Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090261124 | MOTORIZED HOUSEHOLD LIQUID DISPENSER - A household liquid dispensing apparatus includes a container for holding a household liquid and a pump for pumping the household liquid out of the container. The pump includes a pump chamber. A dip tube is adapted to be positioned in the container and communicates with the pump chamber. An exhaust tube communicates with the pump chamber and an outlet for the household liquid. A pump actuator mechanically drives the pump. A motor operatively engages the pump actuator. The motor is electrically connected to a power source. A switch is electrically connected to the motor and the power source. A trigger assembly is operatively connected to the switch to control power delivered to the motor. The trigger assembly is positioned under the outlet for the household liquid for easy actuation by an upturned hand. | 10-22-2009 |
20110239676 | RETAIL REFRIGERATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING THE SAME - A refrigeration apparatus for mounting to a retail gondola includes a case, a door hingedly connected with the case, a compressor disposed within the case, a condenser coil disposed within the case, an evaporator coil disposed within the case, and brackets connected with the case. The case includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a left wall, a right wall and a rear wall defining a forward opening and a storage compartment for storing retail items. The case further includes a heat-conductive inner wall and a heat-conductive outer wall. The door is moveable between a closed position for covering the forward opening and an open position for providing access to the storage compartment. The condenser coil is disposed adjacent the outer wall and is in fluid communication with the compressor. The evaporator is disposed adjacent the inner wall and is in fluid communication with the compressor. The brackets extend rearwardly from the case away from the rear wall for engaging an upright of a retail gondola. A method for installing the refrigeration apparatus is also disclosed. | 10-06-2011 |
20140008390 | SIMPLE SERVE TOPPING DISPENSER - A dispenser for dispensing serving portions of topping onto beverages and desserts comprises a first compartment portion and a second compartment portion hingedly connected to the first compartment portion. One of the compartment portions includes a backing surface and a bag holding member operable to releasably attach a product bag to the compartment portion adjacent the backing surface. The other compartment portion includes a squeeze member, for example a cylindrical roller, mounted for travel in upward and downward directions. The squeeze member is arranged to contact the product bag when the second compartment portion is closed relative to the first compartment portion. The dispenser also comprises an actuating lever mechanically connected to the squeeze member, for example by a one-way advancing mechanism, wherein the actuating lever is operable by a user to advance the squeeze member in the downward direction to dispense product. The dispenser facilitates cleaning and product replacement. | 01-09-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100306309 | System and Method for Executing Hands-Free Operation of an Electronic Calendar Application Within a Vehicle - One or more embodiments may include a method and system for operating a computer application stored on a nomadic device (ND) located within the vicinity of a vehicle. The system may include a vehicle computer system (VCS). The method may include receiving an input at the VCS to pair the VCS with the ND to establish a wireless communication link over which the VCS may receive one or more instructions from the ND. The one or more instructions may include instructions for establishing a connection with an electronic calendar application executing on the ND and instructions for prompting a user for one or more electronic calendar application events. The method may further include receiving a request from the user for the one or more electronic calendar application events and executing the one or more electronic calendar application events. | 12-02-2010 |
20100311345 | Method And System For Executing An Internet Radio Application Within A Vehicle - Various embodiments may include a computer-implemented method and system for operating a computer application stored on a nomadic wireless communication device (ND) located within the vicinity of a vehicle. An input may be received at a vehicle computer system (VCS) to pair the VCS with the ND for establishing a wireless communication link. A number of instructions may be received at the VCS from the ND over the wireless communication link. The instructions may include instructions for establishing a connection with an internet radio application and instructions for prompting a user for one or more internet radio application events. A request from the user for the one or more internet radio application events may be received at the VCS and the one or more internet radio application events may be executed. | 12-09-2010 |
20110046883 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TESTING NAVIGATION ROUTES - Various embodiments may include a method and system for testing data defining one or more navigation routes. A starting location may be input at a computer remote from the starting location. A destination location may also be input. Map data including GPS information based on the starting location input and the destination location input may be received. Route data may also be received. Based on the map data and the route data, data defining one or more navigation instructions may be generated for one or more routes. The one or more navigation instructions may be executed at the computer and compared to the map data. Based on the comparison, an accuracy of the navigation instructions may be determined. The data defining the navigation instructions may be corrected if the data is determined to be inaccurate. | 02-24-2011 |
20110195659 | Method and Apparatus for Communication Between a Vehicle Based Computing System and a Remote Application - A vehicle-based computing apparatus includes a computer processor in communication with persistent and non-persistent memory. The apparatus also includes a local wireless transceiver in communication with the computer processor and configured to communicate wirelessly with a wireless device located at the vehicle. The processor is operable to receive, through the wireless transceiver, a connection request sent from a nomadic wireless device, the connection request including at least a name of an application seeking to communicate with the processor. The processor is further operable to receive at least one secondary communication from the nomadic device, once the connection request has been processed. The secondary communication is at least one of a speak alert command, a display text command, a create phrase command, and a prompt and listen command. | 08-11-2011 |
20120079002 | Method and System for Operating Mobile Applications in a Vehicle - In various embodiments, a user interacts with remotely executing mobile applications from a vehicle. The vehicle may include at least one computer that includes a human machine interface (HMI) for control by the user. The mobile applications may be executing on an application server that is remote from the vehicle and communicating with the at least one computer. Further, the mobile applications may be configured to receive inputs from and transmit outputs to the at least one computer. An HMI application executing on the at least one computer may enable the provisioning of one or more services of the HMI to the mobile applications so that inputs and/or outputs to the mobile applications may be exchanged. Vehicle-based operation of the mobile applications from the at least one computer via the HMI may thus be enabled. | 03-29-2012 |
20130029599 | Method and Apparatus for Communication Between a Vehicle Based Computing System and a Remote Application - A vehicle-based computing apparatus includes a computer processor in communication with persistent and non-persistent memory. The apparatus also includes a local wireless transceiver in communication with the computer processor and configured to communicate wirelessly with a wireless device located at the vehicle. The processor is operable to receive, through the wireless transceiver, a connection request sent from a nomadic wireless device, the connection request including at least a name of an application seeking to communicate with the processor. The processor is further operable to receive at least one secondary communication from the nomadic device, once the connection request has been processed. The secondary communication is at least one of a speak alert command, a display text command, a create phrase command, and a prompt and listen command. | 01-31-2013 |
20130109354 | Method and Apparatus for Communication Between a Vehicle Based Computing System and a Remote Application | 05-02-2013 |
20130116924 | Methods and Systems for Testing Navigation Routes - Various embodiments may include a method and system for testing data defining one or more navigation routes. A starting location may be input at a computer remote from the starting location. A destination location may also be input. Map data including GPS information based on the starting location input and the destination location input may be received. Route data may also be received. Based on the map data and the route data, data defining one or more navigation instructions may be generated for one or more routes. The one or more navigation instructions may be executed at the computer and compared to the map data. Based on the comparison, an accuracy of the navigation instructions may be determined. The data defining the navigation instructions may be corrected if the data is determined to be inaccurate. | 05-09-2013 |
20140032769 | Method and Apparatus for Communication Between a Vehicle Based Computing System and a Remote Application - A vehicle-based computing apparatus includes a computer processor in communication with persistent and non-persistent memory. The apparatus also includes a local wireless transceiver in communication with the computer processor and configured to communicate wirelessly with a wireless device located at the vehicle. The processor is operable to receive, through the wireless transceiver, a connection request sent from a nomadic wireless device, the connection request including at least a name of an application seeking to communicate with the processor. The processor is further operable to receive at least one secondary communication from the nomadic device, once the connection request has been processed. The secondary communication is at least one of a speak alert command, a display text command, a create phrase command, and a prompt and listen command. | 01-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110302818 | ALL-IN-ONE MUZZLE LOADING DEVICE - An all in one muzzle loading device is a T-shaped device used to store and quickly reload a gun during a successive shot. The all in one muzzle loading device has a handle and a stem forming the T-shaped configuration. The stem releasably holds the projectile and the handle holds gunpowder pellets, and primer. A cap is disposed at an end of the handle to hold the pellets within the handle. The primer is manipulated on the handle using a slideable primer applicator that, in an extended position, disposes the primer a distance from the handle. The handle also has lip extending from its side being a ram rod receiver. The ram rod receiver is designed to hold a ram rod without restraint thus permitting the ram rod to rotate or twist freely. | 12-15-2011 |
20110303806 | MOBILE FIGURE STAND - A decoy display stand powered by air flow or wind force is provided including a vertical stake and a horizontal frame. The frame includes vertical support rods and a horizontal bar having a central horizontal frame and two horizontal extension frames. The vertical support rods are disposed at the outer ends of the horizontal extension frames and receive figures such as animal decoys or seasonal ornaments. The stake is received by the central horizontal frame and permits 360 degree rotation of the central horizontal frame around the stake with wind or manual energy. The figures are designed to capture energy and facilitate the rotation of the frame about the stake. A fastener is provided adjacent the central horizontal frame and the stake to manage rotation of the frame in varying degrees between free rotation and no rotation and, in some cases, adjust the height of the frame from the ground. | 12-15-2011 |
20120167445 | TURKEY DECOY - A turkey decoy or other animal hunting decoy is provided depicting a live mature animal, wherein certain body parts are dwarfed and diminished in size in comparison to the live mature animal it depicts. The decoy will further have colors thereon mimicking colors of the live mature animal eliciting a sexual response from the hunted live animal. | 07-05-2012 |
20140215890 | TURKEY DECOY - Disclosed herein is a tom turkey decoy that includes a three-dimensional body having a substantial volume. The three-dimensional body is dwarfed and has a diminished size when compared to a body of a normal sized live mature tom turkey. A neck extends from the three-dimensional body, the neck being of comparable size and having comparable features to the neck of the normal sized live mature tom turkey. A head extends from the neck, the head being of a comparable size and having comparable features to the head of the normal sized live mature tom turkey. The head and the neck are positioned on the body in an erect position. Further disclosed is a method of hunting using the tom turkey decoy. | 08-07-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100145528 | CONTRLLER INTERFACE WITH MULTIPLE DAY PROGRAMMING - A controller equipped with a user interface having multiple-day programming capabilities, including methods of programming such devices, are disclosed. The user interface may include one or more menus or screens that can be used to program a schedule for one or more selected days during the week. An illustrative method of programming the controller may include the steps of entering a scheduling routine, selecting multiple days for schedule modification, changing the schedule parameters for one or more periods during the selected days, and then exiting the scheduling routine. | 06-10-2010 |
20110160915 | CONTROLLER INTERFACE WITH MULTIPLE DAY PROGRAMMING - A controller equipped with a user interface having multiple-day programming capabilities, including methods of programming such devices, are disclosed. The user interface may include one or more menus or screens that can be used to program a schedule for one or more selected days during the week. An illustrative method of programming the controller may include the steps of entering a scheduling routine, selecting multiple days for schedule modification, changing the schedule parameters for one or more periods during the selected days, and then exiting the scheduling routine. | 06-30-2011 |
20130018486 | CONTRLLER INTERFACE WITH MULTIPLE DAY PROGRAMMING - A controller equipped with a user interface having multiple-day programming capabilities, including methods of programming such devices, are disclosed. The user interface may include one or more menus or screens that can be used to program a schedule for one or more selected days during the week. An illustrative method of programming the controller may include the steps of entering a scheduling routine, selecting multiple days for schedule modification, changing the schedule parameters for one or more periods during the selected days, and then exiting the scheduling routine. | 01-17-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090140062 | HVAC CONTROLLER THAT SELECTIVELY REPLACES OPERATING INFORMATION ON A DISPLAY WITH SYSTEM STATUS INFORMATION - An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143879 | HVAC CONTROLLER WITH PARAMETER CLUSTERING - An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143880 | HVAC CONTROLLER WITH CONTEXT SENSITIVE HELP SCREENS - An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143916 | HVAC CONTROLLER HAVING A PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT ELEMENT WITH A QUALITATIVE INDICATOR - An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user. | 06-04-2009 |
20110184562 | HVAC CONTROL WITH UTILITY TIME OF DAY PRICING SUPPORT - The present disclosure provides a method for operating a utility-powered HVAC system for conditioning inside air of a building. In an illustrative but non-limiting example, a nominal schedule is maintained by a local HVAC controller, where the nominal schedule has a number of days and one or more time periods for each of at least some of the days. The nominal schedule also has at least one setpoint associated with each of the time periods. The local HVAC controller is configured to accept manual input from a user via a user interface. The manual input may include accepting entry of a utility pricing schedule that corresponds to scheduled price changes of a utility. The utility pricing schedule may include at least one enhanced pricing time period. Entry of at least one utility price level setpoint offset may also be accepted to correspond to each of the enhanced pricing time periods. The nominal schedule may then be modified or overridden to include the utility pricing schedule, resulting in a utility pricing operating schedule. One or more HVAC units may then be controlled by the local HVAC controller in accordance with the utility pricing operating schedule. | 07-28-2011 |
20110184564 | HVAC CONTROL WITH UTILITY TIME OF DAY PRICING SUPPORT - The present disclosure provides a method for operating a utility-powered HVAC system for conditioning inside air of a building. In an illustrative but non-limiting example, a nominal schedule is maintained by a local HVAC controller, where the nominal schedule has a number of days and one or more time periods for each of at least some of the days. The nominal schedule also has at least one setpoint associated with each of the time periods. The local HVAC controller is configured to accept manual input from a user via a user interface. The manual input may include accepting entry of a utility pricing schedule that corresponds to scheduled price changes of a utility. The utility pricing schedule may include at least one enhanced pricing time period. Entry of at least one utility price level setpoint may also be accepted to correspond to each of the enhanced pricing time periods. The nominal schedule may then be modified or overridden to include the utility pricing schedule, resulting in a utility pricing operating schedule. One or more HVAC units may then be controlled by the local HVAC controller in accordance with the utility pricing operating schedule. | 07-28-2011 |
20120116593 | HVAC CONTROLLER THAT SELECTIVELY REPLACES OPERATING INFORMATION ON A DISPLAY WITH SYSTEM STATUS INFORMATION - An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user. | 05-10-2012 |
20130090768 | HVAC CONTROLLER WITH PARAMETER CLUSTERING - An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user. | 04-11-2013 |
20130238142 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSOCIATING WIRELESS DEVICES OF AN HVAC SYSTEM - A building control network may have a first central device, a second central device and one or more peripheral devices. An illustrative method may include placing the second central device into an associate mode, and sending an associate command from a perimeter device to associate the perimeter device with the second central device. The associate command may be received by the first central device. The first central device may send one or more commands to the second central device, where the one or more commands may cause the second central device to be taken out of its associate mode and to reconfigure the second central device to a perimeter device. The first central device may then be put in an associate mode, and both the second central device and the perimeter device may be associated as perimeter devices with the first central device. | 09-12-2013 |
20130245838 | HVAC CONTROLLER AND REMOTE CONTROL UNIT - A remote control unit for interacting with one or more thermostats controlling an HVAC system may be mounted on wall near a point of entry to a building. The remote control unit may wirelessly send one or more commends to a thermostat to operate in one or more modes at a predetermined temperature associated with that mode. | 09-19-2013 |
20140222221 | HVAC CONTROLLER HAVING A PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT ELEMENT WITH A QUALITATIVE INDICATOR - An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user. | 08-07-2014 |
20140324227 | HVAC CONTROLLER HAVING A FIXED SEGMENT DISPLAY WITH AN INTERACTIVE MESSAGE CENTER - An HVAC controller may include a controller and a display operatively coupled to the controller. A first region of the display may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. A second region of the display may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons. The controller may be configured to display a list of one or more programmable options of the HVAC controller in the first region of the display for selection by a user. At least one of the one or more programmable options may be used to set settings that are used for controlling subsequent operations and/or functionality of the HVAC controller. The first region of the display may simultaneously display in a vertical direction an integer number of programmable options plus a fraction of a programmable option. | 10-30-2014 |