Patents by Inventor Walter Dorfstatter

Walter Dorfstatter 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: 10373400
    Abstract: A vehicle email notification system and method in which triggers are used to initiate the generation and transmission of email messages that provide diverse types of dynamic vehicle information to the owner or other authorized subscriber. The email notifications are triggered by different events, some of which are independent of the vehicle (e.g., a 30 day trigger to provide the subscriber with a monthly vehicle status report), and others of which occur at the vehicle, such as a mileage or low oil life trigger. Upon occurrence of a trigger, the notification system builds and sends to the subscriber an email message that contains the dynamic vehicle information and identifies any detected vehicle condition for which action is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
    Inventors: Shane McCutchen, Neelie A. Kapral, Chester A. Huber, Christopher L. Oesterling, John J. Correia, Walter A. Dorfstatter, Fahd Laghrari, Steven Samolinski
  • Publication number: 20160239293
    Abstract: An automobile, vehicle, vessel or other device may include a plurality of modules, software applications, computer program products, controllers or other logically executing entities to facilitate controlling, implementing or otherwise enabling various operations according to computer-readable instructions, code or other information stored within a memory, such as within a file or other memory construct. A controller having capabilities sufficient to facilitate updating, modifying, creating or otherwise manipulating such stored files and/or corresponding instructions is contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hoffman, Dan Umbach, Walter A. Dorfstatter
  • Patent number: 9348577
    Abstract: An automobile, vehicle, vessel or other device may include a plurality of modules, software applications, computer program products, controllers or other logically executing entities to facilitate controlling, implementing or otherwise enabling various operations according to computer-readable instructions, code or other information stored within a memory, such as within a file or other memory construct. A controller having capabilities sufficient to facilitate updating, modifying, creating or otherwise manipulating such stored files and/or corresponding instructions is contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Movimento Group
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hoffman, Dan Umbach, Walter A. Dorfstatter
  • Publication number: 20160104363
    Abstract: The service of “keeping an eye” on a vacant property in a simple, low-cost and reliable manner required extreme focus in selecting high-value parameters to be monitored, and the creation of a unique, proprietary, and highly interdependent product and technology architecture to effectively and efficiently deliver the service is contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Walter A. Dorfstatter, Chester A. Huber
  • Patent number: 9128798
    Abstract: An automobile, vehicle, vessel or other device may include a plurality of modules, software applications, computer program products, controllers or other logically executing entities to facilitate controlling, implementing or otherwise enabling various operations according to computer-readable instructions, code or other information stored within a memory, such as within a file or other memory construct. A controller having capabilities sufficient to facilitate updating, modifying, creating or otherwise manipulating such stored files and/or corresponding instructions is contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Movimento Group
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hoffman, Dan Umbach, Walter A. Dorfstatter, Brian Withun
  • Publication number: 20150007155
    Abstract: An automobile, vehicle, vessel or other device may include a plurality of modules, software applications, computer program products, controllers or other logically executing entities to facilitate controlling, implementing or otherwise enabling various operations according to computer-readable instructions, code or other information stored within a memory, such as within a file or other memory construct. A controller having capabilities sufficient to facilitate updating, modifying, creating or otherwise manipulating such stored files and/or corresponding instructions is contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hoffman, Dan Umbach, Walter A. Dorfstatter, Brian Withun
  • Publication number: 20140351803
    Abstract: An automobile, vehicle, vessel or other device may include a plurality of modules, software applications, computer program products, controllers or other logically executing entities to facilitate controlling, implementing or otherwise enabling various operations according to computer-readable instructions, code or other information stored within a memory, such as within a file or other memory construct. A controller having capabilities sufficient to facilitate updating, modifying, creating or otherwise manipulating such stored files and/or corresponding instructions is contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hoffman, Dan Umbach, Walter A. Dorfstatter
  • Patent number: 8813061
    Abstract: An automobile, vehicle, vessel or other device may include a plurality of modules, software applications, computer program products, controllers or other logically executing entities to facilitate controlling, implementing or otherwise enabling various operations according to computer-readable instructions, code or other information stored within a memory, such as within a file or other memory construct. A controller having capabilities sufficient to facilitate updating, modifying, creating or otherwise manipulating such stored files and/or corresponding instructions is contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Movimento Group
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hoffman, Dan Umbach, Walter A. Dorfstatter
  • Publication number: 20140109075
    Abstract: An automobile, vehicle, vessel or other device may include a plurality of modules, software applications, computer program products, controllers or other logically executing entities to facilitate controlling, implementing or otherwise enabling various operations according to computer-readable instructions, code or other information stored within a memory, such as within a file or other memory construct. A controller having capabilities sufficient to facilitate updating, modifying, creating or otherwise manipulating such stored files and/or corresponding instructions is contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Movimento Group
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hoffman, Dan Umbach, Walter A. Dorfstatter
  • Patent number: 8560165
    Abstract: A cooperative diagnostic and prognosis system for generating a prognosis of at least one component in a vehicle. An in-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a diagnostic signature of the component each time an occurrence of a condition is triggered and transmits the diagnostic signature to an off-board diagnostic unit. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a SOH of the component and a rate-of-change in the SOH of the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines whether the rate-of-change in the SOH is greater than a threshold. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit requests additional information from the vehicle in response to the rate-of-change in the SOH being greater than the threshold. The additional information relating to operating parameter data associated with the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit receives the requested information and predicts a time-to-failure of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mutasim A. Salman, Yilu Zhang, Mark N. Howell, Xidong Tang, Youseff A. Ghoneim, Walter A. Dorfstatter
  • Publication number: 20130184929
    Abstract: A cooperative diagnostic and prognosis system for generating a prognosis of at least one component in a vehicle. An in-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a diagnostic signature of the component each time an occurrence of a condition is triggered and transmits the diagnostic signature to an off-board diagnostic unit. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a SOH of the component and a rate-of-change in the SOH of the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines whether the rate-of-change in the SOH is greater than a threshold. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit requests additional information from the vehicle in response to the rate-of-change in the SOH being greater than the threshold. The additional information relating to operating parameter data associated with the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit receives the requested information and predicts a time-to-failure of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mutasim A. Salman, Yilu Zhang, Mark N. Howell, Xidong Tang, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Walter A. Dorfstatter
  • Patent number: 8195150
    Abstract: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Habermas, Walter A. Dorfstatter, Dwayne Crocker
  • Patent number: 8170468
    Abstract: A method of presenting channels to the user of a multi-channel wireless media service is provided. A user input is received in a mobile unit, wherein the user input has an associated category. At least one channel of the multi-channel wireless media service responsive to the user input is determined based upon a relationship of the channel to the associated category. Access to the channel is provided to the user. Alternative methods as well as systems and programs for accomplishing the method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Walter A. Dorfstatter, Russell A. Patenaude, Brad T. Resser
  • Publication number: 20110171900
    Abstract: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Habermas, Walter A. Dorfstatter, Dwayne Crocker
  • Patent number: 7925255
    Abstract: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Habermas, Walter A. Dorfstatter, Dwayne Crocker
  • Patent number: 7650229
    Abstract: A method of automatically communicating subscription-specific messages to a telematics-equipped vehicle includes the following steps: a) establishing a trigger and a message associated with the trigger; b) setting the trigger; c) monitoring for the occurrence of one or more conditions that satisfy the trigger; and d) determining that the one or more conditions have occurred and, if so, then; e) accessing the message associated with the trigger; and f) playing the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Walter A. Dorfstatter, Christopher L. Oesterling, Michael L. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20080306682
    Abstract: A system for sharing destinations includes a communications device for transmitting a destination location and a designated recipient of the destination location. The system further includes a call center including an advisor configured to receive the destination location and the designated recipient of the destination location, a communications system operable by the advisor for pushing a message to an electronic device of the designated recipient regarding the destination location, and a central computer system operable by the advisor for identifying in a profile of the designated recipient that the destination location has been shared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Walter A. Dorfstatter, James J. Piwowarski, Steven J. Ross, Richard A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080146219
    Abstract: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen Habermas, Walter A. Dorfstatter, Dwayne Crocker
  • Publication number: 20080004788
    Abstract: A method of automatically communicating subscription-specific messages to a telematics-equipped vehicle includes the following steps: a) establishing a trigger and a message associated with the trigger; b) setting the trigger; c) monitoring for the occurrence of one or more conditions that satisfy the trigger; and d) determining that the one or more conditions have occurred and, if so, then; e) accessing the message associated with the trigger; and f) playing the message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Walter Dorfstatter, Christopher Oesterling, Michael Peterson
  • Patent number: D769870
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HouseSetter, LLC
    Inventors: Walter A. Dorfstatter, Chester A. Huber, Richard M. Lee