Did You Know...
...that Robert Adler has the dubious distinction of being the Father of the Couch Potato? Back in 1955 Adler was employed by what was then Zenith Radio Corp., where he was charged to invent something that would allow viewers to turn down the TV volume without leaving their chairs. After a series of flops (such as a wired contraption that people tripped over), Adler hit on the idea of using sound waves. Thus the Remote Control was born...
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7271544 | Lighting apparatus for illumination light source In a lighting apparatus for an illumination light source (discharge lamp or the like), a fly-back type DC-DC converter circuit comprises a transformer and a switching element. A control circuit is provided for controlling power supplied to the illumination light sou... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7259685 | Landing light fault annunciator A helicopter of the type having an electrical system, a landing light, a master switch and a power supply of between about 18-32 V for operating the electrical system when the master switch is in an on position also includes a landing light fault detector. The landi... | 08/21/2007 |
| 7116234 | Drowsiness detecting device and waking device operatively connected with the same A prompt, accurate and highly practical drowsiness detecting device and a waking device operatively connected with the same are provided. Drowsiness of a vehicle driver or the like is detected to wake him/her up to prevent the drowsiness from causing an accid... | 10/03/2006 |
| 6985084 | Visual indication equipment operation An electrically operated equipment with a sealed enclosure containing circuitry with an exterior visual indicator to show a state of operation of the equipment. The visual indicator is illuminated by a magnetic flux sensor also exterior to the equipment, the sensor ... | 01/10/2006 |
| 6967582 | Detector with ambient photon sensor and other sensors A sensor of incident ambient photons is combined, in a detector with one or more sensors responsive to other types of ambient parameters such as gas, humidity, temperature or the like. Outputs from the sensors are processed to establish the existence of one of a haz... | 11/22/2005 |
| 6956490 | Projector with consumable component having memory device A system includes a projector having a consumable component such, as a lamp. The consumable component includes a memory device. An application on the projector has access to the memory device. Additionally, a user interface, updated by the application, is configured... | 10/18/2005 |
| 6930613 | Electrical instruments circuits A device representing a simple means of multiplying the functionality of wiring in point to point control circuits such that fault tolerant, fault reporting circuits can be constructed with less wire. The circuit can employ the wiring on a continuous basis by the us... | 08/16/2005 |
| 6809652 | Xenon light fixture with integral ballast and remote control A xenon light fixture having an integral power supply and a remote interface for controlling the functions of the fixture remotely. In one embodiment, the fixture includes: a housing; a power supply having an input for activating and deactivating the bulb; a switch ... | 10/26/2004 |
| 6727821 | Apparatus and method for predicting an overload trip for an electrical power transformer An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the operation of an electrical power transformer includes a processor with input transducers for providing to the processor inputs indicative of electrical current in a winding of the transformer and ambient temperature ou... | 04/27/2004 |
| 6696969 | Compact fused disconnect switch A fused disconnect switch assembly includes a pull out fuse assembly and a switch housing assembly. The fuse assembly includes a line side conducting portion, a load side conducting portion, and a fuse element therebetween. The switch housing assembly inc... | 02/24/2004 |
| 6690282 | Light-source lamp unit, light-source device and projection-type display apparatus A light-source lamp unit includes a light-source lamp unit detachably mounted, and a CPU constituting a drive and controller for the light-source lamp unit. The CPU senses lamp information obtained by a lamp-information storing block in the light-source l... | 02/10/2004 |
| 6513015 | System and method for customer recognition using wireless identification and visual data transmission An electronic shopping system, providing for customer recognition using wireless identification and visual data transmission to point-of-sale terminals and other terminal types located in a commercial establishment. A customer's visual image is taken as a... | 01/28/2003 |
| 6504484 | Control method using power to prevent overheat inside of electric equipment A control method using power to prevent overheat inside of an electric equipment includes a setting unit, a sensing unit, a central processing unit, an alarm unit, a power cut-off protection unit, and s control unit. The detecting values are supplied by t... | 01/07/2003 |
| 6424266 | Apparatus for preventing thermal damage to an electrical power transformer An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the operation of an electrical power transformer includes a processor with input transducers for providing to the processor inputs indicative of electrical current in a winding of the transformer and ambient tem... | 07/23/2002 |
| 6320506 | Current detector flood light lamp removal alarm A flood light lamp removal alarm for security lights mounted on or near a home, wherein the lights are designed to turn on automatically if a motion detector is triggered and the ambient light level is low, detects if any of the flood light lamps are unsc... | 11/20/2001 |
| 6268799 | Light-source lamp unit, light-source device and projection-type display apparatus and method of use A light-source lamp unit 100 includes a light-source lamp unit 1 detachably mounted, and CPU 101 constituting drive and control means for the light-source lamp unit. CPU 101 senses the lamp information borne by lamp-information storing block 5 in the ligh... | 07/31/2001 |
| 6222441 | Process and circuit for connecting an actuator to a line An improved circuit and method for connecting a device to an actuator-sensor interface ("ASI") bus. The circuit provides the proper AC and DC coupling between the device and bus during normal operation, while providing AC and DC decoupling in the event of... | 04/24/2001 |
| 6172860 | DC power source unit alarming before electrically powered tool is overheated and stopping power supply thereafter A DC power source unit includes a main unit that generates DC voltage, and an output cable. The output cable has one end connected to the output of the main unit and another end attached to an adapter plug. The adapter plug Is electrically connected to an... | 01/09/2001 |
| 6169486 | Monitoring and control system for monitoring the temperature of a glass ceramic cooktop A system is disclosed for determining the temperature of a cooktop having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one controllable energy source is located below the lower surface of the cooktop to heat the area above the energy source on the cookt... | 01/02/2001 |
| 6091200 | Fluorescent light and motion detector with quick plug release and troubleshooting capabilities An energy saving fluorescent light fixture for small confined areas predominant in residential settings, having a motion detector with a quick plug connector capable of attaching and detaching the detector from the light fixture base. Additional trouble-s... | 07/18/2000 |
| 6078257 | Current detector flood light lamp removal alarm A flood light lamp removal alarm for security lights mounted on or near a home, wherein the lights are designed to turn on automatically if a motion detector is triggered and the ambient light level is low, detects by a current if any of the flood light l... | 06/20/2000 |
| 6057770 | Water leakage detection and flood prevention device A device for detecting water leakage and preventing flooding from a water-utilizing appliance connected to water supply lines with water hoses, comprising a main electric unit which attaches to a power line. The main electric unit includes outlets, into w... | 05/02/2000 |
| 5900804 | Indicating power cord system A indicating power cord system including a housing and an elongated extension cord having a first end connected to the housing and a second end having a plug coupled thereto for being releasably inserted in a standard electrical receptacle to receive powe... | 05/04/1999 |
| 5818338 | Flood light lamp removal alarm A flood light lamp removal alarm for security lights mounted on or near a home, wherein the lights are designed to turn on automatically if a motion detector is triggered and the ambient light level is low, detects if any of the flood light lamps are unsc... | 10/06/1998 |
| 5744961 | Lamp disconnection detecting device for identifying a specific lamp which has become disconnected A lamp disconnection detecting device includes a magnetic core with a gap; a plurality of detecting coils the number of turns of which are different from one another and are proportional to 2n (where n=0, or positive integers), and a magnetic r... | 04/28/1998 |
| 5663712 | Electrical contact position indicator assembly An electrical contact position indicator assembly is operatively coupled to an electrical device, such as a recloser, for indicating the relative position of the contacts of the electrical device, i.e., opened or closed, at any given time during operation... | 09/02/1997 |
| 5587700 | Portable security alarm unit The instant device is a portable security alarm unit. It is made up of a housing component containing control electronics, powered by an external power source, a back-up battery connected to the control electronics and wiring that connects the control ele... | 12/24/1996 |
| 5220478 | Apparatus for displaying thermal condition of motor controller A method and apparatus for remotely displaying information about heat in a motor having an associated motor-starting contactor with an overload relay system is provided. The apparatus includes a suitably programmed microprocessor which obtains a signal re... | 06/15/1993 |
| 5204633 | Electromagnetic contactor with closure fault indicator An electromagnetic contactor assembly with a sensing circuit for determining contactor state based upon the reluctance of the contactor coil. The coil has an electromagnetic coil and a movable contact separated from the coil by a gap when the coil is not ... | 04/20/1993 |
| 5041761 | Magnetic automotive lamp current sensor A magnetic automotive lamp current sensor has a coil 12 connected in series with an automotive lamp 14 (FIG. 2). The coil is mounted on a core 15 having a channel 16 through which the turns of the coil pass an has an opening 18 in which a magnetic flux se... | 08/20/1991 |
| 4942510 | Power and signal transfer interface circuit An interface circuit serves to rectify excitation energy inductively coupled to a transistor acting in a diode configuration to charge a reservoir capacitor which may then serve as a power source. Switch means under the control of an external functional c... | 07/17/1990 |
| 4575706 | Combined magnetic and thermal relay and circuits for timed alarms and lamps of vehicles A combined magnetic and thermal activated relay for use in alarm systems. The relay includes a thermal activated bimetal switch in series with the current through the magnetic coil which activates a magnetic switch. The thermal switch is in a normally clo... | 03/11/1986 |
| 4447806 | Test circuit for electrical continuity of a load circuit A test circuit is disclosed for testing the continuity of a load circuit, such as a vehicle lamp circuit, and indicating a discontinuity when the load circuit is either energized or de-energized. The test circuit comprises an indicating circuit with an LE... | 05/08/1984 |
| 4354155 | Circuit arrangement for monitoring a current-consuming load Circuit arrangement for monitoring an electricity-consuming load fed with direct current one terminal of which is grounded, particularly for monitoring an incandescent of an automotive vehicle, and the circuit arrangement being installable without interfe... | 10/12/1982 |
| 4268827 | Operability verification for segmental electromagnetic display In fuel dispensing apparatus utilizing seven-segment electromagnetic displays each segment of all the displays is operatively driven and tested seriatum both prior to and during the dispensing cycle by measuring the current flowing therethrough. Where pea... | 05/19/1981 |
| 4257039 | Smoke detector A smoke detector is battery operated and may employ an ionization chamber and/or an infrared detector. When the alarm circuit is actuated due to the presence of smoke levels above a predetermined value being sensed by the detector, the alarm is actuated a... | 03/17/1981 |
| 4189662 | Safety device for lamps of motor vehicle An improved safety device comprises a plurality of checking lights connected with the lamps of the automobile in series, a plurality of indicating lights adapted to an amplifier circuit and a magnetic induction coil, in which, the brightening or extinguis... | 02/19/1980 |
| 3995262 | Electric lamp failure indicator circuit A core of magnetic material in the shape of a closed loop has three windings thereon. The first winding forms a circuit with a lamp to be monitored. As long as the lamp's filament is intact, whether or not the lamp is energized, this circuit can conduct c... | 11/30/1976 |
| 3975721 | Differential relay arrangement for determining when one of two cooperating lamps, particularly vehicle lamps, is not operating There is provided an indicator and a pair of cooperating vehicular lamps including a first lamp and a second lamp. An arrangement for activating the indicator when only one of the lamps is operating includes at least one cylindrical coil unit having a win... | 08/17/1976 |
| 3965456 | Vehicle safety device for monitoring the operation of directional signal lamps A vehicle safety device for monitoring directional signal lamps comprises a plurality of directional signal monitor lights positioned on the dashboard of a motor vehicle, a monitor light being associated with each set of directional signal lamps with each... | 06/22/1976 |
