Patents by Inventor Terry Zimmerman

Terry Zimmerman 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: 20050125298
    Abstract: A system and method of displaying information by an electronic price label which uses thresholds to minimize the number of messages to an electronic price label. The system includes a record for an item associated with the electronic price label which contains the thresholds. The thresholds divide the information into a number of ranges including a first range of information and a second range of information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: John Goodwin, Terry Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20050125297
    Abstract: A system and method of displaying information by an electronic price label which uses thresholds to minimize the number of messages to an electronic price label. The system includes a record for an item associated with the electronic price label which contains the thresholds. The thresholds divide the information into a number of ranges including a first range of information and a second range of information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: John Goodwin, Terry Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6566768
    Abstract: The present invention includes devices and methods for power sharing for a lower voltage programmable thermostat for operating a switch which operates at a substantially higher voltage. The present invention is preferably applied to two power line thermostat control of HVAC equipment. It is intended that the present invention be applicable to other such devices where power is stored by capacitance or in rechargeable batteries for use by lower voltage programmable thermostats while at the same time permitting sufficient current flow through a substantially higher power switch to operate directly or indirectly electrical power equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Venstar Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Zimmerman, Steve Dushane, Grant Bohm
  • Publication number: 20020074865
    Abstract: The present invention comprises means and methods for power sharing for a lower voltage programmable means for operating a switch which operates at a substantially higher voltage. The present invention is preferably applied to two power line thermostat control of HVAC equipment. Although a programmable thermostat is described in the specific description of the invention as the programmable means, it is intended that the present invention be applicable to other such devices where power is stored by capacitance or in rechargeable batteries for use by lower voltage programmable means while at the same time permitting sufficient current flow through a substantially higher power switch to operate directly or indirectly electrical power equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Venstar, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Zimmerman, Steve Dushane, Grant Bohm
  • Patent number: 6213404
    Abstract: The present invention is a system of wireless, battery operated temperature sensing devices which transmit ambient or other sensed temperature information to a programmable thermostat. The compact construction and multi-level programming of the temperature sensing devices for only periodic transmission of temperature information to the programmable thermostat permits years of operation with power supplied by small, inexpensive batteries. The temperature sensing devices are therefore easily installed at any location within about 100-200 feet from the programmable thermostat. The present invention also comprises a method of retrofit for the programmable thermostat of U.S. Pat. No.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Steve Dushane, Terry Zimmerman, Grant Bohm, John Staples
  • Patent number: 6196467
    Abstract: The present invention allows the user to quickly and repeatedly program one receiver controller device at least controlling one or more heating or cooling devices for one desirably separate zone of occupation to another such receiver controller device set at least controlling another separate set of heating or cooling devices for another desirably separate zone of occupation. The realities of present day industrial and commercial buildings is that they comprise many such separate zones of occupation with separate heating or cooling devices controlled with separate controllers due to the diverse nature of the desired temperatures, dead bands for controlling such temperatures, temperature and device operation ramping, times of occupation, economization measures imposed for each zone, and the many similar aspects of thermostatic control described herein and in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Steve Dushane, Terry Zimmerman, Grant Bohm, John Staples
  • Patent number: 6134134
    Abstract: The present invention is a voltage adapter for a low voltage thermostat which permits the following input voltage ranges:100-132 VAC/50 or 60 Hz,200-264 VAC/50 or 60 Hz, and265-330 VAC/50 or 60 Hzmaintaining an output of at or just effectively about 24 VAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventors: Steve Dushane, Terry Zimmerman, Grant Bohm
  • Patent number: 6032867
    Abstract: The present invention provides preferably one or optionally two printed circuit boards that project from supports on a single cover plate into the wall opening formed preferably for a standard 3.5 inch by 2 1/16 inch junction or outlet box. Screw holes are provided in the cover plate to match the standard screw holes in the single junction box and a high degree of functionality is provided in the programmable thermostat via the components on the printed circuit board such that the printed circuit boards are about only as long as the distance between those screw holes and still fit within the width of the single junction box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventors: Steve Dushane, Terry Zimmerman, Grant Bohm, John Staples
  • Patent number: D418762
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventors: Steve Dushane, Terry Zimmerman, Grant Bohm, John Staples