Patents by Inventor Terry Thomas Cwik

Terry Thomas Cwik 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).

  • Patent number: 8384535
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 8280580
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the operation of stabilizing the movement of a vehicle between primary and secondary drivers is provided. A primary key is adapted to be associated to the primary driver. A secondary key is adapted to be associated to the secondary driver. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and is configured to generate driver status signals indicative of whether the driver is a primary or secondary driver. The controller is adapted to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver based on the driver status signals. The controller is further adapted to stabilize the movement of the vehicle. The controller is further adapted to selectively control the operation of stabilizing the movement of the vehicle in response to the driver status signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 8258939
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20120126964
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 8106759
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20110082625
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 7868750
    Abstract: A system and method for notifying primary and second drivers about a status of a safety restraint in a vehicle is provided. A primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to the primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on each of the primary key and secondary keys. The key ignition device is adapted to generate driver status signals indicative of whether the driver the primary driver or the secondary driver. A controller is adapted to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver based on the driver status signals. The controller is further adapted to generate restraint status signals indicative of the status of the safety restraint. The controller is further adapted to selectively control the operation of generating the restraint signals based on whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20090198413
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the operation of stabilizing the movement of a vehicle between primary and secondary drivers is provided. A primary key is adapted to be associated to the primary driver. A secondary key is adapted to be associated to the secondary driver. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and is configured to generate driver status signals indicative of whether the driver is a primary or secondary driver. The controller is adapted to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver based on the driver status signals. The controller is further adapted to stabilize the movement of the vehicle. The controller is further adapted to selectively control the operation of stabilizing the movement of the vehicle in response to the driver status signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, Matthew J. Dalebout, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kevin Thomas Hille, Karl William Wojcik, Terry Thomas Cwik, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20090195376
    Abstract: A system and method for notifying primary and second drivers about a status of a safety restraint in a vehicle is provided. A primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to the primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on each of the primary key and secondary keys. The key ignition device is adapted to generate driver status signals indicative of whether the driver the primary driver or the secondary driver. A controller is adapted to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver based on the driver status signals. The controller is further adapted to generate restraint status signals indicative of the status of the safety restraint. The controller is further adapted to selectively control the operation of generating the restraint signals based on whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20090198410
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 6644115
    Abstract: A system for determining a level of a liquid present in a storage container in an automobile is disclosed. The system has a liquid level sensor for determining a preliminary liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage container, an ignition key position sensor for determining an ignition position, a vehicle speed sensor for determining the automobile's speed, a transmission gear selection sensor for determining a transmission gear position of a transmission of the automobile, and a processor. The processor receives input signals from the liquid level sensor, ignition key position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the transmission gear selection sensor for calculating the level of the liquid in the storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Thomas Cwik, Bradley Jerome Corbin, Jeffrey Todd Kanoza, Thomas Gerald Burke
  • Patent number: 6639569
    Abstract: An integrated heads-up display (HUD) and cluster projection panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing and a display unit contained within the housing. The display unit has first and second pixel arrays which turn on and off for forming first and second image light beams in response to receiving light. A HUD unit is contained within the housing. The HUD unit has a first converter for transmitting light to the first pixel array of the display unit. The HUD unit further has a first projection optic for projecting the first image light beam from the first pixel array of the display unit onto a windscreen of the motor vehicle. A cluster projection panel unit is contained within the housing. The cluster projection panel has a second converter for transmitting light to the second pixel array of the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Gray Kearns, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Terry Thomas Cwik
  • Publication number: 20030115953
    Abstract: A system for determining a level of a liquid present in a storage container in an automobile is disclosed. The system has a liquid level sensor for determining a preliminary liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage container, an ignition key position sensor for determining an ignition position, a vehicle speed sensor for determining the automobile's speed, a transmission gear selection sensor for determining a transmission gear position of a transmission of the automobile, and a processor. The processor receives input signals from the liquid level sensor, ignition key position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the transmission gear selection sensor for calculating the level of the liquid in the storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Terry Thomas Cwik, Bradley Jerome Corbin, Jeffery Todd Kanoza, Thomas Gerald Burke
  • Publication number: 20020075200
    Abstract: An integrated heads-up display (HUD) and cluster projection panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing and a display unit contained within the housing. The display unit has first and second pixel arrays which turn on and off for forming first and second image light beams in response to receiving light. A HUD unit is contained within the housing. The HUD unit has a first converter for transmitting light to the first pixel array of the display unit. The HUD unit further has a first projection optic for projecting the first image light beam from the first pixel array of the display unit onto a windscreen of the motor vehicle. A cluster projection panel unit is contained within the housing. The cluster projection panel has a second converter for transmitting light to the second pixel array of the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Jerry Gary Kearns, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Terry Thomas Cwik
  • Patent number: 6216062
    Abstract: A display system for vehicle data provides a smooth and responsive display of vehicle data even when the data is transmitted on an irregular basis by extrapolating from the previously received data when data is not received in a given interval. The invention allows display data to be preempted by higher priority data in a shared communications system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Thomas Cwik, Jeffrey Todd Kanoza, John Edward Schnoes, Richard Stanley Smith
  • Patent number: 6145369
    Abstract: A gauge assembly 10 having improved accuracy due to its correction of certain errors. The assembly 10 includes a controller 12 which is communicatively coupled to at least one sensor 14 and a gauge driver 16 by use of a communications path or bus 28. Gauge driver 16 selectively and rotatably moves a staff 18 and pointer 26 within a gauge display 22 in response to the certain error compensated data received from controller 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventors: Bradley Jerome Corbin, Gregory Douglas Bober, Gregory Blaise Dahlin, John Edward Schnoes, Robert William Hinzmann, Stephen Lee Betts, Terry Thomas Cwik