Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120197743 | SINGLE ACTION MOBILE TRANSACTION DEVICE - Embodiments of the invention allow a user to wirelessly transmit payment information from a mobile device to a point-of-sale terminal by the user performing only a minimum number of inputs, such as a single input. Some embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus comprising an input device configured to receive input from a user, a communication device configured to transmit wireless signals to a transaction device, a memory comprising predetermined payment information stored therein and a processor communicably coupled to the input device, the communication device and the memory and configured to: receive transaction information from the transaction device related to a transaction; receive a first input from the user; determine if the first input matches a user defined action stored in memory, and use the communication device to wirelessly transmit the predetermined payment information and authorize payment if the first input matches the user defined action stored in memory. | 08-02-2012 |
20130046604 | VIRTUAL LOYALTY CARD PROGRAM - Systems and methods for providing a virtual loyalty card program are provided. The systems and methods enable a user to manage loyalty cards and receive offers. The methods provide receiving, at a computing device, loyalty card data associated with at least one loyalty card; storing the loyalty card data in a storage device; determining, via a computing device processor, a status associated with the at least one loyalty card based on the loyalty card data; and communicating, via computing device, a notification to a user based on the determined status | 02-21-2013 |
20130173403 | E-RECEIPT BARCODE ON MOBILE DEVICE THAT IS READABLE BY POINT OF TRANSACTION FOR PURCHASE - Embodiments of the invention provide a system for maintaining and presenting proof of transaction information. In some embodiments of the invention, the user conducts a return or exchange transaction through the use of a mobile computing device that is capable of communicating with a point of transaction device. In some embodiments, a system is provided that includes: (1) a communication interface (2) a storage device, wherein said storage device comprises an indicia associated with a transaction and used to verify proof of transaction information and (3) a processing device in communication with said communication interface and said storage device, wherein said processing device is configured to: retrieve the indicia associated with a proof of transaction information from said storage device and provide information associated with the indicia associated with the proof of transaction information to said communication interface for output to thereby verify the proof of transaction information. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173456 | PRESENTATION OF MOBILE PAYMENT TRANSACTIONHISTORY ON A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for providing users/customers instantaneous access to mobile payment transaction history data. As such the mobile payment user can track mobile payment spending and budget accordingly. In addition, embodiments provide for the user to search transaction history to identify specific mobile payment transactions for the purpose of identifying when, where and the amount of a prior mobile payment transaction. Moreover, the user is provided the ability to verify that no unauthorized transactions occurred in the event that the user re-acquires possession of a mobile payment device that was previously lost, misappropriated or misplaced, or, if unauthorized transactions did occur, the ability to quickly identify the location and amount of such unauthorized transactions. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173556 | MOBILE DEVICE DATA ARCHIVING - Mobile devices such as cell phones, “smart” phones, personal data assistants (PDA's) and the like are equipped for accessing and storing all types of media, including movies, music, software applications, as well as copious amounts of associated data. Accordingly, a need exists for methods, apparatuses and computer program products that assist mobile device users in archiving data, configuring the data, and restoring the data to the same device, or a new mobile device running the same or different operating system. Embodiments of the claimed invention address the above needs and/or achieve other advantages by providing systems for archiving data on a mobile electronic device on a plurality of data storage media, and by providing similar means of restoring the archived data to the same or different mobile device. | 07-04-2013 |
20140006136 | EXPEDITED REGISTRATION AND PROCESSING OF OFFERS AT A POINT OF TRANSACTION | 01-02-2014 |
20140006151 | OFFERS ASSOCIATED WITH FUEL PURCHASE | 01-02-2014 |
20140006186 | READABLE INDICIA FOR FUEL PURCHASE | 01-02-2014 |
20140006187 | READABLE INDICIA FOR FUEL PURCHASE | 01-02-2014 |
20140006188 | MOBILE DEVICE FOR FUEL PURCHASE | 01-02-2014 |
20140006199 | MOBILE SYSTEM FOR PRE-PROCESSING SALES RETURNS | 01-02-2014 |
20140006224 | SYSTEM FOR PRE-PROCESSING SALES RETURNS | 01-02-2014 |
20140006259 | SYSTEM FOR ITEM LEVEL PAYMENT VEHICLE SUGGESTION | 01-02-2014 |
20140006274 | ELECTRONIC CARD RENDERING FOR MOBILE WALLET | 01-02-2014 |
20140006275 | ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION AND NOTIFICATION OF BANKING RECORD DISCREPANCIES | 01-02-2014 |
20140006276 | MOBILE WALLET ACCOUNT NUMBER DIFFERENTIATION | 01-02-2014 |
20140025468 | READABLE INDICIA FOR A REBATE REQUEST - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing readable indicia for a rebate request. An exemplary system is configured to: receive information associated with readable indicia associated with a rebate request; and process the readable indicia to issue a rebate associated with a rebate request, wherein the rebate comprises issuance of a credit associated with a purchase previously made from the merchant. | 01-23-2014 |
20140025574 | READABLE INDICIA FOR A PAYMENT CLAIM - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing readable indicia for a payment claim. An exemplary system is configured to: receive information associated with readable indicia associated with a payment claim; receive authentication credentials associated with the payment claim; and process the readable indicia and the authentication credentials to authorize a payment associated with the payment claim. | 01-23-2014 |
20140046752 | ASSESSING ADVERTISEMENT IMPACT USING ADVERTISEMENT READABLE INDICIA - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing a readable indicia associated with an advertisement associated with a product. The invention presents a readable indicia in association with an advertisement, where the readable indicia includes instructions for triggering a data collection tool. The invention collects data from the data collection tool and analyzes characteristics of the readable indicia and the advertisement in order to determine a customer advertisement impact. The readable indicia may include information indicating at least one of a current date, a time of inception of the advertisement, a placement location of the readable indicia within the advertisement, or a visual characteristic of the readable indicia. | 02-13-2014 |
20140046854 | READABLE INDICIA FOR ADVERTISEMENTS - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing a readable indicia associated with an advertisement associated with a product. The invention decodes the readable indicia to determine product purchase information, wherein the product purchase information is associated with the product, receives authentication credentials associated with a payment account, and processes the authentication credentials to authorize a payment associated with the product purchase information. In some embodiments, the invention extracts a link from the readable indicia or a second readable indicia associated with the advertisement and initiates a user interface associated with the link. In some embodiments, the invention populates some or all the product purchase information into at least one of a user's notes, calendar or budget, and in some, the advertisement is placed proximate the product within a merchant's business. | 02-13-2014 |
20140052635 | TIME-SENSITIVE READABLE INDICIA FOR FUNDRAISING - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing readable indicia for fundraising. An exemplary system is configured to receive information associated with readable indicia associated with a non-profit organization; and process the readable indicia to authorize a payment to the non-profit organization. The readable indicia is valid for a predetermined period. Additionally, the readable indicia enables tracking of various types of information associated with fundraising. | 02-20-2014 |
20140156507 | LOCATION BASED BANKING - A system provides assistance to a user having a user device proximate a financial institution location by receiving a communication initiated by an application running on the user device without initiation by the user; establishing a connection with the user device; determining an identity of the user; determining a user purpose for visiting the location; and communicating instructions to the application running on the user device, the instructions to cause the user device to navigate to a page of a website of the financial institution corresponding to the determined user purpose for visiting the location. In some embodiments, the identity of the user is determined by determining whether a received PIN matches a stored PIN associated with a device ID received from the user device. | 06-05-2014 |
20140172559 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING LOCATION-BASED GOAL BALANCE INFORMATION - Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for providing a notification to a consumer based on the location of the consumer. The system includes a computer apparatus including a processor and a memory; and a software module stored in the memory. The software module includes executable instructions that cause the processor to receive a goal corresponding to a specific product a consumer desires to purchase; determine a location associated with a mobile device of the consumer; identify a merchant that is located at or near the location associated with the mobile device of the consumer; determine whether the merchant offers for sale the specific product associated with the goal; provide a notification to the mobile device associated with the consumer based at least in part on determining that the merchant offers for sale the product, the notification comprising information related to the user's progress towards the goal. | 06-19-2014 |
20140279270 | PRE-ORDERING BASED ON LOCATION OF A CUSTOMER - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods that enable a user to pre-order products from an internal or external organization. The organization procures the products and/or completes the pre-order, such as completes a payment for the pre-order or finishes the pre-order, based on the location of the user, as determined through the user's mobile device. The order is only completed when the customer location is determined to be within a desired location of the collection point for the pre-order. Preparation of the products pre-ordered by the user commences upon the user location satisfying a predetermined criteria, such as the user being located an approximate distance from a particular location, the user having an approximate arrival time from a particular location, the user located within an electronic geographic fenced area around a particular location, or the user identified as moving with respect to a particular location. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279411 | PRE-ARRANGING PAYMENT ASSOCIATED WITH MULTIPLE VENDORS WITHIN A GEOGRAPHIC AREA - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for enabling a user to execute at least one purchase transaction in a geographical area. An exemplary apparatus is configured to: receive identification information from a mobile device when a user associated with the mobile device enters a geographical area; receive geolocation information from the mobile device; receive payment preference information; determine, based on the geolocation information and the identification information, a purchase transaction being executed by a user of the mobile device in the geographical area; store transaction information associated with the purchase transaction; and process the transaction information, based on the payment preference information, upon determining the mobile device is exiting or has exited the geographical area. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279503 | PROVIDING CUSTOMER ALERTS BASED ON GEO-THRESHOLDS - Embodiments of the invention provide unauthorized-transaction protection with user location verification. It is determined whether a geographic location associated with a transaction is geographically located within geo-thresholds associated with an authorized user and/or whether the geographic location associated with the transaction is geographically proximate to a geographic location associated with a mobile device that is associated with the authorized user. If neither the geographic location associated with the transaction is geographically located within the geo-thresholds nor the geographic location associated with the transaction is geographically proximate to the geographic location associated with the mobile device, an alert is sent to the authorized user and/or to a merchant associated with the transaction. | 09-18-2014 |
20140310171 | CERTIFIED PERSON-TO-PERSON PAYMENT SYSTEM - Disclosed is a system for providing certified person-to-person payments. The system is typically configured to (i) receive payment instructions from a payer, wherein the payment instructions include a payment account, a payment amount, an alias associated with a payee, and a payment certification request; (ii) determine that the payment account has funds sufficient to cover the payment amount; (iii) place a hold on funds in the payment account sufficient to cover the payment amount; (iv) communicate a payment certification code to the payer and a certified payment notification to the payee based upon determining that the payment account has funds sufficient to cover the payment amount; (v) receive the payment certification code from a payee; and (vi) transfer the funds sufficient to cover the payment to an account associated with the payee based upon receiving the payment certification code from the payee. | 10-16-2014 |
20140310172 | CERTIFIED PERSON-TO-PERSON PAYMENT SYSTEM - Disclosed is a system for providing certified person-to-person payments. The system is typically configured to (i) receive payment instructions from a payer, wherein the payment instructions include a payment account, a payment amount, an alias associated with a payee, and a payment certification request; (ii) determine that the payment account has funds sufficient to cover the payment amount; (iii) place a hold on funds in the payment account sufficient to cover the payment amount; (iv) receive a payment cancelation request from the payer; (v) determine whether a payment certification code has been communicated to the payer; and (vi), if a payment certification code has not been communicated to the payer, approve the payment cancelation request. | 10-16-2014 |
20150227725 | PROVIDING AUTHENTICATION USING PREVIOUSLY-VALIDATED AUTHENTICATION CREDENTIALS - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing authentication using previously-validated authentication credentials. An exemplary apparatus is configured to receive a request to access a framework application, request, from a user, one or more authentication credentials corresponding to a primary level of user authentication, receive and validate the one or more authentication credentials, create, using the framework application, an authentication token based at least partially on the validation of the primary level of user authentication, wherein the authentication token is accessible by a plurality of applications, receive a request, from the user, to access one or more non-framework applications; and authenticate the one or more non-framework applications, where authenticating the non-framework applications requires accessing the authentication token created by the framework application such that the authentication is at least partially based on the primary level of user authentication. | 08-13-2015 |
20150227726 | USER AUTHENTICATION BASED ON FOB/INDICIA SCAN - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for receiving a request from a user for access to at least one function associated with a first application; determining that access to at least one function requires user authentication; initiating sensing of an authentication validating carrier comprising a first credential; determining the first credential based at least in part on the sensed authentication validating carrier; validating the first credential, thereby resulting in a first successful user authentication; and granting access to at least one function associated with the first application based on the validation of the first successful user authentication. | 08-13-2015 |
20150227727 | DETERMINING USER AUTHENTICATION REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE CURRENT LOCATION OF THE USER IN COMPARISON TO THE USERS'S NORMAL BOUNDARY OF LOCATION - Systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to known boundaries of location associated with the user, such as the user's residence, place of business or the like. As such, the present invention serves to expedite the process for authenticating a user who desires to gain access to a network service, such as a banking application or the like. | 08-13-2015 |
20150227728 | DETERMINING USER AUTHENTICATION REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE CURRENT LOCATION OF THE USER BEING WITHIN A PREDETERMINED AREA REQUIRING ALTERED AUTHENTICATION REQUIREMENTS - Systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to predetermined boundaries of location that have altered authentication requirements, in the form of, increased or decreased authentication requirements/credentials that differ from the standard authentication requirements. | 08-13-2015 |
20150227731 | USER AUTHENTICATION BASED ON OTHER APPLICATIONS - The present invention includes a system for authenticating a second action based on a first action, wherein the system is configured to: receive a first request to execute a first action associated with a first application; determine that execution of the first action requires user authentication; request one or more authentication credentials from the user; receive a first authentication credential associated with the first action; validate the first authentication credential, thereby resulting in a successful validation of the received first authentication credential; in response to the successful validation, execute the first action; receive a second request to execute a second action associated with a second application; determine that execution of the second action requires user authentication; use the successful validation of the first authentication credential to validate a second authentication credential so that the second action may be executed. | 08-13-2015 |
20150227879 | SPECIALIST PRESENTATION USING A SOCIAL NETWORKING ACCOUNT - Embodiments of the invention provide a specialist presentation tool that presents a specialist from an institution to a user. The specialist may be presented to the user based on triggers that occur when the user takes actions, or when actions are taken with respect to a user account. The determination of the one or more specialists to present to a user from a group of specialists that satisfy a trigger may be based on one or more conditions that match the specialists with the user. At least one condition used to match the specialist with the user is the social networking contacts of the user that have a relationship with the specialists. Additional conditions may include, but are not limited to, locations of the user and specialists, social networking profile information of the user and specialists, or other like account profile information for the user and specialists. | 08-13-2015 |
20150227901 | SPECIALIST PRESENTATION THROUGH AN ONLINE BANKING ACCOUNT - Embodiments of the invention provide a specialist presentation tool that presents a specialist from an institution to a user in an online banking account. The specialist may be presented to the user based on triggers that occur when the user takes actions, or when actions are taken with respect to a user account. The determination of the one or more specialists to present to a user from a group of specialists that satisfy a trigger may be based on one or more conditions that match the specialist with the user. The conditions may include but are not limited to locations of the user and specialists, profile information of the user and specialists, social networking contacts or information for the user and specialists, or other like account profile information for the user and specialists. | 08-13-2015 |
20150227902 | SPECIALIST PRESENTATION - Embodiments of the invention provide a specialist presentation tool that presents a specialist from an institution to a user in a website or application the user is viewing, an application running in the background of a user system, or through a communication channel. The specialist may be presented to the user based on triggers that occur when the user takes actions, or when actions are taken with respect to a user account. The determination of the one or more specialists to present to a user from a group of specialists that satisfy a trigger may be based on one or more conditions that match the specialist with the user. The conditions may include but are not limited to locations of the user and specialists, profile information of the user and specialists, social networking contacts for the user and specialists, or other like account profile information for the user and specialists. | 08-13-2015 |
20150227926 | DETERMINING USER AUTHENTICATION REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE CURRENT LOCATION OF THE USER IN COMPARISON TO A USER'S TRAVEL ROUTE - Systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific mobile network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to a known typical travel route of the user. In this regard, if the user is located within the boundaries of the travel route during the time period when the user is typically travelling on the route, less, or in some instances no, authentication requirements are needed. Moreover, as the user deviates from the travel route in terms of distance and/or time the greater the authentication requirements/credentials may be required. Once the deviation is considered to significant in terms of distance and/or time full authentication requirements may be required. | 08-13-2015 |
20150229623 | USER AUTHENTICATION BASED ON HISTORICAL TRANSACTION DATA - Embodiments are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing user authentication based on transaction data. Embodiments receive from a user, a request to execute a user action associated with an application, wherein execution of the user action requires validation of authentication credentials; collect a transaction set of data comprising information related to transactions conducted by the user; collect a location set of data comprising information related to a physical location of the user; determine a transaction proximity score associated with the user and the transactions; determine a level of authentication associated with the determined transaction proximity score; determine which authentication types are associated with the level of authentication; request authentication credentials; receive authentication credentials from the user; validate the authentication credentials, thereby resulting in a successful validation of the authentication credentials; and, in response to the successful validation of the authentication credentials, execute the user action. | 08-13-2015 |
20150229624 | USER AUTHENTICATION BASED ON HISTORICAL USER BEHAVIOR - Embodiments are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing user authentication based on historical user patterns. Embodiments receive from a user, a request to execute a user action associated with an application, wherein execution of the user action requires validation of authentication credentials; collect a set of data comprising information related to usage patterns associated with the apparatus of the user; determine a user pattern score associated with the user; determine a level of authentication; determine which authentication types are associated with the level of authentication; request authentication credentials corresponding to the authentication types; receive authentication credentials from the user; validate the authentication credentials, thereby resulting in a successful validation of the authentication credentials; and, in response to the successful validation, execute the user action. | 08-13-2015 |
20150229650 | USER AUTHENTICATION BY GEO-LOCATION AND PROXIMITY TO USER'S CLOSE NETWORK - Embodiments provide user authentication based on proximity to a close network of a user. Embodiments receive from a user a request to execute a user action associated with an application, wherein execution of the user action requires validation of one or more authentication credentials; collect a set of data comprising information related to a physical location of the user; determine a close network score associated with the user; determine a level of authentication associated with the close network score; determine which one or more authentication types are associated with the level of authentication associated with the close network score; request one or more authentication credentials corresponding to the determined one or more authentication types; receive credentials from the user; validate the credentials, thereby resulting in a successful validation of the credentials; and, in response to the successful validation of the credentials, execute the user action. | 08-13-2015 |
20160026779 | DETERMINING USER AUTHENTICATION REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE CURRENT LOCATION OF THE USER IN COMPARISON TO THE USERS'S NORMAL BOUNDARY OF LOCATION - Systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for a specific network access session based on the current location of the user in comparison to known boundaries of location associated with the user, such as patterns of movement or the like. As such, the present invention serves to expedite the process for authenticating a user who desires to gain access to a network service, such as a banking application or the like. | 01-28-2016 |
20160055326 | DETERMINING USER AUTHENTICATION BASED ON USER/DEVICE INTERACTION - Embodiments are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing user authentication based on historical user patterns. Embodiments of the present invention may be configured to communicate code executable by a computing device that causes the computing device to monitor user patterns of a user based on the user interacting with the computing device; receive baseline user patterns to identify the user; identify, from the baseline user patterns, one or more routine actions performed by the user operating the computing device; receive a request to perform a transaction, wherein the transaction is associated with a level of security that must be authenticated; receive identification user patterns of the user based on the user interacting with the computing device; determine a threshold score based on comparing the identification user patterns with the baseline user patterns; and alter the level of security. | 02-25-2016 |
20160055487 | DETERMINING USER AUTHENTICATION BASED ON USER PATTERNS WITHIN APPLICATION - Embodiments are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing user authentication based on historical user patterns. Embodiments receive from a user, a request to execute a user action associated with an application, wherein execution of the user action requires validation of authentication credentials; collect a set of data comprising information related to user patterns associated with the apparatus of the user; determine a user pattern score associated with the user; determine a level of authentication; determine which authentication types are associated with the level of authentication; request authentication credentials corresponding to the authentication types; receive authentication credentials from the user; validate the authentication credentials, thereby resulting in a successful validation of the authentication credentials; and in response to the successful validation, execute the user action. | 02-25-2016 |
20160057144 | DETERMINING USER AUTHENTICATION REQUIREMENTS ALONG A CONTINUUM BASED ON A CURRENT STATE OF THE USER AND/OR THE ATTRIBUTES RELATED TO THE FUNCTION REQUIRING AUTHENTICATION - Systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining a user's authentication requirements/credentials for function requiring authentication based on determining a location along an authentication continuum. The location along the authentication continuum defines the degree of authentication/credentials required to access the function and is determined based on a current state of the user and/or function attributes. The more or less that is known about the current state of the user the more or less likely the user is the user that is attempting to access the function and, thus, the authentication requirements required to access the function can be adjusted according (increased or decreased). | 02-25-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100174459 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE SHUT-DOWN CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain including an engine and an automatic transmission, the powertrain coupled to driving wheels of the vehicle, and the vehicle operated by an operator. One example method comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174460 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the vehicle system further including a hydraulically actuated transmission component. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, adjusting a hydraulic actuation of the transmission component to adjust drag torque on the engine to stop the engine. | 07-08-2010 |
20100286877 | Temperature Dependent Minimum Transmission Input Speed - A system and method is employed to regulate a minimum transmission input speed based on automatic fluid temperature. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the automatic transmission fluid and a controller for setting a minimum engine speed of the engine based on the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid. The size of a transmission pump may be reduced while the pump is still able to supply enough automatic transmission fluid to friction elements and gear ratios to provide lubrication and enable friction element actuators to engage and disengage the friction elements in a timely and effective manner. In a preferred form of the invention, when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is below 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no greater than 900 rpm; and when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is above 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no less than 1000 rpm. | 11-11-2010 |
20110130245 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including a selectively shut-down engine, a torque converter and a torque converter lock-up clutch. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, restricting flow of transmission fluid out of the torque converter, and adjusting engagement of the torque converter lock-up clutch to adjust a drag torque on the engine to stop the engine. | 06-02-2011 |
20110136620 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine coupled to a stepped-gear-ratio transmission. One example method comprises, in response to a first vehicle moving condition, shutting down the engine and at least partially disengaging the transmission while the vehicle is moving; and during a subsequent restart, while the vehicle is moving, starting the engine using starter motor assistance and adjusting a degree of engagement of a transmission clutch to adjust a torque transmitted to a wheel of the vehicle. | 06-09-2011 |
20120238405 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine coupled to a stepped-gear-ratio transmission. One example method comprises, in response to a first vehicle moving condition, shutting down the engine and at least partially disengaging the transmission while the vehicle is moving; and during a subsequent restart, while the vehicle is moving, starting the engine using starter motor assistance and adjusting a degree of engagement of a transmission clutch to adjust a torque transmitted to a wheel of the vehicle. | 09-20-2012 |
20130079194 | Temperature Dependent Minimum Transmission Input Speed - A system and method is employed to regulate a minimum transmission input speed based on automatic fluid temperature. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the automatic transmission fluid and a controller for setting a minimum engine speed of the engine based on the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid. The size of a transmission pump may be reduced while the pump is still able to supply enough automatic transmission fluid to friction elements and gear ratios to provide lubrication and enable friction element actuators to engage and disengage the friction elements in a timely and effective manner In a preferred form of the invention, when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is below 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no greater than 900 rpm; and when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is above 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no less than 1000 rpm. | 03-28-2013 |
20130296103 | Adjusting Motor Torque to Enable Slip of Torque Converter Clutch to be Maintained when Accelerator Pedal Released in Hybrid Vehicle - A controller and a control strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle having a traction motor between an engine and an automatic transmission include maintaining a bypass clutch of a torque converter in an engaged position and applying a motor torque from a traction motor to the torque converter such that slip of the torque converter does not otherwise reach zero while the bypass clutch is maintained in the engaged position. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296105 | Adjusting Motor Torque to Compensate for Uphill and Downhill Demands During Cruise Control in Hybrid Vehicle - A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a battery powered traction motor, and an automatic step-ratio transmission selectively coupled in series by a clutch include engaging the clutch to couple the engine and the motor and controlling motor torque to provide braking torque through the transmission to substantially maintain a cruise control speed. In one embodiment, a hybrid electric vehicle includes a battery powered traction motor connected to a transmission, an engine selectively coupled in series with the motor by a clutch, and a controller communicating with the traction motor and the engine and configured to control the motor to provide braking torque when the clutch is engaged and engine braking torque is insufficient to maintain cruise control speed of the vehicle as the vehicle travels downhill. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296115 | System and Method for Controlling a Driveline in a Hybrid Vehicle - A system and a method for controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain during a change from a two-wheel drive mode to a four-wheel drive mode is provided. In response to a request to couple the second pair of wheels to the powertrain, a driveline controller commands an increased torque from the electric motor to be applied to the first pair of wheels The increased torque from the electric motor is based on an AWD engagement torque of the second pair of wheels to counteract an engagement torque of a second pair of drive wheels before changing from the two-wheel drive mode to the four-wheel drive mode. | 11-07-2013 |
20140057754 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine coupled to a stepped-gear-ratio transmission. One example method comprises, in response to a first vehicle moving condition, shutting down the engine and at least partially disengaging the transmission while the vehicle is moving; and during a subsequent restart, while the vehicle is moving, starting the engine using starter motor assistance and adjusting a degree of engagement of a transmission clutch to adjust a torque transmitted to a wheel of the vehicle. | 02-27-2014 |
20140094343 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including a selectively shut-down engine, a torque converter and a torque converter lock-up clutch. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, restricting flow of transmission fluid out of the torque converter, and adjusting engagement of the torque converter lock-up clutch to adjust a drag torque on the engine to stop the engine. | 04-03-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090293444 | GAS TURBINE INTEGRATED WITH FUEL CATALYTIC PARTIAL OXIDATION - A system and method for removing at least carbon from a fuel/air mixture prior to injection of the fuel/air mixture into a combustion system is disclosed. The system fully integrates the combined cycle power plant with carbon scrubbing of the fuel/air mixture to increase overall cycle efficiency while capturing carbon from the cycle. A portion of the compressed air source generated by the gas turbine compressor is provided to a premixer where it is mixed with a natural gas to form a fuel/air mixture. The fuel/air mixture passes through a catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reactor, which utilizes a precious metal to partially oxidize the hydrocarbons into carbon monoxide. The mixture passes through a shift reactor to complete generation of carbon dioxide and raise hydrogen yield of the fuel/air mixture. Carbon constituents are then removed from the mixture by a separator. | 12-03-2009 |
20140090389 | VARIABLE LENGTH COMBUSTOR DOME EXTENSION FOR IMPROVED OPERABILITY - The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and method for operating a gas turbine combustor having a structural configuration proximate a pilot region of the combustor which seeks to minimize the onset of thermo acoustic dynamics. The pilot region of the combustor includes a generally cylindrical extension having an outlet end with an irregular profile which incorporates asymmetries into the system so as to destroy any coherent structures. | 04-03-2014 |
20140090390 | FLAMESHEET COMBUSTOR DOME - The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and way for controlling a velocity of a fuel-air mixture entering a gas turbine combustion system. The apparatus comprises a hemispherical dome assembly which directs a fuel-air mixture along a portion of the outer wall of a combustion liner and turns the fuel-air mixture to enter the combustion liner in a manner coaxial to the combustor axis and radially outward of a pilot fuel nozzle so as to regulate the velocity of the fuel-air mixture. | 04-03-2014 |
20140090396 | COMBUSTOR WITH RADIALLY STAGED PREMIXED PILOT FOR IMPROVED - The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and method for a mixing fuel and air in a gas turbine combustion system. The mixer helps to mix fuel and air while being able to selectively increase the fuel flow to a shear to a shear layer of a pilot flame in order to reduce polluting emissions. The mixer directs a flow of air radially inward into the combustion system and includes two sets of fuel injectors within each radially-oriented vane. A first plurality of fuel injectors operate independent of a second plurality of fuel injectors and the second plurality of fuel injectors are positioned to selectively modulate the fuel flow to the shear layer of the resulting pilot flame. | 04-03-2014 |
20140090400 | VARIABLE FLOW DIVIDER MECHANISM FOR A MULTI-STAGE COMBUSTOR - The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and way for altering the airflow to a gas turbine combustion system. The apparatus comprises a flow divider mechanism which splits the airflow surrounding a combustion liner into two distinct portions, one directed towards a pilot and one directed towards a main stage combustion. The flow divider mechanism is interchangeable so as to provide a way of altering airflow splits between stages of the combustion system. | 04-03-2014 |
20140200721 | Stabilizing A Gas Turbine Engine Via Incremental Tuning During Transients - Methods and systems are provided for automatically tuning a combustor of a gas turbine engine during a transient period, such as when a state of the gas turbine engine is changing. Once it has been determined whether the state of the gas turbine engine is changing, it is then determined whether a lean blowout is imminent, which is based conditions being monitored. A stability bias is applied to the system if either the state is changing or if lean blowout is imminent until the lean blowout is no longer determined to be imminent. The stability bias monitors operating conditions of the gas turbine engine and determines when one of the operating conditions has overcome a threshold value. Once a threshold value is overcome, a fuel flow fraction is adjusted by a predefined increment. The application of the stability bias is gradually terminated once it is determined that the lean blowout is no longer imminent. | 07-17-2014 |
20140208756 | System For Reducing Combustion Noise And Improving Cooling - A novel and improved system for cooling and reducing combustion noise in a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. The system includes a flow sleeve for a gas turbine combustor comprising a tubular portion and a conical portion, with a plurality of flow straighteners extending radially inward and between the tubular and conical portions and a plurality of rows of cooling holes extending about the flow sleeve, and an aft ring secured to the outlet end of the conical portion, where the aft ring includes an overlapping piston ring that is able to expand or contract in diameter. A combustion liner extends through the flow sleeve and engages an inlet of a transition duct while the piston ring of the flow sleeve also engages the transition duct to form a seal. | 07-31-2014 |
20140277789 | DYNAMIC TUNING OF A GAS TURBINE ENGINE TO DETECT AND PREVENT LEAN BLOWOUT - A method for tuning a combustor of a gas turbine engine based on one or more monitored operating conditions is provided. One or more operating conditions of the gas turbine engine are monitored. The monitored operating conditions may include, for example, a low frequency tone, a high frequency tone, and a ratio of the low frequency tone to the high frequency tone. It is determined whether the ratio of the low frequency tone to the high frequency tone is within a first predefined normal range. If the ratio of the low frequency tone to the high frequency tone is within the first predefined normal range, a determination is made not to tune the gas turbine engine. But, if the ratio of the low frequency tone to the high frequency tone is not within the first predefined normal range, a determination is made to tune the gas turbine engine. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277790 | ENSURING NON-EXCESSIVE VARIATION OF GRADIENTS IN AUTO-TUNING A GAS TURBINE ENGINE - Methods are provided for ensuring non-excessive variation of a gradient of an applied split bias versus firing temperature of a gas turbine engine. It is determined that an incremental split bias step is to be taken, and a current firing temperature of the gas turbine engine is identified on a graph. A first difference between a split schedule and an applied schedule gradient is calculated using lower firing temperatures than the current firing temperature, and a second difference is calculated using higher firing temperatures. If the first difference exceeds a predetermined limit, the incremental split bias step is not allowed at a lower firing temperature, and similarly, if the second difference exceeds a predetermined limit, the incremental split bias step is not allowed at a higher firing temperature. | 09-18-2014 |
20150075172 | FLAMESHEET COMBUSTOR CONTOURED LINER - The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and way for reducing the recirculation zone at the inlet end of a combustor. The recirculation zone is reduced by altering the geometry of the inlet end through a tapering of the liner wall thickness and a tapering of the thermal barrier coating to reduce the bluff body effect at the combustion liner inlet end. | 03-19-2015 |
20150159563 | AUTOMATED EXTENDED TURNDOWN OF A GAS TURBINE ENGINE COMBINED WITH INCREMENTAL TUNING TO MAINTAIN EMISSIONS AND DYNAMICS - An auto-tune controller and tuning process implemented thereby for measuring and tuning the combustion dynamics and emissions of a GT engine, relative to predetermined upper limits, are provided. Initially, the tuning process includes monitoring the combustion dynamics of a plurality of combustors and emissions for a plurality of conditions. Upon determination that one or more of the conditions exceeds a predetermined upper limit, a fuel flow split to a fuel circuit on all of the combustors on the engine is adjusted by a predetermined amount. The control system continues to monitor the combustion dynamics and to recursively adjust the fuel flow split by the predetermined amount until the combustion dynamics and/or emissions are operating within a prescribed range of the GT engine. Additionally, a method of automated extended turndown of a GT engine to find a minimum load is provided. | 06-11-2015 |
20150184856 | THERMALLY FREE LINER RETENTION MECHANISM - The present invention discloses a novel and improved device and method for securing a combustion liner within a gas turbine combustor. The improved configuration comprises a plurality of equally spaced support tab assemblies secured about the combustion liner and positioned radially outward of the combustion zone. The support tab assemblies comprise parallel liner tabs which provide increased flexibility, greater structural support, and lower operating stresses. | 07-02-2015 |
20150184858 | METHOD OF OPERATING A MULTI-STAGE FLAMESHEET COMBUSTOR - The present invention discloses a novel way of controlling a gas turbine engine to reduce emissions levels when demand for power from the gas turbine engine is reduced. The operating system provides a series of operating modes for a gas turbine combustor through which fuel is staged to gradually increase engine power, yet harmful emissions, such as carbon monoxide are kept within acceptable levels. | 07-02-2015 |
20150267620 | DYNAMIC AND AUTOMATIC TUNING OF A GAS TURBINE ENGINE USING EXHAUST TEMPERATURE AND INLET GUIDE VANE ANGLE - Methods and systems are provided for dynamically auto-tuning a gas turbine engine. Initially, parameters of the gas turbine engine are monitored to determine that they are within predefined upper and lower limits such that a margin exists. A first incremental adjustment of an inlet guide vane (IGV) angle is performed. If the monitored parameters are still within the predefined upper and lower limits, a second incremental adjustment of the IGV angle is performed. It is determined that the monitored parameters are still within the predefined upper and lower limits. Additionally, it is determined that a predefined value of the IGV angle has been reached such that the IGV angle is not to be further increased or decreased. | 09-24-2015 |
20150330634 | COMBUSTION LINER WITH BIAS EFFUSION COOLING - A system and method for improving the cooling to a portion of a combustion liner of a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. The combustion liner is cooled by supplying air through a plurality of cooling holes arranged in axially spaced rows in an upper and lower portion of the liner. The cooling holes are spaced accordingly so as to direct additional cooling flow to an area of the combustion liner not receiving sufficient flow due to maldistributions of air from the compressor discharge. | 11-19-2015 |
20160018110 | AXIALLY STAGED GAS TURBINE COMBUSTOR WITH INTERSTAGE PREMIXER - The present invention discloses a novel and improved apparatus and method for reducing the emissions of a gas turbine combustion system. More specifically, a combustion system is provided having a first combustion chamber and a premixer positioned proximate an outlet end of a combustion liner for mixing a second fuel/air mixture with hot combustion gases and burning the subsequent mixture to achieve reduced emissions levels. The premixer is positioned generally about the combustion liner and includes a plurality of channels and fuel injectors for introducing a fuel/air mixture, induced with a swirl, into a second, axially staged combustor. | 01-21-2016 |
20160084169 | METHOD OF OPERATING A MULTI-STAGE FLAMESHEET COMBUSTOR - The present invention discloses a novel way of controlling a gas turbine engine using detected temperatures and detected turbine rotor speed. An operating system provides a series of operating modes for a gas turbine combustor through which fuel is staged to gradually increase engine power, yet harmful emissions, such as carbon monoxide, are kept within acceptable levels. | 03-24-2016 |