Patents by Inventor David M. Dorrough

David M. Dorrough 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: 8669772
    Abstract: A surface-conforming obscured feature detector includes a plurality of sensor plates, each having a capacitance that varies based on the dielectric constant of the materials that compose the surrounding objects and the proximity of those objects. A sensing circuit is coupled to the sensor plates 32 to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuit to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or a plurality of indicators are coupled to the controller, and are selectively activated to identify the location of an obscured feature behind a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Franklin Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough
  • Patent number: 8593163
    Abstract: A surface-conforming obscured feature detector includes a plurality of sensor plates flexibly connected together, each having a capacitance that varies based on the dielectric constant of the materials that compose the surrounding objects and the proximity of those objects. A sensing circuit is coupled to the sensor plates to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuit to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or a plurality of indicators are coupled to the controller, and are selectively activated to identify the location of a relative high capacitance, which can be indicative of an obscured feature behind a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Franklin Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough
  • Publication number: 20110215814
    Abstract: A surface-conforming obscured feature detector includes a plurality of sensor plates, each having a capacitance that varies based on the dielectric constant of the materials that compose the surrounding objects and the proximity of those objects. A sensing circuit is coupled to the sensor plates 32 to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuit to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or a plurality of indicators are coupled to the controller, and are selectively activated to identify the location of an obscured feature behind a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough
  • Publication number: 20110215815
    Abstract: A surface-conforming obscured feature detector includes a plurality of sensor plates, each having a capacitance that varies based on the dielectric constant of the materials that compose the surrounding objects and the proximity of those objects. A sensing circuit is coupled to the sensor plates 32 to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuit to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or a plurality of indicators are coupled to the controller, and are selectively activated to identify the location of an obscured feature behind a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough
  • Publication number: 20110215819
    Abstract: A surface-conforming obscured feature detector includes a plurality of sensor plates, each having a capacitance that varies based on the dielectric constant of the materials that compose the surrounding objects and the proximity of those objects. A sensing circuit is coupled to the sensor plates 32 to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuit to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or a plurality of indicators are coupled to the controller, and are selectively activated to identify the location of an obscured feature behind a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough
  • Publication number: 20110215816
    Abstract: A surface-conforming obscured feature detector includes a plurality of sensor plates, each having a capacitance that varies based on the dielectric constant of the materials that compose the surrounding objects and the proximity of those objects. A sensing circuit is coupled to the sensor plates 32 to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuit to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or a plurality of indicators are coupled to the controller, and are selectively activated to identify the location of an obscured feature behind a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough
  • Publication number: 20110215818
    Abstract: A surface-conforming obscured feature detector includes a plurality of sensor plates flexibly connected together, each having a capacitance that varies based on the dielectric constant of the materials that compose the surrounding objects and the proximity of those objects. A sensing circuit is coupled to the sensor plates to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuit to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or a plurality of indicators are coupled to the controller, and are selectively activated to identify the location of a relative high capacitance, which can be indicative of an obscured feature behind a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough
  • Publication number: 20110215817
    Abstract: A surface-conforming obscured feature detector includes a plurality of sensor plates, each having a capacitance that varies based on the dielectric constant of the materials that compose the surrounding objects and the proximity of those objects. A sensing circuit is coupled to the sensor plates 32 to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuit to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or a plurality of indicators are coupled to the controller, and are selectively activated to identify the location of an obscured feature behind a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough
  • Publication number: 20090256021
    Abstract: An assembly for winding cords in a motorized window covering with a headrail having a length suitable for extending between opposite sides of an architectural opening, a winding reel that is substantially in the shape of a tube, a motor that fits substantially within the winding reel, a driver that is rotationally coupled to the output shaft of the motor that allows the winding reel to slide axially with respect to the driver, a threaded adapter that has a threaded segment that is substantially fixed to the winding reel, a threaded fitting that has threads that mesh with the threaded adapter such that the winding reel travels axially as it spins, and a crown that allows the winding reel to slide axially with respect to the crown throughout the winding reel's limits of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough
  • Publication number: 20080262637
    Abstract: A control method for a motorized blind. The control method employs an input device that sends signals to a logic control unit. The logic control unit processes the inputs received from the input device, then controls a plurality of motors to properly control of the angle and position of the slats of a motorized blind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough