Patents by Inventor William D. Cotter

William D. Cotter 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).

  • Cell phone texting external monitoring apparatus and method
    Patent number: 10017106
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and discriminating cell phone use (voice and text) in a vehicle from the exterior of the vehicle is provided. Cell phone use indicator lights are positioned on the exterior of a vehicle and wirelessly connected to or hardwired to cell phone use detection sensors located in seats and/or within the vehicle cabin to provide site specific information about specific cell phone use in the vehicle based on radio wave frequencies emitted by one or more cell phones in use in the vehicle. One or multiple indicator lights grouped in cluster arrangements to simulate the seat arrangement in a vehicle can be implemented. The apparatus may also be used in aircraft to monitor passenger electronic device use remotely from within the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventors: William D. Cotter, Mark D. Lorusso
  • Cell Phone Texting External Monitoring Apparatus and Method
    Publication number: 20160355122
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and discriminating cell phone use (voice and text) in a vehicle from the exterior of the vehicle is provided. Cell phone use indicator lights are positioned on the exterior of a vehicle and wirelessly connected to or hardwired to cell phone use detection sensors located in seats and/or within the vehicle cabin to provide site specific information about specific cell phone use in the vehicle based on radio wave frequencies emitted by one or more cell phones in use in the vehicle. One or multiple indicator lights grouped in cluster arrangements to simulate the seat arrangement in a vehicle can be implemented. The apparatus may also be used in aircraft to monitor passenger electronic device use remotely from within the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: William D. Cotter, Mark D. Lorusso
  • Seat belt status external monitoring apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7812716
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring seat belt use in a vehicle from the exterior of the vehicle is provided. Seat belt use indicator lights are positioned on the exterior of a vehicle and wirelessly connected to or hardwired to sensors located in seat belt buckle assemblies to provide information about the use of the seatbelt. One or multiple indicator lights grouped in cluster arrangements to simulate the seat arrangement in a vehicle can be implemented. The apparatus may also be used in aircraft to monitor seat belt use remotely from within the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: William D. Cotter