Did You Know...
...that while attempting to develop a super strong glue, 3M employee Spencer Silver accidentally developed a glue that was so weak it would barely hold two pieces of paper together? However, his colleague Art Fry needed the glue. Fry sang with his church choir and marked the pages of his hymnal with small scraps of paper that often fell out. He used Silver's glue to hold the papers in place. Today we call this invention Post-it Notes.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8109141 | Moisture sensor for detecting rain or other material on window or on other surface A system and/or method for sensing the presence of moisture (e.g., rain) and/or other material(s) on a window such as a vehicle window (e.g., vehicle windshield or backlite). In certain example embodiments, a capacitor-based system and/or method is provided for auto... | 02/07/2012 |
| 8082783 | Optical sensor device An optical sensor device that can be used as a rain sensor has a light emitter, a light receiver, and an optical plate with rotationally symmetrically shaped Fresnel prism structures, which is coupled to a pane, in particular a windshield of a vehicle, by means of a... | 12/27/2011 |
| 8051707 | Sensor arrangement A sensor arrangement includes an optical sensor, a non-optical sensor, a sensor holder, and main and flexible interconnect devices. The sensor arrangement can be fixed to a vehicle window by the sensor holder. The sensor holder is in the form of a sensor housing hav... | 11/08/2011 |
| 8028572 | Omnidirectional rain gauge An Omnidirectional rain gauge measures an azimuth and zenith direction of flying rainwater. The Omnidirectional rain gauge includes catchment and measurement units. The catchment unit has a plural conical cylinders having individually different heights, and being ov... | 10/04/2011 |
| 7775103 | Rain sensor with sigma-delta modulation and/or footprinting comparison(s) A system and/or method for sensing the presence of moisture (e.g., rain) and/or other material(s) on a window such as a vehicle window (e.g., vehicle windshield, sunroof or backlite). In certain example embodiments of the invention, at least one sensing capacitor is... | 08/17/2010 |
| 7752907 | Rain sensor for detecting rain or other material on window of a vehicle or on other surface A system and/or method for sensing the presence of moisture (e.g., rain) and/or other material(s) on a window such as a vehicle window (e.g., vehicle windshield or backlite). In certain example embodiments, a capacitor-based system and/or method is provided for auto... | 07/13/2010 |
| 7721598 | Method and sensor for detecting occurrences of wetting on a pane The method operates with successive, continuously repeated measuring cycles. In a first cycle section, a measuring capacitor is charged up to a first threshold value by the current flowing in a light receiver of a first optical measuring section. In a subsequent, se... | 05/25/2010 |
| 7716981 | Capacitive rain sensor A capacitive rain sensor for a motor vehicle is provided that includes a printed circuit board with sensor structures laminated thereon and with electronic components, wherein the sensor structures and the electronic components are arranged on different sides of the... | 05/18/2010 |
| 7658101 | Raindrop detection device A raindrop detection device includes a first fixing member which is fixed to a windshield and has a first engagement portion, an inner housing in which a detection unit is accommodated, an outer housing in which the inner housing is accommodated and which is fixed t... | 02/09/2010 |
| 7596997 | Methods and apparatus for an in-flight precipitation static sensor A precipitation static sensor includes a bottom flexible dielectric layer (e.g., a layer of urethane tape) configured to be attached to a wing or other external surface of an aircraft, a flexible conductive layer (e.g., a layer of aluminum tape) formed over a portio... | 10/06/2009 |
| 7552632 | Raindrop sensor for an irrigation system The present invention describes a rain sensor that counts water drops with a microcontroller. After a predetermined threshold of water drops have been counted, the rain sensor interrupts an irrigation schedule of an irrigation controller. ... | 06/30/2009 |
| 7543493 | Rain gauge A cylindrical collector of the rain gauge has a vertical distinctively colored stripe extending parallel to its vertical axis a focal length from its central axis on the opposite side of the rain gauge from rainfall indications. With this arrangement, the rain water... | 06/09/2009 |
| 7513148 | Rain sensor arrangement A rain sensor arrangement for an operator for a window having a frame, a sash pivotable with respect to the frame, and a pane mounted in the sash, wherein the operator is adapted for pivoting the sash between a closed and an open position and vice versa, and is cont... | 04/07/2009 |
| 7509853 | Runoff rain gauge elevated in situ design Disclosed is an in situ design for a runoff rain gauge 14 comprising an elevated storage pan 18 for storing precipitation above grade, a splitter pan 28 for partitioning the split of flow from storage to runoff and infiltration, a saturation cup... | 03/31/2009 |
| 7417577 | Methods of estimating precipitation characteristics A method of estimating precipitation characteristics including acquiring a radar image including at least a vertical plane of a precipitation zone; processing a vertical profile to generate digital signals representative of reflectivity in vertical direction z; inte... | 08/26/2008 |
| 7401508 | Illuminated rain gauge An illuminated rain gauge comprising an elongated, transparent collection vessel or tube having upper and lower ends with the lower end thereof being closed by a plug and which has a funnel-shaped collector at the upper end thereof. The plug has a battery compartmen... | 07/22/2008 |
| 7373814 | Methods and apparatus for an in-flight precipitation static sensor A precipitation static sensor includes a bottom flexible dielectric layer (e.g., a layer of urethane tape) configured to be attached to a wing or other external surface of an aircraft, a flexible conductive layer (e.g., a layer of aluminum tape) formed over a portio... | 05/20/2008 |
| 7370525 | Inflight ice detection system A dual channel inflight ice detection system to detect ice accretion on an aircraft surface by illuminating an ice collecting surface mounted on an aircraft with linear polarized light. The backscattered light is acquired in two light conductors one with polarizatio... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7343793 | Acoustic profiler for wind, temperature, and turbulence Characterizing atmospheric conditions is accomplished by measuring at least one varying spectral characteristic of sound at a plurality of intervals from a sound source with the point of measurement and the sound source in relative motion and separated by altitude. ... | 03/18/2008 |
| 7340949 | Precipitation measurement device A precipitation measurement device measures a precipitation rate of falling precipitation. A first probe is exposed to the falling precipitation. A first temperature sensor detects a first probe temperature. A second probe is shielded from the falling precipitation.... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7322230 | Runoff rain gauge Disclosed is a runoff rain gauge 100 which includes a collector tube 104, soil infiltration resistance medium 108, a runoff resistance flow element 113, a standard rain gauge 102, and runoff collection tube 114. Precipitatio... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7295126 | Perforated plane moisture sensor A moisture sensing apparatus, system and method. In general, a surface can be provided, and one or more conductor pairs located in a plane of the surface. Each conductor of the conductor pair(s) is insulated from one another. Water droplets forming on the conductor ... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7286935 | Method and device for hydrometeor detection This publication discloses a method and apparatus for measuring hydrometeors. According to the method, the mechanical impulses of hydrometers falling on a detection surface are measured. According to the invention, part of the measuring device (1) is used to ... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7263875 | Multi-layer windshield moisture detector A moisture detection system includes a moisture detector having a first electrical conductor, a first substrate having the first electrical conductor disposed on one surface thereof, a spacing layer coupled to the other surface of the first substrate, a second subst... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7265342 | Accessory mounting system for mounting a plurality of accessories to the windshield of a vehicle An accessory mounting system suitable for mounting a plurality of accessories at a windshield portion within the interior cabin of a vehicle includes a housing adapted for releasable mounting to a receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshield of the ... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7262406 | Accessory mounting system for mounting a plurality of accessories to the windshield of a vehicle An accessory mounting system suitable for mounting a plurality of accessories at a windshield portion within the interior cabin of a vehicle comprises a housing that is adapted for releasable mounting to a receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshiel... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7249502 | Precipitation/hail sensor and method for precipitation rate measurement The invention relates to a precipitation detector (1) and method for measurement of precipitation parameters. The detector (1) includes a frame (5), a surface (2) mounted on the frame (5) and adapted to receive hydrometeors, and de... | 07/31/2007 |
| 7236249 | Rain sensor A rain sensor, for motor vehicles in particular, having one measuring distance with at least one transmitter and at least one receiver for electromagnetic waves (light waves), a windshield being arranged in the measuring distance, and the measuring distance influenc... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7204130 | Windshield moisture detector A moisture detector can include a first elongated conductor disposed on a substrate. The first conductor can define a zigzag path between the opposite ends thereof. A second conductor can also be disposed on the substrate at least partially surrounding the first con... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7191643 | Sensor system to distinguish frozen and non-frozen liquid particulates A sensor system comprises a first sensor, a second sensor, and circuitry. The first sensor collects non-frozen liquid with a first collection efficiency, but does not collect frozen liquid. The second sensor collects non-frozen liquid with a second collection effici... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7188963 | Vehicle accessory module An accessory system of a vehicle comprises an accessory module assembly having a mounting portion, a head portion and a rearview mirror assembly. The mounting portion extends generally upward when mounted to an attachment member at a vehicle windshield. The head por... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7181961 | Precipitation collecting gauge A precipitation gauge including a clear elongated outer cylinder and an opaque or translucent inner member disposed longitudinally in the outer cylinder to define a tubular water receiver in the space between the cylinder and the inner member and markings disposed a... | 02/27/2007 |
| 7152468 | Illuminated rain gauge An illuminated rain gauge comprising an elongated, transparent collection vessel or tube having upper and lower ends with the lower end thereof being closed by a plug and which has a funnel-shaped collector at the upper end thereof. A support is positioned within th... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7114389 | Rain sensor arrangement Rain sensor arrangement for an operator for a window, said window comprising a frame, a sash pivotable with respect to said frame, and a pane mounted in said sash. The operator is adapted for pivoting said sash between a closed and an open position and vice versa, a... | 10/03/2006 |
| RE39295 | Ice detector configuration for improved ice detection at near freezing conditions An ice detector for an aircraft comprises a strut and probe assembly, and it is positioned on the aircraft so that the pressure field around the ice detector causes a lower temperature region on the probe assembly compared to the aircraft. Ice will therefore form on... | 09/19/2006 |
| 7107151 | Method and system for measuring depth to saturated soils A method is provided for determining the depth to the saturated soil at a selected site. A first and second instance wherein the depth of the water table equals the depth to the saturated soil is identified (142). The rate of change of the depth to the satura... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7066021 | Runoff rain gauge Disclosed is a runoff rain gauge 100 which includes a collector tube 104, soil infiltration resistance medium 108, a runoff resistance flow element 113, a standard rain gauge 102, and runoff collection tube 114. Precipitatio... | 06/27/2006 |
| 7043977 | Device and method for measuring parameters during flight tests of an aircraft A sensor support includes a rigid insert, on which a sensor is installed, and a flexible envelope fitted at a bottom face thereof with a double-sided adhesive to bond the sensor support to an aircraft structure Assembly and disassembly of the sensor are easy and the... | 05/16/2006 |
| 7041965 | Vehicle interior mirror system including a rain sensor An interior mirror system for a vehicle comprises a housing having an interior compartment and is adapted for releasable mounting to an interior surface of the vehicle. A first electrical component/accessory is disposed in the interior compartment of the housing. A ... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7012543 | Rearview mirror assembly incorporating accessories An interior rearview mirror system for use in a vehicle includes a mirror support assembly for attachment to the interior of a vehicle. The mirror support assembly comprises a first electronic accessory such as an imaging sensor. A reflective mirror element is dispo... | 03/14/2006 |
