Patents by Inventor William J. Clifford

William J. Clifford 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: 9794011
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a digital radio broadcast receiver in a vehicle includes: detecting an instruction to activate the digital radio broadcast receiver; accessing a software application at the vehicle in response to the instruction; and activating the digital radio broadcast receiver in the vehicle at the direction of the software application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Cepuran, William J. Clifford
  • Publication number: 20150381297
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a digital radio broadcast receiver in a vehicle includes: detecting an instruction to activate the digital radio broadcast receiver; accessing a software application at the vehicle in response to the instruction; and activating the digital radio broadcast receiver in the vehicle at the direction of the software application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Cepuran, William J. Clifford
  • Patent number: 4731814
    Abstract: A computer-controlled cordless telephone system having a base unit and a dset unit provides for increased functionality in communications between the base unit and the handset unit, and also provides a controlled power-up/power-down mode of operation for the handset unit. Increased functionality is achieved by employing a message format for control signals transmitted between the base unit and the handset unit in the form of frequency shift keyed (FSK) signals which include a data field. This data field may be in the form of either opcode data or digit data, thereby allowing for many different commands or functions. Power to a computer, a receiver and certain other selected circuitry in the handset unit is controlled to minimize power consumption when the handset unit is in an out-of-cradle-and-standby state. Power to other nonessential circuitry in the handset unit is turned completely off during this state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: AT&T Information Systems Inc. American Telephone & Telegraph Company
    Inventors: William R. Becker, James J. Boyd, III, William J. Clifford, Paul B. Newland