Patents by Inventor Ian Andrew Maxwell

Ian Andrew Maxwell 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: 9696847
    Abstract: A user interface method is disclosed. For a particular interface, such as a touch input device, the method involves defining an enablement protocol for a function and recording and retaining the enablement protocol of said function, such that a user enables the function by substantially reproducing the enablement protocol in the absence of spatial or temporal indication of at least a portion of the enablement protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ZETTA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LLC—RPO SERIES
    Inventors: Graham Roy Atkins, Ian Andrew Maxwell
  • Patent number: 9280279
    Abstract: A user interface method is disclosed. For a particular interface, such as a touch input device, the method involves defining an enablement protocol for a function and recording and retaining the enablement protocol of said function, such that a user enables the function by substantially reproducing the enablement protocol in the absence of spatial or temporal indication of at least a portion of the enablement protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ZETTA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LLC—RPO SERIES
    Inventors: Graham Ray Atkins, Ian Andrew Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8994037
    Abstract: Integrated optical waveguides and methods for the production thereof which have a patterned upper cladding with a defined opening to allow at least one side or at least one end of a light transmissive element to be air clad. The at least one side or at least one end is, for preference, a lens structure unitary with the waveguide or a bend. Also provided is a method of fabricating an optical waveguide with a patterned cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Zetta Research and Development LLC-RPO Series
    Inventors: Ian Andrew Maxwell, Dax Kukulj, Robert Bruce Charters
  • Patent number: 8934705
    Abstract: Methods are presented for improved detection of persistent or systematic defects induced during the manufacture of a product. In particular, the methods are directed to the detection of defects induced systematically in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells and modules. Images acquired from a number of samples are combined, enhancing the systematic defects and suppressing random features such as variations in material quality. Once a systematic defect is identified, steps can be taken to locate and rectify its cause.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: BT Imaging Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Ian Andrew Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8842366
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting, collimating and redirecting light from a point-like source to produce a collimated optical signal in a substantially planar form are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus is manufactured as a unitary transmissive body comprising a collimation element and a redirection element, and optionally a transmissive element. In another embodiment, the apparatus is assembled from one or more components. The apparatus and method are useful for providing sensing light for an optical touch input device or for providing illumination for a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Zetta Research and Development LLC—RPO Series
    Inventors: Kenneth Edmund Arnett, Robert Bruce Charters, Chan Hong Wang, Graham Roy Atkins, Ian Andrew Maxwell, Duncan Ian Ross
  • Patent number: 8674963
    Abstract: Waveguide structures and optical elements for use in an optical touch input device are disclosed. The disclosed waveguide structures and optical elements allow for reduced bezel width and simplified assembly of optical touch input devices, and relaxed component tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Zetta Research and Development LLC—RPO Series
    Inventors: Benjamin Cornish, Robert Bruce Charters, Ian Andrew Maxwell, Graham Roy Atkins, Dax Kukulj, Graeme Gordon
  • Publication number: 20130129187
    Abstract: Methods are presented for improved detection of persistent or systematic defects induced during the manufacture of a product. In particular, the methods are directed to the detection of defects induced systematically in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells and modules. Images acquired from a number of samples are combined, enhancing the systematic defects and suppressing random features such as variations in material quality. Once a systematic defect is identified, steps can be taken to locate and rectify its cause.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: BT IMAGING PTY LTD
    Inventor: Ian Andrew Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20130043405
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for acquiring photoluminescence images (2) of silicon solar cells and wafers (4) as they progress along a manufacturing line (36). In preferred embodiments the images are acquired while maintaining motion of the samples. In certain embodiments photoluminescence is generated with short pulse, high intensity excitation, (8) for instance by a flash lamp (50) while in other embodiments images are acquired in line scanning fashion. The photoluminescence images can be analysed to obtain information on average or spatially resolved values of one or more sample properties such as minority carrier diffusion length, minority carrier lifetime, dislocation defects, impurities and shunts, or information on the incidence or growth of cracks in a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: BT Imaging Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ian Andrew Maxwell, Thorsten Trupke, Robert Andrew Bardos, Kenneth Edmund Arnett
  • Publication number: 20120233690
    Abstract: A user interface method is disclosed. For a particular interface, such as a touch input device, the method involves defining an enablement protocol for a function and recording and retaining the enablement protocol of said function, such that a user enables the function by substantially reproducing the enablement protocol in the absence of spatial or temporal indication of at least a portion of the enablement protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: RPO Pty Limited
    Inventors: Graham Ray Atkins, Ian Andrew Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20120200536
    Abstract: The invention describes various optical waveguide layouts with reduced substrate area, with particular application to reducing bezel width in optical touch systems. In certain preferred embodiments the optical waveguide layouts include a plurality of waveguide crossings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: RPO Pty Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Cornish, Robert Bruce Charters, Warwick Todd Holloway, Ian Andrew Maxwell, Dax Kukulj
  • Publication number: 20120142125
    Abstract: A method of photoluminence (PL) imaging of a series of silicon wafers, the method including the step of: utilizing incident illumination of a wavelength greater than 808 nm. The present invention further provides a method of analysing silicon semiconductor material utilising various illumination, camera and filter combinations. In some embodiments the PL response is captured by a MOSIR camera. In another embodiment a camera is used to capture the entire PL response and a long pass filter is applied to block a portion of the signal reaching the camera/detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: BT IMAGIN PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Thorsten Trupke, Ian Andrew Maxwell, Juergen Weber, Robert Andrew Bardos
  • Publication number: 20120098794
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting, collimating and redirecting light from a point-like source to produce a collimated optical signal in a substantially planar form are provided. In one embodiment the apparatus is manufactured as a unitary transmissive body comprising a collimation element and a redirection element, and optionally a transmissive element. In another embodiment the apparatus is assembled from one or more components. The apparatus and method are useful for providing sensing light for an optical touch input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: RPO Pty Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Kleinert, Duncan Ian Ross, Jonathan Payne, Warwick Todd Holloway, Graham Roy Atkins, Robert Bruce Charters, Kenli Chong, Dax Kukulj, Brigg Maund, Ian Andrew Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20120033912
    Abstract: Integrated optical waveguides and methods for the production thereof which have a patterned upper cladding with a defined opening to allow at least one side or at least one end of a light transmissive element to be air clad. The at least one side or at least one end is, for preference, a lens structure unitary with the waveguide or a bend. Also provided is a method of fabricating an optical waveguide with a patterned cladding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: RPO Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ian Andrew Maxwell, Dax Kukulj, Robert Bruce Charters
  • Patent number: 8021900
    Abstract: Methods for the production of integrated optical waveguides which have a patterned upper cladding with a defined opening to allow at least one side or at least one end of a light transmissive element to be air clad The at least one side or at least one end is, for preference, a lens structure unitary with the waveguide or a bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: RPO Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ian Andrew Maxwell, Dax Kukulj, Robert Bruce Charters
  • Publication number: 20110117681
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for monitoring the deposition and/or post-deposition processing of semiconductor thin films using photoluminescence imaging. The photoluminescence images are analysed to determine one or more properties of the semiconductor film, and variations thereof across the film. These properties are used to infer information about the deposition process, which can then be used to adjust the deposition process conditions and the conditions of subsequent processing steps. The methods and apparatus have particular application to thin film-based solar cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: BT IMAGING PTY LTD
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Bardos, Thorsten Trupke, Ian Andrew Maxwell
  • Patent number: 7930347
    Abstract: A content distribution system, including: a registration module for receiving registration data for a digital item accessible, on a communications network such as a peer to peer (P2P) network, using a digital item client, such as a P2P client, on a first device; an activity module for receiving a request for content of the digital item from the client on a second device; and a transaction module for registering download of the content to the second device, for processing payment transactions with the second device, and for processing remuneration transactions with at least the first device. The system also has a search module for receiving queries for digital items and ranking results based on a user selected ranking criteria including at least one of: review of said digital items; use of said digital items; and purchase of said digital items. The digital item and a declaration for the item may comply with MPEG-21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Enikos Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Ian Andrew Maxwell, Ian Shaw Burnett
  • Publication number: 20110069018
    Abstract: In the methods of the present invention a function is initiated with a first set of touches, then applied with a second set of touches. The methods are advantageous for touch input devices with limited or no ability to detect two or more simultaneous touch events, but are not limited to being used on such input devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: RPO Pty Limited
    Inventors: Graham Roy Atkins, Ian Andrew Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20110012856
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for operation of a touch input device comprising a touch input area. The method comprises the steps of (i) detecting a touch or near-touch of an object on or near said touch input area; (ii) determining a parameter indicative of the size and/or shape of said object; (iii) comparing said parameter with at least one predetermined value; and (iv) enabling an operational state of said touch input device in response to said comparison. The parameter may be compared with one or more threshold values which delimit the operational state of the input device. Such operational states include a sleep mode or active mode, the use of a full QWERTY or reduced keyboard, translation or rotation of graphical elements, etc. The method is particularly suitable for differentiating between a touch by a stylus or touch by a finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: RPO Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Ian Andrew Maxwell, Dax Kukulj, Brigg Maund, Graham Roy Atkins
  • Patent number: 7811640
    Abstract: This invention describes methods for fabricating polymer optical waveguides, and polymer optical waveguides themselves wherein at least one of the optical layers is deposited by a two-stage deposition process. In particular, the two-stage deposition process comprises spinning as the second step. Preferably, the polymer optical waveguide comprises a three layer structure comprising a lower cladding layer, a light guiding core layer and an upper cladding layer, supported on a substrate. The invention has particular application to the volume production of polymer optical waveguides on large area substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: RPO Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Charters, Dax Kukulj, Ian Andrew Maxwell, Graham Roy Atkins
  • Patent number: RE42567
    Abstract: A biosensor for use in determining a concentration of a component in an aqueous liquid sample is provided including: an electrochemical cell having a first electrically resistive substrate having a thin layer of electrically conductive material, a second electrically resistive substrate having a thin layer of electrically conductive material, the substrates being disposed with the electrically conductive materials facing each other and being separated by a sheet including an aperture, the wall of which aperture defines a cell wall and a sample introduction aperture whereby the aqueous liquid sample may be introduced into the cell; and a measuring circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Alastair M. Hodges, Thomas W. Beck, Oddvar Johansen, Ian Andrew Maxwell