Patents by Inventor John A. Underwood

John A. Underwood 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: 20090320352
    Abstract: A fishing rod, and a method of manufacturing a tubular structure such as a fishing rod. The fishing rod extends within a plane (210). At least a portion of the rod (202) has a flexural rigidity in a first direction (B) within the plane different from the flexural rigidity in the opposite direction (A) within the plane. The difference in flexural rigidity between said directions is at least 5% of the value of the flexural rigidity in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: D-Flex Limited
    Inventor: Christopher John Underwood
  • Publication number: 20090315862
    Abstract: An electronic pen having a retractable nib for interacting with a surface. The pen comprises a slidably movable cartridge having a nib for contacting the surface, a retraction mechanism for retracting the cartridge, an actuator coupled to the retraction mechanism, a force sensor providing a reaction to an axial force transmitted from the cartridge, and a processor configured for generating force data indicative of a force detected by the force sensor. The retraction mechanism comprises a barrel for receiving the cartridge, which is adapted for seating the cartridge in either an extended position or a retracted position, whereby the axial force from the cartridge is transmitted to the barrel in the extended position. A biasing mechanism biases the cartridge towards the extended or retracted positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Matthew John Underwood, Robert John Brice, Zsolt Szarka-Kovacs
  • Publication number: 20090315864
    Abstract: An electronic pen comprises a user-replaceable cartridge having a nib, a force sensor for sensing a nib force transmitted axially through the cartridge from the nib and a retraction mechanism for retracting the cartridge. The retraction mechanism comprises a barrel adapted for seating the cartridge in either an extended position or a retracted position, and a first biasing mechanism for biasing the cartridge towards the extended or retracted positions. A second biasing mechanism biases the barrel towards engagement with the force sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Matthew John Underwood, Robert John Brice, Zsolt Szarka-Kovacs
  • Publication number: 20090315863
    Abstract: An electronic pen for interacting with a surface. The pen comprises a cartridge having a nib for contacting the surface, a capacitive force sensor cooperating with said cartridge for sensing a nib force transmitted axially through the cartridge, and a processor configured to generate force data indicative of a force detected by the force sensor. The capacitive force sensor comprises: a spring having an integral conductive moving plate resiliently biased towards a reference position, a conductive fixed plate and a dielectric separating said plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew John Underwood, Zsolt Szarka-Kovacs, Robert John Brice, Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20090314552
    Abstract: An electronic pen comprises a retractable cartridge having a nib, a force-actuable device that is actuated by a nib force transmitted axially through the cartridge from the nib, a retraction for retracting the cartridge, a button for actuating the retraction mechanism, and a decoupling mechanism for biasing the button away from coupled engagement with the retraction mechanism and thereby the force-actuable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew John Underwood, Robert John Brice, Zsolt Szarka-Kovacs, Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20090314553
    Abstract: An electronic pen comprises a retractable cartridge, a retraction mechanism for extending and retracting the cartridge, a button for actuating the retraction mechanism, a sensing arrangement for sensing a configuration of the pen, and a processor cooperating with the sensing arrangement. The processor is adapted to configure a state of the pen in response to input signals from the sensing arrangement. The sensing arrangement comprises a button sensor coupled to the button, which senses actuation of the button and a cartridge sensor for sensing whether the cartridge is extended or retracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew John Underwood, Nicolas Damon Ridley, Zsolt Szarka-Kovacs, Robert John Brice, Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20090315734
    Abstract: An electronic pen for interacting with a surface. The pen comprises a retractable cartridge having a nib, an automatic retraction mechanism for automatically retracting the cartridge, and a processor for controlling the automatic retraction mechanism. The processor is configured to automatically retract the cartridge in response to predetermined pen conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Matthew John Underwood, Robert John Brice, Zsolt Szarka-Kovacs, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7605940
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a sensing device that reads coded data off of a surface. Interaction data is generated from the read coded data and the interaction data is processed in accordance with the image portion of the image that is extracted from an image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Peter Charles Boyd Henderson, Alireza Moini, Zhenya Alexander Yourlo, Matthew John Underwood, Nicholas Damon Ridley, Jan Rusman
  • Publication number: 20090223300
    Abstract: A force sensor assembly particularly suited for use in an electronic stylus that senses the contact force on its nib for recording pen strokes and handwriting recognition. The sensor assembly has a housing in which force sensing circuitry is mounted. The force sensing circuitry is configured for receiving an input force to be sensed and converting the input force into an output signal indicative of the input force. A coupling transmits the input force to the force sensing circuitry. The coupling has an inner section that applies the input force to the load bearing member, an outer section that receives the contact force on the nib and a collapsible section that allows the outer section to move relative to the inner section when the contact force exceeds a threshold. The relative movement of the outer section is limited by an abutment on the housing so that the input force on the force sensing circuitry never exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Attila Bertok, Tobin Allen King, Matthew John Underwood, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7567279
    Abstract: A monolithic image sensing device, including an image sensor for sensing image data; timing circuitry for generating at least one internal timing signal, the image sensor being responsive to at least one of the internal timing signals to at least commence sensing of the image data; and at least one external timing signal; at least one external pin for supplying the at least one external timing signal to at least one peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Zhenya Alexander Yourlo, Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook, Peter Charles Boyd Henderson, Alireza Moini, Matthew John Underwood, Nicholas Damon Ridley
  • Publication number: 20090160986
    Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed. The photodetecting circuit includes a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light, a storage node having first and second node terminals, a transfer transistor, disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector, for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, allowing charge stored in the storage node to change based on the signal of the photodetector, a reset transistor, disposed intermediate a reset voltage node and the first node terminal of the storage node, for electrically connecting the first node terminal to the reset voltage node upon receiving a reset signal to a gate of the reset transistor, and an output circuit for generating an output signal during a read period of the photodetecting circuit, the output signal being at least partially based on a voltage at the first terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Alireza Moini, Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Peter Charles Boyd Henderson, Zhenya Alexander Yourlo, Matthew John Underwood, Nicholas Damon Ridley
  • Patent number: 7543812
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically registering a stack of media includes a lever device adapted to be secured to a media tray of a printer, and to pivot in relation to the media tray when the media tray is inserted into the printer, and a registration wall mechanically coupled to the lever device such that the registration wall is repositioned toward the stack of media when the media tray is inserted into the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John A Underwood, Denis B O'Regan, Hans-Robert Ketterer, Andreas Kloos, Rainer Wertz
  • Patent number: 7523672
    Abstract: A force sensor particularly suited for use in an electronic stylus that senses the contact force on its nib for recording pen strokes and handwriting recognition. The sensor has a housing for a load beating member for receiving an input force to be sensed and associated circuitry for converting the input force into an output signal indicative of the input force. A coupling transmits the input force to the load bearing member. The coupling has an inner section for transmitting the input force to the load beating member, an outer section for receiving an applied contact force and a collapsible section for allowing the outer section to move relative to the inner section when the contact force exceeds a threshold. This protects the force sensor from damage by sharp impact loads such as dropping the stylus on its nib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Attila Bertok, Tobin Allen King, Matthew John Underwood, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7515186
    Abstract: A photodetecting circuit comprising a photodetector for generating a signal in response to incident light; a storage node having first and second node terminals, the first node terminal being connected to the photodetector to receive the signal such that charge stored in the node changes during an integration period of the photodetecting circuit; and an output circuit for generating an output signal during a read period of the photodetecting circuit, the output signal being at least partially based on a voltage at the first terminal; the photodetecting circuit being configured to receive a reset signal; integrate charge in the storage node during an integration period following receipt of the reset signal; and receive a compensation signal at the second terminal of the storage node at least during the read period, the compensation signal increasing the voltage at the first terminal whilst the output circuit generates the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Alireza Moini, Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Peter Charles Boyd Henderson, Zhenya Alexander Yourlo, Matthew John Underwood, Nicholas Damon Ridley
  • Publication number: 20090018147
    Abstract: The present application relates to compounds and methods for treating pain and other conditions related to TRPV3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Hydra Biosciences Inc.
    Inventors: Jayhong A. Chong, Christopher Fanger, Glenn R. Larsen, Magdalene M. Moran, Howard Ng, Amy Ripka, Dennis John Underwood, Manfred Weigele, Xiaoguang Zhen
  • Publication number: 20080146611
    Abstract: The present application relates to compounds and methods for treating pain and other conditions related to TRPV3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Hydra Biosciences Inc.
    Inventors: Magdalene M. Moran, Jayhong A. Chong, Christopher Fanger, Amy Ripka, Glenn R. Larsen, Xiaoguang Zhen, Dennis John Underwood, Manfred Weigele
  • Publication number: 20080109472
    Abstract: A technique for generating links to a web page by: presenting a web page; defining one or more other web pages to include a link to the presented web page; and placing a link on at least one of the other web pages linking to the presented web page. A prompt for an acceptance of the link may be presented to the other web pages whereby a link is not added until the corresponding acceptance of the link is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: John Underwood, Paul Neilson, Hanson Char, David Shing, Peter Horner, Mark Underwood, Darren Slaney, Gary Evesson
  • Publication number: 20080099986
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically registering a stack of media includes a lever device adapted to be secured to a media tray of a printer, and to pivot in relation to the media tray when the media tray is inserted into the printer, and a registration wall mechanically coupled to the lever device such that the registration wall is repositioned toward the stack of media when the media tray is inserted into the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: John A. Underwood, Denis B. O'Regan, Hans-Robert Ketterer, Andreas Kloos, Rainer Wertz
  • Publication number: 20070266878
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for eye marks in image processing are provided. A method includes providing an eye mark having at least two sections arranged along a longitudinal axis, wherein each section includes a border common to both sections and a unique characteristic relative to other sections. The method also includes encoding instructions in the eye mark based upon the combination of the at least two sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: John Underwood, Bruce Zignego, Wolfgang Spitzke, Roland Schroeder, Joachim Wagner
  • Patent number: 7225738
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for eye marks in image processing are provided. A method includes providing an eye mark having at least two sections arranged along a longitudinal axis, wherein each section includes a border common to both sections and a unique characteristic relative to other sections. The method also includes encoding instructions in the eye mark based upon the combination of the at least two sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John A. Underwood, Bruce Zignego, Wolfgang Spitzke, Roland Schroeder, Joachim Wagner