Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Hobbs

Thomas J. Hobbs 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).

  • Patent number: 8413904
    Abstract: A keyboard layout for a handheld electronic book device is described herein. The device includes a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of textual or graphic content related to the electronic book. The device also includes a keyboard for controlling presentation of the content. The keyboard includes two sets of keys. A first set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a first point of reference on the device. A second set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a second point of reference on the device. The second point of reference is spaced from the first point of reference on the device. One or more of the first set of keys and one or more of the second set of keys are arranged in a horizontal row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Gregg E. Zehr, John E. Johnston, Symon J. Whitehorn, Thomas J. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 8018431
    Abstract: A page turner is provided for a handheld electronic book reader device. The page turner is configured to detect a human gesture to turn a page in an electronic book that is being displayed by the device. In one implementation, the page turner is configured as a page turning mechanism having at least one tactile member (e.g., ridge, indentation, etc.) and at least one sensor positioned proximate to the tactile member to detect gesture proximity. The tactile member provides tactile feedback as the user passes a finger over the mechanism to simulate a riffle sensation akin to flipping through paper pages in a paperback book. In certain implementations, the eBook reader device has a non-symmetrical shape with a dual display system and QWERTY keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg E. Zehr, John E. Johnston, Jateen P. Parekh, Symon J. Whitehorn, Thomas J. Hobbs
  • Patent number: D585902
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hobbs, Gregg Elliott Zehr, John E. Johnston