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).

  • Patent number: 9007168
    Abstract: A wireless control system is configured to be trainable to control any number of remotely controlled devices. The system can be configured to gather and learn information relating to a signal transmitted by the original transmitter in a manner that is blind to a user of the system. The system can be designed to learn signals automatically such that fewer steps are necessary for a user to train the system to control a particular remotely controlled device. The system can train to remotely controlled devices in this manner with little or no user action required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Bos, Carl Shearer, David A. Blaker, John D. Spencer, Todd R. Witkowski
  • Publication number: 20150009021
    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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Ivo Ivanov Bonev, Plamen Chavdarov Stoyanov, Stefan Rumenov Nikolov
  • Patent number: 8918244
    Abstract: The present application relates to an in-vehicle control system for synchronizing files with a remote source. The remote source includes a storage device configured to store a first file. The system includes a communications device capable of establishing a wireless communication link with the remote source. The communications device is configured to send, receive, or both send and receive files to and/or from the remote source. The system further includes a memory device configured to store a second file. The system yet further includes a data processing device coupled to the communications device, the data processing device configured to perform a comparison of the first file of the remote source and the second file of the memory device, wherein the data processing device is further configured to synchronize the file of the remote source and the file of the in-vehicle control system based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel Brzezinski, Michael S. Bahamonde, Todd R. Witkowski, Michael A. Supanich
  • Patent number: 8897708
    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: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
  • Patent number: 8837608
    Abstract: Control systems for mounting in a vehicle are configured for transmitting a control signal to a receiver associated with a remote device. A control system receives a first control signal associated with a first transmission scheme. The system determines a bit pattern of the first control signal, and, based on the determined bit pattern, the system determines a second transmission scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Todd R. Witkowski
  • Publication number: 20140184393
    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: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
  • Patent number: 8760267
    Abstract: A wireless control system is configured to be trainable to control any number of remotely controlled devices. The system can be configured to gather and learn information relating to a signal transmitted by the original transmitter in a manner that is blind to a user of the system. The system can be designed to learn signals automatically such that fewer steps are necessary for a user to train the system to control a particular remotely controlled device. The system can train to remotely controlled devices in this manner with little or no user action required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Bos, Carl L. Shearer, David A. Blaker, John D. Spencer, Todd R. Witkowski
  • Patent number: 8634888
    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: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra, Robert F. Buege
  • Publication number: 20140009263
    Abstract: A wireless control system for wireless control of a remote electronic system is configured to provide information to a user using a multi-colored LED. The system includes a transmitter circuit configured to transmit a wireless control signal having control data which will control the remote electronic system, a multi-colored light emitting diode display configured to provide an indication of a state of the wireless control system, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transmitter circuit configured to transmit the wireless control signal through the trainable transmitter circuit based on the state of the wireless control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Carl SHEARER, William M. JAROCHA, Jeremy BOS, Todd R. WITKOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20130285796
    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: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
  • Patent number: 8531266
    Abstract: A wireless control system for wireless control of a remote electronic system configured to provide information to a user using a multi-colored LED. The system includes a transmitter circuit configured to transmit a wireless control signal having control data which will control the remote electronic system, a multi-colored light emitting diode display configured to provide an indication of a state of the wireless control system, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transmitter circuit configured to transmit the wireless control signal through the trainable transmitter circuit based on the state of the wireless control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Carl Shearer, William M. Jarocha, Jeremy Bos, Todd R. Witkowski
  • Publication number: 20130229258
    Abstract: A method for configuring a transmitter device to transmit a recognized transmission to a receiving device is provided. The method includes transmitting a first transmission and transmitting a second transmission after the first transmission. The method further includes receiving, during the second transmission, a user input signal from an interface for receiving signals from one or more user interface elements. The method further includes storing an attribute associated with the second transmission in a memory device in response to the user input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 8494449
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
  • Publication number: 20130130626
    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: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Todd R. WITKOWSKI, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
  • Patent number: 8384513
    Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting an RF control signal to a remote system includes a user input device, a memory and a transmitter circuit. The memory includes control data associated with the remote device. The control data includes a first frequency and a second frequency. The transmitter circuit is coupled to the user input device and memory. In response to a single user input, the transmitter circuit generates a rolling code signal, transmits the rolling code signal at the first frequency for a predetermined amount of time, and, upon expiration of the predetermined about of time, transmits the rolling code signal at the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Todd R. Witkowski
  • Patent number: 8384580
    Abstract: A method for configuring a transmitter device to transmit a recognized transmission to a receiving device is provided. The method includes transmitting a first transmission and transmitting a second transmission after the first transmission. The method further includes receiving, during the second transmission, a user input signal from an interface for receiving signals from one or more user interface elements. The method further includes storing an attribute associated with the second transmission in a memory device in response to the user input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 8380251
    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: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Kurt A. Dykema, Steven L. Geerlings, Mark L. Zeinstra
  • Publication number: 20120313744
    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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Chris H. Vuyst, Todd R. Witkowski, Carl L. Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver
  • Patent number: 8311490
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Carl Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas D. Klaver
  • Patent number: 8165527
    Abstract: A system for communicating information and/or instructions includes a transmitter and receiver configured for wireless communication with a user interface. The information and/or instructions may be audibly communicated to the user. The system includes voice activation and controls. The wireless communication may utilize Bluetooth communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sims, Carl L. Shearer, Steven L. Geerlings, Todd R. Witkowski, Paul S. Vanlente, Ted W. Ringold, James E. Trainor