Patents by Inventor Simon Robert Walmsley

Simon Robert Walmsley 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: 8220708
    Abstract: A method of performing an action in mobile telecommunications device is disclosed. A sensor module of the mobile telecommunications device senses coded data on a document. The document has disposed thereon an image and the coded data. The coded data encodes at least an identifier. The identifier is then extracted from the coded data, and an electronic copy of the image is retrieved from a storage device, the electronic copy of the image being associated with the identifier. The electronic copy of the image is displayed on a display device of the mobile telecommunications device, together with a plurality of hyperlinks. A selection of one of the hyperlinks is received from a user, and an action associated with the selected hyperlink is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20120113445
    Abstract: A method of printing graphic content with position tags. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a first representation of the graphic content in a CMYK color space; translating a K color plane of the CMYK color space into CMY color planes, thereby generating a second representation of the graphic content in a CMY color space; obtaining a representation of the position tags; generating output content by compositing the representation of the position tags over the second representation of the graphic content; and printing the output content using a printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20120086748
    Abstract: A printhead having at least first and second rows of print nozzle cells. Each each nozzle cell has an ink chamber, control circuitry and drive circuitry. Each nozzle cell in the first row has a corresponding nozzle cell in the second row. The drive circuitry of each nozzle cell of the first row is arranged adjacent the drive circuitry of the corresponding nozzle cell in the second row and distant the control circuitry of the corresponding nozzle cell in the first row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Mark Jackson Pulver, Michael John Webb, John Robert Sheahan, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20120083252
    Abstract: A method of sending a message using a business card with data encoded on a surface, and a mobile phone. The data includes an identifier which uniquely identifies the surface and the mobile telephone senses the coded data to determine the identifier. Using the identifier, the phone retrieves a representation of the business card, which has a plurality of fields, one of which being a messaging field. The business card is displayed on the phone such that the messaging field can be user selected, a message generated and transmitted to a communications address retrieved from a database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook, Jacqueline Ann Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20120069074
    Abstract: A method of generating half tone print data is disclosed. The method starts by determining an extent of overlap caused by temperature variations of overlapping end portions of a pair of consecutive printhead segments. A dither value is also generated from a dither matrix, and the dither value is combined with the extent of overlap to produce an output value. A mathematical operation is performed on continuous tone print data based on the output value, to produce the half tone print data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Simon Robert Walmsley, Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 8136720
    Abstract: A method of recording an interaction with a mail item. The mail item comprises a product contained in a mailing package. The mailing package comprises an interface surface containing mailing information. The interface surface has coded data indicative of a mail item identity and of coordinates of a plurality of locations of the interface surface. The method includes the steps of: receiving, in a computer system, indicating data from a sensing device regarding the mail item identity and positions of the sensing device relative to the interface surface; and identifying and recording, with reference to the indicating data, the interaction with the mail item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 8123318
    Abstract: A printhead is provided having a plurality of rows of nozzles, with the nozzles in each row being grouped into fire groups, and a controller configured to fire the nozzles of each fire group by outputting firing pulses to the nozzles. The controller sets the number of fire groups in each row based on the width of the firing pulses and a predetermined length of time for firing all of the nozzles of that row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Simon Robert Walmsley, Mark Jackson Pulver, John Robert Sheahan, Michael John Webb, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8118380
    Abstract: Provided is a printer controller for a pagewidth printer having a printhead configured to print according to print quality information. The printer has a paper transport mechanism for transporting a sheet of paper along a media path through the printer. The controller includes a processor having an address, data and control bus, an expander unit and a decoder unit each coupled to the bus and configured to decompress a bi-level black layer and a continuous tone (contone) layer of a page to be printed. The controller also includes a replaceable ink cartridge arranged in the media path and having a first integrated circuit (IC) interfaced with the processor, the first IC containing the print quality information. Also included is a second IC interfaced to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20120038730
    Abstract: A method of storing data on a photograph includes delimiting a plurality of data block regions on the photograph, the plurality of data block regions superposing a region of the photograph delimited for the printing of a photographic image; compressing data representing the image contained in the photograph with a compression technique; redundantly encoding the compressed data using Reed-Solomon encoding techniques; shuffling the redundantly encoded compressed data in a deterministic manner to reduce potential effects of localized encoded data caused by damage to the photograph; and printing the shuffled data as dots within the data block regions on the photograph. Each of the plurality of data blocks is printed on a first side with a first column of orientation dots, and on a second side with a second column of orientation dots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 8112072
    Abstract: A system for controlling a communications device is disclosed. A printer prints on a surface visual information relating to at least one operation of the communications device and coded data portions. Each coded data portion encodes a region identifier which uniquely identifies a region on the surface, and a portion identifier which uniquely identifies the coded data portion. A sensing device placed in an operative position relative to the coded data portions, generate indicating data regarding the region identifier and the portion identifier. A computer system receives the indicating data and determines an operation associated with the region identifier and the portion identifier. Finally, the computer system sends one or more commands to the communications device, thereby effecting the at least one operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley, Jacqueline Anne Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8103307
    Abstract: A method of generating an association between a software object and a position on a surface is disclosed. The method starts by sensing, by a sensing device placed on the position on the surface coded data at the position on the surface. The coded data at the position on the surface encodes an identity of the surface and the position of the coded data relative to the surface. The sensing device then generates indicating data using the sensed coded data. The indicating data is indicative of the identity of the surface and the position of the sensed coded data relative to the surface. Upon receiving the indicating data from the sensing device by a computer system, the computer system identifies, using the indicating data, the identity of the surface and the position of the sensed coded data relative to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 8103371
    Abstract: A method of retrieving audio data using a coded medium is provided in which first and second coded data printed on the coded medium is sensed using an image sensor, the first coded data being printed in a linear pattern and encoding a medium identifier linked to the audio data and the second coded data being printed in a two-dimensional pattern and encoding the medium identifier and data on a two-dimensional coordinate grid, the medium identifier is determined from the sensed first and second coded data using a processor in communication with the image sensor, and the audio data is retrieved using the determined medium identifier and the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8100329
    Abstract: A method of interacting with a printed substrate. The comprises the steps of: interacting with the substrate using an optically imaging pen having a nib; optically imaging target elements and coded data; calculating a position of the nib; and generating digital ink in the pen, the digital ink being indicative of the identity of the substrate and the position of the nib relative to the substrate; and sending the digital ink to a computer system such that the computer system can identify the interaction with the substrate. The position of the nib is calculated using the coded data, a perspective transform and a known spatial relationship between an optical axis of the pen and the nib. The perspective transform is determined using the imaged target elements which are perspective-distorted due to a tilt of the pen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley, Jacqueline Anne Lapstun
  • Patent number: 8094199
    Abstract: A camera module is disclosed including an image capture portion, a base portion, and a pivot assembly. The image capture portion has a lens system, an imaging sensor and an image processor. The image sensor captures an image in a first color space. The image processor receives the image in the first color space and converts the image to a second color space which is a device independent color space. The base portion has electrical contacts for connecting to a peripheral device in order to transfer the image in the second color space to the peripheral device. The pivot assembly connects the image capture portion to the base portion and allows the image capture portion to be movable about the pivot assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Simon Robert Walmsley, Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 8091774
    Abstract: A printing system is provided having a cellular telephone which has an input at which a print medium is loaded into the telephone, a printer, and a sensor for sensing an identifier of the loaded print medium. The cellular telephone uses the sensed identifier to determine whether or not the loaded print medium is a valid print medium on which printing can be performed by the printer. If the loaded print medium is determined to be valid, the cellular telephone controls the printer to print on the loaded print medium. If the loaded print medium is determined to not be valid, the cellular telephone ejects the loaded print medium at the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 8094198
    Abstract: A camera module for a compact printer system. The camera module includes a CMOS image sensor that captures an RGB image when a take button is actuated. The RGB image is transformed to a suitable format, such as L*a*b*, for transfer directly to a printer module. The camera module incorporates a camera portion pivotally connected to a base portion, where by the camera portion is pivotal between a first position where it is aligned with on a common axis on the base portion and a second position where there is no alignment. The base portion has a connector that connects directly to a corresponding connector on the printer module, providing both a physical connection and a logical connection. The logical connection is a serial bus that communicates power and data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 8095110
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of controlling a function of a device. The device is operative to perform the function in response to a command from a printer. The method starts by printing a control interface containing information relating to the function and coded data. The coded data is indicative of an identity of the control interface and of at least one reference point of the control interface. Next, indicating data is received by the printer from a sensing device. The indicating data contains the identity of the control interface and at least one position of the sensing device relative to the control interface. The sensing device forms the indicating data when placed in an operative position relative to the control interface using the coded data. Finally, the printer issues the command relating to the function to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley, Jacqueline Anne Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20120004921
    Abstract: A method of decoding coded data provided on a photograph using a reader includes steps of irradiating an image-side of the photograph from a first end thereof to an opposing second end thereof with infra-red illumination; receiving infra-red illumination reflected from the image; processing the reflected infra-red illumination to locate within the photograph a first target boundary; processing the reflected infra-red illumination received after location of the first target boundary to obtain audio data; storing the audio data in a memory; processing the reflected infra-red illumination to locate within the image a second target boundary downstream of the first target boundary; ceasing the processing of the reflected infra-red illumination to obtain coded data upon location of the second target boundary; and decoding the audio data stored in the memory to obtain an audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 8090403
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile telecommunications device having a printer and image capture means for printing and interacting with printed media. The device includes a mobile phone module for operatively executing a phone operating system, and a sensor module in signal communication with the phone module. The sensor module is configured for sensing tags encoded on the printed media. The device also includes a print engine controller in signal communication with the phone module, the print engine controller being configured for controlling the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20110312346
    Abstract: A system for printing a list on a print medium is disclosed. The system includes a mobile device able to determine a current geographical location of the mobile device. The mobile device determines a list of destination locations using the current geographical location of the mobile device, and then prints the list of destination locations on the print medium using a printer module of the mobile device. The print medium has coded data printed on a surface thereof, with the coded data encoding an identity of the print medium and positions on the surface. The mobile device also has a sensor module for sensing the coded data on the surface of the print medium. The system further includes a computer system for storing in a database each entry in the list of destination locations in association with the identity of the print medium and the position of the entry on the surface. The entry is retrievable from the database using the print media identifier and the position of the entry on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley