Robert Harlan Parsons

US Patent:

6894708, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Apr 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/421076

Inventors:

Javier Hernando Santiago - Wake Forest NC, US
Robert David Parsons - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

B41J002/52
B41J002/315

US Classification:

347171

Abstract:

A frictional printing device, system and method prints on thermal paper using heat generated by frictional contact. A frictional actuator motivates a frictional heating element to frictionally contact the thermal paper. The thermal paper is chemically treated to react to heat by changing color. Heat is generated by frictional contact of the frictional heating element against the thermal paper. The frictional contact may be provided through repetitive movement of the frictional heating element. An image is formed by selectively positioned frictional contact between the frictional heating element and the thermal paper.

US Patent:

8253714, Aug 28, 2012

Filed:

Nov 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/271006

Inventors:

Hawaii WY Xuan - Taipei, TW
Edward YS Lee - Taipei, TW
Robert David Parsons - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/042

US Classification:

345175, 178 1803

Abstract:

An optical touch screen apparatus and method for manufacturing an optical touch screen apparatus are disclosed. The optical touch screen apparatus may comprise a touch screen plate having at least one pair of grooves formed on a front surface thereof; at least one pair of circuit boards disposed on the front surface of the touch screen plate, wherein each of the grooves respectively partially receives each of the circuit boards; an infrared emitting device for emitting an infrared beam, wherein the infrared emitting device is mounted on the first of the circuit boards; and an infrared receiving device for receiving the infrared beam, wherein the infrared receiving device is mounted on the second of the circuit boards and in optical communication with the infrared emitting device.

US Patent:

8451235, May 28, 2013

Filed:

Dec 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/341377

Inventors:

Hawaii W Y Xuan - Taipei, TW
Edward Y S Lee - Taipei, TW
Kenji C C Chen - Taipei, TW
Robert D. Parsons - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/042

US Classification:

345173, 345174, 345175

Abstract:

An optical touch panel is provided, which may comprise a rectangular position-detecting surface; a plurality of light-emitting element pairs configured for emitting a plurality of light beams; two reflectors configured for reflecting the plurality of light beams emitted by the plurality of light-emitting element pairs; and a plurality of light-receiving element pairs configured for receiving the plurality of light beams emitted by the plurality of light-emitting element pairs. The optical touch panel further may comprise a control circuit configured for causing the light-emitting element pairs to emit the plurality of light beams in a predetermined order to scan the position-detecting surface, and further configured for causing the plurality of light-receiving element pairs to receive the plurality of light beams, thereby forming optical paths on the position-detecting surface in a grid pattern. The control circuit further may be configured for determining the coordinates of an object positioned on the position-detecting surface.

US Patent:

8643608, Feb 4, 2014

Filed:

Jun 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/495011

Inventors:

Hawaii W Y Xuan - Taipei, TW
Robert D. Parsons - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Edward Y S Lee - Taipei, TW
Albert Lin - Lugu, TW

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/041

US Classification:

345173, 345174, 345175

Abstract:

An optical touch panel and corresponding method are disclosed. The optical touch panel may comprise a rectangular position-detecting surface; a frame-shaped circuit board surrounding the rectangular position-detecting surface; a plurality of light-emitting elements configured for emitting a plurality of light beams, wherein the light-emitting elements are arranged along a first side of the rectangular position-detecting surface and disposed on the frame-shaped circuit board; a plurality of light-receiving elements configured for receiving light beams emitted by the plurality of light-emitting elements; a plurality of SMT components configured as optical gates for isolating ambient light to prevent erroneous light detection; and a control circuit. The plurality of SMT components and the plurality of light-receiving elements may be alternately arranged along a second side of the rectangular position-detecting surface opposite to the first side and disposed on the frame-shaped circuit board. The plurality of light-receiving elements may be arranged behind the plurality of SMT components.

US Patent:

20060007191, Jan 12, 2006

Filed:

Jun 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/859659

Inventors:

Hye Chi - Raleigh NC, US
Robert Myers - Cary NC, US
Robert Parsons - Raleigh NC, US
Jeff Thomas - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345184000, 348836000

Abstract:

A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a base, a screen movably coupled to the base, and a control unit coupled to the screen. The control unit adjusts the screen to a position based on at least one condition. The at least one condition can be an attribute such as a height or an eye position. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the display system increases the convenience of a user by automatically adjusting the screen to an optimal position for the user. As a result, improved readability of the screen is achieved while simplifying the use of the display system.

US Patent:

20060248806, Nov 9, 2006

Filed:

Apr 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/111544

Inventors:

Robert Parsons - Raleigh NC, US
Kevin Vorhees - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

A47F 10/00

US Classification:

052036100

Abstract:

An assembly and device provides for automatically adding stability to a kiosk having carriage bearing equipment that is serviceable external to the inner portion of the kiosk by withdrawing the carriage. The carriage includes a pivoted stabilizer foot that is deployed responsive to the relative motion of withdrawing the carriage.

US Patent:

20080217876, Sep 11, 2008

Filed:

May 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/125196

Inventors:

Hye S. Chi - Raleigh NC, US
Robert A. Myers - Cary NC, US
Robert D. Parsons - Raleigh NC, US
Jeff D. Thomas - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04N 5/64
B62B 3/14

US Classification:

280 33991, 348836, 348E05128

Abstract:

A display system and computer-readable medium are disclosed. The display system includes a base, a screen movably coupled to the base, and a control unit coupled to the screen. The control unit adjusts the screen to a position based on at least one condition. The at least one condition can be an attribute such as a height or an eye position. According to the system disclosed herein, the display system increases the convenience of a user by automatically adjusting the screen to an optimal position for the user. As a result, improved readability of the screen is achieved while simplifying the use of the display system.

US Patent:

20110074737, Mar 31, 2011

Filed:

Sep 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/895123

Inventors:

Tsung Hsuan Hsieh - Banqiao, TW
Wei Yi Hsuan - Taipei, TW
Yi Sheng Lee - Taipei Hsien, TW
Robert David Parsons - Raleigh NC, US
Chia Lin Yang - Taipei, TW

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - ARMONK NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/041

US Classification:

345175

Abstract:

A method and device are provided for adjusting brightness of an optical touch panel. The optical touch panel comprises a microprocessor, a display module including a back light source, and an optical position detection device including optical transmitting devices and optical receiving devices. The method comprises detecting, via the optical receiving devices, a current ambient light level on the display module. The method further comprises generating, via the optical receiving devices, a current ambient light level signal indicative of the current ambient light level and transmitting the current ambient light level signal to the microprocessor. Furthermore, the method comprises adjusting, via the microprocessor, brightness of the back light source based on the current ambient light level signal.