Patents by Inventor Alfred C. Griffin

Alfred C. Griffin 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).

  • Patent number: 7901116
    Abstract: There is disclosed a data receiving device for coupling to an AC power line through a standard light bulb socket. A standard medium lamp base is supported by a frame and connected to a branch circuit of the AC power line. An electrical device having signal terminals and supported by the frame is driven by electrical circuitry having a first input and a first output. The first output is coupled to the signal terminals for driving the electrical device. A data receiver has a second input for receiving both AC power and a data signal from the AC power line. The second input is coupled to the lamp base and a second output is coupled to the first input of the electrical circuitry. In another aspect, a data interface comprising a standard medium lamp base coupled to a data terminal device having a data receiving and/or transmitting interface circuit therein is threadably engaged to a standard medium lamp receptacle connected to the AC power line branch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: RadioShack Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Mathews, Alfred C. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20090040030
    Abstract: There is disclosed a data receiving device for coupling to an AC power line through a standard light bulb socket. A standard medium lamp base is supported by a frame and connected to a branch circuit of the AC power line. An electrical device having signal terminals and supported by the frame is driven by electrical circuitry having a first input and a first output. The first output is coupled to the signal terminals for driving the electrical device. A data receiver has a second input for receiving both AC power and a data signal from the AC power line. The second input is coupled to the lamp base and a second output is coupled to the first input of the electrical circuitry. In another aspect, a data interface comprising a standard medium lamp base coupled to a data terminal device having a data receiving and/or transmitting interface circuit therein is threadably engaged to a standard medium lamp receptacle connected to the AC power line branch circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: David K. Mathews, Alfred C. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20080297339
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting a low voltage alternating current (AC) wiring circuit to a high speed data communications link, comprising a primary coupling circuit and a secondary coupling circuit. The apparatus provides low voltage AC power to a data device and couples data signals between the data device and the AC power line via the converted low voltage AC wiring circuit. An example is provided for retrofitting a door chime system to a high speed data link such as a video camera system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: David K. Mathews, Alfred C. Griffin
  • Patent number: 7455435
    Abstract: A data receiving or transmitting device, having data receiving or transmitting capability, is coupled respectively from or to an AC power line through a standard light bulb socket. In one aspect, a data interface includes a data receiving device that may be configured for extracting data encoded for transmission or encoding data to be embedded and transmitted along the AC power line branch circuit. In another aspect a data receiving device includes a loudspeaker, an amplifier, and a data decoder coupled to the AC power line for playback of audio program material communicated to the device along the power line. The device screws into a light bulb socket for a “no-tools” installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: RadioShack Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Mathews, Alfred C. Griffin
  • Patent number: 7417535
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting a low voltage alternating current (AC) wiring circuit to a high speed data communications link, comprising a primary coupling circuit and a secondary coupling circuit. The apparatus provides low voltage AC power to a data device and couples data signals between the data device and the AC power line via the converted low voltage AC wiring circuit. An example is provided for retrofitting a door chime system to a high speed data link such as a video camera system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: RadioShack Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Mathews, Alfred C. Griffin