With Lamp Enclosed In Transparent Housing Patents (Class 340/815.73)
  • Patent number: 6535139
    Abstract: An electronic picture viewing apparatus for displaying electronic images in a picture frame type setting. The electronic picture viewing apparatus includes a housing having a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of side walls. Each of the side walls has a back edge and a front edge wherein the back edges abut the back wall. A display for displaying an electronic image has a backside integrally coupled to the front edges of the housing. A microprocessor for controlling a video signal to the display is positioned in the housing and operationally coupled to the display. A power supply is operationally coupled to the microprocessor. An interface interfaces a plurality of peripherals with the microprocessor. The interface is positioned in one of the side walls of the housing and operationally coupled to the microprocessor. The display displays an electronic image received from the peripherals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Tina M. Lindler
  • Publication number: 20030043049
    Abstract: An indicating instrument for a vehicle includes a dial plate, a light modulation member disposed on the dial plate and a controller for controlling the light transmissivity. The light modulation member has variable light transmissivity, and the controller changes the light transmissivity according to a condition of the vehicle when operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Toshiki Wada, Katsuhiro Kumazawa, Takaaki Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6522261
    Abstract: A multi-candela output device for indicating alarm conditions has an output section, visible after installation, and a mounting section not visible after installation. A candela output level can be set by positioning a manually adjustable member on the mounting section. An indicator of the setting is visible on the output section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Pittway Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Scheffler, Curtis R. Davidson, Joel D. Kwasny
  • Publication number: 20020194755
    Abstract: The signal device includes a housing containing a light and having a front face adapted to receive, in removably mounted engagement thereon, a first message screen selected from a group of message screens. Each message screen of the group of message screens is preferably a substantially planar sheet permitting the passage of light therethrough when mounted in the front face and backlit by the light. The first message screen has a first distress message formed thereon which is illuminated when the message screen is backlit by the light. Each message screen of the group of message screens has a different distress message for communication by the backlighting by the light so that a user may select an appropriate distress message by selecting the corresponding message screen for mounting onto the front face. The light is activated by a switch mounted to the housing and cooperating with a power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Donald Charles Osborne
  • Publication number: 20020194756
    Abstract: The signal device includes a housing containing a light and having a front face adapted to receive, in removably mounted engagement thereon, a first message screen selected from a group of message screens. Each message screen of the group of message screens is preferably a substantially planar sheet permitting the passage of light therethrough when mounted in the front face and backlit by the light. The first message screen has a first distress message formed thereon which is illuminated when the message screen is backlit by the light. Each message screen of the group of message screens has a different distress message for communication by the backlighting by the light so that a user may select an appropriate distress message by selecting the corresponding message screen for mounting onto the front face. The light is activated by a switch mounted to the housing and cooperating with a power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Donald Charles Osborne
  • Patent number: 6492908
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a personal computer that has circuit elements enclosed in a light transmissible case. The personal computer further includes a visible light enclosed in the light-transmissible case for providing indication of various functional statuses of the personal computer through the light transmissible case. In a preferred embodiment, the personal computer further includes a light controller for controlling the visible light for providing a plurality of visible light signals for indicating various functional statuses of the personal computer. In another preferred embodiment, the light controller further includes a light intensity controller for controlling an intensity of the visible light for indicating various functional statuses of the personal computer. In another preferred embodiment, the light controller further includes a light flash-pattern controller for controlling a flash-pattern of the visible light for indicating various functional statuses of the personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce C. H. Cheng
  • Publication number: 20020149495
    Abstract: An illumination device for a display instrument is described which is used to illuminate two sets of scale markings and to separately illuminate a pointer scale of the display instrument. The light from a light source is guided past light funnels that are used to illuminate the pointer scale by an optical waveguide. This provides an efficient and economical means of illuminating a display instrument of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Harald Schach, Georg Ewald
  • Publication number: 20020075473
    Abstract: A multi-candela output device for indicating alarm conditions has an output section, visible after installation, and a mounting section not visible after installation. A candela output level can be set by positioning a manually adjustable member on the mounting section. An indicator of the setting is visible on the output section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Curtis R. Davidson, Joel D. Kwasny
  • Patent number: 6329925
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles includes a mirror case having a reflective element and a carrier positioned in the mirror case. The mirror case is adapted to mount to a vehicle. The reflective element includes a substrate, with a reflective coating on one side of the substrate, and a window therethrough. The carrier has a display element for displaying one or more indicia through the window to define a display area on the reflective element. The carrier comprises a plate member, with a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from the reflective element and from the first portion. The second portion includes the display element. Preferably, the interior rearview mirror assembly further includes at least one light assembly for displaying the indicia through said window so that it is visible to an occupant of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy G. Skiver, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken, Jonathan E. DeLine
  • Patent number: 6329927
    Abstract: An alert device that includes a tubular encasement holding battery powered marking light, a compass and a whistle, the tubular encasement and whistle are threadedly interconnected and rotating the whistle of the device with respect to the tubular encasement serves to provide electrical communication activating the light, with the light serving to light up the face of the compass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Richard S. Hobson
  • Publication number: 20010045897
    Abstract: A touch operated control system is provided that advantageously provides enhanced functionality, including a programmable timer that sets a light coupled to the dimmer to OFF after a predetermined period of time. The control system generally includes a conductive housing provided with a power receptacle, a power switch, a fuse, and a printed circuit board mounted within the housing. The printed circuit board includes switching circuitry by means of a programmed integrated circuit operationally connected to the housing, and a timer is operationally connected to the switching circuitry. By touching the housing, the switching circuitry is activated to automatically connect or remove power to or from the power receptacle. The sequence and duration of the touch activation function varies the system response to provide enhanced control, functionality and flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Gregory A. Wolff
  • Patent number: 6294983
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an emergency exit light having an installation body having a light fitting and a power supply device inside thereof and an indicating board made of transparent material, words or figures sculptured on the indicating board fixed under the installation body. And the improvement is characterized by the installation body consisting of a main body formed in a squeezing manner by aluminum material, a side plate engaged at the open side of the main body and two side covers fixed at two ends of the main body. The LED is mounted on the lighting circuit board in a manner of series connection while the lighting circuit board is fixed at the lower end of the main body, and the series-connected LED is situated at the top of the indicating board. The power supply device is disposed at the top end of the main body wherein an uninterrupted circuit is fitted to a power supply circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Chi-Hwong Lee
  • Patent number: 6271763
    Abstract: The bases of an audible alarm unit and an audible/visible alarm unit are configured to be used interchangeably with a single cover. The cover has an opening that receives a projecting wall portion on the base of the audible alarm unit and a receptacle for a strobe lamp unit on the base of the audible/visible alarm unit. The bases have mounting holes that enable the alarm units to be mounted on several types of standard backboxes, the cover concealing the screw holes for good appearance of the installed units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Wheelock, Inc.
    Inventor: Inhong Hur
  • Patent number: 6215409
    Abstract: An edge illuminated sign is provided with a light dispersal to guide light from a light source into an edge of the sign. The light source is an LED and the light dispersal is a triangular prism provided with a recess for enclosing the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Solaglo Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomasz Blach