Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Utter
Thomas E. Utter 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: 11856110Abstract: A system and method for sharing a digital key for a vehicle. The system includes a first digital key device having a digital key stored thereon, a second digital key device, and a vehicle server. The first digital key device sends a request to the vehicle server for a key sharing session. The vehicle server commences a key sharing session in response to the request. The first digital key device shares the digital key to a second digital key device. The vehicle server ends the key sharing session.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jinzhu Chen, Fan Bai, John Sergakis, Thomas E. Utter
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Publication number: 20220231862Abstract: A system and method for sharing a digital key for a vehicle. The system includes a first digital key device having a digital key stored thereon, a second digital key device, and a vehicle server. The first digital key device sends a request to the vehicle server for a key sharing session. The vehicle server commences a key sharing session in response to the request. The first digital key device shares the digital key to a second digital key device. The vehicle server ends the key sharing session.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Jinzhu Chen, Fan Bai, John Sergakis, Thomas E. Utter
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Publication number: 20220067868Abstract: Systems and method are provided for customizing a user profile for a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: customizing, at a first device, a user profile defining vehicle access for one or more users of the vehicle; providing, to a second device, an access key and the user profile through a first communication channel; providing, to the vehicle, the user profile through a second communication channel; verifying the user profile of the second device with the user profile of the vehicle; and in response to the verifying, storing, in the vehicle, the access key.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jinzhu Chen, Fan Bai, John Sergakis, Thomas E. Utter
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Patent number: 11155238Abstract: A transceiver is configured to: pair with a mobile device; and transmit a predetermined signal from an antenna to the mobile device. A zone module is configured to: receive a signal from the mobile device in response to the predetermined signal; and based on the signal, select a zone within which the mobile device is present from a group consisting of: a first zone that is defined by a first radius from the antenna; a second zone that excludes the first zone and that is defined by a second radius from the antenna, where the second radius is greater than the first radius; and a third zone that is radially outward of the second zone and that excludes the first and second zones.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Rohit Uttam, Thomas E. Utter, David T. Proefke, Kenneth Strong
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Publication number: 20210046899Abstract: A transceiver is configured to: pair with a mobile device; and transmit a predetermined signal from an antenna to the mobile device. A zone module is configured to: receive a signal from the mobile device in response to the predetermined signal; and based on the signal, select a zone within which the mobile device is present from a group consisting of: a first zone that is defined by a first radius from the antenna; a second zone that excludes the first zone and that is defined by a second radius from the antenna, where the second radius is greater than the first radius; and a third zone that is radially outward of the second zone and that excludes the first and second zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2019Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Rohit UTTAM, Thomas E. UTTER, David T. PROEFKE, Kenneth STRONG
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Publication number: 20190370699Abstract: A method for authenticating a vehicle reservation by a user using a telematics authentication system includes opening a telematics authentication system application in a mobile device. A reservation for a vehicle is created via the telematics authentication system application including selecting the vehicle from multiple identified vehicles and identifying a reservation start date. The reservation is wirelessly submitted to a remotely located server. The server creates and downloads a valid certificate for the reservation to the vehicle. The vehicle sends a secret key to the mobile device after which the telematics authentication system application is closed. On the reservation start date the mobile device and the vehicle are positioned within a predefined wireless connection range and the telematics authentication system application is reopened in the mobile device to permit wireless authentication of the secret key for operation of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Caroline Chaplow, Shaun S. Marshall, Thomas E. Utter
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Patent number: 10275961Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for handling the response sequence with geometric elimination of a plurality of keyless fobs. The remote fobs are interrogated with a body control module. A first signal is issued from a first set of remote fobs in a first time slot in response to the interrogation signal from the body control module. A second signal is issued from a second set of remote fobs in a second time slot in response to the interrogation signal from the body control module. The second time slot differs from the first time slot. A first remote fob is authenticated when the first signal is received by the body control module in a free and clear state. The second remote fob is authenticated when the second signal is received by the body control module in the free and clear state. If neither the first nor second signals are received in the free and clear state, the remote fobs are re-interrogated by the body control module.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Aaron P. Creguer, Thomas E. Utter, Ron Y. Asmar, David T. Proefke
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Patent number: 10147253Abstract: An access system for a vehicle includes a first vehicle subsystem configured to control access to an interior compartment of the vehicle, an actuator mounted on the vehicle and movable between first and second positions, and a controller coupled to the actuator and configured to: detect a first actuation sequence of the actuator, the first actuation sequence corresponding to an access code; during the first actuation sequence of the actuator, provide an audible, visual, or tactile response from the vehicle, by causing activation of a vehicle system; compare the access code to an authorization code; and generate a first control signal configured to cause the first vehicle subsystem to switch between a first state and a second state when the access code corresponds to the authorization code.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: David T. Proefke, Thomas E. Utter, Akhil N. Neti, Luis David Gonzalez Valdez, Rohit Uttam
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Patent number: 10055919Abstract: A relay attack deterrence system includes a mobile platform including a plurality of mobile platform transmitter components and a mobile platform receiver component provided therein. The system further includes a fob device having a fob receiver component, a fob transmitter component, and a motion sensor component configured to produce motion information. The fob device is configured to receive, at the fob receiver component, one or more first signals from at least one of the plurality of mobile platform transmitter components and to selectably transmit, to the mobile platform receiver component, a second signal based on the motion information and position information derived from the one or more first signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ron Y. Asmar, Thomas E. Utter, Thomas M. Forest, Aaron P. Creguer, David T. Proefke
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Publication number: 20170352211Abstract: A relay attack deterrence system includes a mobile platform including a plurality of mobile platform transmitter components and a mobile platform receiver component provided therein. The system further includes a fob device having a fob receiver component, a fob transmitter component, and a motion sensor component configured to produce motion information. The fob device is configured to receive, at the fob receiver component, one or more first signals from at least one of the plurality of mobile platform transmitter components and to selectably transmit, to the mobile platform receiver component, a second signal based on the motion information and position information derived from the one or more first signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: RON Y. ASMAR, THOMAS E. UTTER, THOMAS M. FOREST, AARON P. CREGUER, DAVID T. PROEFKE
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Patent number: 9728018Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to dynamically configure a passive entry, passive start system to issue passive and active commands upon authentication of a remote keyless fob with a body control module in a given vehicle selected from a fleet of vehicles. In particular, a UID secret key data field is generated in the FOB data store using a fleet secret key data field and a vehicle secret key field retrieved from the BCM data store. A wakeup pattern data field stored in the FOB data store is generated with a fleet wakeup pattern data field and a master wakeup pattern data field retrieved from the BCM data store such that an approach wakeup pattern data field stored in the BCM data field is written to an approach wakeup pattern data field in the FOB data store when the remote fob is authenticated with the body control module.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: David T. Proefke, Ron Y. Asmar, Thomas E. Utter, Aaron P. Creguer
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Patent number: 9707889Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes sensing movement of an interior door handle of the vehicle with a sensing device, such as a door lock switch. A position of a door of the vehicle is sensed with a door position sensor, after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the door remains in an unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, or if the door moves into an opened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed. When movement of the interior door handle is sensed and the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle, instructions are provided with an audio or video device related to the proper procedure for unlocking and opening the door.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan, William A. Biondo, David T. Proefke, Frank J. Arabia, Jr., Thomas E. Utter
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Patent number: 9669801Abstract: A vehicle includes two or more wheel assemblies, each having a wheel assembly sensor. Each of the wheel assembly sensors is configured to produce acceleration data and pressure data associated with its associated wheel assembly. A wheel assembly tampering module communicatively coupled to the plurality of wheel assembly sensors is configured to produce an output indicative of wheel assembly tampering based on at the acceleration data and the pressure data. Inclination data and signal strength data (associated with each of the wheel assembly sensors) may also be used to determine wheel assembly tampering.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas E. Utter, Douglas M. Kidd, David T. Proefke, William A. Biondo
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Publication number: 20160355128Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes sensing movement of an interior door handle of the vehicle with a sensing device, such as a door lock switch. A position of a door of the vehicle is sensed with a door position sensor, after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the door remains in an unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, or if the door moves into an opened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed. When movement of the interior door handle is sensed and the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle, instructions are provided with an audio or video device related to the proper procedure for unlocking and opening the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan, William A. Biondo, David T. Proefke, Frank J. Arabia, JR., Thomas E. Utter
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Publication number: 20160075306Abstract: A vehicle includes two or more wheel assemblies, each having a wheel assembly sensor. Each of the wheel assembly sensors is configured to produce acceleration data and pressure data associated with its associated wheel assembly. A wheel assembly tampering module communicatively coupled to the plurality of wheel assembly sensors is configured to produce an output indicative of wheel assembly tampering based on at the acceleration data and the pressure data. Inclination data and signal strength data (associated with each of the wheel assembly sensors) may also be used to determine wheel assembly tampering.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: THOMAS E. UTTER, DOUGLAS M. KIDD, DAVID T. PROEFKE, WILLIAM A. BIONDO
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Publication number: 20150235487Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for configuration a single remote fob to be fully operational with different vehicles such as more than one vehicle within a vehicle fleet. In particular, the method and apparatus implements functional transmitter identification and synchronization to allow for dynamic authentication and configuration of the key fob with the last vehicle with which it was successfully passively authenticated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: DAVID T. PROEFKE, RON Y. ASMAR, THOMAS E. UTTER, AARON P. CREGUER
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Publication number: 20150235488Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to dynamically configure a passive entry, passive start system to issue passive and active commands upon authentication of a remote keyless fob with a body control module in a given vehicle selected from a fleet of vehicles. In particular, a UID secret key data field is generated in the FOB data store using a fleet secret key data field and a vehicle secret key field retrieved from the BCM data store. A wakeup pattern data field stored in the FOB data store is generated with a fleet wakeup pattern date field and a master wakeup pattern data field retrieved from the BCM data store such that an approach wakeup pattern data field stored in the BCM data field is written to an approach wakeup pattern data field in the FOB data store when the remote fob is authenticated with the body control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: DAVID T. PROEFKE, RON Y. ASMAR, THOMAS E. UTTER, AARON P. CREGUER
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Publication number: 20150235494Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for handling the response sequence with geometric elimination of a plurality of keyless fobs. The remote fobs are interrogated with a body control module. A first signal is issued from a first set of remote fobs in a first time slot in response to the interrogation signal from the body control module. A second signal is issued from a second set of remote fobs in a second time slot in response to the interrogation signal from the body control module. The second time slot differs from the first time slot. A first remote fob is authenticated when the first signal is received by the body control module in a free and clear state. The second remote fob is authenticated when the second signal is received by the body control module in the free and clear state. If neither the first nor second signals are received in the free and clear state, the remote fobs are re-interrogated by the body control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: AARON P. CREGUER, THOMAS E. UTTER, RON Y. ASMAR, DAVID T. PROEFKE
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Patent number: 9102299Abstract: A driver identification system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a driver's side front door. The driver identification system includes at least one remote device, and a control module. The remote device is activated to send an authentication signal. The control module is in selective communication with the at least one remote device. The control module receives a signal indicating that the driver's side front door of the vehicle is opened. The control module includes control logic for sending an inquiry signal if the signal indicating the driver's side front door is opened is received by the control module. The inquiry signal is configured for activating the at least one remote device to send the authentication signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Aaron P. Creguer, David T. Proefke, Roy Y. Asmar, Thomas E. Utter
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Patent number: 8918249Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an electronic control unit that can be adjusted or changed to operate in different manners for different circumstances. The apparatus includes an electronic control unit (ECU) for operation of a plurality of electronic components, such as latch motors. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of inputs configured to receive a connection from a plurality of handle sensors, and a plurality of outputs configured to connect to the plurality of latch motors. The ECU also comprises a conversion loop with a receptacle and a receptacle circuit. The receptacle circuit can be configured as either an open or closed circuit, and the receptacle circuit is accessible via the receptacle. The ECU is configured to operate in either a first mode or a second mode depending on whether the receptacle circuit is open or closed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas E. Utter, David T. Proefke, Kimberly A. Morse-Harvey, Craig Atiyeh, Aaron P. Creguer