Patents Examined by Seth D. Vail
  • Patent number: 5831591
    Abstract: In an information picture display device using a double-picture type screen, a TV microcomputer controls a double window processing unit, an information processing unit processes information data received from a value added network and recognizes a selected screen mode to then output a switching control signal. The device is constructed so that the output of a switching unit for selecting one of a sub-video signal and a signal processed in the information processing unit is input to the double window processing unit, thereby displaying an information signal on the entire double-picture type screen, displaying the information signal and a TV signal separately on partitions of the double-picture type screens, or displaying the information signal superimposed on the TV signal. When the information signal is displayed on the entire screen, the signal processed in the information processing unit is displayed directly without passing through the double window processing unit, thereby improving picture quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon-hwan Suh
  • Patent number: 5818400
    Abstract: A display device that includes a display medium having a planar display area over which an image is generated, a first and second optical point beam each directed in the display medium coplanar with the planar display area, and beam controllers that scan each of the optical point beams to selectively interfere in the display area within a region defined by the intersection of the optical point beams to produce an intensity in the region that has enhanced visibility relative to the individual optical beams propagating in the display medium outside of the region. The beam controller may be an elongated reflector having a reflecting surface upon which a linear array of liquid crystal modulators are controlled to selectively transmit segments of a linear beam incident on the linear array, in order to provide the optical beam by selectively reflecting segments of the linear optical beam into the display medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: International Resource Management Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Nagan
  • Patent number: 5812118
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture directing a computer system, having at least a processor, memory, and touchscreen, to create at least two virtual pointing devices. The method includes the steps of detecting at least two hands placed on the touchscreen, determining if pre-defined characteristics exist for each hand based on the shape of each hand, if pre-defined characteristics exist for each hand, creating a virtual pointing device under at least a portion of each hand in accordance with the pre-defined characteristics, and if pre-defined characteristics do not exist for at least one of the hands, creating a generic virtual pointing device under at least a portion of the hand or a unique pointing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 5808591
    Abstract: A body device 2 is attachably/detachably equipped with a program cartridge. The program cartridge 4 stores a game program, image data and a column table. The body device 2 reads the game program from the game cartridge 4 and executes the game program, and reads and refers to the image data to display a stereoscopic image with parallax in left and right display systems. At this time, the body device 2 reads timing data from the column table in the program cartridge 4 to control light emitting intervals of each LED in the display units. Thus, the dot pitch of the image is corrected to appropriate widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Mantani
  • Patent number: 5805127
    Abstract: A microcontroller with three-state outputs is coupled to a small LCD via an interface with resistive voltage dividers. The controller has a separate control output to control adapting means for selectively modifying the voltage division, thus rendering a general-type microcontroller suitable for driving an LCD in, e.g., a 1/3 bias triplex mode using conventional low-cost hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Sonnek
  • Patent number: 5796386
    Abstract: In a graphics processing and display system wherein the view point is controlled according to position and orientation of a view point reference with respect to a representation of the displayed graphics data determined by a view point reference coordinate sensing system comprising a source and a sensor, wherein the sensor has a fixed position and orientation with respect to said view point reference and the source has a fixed position and orientation with respect to the schematic representation, calibration of the system requires two ordered steps: view point reference-sensor calibration and source-representation calibration. View point reference-sensor calibration is performed by registering and processing four configurations of the sensor housing. Source-representation calibration is performed by storing and processing three positions of the sensor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Sargent Lipscomb, Jai Prakash Menon, Jaroslaw Roman Rossignac, Robert Howard Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5796382
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display 10 is backlit by more than one light source 20 which is operated independently. Selective usage of the light sources extends the useful operating time of batteries when the liquid crystal display is used with a portable computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: John S. Beeteson
  • Patent number: 5793358
    Abstract: A method and means for flash charging a plurality of phosphorescent-coated, touch-sensitive keys using a planar, light-transmissive multicolor liquid crystal display (LCD) where the tripping event is the position of a lid of the notebook within a critical angle of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dragutin Petkovic, Edwin Joseph Selker
  • Patent number: 5793363
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit in which high-speed data transfer is possible and reloading of data is unnecessary when the contents of the data memory are the same as the previous contents. The timing for starting the sampling of the number of driver chips cascade connected with an output terminal and input terminal ST is provided by flip-flop 103, which is the internal counter, and only propriety for starting is executed with respect to a cascade connection, namely, input terminal ST in the next step from output terminal OUT. Therefore, the timing for transmitting a cascade signal is determined by flip-flops 103 and 104, which are the 2-bit internal counters. For example, in the case of a 2-bit counter, all that is necessary is for the cascade signal to be transmitted for two cycles so the overall transfer speed is not restricted in this part and high-speed data transfer becomes possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Mikio Takuwa
  • Patent number: 5790096
    Abstract: An electronics control system for full color and monochrome flat panel displays which automatically accommodates video signals of numerous types and formats, whether interlaced, non-interlaced, composite, or video signals with separated sync signals. Display of such video signals on a wide selection of flat panel display systems also is accommodated. Incoming and output video rates are asynchronous. Plug-in modules allow the system to convert video signals of numerous types and modes for display on any flat panel display system. Images are both automatically, and under user control, up-sized and down-sized, positioned and oriented to fit the flat panel display being used. Color images are automatically reduced to grey scale monochrome when a monochrome flat panel display is being used. Push-pull A/D converter circuitry for digitizing color video signals is used to reduce cost while conserving power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Allus Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jacques R. Hill, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5784050
    Abstract: A color space converter that uses a set of simple coefficients to convert data between the RGB and YUV color spaces. The converter utilizes conversion circuitry operable to receive RGB data. The R, G, and B components of the RGB data are then converted into YUV data according to the formulae:Y=1/4R+1/2G+1/4B;U=-1/8R-1/4G+3/8B;V=3/8R-1/4G-1/8B;The YUV data can then be reconverted into the RGB color space by using the formulae:R=Y+2V;G=Y-U-V;B=Y+2U.A preferred embodiment of the present invention is as a VGA controller within a data processing system. The VGA controller is operable to receive data in the RGB color space. The RGB data is then converted into the YUV color space using the above formulae and stored within a memory. The YUV data is retrieved from the memory, converted back into the RGB color space, and then displayed by a display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Kenneth Corry
  • Patent number: 5767840
    Abstract: A user-manipulable sensor apparatus is provided for allowing a user to input, through hand manipulation of a movable member, motion in six degrees of freedom: translational motion in the X, Y, and Z axes, and rotation about each of those three axes. The apparatus includes a central member which acts as a stationary reference, and a user-manipulable member, such as a spherical, hollow member which substantially surrounds the central member. Flexible wire or in-line strain gauges are coupled between the central member and the inside surface of the user-manipulable member, to hold the user-manipulable member in a quiescent position, relative to a position of the central member. Accordingly, there is no need for additional support members for holding the user-manipulable member in position. Manipulation of the user-manipulable member causes tension on various ones of the strain gauges. The strain gauges produce signals, from which the motion of the user-manipulable member may be computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin Joseph Selker
  • Patent number: 5767830
    Abstract: An active matrix display device comprises a plurality of pixels, a vertical scanning circuit, a horizontal scanning circuit, and a thinning-out circuit. The plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix on a normal standard screen. The vertical scanning circuit is for sequentially selecting pixels every line. The horizontal scanning circuit is for writing single horizontal period portions of a wide standard image signal for selected lines of pixels. The thinning-out circuit is for controlling timing of the vertical scanning circuit sequential selection and thinning-out a prescribed number of horizontal period portions from a wide standard image signal in such a manner that wide displaying compressed in the longitudinal direction of the screen is carried out. It is therefore possible for a normal standard screen to change over to displaying a wide standard image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5764227
    Abstract: A document display apparatus of the invention displays a document containing a plurality of pages in such a manner that one page lies on top of another, allowing easy and intuitive identification of the first page of the document. When a page turning command is entered through an input device, a designator specifies a page which should become the first page of the document based on page layering sequence information stored in a page data table memory and a page location calculator calculates new display locations of the individual pages so that pages to be shown behind a current page (or the page in the topmost layer) are successively displaced from the current page by an amount determined by preset page offset values (.DELTA.X, .DELTA.Y) except for the first page of which amount of displacement is increased by an additional page offset value (+.alpha.) in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisako Ishimine
  • Patent number: 5764201
    Abstract: A graphics controller has a standard RGB graphics pixel path from a graphics memory. A second path from the graphics memory transfers movie-overlay pixels in YUV format. Two pixel muxes are used. Each pixel mux selects either RGB graphics pixels or YUV movie pixels converted to the RGB color space. A first pixel mux loads either the graphics or the movie pixels to a path to the external CRT. A second pixel mux loads either the graphics or the movie pixels to an LCD path leading to a flat-panel LCD display. The pixel muxes can act in unison to display the same image on both the external CRT and the local LCD panel, and the movie pixels may be overlaid as a small window over the graphics data. The pixel muxes can also act separately so that different images are displayed on the external CRT and the local LCD panel. One pixel mux selects the RGB pixels while the other pixel mux selects the converted YUV pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: NeoMagic Corp.
    Inventor: Ravi Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 5760761
    Abstract: A multisegmented, highlight color ball for an electrical twisting ball display device made up of spheroidal balls rotatably disposed in an elastomer substrate. The ball is composed of segments arrayed substantially parallel to one another, each segment being adjacent to at least one other segment and to no more than two other segments, adjacent segments being adjoined to one another at substantially planar interfaces. Each segment has an optical modulation characteristic, the optical modulation characteristics of adjacent segments being different from one another. The segments include: a central segment having a thickness; a first interior segment, situated adjacent to the central segment and having a thickness less than the central segment thickness; a second interior segment, situated opposite the first interior segment with respect to the central segment and having a thickness less than the central segment thickness; a first exterior segment; and a second exterior segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas K. Sheridon
  • Patent number: 5757340
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit in a display device for a monitor unit in a computer system or the like, includes first active element whose control electrode is supplied with a signal from an input terminal; a second active element cascade-connected to the first active element; a third active element so connected to the second active element that a junction thereof is connected to an output terminal; an impedance element disposed between the input terminal and the third active element and capable of changing the impedance in accordance with the frequency of the input signal; a first resistance element connected between the junction of the second and third active elements and the control electrode of the first active element; and a second resistance element connected between the input terminal and the control electrode of the first active element and serving to determine the signal amplification factor in cooperation with the first resistance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Okamoto, Haruhisa Iida
  • Patent number: 5757343
    Abstract: A luminance adjusting apparatus for a plasma display panel allows an adjustment of the luminance of a whole panel in a continuous manner. An adjustment to the number of times of light emission and a gain adjustment to pixel data are performed in association with each other in response to a luminance adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuro Nagakubo
  • Patent number: 5754159
    Abstract: An integrated liquid crystal display and backlight system for generating video images for a portable computer (12) comprising a top glass (32), a bottom glass (34) and a thin film transistor and liquid crystal layer (36) disposed therebetween, a diffuser (38) bonded to the bottom glass (34) on the side opposite the top glass (32), a substrate (40) bonded to the diffuser (38) opposite the bottom glass (34) having an array of semispherical cavities (42) each having an aluminized surface (44), a phosphor layer (46) coating the aluminized surfaces (44), an array of indium tin oxide conductors (48) electrically connected to the aluminized surfaces (44) and disposed within the cavities (42), and a volume of mercury gas (50) filling the cavities (42) such that when a voltage (54) is established between the aluminized surfaces (44) and the indium tin oxide conductors (48), the phosphor (46) becomes excited and produces backlight for the liquid crystal display system (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony B. Wood, Jeffrey E. Faris
  • Patent number: 5754152
    Abstract: A drive method and a drive unit for a liquid crystal display unit which reduce the variation in the effective value of an applied voltage dependent upon the display patterns, are inexpensive, and enhance the display quality are provided. There is provided a segment-side liquid crystal drive circuit 2 which incorporates an output control section 26 where an output correction period is provided in an output of the segment-side liquid crystal drive circuit 2 at intervals of a 1-line scanning period, and during the output correction period a display voltage level of the output is set to an OFF display voltage level when the display voltage level of the output is in an ON display level and to an ON display voltage level when the display voltage level of the output is in an OFF display level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Nakamura, Shunichi Murahashi