Patents by Inventor Edward Laird
Edward Laird 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: 20230095704Abstract: An oscillation device, such as a frequency standard or “atomic clock”, is disclosed. The device comprises: a system capable of undergoing transitions between different energy states, the transitions defining at least a first resonance frequency and a second resonance frequency; an excitation device arranged to induce the system to undergo such transitions; a detection device arranged to detect a response of the system caused by the excitation device, to produce an output; and a controller arranged to receive the output, to control the excitation device to stimulate said transitions, and to obtain signals corresponding to at least the first and second resonance frequencies; wherein the controller is also arranged to process the obtained signals to produce a corrected output signal that is compensated against at least one influence on the resonance frequencies of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Andrew BRIGGS, Edward LAIRD, Kyriakos PORFYRAKIS
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Patent number: 8471677Abstract: A keypad transmitter for mounting outside a controlled area which may respond to the voice or other biometric indicia of users by transmitting validatable codes to a controller of a barrier movement system. The keypad may be used to send a validatable code or it may be used in a learning operation of the voice responsive portion. The voice responsive portion includes speaker dependent voice analysis for some functions and speaker independent voice analysis for other functions.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Patent number: 7855634Abstract: A keypad transmitter for mounting outside a controlled area which may respond to the voice or other biometric indicia of users by transmitting validatable codes to a controller of a barrier movement system. The keypad may be used to send a validatable code or it may be used in a learning operation of the voice responsive portion. The voice responsive portion includes speaker dependent voice analysis for some functions and speaker independent voice analysis for other functions.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Publication number: 20070013477Abstract: A keypad transmitter for mounting outside a controlled area which may respond to the voice or other biometric indicia of users by transmitting validatable codes to a controller of a barrier movement system. The keypad may be used to send a validatable code or it may be used in a learning operation of the voice responsive portion. The voice responsive portion includes speaker dependent voice analysis for some functions and speaker independent voice analysis for other functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2006Publication date: January 18, 2007Inventors: James Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Publication number: 20070006319Abstract: One provides (101) message content comprising at least a first message content part and a second message content part. One then selects (103) (at least) a first and second form of message alteration wherein each form of message alteration has corresponding recovery content that can be used to facilitate recovering message content that has been altered using the respective form of message alteration. The first message content part, in combination with recovery content as corresponds to the second form of message alteration, is then converted (104) into a first altered form using the first form of message alteration. In addition, one also preferably converts (105) the second message content part into a second altered form using the second form of message alteration. The first and second altered forms, in addition to recovery content as corresponds to the first form of message alteration, are then transmitted (106) as a joint message.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2005Publication date: January 4, 2007Inventors: James Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Publication number: 20070005806Abstract: Upon providing (101) message content (such as a remote control instruction) to be transmitted, and in conjunction with provision (102) of a plurality of different transmission characteristics (as correspond, for example, to different types of transmission) and a corresponding plurality of correlated recovery identifiers (103), a particular transmission characteristic is selected (104) and used to transmit (105) a joint message. n particular, in a preferred approach, the selected transmission characteristic (106) is used when transmitting at least a portion of the message content portion of the joint message while another part of the joint message carries the recovery identifier to thereby facilitate selection of an appropriate reception technique by a receiver when receiving the joint message.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2005Publication date: January 4, 2007Inventors: James Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Patent number: 7127847Abstract: A barrier mount system is disclosed which opens and closes a barrier such as a gate or garage door in response to user generated commands. Obstruction detection apparatus is provided for safety of operator. When an obstruction is sensed, the barrier movement system is inhibited from responding to user generated commands until a predetermined event occurs. The event may be passage of a predetermined amount of time or barrier movement of a particular amount.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Patent number: 7042183Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the speed of an A.C. induction motor are disclosed and shown in operation for controlling the movement of a barrier. Included are voltage configuration circuits which selectively gate portions of the half-cycles of AC mains voltage to the induction motor. When the motor is started increasing amounts of mains AC voltage is applied to the motor and decreasing portions of the mains AC are applied to the motor during a stopping routine. The motor can also be energized with less than full mains AC to permit differences in barrier movement speed dependent on operating parameters.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Robert Keller, Edward Laird
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Patent number: 6995533Abstract: A controlled torque drive for a motor of a barrier operator including a current sensor coupled to a current conducting path that is in series with the motor. The current sensor is configured to sense the current level in the current conducting path and provide a signal indicative of the current level in the current conducting path to a current controller that restricts the current level to the motor when an obstruction is encountered by the movable barrier. The current controller continues to restrict current to the motor for a period of time while the motor attempts to move the movable barrier through an obstruction. In variations, the current to the motor is limited by an analog current controller, and in other variations, current is limited by a digital current controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Patent number: 6989767Abstract: A movable barrier operator (10) can have at least two automatic modes of operation. These modes of operation can differ from one another at least with respect to their respective utilized maximum-applied-force thresholds, such that one of the modes of operation correlates to a reduced maximum-applied-force threshold. Selection between these available maximum-applied-force thresholds can be based, at least in part, upon whether an obstacle detector is operably coupled to the movable barrier operator. In one embodiment, a primary controller (30) and a secondary controller (31) can be utilized to effect the controlled selection and usage of the available maximum-applied-force thresholds. In another embodiment, maximum permitted speed of travel for the movable barrier can also be determined, at least in part, as a function of whether an obstacle detector is available to the movable barrier operator.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Publication number: 20050029974Abstract: An asymmetrical drive motor and apparatus with the asymmetric drive motor driving a barrier. The asymmetric drive motor drives the barrier at different drive powers according to direction, time of travel, safety requirements of speed. The drive power is controlled by electrically changing the capacitance value for a permanent split capacitor motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: James Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Publication number: 20050012488Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the speed of an A.C. induction motor are disclosed and shown in operation for controlling the movement of a barrier. Included are voltage configuration circuits which selectively gate portions of the half-cycles of AC mains voltage to the induction motor. When the motor is started increasing amounts of mains AC voltage is applied to the motor and decreasing portions of the mains AC are applied to the motor during a stopping routine. The motor can also be energized with less than full mains AC to permit differences in barrier movement speed dependent on operating parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2003Publication date: January 20, 2005Inventors: James Fitzgibbon, Robert Keller, Edward Laird
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Publication number: 20040239269Abstract: A movable barrier operator (10) can have at least two automatic modes of operation. These modes of operation can differ from one another at least with respect to their respective utilized maximum-applied-force thresholds, such that one of the modes of operation correlates to a reduced maximum-applied-force threshold. Selection between these available maximum-applied-force thresholds can be based, at least in part, upon whether an obstacle detector is operably coupled to the movable barrier operator. In one embodiment, a primary controller (30) and a secondary controller (31) can be utilized to effect the controlled selection and usage of the available maximum-applied-force thresholds. In another embodiment, maximum permitted speed of travel for the movable barrier can also be determined, at least in part, as a function of whether an obstacle detector is available to the movable barrier operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Publication number: 20040212335Abstract: A controlled torque drive for a motor of a barrier operator including a current sensor coupled to a current conducting path that is in series with the motor. The current sensor is configured to sense the current level in the current conducting path and provide a signal indicative of the current level in the current conducting path to a current controller that restricts the current level to the motor when an obstruction is encountered by the movable barrier. The current controller continues to restrict current to the motor for a period of time while the motor attempts to move the movable barrier through an obstruction. In variations, the current to the motor is limited by an analog current controller, and in other variations, current is limited by a digital current controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2003Publication date: October 28, 2004Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Publication number: 20040143766Abstract: A keypad transmitter for mounting outside a controlled area which may respond to the voice or other biometric indicia of users by transmitting validatable codes to a controller of a barrier movement system. The keypad may be used to send a validatable code or it may be used in a learning operation of the voice responsive portion. The voice responsive portion includes speaker dependent voice analysis for some functions and speaker independent voice analysis for other functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Patent number: 6670725Abstract: A back-up power supply for supplying operational power to a barrier movement apparatus when a mains supply of power is not present, including an enabling circuitry responsive to transmitted security codes for connecting operational power from the back-up power supply to the barrier movement apparatus. The back-up power supply includes a mains power input; a storage apparatus for storing power from the mains supply; converting apparatus for converting power stored by the storage apparatus into substitute mains power; and a control apparatus responsive to user generated request signals for enabling the converting apparatus to convert stored power into substitute mains power for use by the equipment. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, when a controller of a barrier movement apparatus identifies that a power reduction by a substitute power supply was caused by the barrier striking an obstruction, the controller directs the opening of the barrier, away from the obstruction when power is returned.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Publication number: 20030154656Abstract: A barrier mount system is disclosed which opens and closes a barrier such as a gate or garage door in response to user generated commands. Obstruction detection apparatus is provided for safety of operator. When an obstruction is sensed, the barrier movement system is inhibited from responding to user generated commands until a predetermined event occurs. The event may be passage of a predetermined amount of time or barrier movement of a particular amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Publication number: 20030023881Abstract: A keypad transmitter for mounting outside a controlled area which may respond to the voice or other biometric indicia of users by transmitting validatable codes to a controller of a barrier movement system. The keypad may be used to send a validatable code or it may be used in a learning operation of the voice responsive portion. The voice responsive portion includes speaker dependent voice analysis for some functions and speaker independent voice analysis for other functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Laird
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Patent number: 5667682Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a fluid containing contaminants is provided whereby the apparatus includes an inlet for drawing fluid from a fluid source, a housing having attached thereto the inlet, a contaminant outlet, a clean outlet, a filtering assembly and a mechanism for agitating the filtering assembly. The filtering assembly has an upper or upstream end connected to the inlet and a lower or downstream end connected to the contaminant outlet. The filtering assembly is disposed within the housing and is connected to the contaminant outlet whereby fluid is introduced to the filter assembly at an upper end of the filtering assembly by the fluid inlet and whereby fluid is passed through the filtering assembly to provide clean, filtered fluid which is discharged via the clean outlet, and debris and other contaminants contained in the fluid are separated from the fluid and retained by the filtering assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1995Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Water Renewal Systems L.P.Inventor: Kenneth Edward Laird