Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8125320 | Fire alarm system To provide a sounder that outputs a predetermined alarm to notify an abnormality in a monitored region, and includes an output device-side connection terminal on a surface facing a predetermined installation surface, to structurally and electrically connect the soun... | 02/28/2012 |
| 7081809 | Electronic pace regulating, timing, and coaching device and system This invention relates to systems to regulate pace. More particularly, this invention relates to providing a user with a regulated pace through the use of an electronic pace regulating, timing, and coaching device. In accordance with the instant invention, a portabl... | 07/25/2006 |
| 7036257 | Decorative holiday picture frame cover A decorative holiday picture frame cover, for use in conjunction with an existing picture frame having a front, sides, a rear, and a border defining a window at the front. The picture frame cover has a front panel, and a stretchable rear edging. The picture frame co... | 05/02/2006 |
| 6750760 | Door chime assembly and method Some embodiments of the present invention enable a user to select from different appearances and sound types by providing different door chime assembly housing covers. The housing covers can be different in shape, size, appearance, and/or acoustic property, and pref... | 06/15/2004 |
| 6653934 | Electro-magnetic audio transducer for surface-mounted devices An electromagnetic audio transducer for SMD applications. The transducer comprises a lead frame with external terminals, which are formed into a predetermined shape. The transducer has a case with inside and outside surfaces, where the case is integrated ... | 11/25/2003 |
| 6593847 | Planar acoustic converting apparatus This invention provides a planar acoustic converting apparatus including a support having a flat plate portion, a diaphragm which has an insulating base film having a liquid crystalline polymer film and being opposed to the flat plate portion of the suppo... | 07/15/2003 |
| 6414604 | Piezoelectric transducer assembly adapted for enhanced functionality A novel modular audible signaling device is provided capable of expanded functionality, such as the provision of visual signaling as well. A piezoelectric transducer audible alarm signaling device is provided with an assembly having a housing defining an ... | 07/02/2002 |
| 6271763 | Audible and audible-visible alarms with interchangeable cover The bases of an audible alarm unit and an audible/visible alarm unit are configured to be used interchangeably with a single cover. The cover has an opening that receives a projecting wall portion on the base of the audible alarm unit and a receptacle for... | 08/07/2001 |
| 6130618 | Piezoelectric transducer assembly adapted for enhanced functionality A novel modular audible signaling device is provided capable of expanded functionality, such as the provision of visual signaling as well. A piezoelectric transducer audible alarm signaling device is provided with an assembly having a housing defining an ... | 10/10/2000 |
| 6127935 | Reversible speaker/strobe module A system for mounting two alarm-indicating or condition-sensing modules side-by-side onto a junction box provides installation flexibility to locate a particular module on the right or left side of the respective other module. A loudspeaker module can be ... | 10/03/2000 |
| 5969627 | Audible and audible-visible alarms with interchangeable cover The bases of an audible alarm unit and an audible/visible alarm unit are configured to be used interchangeably with a single cover. The cover has an opening that receives a projecting wall portion on the base of the audible alarm unit and a receptacle for... | 10/19/1999 |
| 5909169 | Electric bell having a mechanism for supporting electromagnetic unit An electric bell includes a base having two walls extended upward from the central portion for forming a casing. The walls each includes an upper portion having one or more projections. Two spring leaves are secured on the base. An electromagnetic unit is... | 06/01/1999 |
| 5774041 | Designer chime cover A chime cover assembly (10) comprising a box-like housing for supporting the electrical components of a door chime and including a cover (12) presenting a front wall (18) and a base (14) for mounting to a wall (16). The assembly characterized by a decorat... | 06/30/1998 |
| 5677679 | Sound device for message decoder A sound device can be incorporated into a message decoder. The message decoder roughly comprises a decoder body 10, a front shield plate 20, a buzzer 22, an IC substrate 30 and an LCD 32, a back shield plate 40, an RF receiver 50, and a decoder outer lid ... | 10/14/1997 |
| 5668527 | Doorbell base A doorbell base is made integrally and composed of a receiving frame having a frame plate for fastening a PC board, a plurality of locating protuberances for fastening a plurality of striking devices, a plurality of receiving slots for locating batteries ... | 09/16/1997 |
| 5508680 | Solderless solenoid assembly for use in an electrical signaling device A solderless solenoid assembly, preferably for use in an electrical signaling device. The solenoid assembly is formed by wrapping conductive wire around a bobbin, forming a solenoid coil. A plurality of terminal displacement slots are attached to the bobb... | 04/16/1996 |
| 5426825 | Device and method for flexibly attaching a pager A flexibly adjustable mounting clip assembly and method for providing the assembly for a pager includes a swivel assembly (104) for raising and rotating the mounting clip (102) approximately 180° to provide a reversibly positioned clip. The clip allows f... | 06/27/1995 |
| 5420564 | Door chime assembly Door chime assembly includes a chime base having a rear plate and at least one resonance chamber secured to said rear plate, a tone bar within the chamber and a striking means mounted on the plate for striking the tone bar. The chime base is molded in a s... | 05/30/1995 |
| 5398024 | Signal annunciators Signal Annunciators are presented that emit short tones upon being triggered by an electrical signal. They are intended primarily as automotive turn signal and emergency light operation indicators and are designed to be connected downstream of the turn si... | 03/14/1995 |
| 4912453 | Electromagnetic bell unit, its fitting structure and a method of welding the bell and the yoke of the unit A miniaturized electromagnetic bell unit suitable for use with an alarm clock and the like is provided. The bell unit of the present invention is characterized in that it is miniaturized in such a way that a yoke to which a coil and a bell hammer are atta... | 03/27/1990 |
| 4868540 | Programmable doorbell control A programmable doorbell system includes a solid state battery powered doorbell controller for connection to existing doorbell circuitry of a house, three segment display, doorbell control circuit, tone generator, control switches, and power source. The pr... | 09/19/1989 |
| 4792795 | Electro-mechanical locomotive bell ringing apparatus for quick and easy replacement of existing pneumatic bell ringing systems An electro-mechanically operated locomotive bell ringing apparatus designed to quickly and easily replace existing air operated bell ringing systems. The bell ringing apparatus is mounted within the bell and the existing bell striker is attached to the ap... | 12/20/1988 |
| 4366472 | Motor actuated bell assembly A motor actuated bell assembly comprises a housing box having a body with an open top and a lid for closing the open top. The motor actuated bell includes a base having an integral support portion on which a gong is mouted. The base is fastened to the box... | 12/28/1982 |
| 4359702 | Relay for microwave oven Disclosed herein is a combination relay, suppression resistor and end of cycle bell in a compact unitary assembly intended for use in a microwave oven. The size of the relay is reduced by employing a bifurcated contact strip which has legs surrounding the... | 11/16/1982 |
| 4358641 | High voltage control devices High voltage control devices are provided comprising a housing, an aprotic liquid contained within said housing, means for effecting heat exchange with said liquid, at least two spaced electrodes contained within said liquid and each of said electrodes ex... | 11/09/1982 |
| 4262285 | Personal alarm A personal alarm device which provides for both intermittent actuation of a personal alarm as well as irreversible actuation of such alarm by the provision of multiple actuation modes including a positive displacement device which is lever and spring cont... | 04/14/1981 |
| 4149154 | Alarm bell and system An alarm bell especially adapted to be used in combination with a system which simultaneously detects smoke, fire, current failure, and unauthorized entry into an enclosure. The alarm bell has a housing which suports a bell dome. A mechanical motor is con... | 04/10/1979 |
| 4097862 | Acoustic warning device, in particular a bell An acoustic warning device of the type comprising a striker member which is also the movable core member of a control solenoid. A radially polarized permanent magnet is disposed at one end of the solenoid, e.g. opposite a gong therefor, and a spring defin... | 06/27/1978 |
| 3950744 | Modular buzzer with diaphragm molded into housing A modular buzzer device which includes a striker arm, a diaphragm, and electromagnetic means for oscillating the striker arm. The device is housed in a container with a shape and size corresponding to a common electronic component configuration. The diaph... | 04/13/1976 |
| 3931785 | Automatic fire alarm This device comprises an audible alarm member arranged to be sounded by spring operated clapper means which is normally held inoperative by temperature responsive devices all in a perforated housing suitable for installation in a room. The temperature res... | 01/13/1976 |
