Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Toffolo

Daniel J. Toffolo 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: 6542146
    Abstract: A transparent display screen can be positioned in a driver's line of sight or in front of mechanical indicators on an instrument panel. The display screen preferably has a frame or rim member along only one edge of the screen. Since the display screen is transparent and does not include a frame or rim around its perimeter, the display screen makes information available without obstructing the driver's view of the road. The single frame or rim member supports all of the row and column electrodes that are used to selectively illuminate the pixels on the display screen. The transparent display screen can be used effectively with one or more mechanical indicators positioned properly near the display screen. In one example, a single controller controls the screen, an associated filter and the mechanical indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Toffolo, Silviu Pala, Richard Chutorash, Robert M. Roza, Marian O. Borzea
  • Patent number: 5920256
    Abstract: A vehicle gauge comprises a mechanical indicator moveable relative to a reconfigurable gauge display. A transparent electroluminescent display selectively provides one of a plurality of gauge displays. A mechanical indicator positioned behind the display moves relative to the gauge display based upon data from a sensor associated with the current gauge display. A selectively transmissive device positioned between the display and the indicator selectively hides the indicator from view, providing a display independent of the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Toffolo, Silviu Palalau, Richard Chutorash
  • Patent number: 5805124
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a driver circuit for an electroluminescent display panel comprising a row driver including positive row drive elements and negative row drive elements, a first power lead with a first predetermined voltage V.sub.neg connected in series through a first switch connection to a first node, the first node connected to a first current limiter to the negative row drive elements, a second current limiter operably connected between a first fixed potential to a second node, the second node connected to the positive row drive elements, a third current limiter connected between the negative row drive element and the second fixed potential, a second power lead with a second predetermined voltage V.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Norhtrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Mohan L. Kapoor, Thomas J. Rebeschi, Peter O. Shanaghan, Daniel J. Toffolo