Patents by Inventor Ian E. Ashdown

Ian E. Ashdown 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: 5834765
    Abstract: A sensor implemented with a single light sensing device detects ambient light levels and object motion. The sensor comprises an optical component assembly composed of a linear array of light sensitive elements, preferably photodiodes, positioned downstream of a segmented slit aperture device comprising a single, segmented slit, the slit length of which is oriented perpendicular to the length of the linear array. The individual photodiodes of the array provide motion detection capability in a direction perpendicular to the slit length. The slit aperture is segmented along the slit length to form multiple zones of sensor light responsivity that provide motion detection capability in a direction parallel to the slit length. An object moving in a direction parallel to the multiple slit aperture passes through one or more zones of sensor responsivity and thereby produces from the photodiodes a varying electrical signal from which object motion can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Ledalite Architectural Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian E. Ashdown
  • Patent number: 5253036
    Abstract: A near-field goniophotometric apparatus and method for measuring the three-dimensional near-field distribution of luminous flux surrounding a light source. The apparatus incorporates an imaging photometer mounted on a rotatable arm. The photometer is designed to measure the helios of a volume of space rather than the luminance of a planar surface, and to simultaneously measure the helios of a plurality of such volumes. A control mechanism is provided to position the arm and to rotate the light source relative to the arm. The method facilitates prediction of the illuminance or irradiance at a point on a plane from the helios measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Ledalite Architectural Products Inc.
    Inventor: Ian E. Ashdown