Patents by Inventor Mark L. Zeinstra
Mark L. Zeinstra has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 5903226Abstract: A control system selectively controls the operation of at least one lamp and at least one garage door opener. The control system includes a control module. The control module includes connectors adapted to be coupled to at least one lamp through household AC power conductors. The control module also includes terminals adapted to be connected to a garage door opener mechanism. A circuit positioned in the control module receives and identifies radio frequency signals, stores control information associated with a plurality of received signals from a remote control in a training mode and outputs control signals for communication over the AC power line and the garage door mechanism in accordance with the stored control signals when one of said remote control signals is received in an operating mode. The control module also includes a selector used to select garage door and/or light control operations to be associated with a signal received by the control module in a training mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1995Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Michael J. Suman, Paul S. Van Lente, Mark L. Zeinstra, William S. De Vree
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Patent number: 5854593Abstract: A trainable transmitter for learning the characteristics of a received RF signal and for transmitting a coded RF signal having the learned characteristics to a receiver for remote activation of a device, such as a garage door opener. The trainable transmitter includes a tunable RF circuit and a controller coupled to the RF circuit for selectively tuning the RF circuit during a training sequence. To provide a user with an early indication that a valid RF signal is being received at the initiation of the training sequence, the control circuit quickly sweeps the frequency at which the RF circuit is tuned from the lowest frequency to the highest frequency of a frequency range in which the carrier frequency of a valid RF signal would fall. If a signal is not detected during this initial fast scanning procedure, the training sequence is terminated and the user is so informed.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1996Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Kurt A. Dykema, Mark L. Zeinstra, Paul C. Duckworth
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Patent number: 5717387Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle accessory control system that includes a receiver for receiving paging signals including a unique vehicle address and a reprogramming signal. The control system responds to the reprogramming signal by reprogramming a vehicle accessory control program used to determine how to specifically control a vehicle accessory.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Michael J. Suman, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 5708415Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul S. Van Lente, Michael J. Suman, Mark L. Zeinstra, William S. DeVree
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Patent number: 5699044Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1995Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul S. Van Lente, Michael J. Suman, Mark L. Zeinstra, William S. DeVree
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Patent number: 5691848Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1995Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul S. Van Lente, Michael J. Suman, Mark L. Zeinstra, William S. DeVree
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Patent number: 5661455Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1995Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul S. Van Lente, Michael J. Suman, Mark L. Zeinstra, William S. DeVree
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Patent number: 5646701Abstract: A trainable transceiver provides an integrated trainable transmitter and control system receiver for a vehicle electrical system. The transceiver includes an input circuit and an output circuit coupled to a controller. The transceiver also includes an interface connected between the controller and the vehicle's electrical system. The input circuit which receives RF signals includes an amplitude control for adjusting the reception range of the transceiver. The transceiver also disconnects the output circuit from the antenna in a remote control training mode or a transmitter signal detection mode. The transceiver is manually controlled to enter the remote control training mode and a transmission mode for controlling a remote device. The transceiver automatically enters the transmitter signal detection mode on a periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1995Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul C. Duckworth, Kurt A. Dykema, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 5627529Abstract: A trainable transceiver provides an integrated trainable transmitter and control system receiver for a vehicle electrical system. The transceiver includes an input circuit and an output circuit coupled to a controller. The transceiver also includes an interface connected between the controller and the vehicle's electrical system. The input circuit which receives RF signals includes an amplitude control for adjusting the reception range of the transceiver. The transceiver also disconnects the output circuit from the antenna in a remote control training mode or a transmitter signal detection mode. The transceiver is manually controlled to enter the remote control training mode and a transmission mode for controlling a remote device. The transceiver automatically enters the transmitter signal detection mode on a periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1994Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul C. Duckworth, Kurt A. Dykema, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 5619190Abstract: A trainable transceiver provides an integrated trainable transmitter and control system receiver for a vehicle electrical system. The transceiver includes an input circuit and an output circuit coupled to a controller. The transceiver also includes an interface connected between the controller and the vehicle's electrical system. The input circuit which receives RF signals includes an amplitude control for adjusting the reception range of the transceiver. The transceiver also disconnects the output circuit from the antenna in a remote control training mode or a transmitter signal detection mode. The transceiver is manually controlled to enter the remote control training mode and a transmission mode for controlling a remote device. The transceiver automatically enters the transmitter signal detection mode on a periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1995Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul C. Duckworth, Kurt A. Dykema, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 5614885Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1990Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul S. Van Lente, Mark L. Zeinstra, Michael J. Suman, William S. DeVree
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Patent number: 5614891Abstract: A vehicle accessory includes a trainable transmitter for duplicating the signal of an existing remote control. In one embodiment, the system includes a variable frequency generator having a frequency control input and an output. In one embodiment, also, the transmitter includes a switch for selectively disabling the variable frequency generator. According to another embodiment, the transmitter is trained by adjusting the frequency of the signal output by the variable frequency generator until it matches a signal transmitted by an existing remote control for a garage door opening mechanism. According to another embodiment, a variable attenuator is controlled to adjust the magnitude of the output signal of the variable frequency generator in inverse relationship to the duty cycle of output signals therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Mark L. Zeinstra, Kurt A. Dykema
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Patent number: 5583485Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul S. Van Lente, Michael J. Suman, Mark L. Zeinstra, William S. DeVree
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Patent number: 5479157Abstract: Vehicles embodying the present invention include a receiver, demodulator and control circuit which interfaces with various vehicle options to allow receipt of a vehicle address and control signal which is a personalization code to control the operation of one or more vehicle accessories. A display is provided for the display of information to the vehicle operator confirming the state of operation of an option change or addition when has been requested by the vehicle operator. In one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle includes a display for displaying a telephone number from a land-based paging system to the vehicle operator. In another embodiment of the present invention, the receiver demodulator and display unit receives alpha-numeric information when allows messages and/or telephone numbers to be displayed to the vehicle operator.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1995Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Michael J. Suman, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 5479155Abstract: A vehicle accessory includes a trainable transmitter for duplicating the signal of an existing remote control. In one embodiment, the system includes a variable frequency generator having a frequency control input and an output. In one embodiment, also, the transmitter includes a switch for selectively disabling the variable frequency generator. According to another embodiment, the transmitter is trained by adjusting the frequency of the signal output by the variable frequency generator until it matches a signal transmitted by an existing remote control for a garage door opening mechanism. According to another embodiment, a variable attenuator is controlled to adjust the magnitude of the output signal of the variable frequency generator in inverse relationship to the duty cycle of output signals therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1994Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Mark L. Zeinstra, Kurt A. Dykema
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Patent number: 5475366Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1993Date of Patent: December 12, 1995Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Paul S. Van Lente, Michael J. Suman, Mark L. Zeinstra, William S. DeVree
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Patent number: 5278547Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a microcontroller based switch programmable module which allows a variety of different vehicle options to be selectively actuated by different vehicle users. In one embodiment a remote transmitter provides a unique user code and the control system includes the capability of programming the transmitter code to allow use of multiple transmitters with different codes for different users.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1991Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Michael J. Suman, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 5113182Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a microcontroller based switch programmable module which allows a variety of different vehicle options to be selectively actuated by different vehicle users. In one embodiment a remote transmitter provides a unique user code and the control system includes the capability of programming the transmitter code to allow use of multiple transmitters with different codes for different users.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1990Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Michael J. Suman, Mark L. Zeinstra
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Patent number: 4827520Abstract: A voice actuated control system for controlling vehicle accessories includes a voice processing circuit and memory for storing data representing command words employed to perform control functions for vehicle accessories and for detecting spoken command words and providing data corresponding thereto. A microprocessor compares the data to determine if a word match has occurred and provides a selected control output signal in such event. The microprocessor is coupled by an interface circuit to a plurality of devices to be controlled including for example, a cellular telephone, a radio receiver and the like. Also, in a preferred embodiment a display and control panel is provided to selectively provide visual prompts to the operator and a manual control. The microprocessor is programmed to provide a variety of tests on stored data and spoken word to improve the reliability of the system.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1987Date of Patent: May 2, 1989Assignee: Prince CorporationInventor: Mark L. Zeinstra