Steven H Morris

US Patent:

7005804, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Jun 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/874115

Inventors:

Steven E. Morris - Fair Haven MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60Q 7/00
B60Q 1/00
B60L 1/14
G08G 1/04

US Classification:

315 84, 307 108, 340943, 362496

Abstract:

A light activation system is provided for automatically illuminating a compartment in an automobile. The system comprises a light adapted to illuminate the compartment, a lighting circuit that activates and deactivates the light, and a distance sensor, electrically coupled to the lighting circuit, and adapted to cause the light to be activated when a person is within a predetermined distance from the compartment. A method is also provided for automatically illuminating a compartment in an automobile having a light that is adapted to illuminate the compartment, and a lighting circuit that activates and deactivates the light. The method comprises the step of activating the light when a person is within a predetermined distance from the compartment using a distance sensor that is electrically coupled to the lighting circuit.

US Patent:

7142101, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Jun 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/867401

Inventors:

Steven E. Morris - Fair Haven MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60Q 1/00

US Classification:

340438, 701 33, 701 29

Abstract:

A method is provided for distributing a recall notification to an automobile equipped with an in-vehicle communications system. The method comprises the steps of providing a telematics service center with identification information corresponding to the automobile, matching the identification information with the corresponding in-vehicle communications system, and wirelessly transmitting the recall notification to the in-vehicle communications system. A system for distributing a recall notification to a vehicle, and a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle communications system are also provided to carry out the method.

US Patent:

7224643, May 29, 2007

Filed:

Jun 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/881214

Inventors:

Steven E. Morris - Fair Haven MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G04C 11/02

US Classification:

368 47

Abstract:

A method and system are provided for adjusting a clock time setting in a vehicle. The system includes a global positioning system that is in communication with a vehicle control module and has a memory that stores geographical data corresponding to time settings for regional time zones. The method includes the steps of determining in which of the regional time zones the vehicle is located, detecting a difference between the vehicle clock time setting and the time setting for the regional time zone in which the vehicle is located, adjusting the vehicle clock time setting if the control module is configured to automatically adjust the vehicle clock time setting, and sending a clock adjustment prompt to a vehicle operator interface if the control module is not configured to automatically adjust the vehicle clock time setting.

US Patent:

7356387, Apr 8, 2008

Filed:

Mar 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/809058

Inventors:

Steven E. Morris - Fair Haven MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G06F 7/00

US Classification:

701 1, 701 29, 340438

Abstract:

Methods and an apparatus are provided for producing owners manual information related to operation of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a display system, an input device configured to generate a control signal in response to actuation by an operator of the vehicle, and a control module that is configured to sense an event of the vehicle and generate an output signal corresponding to the event. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a display control module configured to receive the control signal generated by the input device and the output signal generated by the control module. The display control module is further configured to control the display system in order to produce a visual representation of the owners manual information related to operation of the vehicle in response to the control signal and the outputsignal.

US Patent:

7364189, Apr 29, 2008

Filed:

Apr 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/105281

Inventors:

Steven E. Morris - Fair Haven MI, US
Robert R. Kubiak - Macomb MI, US
Lawrence C Maugh - Ann Arbor MI, US
Brian Latouf - Rochester MI, US
Scott David Thomas - Novi MI, US
Peter J. Gareau - Warren MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/04

US Classification:

280732, 280753, 2807432

Abstract:

A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash including: a bolster system defined by an outer bolster and an inner bolster; a honeycomb celled material expandable from a dormant state to a deployed state, the honeycomb celled material disposed intermediate the outer and inner bolsters cooperatively positioned with the honeycomb celled material to cover surfaces defining the honeycomb celled material in the deployed and dormant states; a means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state causing the outer bolster to translate away from the inner bolster; and a tether operably connecting one end of the honeycomb celled material to the means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state.

US Patent:

7401838, Jul 22, 2008

Filed:

Jan 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/332945

Inventors:

Steven E. Morris - Fair Haven MI, US
Janet S. Goings - Commerce Township MI, US
Adrian B. Chernoff - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

GM Global TEchnology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60J 3/00

US Classification:

296 979, 296 971, 296 975, 296 976

Abstract:

A vehicle sun visor comprises a support frame pivotally connected to the vehicle roof. A sun visor panel is chosen from any array of different available sun visor panels having different occupant convenience features. An attachment is provided for removably attaching the chosen sun visor panel onto the support frame and enables subsequent removal of that chosen sun visor panel from the support and then the attachment to the support frame of a different chosen sun visor panel having different convenience feature content.

US Patent:

7478833, Jan 20, 2009

Filed:

Mar 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/085359

Inventors:

Steven E. Morris - Fair Haven MI, US
Lawrence C Maugh - Ann Arbor MI, US
Robert R. Kubiak - Macomb MI, US
Peter J. Gareau - Warren MI, US
Brian Latouf - Rochester MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/04

US Classification:

280751

Abstract:

A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash includes a bolster system defined by an outer bolster and an inner bolster, a honeycomb celled material expandable from a dormant state to a deployed state, the honeycomb celled material disposed intermediate the outer and inner bolsters cooperatively positioned with the honeycomb celled material to cover surfaces defining the honeycomb celled material in the deployed and dormant states, and a means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state causing the outer bolster to translate away from the inner bolster.

US Patent:

7478860, Jan 20, 2009

Filed:

May 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/749766

Inventors:

Jennifer P. Lawall - Waterford MI, US
Diane K. McQueen - Leonard MI, US
Steven E. Morris - Fair Haven MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/02

US Classification:

296 6501

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a seat assembly and a floor. The seat assembly includes a lower seat member operatively connected to the floor, a seatback member operatively connected to the lower seat member, and a head restraint operatively connected to the seatback member. The seat assembly is characterized by an occupiable configuration and a stowed configuration. The seat assembly is configured such that movement of the seat assembly from its occupiable configuration to its stowed configuration causes the head restraint to rotate in a first direction and then a second direction.