Patents by Inventor Silviu Pala

Silviu Pala 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).

  • Publication number: 20080174416
    Abstract: An indicating instrument for a vehicle may employ an analog type lighted pointer arranged on a rotatable, circular shaped pointer disk, a liquid crystal display arranged over the pointer disk, and a first dial with indicia located outboard of or adjacent to and/or inboard of the LCD. A second or inboard dial may be located over the liquid crystal display. The pointer disk may be a translucent light collector for the pointer yet also transmit light to provide backlighting for the LCD. Depending upon the analog gauge arrangement, the pointer may point outboard of the pointer disk or toward the LCD center. The dials, especially the second dial, may be in the shape of rings to permit viewing of the LCD from the perspective of a viewer, such as a vehicle driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Reben Werman
  • Publication number: 20070035959
    Abstract: A viewed component of a vehicle instrument cluster includes a dial structure. A printed circuit board is arranged on the dial structure and has an outboard surface. A layer of printed ink is arranged on the outboard surface of the printed circuit board. A series of LEDs are arranged on the outboard surface of the printed circuit board wherein the series of LEDs occupy an outermost layer of the dial structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Christopher Arms
  • Patent number: 6891135
    Abstract: A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Scott Heflin, Christopher Arms
  • Patent number: 6891129
    Abstract: A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch. The housing which forms the cavity also includes a vent system for the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Scott Heflin, Christopher Arms
  • Publication number: 20040182851
    Abstract: A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch. The housing which forms the cavity also includes a vent system for the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Scott Heflin, Christopher Arms
  • Publication number: 20040112889
    Abstract: A main heater controller is adapted to control operation of the LCD heater. A temperature controlled override switch is adapted to disable the LCD heater, independent of the main heater controller, upon a temperature reaching a shut-off temperature above a normal operating temperature of the LCD. The temperature controlled switch has a current flow path made of a material whose conductivity is a function of temperature. A cavity in which the temperature controlled switch is located is also provided. The cavity is adapted to transfer heat in air emanating from the LCD heater to the temperature controlled switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Scott Heflin, Christopher Arms
  • Patent number: 6542146
    Abstract: A transparent display screen can be positioned in a driver's line of sight or in front of mechanical indicators on an instrument panel. The display screen preferably has a frame or rim member along only one edge of the screen. Since the display screen is transparent and does not include a frame or rim around its perimeter, the display screen makes information available without obstructing the driver's view of the road. The single frame or rim member supports all of the row and column electrodes that are used to selectively illuminate the pixels on the display screen. The transparent display screen can be used effectively with one or more mechanical indicators positioned properly near the display screen. In one example, a single controller controls the screen, an associated filter and the mechanical indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Toffolo, Silviu Pala, Richard Chutorash, Robert M. Roza, Marian O. Borzea
  • Patent number: 6304173
    Abstract: A vehicle display system includes a display which is selectively movable between a first position in which it is viewable by a driver and a second position in which it is viewable by the rear passengers but not the driver. In the first position, the display provides a rear view from a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle. In the second position, the display provides entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn Inc
    Inventors: Silviu Pala, Phil LeMay, Scott Shields, Terence Duncan, Michael Maass, Joseph Stevens, John McConnell, Jerome Ng, Ozer M. N. Teitelbaum
  • Publication number: 20010022553
    Abstract: A vehicle display system includes a display which is selectively movable between a first position in which it is viewable by a driver and a second position in which it is viewable by the rear passengers but not the driver. In the first position, the display provides a rear view from a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle. In the second position, the display provides entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: SILVIU PALA, PHIL LEMAY, SCOTT SHIELDS, TERENCE DUNCAN, MICHAEL MAASS, JOSEPH STEVENS, JOHN MCCONNELL, JEROME NG, OZER M.N. TEITELBAUM