Patents by Inventor John Paul Reeves
John Paul Reeves 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).
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Patent number: 7897118Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air-conditioning system therein, whereby the air-conditioning system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and/or at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability of remove the collector electrode as well as driver electrode allow for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and/or the trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition LLCInventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Igor Y. Botvinnik, Shek Fai Lau, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves
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Patent number: 7771671Abstract: An air conditioning device comprises a substantially thin collector electrode capable of forming ions at a front and/or rear edge when charged. The thin collector electrode preferably having an insulating material disposed on the front and/or rear edge to prevent ions from being emitted therefrom. The collector electrode capable of being in the form of a thin elongated blade whereby an emitter electrode is upstream of the front edge or alternatively downstream of the front edge. The collector electrode alternatively in the form of a cylindrical structure or a porous grid having a plurality of air passageway cells therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition LLCInventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Igor Y. Botvinnik, Shek Fai Lau, Gregory S. Synder, John Paul Reeves
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Patent number: 7638104Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to air conditioner systems and methods. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system includes at least one emitter electrode and at least one collector electrode that is downstream from the emitter electrode. The emitter electrode has a plurality of pins axially arranged about a center. Preferably, the pins are arranged in a circle about the center. A driver electrode is located within the interior of the collector electrode. Preferably, although not necessarily, the driver electrode is insulated. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to at least one of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode to thereby provide a potential difference therebetween. The embodiments as described herein have some or all of the advantages of increasing the particle collection efficiency, increasing the rate and/or volume of airflow, reducing arcing, and/or reducing the amount of ozone generated.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition LLCInventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Igor Y. Botvinnik, Shek Fai Lau, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves
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Patent number: 7311762Abstract: An air-conditioning device including a housing having at least one grill, an electrode assembly and a driver electrode. Both the electrode assembly and the driver electrode are supported by the housing. The electrode assembly includes a portion that is removable from the housing, and the driver electrode is removable from the housing independent from the removable portion of the electrode assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Igor Y. Botvinnik, Shek Fai Lau, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves
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Patent number: 7291207Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air treatment apparatus, the air treatment apparatus preferably including at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, and at least one third electrode, and at least a portion of the third electrode is positioned downstream of the second electrode. The air treatment apparatus includes a grill configured to be attached to the air treatment apparatus, and the grill is movable between a first position in which the grill covers the portion of the third electrode and a second position in which the portion of the third electrode is uncovered. The grill is attached to or detached from the housing when in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Igor Y. Botvinnik, Shek Fai Lau, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves
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Patent number: 7285155Abstract: The present invention provides an air treatment device including a housing, an emitter electrode configured within the housing and a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode. The device preferably increases the ions produced for a start up period after the device is initially turned on, wherein the device automatically decreases ion production after the desired period. The device preferably includes a first and second voltage source to selectively increase and decrease voltages applied to the emitter and/or collector electrode to adjust the ion production. In one embodiment, the device includes a voltage controller to selectively adjust the voltage provided by the voltage source for the start up period and normal operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Igor Y. Botvinnik, Shek Fai Lau, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves
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Patent number: 7220295Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner with a bead member having a bore, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The bead is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when an electrode array is removed. A bead lifting arm is mounted to the electrode array. The bead lifting arm can move the bead to clean the electrode as the electrode array is removed from the air conditioner for cleaning. The electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner has insulated parts which protect against high voltage arcing and conductive deposits relative to the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: Shek Fai Lau, Andrew Parker, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves
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Patent number: 7056370Abstract: An air conditioner with a cleaning member having an opening, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The member is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when a collector electrode array is moved. A lifting arm is mounted to the collector electrode. The lifting arm can move the member to clean the wire-like electrode as the collector electrode is moved (e.g., removed from the air conditioner for cleaning).Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: John Paul Reeves, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew J. Parker
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Patent number: 6908501Abstract: An air conditioner with a cleaning member having an opening, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The member is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when a collector electrode array is moved. A lifting arm is mounted to the collector electrode. The lifting arm can move the member to clean the wire-like electrode as the collector electrode is moved (e.g., removed from the air conditioner for cleaning).Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: John Paul Reeves, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew J. Parker
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Patent number: 6865447Abstract: A robot which incorporates a body, and sensors that allow the robot to interact with objects in the room, and prevents the robot from traveling off an edge or bumping into obstacles. A driving mechanism moves the robot along a surface. An edge detection system includes a plurality of infrared emitters each directed at a different angle with respect to the surface. The emitters alternately emitting signals such that only one of the emitters emits a signal at one time. A signal receiving device detects signals emitted by the infrared emitters after the signals have been reflected. The edge detection system detects an edge based on feedback received from the signal receiving device.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: Shek Fai Lau, John Paul Reeves
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Publication number: 20040237787Abstract: An air conditioner with a cleaning member having an opening, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The member is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when a collector electrode array is moved. A lifting arm is mounted to the collector electrode. The lifting arm can move the member to clean the wire-like electrode as the collector electrode is moved (e.g., removed from the air conditioner for cleaning).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicant: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: John Paul Reeves, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew J. Parker
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Publication number: 20040226447Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner with a bead member having a bore, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The bead is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when an electrode array is removed. A bead lifting arm is mounted to the electrode array. The bead lifting arm can move the bead to clean the electrode as the electrode array is removed from the air conditioner for cleaning. The electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner has insulated parts which protect against high voltage arcing and conductive deposits relative to the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: Shek Fai Lau, Andrew Parker, Gregory S. Snyder, John Paul Reeves
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Patent number: 6749667Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner with a bead member having a bore, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The bead is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when an electrode array is removed. A bead lifting arm is mounted to the electrode array. The bead lifting arm can move the bead to clean the electrode as electrode array is removed from the air conditioner for cleaning.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: John Paul Reeves, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew J. Parker
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Publication number: 20040059467Abstract: A robot which incorporates a body, and sensors that allow the robot to interact with objects in the room, and prevents the robot from traveling off an edge or bumping into obstacles. A driving mechanism moves the robot along a surface. An edge detection system includes a plurality of infrared emitters each directed at a different angle with respect to the surface. The emitters alternately emitting signals such that only one of the emitters emits a signal at one time. A signal receiving device detects signals emitted by the infrared emitters after the signals have been reflected. The edge detection system detects an edge based on feedback received from the signal receiving device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: Shek Fai Lau, John Paul Reeves
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Publication number: 20030233935Abstract: An electro-kinetic electrostatic air conditioner with a bead member having a bore, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The bead is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when an electrode array is removed. A bead lifting arm is mounted to the electrode array. The bead lifting arm can move the bead to clean the electrode as electrode array is removed from the air conditioner for cleaning.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2002Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventors: John Paul Reeves, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew J. Parker
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Patent number: 6611734Abstract: A robot which incorporates a body, arms with a hand grip, legs, several sensors, light elements, an audio system, and a video system. The sensors allows the robot to interact with objects in the room, and prevents the robot from traveling off an edge or bumping into obstacles. The light elements allow the robot to express moods. The audio system allows the robot to detect and transmit sounds. The video system allows a user to remotely view the area in front of the robot. Additionally, the robot may operate in a plurality of modes, including modes that allow the robot to operate autonomously. The robot may operate autonomously in an automatic mode, a security mode, a greet mode, and a monitor mode. Further, the robot is manipulated remotely.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Parker, Charles E. Taylor, John Paul Reeves
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Publication number: 20030049098Abstract: A robot which incorporates a body, arms with a hand grip, legs, several sensors, light elements, an audio system, and a video system. The sensors allows the robot to interact with objects in the room, and prevents the robot from traveling off an edge or bumping into obstacles. The light elements allow the robot to express moods. The audio system allows the robot to detect and transmit sounds. The video system allows a user to remotely view the area in front of the robot. Additionally, the robot may operate in a plurality of modes, including modes that allow the robot to operate autonomously. The robot may operate autonomously in an automatic mode, a security mode, a greet mode, and a monitor mode. Further, the robot can be manipulated remotely.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: Sharper Image CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Parker, Charles E. Taylor, John Paul Reeves
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Patent number: 5680444Abstract: A voice system and method in which messages are stored as data files. One or more tags are associated with each file, which identify the mailboxes intended to receive the message contained in the file. An owner of a mailbox can transfer a message to another mailbox by changing the tag to designate a transferee-mailbox. This tag manipulation saves memory space because the message file is not copied into the transferee-mailbox, only a tag is changed. Time is also saved because no delay is imposed by a copying process.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1996Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventor: John Paul Reeves