Gerald D Lawruk

6516251, Feb 4, 2003

Jan 23, 2001

09/767999

George Chene - Sterling Heights MI
Lee A. French - Sterling Heights MI
Dennis A. Kramer - Troy MI
Gerald D. Lawruk - Clarkston MI
Brian Jeffrey Mueller - Lake Orion MI
Reno V. Ramsey - Sterling Heights MI
Wayne Shintaku - Auburn Hills MI
Jack R. Worrall - Novi MI

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC. - Troy MI

G06F 302

701 1, 701120, 701 35, 701101, 701102, 703 8, 703 22, 123630, 123643, 123190 DC, 123447, 123467, 180 541, 455432, 455466, 340426, 340 531, 73 497, 73 47

The present invention provides a system for automatically shutting down a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle system for performing a vehicle function such as brakes for performing braking of the vehicle. A vehicle control system controls the vehicle system by controlling valve switches or actuators to manipulate the vehicle system. A portable handheld computing device includes a program defining a vehicle shutdown sequence. Preferably, the portable handheld computing device is what is known as a personal digital assistant (PDA), such as a Handspring or PalmpilotÂ. A cradle removably receives the portable handheld computing device to connect the portable handheld computing device with the vehicle control system, such as through the vehicle databus. A switch enables the portable handheld computing device to command the vehicle control system to perform the vehicle shutdown sequence. The switch may be an ignition switch, a dedicated vehicle shutdown sequence switch, or an icon on a PDA display touch screen.

6587768, Jul 1, 2003

Aug 8, 2001

09/924435

George Chene - Sterling Heights MI
Jack R. Worrall - Novi MI
Reno V. Ramsey - Sterling Heights MI
Wayne Shintaku - Auburn Hills MI
Lee A. French - Sterling Heights MI
Brian Jeffrey Mueller - Sarasota FL
Gerald D. Lawruk - Clarkston MI
Dennis A. Kramer - Troy MI

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC - Troy MI

G01M 1700

701 33

A method and system is provided for inspecting and maintaining a vehicle. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of capturing vehicle data including the steps of servicing a vehicle at a location corresponding to service data. Service data is input into a portable handheld computing device and transferred from the portable handheld computing device to a vehicle onboard computer. Vehicle warranty data is provided on the vehicle onboard computer. The service data and the vehicle warranty data are retrieved from the vehicle onboard computer. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of inspecting a vehicle includes communicating with the vehicle systems using a portable handheld computing device to automatically inspect the vehicle systems. Prompts are displayed on the portable handheld computing device to guide a vehicle inspector to inspect additional vehicle systems. A help option is displayed on the portable handheld computing device associated with one of the additional vehicle systems.

6663010, Dec 16, 2003

Jan 22, 2001

09/767930

George Chene - Sterling Heights MI
Lee A. French - Sterling Heights MI
Dennis A. Kramer - Troy MI
Gerald D. Lawruk - Clarkston MI
Brian Jeffrey Mueller - Lake Orion MI
Reno V. Ramsey - Sterling Heights MI
Wayne Shintaku - Auburn Hills MI
Jack R. Worrall - Novi MI

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC - Troy MI

G05D 2300

236 51, 62244, 340449, 455346

A system for setting vehicle operator preferences is provided. The system includes a vehicle control module for controlling a vehicle component such as an HVAC unit. A data link is connected to the vehicle control module and may be an infrared signal receiver, a radio frequency signal receiver, a vehicle communications bus, or any other suitable data link. A portable handheld computing device includes a program having vehicle preferences stored in a memory. Preferably, the vehicle preferences may be input by the operator into the portable handheld computing device. The portable handheld computing device may be a Handspring device, a Palmpilot device, or any other suitable portable computing device. The portable handheld computing device sends the vehicle preferences to the vehicle control module through the data link to control the vehicle component. The vehicle preferences are sent by IR, RF, or any other suitable means.

20020165694, Nov 7, 2002

May 7, 2001

09/850455

George Chene - Sterling Heights MI, US
Lee French - Sterling Heights MI, US
Dennis Kramer - Troy MI, US
Gerald Lawruk - Clarkston MI, US
Brian Mueller - Lake Orion MI, US
Reno Ramsey - Sterling Heights MI, US
Wayne Shintaku - Auburn Hills MI, US
Jack Worrall - Novi MI, US

G06F011/30

702/182000

A method of utilizing a vehicle driver log is provided that includes the steps of navigating to a vehicle driver log input screen and inputting the vehicle information. The method further includes the steps of inputting driver status information including driver duty and driver activity over time and displaying the vehicle driver log on a vehicle driver log screen. The method may be effectuated using a portable handheld computing device including an input device for inputting the vehicle information and driver status information that includes the driver duty and driver activity. The computing device may include a processor for processing the vehicle and driver status information. A display device displays the vehicle driver log including the driver status information. A method for providing driver efficiency feedback is also provided. The method includes steps of monitoring vehicle operating parameters. The method also includes the steps of providing preferred operating parameters and comparing the vehicle operating parameters to the preferred operating parameters. The method includes the additional steps of determining a driver operating efficiency and graphically displaying the driver operating efficiency to the driver. The method is effectuated using a computing device including a processor for processing the vehicle operating parameters and comparing the vehicle operating parameters to the preferred operating parameters to determine driver operating efficiency. A memory stores a preferred operating parameter, which is indicative of efficient vehicle operation. The vehicle sensors provide the vehicle operating parameters, which are indicative of current vehicle operating conditions. A display device graphically displays the driver operator efficiency to the driver so that the driver may modify driving behavior to operate the vehicle more profitably.

6356824, Mar 12, 2002

Jan 23, 2001

09/767932

George Chene - Sterling Heights MI
Lee A. French - Sterling Heights MI
Dennis A. Kramer - Troy MI
Gerald D. Lawruk - Clarkston MI
Brian Jeffrey Mueller - Lake Orion MI
Reno V. Ramsey - Sterling Heights MI
Wayne Shintaku - Auburn Hills MI
Jack R. Worrall - Novi MI

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC - Troy MI

G06F 1900

701 35, 701 33, 701 99, 701114

A vehicle data storage system is provided which includes a plurality of sensors for sensing vehicle operating conditions, such as engine temperature. A control module receives the vehicle operating conditions and translates the vehicle operating conditions into vehicle information. A portable hand held computing device, such as a Handspring or PalmpilotÂ, has a data storage device or memory that receives the vehicle information. The data storage device is limited by a particular memory capacity. A secondary storage device receives the vehicle information from the data storage device from the portable hand held computing device when the memory capacity reaches a desired memory capacity level, such as when there is only 10% of the memory left in the data storage device. Additionally, one of the vehicle operating conditions in one of the subsystem control modules may comprise a triggering event. The triggering event may be detecting a high engine temperature in an engine temperature sensor.