Patents by Inventor Kurt Dykema

Kurt Dykema 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: 7970446
    Abstract: A wireless control system for use in a vehicle and for use with a remote electronic system is provided. The wireless control system includes a transceiver for mounting in the vehicle. The transceiver is configured to communicate according to a Bluetooth communications standard. The transceiver is further configured to provide a control signal to the remote electronic system. The transceiver is also trainable to provide a carrier frequency and control information for the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
  • Publication number: 20110149453
    Abstract: In one embodiment, there is a fault interrupter device comprising at least one sensor comprising at least one first transformer having at least one outer region forming an outer periphery and at least one inner hollow region. There is also at least one second transformer that is disposed in the inner hollow region of the at least one first transformer. The transformers can be substantially circular in configuration, and more particularly, ring shaped. In another embodiment there is a rotatable latch which is used to selectively connect and disconnect a set of separable contacts to selectively disconnect power from the line side to the load side. The rotatable latch is in one embodiment coupled to a reset button. In at least one embodiment there is a slider which is configured to selectively prevent the manual tripping of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael KAMOR, James PORTER, Kurt DYKEMA
  • Publication number: 20100062722
    Abstract: A method includes providing a first data collection unit and a second data collection unit, each of the first test data collection unit and the second data collection unit comprising a wireless transceiver and adapted for wireless communication therebetween, physically moving the first data collection unit to each of a plurality of different locations within the use environment associated with use of the home appliance, establishing a radio frequency link between the first data collection unit and the second data collection unit at each of the plurality of different locations within the use environment, characterizing quality of the radio frequency link at each of the plurality of different locations, the quality of the radio frequency link being at least partially based on the path loss within the use environment, and determining an aggregate characterization of the first data collection unit within the use environment using the quality of the radio frequency link at each of the plurality of different locati
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: KURT A. DYKEMA, WARREN GUTHRIE, RANDELL L. JEFFERY, RICHARD A. MCCOY, MICHAEL A. MORRELL, ANDREW D. WHIPPLE
  • Publication number: 20090082928
    Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
  • Publication number: 20080310350
    Abstract: A wireless mesh network where a portion of the nodes have reduced receive sensitivity. The negative effects of the density of the wireless mesh network, such as interference, are reduced when fewer nodes receive messages to rebroadcast. In an alternative embodiment, some of the nodes of the mesh network are configured to not rebroadcast even if they receive a message. A method for configuring a dense mesh network is also provided. As many nodes as possible are discovered and registered in the network. Node characteristics of those nodes are adjusted to reduce or eliminate the negative effects of the dense mesh network so that additional nodes may be discovered and registered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: LIGHT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurt A. Dykema, Brent K. Bouws, Thomas J. Doman, Lawrence F. Leete, III, William C. Schenck, Warren E. Guthrie
  • Patent number: 7451759
    Abstract: A wireless damper control device comprises a damper positioned in a flue, movable between a closed position where the flue is blocked and an open position, a damper controller which sends a damper signal which moves the damper between the open position and the closed position, and a fire side controller which transmits a fireplace signal to open a gas valve to initiate combustion when a fire is desired at a fireplace, and to close the gas valve to terminate combustion when a fire is no longer desired at the fireplace, and which receives a damper status signal from the damper controller indicating whether the damper is in the closed position or the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Flue Sentinel, LLC
    Inventors: Cory A. Weiss, Kurt A. Dykema, David L. Klamer
  • Patent number: 7397360
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring a status of a spa installation includes transmitting status commands from a spa monitor to a spa installation over a communication link, and generating an alarm if status data is not returned via the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Balboa Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Corrington, Kurt A. Dykema, David L. Klamer, Brent K. Bouws
  • Publication number: 20080161047
    Abstract: A system for communicating information is described. The system comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to a vehicle. The transceiver is configured to communicate with a personal digital assistant (PDA) located external to the transceiver using wireless RF signals to transmit information between the transceiver and the PDA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
  • Publication number: 20080129445
    Abstract: A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises a wearable control device, and a corresponding receiver on the materials handling vehicle. The wearable control device is donned by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle, and comprises a wireless transmitter and a travel control communicably coupled to the wireless transmitter. Actuation of the travel control causes the wireless transmitter to transmit a first type signal designating a request to advance the vehicle in a first direction. The receiver is supported by the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter. A traction control of the vehicle is responsive to a receipt of the first type signal by the receiver to cause the vehicle to advance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: James V. Kraimer, Jay G. Pollack, Timothy A. Wellman, Eric Jensen, Monty Crabill, Kurt Dykema, Paul Duckworth, Todd A. Zeilinger
  • Patent number: 7349722
    Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
  • Patent number: 7346374
    Abstract: A system for communicating information is described. The system comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to a vehicle. The transceiver is configured to communicate with a personal digital assistant (PDA) located external to the transceiver using wireless RF signals to transmit information between the transceiver and the PDA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
  • Publication number: 20080045274
    Abstract: A system for communicating information facilitates wireless communication between electronic devices. The system includes a transceiver provided in a vehicle. The transceiver communicates with an electronic device located external to the transceiver using a Bluetooth communications standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Todd Witkowski, Kurt Dykema, Steven Geerlings, Mark Zeinstra
  • Publication number: 20070275787
    Abstract: A bowling ball with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is disclosed, as are methods and systems for manufacturing such a bowling ball. Methods and systems for using a bowling ball with an RFID tag are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Roland Bouchard, Alfred Dabrowski, Raymond Edwards, Kurt Dykema
  • Patent number: 7269416
    Abstract: A vehicle-based control system and method for use with a barrier operating system that includes a motor, a receiver in communication with the motor, and a remote transmitter for transmitting an activation signal to the receiver. The activation signal includes a radio frequency carrier signal modulated with a codeword for use in activating the motor to open and close the barrier. A vehicle-mounted transceiver receives multiple radio frequency carrier signals, and transmits an activation signal for receipt by the barrier operating system receiver. A vehicle-mounted controller stores the received radio frequency carrier signals, and receives user input identifying an activation scheme having a variable codeword format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Warren E. Guthrie, Kurt A. Dykema, Jody K. Harwood
  • Patent number: 7257426
    Abstract: A wireless communications system and method adapted for use in automotive applications for enabling automatic, high-speed, wireless voice and/or data communications link to be established between a wide variety of external devices and various electronic subsystems of a vehicle. The apparatus includes first and second RF transceivers which are operated in accordance with a communications specification to enable a seamless, automatic communications link to be created when the two RF transceivers come within a pre-determined proximity of one another, for example, within up to 100 meters of one another. Information from one device is then automatically transmitted over the wireless communications link to the other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
  • Publication number: 20070139194
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring a status of a spa installation includes transmitting status commands from a spa monitor to a spa installation over a communication link, and generating an alarm if status data is not returned via the link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Corrington, Kurt Dykema, David Klamer, Brent Bouws
  • Patent number: 7167087
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring a status of a spa installation includes transmitting wireless status commands from a spa monitor to a spa installation over a wireless link, and generating an alarm if status data is not returned via the wireless link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Balboa Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Corrington, Kurt A. Dykema, David L. Klamer, Brent K. Bouws
  • Publication number: 20060092008
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring a status of a spa installation includes transmitting wireless status commands from a spa monitor to a spa installation over a wireless link, and generating an alarm if status data is not returned via the wireless link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Corrington, Kurt Dykema, David Klamer, Brent Bouws
  • Patent number: 7030736
    Abstract: An RFID pin detection system includes bowling pins incorporating RFID tags and a pin deck incorporating reader antennas located in positions corresponding to the placement of the bowling pins. A controller energizes the reader antennas to activate RFID tags in those bowling pins that are in the pin-up position. The pin-up information is used in automatic scoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corporation
    Inventors: Roland C. Bouchard, Brent K. Bouws, Kurt A. Dykema, Warren E. Guthrie
  • Publication number: 20060075558
    Abstract: An ambulance cot is disclosed and the ambulance cot has, if desired, a wheel supported base and a litter raisable and lowerable by a powered elevating mechanism oriented between the base and the litter. The ambulance cot also has wireless communication capability to facilitate communication between the ambulance cot and a loading system on an ambulance as well as facilitating wireless troubleshooting via a handheld wireless unit. The ambulance cot also has a longitudinally extendable head section. The ambulance cot also has several accessories, such as an accessory hook mounted to the underside of the fowler, and a collapsible pouch accessory fastened to the retractable head section and the litter frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Clifford Lambarth, Chad Souke, Todd Gatto, Joshua Colvin, Kurosh Nahavandi, Jason Kneen, Michael Steffler, Christopher Way, Gary Morton, Dennis Reed, Michael McKee, Thomas Puvogel, Brian Bartley, Kurt Dykema, Brent Bouws