Patents by Inventor Benjamin Cornish
Benjamin Cornish has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8674963Abstract: Waveguide structures and optical elements for use in an optical touch input device are disclosed. The disclosed waveguide structures and optical elements allow for reduced bezel width and simplified assembly of optical touch input devices, and relaxed component tolerances.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Zetta Research and Development LLC—RPO SeriesInventors: Benjamin Cornish, Robert Bruce Charters, Ian Andrew Maxwell, Graham Roy Atkins, Dax Kukulj, Graeme Gordon
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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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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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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
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Publication number: 20080106527Abstract: 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: November 5, 2007Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Benjamin Cornish, Robert Charters, Warwick Holloway, Ian Maxwell, Dax Kukulj
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Patent number: 7352940Abstract: This invention relates to devices for coupling light between an optical waveguide and an optical element in a manner that is substantially independent of temperature, using reflective optics. Certain embodiments of the invention concern improved designs for the transmit and receive optics of a waveguide-based optical touch screen sensor, incorporating reflective optics. The improved designs have substantially temperature independent operation and reduced optical losses. In one preferred embodiment the improved design incorporates a parabolic or quasi-parabolic reflector. In another preferred embodiment the improved design incorporates an elliptical or quasi-elliptical reflector. The transmit and receive elements and associated waveguides preferably comprise photo-patternable polymers.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Robbie Charters, Benjamin Cornish, Barry Luther-Davies, Dax Kukulj, Graham Atkins
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Publication number: 20080074402Abstract: The present invention relates to waveguide structures and optical elements for use in an optical touch screen sensor. The waveguide structures and optical elements allow for reduced bezel width and simplified assembly of optical touch screens sensors, and relaxed component tolerances.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2007Publication date: March 27, 2008Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Benjamin Cornish, Robert Charters, Ian Maxwell, Graham Atkins, Dax Kukulj, Graeme Gordon
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Publication number: 20070253717Abstract: 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 mote 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 mote of the upper cladding, lower cladding, substrate or common base.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Robbie Charters, Ian Maxwell, Benjamin Cornish, Warwick Holloway
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Publication number: 20060188196Abstract: This invention relates to devices for coupling light between an optical waveguide and an optical element in a manner that is substantially independent of temperature, using reflective optics. Certain embodiments of the invention concern improved designs for the transmit and receive optics of a waveguide-based optical touch screen sensor, incorporating reflective optics. The improved designs have substantially temperature independent operation and reduced optical losses. In one preferred embodiment the improved design incorporates a parabolic or quasi-parabolic reflector. In another preferred embodiment the improved design incorporates an elliptical or quasi-elliptical reflector. The transmit and receive elements and associated waveguides preferably comprise photo-patternable polymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2006Publication date: August 24, 2006Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Robbie Charters, Benjamin Cornish, Barry Luther-Davies, Dax Kukulj, Graham Atkins
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Publication number: 20060188198Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2005Publication date: August 24, 2006Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Robert Charters, Benjamin Cornish
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Publication number: 20060088244Abstract: A 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: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Applicant: RPO Pty LimitedInventors: Dax Kukulj, Benjamin Cornish, Robert Charters, Graham Atkins, Barry Luther-Davies