Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Klaver
Thomas D. Klaver 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).
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Patent number: 11908260Abstract: A control module for a remote device comprises a trainable transmitter configured to communicate a radio frequency signal configured to control the remote device via a first communication protocol. The control module further comprises a communication circuit configured to communicate with a mobile device via a second communication protocol and a user interface comprising at least one user input. The control module comprises a controller configured to communicate the programming information for the remote device with the remote server via the second communication interface and assign the programming information to the at least one user input. The controller is further configured to control the trainable transmitter to output a control signal based on the programming information in response to the at least one user input. The control signal is configured to control the remote device.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin J. Key, Thomas D. Klaver, Nicholas J. Goote, Timothy E. Martin, Todd R. Witkowski, Joshua P. Holtrop, Zachary J. Walton, Jacob K. Walton, Jason K. Jamieson, Troy A. Redder, Ryan J. Pusztai, Carl L. Shearer
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Patent number: 11456780Abstract: A system, device, and method are disclosed for reducing or eliminating interference between proximate electronic devices. The system, device, and method rely on a switch communicatively disposed between a signal origination device and an antenna. Further, the switch is connected to an electronic device and is operable to receive a signal from the electronic device corresponding to whether the electronic device is in an activated or de-activated state. Additionally, when the electronic device is in an activated state, the switch is operable to open, preventing communication between the signal origination device and the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan E. Dorst, Thomas D. Klaver, Todd R. Witkowski
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Patent number: 11411594Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided for a vehicle for transmitting signals to a device remote from the vehicle. The trainable transceiver includes a programmable oscillator for generating a signal having a selected reference frequency; an RF transceiver that receives an RF signal during a training mode in order to learn characteristics of the received RF signal, and transmits an RF signal to the remote device in an operating mode where the transmitted RF signal includes the learned characteristics of the received RF signal, wherein the RF transceiver receives the reference frequency from the programmable oscillator and uses the reference frequency to learn the characteristics of the received RF signal and for generating the transmitted RF signal; and a controller that, during the operating mode, selects frequency control data representing a frequency and selects the selected reference frequency for the programmable oscillator as a function of the frequency control data.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Carl L. Shearer, Robert R. Turnbull, Thomas D. Klaver
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Publication number: 20210358239Abstract: A control module for a remote device comprises a trainable transmitter configured to communicate a radio frequency signal configured to control the remote device via a first communication protocol. The control module further comprises a communication circuit configured to communicate with a mobile device via a second communication protocol and a user interface comprising at least one user input. The control module comprises a controller configured to communicate the programming information for the remote device with the remote server via the second communication interface and assign the programming information to the at least one user input. The controller is further configured to control the trainable transmitter to output a control signal based on the programming information in response to the at least one user input. The control signal is configured to control the remote device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin J. Key, Thomas D. Klaver, Nicholas J. Goote, Timothy E. Martin, Todd R. Witkowski, Joshua P. Holtrop, Zachary J. Walton, Jacob K. Walton, Jason K. Jamieson, Troy A. Redder, Ryan J. Pusztai, Carl L. Shearer
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Publication number: 20210279541Abstract: A system, device, and method are disclosed for reducing or eliminating interference between proximate electronic devices. The system, device, and method rely on a switch communicatively disposed between a signal origination device and an antenna. Further, the switch is connected to an electronic device and is operable to receive a signal from the electronic device corresponding to whether the electronic device is in an activated or de-activated state. Additionally, when the electronic device is in an activated state, the switch is operable to open, preventing communication between the signal origination device and the antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan E. Dorst, Thomas D. Klaver, Todd R. Witkowski
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Patent number: 11024192Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided for a vehicle for transmitting signals to a device remote from the vehicle. The trainable transceiver includes an RF transceiver configured to receive an RF signal during a training mode in order to learn characteristics of the received RF signal, and to transmit an RF signal to the remote device in an operating mode where the transmitted RF signal includes the learned characteristics of the received RF signal; a local memory device for storing channel data representing the learned characteristics of the received RF signal; an interface configured to communicate with an Internet-connected device; and a controller coupled to the local memory device and the interface, the controller configured to retrieve the channel data from the local memory device and transfer the channel data for storage remote from the vehicle using the interface. The controller may also receive channel data from the remote memory device.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas D. Klaver, Jonathan E. Dorst, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright
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Patent number: 10964138Abstract: A system is provided for allowing temporary access to a desired area. The temporary access may be for the purposes of making a delivery. The system comprises a trainable transceiver configured to transmit an activation signal to a remote device; a mobile communications device in selective communication with the trainable transceiver; and an accessory selectively securable to mobile communications device and capable of transmitting information to trainable transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver, Thomas S. Wright, Todd R. Witkowski, Matthew W. Chiodo
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Patent number: 10957138Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a barrier operator system to direct operation of a barrier. The system and method may include adaptively updating an expected time duration for an operational sequence that includes occurrence of an event relating to operation of the barrier operator system and receipt of a status message from the barrier operator system. The system may monitor and record the elapsed time for the operational sequence, and determine the expected time duration for the operational sequence based on the recorded history of elapsed times. If the status message is not received within the expected time duration after occurrence of the event, the system may transmit a status request message to the barrier operator system to obtain information relating to the status of the barrier operator system or the barrier, or both.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas D. Klaver, Kevin J. Key, Steven L. Willard, II, Kelly S. Harrelson
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Publication number: 20200350945Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided for a vehicle for transmitting signals to a device remote from the vehicle. The trainable transceiver includes a programmable oscillator for generating a signal having a selected reference frequency; an RF transceiver that receives an RF signal during a training mode in order to learn characteristics of the received RF signal, and transmits an RF signal to the remote device in an operating mode where the transmitted RF signal includes the learned characteristics of the received RF signal, wherein the RF transceiver receives the reference frequency from the programmable oscillator and uses the reference frequency to learn the characteristics of the received RF signal and for generating the transmitted RF signal; and a controller that, during the operating mode, selects frequency control data representing a frequency and selects the selected reference frequency for the programmable oscillator as a function of the frequency control data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Carl L. Shearer, Robert R. Turnbull, Thomas D. Klaver
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Publication number: 20200219340Abstract: A system is provided for allowing temporary access to a desired area. The temporary access may be for the purposes of making a delivery. The system comprises a trainable transceiver configured to transmit an activation signal to a remote device; a mobile communications device in selective communication with the trainable transceiver; and an accessory selectively securable to mobile communications device and capable of transmitting information to trainable transceiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver, Thomas S. Wright, Todd R. Witkowski, Matthew W. Chiodo
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Patent number: 10510244Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of selectively transmitting commands associated with a single channel. A trainable transceiver may include a channel, an electronic display, and a container element. The channel may be trained to control one or more functions of the remote device. The electronic display may display one or more container elements. The container element of the electronic display may include a first soft key and a second soft key. The container element may be associated with the channel. The first soft key may control a first function of the remote device. The second soft key may control a second function of the remote device.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas D. Klaver, Kelly S. Harrelson, Steven L. Willard, II, Kevin J. Key
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Patent number: 10218516Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of re-programming memory, and in particular, to wirelessly re-programming software, such as the application code, residing in memory of a trainable transceiver. The wireless re-programming of memory allows for software in the trainable transceiver to be updated or replaced from a remote location, where a direct or wired connection to the product is not otherwise available.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Chris H. Vuyst, Todd R. Witkowski, Carl L. Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver
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Publication number: 20190051067Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a barrier operator system to direct operation of a barrier. The system and method may include adaptively updating an expected time duration for an operational sequence that includes occurrence of an event relating to operation of the barrier operator system and receipt of a status message from the barrier operator system. The system may monitor and record the elapsed time for the operational sequence, and determine the expected time duration for the operational sequence based on the recorded history of elapsed times. If the status message is not received within the expected time duration after occurrence of the event, the system may transmit a status request message to the barrier operator system to obtain information relating to the status of the barrier operator system or the barrier, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas D. Klaver, Kevin J. Key, Steven L. Willard, II, Kelly S. Harrelson
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Publication number: 20180225959Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of selectively transmitting commands associated with a single channel. A trainable transceiver may include a channel, an electronic display, and a container element. The channel may be trained to control one or more functions of the remote device. The electronic display may display one or more container elements. The container element of the electronic display may include a first soft key and a second soft key. The container element may be associated with the channel. The first soft key may control a first function of the remote device. The second soft key may control a second function of the remote device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas D. Klaver, Kelly S. Harrelson, Steven L. Willard, II, Kevin J. Key
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Publication number: 20180123806Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of re-programming memory, and in particular, to wirelessly re-programming software, such as the application code, residing in memory of a trainable transceiver. The wireless re-programming of memory allows for software in the trainable transceiver to be updated or replaced from a remote location, where a direct or wired connection to the product is not otherwise available.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Chris H. VUYST, Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Carl L. SHEARER, Steven L GEERLINGS, Thomas D. Klaver
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Publication number: 20170352286Abstract: A trainable transceiver is provided for a vehicle for transmitting signals to a device remote from the vehicle. The trainable transceiver includes an RF transceiver configured to receive an RF signal during a training mode in order to learn characteristics of the received RF signal, and to transmit an RF signal to the remote device in an operating mode where the transmitted RF signal includes the learned characteristics of the received RF signal; a local memory device for storing channel data representing the learned characteristics of the received RF signal; an interface configured to communicate with an Internet-connected device; and a controller coupled to the local memory device and the interface, the controller configured to retrieve the channel data from the local memory device and transfer the channel data for storage remote from the vehicle using the interface. The controller may also receive channel data from the remote memory device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas D. Klaver, Jonathan E. Dorst, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright
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Patent number: 9819498Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of re-programming memory, and in particular, to wirelessly re-programming software, such as the application code, residing in memory of a trainable transceiver. The wireless re-programming of memory allows for software in the trainable transceiver to be updated or replaced from a remote location, where a direct or wired connection to the product is not otherwise available.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Chris H. Vuyst, Todd R. Witkowski, Carl L. Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver
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Patent number: 9176482Abstract: Control systems for mounting in a vehicle and for transmitting a signal to a receiver associated with a device for opening or closing a movable barrier when the receiver receives an authorized signal are provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Carl L. Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver
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Publication number: 20120313744Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of re-programming memory, and in particular, to wirelessly re-programming software, such as the application code, residing in memory of a trainable transceiver. The wireless re-programming of memory allows for software in the trainable transceiver to be updated or replaced from a remote location, where a direct or wired connection to the product is not otherwise available.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventors: Chris H. Vuyst, Todd R. Witkowski, Carl L. Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver
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Patent number: 8311490Abstract: Control systems for mounting in a vehicle and for transmitting a signal to a receiver associated with a device for opening or closing a movable barrier when the receiver receives an authorized signal are provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Carl Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver