Patents Examined by Seth D. Vail
  • Patent number: 6005559
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a power supply to be stopped in a low-power consumption mode, a unit for displaying an image based on image data input from a computer or television, and a unit for outputting a first transfer signal for stopping the power supply based on a first control signal for controlling transfer to the low-power consumption mode, which is input from the computer or television. The display apparatus also includes a unit for outputting a second transfer signal for stopping the power supply based on the input image data, and a power supply controller for stopping the power supply based on the first and second transfer signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 5949390
    Abstract: A three-dimensional display apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel 1 for displaying a discrete Fourier transformed image and a slit panel 2 having a convex lens function in a horizontal direction and a plurality of slits 3 arranged in a zig-zag manner, which is disposed in front of the liquid crystal panel 1. Since a spatial image is generated by such a configuration, a wide viewing region can be obtained. Since the number of slits positioned in the horizontal direction is increased as that of a slit pattern of a conventional slit array, the deterioration of resolution in the horizontal direction is reduced. Furthermore, since the slits are arranged in a zig-zag manner, the area of each light-shielding portion between sampling positions is reduced, thereby preventing an optical means from obstructing the observation of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Nomura, Masayuki Katagiri, Keisuke Iwasaki, Noritoshi Kako
  • Patent number: 5917471
    Abstract: A gray scale display method includes converting the binary code of conventional picture data into an optimal code, based on display system characteristics. Gray levels of an image to be displayed are error-diffused and displayed using frame rate modulation. In order to reduce the likelihood of saturation of the gray levels, the maximum value of data displayed according to the optimal code is greater than or equal to the maximum value of the picture data displayed according to a conventional binary code. In addition, the number of adjacent gray levels is minimized. As a result, the driving voltage for driving electrodes in a display device and picture cross talk are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Display Devices, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sun-Jung Choi
  • Patent number: 5909184
    Abstract: A service information receiving device receives pay service information and year/month/day-of-month data, both multiplexed with FM broadcast radiowaves and transmitted from an FM broadcasting station. The device compares the use end date data, stored in an information storage medium which is detachable from the device, with the year/month/day-of-month data received by the device, and the device permits the display of the pay service information during the period in which these two sets of data disagree with each other, and after they have coincided with each other, inhibits the display of the pay service information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichiro Tajima
  • Patent number: 5905481
    Abstract: Infrared signal receiving and demodulating units 4, 5 are installed into radio paging receiver 10 having an illustration display function based on stored illustration data for displaying certain illustrations and a code signal sent from infrared remote control unit 20 through an infrared signal S1 are assigned to various illustrating functions and stored in memory 3, then a series of code signals corresponding to necessary illustrating functions are sent from infrared remote control unit 20 to display a certain illustration, and the illustration data of the displayed illustration are stored in memory 3 in order to answer display requests in received paging calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Takaya
  • Patent number: 5905478
    Abstract: A compact virtual image electronic display system is provided which includes a microdisplay for producing a source object, one or more magnification optics, and a distance adjusting mechanism for adjusting a distance between the one or more magnification optics and each other or a reflective surface, the magnification of the compound magnified image relative to the source object being dependent on this distance. The system may include a distance sensing mechanism for sensing the distance between the beamsplitting magnification optic and the reflective element and communicating the distance to a control mechanism which modifies the source object in response. The system can also include a control mechanism for causing the distance adjusting mechanism to adjust the distance in response to the source object produced by the microdisplay. The system can also include a user selectable input for modifying the source object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Siliscape, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred P. Hildebrand, Gregory J. Kintz
  • Patent number: 5903259
    Abstract: A computer system having a wireless keyboard which transmits make-break signals to the computer system. The wireless keyboard and/or computer system being adapted to have television (or other remotely controllable devices) commands mapped into the wireless keyboard such that the wireless keyboard can provide standard computer keyboard commands to the computer and also remotely control another remotely controllable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Brusky, John W. Frederick, Jeffrey T. Lininger
  • Patent number: 5900852
    Abstract: A high speed multiplex-driven liquid crystal display device is capable of utilizing a bistable nematic liquid crystal medium while maintaining high contrast, fast switching capability and a wide viewing angle. The chiral nematic liquid crystal medium has a twisted structure wherein a first voltage waveform applied in a first time period brings on Frederick's transition followed by a selected second voltage waveform applied in a second time period capable of generating one of two selectable metastable states representing switchable bistable states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Tanaka, Yuzuru Sato, Hiroaki Nomura
  • Patent number: 5896125
    Abstract: The Adapter is coupled to a keyboard, and one or multiple video game control devices, including widely available directional game pads and joysticks designed for other video game platforms. The Adapter is in turn coupled to the keyboard port of a personal computer. During the Function mode, button presses or other input decision actions observed at the video game controller result in a key scan code being sent to the personal computer's keyboard port based on a user-defined association list. During the Program mode, the association list is reconfigured in one of three ways, two of which are achieved automatically through a reconfiguration program running on the computer. The third way of reconfiguring the Adapter involves the user manually associating one or multiple keyboard key presses to a particular button press or other input decision action at the video game controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Richard H. Niedzwiecki
  • Patent number: 5892493
    Abstract: The quality of an image is improved even if the duration of data voltage is short for application. A gate line driver 34 sequentially applies the gate voltage to a number of gate lines G1-Gm by predetermined duration. Data lines are grouped into four groups each consisting of n lines (d1A-dnA: group A, d1B-dnB: group B, d1C-dnC: group C, and d1D-dnD: group D). A data line driver 40 and a multiplexer 38 sequentially perform for the data line groups A-D in the above predetermined duration application of data voltage to each data line in a predetermined data line group. A precharge controller 44 and a voltage switching circuit 46 apply to each of the data line groups A-D, through a transistor 42, a precharge voltage (+V.sub.1 or -V.sub.1) with the same polarity with that of data voltage being applied next time during the time from previous application of the data voltage to next application of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Enami, Takatoshi Tomooka
  • Patent number: 5889502
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plasma addressed display device which can adaptively control a voltage to be applied to each discharge channel, thereby suppressing an excess applied voltage. The plasma addressed display device includes a flat panel as a display. The flat panel has a laminated structure consisting of a plasma cell having a plurality of rows of discharge channels and a display cell having a plurality of columns of signal electrodes. A drive circuit sequentially supplies an applied voltage to a cathode in each discharge channel to generate a plasma discharge, thereby performing line-sequential scanning. A signal circuit supplies an image signal to each signal electrode in synchronism with the line-sequential scanning. A constant-current circuit operates so that a constant discharge current flows after the generation of the plasma discharge in each discharge channel. A detecting circuit samples a discharge voltage during flowing of the constant discharge current in each discharge channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Iwama
  • Patent number: 5889505
    Abstract: A vision-based controller provides translational and rotational control signals to a computer or other input driven device. The controller includes a tracked object, positioned in space and having at least a first reference point and a second reference point. The tracked object is capable of three dimensional rotational and translational movement. At least one imaging device, positioned at a distance from the tracked object, generates an image of the tracked object, at plural succeeding times. A processor unit receives the image, comprised of pixel values, from the imaging device; identifies pixels corresponding to a current center of the tracked object, the first reference point and the second reference point; determines a current dimension (i.e., size or radius) of the tracked object; calculates a translational and rotational displacement of the tracked object based on the above information; and generates control signals in accordance with the transitional and rotational displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Kentaro Toyama, Gregory Donald Hager
  • Patent number: 5883612
    Abstract: A selective call device (100) has a plurality of first alerts and a second alert and includes a decoder/controller (106) generating a plurality of icons associated with the plurality of first alerts and the second alert (116) and a switch for selecting an alert. The decoder/controller (106), in response to the switch (118), positions a second alert icon adjacent to a selected icon when the selected icon is not the second alert icon. A display (108) displays the second alert icon adjacent to the selected icon and the decoder/controller (106) regenerates the plurality of icons wherein the second alert icon is repositioned adjacent to a reselected alert icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart S. Kreitzer
  • Patent number: 5874938
    Abstract: A signal processing system for a strain-gauge pointing device has a reduced parts count and permits the use of relatively inexpensive low-tolerance components. The system can process signals from two or three or more strain gauges, permitting additional inputs by users without a linear increase in the number of signal processing components. The system employs an RC network to develop an offset for the signal to be provided to an analog-to-digital converter. The system performs each measurement twice, once with a particular excitation polarity and again with the opposite excitation polarity, which permits correction for drift and temperature instability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: USAR System Inc.
    Inventor: Victor Marten
  • Patent number: 5870068
    Abstract: A compact virtual image electronic display system including a beamsplitting magnification optic on which a source object is projected, the beamsplitting magnification optic having a refractive surface and a partially reflective surface for magnifying and reflecting the source object as a magnified virtual image, and a reflective element positioned for receiving and reflecting the magnified virtual image back to the beamsplitting magnification optic. The beamsplitting magnification optic receives the reflected magnified virtual image and magnifies and transmits it through the beamsplitting magnification optic as a compound magnified image of the magnified virtual image to an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Siliscape, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred P. Hildebrand, Gregory J. Kintz
  • Patent number: 5870082
    Abstract: A user-manipulable in-keyboard pointing device is provided, for use in portable electronic apparatus such as laptop computers, for allowing the user to move a symbol, such as a cursor, around a GUI display. For small laptops whose displays close over their keyboards, such as in clamshell fashion, the device protects the display surface from smearing or abrasion from physical contact with the user-manipulable device. The device includes a post, rigidly coupled to motion sensors for producing motion signals, responsive to user manipulation, the post having a head-and-shoulder contour. The device further includes a resilient fingertip grip cap that fits over the head of the post. The grip cap has a shape which provides two cooperative arrangements for fitting onto the post. The first configuration, which is for normal use, has the cap projecting above the post by a first height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin Joseph Selker, Barton Allen Smith, Todd Clossen Wyant
  • Patent number: 5859631
    Abstract: An apparatus front panel has a mechanical user interface in the form of a mechanically controllable regulation and setting elements on the face of the front panel. The front panel is manufactured at least in part from a transparent material in which electrical conductors and components are arranged in order to electrically connect the controllable regulation and setting elements from the face of the front panel with the electrical equipment present in the apparatus via a front panel connection. The front panel is constructed so that it can be attached at least in part to a substantially flat indicia-bearing element such as in front of a screen, in front of a display, or over a printed base or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Elema AB
    Inventors: Jonas Bergman, Par Emtell
  • Patent number: 5847695
    Abstract: An interface device, such as a mouse input device, is used to provide input to a computer system or alternatively to a telephone system. The motion of the mouse input device over a first surface is detected. Selections made by a user on a mouse selection key are also detected. Numeric entry is received from numeric entry keys on a top surface of the mouse input device. In the preferred embodiment, the numeric keys are arranged as a dialpad for a telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Glen Duncan, Roger Bjork
  • Patent number: 5844538
    Abstract: An image display apparatus can be arranged so that a picture element capacity obtains a value provides display data retention of less than 99% by writing same data to a picture element a plurality of times during 1 frame period. This makes it possible to disuse the auxiliary capacity and to improve an aperture ratio. Moreover, with the present invention, an MOS transistor arranged in each picture element as a switching element for driving the picture element, a scan signal line driving circuit and a data signal line driving circuit for transmitting a driving signal based upon display data to the MOS transistor through a data signal line and a scan signal line, and a first frame memory and a second frame memory provided outside the picture element for storing display data to be outputted to a data signal line driving circuit for 1 frame are formed on one substrate. As a result, it is possible to improve package efficiency and lower cost by using a driver monolithic technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Shiraki, Manabu Matsuura, Yasushi Kubota, Hiroshi Yoneda, Yoshitaka Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5838312
    Abstract: The synchronization signal processing circuit of a monitor for protecting the cathode ray tube includes a rectifying unit for rectifying a synchronization signal supplied from the outside; a first inverting unit for inverting the rectified signal and generating a first inverted signal; a control unit for controlling the output of the first inverted signal according to the synchronization signal by being switched on; a second inverting unit for delaying the rectified signal for a predetermined time period, inverting the delayed rectified signal, and generating a second inverted signal; and a synchronization signal outputting unit for buffering the first and second inverted signals and applying the buffer signal to a microprocessor, a video signal processor and a deflection circuit respectively. Accordingly, even while there is no input from the keyboard for a certain time period, the fluorescent screen of the CRT can be protected since the point of the screen to which the video signal is injected changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Min Kim