Patents by Inventor Michael Shipman

Michael Shipman 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: 8890720
    Abstract: A light guide is provided for illuminating innumerable constructions, but which is ideally suited for illuminating the keys of a keyboard. The light guide includes a translucent planar plate having a top, a bottom and sides. Further, the light guide includes one or more cavities which project upwardly into the translucent plate from its bottom surface. The cavities are hollow or filled with a translucent material so that the translucent plate and the one or more cavities form translucent interfaces where the cavities interface with the plate. The light guide also includes a reflector which covers the plate bottom and cavity openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Shipman, David G. Duckworth
  • Publication number: 20140266685
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of processing alarms, including a processor receiving machine-readable alarm information having a plurality of formats from a plurality of facility monitoring systems. The processor converting the machine-readable alarm information into normalized machine-readable event information having a common format and being free of vendor-specific alarm information, the normalized event information representing an exception condition detected by at least one of the plurality of monitoring systems. The method further includes the providing by the processor via a user interface, user access to the normalized event information independently of the alarm information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.
    Inventors: John-Paul Joseph Brueggen, Alex Michael Shipman
  • Patent number: 8690368
    Abstract: A light guide is provided for illuminating innumerable constructions, but which is ideally suited for illuminating the keys of a keyboard. The light guide includes a translucent planar plate having a top, a bottom and sides. Further, the light guide includes one or more cavities which project upwardly into the translucent plate from its bottom surface. The cavities are hollow or filled with a translucent material so that the translucent plate and the one or more cavities form translucent interfaces where the cavities interface with the plate. The light guide also includes a reflector which covers the plate bottom and cavity openings. Light produced by a light source, preferably in the form of one or more LEDs, is transmitted to and through the translucent plate until striking the plate-cavity interfaces where the light is refracted into the cavities' interior or reflected upwardly to the plate's upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Shipman, David G. Duckworth
  • Publication number: 20140059904
    Abstract: An illuminated vehicular sign is provided including a vehicle and luminescent planar sheet. The luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alpha-numeric characters which are mounted to the horizontal planar surfaces of a vehicle. The alpha-numeric characters are mounted substantially horizontally so as to be seen from the air such as by helicopters or planes. The illuminated vehicle sign includes a switching system electrically connected to the luminescent planar panels for selectively controlling the transfer of power from said power source to the luminescent planar panels. The switching system including one or more adjustable variable resistors electrically connected to the luminescent planar panels for allowing one to selectively adjust the wattage provided to them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: MICHAEL SHIPMAN
  • Publication number: 20140053437
    Abstract: An illuminated vehicular sign is provided including a vehicle and luminescent planar sheet. The luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alpha-numeric characters which are mounted to the horizontal planar surfaces of a vehicle. The alpha-numeric characters are mounted substantially horizontally so as to be seen from the air such as by helicopters or planes. The illuminated vehicle sign includes a switching system electrically connected to the luminescent planar panels for selectively controlling the transfer of power from said power source to the luminescent planar panels. The switching system including one or more adjustable variable resistors electrically connected to the luminescent planar panels for allowing one to selectively adjust the wattage provided to them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventor: MICHAEL SHIPMAN
  • Patent number: 8585263
    Abstract: An illuminated vehicular sign is provided including a vehicle and luminescent planar sheet. The luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alpha-numeric characters which are mounted to the horizontal planar surfaces of a vehicle. The alpha-numeric characters are mounted substantially horizontally so as to be seen from the air such as by helicopters or planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Publication number: 20120224383
    Abstract: An illuminated vehicular sign is provided including a vehicle and luminescent planar sheet. The luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alpha-numeric characters which are mounted to the horizontal planar surfaces of a vehicle. The alpha-numeric characters are mounted substantially horizontally so as to be seen from the air such as by helicopters or planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Publication number: 20120139843
    Abstract: A light guide is provided for illuminating innumerable constructions, but which is ideally suited for illuminating the keys of a keyboard. The light guide includes a translucent planar plate having a top, a bottom and sides. Further, the light guide includes one or more cavities which project upwardly into the translucent plate from its bottom surface. The cavities are hollow or filled with a translucent material so that the translucent plate and the one or more cavities form translucent interfaces where the cavities interface with the plate. The light guide also includes a reflector which covers the plate bottom and cavity openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Shipman, David G. Duckworth
  • Publication number: 20090201179
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. A preferred keyboard includes scissor actuators for guiding and stabilizing each key in its upward and downward movement. A substantially translucent elastomeric diaphragm including elastomeric domes underlies the keys for biasing the keys upwardly. A seat underlies the elastomeric domes for supporting and engaging the bottom extremities of the scissor actuators. The seat may be made of translucent plastic, which functions as a translucent upper clamshell member, or non-translucent metal having sufficiently large holes for the passage of light. A substantially translucent circuit board is positioned under the seat for the creation and transmission of signals indicating depression of key members. The seat includes central holes allowing for the depression of keys to force the elastomeric domes to engage the circuit board to create electronic signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Shipman, David G. Duckworth
  • Publication number: 20080143560
    Abstract: A light guide is provided for illuminating innumerable constructions, but which is ideally suited for illuminating the keys of a keyboard. The light guide includes a translucent planar plate having a top, a bottom and sides. Further, the light guide includes one or more cavities which project upwardly into the translucent plate from its bottom surface. The cavities are hollow or filled with a translucent material so that the translucent plate and the one or more cavities form translucent interfaces where the cavities interface with the plate. The light guide also includes a reflector which covers the plate bottom and cavity openings. Light produced by a light source, preferably in the form of one or more LEDs, is transmitted to and through the translucent plate until striking the plate-cavity interfaces where the light is refracted into the cavities' interior or reflected upwardly to the plate's upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Patent number: 7283066
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling upper clamshell and preferably key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members. In still additional preferred embodiments, the keyboard space bar includes a luminescent line or decorative design for indicating the space bar's function and position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Patent number: 7193536
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Patent number: 7193535
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Patent number: 7172303
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Shipman, David G. Duckworth
  • Publication number: 20050231395
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling upper clamshell and preferably key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members. In still additional preferred embodiments, the keyboard space bar includes a luminescent line or decorative design for indicating the space bar's function and position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Patent number: 6918677
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Publication number: 20050093721
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Publication number: 20050083672
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Shipman, David Duckworth
  • Publication number: 20050068202
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Shipman
  • Patent number: D718213
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Shipman