Patents by Inventor James J. Fitzgibbon

James J. Fitzgibbon 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: 11187026
    Abstract: A barrier operator feature enhancement device is designed to provide one or more features found in modern barrier operator devices and to incorporate those features into a previously installed barrier operator system. To facilitate ease of use, the barrier operator feature enhancement device can communicate with a large variety of barrier operators. Such communication may be wireless or wired, depending on the communication protocol implemented by a particular previously installed barrier operator. To facilitate the ease of installation, the device is designed to configure itself to operate with the communication protocol of the previously installed barrier operator. Once configured to be able to communicate with the previously installed barrier operator, the feature enhancement device works with the barrier operator to provide one or more additional features to enhance the capabilities of the previously installed barrier operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
    Inventors: Casparus Cate, James J. Fitzgibbon, Robert R. Keller, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210350646
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for managing and controlling movable barrier operator systems are described herein. A method for controlling a movable barrier operator system comprises receiving a credential associated with a first user account from a first user device, storing the credential in a memory of the movable barrier operator system, communicating the credential and an identifier of the movable barrier operator system to a remote computer to register the movable barrier operator system with the remote computer, and configuring the movable barrier operator system to change a state of a movable barrier in response to the movable barrier operator system receiving a state change request from a second user device associated with a second user account, the state change request from the second user device including the credential or a derivative of the credential received from the first user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Aaron Burroughs, James J. Fitzgibbon, James D. Johnson, David R. Morris, Christopher J. Staub
  • Patent number: 11122430
    Abstract: Electronic systems are provided for secure actuation of a remote device such as a moveable barrier operator. The systems address the “man in the middle” problem of persons intercepting and duplicating radio frequency signals from a control device by introducing timing parameters into a bidirectional communication sequence between at least two devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Publication number: 20210281405
    Abstract: An encrypted rolling code, a plurality of differing data bit order patterns, and a plurality of differing data inversion patterns are provided. One then selects a particular one of each of these patterns and uses those selected patterns as transmission characteristics when transmitting at least part of the encrypted rolling code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Eric Gregori, Edward Thomas Laird
  • Publication number: 20210246707
    Abstract: In one aspect, an in-vehicle computing device is provided for controlling operation of a movable barrier operator. The in-vehicle computing device includes a sensor configured to detect a vehicle characteristic and communication circuitry operable to cause automatic operation of the movable barrier operator by communicating with the movable barrier operator. The in-vehicle device further includes a processor operatively coupled to the communication circuitry, the sensor, and the memory. The processor configured to determine satisfaction of a user account condition and, upon the user account condition not being satisfied, to inhibit the communication circuitry from initiating automatic operation of the movable barrier operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, James D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210233336
    Abstract: The systems and methods provided herein use a rolling voice identifier in a multi-factor authentication system to avoid the security problems present in prior voice activated control systems. By implementing a rolling voice identifier in an access control platform, users may no longer need to be concerned with being overheard or recorded when providing voice authentication commands to an access control platform because the rolling voice identifier that the user will be prompted to speak will be specific to the particular instance of control of an access control platform. An access control platform is a platform that controls operation of a movable barrier by, for example, controlling the state of a movable barrier using a remote control. An access control platform may cause a movable barrier to become opened, closed, locked, or unlocked to permit or prevent access to a physical space by a physical object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Casparus Cate, James J. Fitzgibbon, Martin B. Heckmann, James J. Johnson, David R. Morris, Cory Jon Sorice
  • Patent number: 11028633
    Abstract: In one aspect, an in-vehicle computing device is provided for controlling operation of a movable barrier operator. The in-vehicle computing device includes a sensor configured to detect a vehicle characteristic and communication circuitry operable to cause automatic operation of the movable barrier operator by communicating with the movable barrier operator. The in-vehicle device further includes a processor operatively coupled to the communication circuitry, the sensor, and the memory. The processor configured to determine satisfaction of a user account condition and, upon the user account condition not being satisfied, to inhibit the communication circuitry from initiating automatic operation of the movable barrier operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, James D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11010999
    Abstract: The systems and methods provided herein use a rolling voice identifier in a multi-factor authentication system to avoid the security problems present in prior voice activated control systems. By implementing a rolling voice identifier in an access control platform, users may no longer need to be concerned with being overheard or recorded when providing voice authentication commands to an access control platform because the rolling voice identifier that the user will be prompted to speak will be specific to the particular instance of control of an access control platform. An access control platform is a platform that controls operation of a movable barrier by, for example, controlling the state of a movable barrier using a remote control. An access control platform may cause a movable barrier to become opened, closed, locked, or unlocked to permit or prevent access to a physical space by a physical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Casparus Cate, James J. Fitzgibbon, Martin B. Heckmann, James D. Johnson, David R. Morris, Cory Sorice
  • Publication number: 20210123288
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator system is provided that includes a moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus, a motor, a controller, and communication circuitry configured to communicate with a remote control. In response to the communication circuitry receiving a communication from the remote control, the controller causes the motor to change the state of the movable barrier and additionally operate the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus upon a determination of the remote control being beyond a physical proximity of a location associated with the movable barrier operator system. Upon a determination that the remote control is within the physical proximity, the controller refrains from operation of the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Casparus Cate, James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Publication number: 20210102421
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a communication interface configured to receive commands that cause the motor to move the movable barrier. The movable barrier operator further includes a processing circuit configured to cause the motor to automatically move the movable barrier from a first open position toward a closed position and then from the closed position toward a second open position different from the first open position in response to receipt of an intermediate open command by the communication interface. The processing circuit can also cause the motor of the movable barrier operator to move the movable barrier toward the first open position in response to the processing circuit determining that the movable barrier had been obstructed while moving from the first open position toward the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 10944559
    Abstract: Binary data relating to a movable barrier operator is converted to ternary data. The ternary data is converted into corresponding binary information in a way not mirroring the first conversion method. In one approach, this second conversion converts each ternary trit into a corresponding binary pair. Initial binary bits correspond to, for example, fixed and/or non-fixed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Eric Gregori
  • Patent number: 10934763
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a communication interface configured to receive commands that cause the motor to move the movable barrier. The movable barrier operator further includes a processing circuit configured to cause the motor to automatically move the movable barrier from a first open position toward a closed position and then from the closed position toward a second open position different from the first open position in response to receipt of an intermediate open command by the communication interface. The processing circuit can also cause the motor of the movable barrier operator to move the movable barrier toward the first open position in response to the processing circuit determining that the movable barrier had been obstructed while moving from the first open position toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 10927583
    Abstract: Controlling movable barrier movement with respect to selectively overriding a safety system includes determining whether a safety system is in an operation failure or misalignment state, the safety system being configured to detect obstruction in a path of movement of a movable barrier, receiving a state change request for the movable barrier while the safety system is in the operation failure or misalignment state, determining whether a safety override condition exists, and overriding the safety system and actuating the movable barrier if the safety system is in the operation failure or misalignment state and the safety override condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Thomas Jason Jankovsky, Michael Lorch, Larry Strait
  • Publication number: 20210018651
    Abstract: An obstacle detection system includes a light emitter that emits a light signal and a light detector configured to receive a portion of the light signal reflected back from an object. The system includes a processor operatively coupled to the light emitter and the light detector to determine a presence of an obstacle based on the portion of the light signal received by the light detector. The system includes a heater operatively coupled to a power source and at least one sensor configured to determine an ambient temperature and an ambient relative humidity. The processor is operatively coupled to the power source, the heater, and the at least one sensor. The processor is configured to calculate a dew point of the environment from the ambient relative humidity and the ambient temperature and to activate the heater in response to the ambient temperature being less than the dew point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, David John Sklodowski, Leung Yu Tang
  • Publication number: 20210019964
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator system is provided that includes a moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus, a motor, a controller, and communication circuitry configured to communicate with a remote control. In response to the communication circuitry receiving a communication from the remote control, the controller causes the motor to change the state of the movable barrier and additionally operate the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus upon a determination of the remote control being beyond a physical proximity of a location associated with the movable barrier operator system. Upon a determination that the remote control is within the physical proximity, the controller refrains from operation of the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Casparus Cate, Jordan Ari Farber, James J. Fitzgibbon, Nathan J. Kopp
  • Patent number: 10880526
    Abstract: A security system notifies a user of a security event when a movable barrier operator light turns on. The security system includes a camera in communication with control circuitry and a communication module. The control circuitry is configured to control operation of the camera. The communication module communicates with a light status detector that determines the status of an operator light associated with a movable barrier operator. When the operator light turns on, the light status detector sends a signal to the communication module, effecting the control circuitry to operate the camera to capture security data. The communication module then transmits the captured security data over a network to be accessible by a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Jonathan Arnold Lee, Brian Roy Skotty
  • Patent number: 10862924
    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. In 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: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Edward Thomas Laird
  • Patent number: 10846956
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator system is provided that includes a moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus, a motor, a controller, and communication circuitry configured to communicate with a remote control. In response to the communication circuitry receiving a communication from the remote control, the controller causes the motor to change the state of the movable barrier and additionally operate the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus upon a determination of the remote control being beyond a physical proximity of a location associated with the movable barrier operator system. Upon a determination that the remote control is within the physical proximity, the controller refrains from operation of the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Casparus Cate, Jordan Ari Farber, James J. Fitzgibbon, Nathan J. Kopp
  • Patent number: 10837217
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator system is provided that includes a moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus, a motor, a controller, and communication circuitry configured to communicate with a remote control. In response to the communication circuitry receiving a communication from the remote control, the controller causes the motor to change the state of the movable barrier and additionally operate the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus upon a determination of the remote control being beyond a physical proximity of a location associated with the movable barrier operator system. Upon a determination that the remote control is within the physical proximity, the controller refrains from operation of the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Casparus Cate, James J. Fitzgibbon
  • 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