Patents by Inventor Robert Erhardt
Robert Erhardt 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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Publication number: 20100332115Abstract: The system provides a method and apparatus for scheduling and routing. The system provides a database of locations, paths, and estimated time limits for a plurality of locations at a destination. A visitor provides input as to desired locations as well as a time limit for the overall visit. The system also includes information about weather, total expected visitors, visitors who have selected certain locations, start time of visit, and other factors that may affect traffic flow and accessibility of locations by visitors. Using this data, the system provides a schedule and a route for the visitor designed to satisfy the visitors desire to visit certain locations within a certain time frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventor: Robert Erhardt
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Publication number: 20080067956Abstract: A lamp power circuit sensing system includes a unidirectional stage (22) having a unidirectional current, a bidirectional stage (24) operably connected to the unidirectional stage (22), and a power sensor (32, 34) operably connected to monitor the unidirectional current and to generate an indicated lamp signal (33, 35). The lamp power circuit sensing system further includes a power regulation circuit (19) having a lamp output (17) providing bidirectional lamp voltage (42), and a lamp voltage sensing circuit (26) operably connected across the lamp output (17) to generate indicated lamp voltage (46) in response to the bidirectional lamp voltage (42).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2005Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.Inventors: Ching-Yao Hung, Robert Erhardt
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Publication number: 20080036401Abstract: A dual mode lighting device including a processor (86), a bus monitor (90) operably connected to receive a received wired signal (96) and to provide a bus signal (100) to the processor (86), and an antenna (88) operably connected to receive a received wireless signal (92) and to provide an antenna signal (102) to the processor (86), wherein the received wired signal (96) and the received wireless signal (92) conform to compatible communications protocols.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2005Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.Inventor: Robert Erhardt
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Publication number: 20070029943Abstract: The invention provides an electronic ballast for a fluorescent-lamp (20), including a fluorescent-lamp ballast circuit (30), an arc detection circuit (40) electrically connected to the fluorescent-lamp ballast circuit (30), and a lamp cutoff device (50) in series with the fluorescent (20) and electrically coupled to the arc detection circuit (40). The fluorescent-lamp ballast circuit (30) provides power to the fluorescent lamp (20). The lamp cutoff device (50) is opened when arcing is detected by the arc detection circuit (40).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2004Publication date: February 8, 2007Inventors: Robert Erhardt, Ernesto Mendoza
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Publication number: 20070018783Abstract: A lighting system having multiple network levels implements various addresses schemes to communicate messages among various devices. A master controller (10) or a slave translator (21) transmits a master message (MM) to a slave device (30, 31) at a lower network level, wherein the master message (MM) includes an address associated with that particular lower network level and assigned to that particular slave device (30, 31). In the case where the slave device is a slave translator (21, 31), the slave translator (21, 31) will translate the master message (MM) into a translated message (TM) and transmit the translated message (TM) to a slave device (30, 40) at a lower network level, wherein the translated message (TM) includes an address associated with that particular lower network and assigned to slave device (30, 40).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2004Publication date: January 25, 2007Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Robert Erhardt
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Publication number: 20020195974Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for a high-intensity discharge lamp. In one embodiment, the auxiliary lighting system has an auxiliary light source, an HID lamp status circuit having an input for connection to a status signal representative of the operational state of a high-intensity discharge lamp wherein the HID lamp status circuit determines whether the status signal meets predetermined signal criteria, a switch circuit having a first state that effects application of a voltage source to the auxiliary light source, and a second state that isolates the voltage source from the auxiliary light source, and a control circuit responsive to the HID lamp status circuit for controlling the switch circuit. The control circuit has a first state when the HID lamp status circuit determines that the status signal meets the predetermined signal criteria and a second state when the HID lamp status circuit determines that the status signal does not meet the predetermined signal criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2001Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V.Inventors: Robert Erhardt, Ching-Yao Hung, Raymond Kulka, Seymour Perkins, Oscar Deurloo
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Patent number: 6489729Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for a high-intensity discharge lamp. In one embodiment, the auxiliary lighting system has an auxiliary light source, an HID lamp status circuit having an input for connection to a status signal representative of the operational state of a high-intensity discharge lamp wherein the HID lamp status circuit determines whether the status signal meets predetermined signal criteria, a switch circuit having a first state that effects application of a voltage source to the auxiliary light source, and a second state that isolates the voltage source from the auxiliary light source, and a control circuit responsive to the HID lamp status circuit for controlling the switch circuit. The control circuit has a first state when the HID lamp status circuit determines that the status signal meets the predetermined signal criteria and a second state when the HID lamp status circuit determines that the status signal does not meet the predetermined signal criteria.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Robert Erhardt, Ching-Yao Hung, Raymond Kulka, Seymour Perkins, III, Oscar Deurloo
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Patent number: 6373199Abstract: Igniter circuitry for a gaseous discharge lamp includes an inductive igniting pulse generating circuit and a capacitive timing circuit. The pulse generating circuit includes a unidirectional voltage-sensitive switch which is electrically connected in series with a capacitor in the timing circuit to unidirectionally limit common current.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Philips Electronics North America CorporationInventors: Robert Erhardt, Oscar Deurloo
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Patent number: 6204614Abstract: A bi-level output electronic high intensity discharge (HID) ballast system includes a circuit for selectively generating a bi-level output for powering a lamp and an electronic HID ballast with a feedback loop. The system also includes an error amplifier receiving a first signal indicative of one of current and power applied to the lamp and a reference voltage and generating a control signal applied to the feedback loop to thereby control power the applied to the lamp, and a switch which controls the level of the reference voltage. Alternatively, the system includes an error amplifier receiving a feedback signal indicative of one of current and power generated by the electronic HID ballast and a reference voltage and generating a control signal applied to the feedback loop to thereby control the power applied to the lamp, and a switch which controls the level of the feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Philips Electronics North America CorporationInventor: Robert Erhardt