Patents by Inventor Rick De Laet

Rick De Laet 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: 10756836
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely verifying images shown on an electronic display is provided. A video player is electrically connected to the electronic display and causes the images to be displayed thereon. A processor directs a screen capture device to take a screen capture when a particular image is scheduled to be shown on the electronic display. The screen capture is stored on an electronic storage device and may be transferred to a networked database via a network connection device. A client may be able to access the screen captures through a user interface in connectivity with the networked database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick De Laet, William Dunn
  • Patent number: 10607520
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments herein provide a method for environmental adaptation of electronic display characteristics, comprising the steps of determining the sunset and sunrise times for the day and determining whether the present time is between sunrise and sunset or between sunset and sunrise. An exemplary method would then proceed by selecting a gamma for the display based on whether the present time is between sunrise and sunset or between sunset and sunrise, and driving the display at the selected gamma. The gamma can further be selected based on Artificial Ambient Light Sensor (AAS) data, which can be calculated during sunrise and sunset transition times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Schuch, William Dunn, Rick De Laet, Dan Safstrom, Harry Presley, Jerry Wasinger
  • Patent number: 10595648
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a transparent electronic display includes providing a display case having a door housing the transparent electronic display, and a controller programmed with transparency data which is in electronic communication with the electronic display. Said transparency data comprises a number of predetermined transparency levels for the electronic display during a number of corresponding time periods. The current time is determined and the electronic display is operated at the predetermined transparency level associated with a time period corresponding to the current time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet
  • Patent number: 10593255
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments herein provide an electronic display with a display controller in electrical connection with the electronic display and adapted to direct the electronic display to operate per nighttime instructions if the present time is between sunrise and sunset, without accepting any input from an ambient light sensor, and direct the electronic display to operate per daytime instructions if the present time is between sunset and sunrise, without accepting any input from an ambient light sensor. The nighttime instructions may include a first setting for gamma while the daytime instructions may include a second setting for gamma. Sunrise and sunset transition periods can be calculated using Artificial Ambient Sensor Data (AAS), with further settings for gamma chosen based on the AAS data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Schuch, William Dunn, Rick De Laet, Dan Safstrom, Harry Presley, Jerry Wasinger
  • Patent number: 10555406
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the illumination of a display case containing a plurality of products includes a housing and an access panel. A transparent display is located in the access panel and is illuminated by an illumination device. A sensor is positioned to determine whether access panel is in an opened or a closed position. A processor measures the amount of time that has passed since the access panel was last closed or opened and drives the illumination device at a reduced power level accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: MANUFACTURING RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet
  • Patent number: 10455671
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the illumination of a display case containing a plurality of products includes a housing and an access panel. The access panel hold a transparent display which is illuminated by an illumination device. A sensor is positioned to determine whether access panel is in an opened or a closed position. A processor measures the amount of time that has passed since the access panel was closed and drives the illumination device at a reduced power level accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet
  • Patent number: 10412816
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments herein provide an electronic display assembly having a liquid crystal display, a backlight placed behind the liquid crystal display, one or more power modules in electrical connection with the backlight, and a microprocessor in electrical connection with the power module(s). Said microprocessor is adapted to determine the sunset and sunrise times for each day and determine whether the present time is between sunrise and sunset or between sunset and sunrise. The microprocessor is further adapted to direct the power module(s) to drive the backlight at a daytime level if the present time is between sunrise and sunset, and direct the power module(s) to drive the backlight at a nighttime level if the present time is between sunset and sunrise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Schuch, William Dunn, Rick De Laet, Dan Safstrom
  • Publication number: 20190245636
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely verifying images shown on an electronic display is provided. A video player is electrically connected to the electronic display and causes the images to be displayed thereon. A processor directs a screen capture device to take a screen capture when a particular image is scheduled to be shown on the electronic display. The screen capture is stored on an electronic storage device and may be transferred to a networked database via a network connection device. A client may be able to access the screen captures through a user interface in connectivity with the networked database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Rick De Laet, William Dunn
  • Patent number: 10325536
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring and controlling one or more electronic displays. The electronic display may be in communication with a network connection, which can be used to establish communication with a local area network and/or the internet to transmit reports and/or other data to a remote location. A color light sensor is provided and measures at least one attribute of a watermark that is displayed at least periodically on the electronic display. Operational characteristics of the electronic display may be determined via feedback from the color light sensor. Data from the color light sensor may be used at least to determine proper electronic display operation, to track content runtime, and/or for proof of play purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MANUFACTURING RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: John Schuch, Rick De Laet
  • Patent number: 10321549
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments herein provide a method for controlling the luminance of an electronic display, including the steps of determining the sunset and sunrise times for the day and determining whether the present time is between sunrise and sunset or between sunset and sunrise. The backlight may be driven at a daytime level if the present time is between sunrise and sunset, while the backlight may be driven at a nighttime level if the present time is between sunset and sunrise. In some embodiments, artificial ambient sensor (AAS) data is used to determine the desired backlight or display luminance. The AAS data may be adjusted for a sunset or sunrise transition time, as well as for an approximate percentage of cloud cover in the sky.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Schuch, William Dunn, Rick De Laet, Dan Safstrom
  • Patent number: 10313037
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely verifying images shown on an electronic display is provided. A processor may direct a screen capture device to take a screen capture of the image currently shown on the electronic display. The screen capture may be stored on an electronic storage device and may be transferred to a networked database via a network connection device. A client may be able to access the screen captures through a user interface in connectivity with the networked database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MANUFACTURING RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Rick De Laet, William Dunn
  • Publication number: 20190125102
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a transparent electronic display includes providing a display case having a door housing the transparent electronic display, and a controller programmed with transparency data which is in electronic communication with the electronic display. Said transparency data comprises a number of predetermined transparency levels for the electronic display during a number of corresponding time periods. The current time is determined and the electronic display is operated at the predetermined transparency level associated with a time period corresponding to the current time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet
  • Patent number: 10258170
    Abstract: A system for controlling the transparency of a display case having a door is disclosed. A transparent electronic display is positioned within the door, a controller is electrically connected to the electronic display and configured to track the present time, a network connectivity device is in electrical connection with the controller and communication with a communications network, and a remotely located user interface receives user input through the communications network. The user input is used to generate the transparency data, which is used by the controller to drive the electronic display at various transparency levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet
  • Patent number: 10182665
    Abstract: A device and method for preventing damage to products in a display case is disclosed. The display case includes a normally black transparent liquid crystal display (LCD) which is positioned between a front and rear glass of the door. A controller is electrically connected to the LCD which drives the LCD according to transparency data. The transparency data comprises various transparency levels for the LCD depending on the time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet
  • Publication number: 20180368240
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the illumination of a display case containing a plurality of products includes a housing and an access panel. A transparent display is located in the access panel and is illuminated by an illumination device. A sensor is positioned to determine whether access panel is in an opened or a closed position. A processor measures the amount of time that has passed since the access panel was last closed or opened and drives the illumination device at a reduced power level accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet
  • Publication number: 20180206316
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments herein provide an electronic display assembly having a liquid crystal display, a backlight placed behind the liquid crystal display, one or more power modules in electrical connection with the backlight, and a microprocessor in electrical connection with the power module(s). Said microprocessor is adapted to determine the sunset and sunrise times for each day and determine whether the present time is between sunrise and sunset or between sunset and sunrise. The microprocessor is further adapted to direct the power module(s) to drive the backlight at a daytime level if the present time is between sunrise and sunset, and direct the power module(s) to drive the backlight at a nighttime level if the present time is between sunset and sunrise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: John Schuch, William Dunn, Rick De Laet, Dan Safstrom
  • Patent number: 9924583
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments herein provide an electronic display assembly having a liquid crystal display, a backlight placed behind the liquid crystal display, one or more power modules in electrical connection with the backlight, and a microprocessor in electrical connection with the power module(s). Said microprocessor is adapted to determine the sunset and sunrise times for each day and determine whether the present time is between sunrise and sunset or between sunset and sunrise. The microprocessor is further adapted to direct the power module(s) to drive the backlight at a daytime level if the present time is between sunrise and sunset, and direct the power module(s) to drive the backlight at a nighttime level if the present time is between sunset and sunrise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Mnaufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Schuch, William Dunn, Rick De Laet, Dan Safstrom
  • Publication number: 20180061297
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring and controlling one or more electronic displays. The electronic display may be in communication with a network connection, which can be used to establish communication with a local area network and/or the internet to transmit reports and/or other data to a remote location. A color light sensor is provided and measures at least one attribute of a watermark that is displayed at least periodically on the electronic display. Operational characteristics of the electronic display may be determined via feedback from the color light sensor. Data from the color light sensor may be used at least to determine proper electronic display operation, to track content runtime, and/or for proof of play purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: John Schuch, Rick De Laet
  • Publication number: 20180035521
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the illumination of a display case containing a plurality of products includes a housing and an access panel. The access panel hold a transparent display which is illuminated by an illumination device. A sensor is positioned to determine whether access panel is in an opened or a closed position. A processor measures the amount of time that has passed since the access panel was closed and drives the illumination device at a reduced power level accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet
  • Publication number: 20180020847
    Abstract: A system for controlling the transparency of a display case having a door is disclosed. A transparent electronic display is positioned within the door, a controller is electrically connected to the electronic display and configured to track the present time, a network connectivity device is in electrical connection with the controller and communication with a communications network, and a remotely located user interface receives user input through the communications network. The user input is used to generate the transparency data, which is used by the controller to drive the electronic display at various transparency levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet