Patents by Inventor Walter Thornton
Walter Thornton 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: 20110273216Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power module during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power module is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one power output from a power input. A power module may include one or more power outputs and one or more power module circuits, with power input connected to the power outputs through the power module circuit(s). The power module circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides an output power level signal that is proportional to the load at the power output. If current measuring system behavior indicates that a power output is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the power output.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: iGo, Inc.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton
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Publication number: 20110241444Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a wall plate system during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a wall plate system is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one outlet from a power input. A wall plate system may include one or more outlets and one or more wall plate circuits, with power input connected to the outlets through the wall plate circuit(s). The wall plate circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides, through the switch, an output power signal that is proportional to the load at the outlet. If behavior of the current measuring system indicates that an outlet is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: IGO, INC.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton
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Publication number: 20110241443Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power strip is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power strip is configured for reducing or eliminating power during idle mode by disengaging an outlet from power input. A power strip may include two or more outlets and two or more outlet circuits, with AC power input connected to the outlets through the outlet circuit(s), which may include a current transformer, a control circuit, and a switch. The current transformer secondary winding provides an output power level signal proportional to the outlet load. If behavior of the current transformer secondary winding indicates that the outlet is drawing substantially no power from the AC power input, the switch facilitates disengaging of the current transformer primary from the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: IGO, INC.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton, Michael D. Heil
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Patent number: 7977823Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power module during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power module is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one power output from a power input. A power module may include one or more power outputs and one or more power module circuits, with power input connected to the power outputs through the power module circuit(s). The power module circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides an output power level signal that is proportional to the load at the power output. If current measuring system behavior indicates that a power output is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the power output.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: iGo, Inc.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton
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Patent number: 7964994Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power strip is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power strip is configured for reducing or eliminating power during idle mode by disengaging an outlet from power input. A power strip may include two or more outlets and two or more outlet circuits, with AC power input connected to the outlets through the outlet circuit(s), which may include a current transformer, a control circuit, and a switch. The current transformer secondary winding provides an output power level signal proportional to the outlet load. If behavior of the current transformer secondary winding indicates that the outlet is drawing substantially no power from the AC power input, the switch facilitates disengaging of the current transformer primary from the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: iGo, Inc.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton, Michael D. Heil
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Patent number: 7964995Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a wall plate system during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a wall plate system is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one outlet from a power input. A wall plate system may include one or more outlets and one or more wall plate circuits, with power input connected to the outlets through the wall plate circuit(s). The wall plate circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides, through the switch, an output power signal that is proportional to the load at the outlet. If behavior of the current measuring system indicates that an outlet is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: iGo, Inc.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton
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Publication number: 20100314951Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power module during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power module is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one power output from a power input. A power module may include one or more power outputs and one or more power module circuits, with power input connected to the power outputs through the power module circuit(s). The power module circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides an output power level signal that is proportional to the load at the power output. If current measuring system behavior indicates that a power output is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the power output.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: IGO, INC.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton
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Publication number: 20100314949Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power strip is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power strip is configured for reducing or eliminating power during idle mode by disengaging an outlet from power input. A power strip may include two or more outlets and two or more outlet circuits, with AC power input connected to the outlets through the outlet circuit(s), which may include a current transformer, a control circuit, and a switch. The current transformer secondary winding provides an output power level signal proportional to the outlet load. If behavior of the current transformer secondary winding indicates that the outlet is drawing substantially no power from the AC power input, the switch facilitates disengaging of the current transformer primary from the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: IGO, INC.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton, Michael D. Heil
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Publication number: 20100314952Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a wall plate system during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a wall plate system is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one outlet from a power input. A wall plate system may include one or more outlets and one or more wall plate circuits, with power input connected to the outlets through the wall plate circuit(s). The wall plate circuit may include, a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides, through the switch, an output power signal that is proportional to the load at the outlet. If behavior of the current measuring system indicates that an outlet is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: iGO, Inc.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton
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Patent number: 7800252Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a wall plate system during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a wall plate system is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one outlet from a power input. A wall plate system may include one or more outlets and one or more wall plate circuits, with power input connected to the outlets through the wall plate circuit(s). The wall plate circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides, through the switch, an output power signal that is proportional to the load at the outlet. If behavior of the current measuring system indicates that an outlet is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: iGo, Inc.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton
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Patent number: 7795759Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power strip is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power strip is configured for reducing or eliminating power during idle mode by disengaging an outlet from power input. A power strip may include two or more outlets and two or more outlet circuits, with AC power input connected to the outlets through the outlet circuit(s), which may include a current transformer, a control circuit, and a switch. The current transformer secondary winding provides an output power level signal proportional to the outlet load. If behavior of the current transformer secondary winding indicates that the outlet is drawing substantially no power from the AC power input, the switch facilitates disengaging of the current transformer primary from the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: iGo, IncInventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton, Michael D. Heil
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Patent number: 7795760Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power module during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power module is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one power output from a power input. A power module may include one or more power outputs and one or more power module circuits, with power input connected to the power outputs through the power module circuit(s). The power module circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides an output power level signal that is proportional to the load at the power output. If current measuring system behavior indicates that a power output is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the power output.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: iGo, Inc.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton
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Publication number: 20100019583Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power module during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power module is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one power output from a power input. A power module may include one or more power outputs and one or more power module circuits, with power input connected to the power outputs through the power module circuit(s). The power module circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides an output power level signal that is proportional to the load at the power output. If current measuring system behavior indicates that a power output is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the power output.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2008Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: IGO, INC.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton
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Publication number: 20090322160Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power strip is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power strip is configured for reducing or eliminating power during idle mode by disengaging an outlet from power input. A power strip may include two or more outlets and two or more outlet circuits, with AC power input connected to the outlets through the outlet circuit(s), which may include a current transformer, a control circuit, and a switch. The current transformer secondary winding provides an output power level signal proportional to the outlet load. If behavior of the current transformer secondary winding indicates that the outlet is drawing substantially no power from the AC power input, the switch facilitates disengaging of the current transformer primary from the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: IGO, INC.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton, Michael D. Heil
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Publication number: 20090322159Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a wall plate system during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a wall plate system is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one outlet from a power input. A wall plate system may include one or more outlets and one or more wall plate circuits, with power input connected to the outlets through the wall plate circuit(s). The wall plate circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides, through the switch, an output power signal that is proportional to the load at the outlet. If behavior of the current measuring system indicates that an outlet is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: IGO, INC.Inventors: Richard G. DuBose, Walter Thornton
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Publication number: 20080231233Abstract: A power charging system including a power converter unit and a selectively detachable battery charger module configured to receive power from the remote power converter unit and also receive and charge a rechargeable battery or batteries. The battery charger module is a stand alone accessory for use with the power converter unit, which power converter unit is also adapted to power and/or charge a portable electronic device such as a PDA, smart phone, MP3 player, camera, and so forth.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventor: Walter Thornton
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Publication number: 20080012427Abstract: A portable and lightweight power converter adapted to power a portable electronic device, and in addition, which includes a high power battery adapted to provide an output DC voltage to operate and/or charge a portable electronic device when no source power is present. Advantageously, the power converter includes converter circuitry as well as a high power battery packaged as an extremely small device, and further configured to charge a battery of a portable electronic device multiple times with recharging. The converter may further include charging circuitry configured to charge the converter battery when input power is connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2006Publication date: January 17, 2008Inventors: Scott Wilson, Charles M. Reynolds, Walter Thornton, Kristie Valdez-Wurtz
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Patent number: 4075636Abstract: A dot matrix printer apparatus has a magnetic ink jet recording head which projects a continuous stream of ferro-fluid ink drops toward a print medium. The ink drops are rastered in the direction orthogonal to the direction of relative motion of the recording head and the print medium to form characters from columns of dots. The slant of the characters caused by the change in direction of relative motion is controlled by reversing the direction or sequence of rastering of ink drops when the direction of printing reverses.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1976Date of Patent: February 21, 1978Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Louis Valentine Galetto, Johann Hans Meier, Walter Thornton Pimbley, Bruce Allen Wolfe
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Patent number: D645049Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: IGO, IncInventors: Robert Faranda, Agus Suryana The, Ross Weems, Walter Thornton
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Patent number: D645050Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: IGO, Inc.Inventors: Robert Faranda, Agus Suryana The, Ross Weems, Walter Thornton