Patents by Inventor Steve O'Connor

Steve O'Connor 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).

  • Starwheel actuation timing for print media transport system and method
    Patent number: 6619796
    Abstract: A print media transport assembly for advancing a print media through a print zone includes a primary drive roller rotatably mounted on an entry side of the print zone and a pinch roller rotatably mounted opposite the primary drive roller. The primary drive roller and the pinch roller are adapted to contact the print media and the primary drive roller is adapted to advance the print media through the print zone. The print media transport assembly also includes a secondary drive roller rotatably mounted on an exit side of the print zone and a starwheel rotatably mounted opposite the secondary drive roller. The secondary drive roller is adapted to contact a first side of the print media and the starwheel is adapted to selectively contact a second side of the print media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steve O. Rasmussen, Robert M. Yraceburu
  • Ink drop sensor
    Patent number: 6612677
    Abstract: A sensor includes an ink drop sensing element integral to a printed circuit board. Sensing circuitry is coupled to the printed circuit board and may be configured to receive electrical signals from the sensing element. A method of manufacturing such an ink drop sensor and a printing mechanism having such an ink drop sensor are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Wen-Li Su, Patrick J. Therien, Steve O'Hara
  • LDO regulator having an adaptive zero frequency circuit
    Patent number: 6603292
    Abstract: A low dropout voltage (LDO) regulator having an adaptive zero frequency circuit is described. The adaptive zero frequency circuit maintains the stability of the LDO regulator and improves the transient response of the LDO regulator under a range of values for the output current, whereas the output current inversely varies with the load resistance coupled to the output of the LDO regulator. The adaptive zero frequency circuit generates a zero having a frequency which varies with the output current. Hence, the frequency of the zero changes to maintain the stability of the LDO regulator despite the variation in the frequency of the low-frequency pole generated by the load resistance and the load capacitance (or output capacitor) coupled to the output of the LDO regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Andre Schouten, Steve O'Kane
  • Controlling media curl in print-zone
    Publication number: 20030142190
    Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus an inkjet printhead has a plurality of inkjet nozzles which eject ink onto media located within a print-zone. A drive shaft is located upstream of the printhead and is incrementally rotated to advance the media. The drive shaft has a longitudinal axis, a first radius over a central length and a second radius less than the first radius at a first recess and a second recess, each said recess being peripheral to the central length. A plurality of pinch devices stabilize the media against the drive shaft. A first guide is aligned with the first recess and is spaced from an axis of the drive shaft by a first distance which is less than the first radius. A second guide is aligned with the second recess and is spaced from the axis by a second distance less than the first radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Steve O. Rasmussen, Robert M. Yraceburu, Steven P. Downing, Stuart D. Spencer, Jason S. Belbey, Vance M. Stephens
  • Controlling media curl in print-zone
    Publication number: 20030142191
    Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus an inkjet printhead ejects ink into a print-zone. A drive shaft, located upstream of the printhead, has a longitudinal axis, a first radius over a central length, and a second radius less than the first radius at a first recess and a second recess. Each recess is peripheral to the central length. A plurality of pinch devices stabilize the media against the drive shaft. A first guide and a second guide, spaced from the longitudinal axis, are aligned with and extend into the first recess and second recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Steve O. Rasmussen, Robert M. Yraceburu, Steven P. Downing, Stuart D. Spencer, Jason S. Belbey, Vance M. Stephens
  • Print media heating techniques for a vacuum belt hard copy apparatus
    Publication number: 20030137573
    Abstract: A print media preheating method and apparatus uses heat, vacuum, and mechanisms for drying and flattening a sheet prior to ink-jet printing thereon. Pre-shrinking the media, driving out and substantially reducing inherent moisture content prior to depositing wet ink thereon provides greater flatness in the print-zone whereby ink-jet print quality is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Steve O. Rasmussen, Geoff Wotton, Steven B. Elgee, Todd R. Medin
  • Selective reflecting
    Publication number: 20030117704
    Abstract: Selective reflective optical apparatus includes a projection screen. The projection screen has structure constructed and arranged to selectively reflect only incident optical energy of a predetermined number of narrow bands of optical wavelength regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Barret Lippey, Steve O'dea, Mark Kniffin
  • Vacuum platen and method for use in printing devices
    Patent number: 6572294
    Abstract: A vacuum platen and method for use thereof in a printing device are disclosed. An apparatus embodiment includes a first surface having a plurality of first apertures therethrough, a labyrinth configured to include a plurality of passageways each of which is fluidly coupled to at least one of the first apertures, and a second surface having a plurality of second apertures therethrough each of which is fluidly coupled to the vacuum source and at least one of the passageways thereby establishing an airflow from the first apertures, through the passageways, and out the second apertures. The vacuum platen also includes at least one receptacle in each of the passageways, each receptacle configured to collect debris from the airflow as it travels through the labyrinth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: James O Beehler, Steve O Rasmussen, Robert M Yraceburu
  • “Express up” vehicle window system and method
    Patent number: 6573678
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically closing a moveable panel, such as a vehicle window. A power drive mechanism is controlled by a controller. The controller determines if the user has issued an “express up” command. Only if the panel is beyond a predetermined proximity of its fully closed position when the “express up” command is issued, is the panel is powered to the fully closed position under its normal circumstances. If the panel is within the predetermined proximity, however, exception processing occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Allan Losey, Steve O'Connor
  • Starwheel actuation timing for print media transport system and method
    Publication number: 20030081100
    Abstract: A print media transport assembly for advancing a print media through a print zone includes a primary drive roller rotatably mounted on an entry side of the print zone and a pinch roller rotatably mounted opposite the primary drive roller. The primary drive roller and the pinch roller are adapted to contact the print media and the primary drive roller is adapted to advance the print media through the print zone. The print media transport assembly also includes a secondary drive roller rotatably mounted on an exit side of the print zone and a starwheel rotatably mounted opposite the secondary drive roller. The secondary drive roller is adapted to contact a first side of the print media and the starwheel is adapted to selectively contact a second side of the print media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Steve O. Rasmussen, Robert M. Yraceburu
  • Stem cells that transform to beating cardiomyocytes
    Publication number: 20030082153
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel isolated population of stem cells, called spoc cells, that can be induced, either in vivo or in vitro, to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Methods are disclosed herein to differentiate the spoc cells, and to utilize these spoc cells for screening agents that affect cardiomyocytes. Methods are also provided herein to utilize spoc cells in therapeutic applications for the treatment of myocardial defects, such as areas of ischemic or traumatic damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America
    Inventors: Neal D. Epstein, Thiru V. Gopal, Steve O. Winitsky, Shahin Hassanzadeh
  • Multiple print unit configurations
    Publication number: 20030081227
    Abstract: A printing system includes multiple print units which each have one or more printbar assemblies to transfer an imaging medium onto a print media. An individual print unit can include a heater system to dry the imaging medium transferred onto the print media by the one or more printbar assemblies of the individual print unit. For a printing system with two print units, a first percentage of the imaging medium is transferred onto the print media, the print media is advanced beyond the one or more printbar assemblies of the first print unit, and a first heater system dries the first percentage of the imaging medium. A second percentage of the imaging medium is then transferred onto the print media, the print media is advanced beyond the one or more printbar assemblies of the second print unit, and a second heater system dries the second percentage of the imaging medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Williams, Steve O. Rasmussen
  • Printer with vacuum platen having selectable active area
    Patent number: 6543948
    Abstract: A printer with a media transport has a rigid, air-transmissive platen. A movable air-transmissive flexible web overlies the platen and moves along a feed axis. A suction device communicates with the platen to draw air through the web and through the platen so that a sheet of media carried on the web is biased toward the platen. A manifold underlies the platen and has a number of separate chambers open to the platen, so that the suction device is connected to each of the chambers. A controller operates to selectably prevent communication between the suction device and at least some of the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: James O Beehler, Robert M. Yraceburu, Steve O Rasmussen, David E Smith
  • Quick connector with automatic release
    Publication number: 20030057698
    Abstract: A quick connector including a first connecting member attached to an object, a second connecting member releasably attached to the first connecting member and a release mechanism for detaching the first and second connecting members, wherein the release mechanism automatically disconnects the first connecting member from the second connecting members when the connecting members are pulled away from the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: David G. Parrott, Don V. Hitzfield, Steve O. Montgomery
  • Print media heating techniques for a vacuum belt hard copy apparatus
    Patent number: 6536894
    Abstract: A print media preheating method and apparatus uses heat, vacuum, and mechanisms for drying and flattening a sheet prior to ink-jet printing thereon. Pre-shrinking the media, driving out and substantially reducing inherent moisture content prior to depositing wet ink thereon provides greater flatness in the print-zone whereby ink-jet print quality is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Steve O Rasmussen, Geoff Wotton, Steven B Elgee, Todd R Medin
  • Ink drop sensor
    Publication number: 20030052937
    Abstract: A sensor includes an ink drop sensing element integral to a printed circuit board. Sensing circuitry is coupled to the printed circuit board and may be configured to receive electrical signals from the sensing element. A method of manufacturing such an ink drop sensor and a printing mechanism having such an ink drop sensor are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Wen-Li Su, Patrick J. Therien, Steve O'Hara
  • Coffee maker
    Patent number: 6532862
    Abstract: A coffee maker having a centrifugal brewing system. The system includes a basket having a bottom and sides extending upwardly therefrom. The sides define multiple vertical ports that extend upwardly from the bottom of the basket. The basket rotates at low angular velocities, preferably less than about 150 RPM, to extract coffee. Extracted coffee exits the basket through the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Steve O. Mork, Joshua E. Netz, David-Henry Oliver
  • INK DROP SENSOR
    Publication number: 20030020774
    Abstract: A sensor includes an ink drop sensing element integral to a printed circuit board. Sensing circuitry is coupled to the printed circuit board and may be configured to receive electrical signals from the sensing element. A method of manufacturing such an ink drop sensor and a printing mechanism having such an ink drop sensor are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Wen-Li Su, Patrick J. Therien, Steve O'Hara
  • Front panel
    Patent number: D470853
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: James J. Macor, Steve O. Mak, Dorothea Grimes-Frederick
  • Front panel
    Patent number: D474925
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: James J. Macor, Steve O. Mak, Dorothea Grimes-Frederick