Patents by Inventor Edward T. Laird

Edward T. 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).

  • Patent number: 9148409
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird
  • Patent number: 8587404
    Abstract: A movable barrier system with a moving-barrier imminent motion notification includes a movable barrier and a movable barrier operator connected to control movement of the movable barrier between a first position and a second position. To reduce user dissatisfaction with the moving-barrier imminent motion notification, communications to the movable barrier operator include information to assist the operator in determining whether to operate the moving-barrier imminent motion notification in combination with moving the door or to specifically command that the moving-barrier imminent motion notification operate or not. The communication may include a signal or input separate from and in addition to a typical command signal or input to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward T. Laird
  • Publication number: 20130145692
    Abstract: A barrier control apparatus and method for controlling movement of a barrier are provided to allow a user the ability to move a barrier without physically contacting the barrier. For example, the barrier control apparatus maintains a defined distance between an object such as a hand and a defined location relative to the barrier such that movement of the barrier follows movement of the object. In this way, a user is able to maintain control of the movement of the barrier throughout the opening and closing process. The barrier control apparatus is further able to detect gestures made by the user and can control movement of the barrier accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Edward T. LAIRD, Robert John OLMSTED, James J. ROBERTS
  • Patent number: 8416055
    Abstract: At a moveable barrier operator, parameters are adjusted. At a first time, the moveable barrier operator is configured with at least one parameter and adjustment of the at least one parameter is disabled until a predetermined identification signal is received. At a second time, the predetermined identification signal is received and the at least one parameter is responsively adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird
  • Publication number: 20110317835
    Abstract: An encrypted rolling code (11), a plurality of differing data bit order patterns (13), and a plurality of differing data inversion patterns 14) are provided. One then selects (15) a particular one of each of these patterns and uses those selected patterns as transmission characteristics when transmitting (16) at least part of the encrypted rolling code via a wireline connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Edward T. Laird, James J. Fitzgibbon, Eric M. Gregori
  • Publication number: 20110316668
    Abstract: Upon providing (101) message content (such as a wireline remote control instruction) to be transmitted via wireline, and in conjunction with provision (102) of a plurality of different wireline transmission characteristics (as correspond, for example, to different types of wireline transmission) and a corresponding plurality of correlated recovery identifiers (103), a particular wireline transmission characteristic is selected (104) and used to transmit via wireline (105) a joint message. In particular, in a preferred approach, the selected wireline transmission characteristic (106) is used when transmitting via wireline 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 wireline receiver when receiving the joint message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Edward T. Laird, James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Publication number: 20100242369
    Abstract: A movable barrier system with a moving-barrier eminent motion notification includes a movable barrier and a movable barrier operator connected to control movement of the movable barrier between a first position and a second position. To reduce user dissatisfaction with the moving-barrier eminent motion notification, communications to the movable barrier operator include information to assist the operator in determining whether to operate the moving-barrier eminent motion notification in combination with moving the door or to specifically command that the moving-barrier eminent motion notification operate or not. The communication may include a signal or input separate from and in addition to a typical command signal or input to the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Edward T. Laird
  • Publication number: 20090146777
    Abstract: At a moveable barrier operator, parameters are adjusted. At a first time, the moveable barrier operator is configured with at least one parameter and adjustment of the at least one parameter is disabled until a predetermined identification signal is received. At a second time, the predetermined identification signal is received and the at least one parameter is responsively adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird
  • Patent number: 7154531
    Abstract: A system for detecting objects includes a digital image device such as CCD camera to control a defined area for unauthorized intrusions. The digital imaging device views a predetermined pattern positioned across the defined area from the device. A processor periodically compares an image stored in the memory with a digital representation of the predetermined pattern, and a signal is sent to a control unit when the correlation is missing as a result of the object entering field of vision of the digital imaging device and obscuring said predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward T. Laird
  • Patent number: 6982652
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator (10) can control a plurality of light sources (12) via corresponding light drivers (11) to effect various lighting schemes in response to facilitating various operating modes and/or operational states of the operator. Preferably such lighting schemes are both selectively assignable by a user to specific modes/states and themselves uniquely definable by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward T. Laird, James J. Fitzgibbon, Dana M. Brad
  • Patent number: 6975203
    Abstract: In a multiple barrier movement operator environment, one switch module for controlling all of the barrier movement operators. The switch module may be wall mounted for convenience and communicates with the barrier operator either wirelessly or through a wired interface. The switch module controls and operates movement of any barrier singly while controlling the operation of the overhead lights and response inhibit modes of all the barrier operators. A stop button also maybe provided to enable all the barrier operators to discontinue movement of their respective barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brookbank, James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird
  • Patent number: 6860065
    Abstract: A system for decoupling a barrier from a barrier movement apparatus for the manual operation of the barrier. Advantageously, the decoupling is performed in response to a wireless signal and may be done only when the barrier is determined to be in a safe position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Griffin, James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird, Robert J. Olmsted
  • Patent number: 6777902
    Abstract: 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 or speed. The drive power is controlled by electrically changing the capacitance value for a permanent split capacitor motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird, Colin Willmott
  • Patent number: 6774594
    Abstract: 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 or speed. The drive power is controlled by electrically changing the capacitance value for a permanent split capacitor motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird, Colin Willmott
  • Publication number: 20030227370
    Abstract: In a multiple barrier movement operator environment, one switch module for controlling all of the barrier movement operators. The switch module may be wall mounted for convenience and communicates with the barrier operator either wirelessly or through a wired interface. The switch module controls and operates movement of any barrier singly while controlling the operation of the overhead lights and response inhibit modes of all the barrier operators. A stop button also maybe provided to enable all the barrier operators to discontinue movement of their respective barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brookbank, James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird
  • Publication number: 20030214806
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator (10) can control a plurality of light sources (12) via corresponding light drivers (11) to effect various lighting schemes in response to facilitating various operating modes and/or operational states of the operator. Preferably such lighting schemes are both selectively assignable by a user to specific modes/states and themselves uniquely definable by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward T. Laird, James J. Fitzgibbon, Dana M. Brad
  • Publication number: 20030208961
    Abstract: A system and method for decoupling a barrier from a barrier movement apparatus for the manual operation of the barrier. Advantageously, the decoupling is performed in response to a wireless signal and may be done only when the barrier is determined to be in a safe position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Griffin, James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird, Robert J. Olmsted
  • Publication number: 20030178957
    Abstract: 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 or speed. The drive power is controlled by electrically changing the capacitance value for a permanent split capacitor motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird, Colin Willmott
  • Publication number: 20030178962
    Abstract: 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 or speed. The drive power is controlled by electrically changing the capacitance value for a permanent split capacitor motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward T. Laird, Colin Willmott
  • Patent number: RE48433
    Abstract: An encrypted rolling code (11), a plurality of differing data bit order patterns (13), and a plurality of differing data inversion patterns 14) are provided. One then selects (15) a particular one of each of these patterns and uses those selected patterns as transmission characteristics when transmitting (16) at least part of the encrypted rolling code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Eric M. Gregori, Edward T. Laird