Patents by Inventor Patrick Lawlor

Patrick Lawlor 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: 20070165316
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror assembly including a mirror, an electronic component unit, a protective housing exposing the mirror through a viewing aperture and enclosing the electronic component unit, an RF antenna connected to the electronic component unit, and a support bracket assembly adapted to mount the mirror assembly to an interior surface of a vehicle. The electronic component unit may be mounted on one face of a carrier plate and the mirror may be mounted on the other face of said carrier plate, with the support bracket assembly extending through the housing from the carrier plate. The electronic component unit may be adapted to receive information via the RF antenna and may display such information on a visual display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: DONNELLY MIRRORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, Coady Garrett
  • Patent number: 7242320
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror comprises a carrier plate, an electronic component unit mounted on one face of the carrier plate, and a mirror mounted on the other face of the carrier plate. A protective housing is supported by the carrier plate, the housing exposing the mirror through a viewing aperture and enclosing the electronic component unit and carrier plate. A support bracket assembly extends from the carrier plate through the housing to mount the mirror assembly to an interior surface of a vehicle. The electronic component unit preferably includes a card reader having a card slot exposed by the housing. In another embodiment, an RF antenna is connected to circuitry included in the electronic component, the antenna preferably being mounted in the support bracket assembly. In yet another embodiment, a visual display is provided for displaying information provided by the electronic component unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Donnelly Mirrors Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, Garret Coady
  • Publication number: 20070008604
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises an electro-optic mirror unit whose reflectivity is variable in response to an electrical voltage applied thereto. At least one light sensor is included and an electrical circuit controls operation of the mirror unit in response to the at least one light sensor. The mirror unit is mounted on one side of a backplate that comprises an electrically non-conductive material comprising a conductive lead frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, Lynam Niall, John Desmond, Patrick Dowling
  • Publication number: 20050174622
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises an electro-optic mirror unit whose reflectivity is variable in response to an electrical voltage applied thereto and an electrical circuit for controlling operation of the mirror unit in response to one or more light sensors. A bracket for supporting the mirror unit from an interior portion of the vehicle via interengaging ball and socket members allows angular adjustment of the mirror unit. The ball member includes a plurality of electrical contacts on a convex surface thereof for sliding engagement by respective counter-contacts over a range of angular movement of the mirror unit for supplying power to the electrical circuit from a vehicle electrical system external to the mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, Lynam Niall, John Desmond, Patrick Dowling
  • Publication number: 20050152052
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror comprises a carrier plate, an electronic component unit mounted on one face of the carrier plate, and a mirror mounted on the other face of the carrier plate. A protective housing is supported by the carrier plate, the housing exposing the mirror through a viewing aperture and enclosing the electronic component unit and carrier plate. A support bracket assembly extends from the carrier plate through the housing to mount the mirror assembly to an interior surface of a vehicle. The electronic component unit preferably includes a card reader having a card slot exposed by the housing. In another embodiment, an RF antenna is connected to circuitry included in the electronic component, the antenna preferably being mounted in the support bracket assembly. In yet another embodiment, a visual display is provided for displaying information provided by the electronic component unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, Coady Garret
  • Patent number: 6036188
    Abstract: An amusement game which comprises a playfield having a game piece and a plurality of play features, and an apparatus for projecting a changeable virtual image in association with the playfield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Williams Electronic Games, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Gomez, Patrick Lawlor, Thomas W. Uban
  • Patent number: 5992848
    Abstract: A pinball machine having a vertically displaceable ramp play feature. The ramp moves between an upper position in which it does not interfere with gameplay, and a lower position in which the lower edge of the ramp rests on the playfield. When the ramp is in the lower position, balls can be directed up the ramp towards a suitable target, such as a raised playfield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: John Krutsch, Patrick Lawlor
  • Patent number: 5720480
    Abstract: A display panel for a pinball machine utilizes a lightweight plastic housing member with a plurality of apertures therein for retaining light bulbs. A glass lens and film having an image thereon are resiliently retained on the housing member with channel members that extend about the periphery of the lens and housing. The display may be removed and installed as a unitary piece in a pinball game cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, John W. Skalon, John Krutsch
  • Patent number: 5700008
    Abstract: A game of skill, such as a pinball game is integrated with a game of chance, such as a simulation of a board game. A micro-processor based control system permits play of the game of chance when a player achieves game objectives in the skill game. The game of chance is played using random number selection to determine the "moves" on the simulated board game. The player may continue the game of chance until he wins the game or he may stop at a designated point and return to the game of skill. The game of chance simulation may include a plurality of lights arranged in patterns to simulate board game paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, Matthew C. Coriale
  • Patent number: 5651546
    Abstract: A rolling ball game is provided with a token dispenser which dispenses game tokens by rolling them onto the inclined cover glass of the game cabinet. The dispenser is provided with controls to permit interaction of the dispenser with the game housed within the cabinet. Thus, dispensing may occur during game play as a function of player skill when appropriate events occur on the game playfield. Tokens provide a basis for players to defer game rewards, such as bonus points or special game features until another game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, Matthew C. Coriale
  • Patent number: 5572354
    Abstract: A support bracket for mounting a mirror on a vehicle, the support bracket having at one end means for mounting the bracket onto a vehicle and means at the other end for mounting a mirror. The means for mounting the mirror comprises retaining means to substantially prevent disengagement of the mirror from the bracket. A rearview mirror case is disclosed wherein the case comprises a case body having an integrally formed socket for receiving one end of a complementary support bracket. A rearview mirror is disclosed comprising a reflective element actuatable between at least two reflective conditions and shock absorbing means abutting a rear surface of the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Donnelly Mirrors, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Desmond, Patrick MacNamara, Sean McCormack, Patrick Lawlor
  • Patent number: 5516103
    Abstract: A ramp element is provided on the top of a drop target member so that when the target is activated and moved to its lower position, the ramp is accessible by the game ball and may travel thereover to reach elevated game features. A series of ramp elements may be provided in a row so that when all targets have been lowered, there is provided a ramp of increased size providing increased access to the elevated game feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, John Krutsch
  • Patent number: 5375829
    Abstract: The player controlled play feature consists of an area on or associated with the playfield which is partially confined by a plurality of bumpers. At least one target is provided in this area and an entrance is provided such that a pinball can enter the area defined by the bumpers. Located in the defined area and supported below the surface thereof are a plurality of electromagnets energized by activation of player controlled buttons mounted on the game's cabinet. The game player can selectively activate the electromagnets to redirect the pinball and propel it toward the provided targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, Lawrence DeMar, Ted Estes
  • Patent number: 5358240
    Abstract: The ball diverter of the invention consists of a pivoting cage located above an elevated track. The cage, when in its lowered position, will intercept a ball rolling on the track. The cage can then be pivoted to remove the ball from the track and deposit it on a surface disposed beneath the track. When the cage is in the raised position, the ball is allowed to traverse the track uninterrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, John Krutsch
  • Patent number: 5297793
    Abstract: A flipper control circuit is disclosed in which at least one flipper is controlled by the game microprocessor which attempts to hit a desired target. The processor activates the flipper in response to playfield sensors which detect the ball in proximity to the flipper. Playfield switches provide feedback to the processor on the accuracy of the shot allowing the processor to correct its "aim" for subsequent shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Patrick Lawlor