Patents by Inventor John V. Moravec

John V. Moravec 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: 6806665
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. The movable barrier operator also includes a control unit with an ambient temperature detector which controls the motor to move at a specified force and is used to inhibit motor operation depending on the motor temperature derived from the temperatur detected by the temperature detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradley Farris
  • Patent number: 6566828
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits can also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradley Farris
  • Patent number: 6528961
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits can also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradley Farris
  • Publication number: 20030025470
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits can also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradford Farris
  • Publication number: 20020084759
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits can also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradford Farris
  • Patent number: 6340872
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits can also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradley Farris
  • Patent number: 6310451
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits pan also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradley Farris
  • Patent number: 6111374
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits can also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradford Farris
  • Patent number: 6107765
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits can also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradley Farris
  • Patent number: 6097166
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a wall control switch module having a learn switch thereon. The switch module is connectable to a control unit positioned in a head of a garage movable barrier operator. The head unit also contains an electric motor which is connected to a transmission for opening and closing a movable barrier such as a garage door. The switch module includes a plurality of switches coupled to capacitors which, when closed, have varying charge and discharge times to enable which switch has been closed. The control unit includes an automatic force incrementing system for adjusting the maximal opening and closing force to be placed upon the movable barrier during a learn operation. Likewise, end of travel limits can also be set during a learn operation upon installation of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec, Bradley Farris
  • Patent number: 5969637
    Abstract: A garage door operator with light control includes a garage door movement apparatus for moving the garage door in an open and in a close direction within a doorway, a light having an on and an off state, a controller for generating a door movement signal for operating the door movement apparatus and for generating a light enable signal for operating the light in one of a plurality of on and off states and an obstacle detector for detecting the presence of an obstruction in the doorway. The controller responds to the door state (traveling open, traveling closed and stopped open) in order to control operation of the door and activation of the lights. When the door state indicates the door is stopped open and the obstacle detector detects an obstruction in the doorway, the controller generates a light enable signal for enabling the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren E. Doppelt, James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec
  • Patent number: 5780987
    Abstract: A movable barrier or garage door operator has a barrier drive for moving the movable barrier or garage door between open and closed positions. Motion of the barrier is detected by a tachometer connected to the barrier drive or by upper and lower barrier travel limit switches. A test is made to determine if the barrier has been commanded to be in a closed state and to determine if a preselected time interval has elapsed following closure of the barrier. When both of those conditions are present and the door is moved upward without authorization an alarm signal is generated and can signal the barrier drive to apply a closing force. The timer prevents the barrier from being closed on a person or obstacle during normal operation and prevents injury. An obstacle detector also prevents unwanted closure on an obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec
  • Patent number: 5636176
    Abstract: A memory circuit (14) having features specifically adapted to permit the memory circuit (14) to serve as a video frame memory is disabled. The memory circuit (14) contains a dynamic random access memory array (24) with buffers (18, 20) on input and output data ports (22) thereof to permit asynchronious read, write and refresh accesses to the memory array (24). The memory circuit (14) is accessed both serially and randomly. An address generator (28) contains an address buffer register (36) which stores a random access address and an address sequencer (40) which provides a stream of addresses to the memory array (24). An initial address for the stream of addresses is the random access address stored in the address buffer register (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Masashi Hashimoto, Gene A. Frantz, John V. Moravec, Jean-Pierre Dolait
  • Patent number: 5587962
    Abstract: A memory circuit (14) having features specifically adapted to permit the memory circuit (14) to serve as a video frame memory is disclosed. The memory circuit (14) contains a dynamic random access memory array (24) with buffers (18, 20) on input and output data ports (22) thereof to permit asynchronious read, write and refresh accesses to the memory array (24). The memory circuit (14) is accessed both serially and randomly. An address generator (28) contains an address buffer register (36) which stores a random access address and an address sequencer (40) which provides a stream of addresses to the memory array (24). An initial address for the stream of addresses is the random access address stored in the address buffer register (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Masashi Hashimoto, Gene A. Frantz, John V. Moravec, Jean-Pierre Dolait
  • Patent number: 5400288
    Abstract: A memory circuit (14) having features specifically adapted to permit the memory circuit (14) to serve as a video frame memory is disclosed. The memory circuit (14) contains a dynamic random access memory array (24) with buffers (18, 20) on input and output data ports (22) thereof to permit asynchronious read, write and refresh accesses to the memory array (24). The memory circuit (14) is accessed both serially and randomly. An address generator (28) contains an address buffer register (36) which stores a random access address and an address sequencer (40) which provides a stream of addresses to the memory array (24). An initial address for the stream of addresses is the random access address stored in the address buffer register (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Masashi Hashimoto, Gene A. Frantz, John V. Moravec, Jean-Pierre Dolait
  • Patent number: 5093807
    Abstract: A memory circuit (14) having features specifically adapted to permit the memory circuit (14) to serve as a video frame memory. The memory circuit (14) contains a dynamic random access memory array (24) with buffers (18, 20) on input and output data ports (22) thereof to permit asynchronious read, write and refresh accesses to the memory array (24). The memory circuit (14) is accessed both serially and randomly. An address generator (28) contains an address buffer register (36) which stores a random access address and an address sequencer (40) which provides a stream of addresses to the memory array (24). An initial address for the stream of addresses is the random access address stored in the address buffer register (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Masashi Hashimoto, Gene A. Frantz, John V. Moravec, Jean P. Dolait
  • Patent number: 4656596
    Abstract: A video memory controller controls a DRAM (dynamic random access memory) used as a video memory and as a system memory. The video memory and the video memory controller are normally a part of a video system which includes a data processor, the video memory, the video memory controller, a CRT controller and a CRT display device. The video memory controller includes a row address latch for storing a row address from the data processor, a column address latch for storing a column address from the data processor, a refresh address register for storing a memory refresh address and a display update generator for sequentially generating the addresses necessary for update of the CRT display. A multiplexer couples the proper address to the video memory under control of a memory cycle generator which generates the timing of the memory refresh and display update. An arbiter device enables only one of the possible memory cycles at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert C. Thaden, Jeffrey C. Bond, John V. Moravec, Karl M. Guttag, Raymond Pinkham, Mark Novak
  • Patent number: 4354418
    Abstract: An automatic note analyzer is disclosed which automatically generates and displays a note signal indicative of the musical note corresponding to an input signal. The disclosed analyzer operates to measure the period of the input signal on a regular basis. According to one aspect of the invention, the measured period is compared with a predetermined window representative of the expected value of the measured period. Measured periods which do not fall within the predetermined window are rejected. According to a second feature, measured signals representative of the period of the input signal are averaged in order to increase the stability of the analyzer. The disclosed analyzer operates in two modes: an absolute mode, and a transposer mode. In the absolute mode the displayed note value is determined with reference to an absolute pitch. In the transposer mode, the displayed note value is determined with reference to a relative pitch which can be readily adjusted as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: Nuvatec, Inc.
    Inventors: John V. Moravec, William P. Carlson, Michael J. McGowan
  • Patent number: RE37784
    Abstract: A movable barrier or garage door operator has a barrier drive for moving the movable barrier or garage door between open and closed positions. Motion of the barrier is detected by a tachometer connected to the barrier drive or by upper and lower barrier travel limit switches. A test is made to determine if the barrier has been commanded to be in a closed state and to determine if a preselected time interval has elapsed following closure of the barrier. When both of those conditions are present and the door is moved upward without authorization an alarm signal is generated and can signal the barrier drive to apply a closing force. The timer prevents the barrier from being closed on a person or obstacle during normal operation and prevents injury. An obstacle detector also prevents unwanted closure on an obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, John V. Moravec
  • Patent number: RE31736
    Abstract: There is disclosed a computer system including a storage means such as a random access memory (RAM) for receiving data to be displayed upon a display means, e.g. a color cathode ray tube, a microprocessor for control of the computer system operations, and viewer input devices such as a control stick or keyboard, whereby the viewer may respond selectively to the data displayed upon the display means. A limited capacity storage unit, illustratively in the form of a tape cassette, stores data in the form of a program for permitting the viewer to store useful material in the form of a repository, such as a Christmas list; the program to be displayed by the display means can assume any of a limitless number of programs and may be adapted to an exceptionally wide range of uses for the home, office or school. The computer system permits the viewer to respond as through the input devices, to the material being displayed, whereby subsequent material may be effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Mueller, Daniel G. Prysby, John V. Moravec, George A. Watson