Patents by Inventor Shek Lau

Shek Lau 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: 20070148061
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner that can include a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions. The ion generator can include a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. An air conditioner device can include a first electrode array and a second electrode array. Self-cleaning mechanisms are disclosed including a mechanism that cleans the electrode(s) in a first electrode array having a length of material that projects from a movable member in the housing towards the first electrode array. As a user moves the second electrode array up or down within the conditioner housing, the electrode(s) in the first array is frictionally cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: The Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Shek Lau, Andrew Parker, Charles Taylor, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20070009406
    Abstract: An electro-kinetic air conditioner for removing particulates from the air which can create an airflow using no moving parts. The conditioner includes an ion generator that has an electrode assembly including a first array of emitter electrodes, a second array of collector electrodes, and a high voltage generator. The device can also include an interstitial electrode located between collector electrodes, an enhanced collector electrode with an integrally formed trailing end, and an enhanced emitter electrode with an enhanced length in order to increase emissivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: SHARPER IMAGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Shek Lau, Andrew Parker, Tristan Christianson, Gregory Snyder, Edward McKinney
  • Publication number: 20060203416
    Abstract: An air conditioning device comprises a substantially thin collector electrode capable of forming ions at a front and/or rear edge when charged. The thin collector electrode preferably having an insulating material disposed on the front and/or rear edge to prevent ions from being emitted therefrom. The collector electrode capable of being in the form of a thin elongated blade whereby an emitter electrode is upstream of the front edge or alternatively downstream of the front edge. The collector electrode alternatively in the form of a cylindrical structure or a porous grid having a plurality of air passageway cells therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060021509
    Abstract: An air transporting and/or conditioning device comprising a housing having an inlet grill and an outlet grill, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, a driver electrode removable from the housing independent of the collector electrode and the grills. The driver electrode is preferably removable from the housing through a side portion of the housing. Preferably, the driver electrode is insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. Preferably, a removable trailing electrode is configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode. Preferably, a first voltage source electrically is coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically is coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060018811
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air-conditioning system therein, whereby the air-conditioning system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and/or at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability of remove the collector electrode as well as driver electrode allow for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and/or the trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060016333
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air-conditioning system therein, whereby the air-conditioning system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and/or at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability of remove the collector electrode as well as driver electrode allow for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and/or the trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060018808
    Abstract: An air transporting and/or conditioning device comprising a housing having an inlet grill and an outlet grill, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, a driver electrode removable from the housing independent of the collector electrode and the grills. The driver electrode is preferably removable from the housing through a side portion of the housing. Preferably, the driver electrode is insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. Preferably, a removable trailing electrode is configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode. Preferably, a first voltage source electrically is coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically is coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060018076
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air-conditioning system therein, whereby the air-conditioning system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and/or at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability of remove the collector electrode as well as driver electrode allow for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and/or the trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060018807
    Abstract: An air transporting and/or conditioning system comprising a housing, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, and a integrally shielded germicidal lamp to selectively direct UV light emitted therefrom. The system preferably includes a driver electrode is preferably removable from the housing through a side portion of the housing. Preferably, the driver electrode is insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. Preferably, a removable trailing electrode is configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode. Preferably, a first voltage source electrically is coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically is coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060018809
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air-conditioning system therein, whereby the air-conditioning system preferably includes at least one emitter electrode, at least one collector electrode, at least one driver electrode disposed adjacent to the collector electrode, and/or at least one trailing electrode positioned downstream of the collector electrode. The collector electrode and the driver electrode are removable from the device. In one embodiment, the driver electrodes are removable from the device and/or the collector electrode. The ability of remove the collector electrode as well as driver electrode allow for easy cleaning of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present device includes a removable exhaust grill upon which the driver electrode and/or the trailing electrode are coupled to. The removable grill allows the user to easily clean the driver electrode without having to remove the collector electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060020369
    Abstract: The invention covers a robot cleaner that includes a cleaning unit and wheels to move the robot cleaner. The robot cleaner also includes a processor for controlling cleaning that is capable of estimating the size of a room based on distances between obstacles. The robot cleaner has several modes of operation that allow it to clean an entire room more effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Shek Lau, Eric Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng, Enrico DiBernardo, Robert Witman, Michael Stout
  • Publication number: 20060018810
    Abstract: An air transporting and/or conditioning device comprising a housing having an inlet grill and an outlet grill, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, a driver electrode removable from the housing independent of the collector electrode and the grills. The driver electrode is preferably removable from the housing through a side portion of the housing. Preferably, the driver electrode is insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. Preferably, a removable trailing electrode is configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode. Preferably, a first voltage source electrically is coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically is coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060016336
    Abstract: An air transporting-conditioning device comprising: a housing, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode, a removable trailing electrode configured within the housing and downstream of the collector electrode, a first voltage source electrically coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, wherein the first voltage source energizes the emitter and collector electrodes to create a flow of air downstream from the emitter electrode to the collector electrode, and a second voltage source electrically coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source is independently and selectively controllable of the first voltage source. The housing includes a grill, whereby the trailing electrode is removably secured to the grill. Alternatively, the trailing electrode is removable from the housing by other means or fixed in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060016337
    Abstract: An air transporting-conditioning device comprising: a housing, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, a collector electrode configured within the housing and positioned downstream from the emitter electrode. The device preferably increases the ions produced for a period after the device is initially turned on, wherein the device automatically decreases ion production after the desired period. The device preferably includes a first and second voltage source to selectively increase and decrease voltages applied to the emitter and/or collector electrode to adjust the ion production. In one embodiment, the device includes a voltage controller to selectively adjust the voltage provided by the voltage source for the start up period and normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20060018812
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to air conditioner systems and methods. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system includes at least one emitter electrode and at least one collector electrode that is downstream from the emitter electrode. The emitter electrode has a plurality of pins axially arranged about a center. Preferably, the pins are arranged in a circle about the center. A driver electrode is located within the interior of the collector electrode. Preferably, although not necessarily, the driver electrode is insulated. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to at least one of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode to thereby provide a potential difference therebetween. The embodiments as described herein have some or all of the advantages of increasing the particle collection efficiency, increasing the rate and/or volume of airflow, reducing arcing, and/or reducing the amount of ozone generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20050273967
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a robot cleaning system that includes a robotic cleaner having a tactile sensor and a barrier unit, wherein the barrier unit is such that the tactile sensor on the robot cleaner is triggered by contact with the barrier unit. As a result the robot changes directions. The barrier unit can be adapted to avoid sliding, such as when the robot comes into contact with it. The anti-slide element can be projections such as hooks or rubber grommets and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Shek Lau, Eric Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng
  • Publication number: 20050232831
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an ion generator that provides ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage generator that provides a voltage potential difference between first and second electrode arrays. At least one of the first and second arrays is removable from the housing for cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Shek Lau
  • Publication number: 20050210902
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Parker, Charles Taylor, Shek Lau
  • Publication number: 20050194583
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to air conditioner systems and methods. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system includes at least one emitter electrode and at least one collector electrode that is downstream from the emitter electrode. The emitter electrode has a plurality of pins axially arranged about a center. Preferably, the pins are arranged in a circle about the center. A driver electrode is located within the interior of the collector electrode. Preferably, although not necessarily, the driver electrode is insulated. A high voltage source provides a voltage potential to at least one of the emitter electrode and the collector electrode to thereby provide a potential difference therebetween. The embodiments as described herein have some or all of the advantages of increasing the particle collection efficiency, increasing the rate and/or volume of airflow, reducing arcing, and/or reducing the amount of ozone generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Igor Botvinnik, Shek Lau, Gregory Snyder, John Reeves
  • Publication number: 20050168338
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in the location of lost or misplaced objects. Receivers are coupled to objects that are likely to be misplaced. The pager device sends a signal to a select one of a number of receivers which then can emit an audible multi-frequency sound and/or emit light. In one embodiment, the audible sound is comprised of two asynchronous interlaced tones, much like an ambulance siren, one in a high frequency range and one in a low frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Parker, Shek Lau