Patents by Inventor Tobin Allen King

Tobin Allen King 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: 7987011
    Abstract: A method of integrating audio and an encoded medium using a handheld interactive apparatus. The method comprises activating an audio recording mode of the interactive apparatus, the handheld interactive apparatus having a housing containing an optical image sensor, an audio input device, and an audio output device; and imaging the encoded medium with the optical sensor to create a playback-enabling audio annotation corresponding to the recorded audio. The encoded medium comprises a printed coded data pattern enabling identification of the encoded medium and of a location on the encoded medium during the imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Tobin Allen King, Simon Robert Walmsley, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7987010
    Abstract: An interactive system for playing audio. The system comprises an article having a position-coding pattern and a plurality of different print elements printed thereon; an optical sensor for reading a portion of the position-coding pattern; a processor coupled to the optical sensor for determining a position using the read portion of the position-coding pattern; a computer system configured for identifying an audio data file using the position determined by the processor; and an audio output device for playing an audio output corresponding to the identified audio data file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Tobin Allen King, Simon Robert Walmsley, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7983773
    Abstract: A system for interacting with an article having a position-coding pattern and a plurality of different print elements printed thereon. Each print element corresponds to a different audio output. The system comprises: an optical sensor for reading a portion of the position-coding pattern; a processor coupled to the optical sensor for determining a position using the read portion of the position-coding pattern; a computer system configured for identifying an audio data file using the position determined by the processor; and an audio output device for playing an audio output corresponding to the identified audio data file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Tobin Allen King, Simon Robert Walmsley, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7983774
    Abstract: A handheld audio playback device for interacting with an article having a position-coding pattern and a plurality of different print elements printed thereon. Each print element corresponds to a different audio output. The device comprises: a nib for indicating a selected print element; an optical sensor for reading a portion of the position-coding pattern when the nib is used to indicate the selected print element; a processor coupled to the optical sensor for determining a position using the read portion of the position-coding pattern; a memory storing audio data files for the different audio outputs; means for retrieving an audio data file from the memory for playback; means for downloading audio data files to the memory from a personal computer; and an audio output device for playing the audio output corresponding to the audio data file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Tobin Allen King, Simon Robert Walmsley, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7980657
    Abstract: A printhead assembly includes an elongate channel member of a metal alloy; a flexible elongate fluid carrier positioned on a floor of the channel member, the fluid carrier defining a plurality of passages longitudinally extending along a length of the fluid carrier, the fluid carrier further defining a repeated pattern of holes on an external surface thereof, the holes providing fluid communication from outside the fluid carrier to respective passages of the fluid carrier; and a series of printhead modules mounted to the external surface of the fluid carrier, each printhead module including an upper micro-molding and a lower micro-molding, the lower micro-molding having an air inlet slot in fluid communication with one of the plurality of passages via a hole of the repeated pattern of holes at one end and a series of alternating air inlets and outlets on the upper micro-molding at an opposite end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7979149
    Abstract: A method of playing audio data by a portable device is disclosed. The method starts with an optical sensor of the portable device sensing a tag on a surface. The tag encodes an identity of the surface and a location of the tag on the surface. Audio data is recorded by an audio system of the portable device. A processor of the portable device determines the identity of the surface and the location of the tag sensed by the optical sensing device on the surface. The portable device communicates the audio data, the identity of the surface and the location of the tag to a computer system where the audio data is associated with the identity of the surface and the location of the tag. Upon subsequent sensing of the tag by the optical sensor, the portable device communicates the identity of the surface and the location of the tag to the computer system, where the audio data associated with the identity of the surface and the location of the tag is retrieved and communicated to the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Tobin Allen King, Simon Robert Walmsley, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7976141
    Abstract: Provided is an ink supply assembly for an inkjet printhead arrangement. The assembly includes an elongate extrusion defining a number of distribution channels for distributing ink to a printhead via an end cap operatively fitted to the extrusion. The end cap includes an upper plate and a lower plate hingedly linked by means of a spine. The end cap also includes a plurality of plugs defined on the spine to plug said distribution channels when the cap is fitted to the extrusion. The printhead assembly includes ink reservoirs and an air pump linked to the channels via delivery hoses and apertures defined in the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7976153
    Abstract: An inkjet printer comprises a body housing a print engine configured to transport and print upon print media; a cover pivotally mounted relative to the body and able to be pivoted to form a guide which can guide print media to the print engine for printing; a support configured to support the print media guided to the print engine and pivotally mounted relative to the cover so that the support can be retracted between the cover and the body; and a stepper motor for driving a sheet feed roller and a paper transport. The stepper motor drives the paper transport when operated in a forward direction, and drives the sheet feed roller when operated in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7959066
    Abstract: A controller for a printhead is provided having an encoder for encoding tags to be printed on a page. The encoder has an input at which to receive a tag structure template having at least one predetermined mark position, an input at which to receive fixed data bits, an input at which to receive variable data bits, and a dot generator which uses the input tag structure template, and fixed and variable data bits for outputting, for at least one mark position of a respective tag, a single bit indicating if a dot is to be provided at the at least one mark position, for the respective tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7959272
    Abstract: A print cartridge assembly includes a print cartridge. The print cartridge includes a core defining a plurality of ink storage reservoirs and a length of print media wound upon the core. The print cartridge further includes a roller assembly for feeding the print media from the core. A printhead assembly includes a chassis, a pair of printhead supports extending from the chassis and an ink ejection printhead supported by the supports to print ink from the reservoirs upon the fed print media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7959275
    Abstract: A printing system is provided having a printhead, a media drive mechanism for driving media to the printhead for printing, and a media cartridge for supplying the media. The cartridge has a rotatable core for a roll of media and a media delivery arrangement having an opening in the cartridge. The media delivery arrangement is arranged to enable a roller of the print media drive mechanism to contact a wound portion of the roll of media so as to feed an unwound portion of the media from the roll to the printhead on demand operation of the roller on the wound portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Publication number: 20110134189
    Abstract: An inkjet printer having a modular pagewidth printhead. The printhead includes: an elongate spine defining a plurality of ink outlets, each ink outlet being in fluid communication with a corresponding ink channel; a plurality of printhead modules serially engaged along the spine, each printhead module defining ink inlets aligned with respective ink outlets; and an elongate U-channel retaining the plurality of printhead modules and the spine within a cavity defined by the U-channel. The U-channel exerts a retaining force on the spine and each printhead module such that ink inlets defined in each printhead module are sealingly engaged with respective ink outlets in the spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7954940
    Abstract: A personal digital assistant is provided which has a body housing a memory for storing personal digital assistant information, a printhead for printing the stored information, a bay extending along a first edge of the body for removably receiving a print media cartridge for supplying print media to the printhead, and control circuitry for controlling functions of the personal digital assistant, and a display pivotally mounted to the body at said first edge for displaying the stored information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7955017
    Abstract: An electronic pen includes a pen body having a longitudinal axis; an image sensor; an ink cartridge replaceably received in the pen body, the ink cartridge having a nib at a first end and an opposite second end; and a force sensor assembly engaged with the second end of the ink cartridge. The force sensor assembly is configured for sensing a nib force transmitted longitudinally axially through the ink cartridge. The pen body includes a removable cover molding extending longitudinally along the pen body for insertion of the ink cartridge inside the pen body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Matthew John Underwood, Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7946702
    Abstract: A printer is provided which has a housing having an upper cover, a lower cover, a first side wall and a second, opposed side wall; a print engine housed within the housing, the print engine having two pairs of print heads arranged in opposed relationship across a print media feed path, each of the print heads having an arcuate portion in the vicinity of the print media feed path; an inlet roller assembly for feeding media into the housing; and an exit roller assembly for feeding the media out of the housing. The arcuate portion of each print head has a radius of curvature approximating that of the inlet roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7940401
    Abstract: A mobile phone includes an elongate body defining a transverse print media path there-through; a keypad and display mounted on one side of the body; a camera device including at least one lens mounted to another side of the body opposite said one side, and an image sensor configured to capture an image viewed through said lens; and a printer mounted within the body and including a printhead and ink supply module, the printhead and ink supply module mounted in a replaceable manner to the printer and configured to print the captured image upon print media fed along the path. An entry to the transverse print media path is provided along a first longitudinal side of the elongate body, and an exit to the transverse print media path is provided along a second longitudinal side of the elongate body opposite the first longitudinal side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7938521
    Abstract: An ink cartridge for a computer system having an integral printer includes a media housing portion having top and bottom moldings mated to form a housing for storing sheets of paper therebetween, the housing portion having a print media transport mechanism; an ink storage portion having an ink storage base molding defining a plurality of distinct ink chambers, the ink storage base molding attached to an underside of the bottom molding and sealed therewith; and an ink manifold having ink outlet nozzles adapted to facilitate fluid communication with the printer, the ink outlet nozzles provided on a surface attached to and extending beyond an edge of the bottom molding. Each of the distinct ink chambers include a portion extending beyond the edge of the bottom molding, which portions form part of the ink manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7938505
    Abstract: A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer, which has a printhead with a plurality of inlets for receiving ink, an extrusion having a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the plurality of inlets such that the extrusion supplies ink to the printhead, the extrusion having a plurality of ink channels in fluid communication with the plurality of outlets, a plugging device at one end of the extrusion configured to supply ink from the printer to each of the channels respectively, the plugging device having a first plate, a second plate, a series of plugs and a spine, the first and the second plate hingedly connected via the spine such that the series of plugs seal respective open ends of the plurality of channels and the first and second plates overlap and clamp around the exterior surface of the first end of the extrusion. The plugging device also having inlets for receiving ink from the printer, and directing the received ink into respective channels of the extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Publication number: 20110098084
    Abstract: A mobile phone includes: a phone body having a stylus holder; a retractable stylus slidably mounted in the holder, the stylus being slidable between a retracted position and an extended writing position, the stylus having a nib including an inkjet printhead; an ink cartridge, housed in the phone body, for supplying ink to the inkjet printhead of the stylus; and a flexible conduit linking the cartridge to the stylus. The flexible conduit is configured for carrying data, power and ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Tobin Allen King
  • Publication number: 20110090519
    Abstract: A controller for a printhead is provided having an encoder for encoding tags to be printed on a page. The encoder has an input at which to receive a tag structure template having at least one predetermined mark position, an input at which to receive fixed data bits, an input at which to receive variable data bits, and a dot generator which uses the input tag structure template, and fixed and variable data bits for outputting, for at least one mark position of a respective tag, a single bit indicating if a dot is to be provided at the at least one mark position, for the respective tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King