Patents by Inventor Mark Gilmore Mears

Mark Gilmore Mears 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: 20020158772
    Abstract: The present invention overcomes problems in the prior art of updating/upgrading remote controls to include functions and/or abilities not originally planned when the remote control was being designed/manufactured. A set-top device itself can be an updated device which can be bundled with an outdated remote control. The set-top box can provide a remote teacher display or such a display can be made available from a distance via the internet or satellite. In such a case, a remote control can be used to select a specific on-screen display button from the remote teacher. The corresponding remote control code is then taught to a learning remote control by a blaster driven by the device. In such a case, the device is able to drive a blaster which serves as a substitute for a teaching remote control in order to teach and/or update/upgrade the learning remote control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Gilmore Mears
  • Publication number: 20020158771
    Abstract: The present invention overcomes problems in the prior art of updating/upgrading remote controls to include functions and/or abilities not originally planned when the remote control was being designed/manufactured. A set-top device itself can be an updated device which can be bundled with an outdated remote control. The set-top box can provide a remote teacher display or such a display can be made available from a distance via the internet or satellite. In such a case, a remote control can be used to select a specific on-screen display button from the remote teacher. The corresponding remote control code is then taught to a learning remote control by a blaster driven by the device. In such a case, the device is able to drive a blaster which serves as a substitute for a teaching remote control in order to teach and/or update/upgrade the learning remote control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Gilmore Mears
  • Publication number: 20020085127
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display television receiver projection system uses a high-intensity discharge lamp as a back lighting source. The lamp is of the type that should not be re-started or turned on immediately after being turned off. In response to a user power off command, the display screen will immediately give a false appearance of being turned off, during a first interval of, for example, 30 seconds that immediately follows the power off command. Despite the appearance of being turned off, the lamp is maintained powered on, during the first interval. Should a user issue a power on command, before the first interval has elapsed, the user will not experience any start-up delay. Should the user not issue et power on command, during the first interval, the lamp will be de-energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Gilmore Mears, Scott Joseph Duggan, Thomas Edward Gospel, Gene Harlow Johnson