Patents by Inventor Robert Olodort
Robert Olodort 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: 6894626Abstract: A foldable keyboard having a plurality of folding keyboard sections. Each keyboard section includes a frame carrying a key set having a plurality of keys. The key set may be movable laterally relative to the frame. The frame with the key set is foldable with respect to an adjacent frame. The frame provides a self-contained enclosure for the keyboard assembly when fully closed. When opened, the keyboard assembly can be a full-size standard QWERTY keyboard.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Think Outside, Inc.Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet, Sung Kim, Arturo Meuniot, Paul Martin Donovan
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Publication number: 20050091431Abstract: A portable communication device which, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a first position to cover a display assembly and a keyboard assembly, a second position to form a mobile voice phone and a third position to form a personal digital assistant. In this exemplary embodiment, a display on the display assembly is in a portrait mode relative to said keyboard assembly in the second position and the display on the display assembly is in a landscape mode relative to said keyboard assembly in the third position. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2004Publication date: April 28, 2005Inventors: Robert Olodort, Peter Cazalet
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Publication number: 20050002158Abstract: A digital processing device including a keyboard assembly and a display assembly coupled to the keyboard assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard assembly has a collapsed form and an opened form and the display assembly has a display width of at least 800 pixels. The keyboard assembly unfolds to form a full-size keyboard (e.g., in conformance with an ISO 9241-4:1998(E) standard) that allows a user to comfortably, quickly, and accurately “touch-type” in a manner that the user may be accustomed to.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2003Publication date: January 6, 2005Inventors: Robert Olodort, Peter Cazalet, Russell Mead, John Tang
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Patent number: 6839002Abstract: A foldable keyboard having a plurality of folding keyboard sections. Each keyboard section includes a frame carrying a key set having a plurality of keys. The key set may be movable laterally relative to the frame. The frame with the key set is foldable with respect to an adjacent frame. The frame provides a self-contained enclosure for the keyboard assembly when fully closed. When opened, the keyboard assembly can be a full-size standard QWERTY keyboard.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Think Outside, Inc.Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet, Sung Kim, Arturo Meuniot, Paul Martin Donovan
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Patent number: 6798649Abstract: A digital processing device including a base, a display assembly, a hinge assembly, and a foldable keyboard is described. The hinge assembly enables the back of the display assembly to be rotated between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the user may interact with the device in a similar manner as a PDA. In the second configuration, the hinge assembly enables the unfolding of the keyboard assembly so that it is accessible to the user to enter information by typing and the display assembly is positioned for viewing of information. The keyboard assembly unfolds to form a full-size keyboard (e.g., conformance with an ISO 9241-4:1998(E) standard) that allows a user to comfortably, quickly, and accurately “touch-type” in a manner that the user may be accustomed to. The base may be rigid to enable use of the keyboard assembly on soft or uneven surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Think Outside, Inc.Inventors: Robert Olodort, Peter M. Cazalet, Russell Mead, John Tang
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Publication number: 20040169593Abstract: A foldable keyboard having a plurality of folding keyboard sections. Each keyboard section includes a frame carrying a key set having a plurality of keys. The key set may be movable laterally relative to the frame. The frame with the key set is foldable with respect to an adjacent frame. The frame provides a self-contained enclosure for the keyboard assembly when fully closed. When opened, the keyboard assembly can be a full-size standard QWERTY keyboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet, Sung Kim, Arturo Meuniot, Paul Martin Donovan
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Publication number: 20040169642Abstract: A foldable keyboard having a plurality of folding keyboard sections. Each keyboard section includes a frame carrying a key set having a plurality of keys. The key set may be movable laterally relative to the frame. The frame with the key set is foldable with respect to an adjacent frame. The frame provides a self-contained enclosure for the keyboard assembly when fully closed. When opened, the keyboard assembly can be a full-size standard QWERTY keyboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet, Sung Kim, Arturo Meuniot, Paul Martin Donovan
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Patent number: 6781077Abstract: A keyswitch is described that may include two legs interleaved together without a pivot point approximately central to the legs. The keyswitch may also include a spring to engage at least one of the bottom surfaces of the legs. In one configuration, the legs of the keyswitch may each have two lower protrusions on one of their ends and upper protrusions on their other ends with the lower protrusions of one leg disposed between the lower protrusions of the other leg. The keyswitch may also include a base having retaining clips with each of the lower protrusions of the legs pivotally engaged with a corresponding retaining clip. The keyswitch may also include a cap having tabs that may be pivotally coupled with corresponding slots in the upper protrusions of the legs.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Think Outside, Inc.Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet, Russell Mead
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Patent number: 6734809Abstract: A foldable keyboard having a plurality of folding keyboard sections. Each keyboard section includes a frame carrying a key set having a plurality of keys. The key set may be movable laterally relative to the frame. The frame with the key set is foldable with respect to an adjacent frame. The frame provides a self-contained enclosure for the keyboard assembly when fully closed. When opened, the keyboard assembly can be a full-size standard QWERTY keyboard.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Think Outside, Inc.Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet, Sung Kim, Arturo Meuniot, Paul Martin Donovan
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Publication number: 20040067086Abstract: A foldable keyboard assembly having a first keyboard section, a second keyboard section, a linkage assembly and a support plate. The linkage assembly, in one embodiment, enables the keyboard assembly to alternate between a folded and unfolded keyboard configuration. In an unfolded configuration, the keyboard assembly has first keyboard section and second keyboard section co-planar to form a full-size keyboard. The support plate aligns under the keyboard sections. In a folded configuration, first keyboard section, second keyboard section and support plate align on top of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2002Publication date: April 8, 2004Inventors: Robert Olodort, Peter M. Cazalet, John Tang
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Patent number: 6600121Abstract: A spring coupled to a multi-layered flex membrane is described. In one embodiment, the spring may be a layer coupled to the top layer of a key switch membrane. In another embodiment, the spring may be coupled to the key switch between a top layer and a spacer layer. The spring or spring layer may increase the resiliency of the key switch membrane to prevent the flex membrane from deforming.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Think Outside, Inc.Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet
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Publication number: 20030122691Abstract: A system and method for detecting key actuation in a keyboard assembly, which, in one embodiment, is used as a conductor to electrically communicate with an information appliance. The rows in the keyboard assembly are electrically isolated from one another, and each row contains keys bridging a two-wire bus. Each key has a switch that is closed during key actuation, a diode to polarize the key, and a resistor to provide a resistive load when the switch is closed and the diode is biased with the current flow. Alternatively, each key has a switch that is closed during key actuation, a timer with an output that goes high after a predetermined time period, and a resistor that provides an identifying load when the switch is closed and the output of the timer is high. Other features of the invention include a linear matrix coupled to a row of keys to allow the row to be scanned by sections and individual keys, and a flexible circuit that provides the electrical pathways for the linear matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2003Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Randy Turchik
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Patent number: 6563434Abstract: A system and method for detecting key actuation in a keyboard assembly, which in one embodiment, is used as a conductor to electrically communicate with an information appliance. The rows in the keyboard assembly are electrically isolated from one another, and each row contains keys bridging a two-wire bus. Each key has a switch that is closed during key actuation, a diode to polarize the key, and a resistor to provide a resistive load when the switch is closed and the diode is biased with the current flow. Alternatively, each key has a switch that is closed during key actuation, a timer with an output that goes high after a predetermined time period, and a resistor that provides an identifying load when the switch is closed and the output of the timer is high. Other features of the invention include a linear matrix coupled to a row of keys to allow the row to be scanned by sections and individual keys, and a flexible circuit that provides the electrical pathways for the linear matrix.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1998Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Think Outside, Inc.Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Randy Turchik
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Publication number: 20020092739Abstract: A keyswitch is described that may include two legs interleaved together without a pivot point approximately central to the legs. The keyswitch may also include a spring to engage at least one of the bottom surfaces of the legs. In one configuration, the legs of the keyswitch may each have two lower protrusions on one of their ends and upper protrusions on their other ends with the lower protrusions of one leg disposed between the lower protrusions of the other leg. The keyswitch may also include a base having retaining clips with each of the lower protrusions of the legs pivotally engaged with a corresponding retaining clip. The keyswitch may also include a cap having tabs that may be pivotally coupled with corresponding slots in the upper protrusions of the legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2000Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet, Russell Mead
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Publication number: 20020084920Abstract: A foldable keyboard having a plurality of folding keyboard sections. Each keyboard section includes a frame carrying a key set having a plurality of keys. The key set may be movable laterally relative to the frame. The frame with the key set is foldable with respect to an adjacent frame. The frame provides a self-contained enclosure for the keyboard assembly when fully closed. When opened, the keyboard assembly can be a full-size standard QWERTY keyboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Applicant: Think OutsideInventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet, Sung Kim, Arturo Meuniot, Paul Martin Donovan
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Publication number: 20020078137Abstract: A network-based method for configuring disconnect switches includes receiving disconnect switch specification information from a user and using a server to compare the received specification information with pre-stored information. The method also includes selecting at least one disconnect switch that matches the received specification information and displaying to the user information related to the disconnect switch. A network-based method also provides for selection of various accessories for the selected disconnect switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2000Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet
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Publication number: 20020050934Abstract: A foldable keyboard having a plurality of folding keyboard sections. Each keyboard section includes a frame carrying a key set having a plurality of keys. The key set may be movable laterally relative to the frame. The frame with the key set is foldable with respect to an adjacent frame. The frame provides a self-contained enclosure for the keyboard assembly when fully closed. When opened, the keyboard assembly can be a full-size standard QWERTY keyboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet, Sung Kim, Arturo Meuniot, Paul Martin Donovan
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Patent number: 6331850Abstract: A collapsible keyboard assembly having, in one embodiment, a plurality of keys each of the plurality of keys having a top portion and a portion of the plurality of keys displaced adjacent one another to form at least one row. A plurality of keys are coupled to a support element which is capable of being extended to a first footprint and is capable of being contracted to a second footprint. Each of the keys includes a key top which is coupled to a key base. Each key top is designed to be pressed by a user. For each key, the key top and key base rotate on a pivot point which couples the key base to the support element. Each key base rotates as the support element is extended and contracted. One embodiment also includes a plurality of scissors linkages, each linkage having a pair of diagonally opposed leg portions coupled to one another, with a portion of the plurality of scissors linkages pivotally coupled to at least one of the keys of the row.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1998Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Think Outside, Inc.Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang
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Patent number: D457525Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Think Outside, Inc.Inventors: Robert Olodort, John Tang, Peter M. Cazalet, Sung Kim, Arturo Meuniot, Benjamin Pei-Ming Chia, Robert D. Brunner
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Patent number: D486488Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Think Outside, Inc.Inventors: Robert Olodort, Peter M. Cazalet, John Tang, Scott Summit