Patents by Inventor William W. Wittliff, III

William W. Wittliff, III 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: 10339726
    Abstract: A car wash with integrated diagnostic functions is provided that includes the ability to wash and dry a connected vehicle and perform various diagnostic functions. The various diagnostic functions such as tread depth measurement, measuring tire pressures, performing safety inspection, emissions testing and performing vehicle diagnostics and the like may be performed while the connected vehicle is at the car wash. The results of the diagnostic tests may be provided to the driver at the end of the car wash via the driver's wireless computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Thorley, William W. Wittliff, III
  • Patent number: 10181227
    Abstract: A power providing station with integrated diagnostic functions is provided that includes the ability to charge or fuel a vehicle and perform various diagnostic functions. The various diagnostic functions such as tread depth measurement, battery testing, measuring tire pressures, performing safety inspection, emissions testing and performing vehicle diagnostics and the like may be performed while the vehicle is at the power providing station. The results of the diagnostic tests may be provided to the driver at the end of the charging or fueling via a wireless computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: William W. Wittliff, III
  • Patent number: 9963011
    Abstract: A dongle that may be plugged into an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle and provide notification if a human or animal is left within a parked car. The dongle accesses a first sensor from the vehicle's communication system and a second sensor from within the dongle. If data from the first and second sensors exceeds predetermined threshold values programmed into the dongle's memory, then the dongle sends out a response signal. The response signal may be sent to an owner's cellular phone or to a 911 dispatch center. Additional sensors within the vehicle, or placed within the dongle, may also be used to verify the presence of a human or animal left within the parked vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: William W. Wittliff, III, Jeremy L. Hargis
  • Publication number: 20170190233
    Abstract: A dongle that may be plugged into an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle and provide notification if a human or animal is left within a parked car. The dongle accesses a first sensor from the vehicle's communication system and a second sensor from within the dongle. If data from the first and second sensors exceeds predetermined threshold values programmed into the dongle's memory, then the dongle sends out a response signal. The response signal may be sent to an owner's cellular phone or to a 911 dispatch center. Additional sensors within the vehicle, or placed within the dongle, may also be used to verify the presence of a human or animal left within the parked vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: William W. Wittliff, III, Jeremy L. Hargis
  • Publication number: 20170193716
    Abstract: A power providing station with integrated diagnostic functions is provided that includes the ability to charge or fuel a vehicle and perform various diagnostic functions. The various diagnostic functions such as tread depth measurement, battery testing, measuring tire pressures, performing safety inspection, emissions testing and performing vehicle diagnostics and the like may be performed while the vehicle is at the power providing station. The results of the diagnostic tests may be provided to the driver at the end of the charging or fueling via a wireless computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventor: William W. Wittliff, III
  • Publication number: 20170186247
    Abstract: A car wash with integrated diagnostic functions is provided that includes the ability to wash and dry a connected vehicle and perform various diagnostic functions. The various diagnostic functions such as tread depth measurement, measuring tire pressures, performing safety inspection, emissions testing and performing vehicle diagnostics and the like may be performed while the connected vehicle is at the car wash. The results of the diagnostic tests may be provided to the driver at the end of the car wash via the driver's wireless computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Simon Thorley, William W. Wittliff, III
  • Patent number: 9688243
    Abstract: A system and method for creating and distributing diagnostic tests to diagnostic devices. The system includes user devices, diagnostic devices, diagnostic development system and validation/authentication system. The system can create, validate and distribute one or more diagnostic tests to various diagnostic devices. This allows user to have the latest diagnostic tests in a timely manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Gray, Matthew Pasztor, William W. Wittliff, III
  • Publication number: 20170177757
    Abstract: A method for providing an interactive wiring diagram is provided. The method includes receiving, at a processor of a wireless device, from an image sensor of the wireless device, an image of a wire loom between a first vehicle component and a second vehicle component of a vehicle, the wire loom including a plurality of wire connections of the vehicle. The method includes determining, using a position sensor of the wireless device, a position of the wire loom relative to the vehicle and to the wireless device. The method includes identifying, using a database, a wire connection based upon at least the image or the position of the wire loom. The method includes generating an interactive wiring diagram of the wire connection based upon the identifying. The interactive wiring diagram includes a trace route indicating a presence of a third vehicle component between the first and the second vehicle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Simon M. Thorley, William W. Wittliff, III
  • Patent number: 9643638
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a remotely controllable service cart system, and methods of operating the same. Such systems and methods may include a remotely controllable service cart, a microcontroller located on the service cart, a transmitter configured to transmit a command from a user, a receiver located on the service cart for receiving the transmitted command, the microcontroller configured to produce a control signal from the transmitted command, and a drive system located on the service cart and operatively connected to the microcontroller, the drive system configured to move the service cart in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: William W. Wittliff, III
  • Patent number: 9588018
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle, includes a computer storing software on a computer readable media, configurable for setting up recording of vehicle operations, selecting from a plurality of customizable triggering operations according to Boolean logic, and a vehicle communication interface detachably connected to the computer, being setup by the computer for recording of vehicle operation while the vehicle is operating and recorded information stored in a computer readable media of the vehicle communication interface being reviewed by the computer, and detachably connected to the vehicle for recording of the vehicle operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Olav M. Underdal, Harry M. Gilbert, Alex Portyanko, Randy L. Mayes, Gregory J. Fountain, William W. Wittliff, III
  • Patent number: 9182300
    Abstract: A measuring system including a sensor positioned to a belt to measure an oscillation or vibration of the belt based at least in part on a trigger threshold. Also, the measuring system may include a diagnostic tool coupled the sensor to receive a plurality of measurements of the oscillation or vibration of the belt, wherein the diagnostic tool may determine a tension of the belt based at least in part on an average of the plurality of measurements of the oscillation or vibration of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Themm, William W. Wittliff, III, Reed Selkirk, Kevin Gray
  • Patent number: 9091537
    Abstract: A wheel alignment apparatus is capable of automatically obtaining tire pressure information from a plurality of tire pressure monitor systems. The wheel alignment apparatus may include an alignment bay configured to receive a vehicle and an optical system located at an end of the alignment bay and configured to provide an image of wheels of the vehicle. The wheel alignment apparatus may also include a camera configured to receive the image of the wheels of the vehicle and a computer configured to display the image of the wheels of the vehicle and automatically display tire pressure information of the wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is located within a predetermined proximity of the wheel alignment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Allen Farr, William W. Wittliff, III
  • Patent number: 9081883
    Abstract: A dynamic diagnostic plan generator arranges diagnostic test procedures related to a vehicle/power tool/patient symptom or operational problem in a sequence based on a probabilistic Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). The diagnostic plan generator also tracks a vehicle/power tool/patient state, and provides instructions for test preparation steps and instructions for performing the diagnostic test procedures. The plan generator further generates schematic illustrations of the diagnostic test procedures, and creates a diagnostic data structure containing information related to the diagnostic test procedures. In addition, the diagnostic plan generator sends and receives information regarding actual failure mode occurrences, for example, to and from a central database. Furthermore, the diagnostic plan generator facilitates the creation of failure mode tests by an expert diagnostics author.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Wittliff, III, Olav M. Underdal, Harry M. Gilbert, Alex Portyanko
  • Patent number: 9052996
    Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool can be configured to communicate a message including indicators to indicate the condition of the vehicle using a database and the DTCs present in the vehicle. The message can indicate for each DTC retrieved from the vehicle, the level of repair urgency and whether the vehicle can be driven without damaging the vehicle through one or both of a display and a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Wittliff, III, Shilpi Biswas, Jennifer Grabowski, Phillip Freshour, Hamid Namaky
  • Publication number: 20150081163
    Abstract: An on board diagnostic (OBD) II cable connector for use with an automobile diagnostic tool or the like. The on board diagnostic (OBD) II cable connector has a housing having an interface that extends from the housing. The interface engages an on board (OBD) II port on a vehicle using a series of pins extending therefrom. The on board diagnostic (OBD) II cable connector also includes a light source disposed upon the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Lynn MOLENKAMP, William W. WITTLIFF, III
  • Publication number: 20140273810
    Abstract: A system and method for creating and distributing diagnostic tests to diagnostic devices. The system includes user devices, diagnostic devices, diagnostic development system and validation/authentication system. The system can create, validate and distribute one or more diagnostic tests to various diagnostic devices. This allows user to have the latest diagnostic tests in a timely manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin Gray, Matthew Pasztor, William W. Wittliff III
  • Patent number: 8811008
    Abstract: A modular docking station for receiving a mobile device is disclosed. The docking station includes a base component having a plurality of modular apertures configured to receive hardware to perform a specific function. The docking station also includes a receiving component having a protective enclosure configured to receive and protect the mobile device in from environmental containment. The docking station further includes a coupler for coupling the receiving component to the base component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Reed Selkirk, William W. Wittliff, III, James Fish
  • Publication number: 20140129077
    Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic tool and a process of operating a diagnostic tool include communicating with a vehicle in at least one communication protocol. The tool and process further including receiving inputs from a user, displaying information on a display, performing a script of actions associated with a shortcut, performing diagnostic procedures in response to the receiving of inputs from the input device, communicating with the vehicle and performing the script of actions, and storing the script of actions in a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: SERVICE SOLUTIONS U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Reed SELKIRK, William A. ARNHOLT, William W. WITTLIFF, III
  • Publication number: 20140096608
    Abstract: A measuring system including a sensor positioned to a belt to measure an oscillation or vibration of the belt based at least in part on a trigger threshold. Also, the measuring system may include a diagnostic tool coupled the sensor to receive a plurality of measurements of the oscillation or vibration of the belt, wherein the diagnostic tool may determine a tension of the belt based at least in part on an average of the plurality of measurements of the oscillation or vibration of the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Themm, William W. Wittliff, III, Reed Selkirk, Kevin Gray
  • Patent number: 8626375
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that allow a diagnostic tool to communicate with a data link connector in a vehicle and place the vehicle in a desired state for diagnostic testing. A cable that can automatically multiplex its connections in order to make the appropriate connections between the diagnostic tool and the data link connector based on a communication protocol of the vehicle under test. A connector allowing for selective switching of pins of the connector to jump connect the selected pins. This allows the vehicle to be placed in the proper state for diagnostic testing and the diagnostic tool to communicate with the data link connector regardless of the pins being used by the communication protocol of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Garret Miller, Eric Vande Zande, Adam Gentner, Ray de Schepper, William W. Wittliff, III