Patents Assigned to RPO Pty Limited
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Publication number: 20130027352Abstract: In infrared touch input devices that detect and locate a touch object from the blocking of light paths propagating along the X,Y axes, an ambiguity arises when two touch objects are present. This ambiguity can be resolved by the provision of additional light paths angled to the X,Y axes. The present invention provides projection systems that include a light splitting element for splitting collimated sheet of light into two or more sets of beam paths, thereby providing the additional light paths for resolving the double touch ambiguity. In preferred embodiments the light splitting element is in the form of a prism film.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2010Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Warwick Holloway, Robert Bruce Charters, Duncan Ian Ross
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Publication number: 20120233690Abstract: A user interface method is disclosed. For a particular interface, such as a touch input device, the method involves defining an enablement protocol for a function and recording and retaining the enablement protocol of said function, such that a user enables the function by substantially reproducing the enablement protocol in the absence of spatial or temporal indication of at least a portion of the enablement protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Graham Ray Atkins, Ian Andrew Maxwell
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Publication number: 20120219771Abstract: The invention comprises methods for the photolithographic patterning of features in a photo-curable polymer composition coated onto a plastic substrate. In one embodiment of this invention, the plastic substrate is coated with a reflective film such as a metallic barrier. In another embodiment, the plastic substrate is coated or co-extruded with a polymer barrier layer containing an additive that absorbs the photo-curing radiation. In yet another embodiment the plastic substrate contains an intrinsic additive that absorbs the photo-curing radiation. Combinations of these embodiments are also within the scope of this invention. The methods of the present invention may be advantageously applied to the fabrication of optical waveguides comprising a photo-curable polymer supported on a plastic substrate, but are applicable to the fabrication of any device or object comprising a photo-curable polymer supported on a plastic substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Robert Charters, Dax Kukulj
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Publication number: 20120200536Abstract: The invention describes various optical waveguide layouts with reduced substrate area, with particular application to reducing bezel width in optical touch systems. In certain preferred embodiments the optical waveguide layouts include a plurality of waveguide crossings.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Benjamin Cornish, Robert Bruce Charters, Warwick Todd Holloway, Ian Andrew Maxwell, Dax Kukulj
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Publication number: 20120098794Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting, collimating and redirecting light from a point-like source to produce a collimated optical signal in a substantially planar form are provided. In one embodiment the apparatus is manufactured as a unitary transmissive body comprising a collimation element and a redirection element, and optionally a transmissive element. In another embodiment the apparatus is assembled from one or more components. The apparatus and method are useful for providing sensing light for an optical touch input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Andrew Kleinert, Duncan Ian Ross, Jonathan Payne, Warwick Todd Holloway, Graham Roy Atkins, Robert Bruce Charters, Kenli Chong, Dax Kukulj, Brigg Maund, Ian Andrew Maxwell
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Patent number: 8120595Abstract: This invention relates to polymeric optical materials suitable for use in waveguide-based optical touch screen sensors. In particular, the materials should have a glass transition temperature (Tg) below a minimum operating temperature of the touch screen device. Preferably, waveguides composed of the materials are fabricated on polymer substrates, so that the waveguide assembly is flexible. In this case, the materials should have Tg below a Tg of the polymer substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Dax Kukulj, Graham Roy Atkins
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Publication number: 20120033912Abstract: Integrated optical waveguides and methods for the production thereof which have a patterned upper cladding with a defined opening to allow at least one side or at least one end of a light transmissive element to be air clad. The at least one side or at least one end is, for preference, a lens structure unitary with the waveguide or a bend. Also provided is a method of fabricating an optical waveguide with a patterned cladding.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Ian Andrew Maxwell, Dax Kukulj, Robert Bruce Charters
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Patent number: 8064744Abstract: This invention relates to an improved design for the transmit and receive optical elements of a waveguide-based optical touch screen sensor, where at least one converging lens is incorporated within the body of each transmit and receive element. The optical elements of the improved design are more mechanically robust, easier to incorporate into the touch screen assembly, and are less susceptible to stray light and the ingress of foreign matter. In one embodiment the converging lens collimates the light into a plane wave. In another embodiment the converging lens focuses the light to an external point. In yet another embodiment, each transmit and receive element also includes at least one diverging lens. The transmit and receive elements and associated waveguides preferably comprise photo-patternable polymers.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Graham Roy Atkins, Dax Kukulj, Robert Bruce Charters
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Patent number: 8021900Abstract: Methods for the production of integrated optical waveguides which have a patterned upper cladding with a defined opening to allow at least one side or at least one end of a light transmissive element to be air clad The at least one side or at least one end is, for preference, a lens structure unitary with the waveguide or a bend.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Ian Andrew Maxwell, Dax Kukulj, Robert Bruce Charters
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Publication number: 20110151197Abstract: The invention comprises methods for the photolithographic patterning of features in a photo-curable polymer composition coated onto a plastic substrate. In one embodiment of this invention, the plastic substrate is coated with a reflective film such as a metallic barrier. In another embodiment, the plastic substrate is coated or co-extruded with a polymer barrier layer containing an additive that absorbs the photo-curing radiation. In yet another embodiment the plastic substrate contains an intrinsic additive that absorbs the photo-curing radiation. Combinations of these embodiments are also within the scope of this invention. The methods of the present invention may be advantageously applied to the fabrication of optical waveguides comprising a photo-curable polymer supported on a plastic substrate, but are applicable to the fabrication of any device or object comprising a photo-curable polymer supported on a plastic substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Robert Charters, Dax Kukulj
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Patent number: 7923071Abstract: The invention comprises methods for the photolithographic patterning of features in a photo-curable polymer composition coated onto a plastic substrate. In one embodiment of this invention, the plastic substrate is coated with a reflective film such as a metallic barrier. In another embodiment, the plastic substrate is coated or co-extruded with a polymer barrier layer containing an additive that absorbs the photo-curing radiation. In yet another embodiment the plastic substrate contains an intrinsic additive that absorbs the photo-curing radiation. Combinations of these embodiments are also within the scope of this invention. The methods of the present invention may be advantageously applied to the fabrication of optical waveguides comprising a photo-curable polymer supported on a plastic substrate, but are applicable to the fabrication of any device or object comprising a photo-curable polymer supported on a plastic substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Robert Charters, Dax Kukulj
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Publication number: 20110069018Abstract: In the methods of the present invention a function is initiated with a first set of touches, then applied with a second set of touches. The methods are advantageous for touch input devices with limited or no ability to detect two or more simultaneous touch events, but are not limited to being used on such input devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Graham Roy Atkins, Ian Andrew Maxwell
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Publication number: 20110012856Abstract: The invention provides a method for operation of a touch input device comprising a touch input area. The method comprises the steps of (i) detecting a touch or near-touch of an object on or near said touch input area; (ii) determining a parameter indicative of the size and/or shape of said object; (iii) comparing said parameter with at least one predetermined value; and (iv) enabling an operational state of said touch input device in response to said comparison. The parameter may be compared with one or more threshold values which delimit the operational state of the input device. Such operational states include a sleep mode or active mode, the use of a full QWERTY or reduced keyboard, translation or rotation of graphical elements, etc. The method is particularly suitable for differentiating between a touch by a stylus or touch by a finger.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: RPO Pty. LimitedInventors: Ian Andrew Maxwell, Dax Kukulj, Brigg Maund, Graham Roy Atkins
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Patent number: 7811640Abstract: This invention describes methods for fabricating polymer optical waveguides, and polymer optical waveguides themselves wherein at least one of the optical layers is deposited by a two-stage deposition process. In particular, the two-stage deposition process comprises spinning as the second step. Preferably, the polymer optical waveguide comprises a three layer structure comprising a lower cladding layer, a light guiding core layer and an upper cladding layer, supported on a substrate. The invention has particular application to the volume production of polymer optical waveguides on large area substrates.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Robert Bruce Charters, Dax Kukulj, Ian Andrew Maxwell, Graham Roy Atkins
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Patent number: 7738746Abstract: A data input apparatus having at least one transmit element coupled to a source of light of a predetermined wavelength, at least one light receive element and a detection device to detect interruption of beams of the light of said predetermined wavelength extending from said transmit element to said receive element wherein at least one of said transmit element and said receive element comprises at least one waveguide having a light transmitting core and a non-core portion and one or more discontinuance means adapted to reduce transmission of stray light within the non-core portion. The discontinuance is adapted to scatter, absorb, divert or block stray light and can be applied to one or more of the upper cladding, lower cladding, substrate or common base.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Robbie Charters, Ian Andrew Maxwell, Benjamin Cornish, Warwick Todd Holloway
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Patent number: 7546009Abstract: Planar lenses for integrated optics applications, in particular for use in optical touch screen sensors are disclosed. The disclosed planar lenses include a slab waveguide and an optical waveguide, preferably formed in unitary fashion, wherein the slab waveguide has a curved end face to focus light into or out of the optical waveguide, and wherein at least one additional lens is included within the slab waveguide. In one aspect of this disclosure, the additional lens is a diverging lens. In a second aspect the additional lens is a converging lens. The additional lens may match the acceptance angle of the optical waveguide to the curved end face of the slab waveguide. Alternatively, it may improve the tolerance of the planar lens to design or assembly errors and/or temperature variations. Preferably, the planar lenses are composed of a photo-patternable polymer, and the additional lenses are composed of air.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Dax Kukulj, Benjamin Cornish, Robert Bruce Charters, Graham Roy Atkins, Barry Luther-Davies
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Publication number: 20090088547Abstract: A process for the preparation of an organosilicon condensate which comprises reacting together a silicon containing compound having at least one silanol group and a silicon containing compound having at least one —OR group or at least one silanol group (or a compound having both groups) in the presence of strontium oxide, barium oxide, strontium hydroxide or barium hydroxide and optionally a solvent such as water, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and 2-butanol, acetone or toluene.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2006Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Andrew Schamschurin, Graham Roy Atkins, Dax Kukulj
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Publication number: 20080278455Abstract: A user interface method is disclosed. For a particular interface, such as a touch input device, the method involves defining an enablement protocol for a function and recording and retaining the enablement protocol of said function, such that a user enables the function by substantially reproducing the enablement protocol in the absence of spatial or temporal indication of at least a portion of the enablement protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Graham Roy Atkins, Ian Andrew Maxwell
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Publication number: 20080278460Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting, collimating and redirecting light from a point-like source to produce a collimated optical signal in a substantially planar form are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus is manufactured as a unitary transmissive body comprising a collimation element and a redirection element, and optionally a transmissive element. In another embodiment, the apparatus is assembled from one or more components. The apparatus and method are useful for providing sensing light for an optical touch input device or for providing illumination for a display.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Kenneth Edmund Arnett, Robert Bruce Charters, Chan Hong Wang, Graham Roy Atkins, Ian Andrew Maxwell, Duncan Ian Ross
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Patent number: 7421167Abstract: This invention relates to optical splitters, particularly to optical splitters for use in optical touch screens. The present invention provides an optical splitter for distributing light substantially equally from a multimode input waveguide to an array of output waveguides, via a slab region. The distribution of output waveguide widths is chosen to complement the intensity distribution in the slab region, which may or may not be substantially uniform. The invention also provides an optical splitter for distributing light substantially equally from an optical source to a plurality of waveguides, wherein said optical source directs a beam of light into a slab region. The distribution of waveguide widths is chosen to complement the intensity distribution in the slab region, which may or may not be substantially uniform. When used to distribute optical power in optical touch screens, the splitters of the present invention may be used in series and/or in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Robert B. Charters, Benjamin Cornish