Patents Assigned to Sharper Image
  • Publication number: 20040202547
    Abstract: An environmental sensor is used to determine a voltage output for a high voltage generator used along with first and second electrodes in an air transporter-conditioner system. In one embodiment, the environmental sensor is a particulate detector. If a low level of particulate is detected, a low output level can be used. If a high level of particulate is detected, a high output of the generator can be used. The environmental sensor can be also used as an ozone detector or a passive IR detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Shek Fai Lau
  • Publication number: 20040191134
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an ion generator that provides ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage generator that provides a voltage potential difference between first and second electrode arrays. At least one of the first and second arrays is removable from the housing for cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
  • Publication number: 20040179981
    Abstract: Methods for cleaning a first group of electrodes contained within an air conditioner are provided. A second group of electrodes within the air conditioner has a cleaning device fastened therewith. The cleaning device engages the first group of electrodes. A method includes removing the second group of electrodes from the air conditioner, and replacing the second group of electrodes back into the air conditioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Shek Fai Lau, Jimmy Luther Lee, Andrew J. Parker
  • Patent number: 6786338
    Abstract: A high capacity motorized rack holds a plurality of jewel case enclosed CDs in holders flexibly inter-connectable with each other to form a rotatable continuous loop. The loop is rotatably retained within a vertical rack housing and is driven by a motor, disposed within the housing, under user control such that the loop is rotated until a desired CD is moved to the top region of the belt. A rack may hold two or more such loops of inter-connected holders. In one embodiment a holder retains a single jewel case, and comprises two independent loops that are rotated with a single motor. A preferred embodiment employs inter-connectable holders that each retain two jewel cases in a side-by-side configuration. A lamp and/or barcode scanner may be disposed on the housing for ease of CD selection. The housing base preferably is detached during shipping to permit transporting the rack in a smaller volume container. User control can include voice commands to direct loop rotation and speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: David Caplan, Charles E. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20040170542
    Abstract: An electronic device electro-kinetically generates an airflow by providing a potential difference between a first electrode array and a second electrode array. The first electrode array includes at least one generally tubular electrode. The second electrode array includes at least inner and outer generally tubular electrodes electrically connected to one another, with the inner electrode located at least partially within the outer electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6749667
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner with a bead member having a bore, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The bead is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when an electrode array is removed. A bead lifting arm is mounted to the electrode array. The bead lifting arm can move the bead to clean the electrode as electrode array is removed from the air conditioner for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: John Paul Reeves, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew J. Parker
  • Patent number: 6748238
    Abstract: A digital recorder system for use with cellular telephones includes a housing that defines a cavity into which a cellular telephone may be received. During cellular telephone use, a microphone disposed on the housing records sounds, and a speak disposed within the housing plays back sound. A digital recorder within the housing automatically records the past twenty-seconds of conversation. A user may press a control button on the housing to retain up to four such twenty-second segments, and may press another control button on the housing to record sound prospectively. An LED on the housing confirms operational mode of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventor: Shek Fai Lau
  • Publication number: 20040096376
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes an ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. At least one of the first and second arrays is removable from the housing for cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
  • Publication number: 20040079233
    Abstract: An air conditioner device includes a first electrode array and a second electrode array. A mechanism, that cleans the electrode(s) in a first electrode array, includes a length of flexible insulating material that projects from a base of the second electrode array towards the first electrode array. As a user moves the second electrode array up or down within the conditioner housing, the electrode(s) in the first array are frictionally cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Shek Fai Lau, Jimmy Luther Lee, Andrew J. Parker
  • Patent number: 6713026
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises one or more wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow “U”-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. A bias electrode, electrically coupled to the second array electrodes, affects net polarity of ions generated. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is thus conditioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau
  • Publication number: 20040057882
    Abstract: An air conditioner device includes a housing, a first electrode disposed in the housing, and a second electrode removably disposed in the housing. The second electrode can be manually removed from the housing and then manually returned to a resting position within the housing. A base member is attached to a bottom portion of the second electrode. An at least partially flexible cleaning member is attached to the base member. The cleaning member frictionally cleans the first electrode when, after being removed from the housing, the second electrode is manually returned to the resting position within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Shek Fai Lau, Jimmy Luther Lee, Andrew J. Parker
  • Publication number: 20040059467
    Abstract: A robot which incorporates a body, and sensors that allow the robot to interact with objects in the room, and prevents the robot from traveling off an edge or bumping into obstacles. A driving mechanism moves the robot along a surface. An edge detection system includes a plurality of infrared emitters each directed at a different angle with respect to the surface. The emitters alternately emitting signals such that only one of the emitters emits a signal at one time. A signal receiving device detects signals emitted by the infrared emitters after the signals have been reflected. The edge detection system detects an edge based on feedback received from the signal receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Shek Fai Lau, John Paul Reeves
  • Publication number: 20040055975
    Abstract: A high capacity motorized rack holds a plurality of jewel case enclosed CDs in holders flexibly inter-connectable with each other to form a rotatable continuous loop. The loop is rotatably retained within a vertical rack housing and is driven by a motor, disposed within the housing, under user control such that the loop is rotated until a desired CD is moved to the top region of the belt. A rack may hold two or more such loops of inter-connected holders. In one embodiment a holder retains a single jewel case, and comprises two independent loops that are rotated with a single motor. A preferred embodiment employs inter-connectable holders that each retain two jewel cases in a side-by-side configuration. A lamp and/or barcode scanner may be disposed on the housing for ease of CD selection. The housing base preferably is detached during shipping to permit transporting the rack in a smaller volume container. User control can include voice commands to direct loop rotation and speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6709484
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes a mechanism to clean the wire-like electrodes in the first electrode array. A length of flexible Mylar type sheet material projects from the base of the second electrode array towards and beyond the first electrode array. The distal end of each sheet includes a slit that engages a corresponding wire-like electrode. As a user moves the second electrode array up or down within the conditioner housing, friction between slit edges and the wire-like electrode cleans the electrode surface. The sheet material may be biasedly pivotably attached to the base of the second electrode array, and may be urged away from and parallel to the wire-like electrodes when the conditioner is in use. Another embodiment includes a bead-like member having a through opening or channel, through which the wire-like electrode passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Shek Fai Lau, Jimmy Luther Lee, Andrew J. Parker
  • Patent number: D488795
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventor: Tristan M. Christianson
  • Patent number: D488930
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventor: Tristan M. Christianson
  • Patent number: D491152
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventor: Tristan M. Christianson
  • Patent number: D492664
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventor: Tristan M. Christianson
  • Patent number: D493114
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventor: Mark G. Martin
  • Patent number: D497985
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventor: Tristan M. Christianson