Patents by Inventor Frank M. Sharp

Frank M. Sharp 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).

  • Traffic signal light having ambient light detection
    Patent number: 7088261
    Abstract: A traffic signal (310) having a reflector (322, 400) having a plurality of reflective surfaces (330, 402) directing incident ambient light received from the signal lens (318) to a photodetector (322). The reflector is disposed proximate and about a plurality of LEDs (324, 406) which are pulse width modulated by an integrated controller (360) to generate light which is also transmitted through the lens. The photodetector senses the incoming ambient light when the LEDs are in the “off” mode. Incident ambient light is focused by a lens to overfill the reflector and LEDs, and the photodetector is positioned within the redirected incident ambient light from the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Lailai Capital Corp.
    Inventors: Frank M. Sharp, Arthur D. Heald, Michael J. Zalta
  • System and method for configuring an electronically steerable beam of a traffic signal light
    Patent number: 6888474
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, system, and computer readable medium for configuring an electronically steerable beam of a traffic signal light (234). The system comprises a wireless device (232) adapted to send at least one command to change a viewing angle of the traffic signal light (234), and a control unit (252) adapted to receive the command, the control unit (252) further adapted to send the command to the traffic signal light (234), wherein the command adjusts a viewing angle of at least a portion of the traffic signal light (234).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Optisoft, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank M. Sharp, Michael C. Hutchison, Tom Shinham
  • System and method for configuring an electronically steerable beam of a traffic signal light
    Publication number: 20040070520
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, system, and computer readable medium for configuring an electronically steerable beam of a traffic signal light (234). The system comprises a wireless device (232) adapted to send at least one command to change a viewing angle of the traffic signal light (234), and a control unit (252) adapted to receive the command, the control unit (252) further adapted to send the command to the traffic signal light (234), wherein the command adjusts a viewing angle of at least a portion of the traffic signal light (234).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Frank M. Sharp, Michael C. Hutchison, Tom Shinham