Patents by Inventor Shawn R. Gettemy
Shawn R. Gettemy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7159194Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple housing segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but nor all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 7095387Abstract: A portable electronic device is disclosed. The portable electronic device includes a housing. The portable electronic device also includes computing electronics that are supported by the housing. The computing electronics include a processor, a display controller coupled to the processor, and memory coupled to the processor. The portable electronic device disclosed also includes an expandable display coupled with a display controller. The expandable display is expandable from a first size to a second size. The first size is different than the second size. A sensor is coupled to the processor. The sensor is configured to provide a signal representative of the size of the display.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Lee, Shawn R. Gettemy, Sherridythe A. Fraser, William R. Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong, Mark W. Oliver
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Patent number: 7091964Abstract: An electronic device includes a bezel feature, a connector and a processor. The bezel feature is provided on the front panel and interfaces with the processor. The bezel feature includes a circumferential track provided on the front panel and is formed by a contact-sensitive material that provides a surface capable of detecting contact from a user at multiple positions on the track. The contact indicates an input based on both a starting position and a finishing position of the contact on the track. The processor is configured to calculate the input based on the starting position and the finishing position and to perform an operation corresponding to a selection of an application based on the input.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 7079119Abstract: An electronic device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) is disclosed. The electronic device includes a cover coupled to a computing device. The cover may include at least one of a touch panel and a lighting system.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: William R. Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy, Yoon Kean Wong
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Patent number: 7057579Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a processor. The display system also includes a first display device having a first display surface and receiving display data from the processor. The display system also includes a second displayed device having a display area smaller then the first display device and moveable over the surface of the first display device. The display system also includes a sensor in communication with the processor and communicating location data to the processor. The location data is representative of the relative location of the first display to the second display. Further still, the display system includes a program running on the processor and providing display data to the first and second display devices. The display data is provided to the second display device based on the location data.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy, Sherridythe A. Fraser, Yoon Kean Wong, Mark W. Oliver
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Patent number: 7048401Abstract: A lighting system for a portable electronic device or handheld computer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the lighting system includes a light source coupled to a light distributing element. The light distributing element is coupled to a phosphorescent material. The phosphorescent material is coupled to a display and/or input device. The light source pulses on and off to maintain light at a display and/or input device.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Lee, Shawn R. Gettemy, Sherridythe A. Fraser, William R. Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong
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Patent number: 7034802Abstract: A portable computer system contained within a housing that comprises an electronic muscle material for performing a plurality of functions. The electronic muscle can be used to replace buttons or keys used in many PDAs. The movement of the electronic muscle material can charge the battery. When handled, the electronic muscle material can further detect the left- or right-handedness of the user and, based on the handedness, can generate function buttons or other alterations to accommodate the user's hand preference and finger placement. The electronic muscle can change shape to accommodate the user's hand for comfort and, further, as a security function to identify and authorize the user. Additionally, the electronic muscle material in the housing can be caused to vibrate at given frequencies so that it can generate an alarm and can function as a speaker or a dynamically directional microphone.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Palm, IncorporatedInventors: Shawn R. Gettemy, Yoon Kean Wong
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Patent number: 7006080Abstract: A display for providing information relating to an object relative to the display is disclosed. The display includes a plurality of pixels, and a plurality of light sensors. An individual light sensor of the plurality of light sensors is provided near an individual pixel of the plurality of pixels. An individual light sensor of the plurality of light sensors is configured to detect light. The information relating to the object relative to the display may be provided by correlating the amount of detected light from the plurality of light sensors to the information relating to the object.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventor: Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 6992659Abstract: An integrated enclosure/touch screen assembly. A touch screen assembly consisting of a display mechanism and optical sensor mechanism are enclosed within a single piece cover. The optical sensor mechanism consists of lens structure and optical sensor couple to the lens structure. The single piece cover includes a transparent top surface and the lens structure is embedded within the transparent top surface. The transparent top surface of the single piece cover provides an enclosure that is both dust free and waterproof. The lens structure of the single piece cover functions by columnating light across the transparent surface. The optical touch sensor is coupled to the lens structure to register contact with the transparent surface via the lens structure by detecting disturbances in the columnated light. In one embodiment, the single piece cover is constructed by embedding the lens structure directly into the transparent surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: palmOne, Inc.Inventor: Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 6947017Abstract: A portable computer system that comprises dynamically adjustable brightness range settings and brightness control for providing improved user readability and prolonged component lifetime of the display screen. The main processor can change the range settings based on ambient light conditions or the user can perform the changes. The brightness level of the display changes according to a user selected setting within the range selected. The time required to implement the brightness change can be set to a value which can be configured by the user.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventor: Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 6924752Abstract: An electronic device is formed at least partially from a deflectable material that generates an electrical signal in response to contact. The first material is integrated with a display module to provide a shaped feature on the exterior surface of the display module. The shaped feature detects contact with an external object on one or more contact points, where contact with the contact points corresponds to a defined input for a processor of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: palmOne, Inc.Inventors: Shawn R. Gettemy, Lawrence Lam, William R. Hanson
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Patent number: 6888532Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: palmOne, Inc.Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy
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Publication number: 20040239581Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a processor. The display system also includes a first display device having a first display surface and receiving display data from the processor. The display system also includes a second displayed device having a display area smaller then the first display device and moveable over the surface of the first display device. The display system also includes a sensor in communication with the processor and communicating location data to the processor. The location data is representative of the relative location of the first display to the second display. Further still, the display system includes a program running on the processor and providing display data to the first and second display devices. The display data is provided to the second display device based on the location data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicant: Palm, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy, Sherridythe A. Fraser, Yoon Kean Wong, Mark W. Oliver
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Publication number: 20040141335Abstract: A lighting system for a portable electronic device or handheld computer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the lighting system includes a light source coupled to a light distributing element. The light distributing element is coupled to a phosphorescent material. The phosphorescent material is coupled to a display and/or input device. The light source pulses on and off to maintain light at a display and/or input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Lee, Shawn R. Gettemy, Sherridythe A. Fraser, William R. Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong
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Patent number: 6710754Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a processor. The display system also includes a first display device having a first display surface and receiving display data from the processor. The display system also includes a second displayed device having a display area smaller then the first display device and moveable over the surface of the first display device. The display system also includes a sensor in communication with the processor and communicating location data to the processor. The location data is representative of the relative location of the first display to the second display. Further still, the display system includes a program running on the processor and providing display data to the first and second display devices. The display data is provided to the second display device based on the location data.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy, Sherridythe A. Fraser, Yoon Kean Wong, Mark W. Oliver
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Publication number: 20040046739Abstract: A portable electronic device or handheld computer is disclosed. The device has a housing and computing electronics supported by the housing. A pliable sensor that is supported by the housing is also disclosed. The pliable sensor provides input from the hand of a user by applying pressure to the pliable sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Palm, Inc.Inventor: Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 6685328Abstract: The present invention provides a display assembly including a display screen, a planar light guide, a light source, a light bar, and a frame. The frame is integrally molded with the planar light guide to form a single component, wherein the top and said bottom of the light guide is not obstructed by the plastic frame. The planar light guide is disposed above the display screen and provides mechanical support of the display. The light bar is disposed between the planar light guide and the light source, and acts to couple light from the light source into the planar light guide.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: plamOne, Inc.Inventors: William R. Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy, Sherri Fraser, Mark Oliver
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Publication number: 20030160771Abstract: A handheld computing device featuring interchangeable display units is disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a processing unit and a visual display unit detachable from the processing unit. The processing unit and the detachable visual display unit include communication ports capable of communicating with each other. The processing unit further can receive information representative of the properties of the detachable visual display unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Sherridythe A. Fraser, Shawn R. Gettemy, Kevin Lee, Yoon Kean Wong, Lawrence Lam
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Publication number: 20030160754Abstract: An electronic device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) is disclosed. The electronic device includes a cover coupled to a computing device. The cover may include at least one of a touch panel and a lighting system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: Palm, Inc.Inventors: William R. Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy, Yoon Kean Wong
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Publication number: 20030160755Abstract: A display system for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The display system includes a processing unit having a first communication port, and a visual display unit separable from the processing unit. The visual display unit further includes a visual display, and a second communication port. The display unit can be expanded from an initial or storage state to present a larger visual display size. Further, the first communication port providing communication with the second communication port.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Shawn R. Gettemy, Sherridythe A. Fraser, Kevin Lee, William R. Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong, Mark W. Oliver