Patents by Inventor Ricky Robbins

Ricky Robbins 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).

  • Patent number: 9919534
    Abstract: A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Marvin Nicholson, Jason McReynolds, Robert Muyskens, Mark Doerre, Ricky A. Robbins, David Ward
  • Patent number: 9895899
    Abstract: A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Marvin Nicholson, Jason McReynolds, Robert Muyskens, Mark Doerre, Ricky Robbins, David Ward
  • Publication number: 20150375516
    Abstract: A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Marvin Nicholson, III, Jason McReynolds, Robert Muyskens, Mark Doerre, Ricky A. Robbins, David Ward
  • Publication number: 20150352856
    Abstract: A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Marvin NICHOLSON, Jason MCREYNOLDS, Robert MUYSKENS, Mark DOERRE, Ricky ROBBINS, David WARD
  • Patent number: 9108423
    Abstract: A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Marvin Nicholson, III, Jason McReynolds, Robert Muyskens, Mark Doerre, Ricky Robbins, Daivd Ward
  • Publication number: 20120306973
    Abstract: A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Marvin Nicholson, III, Jason Mcreynolds, Robert Muyskens, Mark Doerre, Ricky Robbins, Daivd Ward
  • Publication number: 20120306974
    Abstract: A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Marvin Nicholson, III, Jason McReynolds, Robert Muyskens, Mark Doerre, Ricky A. Robbins, Daivd Ward
  • Patent number: 7834776
    Abstract: A RFID linking device-based switchable sensor can be used to detect an unseated condition of one component with another component. The switchable sensor includes a RFID linking device, such as a RFID tag, with an electrical circuitry mountable on the one component and a switchable device incorporated with two portions of the electrical circuitry physically and electrically separated from one another such that the switchable device is exposed and normally in a first condition disabling the RFID linking device to a communicatively unavailable state. The switchable device is accessible from externally of the switchable sensor and thus switchable to a second condition, due to contact with an actuator element on the other component, enabling the RFID linking device to a communicatively available state in response to the one component being placed in the seated condition with the other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Edwards, Ricky Robbins
  • Publication number: 20090195364
    Abstract: A RFID linking device-based switchable sensor can be used to detect an unseated condition of one component with another component. The switchable sensor includes a RFID linking device, such as a RFID tag, with an electrical circuitry mountable on the one component and a switchable device incorporated with two portions of the electrical circuitry physically and electrically separated from one another such that the switchable device is exposed and normally in a first condition disabling the RFID linking device to a communicatively unavailable state. The switchable device is accessible from externally of the switchable sensor and thus switchable to a second condition, due to contact with an actuator element on the other component, enabling the RFID linking device to a communicatively available state in response to the one component being placed in the seated condition with the other component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Edwards, Ricky Robbins
  • Publication number: 20070157193
    Abstract: An image forming device may be upgraded through scanning an encoded upgrade sheet. A controller and associated circuitry in the image forming device may extract upgrade data, including firmware data for the device, from the scanned upgrade sheet and write the data to a memory device. The upgrade sheets may include an image comprising a pattern of data blocks, with each block having a color shade representative of binary data. The upgrade sheets may be distributed to users in different manners, including mailing upgrade sheets, electronically mailing the image, or providing the image on a network accessible to the users. The upgrade sheets may include a preamble that triggers the upgrade procedure as well as header and footer information describing the upgrade data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Tommy Lowe, Ricky Robbins, Joseph Yackzan
  • Publication number: 20070146756
    Abstract: A method of operating an imaging apparatus having a duplexer and a perforation device for processing a sheet of media having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface includes forming an image on the first surface of the sheet of media; advancing the sheet of media through the duplexer; and forming a plurality of close-spaced perforations on the sheet of media from the second surface toward the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Adam Ahne, Mark Edwards, Brian Owens, Ricky Robbins, Ronald Sellers
  • Publication number: 20070127969
    Abstract: An apparatus for perforating a sheet of media includes a perforation forming mechanism including at least one perforation device. The perforation forming mechanism is configured to drive the perforation device through the sheet of media to extend through the sheet of media by a distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Adam Ahne, William Connors, Mark Edwards, William Goff, Brian Owens, Ricky Robbins, Douglas Robertson
  • Publication number: 20070092327
    Abstract: An apparatus for perforating a sheet of media includes a perforation forming mechanism including at least one perforation device. The perforation forming mechanism is configured to drive the perforation device through the sheet of media to extend through the sheet of media by a distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Adam Ahne, William Connors, Mark Edwards, William Goff, Brian Owens, Ricky Robbins, Douglas Robertson
  • Publication number: 20070064029
    Abstract: A method for determining a printhead gap between a printhead and a sheet of media in an ink jet apparatus that performs bi-directional alignment of the printhead includes determining a first amount of bi-directional misalignment of the printhead at a first unknown printhead gap; changing the printhead gap from the first unknown printhead gap to a second unknown printhead gap by a known printhead gap change amount; determining a second amount of bi-directional misalignment of the printhead at the second unknown printhead gap; and calculating at least one of the first unknown printhead gap and the second unknown printhead gap based on the first amount of bi-directional misalignment, the second amount of bi-directional misalignment, and the known printhead gap change amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Edwards, Brian Owens, Ricky Robbins
  • Publication number: 20050286090
    Abstract: A multi-function peripheral comprising a facsimile portion, a memory portion for retaining received fax image data, a graphics display affixed to the multi-function peripheral and in electrical communication with said memory portion, said graphics display depicting the fax image data of the memory portion and including a user interface for zooming and editing the fax image data in the memory portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Adam Ahne, Mark Edwards, Brian Owens, Ricky Robbins
  • Publication number: 20050213162
    Abstract: User-selectable functions for use in output devices to generate background images. One embodiment of the invention provides an image capture and printing device for creating a scanned image of an item or an original image. The device includes a user interface configured to present a plurality of capture-to functions and to receive input from a user indicating a selection of at least one of the plurality of capture-to functions; an image capturer configured to capture an image, where the size, shape, or intensity of the image, or a combination thereof is based upon the selected capture-to function; and a print engine configured to print the captured image as a background layer in a copy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Adam Ahne, Mark Edwards, Brian Owens, Ricky Robbins
  • Publication number: 20050151775
    Abstract: Method for printing an image on a print medium having an edge or an edge portion. A printer adapted to print the image by printing dots is obtained. Dots are printed beyond a preselected distance from the edge or edge portion at a first percent of print dot density. Dots are printed at and within the preselected distance from the edge or edge portion at a varying percent of print dot density, wherein the varying percent steps down and not up at least two times as the distance from the edge or edge portion of dots to be printed decreases. In one example, the printer is an inkjet printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Edwards, Ricky Robbins
  • Publication number: 20050000337
    Abstract: An apparatus for perforating a sheet of media includes a perforation forming mechanism including at least one perforation device. The perforation forming mechanism is configured to drive the perforation device through the sheet of media to extend through the sheet of media by a distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Adam Ahne, William Connors, Mark Edwards, William Goff, Brian Owens, Ricky Robbins, Douglas Robertson