Joseph C Ernest

US Patent:

8537023, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

May 26, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/116438

Inventors:

Joseph Christian Ernest - Woodstock IL, US
Sean Edward Callahan - Elmhurst IL, US
Edward Wayted Chen - Chicago IL, US
Thomas Martin Kopera - Villa Park IL, US
Timothy Edward Canzano - Glen Ellyn IL, US

Assignee:

iLight Technologies, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G08B 21/00
G01R 31/14

US Classification:

340650, 340649, 340635

Abstract:

An automatic fault detector momentarily interrupts a provision of operating power to a load having a minimal forward-bias voltage requirement to thereby provide a testing window and then applies a test voltage during this window that is less than the minimal forward-bias voltage requirement to the load and monitors for a power-to-ground fault. By one approach the aforementioned momentarily interruption of power is neither frequent enough nor long enough in duration to substantially impair the provision of power to the load. Accordingly, load performance is not noticeably diminished. One can then responsively prohibit subsequent provision of the operating power to the load. One can then continue to monitor for the power-to-ground fault while continuing to prohibit provision of operating power to the load. If and when the fault disappears, these teachings will then accommodate automatically resuming an ordinary provision of power to the load.

US Patent:

20110055103, Mar 3, 2011

Filed:

Sep 7, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/876919

Inventors:

Joseph Christian Ernest - Woodstock IL, US

Assignee:

RTC Industries, Inc. - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00
G06F 17/00
G01B 11/14
G02B 5/09

US Classification:

705345, 700244, 356614, 359850

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher assembly on a shelf. In an embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and a laser scanner. The laser scanner is configured to transmit a swept beam to a mirrored reflective surface located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the laser beam at the laser scanner to detect the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf. In another embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and an infrared transceiver that sends and receives infrared signals. The transceiver may be located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the infrared signals to determine the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf.

US Patent:

20110063844, Mar 17, 2011

Filed:

Nov 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/955198

Inventors:

David S. Breslow - Chicago IL, US
Joseph Christian Ernest - Woodstock IL, US

Assignee:

RTC INDUSTRIES, INC. - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

F21S 4/00

US Classification:

36224902

Abstract:

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs arranged in a substantially straight line and an LED driver circuit, and an integral lens assembly. The integral lens assembly can have a plurality of lenses and each of the plurality of lenses can be placed over a corresponding one of the plurality of LEDs. The lenses capture the light from the respective LED, modify its beam pattern, and re-project the light such that the light emitted from the lighting assembly is distributed substantially evenly in a vertical plane or direction.

US Patent:

20110282768, Nov 17, 2011

Filed:

Jul 29, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/194649

Inventors:

Joseph Christian Ernest - Woodstock IL, US

Assignee:

RTC Industries Inc. - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00

US Classification:

705 28

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher assembly on a shelf. In an embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and a laser scanner. The laser scanner is configured to transmit a swept beam to a mirrored reflective surface located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the laser beam at the laser scanner to detect the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf. In another embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and an infrared transceiver that sends and receives infrared signals. The transceiver may be located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the infrared signals to determine the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf.

US Patent:

20130226742, Aug 29, 2013

Filed:

Mar 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/836680

Inventors:

RTC Industries, Inc. - , US
Michael Alvin Lembke - Roselle IL, US
Joseph Christian Ernest - Woodstock IL, US

Assignee:

RTC INDUSTRIES, INC. - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08

US Classification:

705 271

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing information along a shelf edge of a retailer is described. On a display configured to be oriented along an edge of a shelf of a retailer, a first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf is provided. At least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf is provided on the display. An individual is permitted to edit a parameter of the first user interface and/or the at least one second user interface. The parameter may include at least one of: a size of the user interface on the display, a shape of the user interface on the display, and a location of the user interface on the display. The first information and the at least one second information may be outputted concurrently to the display.

US Patent:

20190220805, Jul 18, 2019

Filed:

Feb 15, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/277382

Inventors:

- Rolling Meadows IL, US
Michael Alvin Lembke - Roselle IL, US
Joseph Christian Ernest - Woodstock IL, US

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08
G09G 5/14
G06Q 30/02

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing information along a shelf edge of a retailer is described. On a display configured to be oriented along an edge of a shelf of a retailer, a first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf is provided. At least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf is provided on the display. An individual is permitted to edit a parameter of the first user interface and/or the at least one second user interface. The parameter may include at least one of: a size of the user interface on the display, a shape of the user interface on the display, and a location of the user interface on the display. The first information and the at least one second information may be outputted concurrently to the display.

US Patent:

20180189727, Jul 5, 2018

Filed:

Feb 19, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/899163

Inventors:

- Rolling Meadows IL, US
Michael Alvin Lembke - Roselle IL, US
Joseph Christian Ernest - Woodstock IL, US

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08
G09G 5/14
G06Q 30/02
A47F 1/12
G06F 3/147

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing information along a shelf edge of a retailer is described. On a display configured to be oriented along an edge of a shelf of a retailer, a first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf is provided. At least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf is provided on the display. An individual is permitted to edit a parameter of the first user interface and/or the at least one second user interface. The parameter may include at least one of: a size of the user interface on the display, a shape of the user interface on the display, and a location of the user interface on the display. The first information and the at least one second information may be outputted concurrently to the display.