Patents by Inventor Roy J. Lahr

Roy J. Lahr 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: 20080063456
    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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Rast Associates
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040149559
    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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    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
  • Publication number: 20030143010
    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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Publication number: 20030137492
    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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Publication number: 20030132863
    Abstract: An articulated, rotatable keyboard device of an electronic data device is articulable and rotatable between a storage position, in which the keyboard device does not substantially increase the form factor of the electronic data device, and a use position. The keyboard device may be expandable and contractible. In a contracted state, the keyboard device may have a size and configuration adapted to permit single-finger typing, and in an expanded state, the keyboard device may have a size and configuration adapted to permit touch-typing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Publication number: 20030051983
    Abstract: An expandable keyboard device includes an elastic belt and at least one keyswitch arranged on a side of the elastic belt. The keyswitch includes a first electrically conductive member and a second electrically conductive member, the first electrically conductive member and the second electrically conductive member configured to be contacted to activate the keyswitch. At least one of the first electrically conductive member and the second electrically conductive member is configured to be expanded in at least one dimension. Another expandable keyboard device includes an elastic belt, at least one keyswitch arranged on a side of the elastic belt and an arrangement configured to vector a force applied to a surface of the elastic belt toward the keyswitch. A keyswitch includes a first electrically conductive member and a second electrically conductive member. The first electrically conductive member and the second electrically conductive member are configured to be selectively contacted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Publication number: 20020194005
    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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Publication number: 20010028712
    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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 4846044
    Abstract: A non-lethal self defense device which applies a disabling electric shock to personnel desired to be disabled employs fluid cartridges for containing an electrically conductive fluid. The fluid cartridges each have a reservoir for holding electrically conductive fluid and a nozzle through which is expelled the electrically conductive fluid during operation of the device. A compressed gas cartridge supplies the force required for expelling the electrically conductive fluid as a pair of continuous streams. The cartridges are supported by a frame whereby the nozzle portions of the two of the fluid cartridges are aimed in substantially the same direction. A displaceable linkage responsive to release of the compressed gas from the gas cartridge causes the electrically conductive fluid to be expelled. An electrification system, which may include an oscillator and coil arrangement powered by a standard battery, supplies electrical energy to the streams of electrically conductive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 4828413
    Abstract: Improved rotary-type printing wheels, components thereof and mechanisms for mounting the printing wheels to a drive are disclosed. The disclosed printing wheels have a reduced rotary moment of inertia. As compared to all plastic printing wheels, they have improved print characteristics and service life while still having a reduced rotary moment of inertia. The printing wheels include a central hub having teeth extending along its periphery which are engaged by a drive. Alignment apparatus is provided for aligning the hub and drive, but rotary torque need only be applied to the printing wheel hub through the peripherally disposed teeth. The spoke elements of the printing wheel are made of metal and can be formed as one piece with the hub or separately. The tips of the spoke elements have a configuration which facilitates and improves attachment of a character element thereto while reducing the rotary moment of inertia of the print wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Creative Associates
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 4797016
    Abstract: A web, such as a ribbon in a printer, is provided with bar code markings arranged thereon to provide selected information, such as ribbon footage used and ribbon type. A printing fluid applied to the ribbon may be provided with particles having magnetic properties which are readable by a magnetic static read head wherein the presence of the magnetic printing fluid in the vicinity of magnetic gaps in such a head completes magnetic circuitry. Also, such printing fluid may be provided with fluorescent pigmentation, thereby affording optical sensing. In a printer embodiment, a mechanism is shown for synchronizing the output signals of the bar code sensors with a distance measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Creative Associates
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 4792249
    Abstract: A controlled paper transport arrangement utilizes a flexible belt which attracts the paper to its surface by the application of a reduced air pressure on the other side. In a preferred embodiment, the belt operates in a continuous loop and in combination with a vacuum feed roller, the belt and the vacuum feed roller being arranged on respective sides of a print strike bar. The presence of the paper against the flexible belt causes trip valves to change state such that the full force of the air pressure differential between the ambient air and the reduced air pressure, on either side of the flexible belt, is applied only in the vicinity of the paper to be printed. In some embodiments, the vacuum feed roller is sectored so that the reduced air pressure is applied only in the region which communicates with the paper to be printed. The flexible belt and its associated assembly is tiltable about its vacuum supply inlet for achieving compact storage and for delivering printed sheets to a storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Creative Associates Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 4747715
    Abstract: A printer having extended ribbon capacity is provided with a vacuum buffering system which stores ribbon on either side of a ribbon utilization mechanism, illustratively an impact print head. In a preferred embodiment, the ribbon is stored in a pair of vacuum chambers which are arranged to pivot about a common axis as a carriage which bears the print head is translated along a carriage path. The vacuum chambers are each provided with telescopically extendable members which compensate for variations in the distance between the pivot of the vacuum chambers and the print carriage, as the print carriage is translated. A ribbon lift system for multitrack embodiments utilizes off-carriage drive and a direction-determining clutch toggle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Creative Associates
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr