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).

  • Publication number: 20170076591
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided having an integrated interface connections with various vehicle modules for use with various remote electronic devices and a method of programming and using the same. The wireless trainable transceiver is in a vehicle with an integrated interface allowing connection to a human-to-machine interface and vehicle position determination device, such a navigation system and compass and the wireless trainable transceiver has the ability to change functions associated with preset buttons on the trainable transceiver, depending upon the location of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Steven Swiftney, Landon S. Foy, Jens Ohler, Jack A. Huisingh
  • Publication number: 20170061110
    Abstract: An accessory configured to authenticate a transaction is disclosed. The accessory comprises a communication circuit configured to communicate with a transaction system. The accessory further comprises at least one data collection device and a processor. The processor is in communication with the communication circuit and the data collection device. The processor is configured to compare captured data captured by the data collection device with stored data to generate an authentication of a previously identified operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wright, Steven L. Geerlings, Marc A. Smeyers
  • Patent number: 9552723
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a device includes a transceiver circuit, a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, and memory coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to receive a signal from the device via the transceiver circuit. The control circuit is configured to determine a frequency of a channel used by the device based on the signal strength of the signal received from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Chris H. Vuyst, Thomas S. Wright, Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 9539930
    Abstract: A system for coupling to a vehicle and for causing actuation of a remote device via a control signal transmission includes a transmitter for causing the control signal transmission to the remote device. The system further includes a circuit configured to cause a back-up display to indicate status of the remote device in response to a status determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 9542834
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided having an integrated interface connections with various vehicle modules for use with various remote electronic devices and a method of programming and using the same. The wireless trainable transceiver is in a vehicle with an integrated interface allowing connection to a human-to-machine interface and vehicle position determination device, such a navigation system and compass and the wireless trainable transceiver has the ability to change functions associated with preset buttons on the trainable transceiver, depending upon the location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Steven Swiftney, Landon S. Foy, Jens Ohler, Jack A. Huisingh
  • Publication number: 20160321914
    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: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, David M. Bostrom
  • Patent number: 9412264
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver having an integrated interface connections with various vehicle modules for use with various remote electronic devices and a method of programming and using the same. The wireless trainable transceiver is in a vehicle with an integrated interface allowing connection to a human to machine interface and vehicle position determination device, such a navigation system and compass and the wireless trainable transceiver has the ability to change functions associated with preset buttons on the trainable transceiver, depending upon the location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Steven Swiftney, Landon S. Foy, Jens Ohler, Jack A. Huisingh
  • Publication number: 20160203721
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a device and providing vehicle position information to a vehicle occupant includes a transceiver circuit, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit and the output device. The control circuit is configured to receive, using the transceiver circuit or a secondary transceiver, image data corresponding to a position of the vehicle. The control circuit is further configured to determine a vehicle position status based on the image data and to control the output device to convey information to the vehicle occupant based on the vehicle position status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wright, Steven L. Geerlings, David M. Bostrom
  • Patent number: 9370041
    Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
  • Patent number: 9318017
    Abstract: A wireless control system for use in a vehicle and for use with a remote electronic system is provided. The wireless control system includes a transceiver for mounting in the vehicle. The transceiver is configured to communicate according to a Bluetooth communications standard. The transceiver is further configured to provide a control signal to the remote electronic system. The transceiver is also trainable to provide a carrier frequency and control information for the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
  • Publication number: 20160101736
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver unit for mounting in a vehicle includes a transceiver circuit configured to reproduce the transmit control signals for operating a plurality of remote electronic devices, a user interface element, a battery configured to power the transceiver circuit and the user interface element, and a housing. The housing contains the transceiver circuit, the user interface element, and the battery and is integrated with a component of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, James E. Trainor, Carl L. Shearer, Thomas S. Wright
  • Publication number: 20160104373
    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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven L. GEERLINGS
  • Publication number: 20160071348
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a vehicle communication module in the vehicle, a remote start system in the vehicle, and a vehicle processor. The vehicle processor is configured to determine if the vehicle is in a garage, and further configured to receive an indication of a remote start request from the remote start system, receive a garage door status from a garage door opener using the vehicle communication module, and determine, based on the received garage door status, if a garage door is closed. In response to determining that the garage door is closed, the vehicle systems transmits a remote command to the garage door opener formatted to cause the garage door opener to open the garage door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. CHUTORASH, James E. Trainor, Jeffrey Golden, Steven L. Geerlings
  • Publication number: 20160020813
    Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle that includes a transceiver having a transmit antenna disposed adjacent to an exterior component of the vehicle, the transceiver being configured to transmit at least one signal to a receiver external to the vehicle. The communication system also includes a controller having a processor and a memory storage device, the memory storage device being configured to store the at least one signal and to output the at least one signal to the transceiver. The communication system also includes a remote receive antenna disposed within an interior of the vehicle and communicatively coupled to the memory storage device, wherein the remote receive antenna is configured to receive the at least one signal from a training transmitter and to output the at least one signal to the memory storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Horia-Eduard Pilat, Carl L. Shearer, Douglas C. Papay, Steven L. Geerlings
  • Publication number: 20150364033
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a device includes a transceiver circuit, a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, and memory coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to receive a signal from the device via the transceiver circuit. The control circuit is configured to determine a frequency of a channel used by the device based on the signal strength of the signal received from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Chris H. Vuyst, Thomas S. Wright, Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 9189952
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a vehicle communication module in the vehicle, a remote start system in the vehicle, and a vehicle processor. The vehicle processor is configured to determine if the vehicle is in a garage, and further configured to receive an indication of a remote start request from the remote start system, receive a garage door status from a garage door opener using the vehicle communication module, and determine, based on the received garage door status, if a garage door is closed. In response to determining that the garage door is closed, the vehicle systems transmits a remote command to the garage door opener formatted to cause the garage door opener to open the garage door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard J. Chutorash, James E. Trainor, Jeffrey Golden, Steven L. Geerlings
  • Publication number: 20150325113
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven L. GEERLINGS
  • Patent number: 9176482
    Abstract: Control systems for mounting in a vehicle and for transmitting a signal to a receiver associated with a device for opening or closing a movable barrier when the receiver receives an authorized signal are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Carl L. Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver
  • Publication number: 20150311935
    Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
  • Publication number: 20150302732
    Abstract: A system for controlling a remote device includes a mobile communications device and a trainable transceiver. The mobile communications device includes a display, a camera flash, a speaker, and a processing circuit coupled to the display, the camera flash, and the speaker. The trainable transceiver includes a transceiver circuit, a communications device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit and the communications device. The trainable transceiver is configured to be in communication with the mobile communications device using the communications device, and the control circuit is configured to receive training information from the mobile communications device and train the trainable transceiver to communicate with the remote device based on the training information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas S. WRIGHT, Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer