Patents by Inventor Carl L. Shearer
Carl L. Shearer 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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Publication number: 20240073540Abstract: An imaging system includes an illumination source configured to illuminate at least a portion of a vehicle interior. A camera is configured to capture one or more images of the portion of the vehicle interior. A controller is in communication with the illumination source and the camera. The controller is configured to receive the one or more images, identify a glare associated with an occupant of the vehicle interior in the one or more images, and generate and communicate a signal to adjust the illumination source to limit the glare.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Joshua D. Lintz, Steven J. Veenman, Matthew W. Remijn, Carl L. Shearer, JR.
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Patent number: 11908260Abstract: A control module for a remote device comprises a trainable transmitter configured to communicate a radio frequency signal configured to control the remote device via a first communication protocol. The control module further comprises a communication circuit configured to communicate with a mobile device via a second communication protocol and a user interface comprising at least one user input. The control module comprises a controller configured to communicate the programming information for the remote device with the remote server via the second communication interface and assign the programming information to the at least one user input. The controller is further configured to control the trainable transmitter to output a control signal based on the programming information in response to the at least one user input. The control signal is configured to control the remote device.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin J. Key, Thomas D. Klaver, Nicholas J. Goote, Timothy E. Martin, Todd R. Witkowski, Joshua P. Holtrop, Zachary J. Walton, Jacob K. Walton, Jason K. Jamieson, Troy A. Redder, Ryan J. Pusztai, Carl L. Shearer
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Patent number: 11411594Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided for a vehicle for transmitting signals to a device remote from the vehicle. The trainable transceiver includes a programmable oscillator for generating a signal having a selected reference frequency; an RF transceiver that receives an RF signal during a training mode in order to learn characteristics of the received RF signal, and transmits an RF signal to the remote device in an operating mode where the transmitted RF signal includes the learned characteristics of the received RF signal, wherein the RF transceiver receives the reference frequency from the programmable oscillator and uses the reference frequency to learn the characteristics of the received RF signal and for generating the transmitted RF signal; and a controller that, during the operating mode, selects frequency control data representing a frequency and selects the selected reference frequency for the programmable oscillator as a function of the frequency control data.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Carl L. Shearer, Robert R. Turnbull, Thomas D. Klaver
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Publication number: 20210358239Abstract: A control module for a remote device comprises a trainable transmitter configured to communicate a radio frequency signal configured to control the remote device via a first communication protocol. The control module further comprises a communication circuit configured to communicate with a mobile device via a second communication protocol and a user interface comprising at least one user input. The control module comprises a controller configured to communicate the programming information for the remote device with the remote server via the second communication interface and assign the programming information to the at least one user input. The controller is further configured to control the trainable transmitter to output a control signal based on the programming information in response to the at least one user input. The control signal is configured to control the remote device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin J. Key, Thomas D. Klaver, Nicholas J. Goote, Timothy E. Martin, Todd R. Witkowski, Joshua P. Holtrop, Zachary J. Walton, Jacob K. Walton, Jason K. Jamieson, Troy A. Redder, Ryan J. Pusztai, Carl L. Shearer
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Publication number: 20200350945Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided for a vehicle for transmitting signals to a device remote from the vehicle. The trainable transceiver includes a programmable oscillator for generating a signal having a selected reference frequency; an RF transceiver that receives an RF signal during a training mode in order to learn characteristics of the received RF signal, and transmits an RF signal to the remote device in an operating mode where the transmitted RF signal includes the learned characteristics of the received RF signal, wherein the RF transceiver receives the reference frequency from the programmable oscillator and uses the reference frequency to learn the characteristics of the received RF signal and for generating the transmitted RF signal; and a controller that, during the operating mode, selects frequency control data representing a frequency and selects the selected reference frequency for the programmable oscillator as a function of the frequency control data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Carl L. Shearer, Robert R. Turnbull, Thomas D. Klaver
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Patent number: 10312958Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Horia-Eduard Pilat, Carl L. Shearer, Douglas C. Papay, Steven L. Geerlings
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Patent number: 10218516Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Chris H. Vuyst, Todd R. Witkowski, Carl L. Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver
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Patent number: 10127804Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
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Patent number: 10096186Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 23, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
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Publication number: 20180123806Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Chris H. VUYST, Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Carl L. SHEARER, Steven L GEERLINGS, Thomas D. Klaver
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Patent number: 9836956Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a device includes an antenna configured to receive power from a power source, at least one orientation sensor, and a control circuit coupled to the antenna and the at least one orientation sensor. The control circuit is configured to determine an orientation of the antenna based on data from the at least one orientation sensor. The control circuit is further is configured to control the amount of power received by the antenna based on the determined orientation of the antenna. The trainable transceiver is configured to be capable of controlling the device based on at least one signal characteristic stored in memory and determined based on a signal received from an original transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventor: Carl L. Shearer
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Patent number: 9819498Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Chris H. Vuyst, Todd R. Witkowski, Carl L. Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver
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Publication number: 20170294065Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
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Publication number: 20170249834Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas S. WRIGHT, Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
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Patent number: 9711039Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit, a user input device, and a control circuit. The transceiver circuit is configured to receive a first activation signal from an original transmitter and configured to transmit a second activation signal. The control circuit is coupled to the transceiver circuit and the user input device. The control circuit is configured to format and transmit the second activation signal, based on the first activation signal, in response to a user input received at the user input device. The control circuit is configured to reduce a duty cycle of the second activation signal relative to the first activation signal and increase a radio frequency power of the second activation signal relative to the first activation signal, while maintaining, for the second activation signal, an average radio frequency power over a predetermined amount of time below a predetermined limit.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventor: Carl L. Shearer
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Patent number: 9691271Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
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Patent number: 9679471Abstract: A system for controlling a remote device includes a first trainable transceiver, a second trainable transceiver, and a cloud computing system configured to be in communication with the first trainable transceiver and the second trainable transceiver. The cloud computing system stores a code roll, and the cloud computing system transmits a current value of the code roll to the first trainable transceiver or the second trainable transceiver upon receiving a request transmission from the first trainable transceiver or the second trainable transceiver respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
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Patent number: 9652978Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas S. Wright, Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
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Publication number: 20160267782Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit, a user input device, and a control circuit. The transceiver circuit is configured to receive a first activation signal from an original transmitter and configured to transmit a second activation signal. The control circuit is coupled to the transceiver circuit and the user input device. The control circuit is configured to format and transmit the second activation signal, based on the first activation signal, in response to a user input received at the user input device. The control circuit is configured to reduce a duty cycle of the second activation signal relative to the first activation signal and increase a radio frequency power of the second activation signal relative to the first activation signal, while maintaining, for the second activation signal, an average radio frequency power over a predetermined amount of time below a predetermined limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventor: Carl L. Shearer
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Publication number: 20160267783Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a device includes an antenna configured to receive power from a power source, at least one orientation sensor, and a control circuit coupled to the antenna and the at least one orientation sensor. The control circuit is configured to determine an orientation of the antenna based on data from the at least one orientation sensor. The control circuit is further is configured to control the amount of power received by the antenna based on the determined orientation of the antenna. The trainable transceiver is configured to be capable of controlling the device based on at least one signal characteristic stored in memory and determined based on a signal received from an original transmitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventor: Carl L. SHEARER