Michael C Sims

US Patent:

6657616, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Mar 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/809974

Inventors:

Michael J. Sims - Holland MI

Assignee:

Invensys Appliance Controls Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

B06K 1106

US Classification:

345173, 178 1801

Abstract:

A touch sensor is provided which detects manual contact by a user to actuate a controlled device. The touch sensor includes a substrate, an RF signal transmitter including a plurality of first conductors, and an RF signal receiver including a plurality of second conductors. The first and second conductors are located in spaced, interdigitated alignment with one another on the substrate, to form a key having a geometry which affords substantial coverage thereof by a human appendage. The RF signal receiver includes an RF signal amplifier electrically coupled to the second conductors. A processor is electrically coupled to the RF signal receiver to detect variations in signal strength corresponding to coverage of the key by a human appendage to selectively actuate the controlled device.

US Patent:

7532965, May 12, 2009

Filed:

Jan 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/338430

Inventors:

James P. Robillard - Holland MI, US
Michael J. Sims - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701 36, 701207

Abstract:

A system for providing user interface functionality based on a location of a vehicle including a first vehicle electronic system and a second vehicle electronic system includes a user interface having at least one configurable input device, the user interface coupled to the first vehicle electronic system and the second vehicle electronic system, a control circuit coupled to the user interface and configured to determine a functionality of the at least one configurable input device, a navigation data source coupled to the control circuit and configured to provide location data for the vehicle and a memory coupled to the control circuit and the navigation data source, the memory configured to store location data associated with the first vehicle electronic system, wherein the control circuit determines the functionality of the at least one configurable input device based on the location of the vehicle and the location associated with the first vehicle electronic system.

US Patent:

7787907, Aug 31, 2010

Filed:

Sep 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/517946

Inventors:

Mark Zeinstra - Holland MI, US
Brian L. Douthitt - Holland MI, US
Michael J. Sims - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

H04M 1/00
H04B 1/38

US Classification:

455563, 455 411, 4555692

Abstract:

A method for accessing data files with an in-vehicle control system from a remote source over a communication link. The communication link is established between an in-vehicle control system and the remote source. The method includes: establishing the communication link between the in-vehicle control system and the remote source to facilitate retrieving the data files from the remote source to the in-vehicle control system; retrieving at least one of the data files from the remote source over the communication link, wherein each of the data files may include text and numeric data; identifying the text and numeric data of each of the data files; generating a phonemic representation of the text and numeric data of the data files; and storing the data file retrieved from a remote source in a memory device.

US Patent:

8165527, Apr 24, 2012

Filed:

Aug 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/438723

Inventors:

Michael J. Sims - Zeeland MI, US
Carl L. Shearer - Hudsonville MI, US
Steven L. Geerlings - Holland MI, US
Todd R. Witkowski - Zeeland MI, US
Paul S. Vanlente - Holland MI, US
Ted W. Ringold - Hudsonville MI, US
James E. Trainor - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

455 413, 455345

Abstract:

A system for communicating information and/or instructions includes a transmitter and receiver configured for wireless communication with a user interface. The information and/or instructions may be audibly communicated to the user. The system includes voice activation and controls. The wireless communication may utilize Bluetooth communication protocol.

US Patent:

8348154, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

May 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/469878

Inventors:

Michael J. Sims - Zeeland MI, US
James E. Tralnor - Holland MI, US
Richard J. Chutorash - Oakland Township MI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Control Technology Company - Plymouth MI

International Classification:

G06K 5/00

US Classification:

235380, 235381, 235383

Abstract:

Automobile, Reader and Method facilitating mobile commerce by a user of an automobile is disclosed, the automobile being equipped with a reader to be placed inside of the automobile, the reader being able to read purchasing instrument data of at least one of a contactless credit card or smart card-type credit card or NFC-enabled handset, and the reader being further connected to a wireless communication interface of the automobile, the wireless communication interface being able to transmit the purchasing instrument data to a point of sale.

US Patent:

20100134240, Jun 3, 2010

Filed:

Dec 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/519741

Inventors:

Michael J. Sims - Zeeland MI, US
Richard J. Chutorash - Oakland Township MI, US

International Classification:

G05B 19/00

US Classification:

340 51

Abstract:

A system for mounting to a vehicle including a user interface element and for controlling a transmitter device configured to send an expected transmission to receiving device is provided. The system includes a transceiver. The system further includes an interface for receiving a first signal from the user interface element. The system yet further includes a processor configured to establish a bi-directional data communication link between the transceiver and the transmitter device. The processor is further configured to cause the transceiver to send a second signal to the transmitter device via the bi-directional data communication link based upon the first signal received at the interface. The processor is yet further configured to format the second signal so that the transmitter device will send the expected transmission to the receiving device.

US Patent:

20110147051, Jun 23, 2011

Filed:

Jun 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/996632

Inventors:

Michael J. Sims - Zeeland MI, US
Michael R. Catlin - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY - Holland MI

International Classification:

H05K 1/00
H05K 1/09
B41F 33/00

US Classification:

174254, 174257, 101483

Abstract:

This invention is related to process for the production of a interior trim piece, comprising the steps of: —providing a film layer—applying conductive ink/paint to the back surface of the film layer to provide a circuit path and—attaching a substrate on the back surface of the film layer. This invention further relates to a interior trim piece comprising a film layer with a circuit path on its back surface, whereas the circuit path is made from conductive ink/paint.

US Patent:

20110217929, Sep 8, 2011

Filed:

Mar 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/718064

Inventors:

Elisabet A. Anderson - Holland MI, US
Mark Zeinstra - Holland MI, US
Michael J. Sims - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

455 412

Abstract:

A method and a communication system is disclosed for using a communication system connected to at least a first mobile device and a second mobile device, wherein the communication system is operable in at least a first operating state and a second operating state, wherein the connection of the communication system to the first mobile device is prioritized in the first operating state and wherein the connection of the communication system to the second mobile device is prioritized in the second operating state.