Patents by Inventor Dennis Fredricks

Dennis Fredricks 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: 10716178
    Abstract: The present invention consolidates and centrally organizes, among other things, the control of and communication with equipment and sensors placed in or adjacent to the habitat. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for controlling and recognizing habitat components comprises: a main controller comprising an integrated circuit (IC chip) containing information and programming for associated habitat components and a communication component for transferring updated programming and data to associated component via cable, WiFi, Bluetooth, or infrared; and a habitat component having an integrated circuit (IC) chip which contains operating data and acts as an identifier of the component, allowing an application on a smartphone or the main controller to automatically recognize the device and control programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Current USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Fredricks, Jeffrey Eigenbrode
  • Publication number: 20200053850
    Abstract: The present invention consolidates and centrally organizes, among other things, the control of and communication with equipment and sensors placed in or adjacent to the habitat. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for controlling and recognizing habitat components comprises: a main controller comprising an integrated circuit (IC chip) containing information and programming for associated habitat components and a communication component for transferring updated programming and data to associated component via cable, WiFi, Bluetooth, or infrared; and a habitat component having an integrated circuit (IC) chip which contains operating data and acts as an identifier of the component, allowing an application on a smartphone or the main controller to automatically recognize the device and control programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Current USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Fredricks, Jeffrey Eigenbrode
  • Patent number: 10455667
    Abstract: A lighting controller that may be utilized with aquariums is provided. The light controller provides easy control over various lighting fixtures comprising various light sources. A user may program various lighting characteristics and effects such as the turn on or turn off date and time, the color, the brightness, the power supplied to the lighting fixtures via different user interfaces. The user programmed lighting characteristics may be wirelessly delivered to the controller over a wireless access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Current-USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Patent number: 10231304
    Abstract: The present invention consolidates and centrally organizes, among other things, the control of and communication with equipment and sensors placed in or adjacent to a habitat. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for controlling and recognizing habitat components comprises: a main controller comprising an integrated circuit (IC chip) containing information and programming for associated habitat components and a communication component for transferring updated programming and data to associated components via cable, WiFi, Bluetooth, or infrared; and a habitat component having an integrated circuit (IC chip) which contains operating data and acts as an identifier of the component, allowing an application on a smartphone or the main controller to automatically recognize the device and control programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Current USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Fredricks, Jeffrey Eigenbrode
  • Publication number: 20180132320
    Abstract: The present invention consolidates and centrally organizes, among other things, the control of and communication with equipment and sensors placed in or adjacent to a habitat. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for controlling and recognizing habitat components comprises: a main controller comprising an integrated circuit (IC chip) containing information and programming for associated habitat components and a communication component for transferring updated programming and data to associated components via cable, WiFi, Bluetooth, or infrared; and a habitat component having an integrated circuit (IC chip) which contains operating data and acts as an identifier of the component, allowing an application on a smartphone or the main controller to automatically recognize the device and control programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Current USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Fredricks, Jeffrey Eigenbrode
  • Publication number: 20160242396
    Abstract: An aquascaping system is provided, comprising a mat positioned along a bottom surface of an enclosure, and a plurality of openings in the mat dimensioned to receive a seascaping component. These opening can include an opening for releasably receiving a rock, an opening for releasably receiving a plant, and an opening for releasably receiving landscape lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: CURRENT-USA, INC.
    Inventor: DENNIS FREDRICKS
  • Patent number: 9247622
    Abstract: A lighting control system and apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums are provided. The light control system and apparatus may be utilized with various lighting fixtures. The lighting control system and apparatus provides easy control over different lighting fixtures comprising various lighting sources. In addition, a user may program various lighting characteristics and effects such as the turn on or turn off date and time, the color, the brightness, the power supplied to the lighting fixtures via different user interfaces by using different user systems. Further, multiple lighting control systems may operate seamlessly together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CURRENT-USA, INC.
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Publication number: 20150163888
    Abstract: A lighting controller that may be utilized with aquariums is provided. The light controller provides easy control over various lighting fixtures comprising various light sources. A user may program various lighting characteristics and effects such as the turn on or turn off date and time, the color, the brightness, the power supplied to the lighting fixtures via different user interfaces. The user programmed lighting characteristics may be wirelessly delivered to the controller over a wireless access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventor: DENNIS FREDRICKS
  • Patent number: 8973532
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises an arm member fixedly attached to the panel, a clamp member for attachment of the device to a wall of the aquarium, a hinge member for hingedly attaching the arm member to the clamp member, and at least one light element disposed on the at least one panel such that at least one lighting element illuminates a side common to all panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Current-USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Patent number: 8844469
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus that may be utilized with an aquarium having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of the aquarium for various purposes such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises a plurality of panels; a joint that joins at least two adjacent panels together; and a lighting element disposed on the aquarium lighting apparatus such that the lighting element illuminates a side common to all of the panels. For some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cogent Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Publication number: 20140232294
    Abstract: A lighting control system and apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums are provided. The light control system and apparatus may be utilized with various lighting fixtures. The lighting control system and apparatus provides easy control over different lighting fixtures comprising various lighting sources. In addition, a user may program various lighting characteristics and effects such as the turn on or turn off date and time, the color, the brightness, the power supplied to the lighting fixtures via different user interfaces by using different user systems. Further, multiple lighting control systems may operate seamlessly together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Current-USA, Inc.
    Inventor: DENNIS FREDRICKS
  • Patent number: 8646934
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting system and apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums. The features and functionality of the lighting system and apparatus provide easy access to the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. In addition, the features and functionality of some embodiments provide a lighting system that does not require ballasts, light sockets, or a multitude of wiring, and includes a modular design. Further, for some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while simultaneously limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cogent Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Patent number: 8230815
    Abstract: A lighting system and apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums. The features and functionality of the lighting system and apparatus provide easy access to the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. In addition, the features and functionality of some embodiments provide a lighting system that does not require ballasts, light sockets, or a multitude of wiring, and includes a modular design. Further, for some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while simultaneously limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Current USA
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Publication number: 20120137983
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises an arm member fixedly attached to the panel, a clamp member for attachment of the device to a wall of the aquarium, a hinge member for hingedly attaching the arm member to the clamp member, and at least one light element disposed on the at least one panel such that at least one lighting element illuminates a side common to all panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Patent number: 8100087
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises two or more panels; one or more joints that join at least two adjacent panels together; and one or more light elements disposed on the aquarium lighting apparatus such that at least one lighting element illuminates a side common to all of the panels. For some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cogent Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Patent number: 8057060
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide an aquarium light fixture comprising a light fixture and a bracket to support the light fixture, the bracket comprising a vertical portion configured to attach to an aquarium, a horizontal portion configured to support the light fixture above the aquarium, a hinge joint attaching the vertical portion to the horizontal portion, and a latch mechanism attached to the vertical portion and configured to secure the horizontal portion at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Cogent Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Publication number: 20110253056
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting system and apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums. The features and functionality of the lighting system and apparatus provide easy access to the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. In addition, the features and functionality of some embodiments provide a lighting system that does not require ballasts, light sockets, or a multitude of wiring, and includes a modular design. Further, for some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while simultaneously limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Publication number: 20110255266
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting apparatus that may be utilized with an aquarium having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of the aquarium for various purposes such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises a plurality of panels; a joint that joins at least two adjacent panels together; and a lighting element disposed on the aquarium lighting apparatus such that the lighting element illuminates a side common to all of the panels. For some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Current USA
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Publication number: 20110255267
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting system and apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums. The features and functionality of the lighting system and apparatus provide easy access to the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. In addition, the features and functionality of some embodiments provide a lighting system that does not require ballasts, light sockets, or a multitude of wiring, and includes a modular design. Further, for some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while simultaneously limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Current USA
    Inventor: Dennis Fredricks
  • Publication number: 20110253057
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises two or more panels; one or more joints that join at least two adjacent panels together; and one or more light elements disposed on the aquarium lighting apparatus such that at least one lighting element illuminates a side common to all of the panels. For some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Dennis FREDRICKS