Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.

Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr. 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).

  • Publication number: 20120033171
    Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Patent number: 8068206
    Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110281489
    Abstract: Electronic flat panel displays (FPDs) including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be resized to meet custom size requirements for applications in aerospace and elsewhere. During the resizing process, pixel line defects may occur in the image due to electrical short circuits at the resized cut edge. Methods for repairing such short circuits are described, including use of mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, and/or other means, and any combination thereof, to open the short circuits. The method may be applied to the sealed cut edge to ruggedize the seal, even if image defects are not exhibited initially. The repaired short circuits may be stress tested to ensure the defects will not recur during the life of the display, and the repaired areas may be resealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100297907
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resizing COTS AMLCDs or other electronic displays, as well as resized displays made using these apparatus and methods, are provided. The electronic display includes a front plate, a back plate, a perimeter seal spacing the front and back plates apart, and image-generating medium contained in an area between the front and back plates. A target portion of the display may be identified and separated from an excess portion of the display, e.g., by cutting and breaking the plates of the display, thereby creating an exposed edge along the target portion. The plates of the target portion are pressed towards one another, e.g., to stabilize or compress the target portion. An adhesive is applied to the exposed edge, and the pressure is released to draw the adhesive between the plates along the exposed edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100213323
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for mounting a flat panel display to an outer surface of a control panel over a panel opening therein, e.g., for retrofitting an existing display. A display is secured to a frame, and the frame is mounted to the control panel such that the display is disposed over the panel opening. Wires from the display are directed through the control panel, and coupled to circuitry behind the control panel. For example, a box with circuitry to operate the display may be mounted behind the control panel, e.g., generally opposite the display. The display may be a resized liquid crystal display, e.g., including one or more diagonal corners. The resulting display may be larger than the existing display and/or may maximize the size of an active area of a display given a fixed area available on a control panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Patent number: 7780492
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resizing COTS AMLCDs or other electronic displays, as well as resized displays made using these apparatus and methods, are provided. The electronic display includes a front plate, a back plate, a perimeter seal spacing the front and back plates apart, and image-generating medium contained in an area between the front and back plates. A target portion of the display may be identified and separated from an excess portion of the display, e.g., by cutting and breaking the plates of the display, thereby creating an exposed edge along the target portion. The plates of the target portion are pressed towards one another, e.g., to stabilize or compress the target portion. An adhesive is applied to the exposed edge, and the pressure is released to draw the adhesive between the plates along the exposed edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7708233
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for mounting a flat panel display to an outer surface of a control panel over a panel opening therein, e.g., for retrofitting an existing display. A display is secured to a frame, and the frame is mounted to the control panel such that the display is disposed over the panel opening. Wires from the display are directed through the control panel, and coupled to circuitry behind the control panel. For example, a box with circuitry to operate the display may be mounted behind the control panel, e.g., generally opposite the display. The display may be a resized liquid crystal display, e.g., including one or more diagonal corners. The resulting display may be larger than the existing display and/or may maximize the size of an active area of a display given a fixed area available on a control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090227167
    Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7535547
    Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The target opening is typically a control panel or dashboard opening, such as in the cockpit of an airplane. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals. Additional seals may protect sensitive areas against chemical corrosives or contamination, humidity, electrostatic damage, etc., and/or prevent light from passing around the edge of the display image area. Electric continuity may need to be reestablished for electric leads affected during the customization process, and electronic drivers may need to be reattached to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7525633
    Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The target opening is typically a control panel or dashboard opening, such as in the cockpit of an airplane. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals. Additional seals may protect sensitive areas against chemical corrosives or contamination, humidity, electrostatic damage, etc., and/or prevent light from passing around the edge of the display image area. Electric continuity may need to be reestablished for electric leads affected during the customization process, and electronic drivers may need to be reattached to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090004944
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for resizing COTS AMLCDs or other electronic displays, as well as resized displays made using these apparatus and methods, are provided. The electronic display includes a front plate, a back plate, a perimeter seal spacing the front and back plates apart, and image-generating medium contained in an area between the front and back plates. A target portion of the display may be identified and separated from an excess portion of the display, e.g., by cutting and breaking the plates of the display, thereby creating an exposed edge along the target portion. The plates of the target portion are pressed towards one another, e.g., to stabilize or compress the target portion. An adhesive is applied to the exposed edge, and the pressure is released to draw the adhesive between the plates along the exposed edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, JR.
  • Patent number: 6380999
    Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The target opening is typically a control panel or dashboard opening, such as in the cockpit of an airplane. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals. Additional seals may protect sensitive areas against chemical corrosives or contamination, humidity, electrostatic damage, etc., and/or prevent light from passing around the edge of the display image area. Electric continuity may need to be reestablished for electric leads affected during the customization process, and electronic drivers may need to be reattached to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6204906
    Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The target opening is typically a control panel or dashboard opening, such as in the cockpit of an airplane. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals. Additional seals may protect sensitive areas against chemical corrosives or contamination, humidity, electrostatic damage, etc., and/or prevent light from passing around the edge of the display image area. Electric continuity may need to be reestablished for electric leads affected during the customization process, and electronic drivers may need to be reattached to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5077704
    Abstract: A 3-D sonar image display takes two sonar signals from the same event, slightly displaced from one another in time, space, or both. Each signal is converted from audio to video, and is presented to a separate eye of the sonar operator. The coherent parts of the signal--those actually produced by the event--will be fused by the optical portions of the brain into a three-dimensional image. The noise portions of the signal will not be coherent, and will not produce a three-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4169258
    Abstract: An improved scheme for selectively addressing a matrix arrangement comprised of ferroelectrics having x and y orthogonally disposed intersecting lines. A one-third selection scheme is utilized that includes normalized selection signals having amplitudes: V.sub.x =0; V.sub.x =2/3; V.sub.y =1/3; and V.sub.y =1, which signals can be applied to the intersection of an x and y-line. The instant selection scheme minimizes both hysteresis creep and the cross-coupling voltage between x and y-lines to prevent undesirable hysteresis switching of the ferroelectric matrix arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1979
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4017848
    Abstract: A transparent keyboard switch which is suitable for use in switch arrays is disclosed. Switch nomenclature may be positioned behind the switch and viewed from in front of the switch. The transparent switch comprises a relatively rigid electrically insulating transparent substrate having a "lower" electrode disposed on the upper surface thereof and a relatively flexible transparent film having an "upper" electrode disposed on the underside thereof and a layer of electrically insulating fluid spacing the upper electrode from the lower electrode. The switch is rendered conductive by pressing on the flexible film to locally displace the electrically insulating fluid from between upper and lower switch electrodes and bring them into contact, thereby making the switch a closed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.