Celebrity Inventors
Mark Twain (Samuel L. Clemens) received Patent No. 121,992 for "An Improvement in Adjustable and Detachable Straps for Garments." He later received two more patents: one for a self-pasting scrapbook and one for a game to help players remember important historical dates.
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 |
| 6184794 | Portable lighting device having externally attached voltage tester A battery tester for use in combination with a portable lighting device such as a flashlight or lantern having a housing for retaining at least one battery including first and second terminals, each in electrical contact with an opposite pole of the batte... | 02/06/2001 |
| 6094135 | Antitheft system and antitheft apparatus A antitheft apparatus for hindering theft by an intruder when the intruder is detected in an alarm mode without operator. In a smoke generation system which is coupled with an alarm system including an intruder detector for detecting an intrusion of an in... | 07/25/2000 |
| 6075466 | Passive road sensor for automatic monitoring and method thereof An automatic traffic monitoring system for enforcing traffic laws and regulations and for general purpose traffic monitoring includes a novel passive road sensor that accurately detects the kinematics of moving vehicles. A passive road sensor includes a d... | 06/13/2000 |
| 6064370 | Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device A Z-axis flywheel control of a computer input device, adapted to operate in a complex computer environment for handling computer file and application software selection and processing, includes a flywheel rotatably disposed inside the computer input devic... | 05/16/2000 |
| 6057755 | Automotive carbon monoxide detection system A vehicle carbon monoxide detection system 10 including internal 20 and external 40 carbon monoxide sensors operatively associated with the vehicle cab 150 and connected to a computer 60 that will selectively activate one of the sensors 20, 40 in response... | 05/02/2000 |
| 6014131 | Interactive programmable interface for relegendable LCD keyswitches An interface circuit for interfacing a relegendable liquid crystal display (LCD) keyswitch to a controlling processor. The interface circuit is adaptable for use with data input devices and point-of-sale devices.... | 01/11/2000 |
| 6008732 | Motor vehicle display apparatus Display apparatus (20) is configured to be plugged into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle. LEDs 37 and control circuit 36 are configured to provide a gently blinking display mode to enhance the driving pleasure at night. In case of emergency, swit... | 12/28/1999 |
| 5973673 | Cursor control device A control device suitable for controlling the position of a cursor on a computer display. The device includes at least a pair of optical radiation sources irradiating a spaced away pair of optical radiation detectors. Interposed between the sources and de... | 10/26/1999 |
| 5969623 | Gas alarm A gas detector is disclosed which includes a CO sensor and a processor. The CO sensor senses an environmental CO concentration and provides a variable electrical output in response. The processor receives digitized samples of the sensor's electrical outpu... | 10/19/1999 |
| 5969598 | Accident reporting system for a land vehicle In the present accident reporting system for a land vehicle, when an emergency such as a crash-accident occurs and a sudden deceleration is exerted to a body, an calculating section time-integrates the acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, and ... | 10/19/1999 |
| 5969618 | Failure sensor hose A hose capable of carrying current to an indicator which provides external warning of imminent failure, or leak, due to wear occurring within the hose. The hose consists of an internal (primary) hose which is surrounded by an external (secondary) hose. Po... | 10/19/1999 |
| 5969620 | Water level alarm A DC powered water/moisture monitor suitable for use in combination with a Christmas tree stand to detect a low water/moisture level is provided. The alarm device set forth has application in many other fields including farmland moisture monitoring, house... | 10/19/1999 |
| 5969603 | Door opening warning system device for cars A door opening warning system device actuatable when a door of a car is going to be opened, including a non-remote control type contact switch for providing a "POWER OFF" signal, a flash signal power feed controller, a contact switch for providing a "POWE... | 10/19/1999 |
| 5966079 | Visual indicator for identifying which of a plurality of dangerous condition warning devices has issued an audible low battery warning signal In order to facilitate determination of which of a plurality of dangerous condition warning devices is issuing an audio failing battery signal, the device incorporates a circuit including: a processor, an audio annunciator such as a horn, at least one vis... | 10/12/1999 |
| 5966078 | Battery saving circuit for a dangerous condition warning device In a processor controlled, battery operated dangerous condition warning device employing a DC-to-DC converter, the converter selectively operates at two voltage outputs. A first output voltage is used when a sensor is polled and when audio visual devices,... | 10/12/1999 |
| 5966076 | Fluid leak detector and shut-off device The invention is a shut-off device for a gas or liquid conduit that closes the conduit upon receiving a signal from a leak detector. The shut off device is a spring biased full flow ball valve positioned in the fluid conduit that closes upon receiving a s... | 10/12/1999 |
| 5966069 | Exit sign self-testing system A system for testing the electrical integrity of an illuminated exit sign alternately powered by a battery, rechargeable from a source of alternating current power. The system includes an alarm for indicating an electrical failure, precluding the illumina... | 10/12/1999 |
| 5955943 | Turn signal and brake signal combination A brake and turn signal circuit permits a brake lamp to be used as a turn signal when both the brakes and turn signal are applied.... | 09/21/1999 |
| 5955939 | Alarm station protector capable of being accessed by disabled individuals An improved alarm activation station protector for use with a depressible alarm activating member and which is capable of being accessed by individuals with varying degrees of hand and arm disability. A wall mounted frame member is formed in a generally "... | 09/21/1999 |
| 5955941 | Method and device for controlling a velocity of a motor vehicle A method and a device for adjusting the velocity of a motor vehicle to a programmable target velocity, with a current velocity of the controlled vehicle being measured. A distance sensor measures at least one distance to a vehicle or another obstacle in f... | 09/21/1999 |
| 5955955 | Drive-bay mounted cooling device A cooling device is disclosed for a computer having a drive bay region with at least one drive bay adapted to receive a drive. The device comprises a case configured to mount within the drive bay of the computer having at least a first and at least a seco... | 09/21/1999 |
| 5942982 | System for detecting open circuits with a measurement device A system for detecting open circuits is presented. The system comprises first and second digital-to-analog converters (DACs). The DACs, in combination with a microprocessor, generate a tri-state voltage which is fed through the system. This tri-state volt... | 08/24/1999 |
| 5940011 | Compact vehicle based rear and side obstacle detection system including multiple antennae A rear and side object detection system for a vehicle based on monolithic millimeter wave integrated circuit technology. A multiple antenna configuration is employed that defines six sensing regions to the right, left and the rear of the vehicle. A first ... | 08/17/1999 |
| 5939990 | Method of indicating operation of backup battery and circuit for sensing the same A circuit and a method of indicating the operation of a backup battery used in a communication device use a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit includes a diode connected in the forward direction between the communication device and the backup battery, f... | 08/17/1999 |
| 5939993 | Method for developing a high voltage and device for electrostatic coating product spraying A method and device for monitoring the production of a high voltage for use in electrostatic application of a coating product, the high voltage being produced by a generator and the monitoring being performed by a circuit for measuring an electrical param... | 08/17/1999 |
| 5936531 | Electrical fire sensing and prevention/extinguishing system An electrical fire sensing and fire prevention/extinguishing system which senses properties of electrical fires in cabinets having electrical circuits or circuit boards and detects sparks for detecting an electrical short in the electrical circuits or cir... | 08/10/1999 |
| 5936532 | Smoke and carbon monoxide detector with clock A smoke and carbon monoxide detector for mounting upon a wall, having a housing having a front face. A clock having clock hands and clock indicia is present on the front face. The detector comprises a smoke detector element, a carbon monoxide detector ele... | 08/10/1999 |
| 5933074 | Remote control transmitter broadcasting RF signals conveying plural information components A unique transmitter broadcasting a single RF (radio frequency) signal in response to a single input for controlling a plurality of electrical vehicle accessories. To control the plurality of accessories, the RF signal conveys multiple information compone... | 08/03/1999 |
| 5929749 | System for improved communication and control over power lines A system is provided for improved communication and control over local power lines, which eliminates the problems caused by low impedance of the power main and the wideband noise and interference normally present there. The system provides for a means of ... | 07/27/1999 |
| 5929788 | Warning beacon A warning beacon or a light where clusters of LED are mounted on a circuit board and emit light into a conical reflector so as to provide omni directional illumination has improved illumination intensity over its pattern of illumination by utilizing separ... | 07/27/1999 |
| 5920254 | Steering wheel lock with vibration initiated alarm circuit A steering wheel lock includes a lock body with a stop bar at one side, a locating device fixedly fastened to the lock body, the locating device having two vertical barrels at two opposite sides and a U-shaped retainer plate at the top, a U-shaped shackle... | 07/06/1999 |
| 5917459 | Holographic head up display A color holographic head up display which can be mounted on, for example, an airplane or automobile for projecting a color image displayed on a screen. The color holographic head up display in accordance with the present invention comprises an information... | 06/29/1999 |
| 5914709 | User input device for a computer system A user input device for an electronic device is disclosed. The user input device provides positional information using a grid of light. The grid of light is produced from a light source and waveguides. The grid of light is also received and processed usin... | 06/22/1999 |
| 5914654 | Methods and apparatus for inputting messages, including advertisements, to a vehicle Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inputting messages and other infotion, such as advertisements, to a vehicle while the vehicle is coupled to a local station, such as a recharging station or a refueling station. The messages can be selected in acco... | 06/22/1999 |
| 5912617 | Circuit for driving a signaling device A circuit for controlling the reserve lamp of a vehicle's fuel level indicator instrument. The circuit uses a switch controlled by an extremely asymmetric clock signal periodically to switch, for a very short time, the signal provided by the level sensor ... | 06/15/1999 |
| 5909170 | Speed reducer with pressure sensor An improved speed reducer assembly is provided. The assembly comprises an input shaft, an output shaft and a gear train interfacing the input shaft and the output shaft to effect a desired angular velocity ratio between the input shaft and the output shaf... | 06/01/1999 |
| 5909173 | Vehicle warning device A vehicle warning device comprises a visual indicator activated by a deceleration sensor upon emergency deceleration of the vehicle. The visual indicator is powered by a base inserted into a vehicle lamp socket. In the preferred embodiment, the base is pa... | 06/01/1999 |
| 5909181 | Method and apparatus for indicating electrical connection A ground and bond detection device for ensuring that a conductive material, such at a metal container, is properly grounded to prevent electrostatic charge buildup. The device indicates whether a ground connection between the conductive material and groun... | 06/01/1999 |
| 5907277 | Device for detecting a counter-steer condition Provided is a counter-steer condition detecting device which is suited to be used in combination with steering control systems based on the control of the magnitude of the effort required for the vehicle operator to steer the vehicle depending on the beha... | 05/25/1999 |
| 5903211 | Medical treatment device with a user interface adapted for home or limited care environments A medical treatment device is disclosed that utilizes an entertainment displays such as a standard television set, to control the medical treatment device. For example, alarm conditions may be displayed and a user (such as a patient) can respond to such a... | 05/11/1999 |
