary keys and secondary keys to control vehicle functionality is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a key identification signal from a first key. The method further comprises generating a key status signal indicative of whether the first key is one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal. The method further comprises transmitting the key status signal to a vehicle interface display. The method further comprises allowing a user to change a status of at least one of the first key and an additional key with the vehicle interface display in response to determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Scott Alan Watkins, Michael L. Gusta, Eric L. Reed
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Publication number: 20120268260Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for providing a space management alert for a host vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a controller configured to determine whether a first vehicle positioned ahead of the host vehicle is in a first detection zone and to determine whether a second vehicle positioned on one of a left side and a right side of the host vehicle is in a second detection zone. The controller is further configured to determine that the host vehicle is in a high density traffic condition (HDTC) if the first vehicle is in the first detection zone and the second vehicle is in the second detection zone and to selectively disable a space management alert when the host vehicle is in the HDTC.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Thomas Michael McQuade, Aaron L. Mills, Scott Alan Watkins
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Patent number: 8258939Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a device for controlling one or more vehicle features for a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The device comprises at least one controller that is configured to receive at least one driver status signal indicative of the driver being one of the primary driver and the secondary driver and to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the one of the primary driver and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is further configured to control one or more vehicle features and to prevent the one or more vehicle features from being disabled in response to determining that the at least one driver status signal indicates that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Matthew J. Dalebout, Lawrence Daniel Cepuran, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Terry Thomas Cwik, Scott Alan Watkins, Shimul Bhuva, Aaron Lewis Mills
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Patent number: 8237554Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for programming keys to a vehicle to establish primary keys and secondary keys to control vehicle functionality is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a key identification signal from a first key. The method further comprises generating a key status signal indicative of whether the first key is one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal. The method further comprises transmitting the key status signal to a vehicle interface display. The method further comprises allowing a user to change a status of at least one of the first key and an additional key with the vehicle interface display in response to determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Scott Alan Watkins, Michael L. Gusta, Eric L. Reed
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Publication number: 20120126964Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the operation of notifying drivers of the fluid level. Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and generates driver status signals. A fluid level sensing device is operable to generate a fluid level signal indicative of the fluid level. A controller is coupled to the fluid level sensing device and the key ignition device. The controller determines whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver in response to the driver status signals. The controller notifies the primary or secondary driver of the fluid level in response to the fluid level signal. The controller selectively controls the operation of notifying the primary or the secondary driver based on whether the driver is the primary or secondary driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Scott Alan Watkins
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Publication number: 20120105222Abstract: A status indicator and reminder system for a temporary mobility kit for use in a vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system. A tire sealant containing temporary mobility kit is fittable within the vehicle. A controller coupled to the temporary mobility kit and the tire pressure monitoring system will generate a service warning signal for the temporary mobility kit in response to information provided by the tire pressure monitoring system. The service warning signal will be provided at a message center in the vehicle to apprise the driver of the need to service the temporary mobility kit. The status indicator and reminder system may also utilize inputs from a power load monitor and a trailer brake controller system to generate and display a service warning signal at the message center.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2012Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Scott Alan Watkins
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Patent number: 8115615Abstract: A status indicator and reminder system for use with a vehicle having a tire sealant-containing temporary mobility kit is provided. The system includes a signal provided for viewing by the operator which indicates that the temporary mobility kit requires servicing. The need for servicing can be based on certain variables, including the passage of a pre-determined period of time or on changes in temperature which may impact the effective life of the sealing compound. In addition, the need for servicing can be based on a sensed of the temporary mobility kit from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Kimberly Ann Steele, Scott Alan Watkins
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Patent number: 8106759Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the operation of notifying drivers of the fluid level. Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and generate driver status signals. A fluid level sensing device is operable to generate a fluid level signal indicative of the fluid level. A controller is coupled to the fluid level sensing device and the key ignition device. The controller determines whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver in response to the driver status signals. The controller notifies the primary or secondary driver of the fluid level in response to the fluid level signal. The controller selectively controls the operation of notifying the primary or the secondary driver based on whether the driver is the primary or secondary driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Scott Alan Watkins
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Publication number: 20110241545Abstract: A vehicle controller may be configured to detect a headlight condition wherein a headlight is off and an ambient light level is less than a predetermined threshold, and to reduce electrical power supplied to an electrically powered vehicle interior accessory device in response to detecting the headlight condition to inform a driver that the headlight is off.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Scott Alan Watkins, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Douglas George Rosner, David Gordon VanAmberg
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Publication number: 20110093165Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus and a method for transmitting at least one of an audio signal and a video signal based on driver status and an occurrence of a predetermined vehicle event is provided. The apparatus comprises an entertainment device. The entertainment device is configured to receive a key identification signal from a key indicative of the driver being one of a primary driver and a secondary driver and to receive a vehicle status signal to detect the occurrence of the predetermined vehicle event. The entertainment device is further configured to disable the transmission of the at least one of the audio signal and the video signal in response to the key identification signal indicating that the driver is the secondary driver and to detecting the occurrence of the predetermined vehicle event.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Scott Alan Watkins, Matthew J. Dalebout, Andrew D. Sarkisian
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Publication number: 20110082625Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a device for controlling one or more vehicle features for a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The device comprises at least one controller that is configured to receive at least one driver status signal indicative of the driver being one of the primary driver and the secondary driver and to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the one of the primary driver and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is further configured to control one or more vehicle features and to prevent the one or more vehicle features from being disabled in response to determining that the at least one driver status signal indicates that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Matthew J. Dalebout, Lawrence Daniel Cepuran, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Terry Thomas Cwik, Scott Alan Watkins, Shimul Bhuva, Aaron Lewis Mills
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Publication number: 20110063099Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for recording events in a vehicle based on driver status of a driver is provided. The apparatus comprises a vehicle interface device. The device is configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of the driver being one of a primary driver and a secondary driver. The device is further configured to receive at least one vehicle event signal corresponding to vehicle events in response to the driver status signal indicating that the driver is the secondary driver and to store the at least one vehicle event signal to record the vehicle events. The device is further configured to generate a report indicating the recorded vehicle events for transmission to at least one of the primary driver and the secondary driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Scott Alan Watkins, Brian Bennie
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Publication number: 20100277273Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method and device for assigning a driver status of one of a primary driver and a secondary driver to a spare key is provided. A controller is configured to receive a first key identification signal from a first key indicative of the driver status for the first key being that of one of the primary and the secondary driver. The controller is configured to determine whether the driver status indicated on the first key identification signal corresponds to the one of the primary driver and the secondary driver. The controller is configured to receive a spare key identification signal and assign the spare key identification signal to correspond to the driver status as indicated on the first key identification signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Kevin Thomas Hille, Scott Alan Watkins, Martin J. Sultana
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Publication number: 20090309697Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for programming keys to a vehicle to establish primary keys and secondary keys to control vehicle functionality is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a key identification signal from a first key. The method further comprises generating a key status signal indicative of whether the first key is one of a primary key and a secondary key in response to the key identification signal. The method further comprises transmitting the key status signal to a vehicle interface display. The method further comprises allowing a user to change a status of at least one of the first key and an additional key with the vehicle interface display in response to determining that the key status signal corresponds to the primary key.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Scott Alan Watkins, Michael L. Gusta, Eric L. Reed
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Publication number: 20090198410Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the operation of notifying drivers of the fluid level. Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and generate driver status signals. A fluid level sensing device is operable to generate a fluid level signal indicative of the fluid level. A controller is coupled to the fluid level sensing device and the key ignition device. The controller determines whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver in response to the driver status signals. The controller notifies the primary or secondary driver of the fluid level in response to the fluid level signal. The controller selectively controls the operation of notifying the primary or the secondary driver based on whether the driver is the primary or secondary driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Andrew D. Sarkisian, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, Brian Bennie, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Scott Alan Watkins