Kohler Company

Toolz, Ltd.

N-Lighten Technologies

Other

William Robert Burnett

David C Shafer

Carter J Thomas

Fred Judson Heinzmann

Andrew J Paese

Steven M Tervo

Andrew G Butler

Michael Francis O'Connor

David J Richter-O'Connell

Anton J Kolar

Qing Guo

Paul DeWitt Frey

Kathleen Hannon Davies

John Gilbert

Charles Chia-ming Chuang

David Daniel Poppell

A method for generating and using a video-based icon (videcon) in a message, where a videcon comprises a (preferably short) video and an associated code, comprising identifying the code within a message, retrieving the video associated with the code, inserting either the video or a link to the video into the message, and sending the message to its intended recipient.

Method for generating and using a video-based icon in a multimedia message

A display and method enable the auto-alignment and auto focus of an image onto a large screen in a projection display.

System and method for self-aligning collapsible display

An arbitrary surface optical element, such as a mirror for use in a rear projection television, includes a non-optical portion and an optical portion. The non-optical portion circumscribes the optical portion and has a thickness greater than the optical portion. Accordingly, the two portions cool at approximately the same rate, thereby minimizing warpage from differential cooling.

Arbitrary surface optical element and method of making the same

A laser leveling system includes an angle measurement device for determining the position of a laser level relative to a base. The system further includes a mechanism for determining the distance from the laser level to a target.

Level with angle and distance measurement apparatus

A fluid flow device includes an actuator, an RF transmitter, a gated RF receiver, and a processor. The RF transmitter is configured and arranged to produce a plurality of pulses of RF energy spaced apart in time to form a sensor field. The gated RF receiver is configured and arranged to receive RF energy reflected by objects within the sensor field. The processor is coupled to the gated RF receiver for evaluating the reflected RF energy. The processor is also coupled to the actuator and is configured and arranged to activate the actuator in response to the reflected RF energy to control fluid flow. In addition, a new low power radar sensor operates by providing radar pulses that are non-uniformly spaced in time. In operation, a burst of pulses is initiated in the transmitter. Between each burst is a period of rest time in which the transmitter is not transmitting RF energy.

Radar devices for low power applications and bathroom fixtures

The present invention is a system for controlling a plumbing fixture. The system includes at least two sensors, each sensor including a receiver, and a controller coupled to receive detection signals from the sensors and to generate a control signal in response to the received signals. An actuator is coupled to receive the control signal from the controller and couplable to the plumbing device to act on the bathroom device. The invention is also a method of controlling plumbing fixtures that includes receiving detection signals from a plurality of sensors in a central controller, selecting, in the central controller, which of a plurality of actuators attachable to the plumbing fixtures to operate and directing control signals to the selected actuator to operate the selected actuator.

Advanced touchless plumbing systems

Methods and devices for controlling the flow of fluid in fixtures, such as bathroom, restroom, or kitchen fixtures, using a radar detector with a leaky transmission line and fixtures using such methods and devices are provided. A bathroom fixture, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, includes a fluid conduit, a radar detector for detecting one or more characteristics of one or more objects in a sensor field based on reflected electromagnetic signals from the one or more objects in the sensor field, and a controller coupled to the fluid conduit for controlling a flow of fluid in the fluid conduit in response to the detected one or more characteristics. The radar detector in particular includes a leaky transmission line for transmitting electromagnetic signals to form the sensor field and receiving the reflected electromagnetic signals. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the sensor field is restricted from selected areas associated with spurious signals, such as areas of flowing water, areas near other fixtures, etc. The use of a radar detector with a leaky transmission line can, for example, improve the control of fluid flow in fixtures, such as bathroom fixtures.

Growing community of inventors

Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

William Robert Burnett