Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Whitworth

Thomas W. Whitworth 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).

  • Infrared receiver and system for controlling a module
    Patent number: 5654813
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a low power infrared receiver system capable of battery operation for controling and operating a module, such as a gas fireplace valve. The system includes in one form a universal remote type infrared transmitter for transmitting an infrared signal and an infrared receiver. The receiver includes an infrared detector for receiving an infrared signal from the remote infrared transmitter, a microprocessor connected to the infrared receiver to receive and process a signal to determine if the received signal corresponds to a predetermined signal, and a power switch connected to the microprocessor and the module so that when the microprocessor determines that the processed received signal corresponds to a predetermined signal the power switch is activated thereby operating or controlling functions of a gas fireplace or other appliance via the associated module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas W. Whitworth