Patents by Inventor Stephen Michael Fox

Stephen Michael Fox 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: 20230367540
    Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling audio output in a telematics system are provided. In on method a telematics device determines that a parameter has exceeded a first threshold and sends an automatic volume control trigger message to an audio output device. The telematics device determines that a second parameter has exceeded a second threshold and sends an alert message to the audio output device. The audio output device performs an automatic volume control procedure then plays back and audible alert message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
  • Publication number: 20230137962
    Abstract: Devices and methods for restricting the use of the operator terminal of an operator of a vehicle are provided. In a method by an operator terminal, the operator terminal determines that the engine of the vehicle is running, determines that the operator is in the driver's seat, and changes the configuration of the operator terminal in response to determining that the engine is running and that the operator is in the driver's seat. The device and method can be used to restrict the use of cellular phones by drivers sitting in a vehicle with the engine running in accordance with laws in certain jurisdictions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Jobin Thayilchira
  • Patent number: 11641036
    Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic monitoring devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices. The present disclosure also relates to detecting temperature of batteries, as well as emergency input and messages for telematic monitoring systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Samuel Zhao
  • Patent number: 11623655
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restricting the use of vehicle operator's electronic device are provided. In a method by a telematics server, the server determines that a vehicle's engine is running and that the operator registered with the vehicle is in the driver's seat. In response, the server sends a message to the vehicle operator's electronic device for disabling at least one feature thereof. In a method by a vehicle operator's electronic device, the electronic device determines that the vehicle is running and that the operator is in the driver's seat. In response, the electronic device disables at least one feature thereof. The systems and methods can be used to discourage or restrict the use of electronic devices by drivers sitting in a vehicle with the engine running in accordance with laws in certain jurisdictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Jobin Thayilchira
  • Patent number: 11613265
    Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
  • Patent number: 11605032
    Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
  • Patent number: 11605031
    Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
  • Publication number: 20230072000
    Abstract: A method for handling power faults in a primary electronic device is provided. The method includes setting a power-off duration to an initial value and powering on a hardware interface. In response to detecting a power fault at the hardware interface, the hardware interface is power-cycled by a plurality of power cycles having progressively increasing power-off durations until a limit is reached. A primary electronic device for carrying out the method is also provided. The primary electronic device includes a controller, a memory, and a hardware interface for coupling the telematics device to a secondary electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
  • Patent number: 11589160
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling audio output in a telematics system are provided. In on method a telematics device determines that a parameter has exceeded a first threshold and sends an automatic volume control trigger message to an audio output device. The telematics device determines that a second parameter has exceeded a second threshold and sends an alert message to the audio output device. The audio output device performs an automatic volume control procedure then plays back and audible alert message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
  • Patent number: 11558808
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restricting the use of vehicle operator's electronic device are provided. In a method a telematics server determines that a vehicle's engine is running, and that the operator registered with the vehicle is in the driver's seat. In response, the telematics server sends a message to the vehicle operator's terminal for changing the configuration thereof. A system including a telematics device, telematics server, and operator terminal may carry out the method. The system and method can be used to restrict the use of electronic devices by drivers sitting in a vehicle with the engine running in accordance with laws in certain jurisdictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Jobin Thayilchira
  • Patent number: 11544128
    Abstract: A telematics device coupled to an input/output expander is provided. The telematics device includes a controller, an input/output expander interface for coupling the telematics device to the controller and a memory. The memory has machine-executable programming instructions which configure the telematics device to power-cycle the input/output expander interface by a plurality of power cycles having progressively increasing power-off durations, in response to detecting a power fault condition on the input/output expander interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
  • Patent number: 11537955
    Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
  • Publication number: 20220393259
    Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic monitoring devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices. The present disclosure also relates to detecting temperature of batteries, as well as emergency input and messages for telematic monitoring systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Samuel Zhao
  • Publication number: 20220388397
    Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Irene Ai May Wong, Kartheek Gajjala, Tessa Shuk Ling Kam, Cong Zhu, Stephen Michael Fox
  • Patent number: 11522235
    Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic monitoring devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices. The present disclosure also relates to detecting temperature of batteries, as well as emergency input and messages for telematic monitoring systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Samuel Zhao
  • Patent number: 11494281
    Abstract: A method for handling input/output (I/O) expansion power faults in a telematics device is provided. The method includes setting an I/O expander power-off duration to an initial value and powering on an I/O expander interface. In response to detecting a power fault at the I/O expander interface, the I/O expander interface is powered-off dur the power-off duration and the power-off duration is increased. If the power-off duration is greater than the power-off duration limit, the I/O expander interface is permanently powered-off. The steps are repeated until either the power fault does not recur, or the I/O expander interface is permanently powered-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Fox
  • Patent number: 11488423
    Abstract: Vehicles can employ onboard telematic monitoring devices to collect vehicle and operation data, such as for improved vehicle fleet management. Such telematic monitoring devices are dependent on power from a vehicle, such that data collection and communication can be interrupted if a telematic monitoring device is disconnected or has a poor connection. The present disclosure relates to battery devices, which provide power to telematic devices as needed in order to maintain data collection and communication, or other more limited functionality. The present disclosure also relates to systems including battery devices, and methods for operating battery devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Irene Ai May Wong, Kartheek Gajjala, Tessa Shuk Ling Kam, Cong Zhu, Stephen Michael Fox
  • Patent number: 11427140
    Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
  • Patent number: 11361596
    Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney
  • Patent number: 11314901
    Abstract: System, apparatus, device and methods relating to a telematic vehicle sharing platform ecosystem and a telematic vehicle share I/O expander to automate sharing and management of a vehicle that is shared by more than one operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mendes, Stephen Michael Fox, Benjamin John Gordon Gaffney