Patents by Inventor Todd R. Witkowski

Todd R. Witkowski 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).

  • Publication number: 20190287330
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device includes a trainable transceiver and a remote button module. The trainable transceiver base station configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a first location and the remote button module separated from the base station and configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a second location. The remote button module is configured to wirelessly transmit a command signal to the base station in response to receiving a user input at a user input device, and the base station responds to receiving the command signal by transmitting an activation signal to the remote device, wherein the activation signal is formatted to control the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Todd R. Witkowski, Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 10339741
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device includes a trainable transceiver and a remote button module. The trainable transceiver base station configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a first location and the remote button module separated from the base station and configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a second location. The remote button module is configured to wirelessly transmit a command signal to the base station in response to receiving a user input at a user input device, and the base station responds to receiving the command signal by transmitting an activation signal to the remote device, wherein the activation signal is formatted to control the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Todd R. Witkowski, Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 10311665
    Abstract: A remote device configured to control operation of a remote electronic device, such as a garage door opener, is provided. A transmitter circuit may be configured to receive and transmit communications directed to the remote electronic device. The communications may include data arranged according to a plurality of the control packet formats, and communications to the remote electronic device may include data transmitted according to the plurality of control packet formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd R. Witkowski
  • Patent number: 10282977
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of training and controlling multiple functions of a remote device with a single transceiver channel. A trainable transceiver may detect a button press on a command button corresponding to a channel. The trainable transceiver may identify the channel as trained to control a first function of the remote device. The trainable transceiver may determine that a second function of the remote device satisfies a message similarity condition with the first function. The trainable transceiver may train the channel to control both the first function and the second function, responsive to determining that the second function satisfies the message similarity condition with the first function. The trainable transceiver may configure the command button to transmit control signals to alternately actuate the first function and the second function of the remote device responsive to successive button presses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd R. Witkowski
  • Publication number: 20190108704
    Abstract: A remote device configured to control operation of a remote electronic device, such as a garage door opener, is provided. A transmitter circuit may be configured to receive and transmit communications directed to the remote electronic device. The communications may include data arranged according to a plurality of the control packet formats, and communications to the remote electronic device may include data transmitted according to the plurality of control packet formats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventor: Todd R. Witkowski
  • Patent number: 10218516
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chris H. Vuyst, Todd R. Witkowski, Carl L. Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver
  • Publication number: 20190051148
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit configured, based on training information, to control the remote device, a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, coupled to the communications device, and coupled to the output device. The control circuit is configured to receive notification information from the mobile communications device via the communications device, and wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an output using the output device based on the notification information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Publication number: 20190051067
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas D. Klaver, Kevin J. Key, Steven L. Willard, II, Kelly S. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 10176708
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, a camera, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the camera. The control circuit is configured to use the camera to identify the remote device by comparing information received via the camera to information stored in memory, and the control circuit is configured to automatically transmit an activation signal formatted to control the remote device in response to identifying the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Patent number: 10147310
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit configured, based on training information, to control the remote device, a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, coupled to the communications device, and coupled to the output device. The control circuit is configured to receive notification information from the mobile communications device via the communications device, and wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an output using the output device based on the notification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Patent number: 10127804
    Abstract: A system for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, communications electronics, and a processing circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the communications electronics. The processing circuit is configured to cause the trainable transceiver to control a remote device in response to a signal received from a cloud computing system, wherein the signal is received from the cloud computing system using the communications electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
  • Patent number: 10115302
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, a camera, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the camera. The control circuit is configured to use data received from the camera to determine if the vehicle is well positioned within a garage, and the control circuit is configured to provide an indication that the vehicle is well positioned using the output device in response to determining that the vehicle is well positioned within a garage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Patent number: 10096186
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a device, the system including a trainable transceiver, communications electronics, and a processing circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the communications electronics. The processing circuit is configured to train the trainable transceiver to control a device using information received from a cloud computing system remote from the device and vehicle via the communications electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Douglas C. Papay, Carl L. Shearer
  • Publication number: 20180232981
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device includes a trainable transceiver and a remote button module. The trainable transceiver base station configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a first location and the remote button module separated from the base station and configured to be mounted in the vehicle at a second location. The remote button module is configured to wirelessly transmit a command signal to the base station in response to receiving a user input at a user input device, and the base station responds to receiving the command signal by transmitting an activation signal to the remote device, wherein the activation signal is formatted to control the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. GEERLINGS, Thomas S. Wright, Todd R. Witkowski, Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Publication number: 20180233029
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of training and controlling multiple functions of a remote device with a single transceiver channel. A trainable transceiver may detect a button press on a command button corresponding to a channel. The trainable transceiver may identify the channel as trained to control a first function of the remote device. The trainable transceiver may determine that a second function of the remote device satisfies a message similarity condition with the first function. The trainable transceiver may train the channel to control both the first function and the second function, responsive to determining that the second function satisfies the message similarity condition with the first function. The trainable transceiver may configure the command button to transmit control signals to alternately actuate the first function and the second function of the remote device responsive to successive button presses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Todd R. WITKOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20180225959
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas D. Klaver, Kelly S. Harrelson, Steven L. Willard, II, Kevin J. Key
  • Publication number: 20180211515
    Abstract: A system for installation in a vehicle and for controlling a remote device including a trainable transceiver, a camera, an output device, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transceiver and the camera. The control circuit is configured to use data received from the camera to determine if the vehicle is well positioned within a garage, and the control circuit is configured to provide an indication that the vehicle is well positioned using the output device in response to determining that the vehicle is well positioned within a garage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay
  • Patent number: 10008109
    Abstract: A method for training a programmable transceiver is provided that includes scanning frequencies within a desired range for a first signal, and detecting the first signal at a first frequency. The method also includes computing harmonic frequencies and subharmonic frequencies of the first frequency, and scanning the harmonic frequencies and the subharmonic frequencies for a second signal at a second frequency. The method further includes comparing a first magnitude of the first signal to a second magnitude of the second signal. In addition, the method includes training the programmable transceiver based on the second signal if the second magnitude is greater than the first magnitude, otherwise training the programmable transceiver based on the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Ivo Ivanov Bonev, Plamen Chavdarov Stoyanov, Stefan Rumenov Nikolov
  • Patent number: 9984516
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver base station for controlling a remote device includes a first transceiver circuit, a power connection, and a control circuit. The first transceiver circuit is configured to transmit activation signals to the remote device, the activation signals formatted based on training information and formatted to control the remote device. The power connection is configured to receive electrical power from a vehicle. The control circuit is configured to cause the first transceiver circuit to transmit the activation signal when a command signal is received at the trainable transceiver base station. The trainable transceiver base station is located at a first location within the vehicle, and the trainable transceiver base station is configured to receive the command signal from a remote button module located at a second location within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Todd R. Witkowski, Bradley R. Hamlin
  • Publication number: 20180144618
    Abstract: A trainable transceiver for controlling a remote device includes a transceiver circuit configured based on training information to communicate with the remote device, a communications device configured to communicate with a mobile communications device, and a control circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, and coupled to the communications device. The control circuit is configured to transmit diagnostic information related to the trainable transceiver to a mobile communications device via the communications device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, Marc A. Smeyers, Jonathan E. Dorst, Douglas C. Papay