US 9,808,375 B2 · Power-saving method for defogging an eye-shield

Abstract

Power saving method providing a burst of power for defogging an eye-shield apparatus with a thin-film heater, comprising: activating the heater from an off power level to an on-demand mode or from a preliminary intermediate power level during an active-on mode to a max power level and continuing heating for a predetermined first period of time, automatically reducing power after the first period of time and sustaining the lesser power for a second predetermined period of time, after which program control automatically turns off the heater, or automatically reduces the heat back to the preliminary intermediate power level depending upon the initial state of the heater upon activating the burst of power, whether on or off. The method may be repeated as often as necessary from off level in the on-demand mode, or from within a continuous active-on mode.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A power-saving method for efficiently heating an eye-shield apparatus adapted for use with a thin-film heater powered by a power source to prevent fogging of the eye-shield comprising the steps of:

activating the heater from an off power level to a max power level on the eye-shield apparatus;
continuing heating at the max power level for a first duration of time;
lessening power supplied to the heater after the first duration of time to an intermediate power level between the off power level and the max power level;
continuing heating at the intermediate power level for a second duration of time;
and
setting the power to the off power level after the second duration of time.

3 more elements

A power-saving method for efficiently heating an eye-shield apparatus adapted for use with a powered thin-film heater to prevent fogging of the eye-shield comprising the steps of:

activating the heater to a max power level from a desired preliminary intermediate power level between a power off level and the max power level on the eye-shield apparatus;
continuing heating at the max power level for a first duration of time;
lessening power supplied to the eye-shield apparatus after the first duration of time to any power level intermediate between the off power level and the max power level;
continuing heating at the any power level intermediate between the off power level and the max power level until either a user turns off the eye-shield apparatus or battery power is substantially fully depleted and the eye-shield apparatus shuts off.

1 more element

A power-saving method for efficiently heating an eye-shield apparatus adapted for use with a powered thin-film heater to prevent fogging of the eye-shield comprising the steps of:

activating the heater to a max power level from a desired preliminary intermediate power level between a power off level and the max power level on the eye-shield apparatus;
continuing heating at the max power level for a first duration of time;
lessening power supplied to the eye-shield apparatus after the first duration of time to a secondary power level intermediate between the preliminary intermediate power level and the max power level;
continuing heating at the secondary power level for a second duration of time;
lessening power supplied to the eye-shield apparatus after the second duration of time to substantially the preliminary intermediate power level until either a user turns off the eye-shield apparatus or battery power is substantially fully consumed and the eye-shield apparatus shuts off.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Power-saving method for defogging an eye-shield

Life of this patent

Power-saving method for defogging an eye-shield

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20