Patents by Inventor William L. Ball

William L. Ball 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: 8923797
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a call center from a vehicle telematics unit that has had its cellular service deactivated. The method includes the step of receiving a request from the telematics unit to communicate with the call center via cellular telephony using a cleared telephone number. The call is then established and the type of request is determined at the call center and used to route the cellular call to an appropriate advisor or department in the call center based on the type of request being made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: William L. Ball, Steven P. Schwinke
  • Patent number: 7877275
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for communicating a vehicle user's medical information stored in a key device to medical caregivers via a wireless communications network. The method comprises receiving vehicle user medical information in a key device, transmitting the medical information from the key device to a storage unit within a vehicle and transmitting the stored medical information from a telematics unit to a call center responsive to an emergency event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventor: William L. Ball
  • Publication number: 20090036091
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a call center from a vehicle telematics unit that has had its cellular service deactivated. The method includes the step of receiving a request from the telematics unit to communicate with the call center via cellular telephony using a cleared telephone number. The call is then established and the type of request is determined at the call center and used to route the cellular call to an appropriate advisor or department in the call center based on the type of request being made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Ball, Steven P. Schwinke
  • Patent number: 6546668
    Abstract: A bait station designed to be deployed in an agricultural environment to exterminate flying insects such as fruit flies. The bait station consists of a plurality of shells each providing wall and roof sections. A hinge is provided to pivotable couple the shells together. A locking mechanism is used to lock the shells in a deployment mode. The locking mechanism can include a tab and slot arrangement. There are a plurality of holes on the bait station to disperse the attractant of the bait and attract flying sections. The bottom of the bait station is open assisting in the dissipation of the bait and to enable the flying insect to easily enter the bait station within having to walk through a small hole. An awning extends a sloped roof laterally past the outer wall to keep water and other debris away from the venting holes. A bait holder, containing bait, engages with the wall of the bait station. Flying insects digest the bait and die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Invicta, Ltd.
    Inventors: William L. Ball, Patrick Garvey
  • Patent number: 4098877
    Abstract: An antimicrobial composition having improved effectiveness which comprises two known germicidal components, (1) a phenolic bacteriostat and (2) a long-chain alkyl, phenoxyalkyl substituted quaternary bacteriocide where the combination results in surprisingly enhanced disinfectant and antiseptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: William L. Ball, Eugene E. Wiese