Patents by Inventor Steven L. Geerlings

Steven L. Geerlings 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).

  • Patent number: 10127804
    Abstract: A system for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, communications electronics, and a processing circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the communications electronics. The processing circuit is configured to cause the trainable transceiver to control a remote device in response to a signal received from a cloud computing system, wherein the signal is received from the cloud computing system using the communications electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
  • Patent number: 10115302
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, a camera, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the camera. The control circuit is configured to use data received from the camera to determine if the vehicle is well positioned within a garage, and the control circuit is configured to provide an indication that the vehicle is well positioned using the output device in response to determining that the vehicle is well positioned within a garage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Patent number: 10096188
    Abstract: A system for controlling a remote device from a vehicle includes a control device in the vehicle. The control device includes an operator input device configured to receive a user, input, a control circuit coupled to the operator input device, and a first communications device coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to transmit a control signal in response to the user input. The system further includes a trainable transceiver remote from the vehicle including a second communications device configured to receive the control signal, a processing circuit coupled to the second communications device, and a transceiver circuit coupled to the processing circuit. The processing circuit configured to format an activation signal in response to the control signal, and the processing circuit is further configured to transmit the activation signal via the transceiver circuit, wherein the activation signal is configured to control the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 10096186
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a device, the system including a trainable transceiver, communications electronics, and a processing circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the communications electronics. The processing circuit is configured to train the trainable transceiver to control a device using information received from a cloud computing system remote from the device and vehicle via the communications electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
  • Publication number: 20180253960
    Abstract: A transmitter device for coupling to a vehicle and for conducting a transmission to a remote system includes a transmitter and a processing circuit coupled to the transmitter and having an input interface. The input interface is coupled to an existing user interface of the vehicle for receiving an input to cause the transmitter to conduct its transmission to the remote system. The input interface is coupled to a vehicle sensor for receiving a vehicle sensor input including a motion status of the vehicle. The processing circuit is configured to prevent transmitter from conducting its transmission to the remote system unless the motion status of the vehicle indicates the vehicle is travelling at a speed less than a threshold speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven L. GEERLINGS
  • Publication number: 20180232981
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device includes a trainable transceiver and a remote button module. The trainable transceiver base station configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a first location and the remote button module separated from the base station and configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a second location. The remote button module is configured to wirelessly transmit a command signal to the base station in response to receiving a user input at a user input device, and the base station responds to receiving the command signal by transmitting an activation signal to the remote device, wherein the activation signal is formatted to control the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. GEERLINGS, Thomas S. Wright, Todd R. Witkowski, Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Publication number: 20180211515
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, a camera, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the camera. The control circuit is configured to use data received from the camera to determine if the vehicle is well positioned within a garage, and the control circuit is configured to provide an indication that the vehicle is well positioned using the output device in response to determining that the vehicle is well positioned within a garage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Publication number: 20180184376
    Abstract: A wireless communication module is disclosed. The wireless communication module comprises a magnetic sensor configured to detect magnetic field data and a communication circuit. A controller is in communication with the magnetic sensor and the communication circuit. The controller is configured to monitor the magnetic field data and compare the magnetic field data to a first predetermined threshold. In response the magnetic field data exceeding the first threshold, the controller is configured to output an activation signal to the communication circuit. The communication circuit is configured to enter an active state in response to receiving the activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventor: Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 9984516
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver base station for controlling a remote device includes a first transceiver circuit, a power connection, and a control circuit. The first transceiver circuit is configured to transmit activation signals to the remote device, the activation signals formatted based on training information and formatted to control the remote device. The power connection is configured to receive electrical power from a vehicle. The control circuit is configured to cause the first transceiver circuit to transmit the activation signal when a command signal is received at the trainable transceiver base station. The trainable transceiver base station is located at a first location within the vehicle, and the trainable transceiver base station is configured to receive the command signal from a remote button module located at a second location within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Todd R. Witkowski, Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Publication number: 20180144618
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit configured based on training information to communicate with the remote device, a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, and coupled to the communications device. The control circuit is configured to transmit diagnostic information related to the trainable transceiver to a mobile communications device via the communications device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Publication number: 20180144617
    Abstract: A method for automatically transmitting an activation signal from a trainable transceiver to a remote electronic system, includes receiving, at a control circuit of the trainable transceiver, image data from an image data source; determining, using the control circuit, if the received image data matches one or more reference images stored in memory and associated with the remote electronic system; and determining, in response to a match between the received image data and the one or more reference images, if the trainable transceiver is approaching the remote electronic system. The method includes, in response to determining that the trainable transceiver is approaching the remote electronic system, formatting an activation signal to control the remote electronic system and transmitting, using a transceiver circuit, the activation signal formatted to control the remote electronic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, David M. Bostrom
  • Patent number: 9965947
    Abstract: A transmitter device for coupling to a vehicle and for conducting a transmission to a remote system includes a transmitter and a processing circuit coupled to the transmitter and having an input interface. The input interface is coupled to an existing user interface of the vehicle for receiving an input to cause the transmitter to conduct its transmission to the remote system. The input interface is coupled to a vehicle sensor for receiving a vehicle sensor input including a motion status of the vehicle. The processing circuit is configured to prevent the transmitter from conducting its transmission to the remote system unless the motion status of the vehicle indicates the vehicle is travelling at a speed less than a threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven L. Geerlings
  • Publication number: 20180122225
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, a camera, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the camera. The control circuit is configured to use the camera to identify the remote device by comparing information received via the camera to information stored in memory, and the control circuit is configured to automatically transmit an activation signal formatted to control the remote device in response to identifying the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. GEERLINGS, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Publication number: 20180123806
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of re-programming memory, and in particular, to wirelessly re-programming software, such as the application code, residing in memory of a trainable transceiver. The wireless re-programming of memory allows for software in the trainable transceiver to be updated or replaced from a remote location, where a direct or wired connection to the product is not otherwise available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chris H. VUYST, Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Carl L. SHEARER, Steven L GEERLINGS, Thomas D. Klaver
  • Patent number: 9947159
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device includes a trainable transceiver and a remote button module. The trainable transceiver base station configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a first location and the remote button module separated from the base station and configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a second location. The remote button module is configured to wirelessly transmit a command signal to the base station in response to receiving a user input at a user input device, and the base station responds to receiving the command signal by transmitting an activation signal to the remote device, wherein the activation signal is formatted to control the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Todd R. Witkowski, Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Publication number: 20180096684
    Abstract: A vehicle-based remote control system and method are provided herein. A first in-vehicle device and a second in-vehicle device are provided. The second in-vehicle device includes a user-input mechanism having at least one actuatable member, and a controller programmed to respond to input from the user-input mechanism. Upon actuation of the at least one actuatable member, the controller prompts the first in-vehicle device to transmit a pre-recorded user voice command assigned to the at least one actuatable member. The pre-recorded user voice command is transmitted to a server. The server processes the pre-recorded user voice command and generates a command for executing an action specified by the pre-recorded user voice command. The command is executed by one or more smart devices located remotely from a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Goote, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright
  • Patent number: 9922548
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, a camera, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the camera. The control circuit is configured to use data received from the camera to determine if the vehicle is well positioned within a garage, and the control circuit is configured to provide an indication that the vehicle is well positioned using the output device in response to determining that the vehicle is well positioned within a garage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Patent number: 9875650
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit configured based on training information to communicate with the remote device, a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, and coupled to the communications device. The control circuit is configured to transmit diagnostic information related to the trainable transceiver to a mobile communications device via the communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Patent number: 9858806
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, a camera, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the camera. The control circuit is configured to use the camera to identify the remote device by comparing information received via the camera to information stored in memory, and the control circuit is configured to automatically transmit an activation signal formatted to control the remote device in response to identifying the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Patent number: 9858808
    Abstract: A method for automatically transmitting an activation signal from a trainable transceiver to a remote electronic system, includes receiving, at a control circuit of the trainable transceiver, image data from an image data source; determining, using the control circuit, if the received image data matches one or more reference images stored in memory and associated with the remote electronic system; and determining, in response to a match between the received image data and the one or more reference images, if the trainable transceiver is approaching the remote electronic system. The method includes, in response to determining that the trainable transceiver is approaching the remote electronic system, formatting an activation signal to control the remote electronic system and transmitting, using a transceiver circuit, the activation signal formatted to control the remote electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, David M. Bostrom