Patents by Inventor Thomas Richard Alexander

Thomas Richard Alexander 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: 10163273
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a user interacts with remotely executing mobile applications from a vehicle. The vehicle may include at least one computer that includes a human machine interface (HMI) for control by the user. The mobile applications may be executing on an application server that is remote from the vehicle and communicating with the at least one computer. Further, the mobile applications may be configured to receive inputs from and transmit outputs to the at least one computer. An HMI application executing on the at least one computer may enable the provisioning of one or more services of the HMI to the mobile applications so that inputs and/or outputs to the mobile applications may be exchanged. Vehicle-based operation of the mobile applications from the at least one computer via the HMI may thus be enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David P. Boll, Nello Joseph Santori, Thomas Richard Alexander, Joseph N. Ross
  • Patent number: 9434307
    Abstract: A rollover meter device is disclosed that prevents vehicle rollover and minimizes the harm and damage caused if a rollover occurs. The rollover meter device comprises a meter housing component and a digital display component that displays the current angle of the vehicle. The meter housing component comprises microelectromechanical sensors (MEMS), such as a gyro component and two tri-axial accelerometer components which are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), along with LED warning lights, which is then secured behind the digital display inside the meter housing component. Furthermore, the meter housing component can be in electrical communication with a vehicle's gas supply, ignition, blade rotation, Power Take Off (PTO), and/or wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Alexander
  • Publication number: 20150283944
    Abstract: A rollover meter device is disclosed that prevents vehicle rollover and minimizes the harm and damage caused if a rollover occurs. The rollover meter device comprises a meter housing component and a digital display component that displays the current angle of the vehicle. The meter housing component comprises microelectromechanical sensors (MEMS), such as a gyro component and two tri-axial accelerometer components which are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), along with LED warning lights, which is then secured behind the digital display inside the meter housing component. Furthermore, the meter housing component can be in electrical communication with a vehicle's gas supply, ignition, blade rotation, Power Take Off (PTO), and/or wireless device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Alexander
  • Patent number: 9057614
    Abstract: A computer-implemented tracking method includes receiving a tracking request at a vehicle associated computing system (VACS). The method also includes authenticating the tracking request and determining a vehicle location via a GPS in communication with the VACS. The method further includes transmitting the vehicle location from the VACS to a tracking request associated computing system (TRACS). The method also includes monitoring the vehicle for at least one delay-event. The method additionally includes transmitting data corresponding to the delay event to the TRACS, contingent on the occurrence of at least one delay-event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Giuli, Joseph N. Ross, Mark Schunder, Thomas Richard Alexander, Joseph Paul Rork
  • Publication number: 20140257633
    Abstract: A rollover meter device is disclosed that prevents vehicle rollover and minimizes the harm and damage caused if a rollover occurs. The rollover meter device comprises a meter housing component and a gauge face component that displays current angle of the vehicle. The meter housing component comprises at least one weighted pendulum assembly and a pair of limit switches positioned on opposing sides of the pendulum, such that swinging of the pendulum contacts cams which actuate one of the limit switches, which then alerts a user that a critical angle has been reached. The pendulum assembly is held in place by a rotation rod and a pair of outer bushing assemblies that are secured to the ends of the rotation rod to allow it to rotate. Furthermore, the meter housing component can be in electrical communication with a vehicle's gas supply, ignition, blade rotation, and/or Power Take Off (PTO).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Alexander
  • Patent number: 8742950
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes recognizing the initiation of a vehicle journey. The method further includes periodically storing vehicle speed data, GPS coordinate data and time data. This method also includes providing at least one option for reporting the stored speed data, GPS data and time data. The method additionally includes outputting the stored speed data, GPS data and time data for at least one portion of the vehicle journey, responsive to input requesting the reporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Schunder, Thomas J. Giuli, Joseph N. Ross, Joseph Paul Rork, Thomas Richard Alexander, Joseph Phillips
  • Patent number: 8681023
    Abstract: A computer-implemented tracking method includes receiving a tracking request at a vehicle associated computing system (VACS). The method also includes authenticating the tracking request and determining a vehicle location via a GPS in communication with the VACS. The method further includes transmitting the vehicle location from the VACS to a tracking request associated computing system (TRACS). The method also includes monitoring the vehicle for at least one delay-event. The method additionally includes transmitting data corresponding to the delay event to the TRACS, contingent on the occurrence of at least one delay-event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Giuli, Joseph N. Ross, Mark Schunder, Thomas Richard Alexander, Joseph Paul Rork
  • Publication number: 20140052371
    Abstract: A computer-implemented tracking method includes receiving a tracking request at a vehicle associated computing system (VACS). The method also includes authenticating the tracking request and determining a vehicle location via a GPS in communication with the VACS. The method further includes transmitting the vehicle location from the VACS to a tracking request associated computing system (TRACS). The method also includes monitoring the vehicle for at least one delay-event. The method additionally includes transmitting data corresponding to the delay event to the TRACS, contingent on the occurrence of at least one delay-event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Giuli, Joseph N. Ross, Mark Schunder, Thomas Richard Alexander, Joseph Paul Rork
  • Publication number: 20120223842
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes recognizing the initiation of a vehicle journey. The method further includes periodically storing vehicle speed data, GPS coordinate data and time data. This method also includes providing at least one option for reporting the stored speed data, GPS data and time data. The method additionally includes outputting the stored speed data, GPS data and time data for at least one portion of the vehicle journey, responsive to input requesting the reporting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Schunder, Thomas J. Giuli, Joseph N. Ross, Joseph Paul Rork, Thomas Richard Alexander, Joseph Phillips
  • Publication number: 20120223844
    Abstract: A computer-implemented tracking method includes receiving a tracking request at a vehicle associated computing system (VACS). The method also includes authenticating the tracking request and determining a vehicle location via a GPS in communication with the VACS. The method further includes transmitting the vehicle location from the VACS to a tracking request associated computing system (TRACS). The method also includes monitoring the vehicle for at least one delay-event. The method additionally includes transmitting data corresponding to the delay event to the TRACS, contingent on the occurrence of at least one delay-event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Giuli, Joseph N. Ross, Mark Schunder, Thomas Richard Alexander, Joseph Paul Rork
  • Publication number: 20120079002
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a user interacts with remotely executing mobile applications from a vehicle. The vehicle may include at least one computer that includes a human machine interface (HMI) for control by the user. The mobile applications may be executing on an application server that is remote from the vehicle and communicating with the at least one computer. Further, the mobile applications may be configured to receive inputs from and transmit outputs to the at least one computer. An HMI application executing on the at least one computer may enable the provisioning of one or more services of the HMI to the mobile applications so that inputs and/or outputs to the mobile applications may be exchanged. Vehicle-based operation of the mobile applications from the at least one computer via the HMI may thus be enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David P. Boll, Nello Joseph Santori, Thomas Richard Alexander, Joseph N. Ross