Visual Indication Patents (Class 340/815.4)
  • Patent number: 7839090
    Abstract: A circuit is used to indicate different statuses of a component of a computer system. The circuit includes a port, an indicating device, and a control circuit. The port outputs different signals corresponding to different statuses of the component. The indicating device includes a first indicator and a second indicator each of which includes a positive end and a negative end. The positive end of the second indicator is connected to the negative end of the first indicator, and the negative end of the second indicator is connected to the positive end of the first indicator. The control circuit includes an input terminal, and a pair of output terminals connected to opposite ends of the first indicator. A polarity of an electric potential difference between the pair of output terminals is switched between negative and positive polarities according to the signal outputted by the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zong-Bao Xiao
  • Publication number: 20100289665
    Abstract: A method and system for displaying messages in a wide-spectrum display includes a visible element comprising a first portion of a message and an invisible element comprising a second portion of the message. In one aspect, the method includes the step of displaying, in the visible element, e.g. an image from a film, a captured photograph or a first part of an advertisement. The step of displaying, in the invisible element, includes the displaying e.g. of subtitles, metadata or a second part of an advertisement. An individual may choose to view the invisible element by viewing the wide spectrum display through a wavelength conversion device. Also disclosed are the use of the display in games, and of its integration in wearable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Connor Dickie, Jeffrey Shell
  • Publication number: 20100286634
    Abstract: An eye drop bottle holder with resilient legs includes an inverted U-shaped member made from resilient injection molded plastic. The top portion of the inverted U-shaped member includes an eye drop bottle holder. The right and left leg of the U-shape each terminate in an outwardly disposed J-shape covered by a soft rubber-like pad. The user can attach an eye drop bottle to the inverted U-shaped member so that the dispensing tip of the bottle is in close proximity the user's eye. The user can cause his or her eye lid to remain open by squeezing the right and left legs together, then placing the pads on the upper and lower eye orbit, then releasing the legs causing the flesh of the user's eyelids to be spread apart. In a preferred embodiment, an electro-mechanical assembly can automatically press on the side wall of the bottle to cause a predetermined amount of solution to be dispensed. An LED light flashes (is either activated or deactivated) to show the user that a dispensing event has taken place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Alvin J. MARX
  • Publication number: 20100277336
    Abstract: A charge indicator circuit for indicating an electronic device charged by an inputted charge electric potential includes an interface unit, a switch unit connected to the interface unit; a processor unit connected to the switch unit, and an indicator unit connected to the switch unit. The charge electric potential is inputted into the charge indicator circuit from the interface unit and powers the indicator unit to emit light when the processor unit is switched off, and the processor unit detects the charge status of the electronic device and controls the switch unit according to the detect results when the processor unit is switched on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: JIAN SUN
  • Publication number: 20100277335
    Abstract: A method includes capturing at a first device electrical energy of electromagnetic waves transmitted by a second device. The method further includes using the captured electrical energy for causing a modification of a visual appearance of a display component. In addition to the wireless power, the visual appearance may depend on a data transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Kaj Makela, Zoran Radivojevic
  • Patent number: 7825821
    Abstract: A holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) has individual positions or compartments for dosage units (102, 102?, 202, 302). Each of the dosage units has a supply receptacle (104, 104?, 204, 304) and a dispensing head (103, 103?, 203, 303) that are connected to each other. The holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) is equipped with a means for active user guidance (105, 105?, 210, 305) which, in a process of dispensing measured substance quantities from the different dosage units into a receiving container (411), directs the user in taking out and returning the different dosage units that are seated in the holding rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Matthias Gietenbruch
  • Publication number: 20100271230
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for signaling requests for services at a facility, for example, a gaming table in a casino. A control device is provided on the gaming table. The control device comprises multiple switches associated with one or more indicators. Each of the services is assigned to one or more of the indicators. A dealer or a player at the gaming table activates the switches for turning on the indicators based on service requirements of the dealer or the player at the gaming table. The turned on indicators signal the requests for the services. The method and system disclosed herein increases the speed of services, increases the income of each gaming table in the casino, enables determination of performance of employees of the casino attending to the requests for the services, and enables real time allocation of resources to different sections of the casino.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Edmond Bell, SR.
  • Publication number: 20100271229
    Abstract: A method for calibrating alignment of an end effector with respect to a chuck in a plasma processing system is provided. The method including positioning the end effector over the chuck and taking a still image of the chuck and the end effector. The method including processing the still image to ascertain the center of the chuck and the end effector-defined center defined by the end effector. The method including determining a positional difference between the end effector-defined center and the center of the chuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Christine Allen-Blanchette, Matt Rodnick
  • Patent number: 7822543
    Abstract: A video display system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an electrochromic transflective element. A video display is disposed to the rear of the transflective element. When the video screen is backlit, the video display emits light that passes through a transflective mirror reflector of the transflective element. Information displayed by the video display is visible to the driver of the equipped vehicle viewing said transflective element only when the video screen is backlit. A rearward facing camera is mounted at or near the rear of the equipped vehicle and, during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle, video images captured by the camera of the scene rearward of the equipped vehicle are displayed so as to assist the driver of the equipped vehicle in reversing the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Taylor, Kevin C. McCarthy, Niall R. Lynam, Kenneth Schofield
  • Publication number: 20100265087
    Abstract: An exemplary temperature controlled power line device includes a cable operable to transmit power. The cable includes a core and an oxidizing layer. The core and the oxidizing layer may be in selective electrical communication so as to initiate and halt oxidation of the core. The core may oxidize as a result of a galvanic reaction and the cable may be connected to a control box. The control box may be used to monitor as well as control the oxidation of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: John Dale Littleton
  • Patent number: 7817059
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device supplying an electrical signal for which a characteristic, for example, the voltage is adjustable. The device has a connector at one end of a cable to supply this signal to another electrical device. This connector comprises a transmission means of a light signal for which a visible characteristic depends upon the electrical signal produced. One improvement consists in the light signal coming from a source of white light that is colour modulated by filters. These filters are mechanically integrated into a mobile part belonging to the adjustment means of the signal supplied. The invention also relates to a system comprising the device supplying the signal and the device to be connected, the latter device features a mark identifying the light signal compatible with the electrical signal to receive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Francis Renard
  • Patent number: 7817058
    Abstract: A server signaler includes a lamp and a housing containing a battery and a switch. The server signaler may be attached to an advertising support or placed directly on a table top or other surface. Actuation of the switch illuminates the lamp to alert the server that service is required. Another server signaler according to applicant's invention includes an elongated base and telescoping portions to extend the lamp upwardly above the elongated base. Another server signaler provides a card-receiving channel containing switch contacts which are closed by insertion of a card into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: William H. Waterhouse
  • Patent number: 7815344
    Abstract: A high visibility emergency signaling device includes a base configured to be secured to an external support raised above ground level, light-emitting means mounted thereto for generating at least one light beam, and power supply means for such light-emitting means. Optical means are further provided, operating on the at least one light beam to model and orient it in such a manner as to illuminate a substantially circular area in space and/or on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Bleiner, Bruno Dussert-Vidalet
  • Publication number: 20100259409
    Abstract: An image capturing system includes a cassette having a radiation detector, an image memory, and a cassette controller, an image capturing apparatus, a display device, and a host computer. The cassette controller comprises a capacity value transmitter for transmitting a capacity value of the radiation image information to the host computer before transmission process, and an image transmitter for transmitting the radiation image information. The host computer comprises an indicator controller for controlling the display device to display an indicator representing the capacity value received from the cassette as the upper limit, and a bar controller for controlling the display device to display a bar moving toward the indicator and having a length corresponding to the received capacity value of the radiation image information while the radiation image information is being received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Kuwabara, Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takuya Yoshimi, Kazuharu Ueta, Makato Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta
  • Publication number: 20100259408
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments presented herein, apparatus are provided that are operable for producing a visual indicator for luggage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Patrick A. BERGER
  • Patent number: 7813024
    Abstract: The present invention provides an EC mirror assembly including an EC mirror cell and a control for controlling the reflectivity of the mirror cell, the assembly also including a pair of contact elements independently displaceable relative to the mirror cell while maintaining an electrical connection with the control, the contact elements also being engageable with opposite edges of the mirror cell in order to provide an electrical connection between the control and the mirror cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Donnelly Engineering, GmbH
    Inventors: John P. Desmond, Garret Coady, John P. Drummond, Martin McGarry, Patrick J. Dowling, Sean Fletcher, David Powell
  • Publication number: 20100245083
    Abstract: Incident response methods include receiving notification that an incident has occurred, determining a source of the notification, the source being near the incident, and establishing at least one guided path configured to direct a first person, a first animal, or a first movable device positioned near the source away from the incident and/or to direct a second person, a second animal, or a second movable device toward the incident. Electronic guides include an indicator, and processing circuitry configured to receive a request to configure the indicator from an inactive state to an active state in which the indicator encourages a first person positioned near a first side of the electronic guide to move toward the electronic guide and encourages a second person positioned near a second side of the electronic guide to move away from the electronic guide and configure the indicator according to the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Timothy John Lewis
  • Patent number: 7804418
    Abstract: A lens for a vehicle light assembly includes at least one ink marking provided thereon. At least a portion of the ink marking is configured such that it appears generally opaque to a viewer when a light source in the light assembly is not illuminated and does not appear opaque when the light source is illuminated. The ink marking includes an ink composition that includes a transparent ink and a pigmented ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ventra Greenwich Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Lester R. Sullivan, Todd M. Nykerk, Bruce L. Reniger
  • Patent number: 7804420
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an housing that reduces obstruction of the vehicle operator's ability to see through the upper portion of the windshield. Rather than a light shield constructed entirely of a opaque plastic, an interior mounted warning light assembly incorporates a visibility window above the vehicle operator's position. A cutout in the opaque casing material is fitted with a window of transparent one-way mirror material. The mirror coating faces the interior of the light assembly and acts as a shield by blocking flashback when the light assembly is activated, while simultaneously allowing the operator of the vehicle to see upwardly through it to the outside during normal vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John F Girouard
  • Patent number: 7804419
    Abstract: Methods and systems for administering consumable compositions according to a programmed dosing schedule are provided. A method for administering a consumable composition may comprise one or more of the following steps: (a) dispensing a first dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and (b) detecting at least one ingestion of the consumable composition. A method for administering a consumable composition may comprise one or more of the following steps: (a) dispensing a first dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; (b) detecting at least one aspect of the consumable composition; and (c) providing a user notification according to the aspect of the consumable composition. A system for administering a consumable composition may comprise: (a) means for dispensing a first dose of a consumable composition according to a programmed dosing schedule; and (b) means for detecting at least one ingestion of the consumable composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund 1, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Eric C. Leuthardt, Robert W. Lord, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7804421
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system includes a vehicle having at least one pillar. The at least one pillar includes an inner surface covered with a display surface. An exterior focused camera linked to the display surface for displaying an image taken by the camera upon the display material, wherein the camera takes an image of the exterior area of the vehicle that a driver would otherwise see if the at least one pillar were not blocking the view of the driver. A camera control mechanism links a driver sitting within a driver seat of the vehicle to the camera such that the camera may be adjusted to optimize the view provided upon the display surface along the inner surface of the at least one pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Audiovox Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Vitito
  • Patent number: 7804417
    Abstract: A lighting system and method for providing a particular lighting pattern from a predetermined set of lighting patterns are disclosed. The system comprises a presence detector for detecting a presence of a person in an area, a timer for measuring a duration of the presence, a pattern selector for selecting the particular lighting pattern from the predetermined set of lighting patterns based on the presence and the duration, and a plurality of adjustable light sources for applying the particular lighting pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Megumi Fujikawa, Job Rutgers
  • Publication number: 20100241456
    Abstract: An integrated point of care medication administration system comprises a point of care medication administration system including an interface for communicating with the at least one repository and information sources and including a processor. The processor uses the information and the interface in automatically acquiring for a particular patient, data representing particular patient parameters and laboratory test results associated with a particular individual medication in response to user initiation of an order for the particular individual medication to be administered to the particular patient. A display device presents at least one display image indicating acquired particular patient parameters and laboratory test results of the particular patient and identifying a particular patient parameter or laboratory test result needing to be acquired prior to administration of the particular individual medication to the particular patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond F. Miller, Alan M. Portnoy, Deborah A. Saeger
  • Publication number: 20100238045
    Abstract: Provided is a system, a tool and a method for communicating with a faulted circuit indicator (FCI), the faulted circuit indicator including a detection circuit for monitoring an electrical conductor of a power system. The system includes a display and a first light emitting diode associated with the display. The first light emitting diode generates an optical FCI status signal in response to an occurrence of a fault in the electrical conductor. The system also includes a first microcontroller operatively coupled to the display and the detection circuit, and a handheld user command tool adapted to optically signal the display. The handheld user command tool may be also adapted to generate an optical serial communication. The optical serial communication may provide data and/or commands for operation of the faulted circuit indicator. The display may be integrated into the FCI. The FCI may be an overhead FCI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Laurence V. Feight, Mark L. Zeller
  • Patent number: 7801676
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus for displaying a map that includes building symbols representing buildings. The navigation apparatus includes a map-drawing unit that draws the map of an area from map data on shapes and positions of the building symbols at a selected map scale and a displaying unit that displays the drawn map. In the navigation apparatus in a nighttime-map displaying mode, the map-drawing unit draws the entirety of each building symbol in a bright color to generate the map when the map scale exceeds a predetermined threshold and draws part of the building symbol in a bright color to generate the map when the map scale does not exceed the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kurosawa, Mizuki Yuasa
  • Patent number: 7793648
    Abstract: A heating cooker includes a top panel for placing a load thereon and touch operation parts for allowing the user to operate the heating of the heater to heat the load. The operation display parts of the touch operation parts each include display characters disposed under the top panel and a backlight which emits light through the top panel so as to display the display characters in lighting. When not displayed, the operation display parts including the display characters are entirely unlit and made inoperable. This provides a user-friendly heating cooker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Chikashi Satou
  • Publication number: 20100226391
    Abstract: The PLC 20 adaptor corresponding to a power line communication apparatus has four PLC bridges 30A to 30D, each of which is correspondingly connected to Ethernet communication connectors 26A to 26D, operation mode setting switches 27A to 27D, display units 28A to 28D. Each PLC bridge 30A to 30D includes a PLC modem unit 301, a bridge unit 302, an Ethernet IF unit 303, and a communication control unit 304. The communication control unit 304 obtains data type information on the basis of setting conditions of switches 27A to 27D corresponding to each communication port. Since the time slot required for the communication link corresponding to the communication port of the PLC network can be obtained on the basis of the data type information, the reservation request can be transmitted to the control terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomiya MIYAZAKI, Eiji Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20100228488
    Abstract: For two or more devices, each device having one or more portions, a system includes, but is not limited to: one or more obtaining information modules configured to direct obtaining physical status information regarding one or more portions for each of the two or more devices, including information regarding one or more spatial aspects of the one or more portions of the device, one or more determining advisory modules configured to direct determining user advisory information regarding the one or more users based upon the physical status information for each of the two or more devices and based upon the user status information regarding the one or more users., and one or more determining advisory modules configured to direct determining user advisory information regarding the one or more users based upon the physical status information for each of the two or more devices and based upon the user status information regarding the one or more users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien
  • Patent number: 7791498
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for driving LEDs. The apparatus comprise a plurality of red, green, and blue light emitting diodes connected, respectively; switching units turned on or off by an inputted pulse to turn on or off the red, green and blue light emitting diodes, respectively; and a control unit outputting respective pulses to sequentially delay a turn-on or turn-off time between the switching units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong Soo Park
  • Patent number: 7791497
    Abstract: A warning device of the flashing beacon type (2) is provided with a dual light source (14, 16), typically in the form of two LEDs arranged in back to back relationship, in which the light from one light source (14) is transmitted directly from the beacon whereas the light from the other light source (16) is reflected by a compound reflector (18, 20) from a direction which is essentially opposite the direction of the light from the first source to a direction which is the same as or substantially parallel to the direction of the first source so as to produce a compound beam of illumination having a relatively darker first peripheral part, a relatively more intense central part followed by a relatively less intense third peripheral part. The two light sources and the compound reflector rotates in unison with each other to produce flashes of illumination to a person observing the beacon from a remote location to the beacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Embridge Lake Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Frederick George Clerk
  • Publication number: 20100219972
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes: an indicator configured to indicate an operation status of a device; a switch configured to receive an input; a time determination module configured to determine whether an input time during which the input is continually received by the switch exceeds a predetermined first time; a lighting controller, when the time determination module determines that the input time passes the first time, configured to control the indicator so as to be turned on in a first lighting pattern; a detector configured to detect an end of the input received by the switch; and a processor, when the time determination module determines that the input time is greater than or equal to the first time and the detector detects the end of the input received by the switch, configured to perform predetermined first processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Akihito Shibahara
  • Patent number: 7786889
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an atmosphere device (1) with a user interface (3) for controlling the setting of a lighting unit (2a) and/or a fragrance unit (2b) of the atmosphere device (1), thus determining the atmosphere conditions in a room. The user interlace (3) is based on a system comprising a detecting device (4) and transponders (6). By bringing the transponders (6) within the range of detection by the detecting device (4), the transponders (6) will send a return signal, which signal controls the settings of the atmosphere device (1). Each transponder (6) is programmed to control a particular color or a specific light intensity and/or a particular odor spectrum and intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Sara Lee Household and Body Care Espana S.L.
    Inventors: Lucas L. D. Van Der Poel, Cristina Sala Camps
  • Publication number: 20100215362
    Abstract: An optical network unit according to the present invention is provided as comprising a configuration that component units built therein are grouped for at least two sheets of substrate modules and arranged thereat. There are provided individual embodiments: (a) arranging an L2 layer and a part of the component unit of an L1 layer at a first substrate module, meanwhile, arranging the left part of the component unit of the L1 layer at a second substrate module; (b) arranging the component units of the L1 layer and of the L2 layer at the first substrate module and the second substrate module individually by grouping therefor; and (c) arranging the component units of the L2 layer and of the L1 layer at the first substrate module and the second substrate module respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Shimoosako, Kunio Odaka, Katsuya Aboshi
  • Patent number: 7782224
    Abstract: A customizable indicator light system for a printing device includes at least one printing device configured to detect at least one machine state corresponding to the operation of the at least one printing device. An indicator light is operably coupled to the at least one printing device. The indicator light is adapted to operate in at least one of an off state, a blink state, and a steady state to indicate the detected machine state. A computing device is in operative communication with the at least one printing device and is adapted to provide at least one user setting to the at least one printing device. The at least one user setting includes at least one behavior setting configured to selectively set the indicator light to one of the off state, the blink state, and the steady state based on the detected machine state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Michael W. Marchetti
  • Publication number: 20100211574
    Abstract: A system and method for personal digital technology forensics. The system and method can provide for the forensic identification, preservation, acquisition, analysis, presentation, exportation, and correlation of evidence obtained personal digital technologies including that obtained from cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and smart phones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Richard P. Mislan, Kyle D. Lutes, Neal S. Widmer, Mikel J. Berger
  • Patent number: 7772988
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing specified output intensity distribution requirements from a single LED source, wherein the apparatus includes a single LED source and a cover, including a lens, that captures and controls the non-collimated light of the LED source and limits its spread vertically and horizontally as well as producing intensity variations within the output pattern. In one aspect of the invention, the lens is on the same order of size as the LED source, the cover has an exposed surface area several times larger than the area of the lens and is primarily configured to have retroreflective properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Innovative Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Condon, Mark B. Pruss, Hans Christian Lassen
  • Patent number: 7772987
    Abstract: A lighting control framework is provided. The lighting control framework receives an implicit request from an application. The implicit request is converted into a converted explicit request which is processed to utilize a light of a lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas Alexander Shows
  • Publication number: 20100194548
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring and facilitating a process, through the use of wirelessly-linked, portable signal units. The signal units have one or more signal lights, and can be placed adjacent to process stations. When a signal light is actuated by operator input at one or more of the process stations, the lights at all of the other process stations also are illuminated in a recognizable pattern to enhance visibility and identification at a glance as to which process station needs attention. Signal units also can function as repeaters to facilitate communication and operation. Designation of certain signal units as repeaters and optimization of communication between signal units is automatically carried out in accordance with one or more optimization approaches. In an embodiment, a time-based record of operation of the signal lights is provided for process monitoring and improvement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: TM INDUSTRIALS, LLC
    Inventors: Kent Tabor, Ryan Nowak
  • Patent number: 7768419
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal which includes a plurality of lights, apparatus for controlling the activation of the lights, apparatus for storing a number of sequences of activation of the lights, and apparatus for assigning one of the stored sequences of the activation of the lights to a particular event in the mobile communication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Atle Messel, Giovanni Ferranti, Timo Elomaa, Tapani Jokinen, Michael McKay
  • Publication number: 20100188246
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electroluminescence (EL) element based on a particular zinc sulfide thick film with at least two planar electrodes, wherein at least one planar electrode is designed to be transparent. At least two AC voltage inputs are provided on each electrode at two points which are spaced apart. Moreover, the invention relates to methods for the production of the electroluminescence element and to the use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE AG
    Inventors: Martin Philipp Getrost, Michael Heite, Thomas Wagner, Thilo-J Werners
  • Publication number: 20100184484
    Abstract: It is presented a method including presenting an alert on a display; detecting a user input associated with said alert, said user input having a momentum; and deferring said alert to be presented again at a new alert time, said new alert time being calculated as a time in the future using said user input momentum. A corresponding device, computer program product and user interface are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Phillip John Lindberg, Sami Johannes Niemelä
  • Publication number: 20100183293
    Abstract: A communication interface module is disclosed, wherein the module may include a circuit board having an electronic communication interface and an optical communication interface; a light source disposed on the circuit board, wherein the light source is indicative of a status of at least one operational condition of the module; a module cover coupled to the circuit board; and a light path extending from the light source on the circuit board to a portion of the module cover visible to a human operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Xiangzhong Wang, Zining Huang, Jianyao Chen
  • Patent number: 7760107
    Abstract: A system and method for variably programming a plurality of utilitarian devices such as, but not limited to, LED light assemblies, motions detectors, etc. which may be associated with each of a plurality of control points. The control points are electrically interconnected to one another and to a power source to define a network, wherein an identifying code is assigned to each of the control points. One or more control facilities in the form of touch pads are cooperatively structured with a master control for programmed operations of separate predetermined numbers or arrays of said plurality of control points and the one or more utilitarian devices associated with each control point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Inteltech Corporation
    Inventors: Dale B. Stepps, Daryl Soderman
  • Publication number: 20100177070
    Abstract: A wireless electronic-ink display device supported in packaging, and employing a power switching mechanism which operates to prevent leakage, drainage or discharge of the electro-chemical battery until a change in predetermined state of configuration occurs. The wireless electronic-ink based display device comprises (i) a power source module with an electro-chemical battery, (ii) a power management module for managing the power levels within the wireless electronic-ink display device, and (iii) a power switching module, arranged between the power source module and the power management module, and automatically responsive to a change in at least one predefined state of device configuration, to prevent leakage, drainage or discharge of the electrochemical battery until a change in predetermined state of configuration occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Steven Essinger, Michael Schnee, Yong Liu
  • Publication number: 20100176744
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes an adaptor that is detachably and electrically connectable to a socket of the illumination apparatus; a power supply unit at the adapter and that supplies power; a light emitting device driver that receives power from the power supply unit and that generates driving power; a controller that controls the light emitting device driver; an interface that communicates with the controller; and a light emitting device illumination comprising a plurality of light emitting devices that emit light according to the driving power from the light emitting device driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Young Hwan Lee, Kwan Soo Jang, Chung Hyun Cho
  • Publication number: 20100171632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device (1, 20) in a motor vehicle, consisting of a display (3, 25), a transilluminatable screen (4, 21) disposed behind the display (3, 25), a lighting means (6, 23) and a reflector (7, 24), wherein the lighting means (6, 23) is attached in the display device (1, 20) between the screen (4, 21) and the reflector (7, 24) and the light (L) of the lighting means (6, 23) can be parallelized and directed towards and through the screen (4, 21) onto the display (3, 25) by means of the reflector (7, 26), so that symbols that can be changed by means of the screen (4, 21) can be shown on the display (3, 24), and wherein the reflector (7, 24) is a facetted reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: PREH GMBH
    Inventor: Martin JEITNER
  • Publication number: 20100156656
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive input device provides improved visual feedback at (or near) the point and time of contact. As the user touches a touch-sensitive screen or pad, a portion of the screen or pad changes in visual appearance to indicate that the input has been received. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is localized to an area proximate to the point of contact. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating an area proximate to and centered around the point of contact. In another embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating one or more illuminable elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the touch-sensitive pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Matias Gonzalo Duarte, Daniel Marc Gatan Shiplacoff, Jeremy Godfrey Lyon, Peter Skillman, Dianne Parry Dominguez, Richard R. Dellinger
  • Publication number: 20100156657
    Abstract: A display device is provided. The display includes a display main body, a light source, a diffusion part, and a transmission part. The display main body includes a display module and a cabinet protecting the display module. The light source generates light according to an operating state of the display main body. The diffusion part receives the light from the light source and includes a reflective surface oblique to an incident direction of the light. The transmission part includes an optical imaging part on which the light diffused from the diffusion part is projected and transmits the light to the outside at one side of the diffusion part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Wang Gun LEE, Dong Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7742857
    Abstract: An information display system for a vehicle includes: a display for displaying, an operation screen for operating at least one piece of in-vehicle equipment; a first operation section including a leftward moving switch, a rightward moving switch, and a selection enter switch capable of being manipulated upward and downward and being pushed; and a controller. The controller changes a position of the operation menu selected point in the operation menus horizontally arranged on the operation screen for selecting any one of the operation menus in response to a manipulation signal from the leftward moving switch or the rightward moving switch and executes an operation relating to the selected operation menu in response to an upward or downward manipulation signal from the selection enter switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Taro Iwamoto, Yoshihisa Okamoto, Toshihiro Hara
  • Publication number: 20100148983
    Abstract: A mains electrical supply outlet comprising: signal-receiving means to receive an encoded wireless signal; a socket, connectable, in use, to an electricity-consuming device, to supply mains electricity thereto; a controller, powered by mains electricity, to decode said received encoded signal and, in response to said signal, to control switching of electrical power to said socket; and a connection sensor, to sense the connection of an electricity-consuming device to said socket and to disconnect power from said controller in the absence of such a connection. The invention also provides an electrical light switch assembly comprising: a manually operable light switch to control the supply of power to a lighting circuit; a manually operable remote power switch to actuate the transmission of an encoded wireless signal to the aforementioned mains electrical supply outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Huxley, Tana Leonardus Wondergem