Patents by Inventor Paul A. Anson

Paul A. Anson 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: 8525639
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Patent number: 8086759
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Publication number: 20110304577
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a stylus for providing input to a capacitive touch screen, having a tip including or consisting of conductive felt, which provides a deformable conductive surface for contacting the touch screen. The tip is produced by felting base fibers (which are typically non-conductive) with conductive fibers. In other embodiments, a capacitive touch stylus having at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, and including at least one conductive tip and switched circuitry (preferably, passive circuitry) including at least one switch biased in a default state indicative of the first mode of operation but switchable into a second state indicative of the second mode of operation in response to movement of the tip (typically, in response to exertion of not less than a threshold force on the tip). In some embodiments, a stylus having a conductive tip (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: SP CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Gwen Laura Fisher
  • Publication number: 20090195406
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: SP CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Publication number: 20090195405
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: SP CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Publication number: 20090184839
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Patent number: 7563802
    Abstract: Spirocyclic heterocyclic derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and methods for their pharmaceutical use are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the spirocyclic heterocyclic derivatives are ligands of the ? opioid receptor and may be useful, inter alia, for treating and/or preventing pain, anxiety, gastrointestinal disorders, and other ? opioid receptor-mediated conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Adolor Corporation
    Inventors: Roland E. Dolle, Bertrand Le Bourdonnec, Christopher W. Ajello, Minghua Gu, Guo-Hua Chu, Paul Anson Tuthill, Sr., Lara K. Leister, Q. Jean Zhou
  • Patent number: 7515062
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Patent number: 7334067
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, programmable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The controller can have first and second key sets in distinct regions of the controller's surface and programmable switches that are actuatable by pressing control keys in the key sets. At least one switch actuatable by pressing a key of the first key set is programmed to perform a control operation of a first type (e.g., a power control operation), at least one switch actuatable by pressing a key of the second key set is programmed to perform a control operation of a second type (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Patent number: 6852713
    Abstract: Lactam derivatives of the general formula are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and methods for their use are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Adolor Corporation
    Inventors: Roland E. Dolle, Paul Anson Tuthill
  • Publication number: 20040209857
    Abstract: Lactam derivatives of the general formula 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Roland E. Dolle, Paul Anson Tuthill
  • Patent number: 6137794
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a remotely located audio-visual projector. In preferred embodiments, the invention enables connection of any selected one of a number of input devices (such as video cassette recorders or computers) to the projector so that a sequence of different input devices can be selected during a single presentation. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes removable rubberized keys for selecting individual ones of the input devices, and pre-printed transparent labels that are backlit to identify each selected input device. In some embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes a projector power status detection and indication subsystem which performs a calibration operation to determine one or more power threshold values and then uses each determined threshold value to determine the power status of the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anson Brown
  • Patent number: 6064668
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a remotely located audio-visual projector. In preferred embodiments, the invention enables connection of any selected one of a number of input devices (such as video cassette recorders or computers) to the projector so that a sequence of different input devices can be selected during a single presentation. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes removable rubberized keys for selecting individual ones of the input devices, and pre-printed transparent labels that are backlit to identify each selected input device. In some embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes a projector power status detection and indication subsystem which performs a calibration operation to determine one or more power threshold values and then uses each determined threshold value to determine the power status of the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anson Brown
  • Patent number: 4411159
    Abstract: A member of composite material incorporates at least one strain responsive member within a part at which a strain is induced by a load in use. A signal which is a function of a strain detetected by the strain responsive member is communicated to an indicator or monitoring device which registers the applied load causing the strain.In one embodiment a leaf spring for a vehicle comprises upper and lower elements of one or more superimposed strips of pre-impregnated longitudinally extending carbon fibres and an inner element of one or more strips of pre-impregnated glass fibres. During laying up of the strips two strain gauges (13, 14), which may be on or integral with a carrier strip, and their leads (13a, 13b, 14a, 14b) are introduced into the active length of the spring which experiences a bending moment on the application of a load. The gauges are positioned at a pre-determined distance apart which is maintained when the member is cured, as by hot press moulding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Rubery Owen Group Services Limited
    Inventors: Peter Spear, Paul A. Anson
  • Patent number: D478563
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anson Brown