Patents by Inventor Fred R. Foster

Fred R. 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: 7839391
    Abstract: A segmented touch screen overlies the display or displays of a console having an operating system and display controller for the display. A touch screen controller is continuously connected to each of the touch screen segments and separate touch position information is obtained for each touch screen segment. The console operating system can be supplied with separate position information for each segment or with a single touch position for combined segments. A number of docking module ports near the display optionally receive docking modules that cover segments of the touch screen and display. A module, including tactile elements such as push button switches, can be docked at any port. When a module is detected, the touch screen segment under the module is disabled and the display under the module is switched to display module specific information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis William Varian, Zhaodong Max Li, John J. Hanesworth, Fred R. Foster, Jason Frederick Penn
  • Patent number: 6092914
    Abstract: A lighting fixture configured to image a high-intensity beam of light at a distant location with a variable beam spread and a variable image distance. The lighting fixture includes an illuminator mounted on a front projection system. The illuminator includes an elliptical reflector defining two focal points. A lamp is at one of the reflector's focal points, while an aperture of the front projection system is at the reflector's other focal point. The front projection system includes a tubular housing having shutter blades moveably positionable in the aperture to obstruct light passing through the second focal point. A rear lens receives and transmits light emitted by the illuminator, while a front lens is configured to receive light transmitted by the first lens and project it at the distant location. The lenses are contained within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Electronics Theatre Controls
    Inventors: Gregory F. Esakoff, Fred R. Foster
  • Patent number: D482662
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred R. Foster, Bradley J. Brunker, John J. Hanesworth