Philip Elliot Blair

US Patent:

6750755, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022911

Inventors:

Debora Margaret Hejza Litwiller - Rochester NY
Philip E. Blair - Fairport NY

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H04Q 900

US Classification:

340 567, 340 56, 340 57, 340626, 3406861, 341 34, 439341, 439353

Abstract:

An identification apparatus and method comprising an array of retractable pins in association with a housing attached to a base component through which each pin individually passes. The apparatus is attached to a primary device and in communication therewith. Each retractable pin is in individual physical contact with tension springs positioned below the pin and located in a containment sleeve within the housing. Each spring continuously exerts pressure on the base of their respective pins so as to push the pin up through the base component. At the base of each spring is a pressure sensitive pad in communication with the primary device. A set of shaped identifiers each having a plurality of holes through which respective pins on the array of retractable pins pass and each identifier uniquely configured with at least one distinct location containing a plug or âcapâ fitted therein which blocks the passage therethrough of that particular pin thereby forcing said pin to retract into the base components housing underneath and exerting pressure on the pins associated spring. Once one or more identifiers have been fitted onto the array of retractable pins, the primary device thereafter identifies the placed identifiers by each identifiers plug location and by the amount of pressure exerted by each springs pressure sensitive pad. Once individual identifiers are known, the primary device can subsequently perform certain functions or other desired operations based on the type, configuration, and/or number of identifiers placed thereon.

US Patent:

6838975, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022914

Inventors:

Debora Margaret Hejza Litwiller - Rochester NY, US
Philip E. Blair - Fairport NY, US

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G05B 2302

US Classification:

340 567, 340 561, 3406862, 340626, 34082556, 340 565, 702782, 702783, 439 44

Abstract:

An identification apparatus comprising an array of retractable conductive pins on a base component placed onto a primary device and in communication therewith. A set of shaped identifiers have a plurality of holes through which respective pins on the array of retractable pins pass, each identifier being uniquely configured with at least one distinct location containing a conductive plug or ‘cap’ fitted therein which blocks the passage therethrough of that particular pin thereby forcing said pin to retract into the base component to block further use of that pin by subsequently placed identifiers. Each retractable pin is in individual communication with the primary device such that, once one or more identifiers have been placed onto the pin array, the primary device can thereafter identify the placed identifiers so as to subsequently perform certain functions or other desired operations based on the type, configuration, and/or number of identifiers placed thereon.

US Patent:

6885284, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022915

Inventors:

Debora Margaret Hejza Litwiller - Rochester NY, US
Philip E. Blair - Fairport NY, US

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G05B019/00
H04B001/00

US Classification:

340 567, 340 56, 340 57, 340626, 3406861, 341 34, 439341, 439353

Abstract:

An identification apparatus comprises an array of conductive pins fixed onto a base component placed onto a primary device and in communication therewith. A set of shaped identifiers has a plurality of holes through which respective pins on the array of fixed pins pass. Each identifier is uniquely configured with at least one distinct location containing a conductive sleeve fitted therein which allows the passage therethrough of that particular pin for further use by subsequently placed identifiers. Each pin is in individual communication with the primary device such that the primary device can thereafter identify the placed identifiers so as to subsequently perform certain functions or other desired operations based on the type, configuration, and/or number of identifiers placed thereon.

US Patent:

6977595, Dec 20, 2005

Filed:

Nov 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/045368

Inventors:

Debora Margaret Hejza Litwiller - Rochester NY, US
Philip E. Blair - Fairport NY, US

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G08B021/00

US Classification:

340687, 403 11

Abstract:

A system for the secure physical attachment of a second device to a first device is disclosed comprising a first and second inter-connection attachment means in physical association with each device. The second inter-connection attachment means physically mates with its corresponding first inter-connection attachment means. Additionally, means for detecting the physical mating of each of the first and second inter-connection attachment means is provided. The detecting means is preferably associated with at least one of the devices and in communication with each of it's associated device's inter-connection attachment means. Means are provided for determining that the first and second inter-connection attachment means have been securely mated and, if not, means are provided for indicating the status of the completion of the secure attachment there between. A controller is used for halting at least one of the devices in the event that the attachment there between has not been secured and for receiving additional instructions from an end-user.

US Patent:

7380122, May 27, 2008

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022900

Inventors:

Debora Margaret Hejza Litwiller - Rochester NY, US
Philip E. Blair - Fairport NY, US

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

H04L 9/32
G06F 7/04
G06F 21/20

US Classification:

713168, 340 567

Abstract:

What is disclosed herein is an identification apparatus comprising an array of conductive pins fixed onto a base component placed onto a primary device and in communication therewith. A set of shaped identifiers having a plurality of holes through which respective pins on the array of fixed pins pass. Each identifier being uniquely configured with at least one distinct location containing a conductive sleeve fitted therein which allows the passage therethrough of that particular pin for further use by subsequently placed identifiers. Each pin is in individual communication with the primary device such that the primary device can thereafter identify the placed identifiers so as to subsequently perform certain functions or other desired operations based on the type, configuration, and/or number of identifiers placed thereon.

US Patent:

20030116625, Jun 26, 2003

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022913

Inventors:

Debora Litwiller - Rochester NY, US
Philip Blair - Fairport NY, US

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation

International Classification:

G08B021/00

US Classification:

235/444000, 235/448000

Abstract:

What is disclosed herein is an identification apparatus and method comprising an array of retractable pins in association with a housing attached to a base component through which each pin individually passes. The apparatus is attached to a primary device and in communication therewith. Each retractable pin is in individual physical contact with spring tension means positioned below the pin and located in a containment sleeve within the housing. Each spring continuously exerts pressure on the base of their respective pins so as to push the pin up through the base component. At the base of each spring is a pressure sensitive pad in communication with the primary device. A set of shaped identifiers is also disclosed each having a plurality of holes through which respective pins on the array of retractable pins pass and each identifier uniquely configured with at least one distinct location containing a plug or ‘cap’ fitted therein which blocks the passage therethrough of that particular pin thereby forcing said pin to retract into the base component's housing underneath and exerting pressure on the pin's associated spring. Means for alignment and orientation are also disclosed. Once one or more identifiers have been fitted onto the array of retractable pins, the primary device thereafter identifies the placed identifiers by each identifier's plug location and by the amount of pressure exerted by each spring's pressure sensitive pad. Once individual identifiers are known, the primary device can subsequently perform certain functions or other desired operations based on the type, configuration, and/or number of identifiers placed thereon.

US Patent:

20040090427, May 13, 2004

Filed:

Nov 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/291904

Inventors:

Philip Blair - Fairport NY, US
Debora Litwiller - Rochester NY, US

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation

International Classification:

G09G005/00

US Classification:

345/173000

Abstract:

An overlay for use with a screen, wherein the screen is a touch sensitive screen with a display containing at least one touch selectable feature thereon, wherein the overlay includes a substrate for placement over the screen, wherein the substrate has at least one hole positioned over the at least one touch selectable feature.