Thomas C Breen

US Patent:

7493211, Feb 17, 2009

Filed:

Dec 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/303394

Inventors:

Thomas B. Breen - Broomall PA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01C 21/00
G06F 17/00
G08G 1/123

US Classification:

701207, 701300, 34099512, 34099518, 34235708

Abstract:

A system and method of automatically replacing the geographic location of geo-fences stored in memory of a telematics system is described. The location of an asset is determined using an on-board telematics device with a location device. The location of the asset is compared with the location of predefined geo-fences stored in memory on the asset. When the asset is located within a geo-fence which triggers the replacement of geo-fences, the telematics system causes the asset to receive a new set of geo-fences, which replace the existing set of geo-fences in the telematics system memory. The operational cost of the system is reduced by minimizing communications charges when a reduced number of transmissions is needed to replace geo-fences stored in memory on the asset.

US Patent:

7525279, Apr 28, 2009

Filed:

Jul 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/892640

Inventors:

Thomas B. Breen - Broomall PA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H02J 7/00

US Classification:

320104, 903903, 903947

Abstract:

A system and method are disclosed for charging a battery in the least possible time in the presence of competing energy demands. A single source of energy is used to charge a battery and also to provide energy to one or more devices. Circuitry insures that the maximum possible amount of energy is being delivered to the battery at all times, consistent with the energy demands of the other devices.

US Patent:

7546477, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Dec 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/648235

Inventors:

Thomas Bernard Breen - Broomall PA, US
James Daniel Phelan - Paoli PA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G06F 1/32

US Classification:

713323, 713340, 3405721, 320132

Abstract:

A method and system are disclosed for adjusting a wake interval in a telematics device having a charge sensor. The telematics device cyclically provides full power from a power supply during a wake duration, and limited power from the power supply during the wake interval. A charge level for a battery of the power supply is determined using the charge sensor. The wake interval is adjusted based on the charge level.

US Patent:

7685307, Mar 23, 2010

Filed:

Dec 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/648236

Inventors:

Thomas Bernard Breen - Broomall PA, US

Assignee:

Asset Intelligence, LLC - Hackensack NJ

International Classification:

G06F 15/173
G05B 11/01
G08B 21/00

US Classification:

709237, 34031011, 340431, 340687

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for binding a first wireless communication unit installed on a first asset and a second wireless communication unit installed on a second asset, wherein the first asset is connected to the second asset by electrical power lines. The method and system can be used for binding a wireless communication unit of a tractor and a wireless communication unit on a trailer. The method monitors the current in the auxiliary power connection between the assets. By transmitting and detecting power pulses through the auxiliary power line, the wireless communication units can ensure that the two assets are attached and therefore it would be proper to establish a wireless connection between the two wireless communication units. The number of power pulses can be used to identify differing devices. Such method can also be used to detect an open fuse or circuit breaker.

US Patent:

7941354, May 10, 2011

Filed:

Dec 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/303347

Inventors:

Thomas B. Breen - Broomall PA, US

Assignee:

Asset Intelligence, LLC - Hackensack NJ

International Classification:

G06Q 40/00

US Classification:

705 35

Abstract:

A method and system of providing for the rapid availability of assets to customers wherein a lease method and system is provided which includes lease terms, a leasable asset with a unique identifier, associating the lease terms with the asset through the unique identifier, at least one sensor on the asset for detecting the status of at least one condition that starts a lease, a communications system for transmitting information from the sensors on the asset to a central management system, determining the amount due based on the status of the sensors and the lease terms associated with the unique identifier, and preparing an invoice based on the amount due determined.

US Patent:

20050118497, Jun 2, 2005

Filed:

Dec 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/725069

Inventors:

Thomas Breen - Broomall PA, US

International Classification:

H01M010/48
G01N027/416

US Classification:

429093000, 324426000

Abstract:

The invention comprises a method and assembly for determining the state of charge of a battery or batteries without disturbing them or removing them from their packaging, or from a device in which they are installed, or from an enclosure preventing direct physical contact with the battery terminals. The battery terminals are electrically insulated from all connections except connections to conductors extending away from the terminals. The state of charge can be determined by attaching a measuring device to the conductors. The conductors and insulators are easily removed, allowing the terminals to come into contact with a battery-powered device.

US Patent:

20080162034, Jul 3, 2008

Filed:

Dec 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/648437

Inventors:

Thomas Bernard Breen - Broomall PA, US

International Classification:

G01C 21/26

US Classification:

701202, 701201

Abstract:

A system and method for automatically generating a set of geo-fences to be used by a telematics device mounted on a mobile asset in tracking the mobile asset traveling from a starting location to and ending location, wherein the set of geo-fences is selected from a library of geo-fences based an expected route of travel between the starting location and the ending location and one or more criteria.

US Patent:

20080163231, Jul 3, 2008

Filed:

Dec 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/646672

Inventors:

Thomas Bernard Breen - Broomall PA, US
James Daniel Phelan - Paoli PA, US

International Classification:

G06F 9/50

US Classification:

718104

Abstract:

Provided are a method and system for providing a resource to a geolocated asset in need of the resource, comprising providing data of one or more providers of the resource including the location of the providers; determining that the asset needs the resource; locating the asset using the telematics device; correlating the asset location with the resource provider locations to determine a select resource provider; arranging for the asset to rendezvous with the select resource provider; and providing the resource to the asset.