Patents by Inventor Ralph Giffone

Ralph Giffone 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: 10386226
    Abstract: An optical safety beam method and system. A transmitter periodically sends bursts of light pulses with varying strengths. The receiver analyzes the received light pulses to automatically adjust its sensitivity and to detect when the light path is partially obstructed even when there are stray light pulse reflections that reach the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Mars International, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Engelstein, David Salgueiro, Mohamed Abdelhafez, Ralph Giffone, Andrew Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7822349
    Abstract: In an IR communication network, a method is described to optimize channel performance in the presence of strong and varying IR interference. The method controls of the channel gain based on quantitative measurement of the channel noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Inncom International, Inc.
    Inventors: Philipp Roosli, Ralph Giffone, Hazrat Shah
  • Patent number: 6995670
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor system for controlling operation of a device in response to a rate of change in capacitance due to motion of a proximate object includes at least two sense electrodes disposed on a surface and a phase locked loop, including a voltage controlled oscillator and a phase/frequency comparator, connected between the sense electrodes and an RC network for providing an operating frequency to the sense electrodes. A circuit loop, including a reference oscillator, provides a fixed frequency reference for the phase locked loop to follow and a phase delay circuit connected between the phase/frequency comparator and the voltage controlled oscillator causes the voltage controlled oscillator to run ahead of the reference oscillator. A trigger circuit provides a control output in response to a change in phase shift between the fixed frequency and the operating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Gerenraich Family Trust
    Inventors: David Wadlow, Frank Scholten, Ralph Giffone, Kenneth Gerenraich
  • Publication number: 20040085206
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor system for controlling operation of a device in response to a rate of change in capacitance due to motion of a proximate object includes at least two sense electrodes disposed on a surface and a phase locked loop, including a voltage controlled oscillator and a phase/frequency comparator, connected between the sense electrodes and an RC network for providing an operating frequency to the sense electrodes. A circuit loop, including a reference oscillator, provides a fixed frequency reference for the phase locked loop to follow and a phase delay circuit connected between said phase/frequency comparator and said voltage controlled oscillator causes the voltage controlled oscillation to run ahead of the reference oscillator. A trigger circuit provides a control output in response to a change in phase shift between said fixed frequency and said operating frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: David Wadlow, Frank Scholten, Ralph Giffone, Kenneth Gerenraich
  • Patent number: 6731209
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor system for controlling operation of a device in response to a rate of change in capacitance due to motion of a proximate object includes at least two sense electrodes disposed on a surface and a phase locked loop, including a voltage controlled oscillator and a phase/frequency comparator, connected between the sense electrodes and an RC network for providing an operating frequency to the sense electrodes. A circuit loop, including a reference oscillator, provides a fixed frequency reference for the phase locked loop to follow and a phase delay circuit connected between said phase/frequency comparator and said voltage controlled oscillator causes the voltage controlled oscillation to run ahead of the reference oscillator. A trigger circuit provides a control output in response to a change in phase shift between said fixed frequency and said operating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Gerenraich Family Trust
    Inventors: David Wadlow, Frank Scholten, Ralph Giffone, Kenneth Gerenraich
  • Publication number: 20040022334
    Abstract: In an IR communication network, a method is described to optimize channel performance in the presence of strong and varying IR interference. The method controls of the channel gain based on quantitative measurement of the channel noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Philipp Roosli, Ralph Giffone, Hazrat Shah
  • Publication number: 20020175814
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor system for controlling operation of a device in response to a rate of change in capacitance due to motion of a proximate object includes at least two sense electrodes disposed on a surface and a phase locked loop, including a voltage controlled oscillator and a phase/frequency comparator, connected between the sense electrodes and an RC network for providing an operating frequency to the sense electrodes. A circuit loop, including a reference oscillator, provides a fixed frequency reference for the phase locked loop to follow and a phase delay circuit connected between said phase/frequency comparator and said voltage controlled oscillator causes the voltage controlled oscillation to run ahead of the reference oscillator. A trigger circuit provides a control output in response to a change in phase shift between said fixed frequency and said operating frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: David Wadlow, Frank Scholten, Ralph Giffone, Kenneth Gerenraich
  • Patent number: 5625980
    Abstract: An automatic door opening safety system particularly for use with garage doors is provided. The garage door includes a leading edge that moves from the open position, where the leading edge defines the top of the opening and a closed position, where the leading edge contacts the ground. A controller is provided for controlling movement of the door. An activation member provides an input to the controller to initiate movement of the door. A non-contact detector detects whether an obstruction is in the path of the door. The non-contact detector is positioned in front of the leading edge of the door, such that obstructions are detected at a predetermined distance in front of the leading edge of said door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: RMT Associates
    Inventors: Oren Teich, Vijay Tandon, Rudor Teich, Ralph Giffone
  • Patent number: 4827247
    Abstract: A modular transceiver head including cooperative cover and base members operable as a transmitter or as a receiver of infrared energy. The cover member includes a window defining a comparatively wide field of view in azimuth and in elevation. An optical train including a gimbaled specular member that is mounted to the base member readily allows both rough and fine adjustment of the pointing direction of the specular member anywhere within the field of view of the cover member window. A controller including a processor is coupled to a transceiver head pair respectively operative as a transmitter and as a receiver of infrared energy to controllably project a beam of infrared energy therebetween through a protected region. The controller is operative to de-sensitize the beam against potential electrically interferring effects present along the beam path. The controller is periodically operative in a self-test mode to reduce the intensity of the projected-beam to simulate a smoke condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: ADT, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Giffone
  • Patent number: 4823015
    Abstract: A controller including a processor is coupled to a transceiver head pair respectively operative as a transmitter and as a receiver of infrared energy to controllably project a beam of infrared energy therebetween through a projected region. The controller is operative to de-sensitize the beam against potential electrically interferring effects present along the beam path. Plural alarm thresholds are operator selectable to provide enhanced confidence detection, and particularized signal indications are provided to readily and quickly identify possible alarm and trouble conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: ADT, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron A. Galvin, Douglas L. Mason, Kenneth J. Leff, John N. Schide, Ralph A. Giffone
  • Patent number: 4749871
    Abstract: A modular transceiver head including cooperative cover and base members operable as a transmitter or as a receiver of infrared energy. A controller including a processor is coupled to a transceiver head pair respectively operative as a transmitter and as a receiver of infrared energy to controllably project a beam of infrared energy therebetween through a protected region. The controller is periodically operative in a self-test mode to reduce the intensity of the projected-beam to simulate a smoke condition. Plural alarm thresholds are operator selectable to provide enhanced confidence detection, and particularized signal indications are provided to readily and quickly identify possible alarm and trouble conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: ADT, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron A. Galvin, Douglas L. Mason, Kenneth J. Leff, John N. Schide, Ralph A. Giffone
  • Patent number: 4687924
    Abstract: A modular transceiver head including cooperative cover and base members operable as a transmitter or as a receiver of infrared energy. The cover member includes a window defining a comparatively wide field of view in azimuth and in elevation. An optical train including a gimbaled specular member that is mounted to the base member readily allows both rough and fine adjustment of the pointing direction of the specular member anywhere within the field of view of the cover member window. A controller including a processor is coupled to a transceiver head pair respectively operative as a transmitter and as a receiver of infrared energy to controllably project a beam of infrared energy therebetween through a protected region. The controller is operative to de-sensitize the beam against potential electrically interfering effects present along the beam path. The controller is periodically operative in a self-test mode to reduce the intensity of the projected-beam to simulate a smoke condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: ADT Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron A. Galvin, Douglas L. Mason, Kenneth J. Leff, John N. Schide, Ralph A. Giffone