Patents by Inventor Neil D. Terk

Neil D. Terk 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: 6865193
    Abstract: Video programming signals from a broadband source are distributed on installed telephone wiring to the individual units of a commercial structure or multiple unit dwelling. In all methods and associated devices a first transponder device centrally located in a utility space is paired with a second terminal transponder device located on a telephone subscriber premises. The devices cooperate in converting a video signal into a form suitable for transmission on telephone lines and deconverting that signal into a form suitable for reception by consumer video equipment. The methods and devices discussed differ in placement of the central device, and in the particular method of signal conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Neil D. Terk
  • Publication number: 20030107520
    Abstract: An automobile radio antenna includes an outside coupler unit adapted to be mounted to an exterior surface of an automobile window, an inside coupler unit adapted to be mounted to an interior surface of an automobile window and aligned with the outside coupler unit and an antenna mast pivotably attached to the outside coupler unit. The antenna mast is angularly adjustable with respect to the outside coupler unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Terk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil D. Terk, Jean-Jacques L'Henaff, Stephen Patti, Michael Hartigan, Harold Terk, Stuart Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 6366252
    Abstract: An antenna subassembly includes a terrestrial and/or satellite auxiliary antenna and a support that mounts the auxiliary antenna to a reflector of a dish antenna. The support can be used to removably affix and position a wide variety of antennas to the dish antenna via magnetic attraction. The support preferably conforms to at least a portion of the dish antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Neil D. Terk
  • Publication number: 20020021716
    Abstract: Video programming signals from a broadband source are distributed on installed telephone wiring to the individual units of a commercial structure or multiple unit dwelling. In all methods and associated devices a first transponder device centrally located in a utility space is paired with a second terminal transponder device located on a telephone subscriber premises. The devices cooperate in converting a video signal into a form suitable for transmission on telephone lines and deconverting that signal into a form suitable for reception by consumer video equipment. The methods and devices discussed differ in placement of the central device, and in the particular method of signal conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Neil D. Terk
  • Patent number: 6127982
    Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed that comprises a terrestrial antenna and a support that mounts the antenna assembly on a satellite dish antenna. The satellite dish antenna has a convex/concave configuration, a periphery, a front signal receiving surface. The terrestrial antenna comprises a pair of dipoles. A power amplifier has an input connected to the terrestrial antenna to receive and amplify its terrestrial video signal. A diplexer is further provided and has first and second input terminals and an output terminal. The second input terminal is connected to the power amplifier to receive the amplified terrestrial video signal. The first input terminal is adapted to be connected to the satellite dish to receive the satellite video signal. The diplexer operates to sum the amplified terrestrial signal and the satellite video signal to provide an aggregate signal to the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Terk Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Neil D. Terk
  • Patent number: 6067051
    Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed that comprises a terrestrial antenna and a support that mounts the antenna assembly on a satellite dish antenna. The satellite dish antenna has a convex/concave configuration, a periphery, a front signal receiving surface. The terrestrial antenna comprises a pair of dipoles. The support comprising a pair of sleeves for readily receiving and supporting the pair of dipoles respectively in a substantially parallel relationship to each other, and a support variably mounting the terrestrial antenna on the satellite dish antennas of varying size and configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Terk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil D. Terk, Luc Heiligenstein, Stephen Melamed, Sabrina L. Tongish
  • Patent number: 6016108
    Abstract: A device for optimizing antenna operation comprises a wireless control signal detector for detecting a wireless control signal generated by a remote control unit, and a microprocessor operatively connected to the detector. The microprocessor is programmed to analyze the wireless control signal during a learning operation to determine a coding format of the wireless control signal and to analyze the wireless control signal during a normal use operation to determine a broadcast channel or station selected by a user. The device additionally comprises a plurality of tuning elements operatively connectable to an antenna for tuning the antenna, and a plurality of switching circuits operatively connected to the tuning elements and to the microprocessor. The switching circuits are operable to selectively couple the tuning elements to the antenna, in response to signals from the microprocessor, thereby optimizing signal reception by the antenna for a channel or station selection encoded in the wireless control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Terk Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Neil D. Terk, John A. Lofgren, William R. Steinike
  • Patent number: 5812066
    Abstract: A device for optimizing antenna operation, a wireless control signal detector detects a wireless control signal generated by a remote control unit, and a microprocessor is operatively connected to the detector. The microprocessor is programmed to analyze the wireless control signal during a learning operation to determine a coding format of the wireless control signal and to analyze the wireless control signal during a normal use operation to determine a broadcast channel or station selected by a user. The device additionally comprises a plurality of tuning elements operatively connectable to an antenna for tuning the antenna, and a plurality of switching circuits operatively connected to the tuning elements and to the microprocessor. The switching circuits are operable to selectively couple the tuning elements to the antenna, in response to signals from the microprocessor, thereby optimizing signal reception by the antenna for a channel or station selection encoded in the wireless control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Terk Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Neil D. Terk, John A. Lofgren, William R. Steinike
  • Patent number: RE38208
    Abstract: An assembly or system for effecting control of an electronic device having an infrared sensor for receiving an infrared control signal from a manually actuated remote control comprises, in accordance with the present invention, an infrared sensor for receiving and converting the infrared control signal from the remote control to an electrical signal, the sensor being attached to an audio speaker assembly of an audio reproduction system. A signal generator also attached to the speaker assembly is operatively connected to the sensor for generating an RF carrier signal modulated by control information encoded in the infrared control signal and the electrical signal. A transmission link is provided for transmitting the modulated RF carrier signal from the speaker assembly to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Neil D. Terk