Patents by Inventor James E. Godiska

James E. Godiska 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: 8146989
    Abstract: A child soothing device includes a frame comprising a structural support, a housing coupled to the structural support and comprising a cover with an opening, and a speaker including a speaker driver and a speaker chamber. The speaker driver has a diaphragm disposed relative to the opening in the cover for external sound wave propagation via displacement of the diaphragm, and the speaker chamber has a volume defined by the housing and in communication with the diaphragm for internal sound wave propagation via the displacement of the diaphragm. The device further includes a partition within the housing to further define the volume of the speaker chamber. The volume may include a region obliquely oriented relative to the diaphragm to support a low frequency response of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Godiska, Joshua E. Clapper, Nick Efthemios Papageorge
  • Patent number: 8029377
    Abstract: A child motion device includes a frame that provides a structural support relative to a reference surface and that includes an arm pivotably coupled to the structural support. A child supporting device is coupled to the arm and spaced from the reference surface by the frame. A drive system is configured to move the arm such that the child supporting device reciprocates along a motion path at a frequency within a range from about 0.37 Hz to about 0.62 Hz. In some cases, a further drive system is configured to oscillate the child supporting device generally along the axis of rotation at a frequency in a range from about 2.85 Hz to about 3.15 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Velderman, William B. Bellows, Joshua E. Clapper, Matthew J. Ransil, James E. Godiska, Baku Kakuda
  • Patent number: 7918742
    Abstract: A child motion device includes a motor, a drive system coupled to the motor to produce movement along a motion path having reciprocating strokes, and a sensor responsive to the movement to generate feedback information indicative of the movement. The child motion device further includes a motor control circuit coupled to the sensor to determine, based on the feedback information, when to apply power to the motor during each reciprocating stroke. In some cases, the feedback information is indicative of a position of the motor such that the motor control circuit applies the power to the motor for a duration of time that begins after an end of each reciprocating stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Matthew J. Ransil, James E. Godiska
  • Patent number: 7884710
    Abstract: A method of controlling a child motion device includes the steps of determining data indicative of motion of the child motion device, and controlling an audio output of the child motion device in accordance with the data. In some cases, the controlling step includes the step of modulating the audio output in accordance with the data. For example, the modulating step may involve applying a modulation effect to an audio track available to the child motion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Product Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Godiska, William B. Bellows, John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV
  • Patent number: 7874927
    Abstract: A child motion device includes a motor to drive motion, a capacitive sensor array responsive to the motion to generate feedback information indicative of the motion, a control circuit coupled to the capacitive sensor array to control the motor based on the feedback information, and a user interface having a capacitive sensor element configured to recognize operator interaction with the user interface. The control circuit is coupled to the capacitive sensor element to control operation of the child motion device in accordance with the operator interaction. With the control circuit coupled to both the capacitive sensor array and the capacitive sensor element, the same control circuitry can be utilized in connection with both user interface and motor control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Godiska
  • Patent number: 7824273
    Abstract: A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface. A support arm assembly is coupled to and cantilevered from part of the frame assembly above the floor surface. A child supporting device is supported by the support arm assembly. A bounce mechanism of the device is employed to reciprocally bounce the child supporting device above the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, William B. Bellows, Matthew J. Ransil, James E. Godiska, David Saint, Nate Saint, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7727078
    Abstract: A juvenile product includes a seat having a seating area supported by a part of the juvenile product, a canopy positionable over at least a portion of the seating area and having an underside that faces the seating area, and a projection system carried on the juvenile product. The projection system has a projector configured to project visible stimuli either above the seating area or onto at least part of the underside of the canopy. These and other aspects of the disclosure are directed to providing a soothing and entertaining environment that may also be adjustable or customizable to address the changing interests and developmental levels of a child occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV, Joshua E. Clapper, Brian Kincaid, Matthew J. Ransil, James E. Godiska
  • Patent number: 7607734
    Abstract: A child motion device has a frame configured to rest on a floor surface. The device also has a drive system that drives an adjustable motion assembly. The adjustable motion assembly can include an adjustable arm that is connected between a seat holder and the frame at one of a plurality of positions. The connection position of the adjustable arm can adjust at least one motion characteristic of the device. The adjustable motion characteristics can include a gliding motion and a swinging motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, William B. Bellows, Matthew J. Ransil, James E. Godiska, David Saint, Nate Saint, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20080240483
    Abstract: A child soothing device includes a frame comprising a structural support, a housing coupled to the structural support and comprising a cover with an opening, and a speaker including a speaker driver and a speaker chamber. The speaker driver has a diaphragm disposed relative to the opening in the cover for external sound wave propagation via displacement of the diaphragm, and the speaker chamber has a volume defined by the housing and in communication with the diaphragm for internal sound wave propagation via the displacement of the diaphragm. The device further includes a partition within the housing to further define the volume of the speaker chamber. The volume may include a region obliquely oriented relative to the diaphragm to support a low frequency response of the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Godiska, Joshua E. Clapper, Nick Efthemios Papageorge
  • Publication number: 20080217974
    Abstract: A child motion device includes a frame that provides a structural support relative to a reference surface and that includes an arm pivotably coupled to the structural support. A child supporting device is coupled to the arm and spaced from the reference surface by the frame. A drive system is configured to move the arm such that the child supporting device reciprocates along a motion path at a frequency within a range from about 0.37 Hz to about 0.62 Hz. In some cases, a further drive system is configured to oscillate the child supporting device generally along the axis of rotation at a frequency in a range from about 2.85 Hz to about 3.15 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Velderman, William B. Bellows, Joshua E. Clapper, Matthew J. Ransil, James E. Godiska, Baku Kakuda
  • Publication number: 20080165016
    Abstract: A method of controlling a child motion device includes the steps of determining data indicative of motion of the child motion device, and controlling an audio output of the child motion device in accordance with the data. In some cases, the controlling step includes the step of modulating the audio output in accordance with the data. For example, the modulating step may involve applying a modulation effect to an audio track available to the child motion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Godiska, William B. Bellows, John (Jason) C. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20080146361
    Abstract: A child device includes a user interface having a capacitive sensor element configured to reflect a capacitance change in connection with an operator interaction with the user interface, and a control circuit coupled to the capacitive sensor element to detect the capacitance change resulting from the operator interaction. The control circuit is further configured to evaluate the capacitance change to determine whether the operator interaction is initiated by a user authorized to control operation of the child device. In some cases, the child device may be configured to implement a learning routine involving capturing data indicative of a capacitance change, and evaluating the data to determine a threshold to be used in detection of future operator interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Godiska
  • Publication number: 20080146360
    Abstract: A child motion device includes a motor to drive motion, a capacitive sensor array responsive to the motion to generate feedback information indicative of the motion, a control circuit coupled to the capacitive sensor array to control the motor based on the feedback information, and a user interface having a capacitive sensor element configured to recognize operator interaction with the user interface. The control circuit is coupled to the capacitive sensor element to control operation of the child motion device in accordance with the operator interaction. With the control circuit coupled to both the capacitive sensor array and the capacitive sensor element, the same control circuitry can be utilized in connection with both user interface and motor control functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Godiska
  • Publication number: 20080146359
    Abstract: A method of controlling a child motion device having a motor includes the steps of applying first and second voltages to the motor associated with corresponding first and second voltage ranges above and below an initial baseline voltage, monitoring respective motion characteristics of the child motion device resulting from the first and second voltages, and iterating the applying and monitoring steps with narrowed first and second voltage ranges and an adjusted baseline voltage. The adjusted baseline voltage corresponds to a level within a selected one of the first and second ranges based on a comparison of the respective motion characteristics. The child motion device may then be calibrated to utilize the adjusted baseline voltage. In some cases, the adjusted baseline voltage determines a voltage applied to the motor during a motion start procedure or to maintain a desired swing speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Godiska
  • Publication number: 20080143155
    Abstract: A juvenile product includes a seat having a seating area supported by a part of the juvenile product, a canopy positionable over at least a portion of the seating area and having an underside that faces the seating area, and a projection system carried on the juvenile product. The projection system has a projector configured to project visible stimuli either above the seating area or onto at least part of the underside of the canopy. These and other aspects of the disclosure are directed to providing a soothing and entertaining environment that may also be adjustable or customizable to address the changing interests and developmental levels of a child occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: John (Jason) C. Arnold, Joshua E. Clapper, Brian Kincaid, Matthew J. Ransil, James E. Godiska
  • Publication number: 20080139327
    Abstract: A child motion device includes a motor, a drive system coupled to the motor to produce movement along a motion path having reciprocating strokes, and a sensor responsive to the movement to generate feedback information indicative of the movement. The child motion device further includes a motor control circuit coupled to the sensor to determine, based on the feedback information, when to apply power to the motor during each reciprocating stroke. In some cases, the feedback information is indicative of a position of the motor such that the motor control circuit applies the power to the motor for a duration of time that begins after an end of each reciprocating stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Matthew J. Ransil, James E. Godiska
  • Publication number: 20080136236
    Abstract: A child device capable of implementing a plurality of device functions includes a plurality of operational components, each operational component being configured to implement at least one of the plurality of device functions. The child device further includes a control circuit coupled to the plurality of operational components to direct operation of each operational component, and a memory in communication with the control circuit. The memory is configured to store data indicative of an operational mode, the data specifying a plurality of operational settings for the plurality of operational components, respectively. The child device still further includes a user interface coupled to the control circuit and configured to detect an operator interaction resulting in selection of the operational mode. The control circuit directs the plurality of operational components in accordance with the plurality of operational settings in response to the selection of the operational mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kincaid, Matthew J. Ransil, William B. Bellows, James E. Godiska, Joshua E. Clapper