Patents by Inventor Tod L. Schneider

Tod L. Schneider 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).

  • Publication number: 20120268420
    Abstract: A writing/drawing tablet utilizing a data capture device such as a pressure sensitive display with data capture component that can capture data from the resulting image drawn on the device for storage. In general, Bistable Liquid Crystal Displays (BLCD), and in particular, Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Displays (ChLCDs), can be utilized in the tablet. The tablet can also be adapted to connect to external devices for displaying images being drawn on the tablet or that were previously stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Duane Marhefka, J. William Doane, Tod L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8228301
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a bistable cholesteric writing tablet on which an image is formed by applying a suitable voltage while applying writing pressure, which results in a focal conic texture in a reduced gap region of the active layer while not changing the texture of the unreduced gap region of the active layer (e.g., a written portion being in a focal conic texture on a background in the planar texture). Another aspect of the invention is a multi-color stacked writing tablet in which a color of an image is selected by applying a suitable voltage while applying writing pressure using an instrument such as an untethered stylus on the surface of the tablet. The writing tablet includes at least two or three stacked layers of bistable cholesteric liquid crystal material. Selected colors can be additively mixed to achieve intermediate colors as desired. The image can be erased and new images written on the tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventor: Tod L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8139039
    Abstract: An electronic writing tablet is composed of one or more layers on which an image is formed and can be selectively erased. One aspect of the invention is a bistable cholesteric writing tablet on which an image is formed while applying writing pressure. The image can be fully erased and new images written on the tablet. In addition, one can selectively erase any or all portions of the written image to restore the original background color. Another aspect of the invention is a multi-color stacked writing tablet in which a color of an image is selected (usually by applying a suitable voltage) while applying writing pressure using an instrument such as an untethered stylus on the surface of the tablet. The writing tablet includes at least two or three stacked layers of bistable cholesteric liquid crystal material. Selected colors can be additively mixed to achieve intermediate colors as desired. The image can be fully erased and new images written on the tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kent Displays, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tod L. Schneider, Erica Montbach, J. William Doane
  • Publication number: 20100265214
    Abstract: A writing/drawing tablet utilizing a data capture device such as a pressure sensitive display that can capture data from the resulting image drawn on the device. In general, Bistable Liquid Crystal Displays (BLCD), and in particular, Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Displays (ChLCDs), can be utilized in such a device to create low cost pressure sensitive displays that are efficient power consumers and that can be utilized in a number of unique devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: KENT DISPLAYS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Albert Green, Xiao-Yang Huang, Tod L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20090096942
    Abstract: An electronic writing tablet is composed of one or more layers on which an image is formed and can be selectively erased. One aspect of the invention is a bistable cholesteric writing tablet on which an image is formed while applying writing pressure. The image can be fully erased and new images written on the tablet. In addition, one can selectively erase any or all portions of the written image to restore the original background color. Another aspect of the invention is a multi-color stacked writing tablet in which a color of an image is selected (usually by applying a suitable voltage) while applying writing pressure using an instrument such as an untethered stylus on the surface of the tablet. The writing tablet includes at least two or three stacked layers of bistable cholesteric liquid crystal material. Selected colors can be additively mixed to achieve intermediate colors as desired. The image can be fully erased and new images written on the tablet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventors: Tod L. Schneider, Erica Montbach, J. William Doane
  • Publication number: 20090033811
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a bistable cholesteric writing tablet on which an image is formed by applying a suitable voltage while applying writing pressure, which results in a focal conic texture in a reduced gap region of the active layer while not changing the texture of the unreduced gap region of the active layer (e.g., a written portion being in a focal conic texture on a background in the planar texture). Another aspect of the invention is a multi-color stacked writing tablet in which a color of an image is selected by applying a suitable voltage while applying writing pressure using an instrument such as an untethered stylus on the surface of the tablet. The writing tablet includes at least two or three stacked layers of bistable cholesteric liquid crystal material. Selected colors can be additively mixed to achieve intermediate colors as desired. The image can be erased and new images written on the tablet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Kent Displays Incorporated
    Inventor: Tod L. Schneider