Patents by Inventor Theron J. Hicks

Theron J. Hicks 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: 8937474
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a magnetometer in which direction of the Earth's magnetic field is determined on the basis of time variant differences in the inductance of a sensor coil of the digital compass which is a function of the orientation of the sensor coil with respect to the Earth's magnetic field. The magnetometer includes a sensing coil, a feedback resistor, and a comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology
    Inventors: Theron J. Hicks, Jason L. Reene, Thomas Wright
  • Publication number: 20140152178
    Abstract: Lighting devices for a vehicle arc disclosed that can include a light emitting diode and control circuitry for the light emitting diode. Also disclosed are circuits for a light emitting diode. Additionally, a method of forming a lighting device is disclosed. The lighting device, circuits, and method can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas Scott HODGSON, Kathleen M. PACHECO, Steven M. SPOERRE, Randy L. ARENDSEN, Art VONDERWELL, Bryan T. JONES, Mark J. BUSSIS, Rodney J. TINDALL, Theron J. HICKS, Chad WERNICKE, Bryan THIEME
  • Patent number: 8541947
    Abstract: Lighting devices for a vehicle are disclosed that can include a light emitting diode and control circuitry for the light emitting diode. Also disclosed are circuits for a light emitting diode. Additionally, a method of forming a lighting device is disclosed. The lighting device, circuits, and method can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas Scott Hodgson, Kathleen M. Pacheco, Steven M. Spoerre, Randy L. Arendsen, Art Vonderwell, Bryan T. Jones, Mark J. Bussis, Rodney J. Tindall, Theron J. Hicks, Chad Wernicke, Bryan Thieme
  • Publication number: 20130015852
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a magnetometer (2) comprising a relaxation oscillator build up by a sensing coil (10), a feedback resistor (118) and a comparator (20), wherein an output node (107) of the comparator (20) is connected via the feedback resistor (118) to a first input node (102) of the comparator (20) and via the sensing coil (10) to a second input node (103) of the comparator (20), wherein the first input node (102) is controllable by an alternating first input signal (110) and wherein the second input node (103) is controllable by an inversely alternating second input signal (111).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Theron J. Hicks, Jason L. Reene, Thomas Wright
  • Publication number: 20110006684
    Abstract: Lighting devices for a vehicle are disclosed that can include a light emitting diode and control circuitry for the light emitting diode. Also disclosed are circuits for a light emitting diode. Additionally, a method of forming a lighting device is disclosed. The lighting device, circuits, and method can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Scott Hodgson, Kathleen M. Pacheco, Steven M. Spoerre, Randy L. Arendsen, Art Vonderwell, Bryan T. Jones, Mark J. Bussis, Rodney J. Tindall, Theron J. Hicks, Chad Wernicke, Bryan Thieme
  • Patent number: 5654507
    Abstract: A constant temperature anemometer utilizes a fine wire or thin film sensor or probe and a pulse width modulated driver in a digital control loop to adjustably drive the probe to maintain its temperature at a nominally constant value and provide a digital output to associated metering or recording equipment. The pulse width modulated driver includes a clock, an RS flip-flop and a comparator. At the beginning of the clock cycle, power is provided to a voltage divider and the divided voltage drives one input of the comparator and the fine wire or thin film sensor. The other input of the comparator is maintained at a reference voltage. When the drive voltage to the hot wire or thin film sensor exceeds the reference voltage, the comparator provides a high logic signal to the RS flip-flop, resetting it and shutting off power to the sensor until the next clock cycle. The pulse width modulated drive signal may be utilized directly by an associated processor or computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Theron J. Hicks, John F. Foss, Douglas G. Bohl