Patents by Inventor Jennifer J. Sterling

Jennifer J. Sterling 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: 7445350
    Abstract: A light panel includes an outer layer, a first proximity switch, an electroluminescent element and a base portion. The outer layer includes a translucent portion. The first proximity switch is disposed beneath the outer layer and has first and second electrically conductive switch portions that are arranged to form an electric field that emanates through the outer layer when the first proximity switch is energized. The electroluminescent element is disposed beneath the outer layer to provided backlighting to the outer layer. One of the first and second electrically conductive switch portions of the first proximity switch forms at least a portion of an electrode of the electroluminescent element. The base portion is disposed beneath the electroluminescent element and the first proximity switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Heather S. Konet, Jason M. Gray, Michael R. Miller, Jennifer J. Sterling
  • Patent number: 7387397
    Abstract: A vehicle backlit panel includes a base substrate, an electroluminescent element and an outer substrate. The electroluminescent element is disposed on one side of the base substrate. The outer substrate overlies the electroluminescent element. The outer substrate includes a translucent substrate portion having areas of different thicknesses as measured in a direction of illumination through the outer substrate to form a three-dimensional graphic image with a three-dimensional appearance resulting from different translucency levels of the areas of different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Heather S. Konet, Jason M. Gray, Michael R. Miller, Jennifer J. Sterling