Mark N Robins

US Patent:

6636357, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Jan 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/060128

Inventors:

Mark N. Robins - Greeley CO
Heather N. Bean - Fort Collins CO
Matthew Flach - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 2700

US Classification:

359579, 359498, 359578, 385 16, 385 24, 372 98, 356519

Abstract:

An electrically variable optical filter includes a first optical element including a first angled face and a second optical element including a second angled face. The second angled face is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first angled face. At least one separation actuator is affixed between the first optical element and the second optical element and is operable to change a separation distance D between the first angled face and the second angled face. Light waves transmitted through the first optical element are selectively transmitted through to or reflected away from the second optical element as a function of wavelength and the separation distance D.

US Patent:

6648661, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Nov 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/291463

Inventors:

Daniel J. Byrne - Fort Collins CO
Amol S. Pandit - Greeley CO
Mark N. Robins - Greeley CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

H01R 2900

US Classification:

439188, 710303

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for disabling a USB or other interface connection between a personal computer and a docking cradle or device until the instant such a connection is actually needed. When the docking cradle is empty, the exposed pins are connected to a conductive ground path or is isolated. When a device is inserted into the docking cradle, the electrical signals that are connected to the personal computer by way of the interface are then switched on.

US Patent:

6677999, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

Jul 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/901222

Inventors:

Heather Noel Bean - Fort Collins CO
Mark Nelson Robins - Greeley CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

H04N 5235

US Classification:

348362, 348335, 348343, 348344, 396457, 396471, 359245, 359246, 359494

Abstract:

An electronic shutter apparatus and light shuttering method for a still image capturing device are provided according to the invention. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a beam splitter positioned in an incoming light beam path and splitting the incoming light beam into a first light beam and a second light beam. The apparatus further includes first and second polarizing shutters respectively positioned in paths of the first and second light beams and capable of being electrically activated to transmit light and to respectively form first and second polarized light beams. A polarization orientation of light from the second polarizing shutter is in non-alignment with a polarization orientation of light from the first polarizing shutter. The apparatus further includes a beam combiner receiving and combining the first and second polarized light beams to form a substantially non-polarized resultant light beam. The resultant light beam is focused onto an image sensor.

US Patent:

6737830, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/188488

Inventors:

Heather N. Bean - Fort Collins CO
Mark N. Robins - Greeley CO
Matt Flach - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

H01M 1044

US Classification:

320125

Abstract:

A battery charger provides remote or untethered charging of a rechargeable battery. The battery charger provides untethered charging either in situ within a battery-powered device or external to the device. The battery charger comprises a power converter and an energy storage device connected to the power converter. A battery charging system comprises the battery charger and independent electrical connection devices. One connection device connects the battery charger to an external energy source to acquire energy that is stored in the storage device. Another connection device connects the battery charger to a battery for charging. The connection devices are independent and battery charging is untethered in that the battery charger need not be connected to the external energy source while the battery charger charges the battery. A method of charging the battery comprises charging the battery with energy stored in a portable energy storage device.

US Patent:

6764233, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Mar 14, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/097313

Inventors:

Heather N. Bean - Fort Collins CO
Mark Nelson Robins - Greeley CO
Matt Flach - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B41J 530

US Classification:

400 61, 400 76, 101487, 101488

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media. Various embodiments generate image data accounting for a desired size of an output image and an expected extent of shrinkage of the shrinkable print media. The image data is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce the output image having a size such that an output image having that size prior to shrinking would be expected to have the desired size after shrinking. Further embodiments provide a shrinkable print media having an adhesive attached to at least a portion of one surface. Still further embodiments provide print media kits having shrinkable print media and one or more templates adapted to impart a texture and/or shape to the shrinkable print media in a softened state.

US Patent:

6771898, Aug 3, 2004

Filed:

Mar 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/108129

Inventors:

Heather N Bean - Fort Collins CO
Mark N. Robins - Greeley CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

G03B 1502

US Classification:

396 62, 396175, 396200

Abstract:

An electronic flash is constructed with the ability to vary both collimation and direction allowing a user to direct the flash to a portion of the subject. Collimation and direction of the flash may be displayed in the viewfinder of the camera and may be independently controlled by the user.

US Patent:

6796507, Sep 28, 2004

Filed:

Sep 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/259029

Inventors:

Heather Noel Bean - Ft. Collins CO
Mark Nelson Robins - Greeley CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G06K 710

US Classification:

23546214, 23546225

Abstract:

The present invention provides a system and method for determining ingredients based upon scanning a label on a food container. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method comprising scanning a textual ingredients list on a label of the product, converting the scanned textual ingredients list into ingredients data using an optical character resolution program, comparing the ingredients data to preference data, the preference data corresponding to at least one preference for at least one consumer and generating a notification to a user when at least one ingredient in the ingredients data corresponds to at least one preference the consumer.

US Patent:

6800343, Oct 5, 2004

Filed:

Feb 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/075156

Inventors:

Heather N. Bean - Fort Collins CO
Mark Nelson Robins - Greeley CO
Matthew Flach - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B41M 540

US Classification:

428 3239, 428 3251, 428 3212

Abstract:

A print media having a first sheet that is elastic about a plane of its printable surface is adhered to a second sheet that is rigid about the plane of the printable surface. The two sheets are separable such that the first sheet may be separated from the second sheet after transferring a desired image to the printable surface. By transferring an image to the printable surface of the first sheet, and by subsequently removing the second sheet, a stretchable image is produced on the first sheet.