Patents by Inventor Daniel S. Foster

Daniel S. Foster 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: 11950713
    Abstract: Systems disclosed herein are directed to a display stand unit for a retail environment. The display stand unit includes a base having an interior and a display stand. The display stand includes a stem that connects to and extends upwardly from the base and a receiving surface that is suspended above and spaced away from the base by the stem. The receiving surface is configured to releasably hold an electronic device above and spaced away from the base. The display stand unit further includes a security cable that extends out from the base. The security cable is configured to attach to the electronic device to movably secure the electronic device to the base. The display stand unit further includes a retractor disposed within the interior of the base and connected to the security cable. The retractor automatically retracts the security cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David Samuel Kumka, Clayton R. Woosley, Daniel S. Foster, Eric Weijia Wang, Gregory R. Ritter, Joshua Adams, Christopher Hu, Priya K. Nambiar
  • Publication number: 20220408943
    Abstract: Systems disclosed herein are directed to a display stand unit for a retail environment. The display stand unit includes a base having an interior and a display stand. The display stand includes a stem that connects to and extends upwardly from the base and a receiving surface that is suspended above and spaced away from the base by the stem. The receiving surface is configured to releasably hold an electronic device above and spaced away from the base. The display stand unit further includes a security cable that extends out from the base. The security cable is configured to attach to the electronic device to movably secure the electronic device to the base. The display stand unit further includes a retractor disposed within the interior of the base and connected to the security cable. The retractor automatically retracts the security cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: David Samuel KUMKA, Clayton R. WOOSLEY, Daniel S. FOSTER, Eric Weijia WANG, Gregory R. RITTER, Joshua ADAMS, Christopher HU, Priya K. NAMBIAR
  • Publication number: 20210041095
    Abstract: A luminaire includes a bracket having a first side and a second side, a light source connected to the first side of the bracket, and a driver connected to the second side of the bracket. A luminaire housing may contain the light source and be mounted to the first side of the bracket, wherein the first side of the bracket is capable of blocking heat generated within the luminaire housing from reaching the driver. The luminaire housing may include a heatsink to direct heat generated within the luminaire housing away from the luminaire housing, and the bracket is located between the heatsink and the driver. The driver may include a driver casing having an inner surface removably fastened to the second side of the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Isaac P. Dost, Tyler Brian Morris, Daniel S. Foster
  • Patent number: 10837630
    Abstract: A system for detecting misalignment of a light fixture uses a gateway controller device to receive images captured by an aerial drone. The gateway controller will select a group of the images and, for each image in the group: identify a segment of an illuminated surface that is contained in the image; identify a light fixture that is configured to direct light to the segment; and determine whether the image contains content indicating that the light fixture improperly aligned. For any image that indicating that the light fixture is improperly aligned, the system will output a signal indicating that the light fixture requires recalibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Foster, Brian M. Wilson, Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper
  • Patent number: 10779368
    Abstract: A system of networked lighting devices includes a group of lighting device fixture controllers connected in a communication chain. The communication chain provides for transfer of data packets between the lighting device fixture controllers and a central controller. Each fixture controller includes a first power input that receives power from a primary power source, and a priority switch that is configured to switch the fixture controller from the primary power source to a source of DC power upon detecting failure of the primary power source. The source of DC power is sufficient to power the fixture controller and enable the fixture controller to continue to pass a stream of data to other controllers in the communication chain, but it is not sufficient to power the fixture controller's associated lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Foster, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Albert Dederich, Isaac P. Dost, Alexander Orisyuk, Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper
  • Patent number: 10701771
    Abstract: A lighting device includes multiple light emitting diode (LED) channels. Each LED channel is connected in parallel to an output rail of a power converter. The power converter may be a buck regulator. Each LED channel may include an LED string of one or more LEDs, a first transistor that is electrically connected between the LED string and ground, a second transistor that is electrically connected between the first transistor and ground, and a current sensing resistor that is electrically connected between the first transistor and the second transistor. This design provides for self-regulation of current across all LED channels when another LED channel is added to or deleted from the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Isaac P. Dost, Daniel S. Foster, George Albert Dederich
  • Publication number: 20200163182
    Abstract: A system of networked lighting devices includes a group of lighting device fixture controllers connected in a communication chain. The communication chain provides for transfer of data packets between the lighting device fixture controllers and a central controller. Each fixture controller includes a first power input that receives power from a primary power source, and a priority switch that is configured to switch the fixture controller from the primary power source to a source of DC power upon detecting failure of the primary power source. The source of DC power is sufficient to power the fixture controller and enable the fixture controller to continue to pass a stream of data to other controllers in the communication chain, but it is not sufficient to power the fixture controller's associated lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel S. Foster, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Albert Dederich, Isaac P. Dost, Alexander Orisyuk, Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper
  • Patent number: 10631377
    Abstract: A system of networked lighting devices includes a group of lighting device fixture controllers connected in a communication chain. The communication chain provides for transfer of data packets between the lighting device fixture controllers and a central controller. Each fixture controller includes a first power input that receives power from a primary power source, and a priority switch that is configured to switch the fixture controller from the primary power source to a source of DC power upon detecting failure of the primary power source. The source of DC power is sufficient to power the fixture controller and enable the fixture controller to continue to pass a stream of data to other controllers in the communication chain, but it is not sufficient to power the fixture controller's associated lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Daniel S. Foster, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Albert Dederich, Isaac P. Dost, Alexander Orisyuk, Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper
  • Publication number: 20190387589
    Abstract: A lighting device includes multiple light emitting diode (LED) channels. Each LED channel is connected in parallel to an output rail of a power converter. The power converter may be a buck regulator. Each LED channel may include an LED string of one or more LEDs, a first transistor that is electrically connected between the LED string and ground, a second transistor that is electrically connected between the first transistor and ground, and a current sensing resistor that is electrically connected between the first transistor and the second transistor. This design provides for self-regulation of current across all LED channels when another LED channel is added to or deleted from the lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Isaac P. Dost, Daniel S. Foster, George Albert Dederich
  • Publication number: 20190271455
    Abstract: A system for detecting misalignment of a light fixture uses a gateway controller device to receive images captured by an aerial drone. The gateway controller will select a group of the images and, for each image in the group: identify a segment of an illuminated surface that is contained in the image; identify a light fixture that is configured to direct light to the segment; and determine whether the image contains content indicating that the light fixture improperly aligned. For any image that indicating that the light fixture is improperly aligned, the system will output a signal indicating that the light fixture requires recalibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel S. Foster, Brian M. Wilson, Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper
  • Patent number: 10334676
    Abstract: A lighting device includes multiple light emitting diode (LED) channels. Each LED channel is connected in parallel to an output rail of a power converter. The power converter may be a buck regulator. Each LED channel may include an LED string of one or more LEDs, a first transistor that is electrically connected between the LED string and ground, a second transistor that is electrically connected between the first transistor and ground, and a current sensing resistor that is electrically connected between the first transistor and the second transistor. This design provides for self-regulation of current across all LED channels when another LED channel is added to or deleted from the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Isaac P. Dost, Daniel S. Foster, George Albert Dederich
  • Publication number: 20190029091
    Abstract: A system of networked lighting devices includes a group of lighting device fixture controllers connected in a communication chain. The communication chain provides for transfer of data packets between the lighting device fixture controllers and a central controller. Each fixture controller includes a first power input that receives power from a primary power source, and a priority switch that is configured to switch the fixture controller from the primary power source to a source of DC power upon detecting failure of the primary power source. The source of DC power is sufficient to power the fixture controller and enable the fixture controller to continue to pass a stream of data to other controllers in the communication chain, but it is not sufficient to power the fixture controller's associated lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel S. Foster, Benjamin David Vollmer, George Albert Dederich, Isaac P. Dost, Alexander Orisyuk, Christopher D. Nolan, Joseph R. Casper
  • Publication number: 20180338358
    Abstract: A lighting device includes multiple light emitting diode (LED) channels. Each LED channel is connected in parallel to an output rail of a power converter. The power converter may be a buck regulator. Each LED channel may include an LED string of one or more LEDs, a first transistor that is electrically connected between the LED string and ground, a second transistor that is electrically connected between the first transistor and ground, and a current sensing resistor that is electrically connected between the first transistor and the second transistor. This design provides for self-regulation of current across all LED channels when another LED channel is added to or deleted from the lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Isaac P. Dost, Daniel S. Foster, George Albert Dederich
  • Patent number: 10085317
    Abstract: A system of networked lighting devices includes a central controller and a group of lighting devices. The central controller includes a processor, first and second communication interfaces, various lighting devices and a communication link. The first communication interface includes input ports and a multiplexer configured to receive signals from the input ports and combine the received signals into a multiplexed signal. The second communication interface includes one or more antennas and is configured to receive the multiplexed signal from the multiplexer and transmit the multiplexed signal via the antenna(s). Each lighting device includes a fixture controller, one or more lighting modules, and a communication interface. The communication link transmits the multiplexed signal between one or more of the lighting devices and at least one of the communication interfaces of the central controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Cooper Lighting, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel S. Foster, Joseph R. Casper, Christopher D. Nolan, Benjamin David Vollmer, Alexander Orisyuk, George Albert Dederich
  • Publication number: 20180035505
    Abstract: A system of networked lighting devices includes a central controller and a group of lighting devices. The central controller includes a processor, first and second communication interfaces, various lighting devices and a communication link. The first communication interface includes input ports and a multiplexer configured to receive signals from the input ports and combine the received signals into a multiplexed signal. The second communication interface includes one or more antennas and is configured to receive the multiplexed signal from the multiplexer and transmit the multiplexed signal via the antenna(s). Each lighting device includes a fixture controller, one or more lighting modules, and a communication interface. The communication link transmits the multiplexed signal between one or more of the lighting devices and at least one of the communication interfaces of the central controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel S. Foster, Joseph R. Casper, Christopher D. Nolan, Benjamin David Vollmer, Alexander Orisyuk, George Albert Dederich
  • Patent number: 5096034
    Abstract: A reversing clutch mechanism (10) for use in a transmission (12) of the type having a continuously rotating input shaft (52) and a rotatable output shaft (20). A pair of friction clutches (48, 50) are rotatably disposed on the output shaft (20) and are continuously driven in opposite reverse and forward rotational directions by gears (54, 58) and sprockets (60, 62) associated with the input shaft (52). A double friction cope (94) is helically splined on the output shaft (20) and moveable toward and away from the friction clutches (48, 50) for selective frictional engagement with either friction clutch (48 or 50) to cause the output shaft (20) to rotate in either a forward or reverse rotational direction. The double cone (94) includes a peripheral shifting groove (112) having oppositely inclined side walls (114) which cooperate with a shifting pin (120) disposed in the groove (112) to disengage the double cone (94) and the friction clutch ( 48 or 50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Rotary Specialties
    Inventor: Daniel S. Foster
  • Patent number: 4553945
    Abstract: A safety shroud for attachment to the rear surface of the transom of an unmodified boat hull equipped with an inboard engine and a propeller tube and shaft rigidly fixed to the engine and extending with clearance through an enlarged opening in the transom, and a propeller on the shaft; the shroud being longitudinally and transversely downward concave to overlie the top and partly enclose the sides of the propeller, the shroud in longitudinal section being upwardly and rearwardly curved from the forward bottom edge of the shroud to just ahead of the propeller zone and then extending straight rearwardly. The lateral edges of the shroud extend generally upwardly and rearwardly from the forward bottom edge of the shroud to merge with the top rear edge thereof. Preferably the shroud is composed of inner and outer interconnected plastic shells, the outer shell having a downward concave reinforcing strut, closed at its bottom by the inner shell, and having a metal rudder support shaft therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Foster Marine Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel S. Foster
  • Patent number: 4475707
    Abstract: A seat suspension system includes a seat frame movably supported on a base in a fore and aft direction by guide rollers supported on the base and received into rails on the seat frame. A seat attenuating device supported on seat frame includes a rod rotatably supported on spaced brackets and having a lug extending rotatably therefrom between the supports with first and second coil springs telescoped over the rod and located between the lug and the respective supports. An accumulator is connected at one end to a rod and at the opposite end to one of the brackets, while a plate is supported on the base and has notches for receiving at least a portion of the lug to define a plurality of adjusted positions for the seat frame on the base. A lock-out member cooperates with the lug on the rod and is supported on the seat frame to fix the seat frame with respect to the base when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Knoedler Manufacturers, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel S. Foster
  • Patent number: 4057027
    Abstract: A vee bottom boat having one or two inboard engines with the drive shafts thereof extending through the hull to position a propeller in a position such that when the boat is planing at cruising speed the propeller will be surface-running or operating in half-submerged condition. A rudder is located directly in rear of the propeller. A partly cylindrical splash guard is provided over the propeller and prevents "rooster-tailing." In addition, a water supply duct having a radius approximating that of the propeller is provided extending forwardly a short distance from the propeller. A transmission connecting the engine to a propeller shaft includes a chain which permits advantageous location of the propeller shaft relative to the engine and its output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Inventor: Daniel S. Foster