Patents Assigned to RAST Associates, LLC
  • Patent number: 7104715
    Abstract: In a miniature keyboard, keybuttons may shift their relative positions from a relatively smaller array when stored to deployment which results in a relatively larger array for active keyboard use. An application for this positional adjustment is the use of the keyboard for inputting data with fingertips when used with portable miniature electronic devices, e.g., small cellphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: RAST Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 7082393
    Abstract: A voice recognition device and method allows position-stabilized capture of spoken sounds with great repeatability and accuracy. The voice recognition device may additionally provide two channels of lip movement information to supplement the usual audible speech component recognition system in selecting the proper pairing of data input to text output. The voice recognition device may provide a further channel of information about the speech generating motions via an ultrasonic injection of sound into the vocal cavity and subsequent decoding of the emitted sound after injection. The ultrasonic injection and decoding may also used to provide audible clues as to the unvoiced sound formed by speaking when the vocal cords are not energized. The ensemble of electronic equipment upon the bail band may be in microcircuit form, including placing the components on a copper layer polyimide flexible strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: RAST Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 7030323
    Abstract: A keyboard which may be utilized in either an expanded or contracted state. A keyboard is comprised of an expandable and compressible housing which supports a plurality of elastic belts. Keyswitch assemblies are fastened to the elastic belt. When the keyboard housing is expanded, the elastic belts are stretched, and the distance between the keys is increased. The keytops can be of variable size so that upon expansion, they increase in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: RAST Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 6882336
    Abstract: An expandable keyboard device includes a plurality of keytops arranged on a plurality of elastic webs. Each web corresponds to a single row of keytops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: RAST Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 6830397
    Abstract: An expandable keyboard includes a plurality of expandable keytops, a keyswitch corresponding to each keytop and a force vectoring device arranged between each keytop and corresponding keyswitch. The force vectoring device is configured to direct force applied to any portion of the keytop to the keyswitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: RAST Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 6810119
    Abstract: A keyboard which may be utilized in either an expanded or contracted state. The keyboard is comprised of an expandable and compressible housing which supports a plurality of elastic belts. Keyswitch assemblies are fastened to the elastic belt. When the keyboard housing is expanded, the elastic belts are stretched, and the distance between the keys is increased. The keytops can be of variable size so that upon expansion, they increase in size. The keytops can also rotate upon expansion to increase the striking surface of the keytop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: RAST Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 6739774
    Abstract: A keyboard which may be utilized in either an expanded or contracted state. A keyboard is comprised of an expandable and compressible housing which supports a plurality of elastic belts. Keyswitch assemblies are fastened to the elastic belt. When the keyboard housing is expanded, the elastic belts are stretched, and the distance between the keys is increased. The keytops can be of variable size so that upon expansion, they increase in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Rast Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr