Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Michael Theimer

Wolfgang Michael Theimer 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: 10192516
    Abstract: Methods and devices for wirelessly transmitting content from a source device to a sink device are disclosed. The method comprises: identifying one or more data types associated with a display frame displayed on the source device; selecting a transmission format for the display frame in accordance with the one or more identified data types, wherein the transmission format is selected from the group consisting of screencasting, graphics processing unit (GPU) processing, or GPU processing with media streaming; and sending visual information representing the display frame in the transmission selected transmission format to the sink device. One or a combination of latency, image/video quality, and power consumption associated with the wireless transmission may be used to adapt the wireless transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Mohammed Nawaf Smadi, Wolfgang Michael Theimer, Vytautas Robertas Kezys
  • Publication number: 20170032762
    Abstract: Methods and devices for wirelessly transmitting content from a source device to a sink device are disclosed. The method comprises: identifying one or more data types associated with a display frame displayed on the source device; selecting a transmission format for the display frame in accordance with the one or more identified data types, wherein the transmission format is selected from the group consisting of screencasting, graphics processing unit (GPU) processing, or GPU processing with media streaming; and sending visual information representing the display frame in the transmission selected transmission format to the sink device. One or a combination of latency, image/video quality, and power consumption associated with the wireless transmission may be used to adapt the wireless transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Mohammed Nawaf SMADI, Wolfgang Michael THEIMER, Vytautas Robertas KEZYS
  • Patent number: 9507147
    Abstract: A display system. A display device has viewports emitting expanded views of an image, an image receiving area receives the image, and optical conduits with exit pupil expanders expand the image through the viewports. A separate tracking projector has an image projector that projects an image along an axis, a marker search illuminator that projects light into a space including the axis, and an image capture component that captures target images that including at least three reflective marker images associated with the image receiving area. An image processor determines, based the marker images, a distance and an orientation of the image receiving area. A projection controller adjusts image data based upon the distance and the orientation to cause projected images to arrive squarely at the image receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Wolfgang Michael Theimer, Klaus-Dieter Meierling
  • Patent number: 9483875
    Abstract: An augmented reality system with encoding light emitting beacons placed in a scene. Beacons placed at desired locations in a scene emit light modulated with multiple access encoding that conveys an identifier for its emitting beacon. The emitted light signals are also blanked for longer than a time between image capturing by an image augmenting device. Beacons viewed in captured images are identified by correlating an absence of a beacon in an image with an absence of a received identifier in received light signals. In a view of the scene presented to a user, augmenting images are obtained based upon the determined beacon identifier and are displayed at locations in the scene based upon the determined location of that beacon. Beacons that emit pulsed light signals encoded with the multiple access coding are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Wolfgang Michael Theimer, Sebastian Gehrling
  • Patent number: 9450953
    Abstract: A method of maintaining a blacklist for gesture-based passwords is provided. A data store of vectors corresponding to gestures is maintained on a blacklist server. Upon receiving a new gesture based password, an electronic device converts the password to a vector and forwards that vector to the blacklist server. The blacklist server assigns the vector to one of a cluster of vectors each having low distance from one another. If the increase in the occurrences of the number of vectors in the cluster results in a blacklist threshold being exceeded, the cluster of vectors is inputted to the blacklist. A notification can be sent back to the electronic device if the forwarded vector is on the blacklist or is inputted to the blacklist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Maksym Nechytaylo, Wolfgang Michael Theimer, Thomas Balon
  • Patent number: 9412332
    Abstract: Methods and devices for wirelessly transmitting content from a source device to a sink device are disclosed. The method comprises: identifying one or more data types associated with a display frame displayed on the source device; selecting a transmission format for the display frame in accordance with the one or more identified data types, wherein the transmission format is selected from the group consisting of screencasting, graphics processing unit (GPU) processing, or GPU processing with media streaming; and sending visual information representing the display frame in the transmission selected transmission format to the sink device. One or a combination of latency, image/video quality, and power consumption associated with the wireless transmission may be used to adapt the wireless transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Mohammed Nawaf Smadi, Vytautas Robertas Kezys, Wolfgang Michael Theimer
  • Patent number: 9285837
    Abstract: A physical keyboard having a plurality of individual keys temporarily overlays a touch-sensitive display. Each individual key selectively provides either of a first level of capacitive coupling and a second, different level of capacitive coupling to the touch-sensitive display. By one approach the key provides that first level of capacitive coupling to the touch-sensitive display when a user asserts the key (for example, by pressing upon the key) to thereby communicate to the touch-sensitive display a selection of that individual key. The key can provide that second level of capacitive coupling when a user touches, but does not assert, the individual key. So configured, this second level of capacitive coupling serves to communicate to the touch-sensitive display an input instruction other than a selection of that individual key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Meierling, Wolfgang Michael Theimer, Günther Heinrich Burghardt, Heinz Henning Taschke, Frank Von Heimburg
  • Patent number: 9230507
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing power consumption in an electronic device by controlling the transition of the electronic device from a sleep mode to a full power mode. The electronic device comprises a main processor a touch-sensitive overlay, and an overlay controller. A sequence of touch inputs on the touch-sensitive overlay are detected and captured using the overlay controller while the main processor is in the sleep mode. A subset of the sequence of touch inputs is processed using the overlay controller to determine that the sequence of touch inputs corresponds to a coarse model of a pre-determined wake-up gesture prior to transitioning the electronic device from the sleep mode to the full power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Marc Drader, Wolfgang Michael Theimer
  • Publication number: 20150179130
    Abstract: Methods and devices for wirelessly transmitting content from a source device to a sink device are disclosed. The method comprises: identifying one or more data types associated with a display frame displayed on the source device; selecting a transmission format for the display frame in accordance with the one or more identified data types, wherein the transmission format is selected from the group consisting of screencasting, graphics processing unit (GPU) processing, or GPU processing with media streaming; and sending visual information representing the display frame in the transmission selected transmission format to the sink device. One or a combination of latency, image/video quality, and power consumption associated with the wireless transmission may be used to adapt the wireless transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Mohammed Nawaf Smadi, Vytautas Robertas Kezys, Wolfgang Michael Theimer
  • Publication number: 20150128233
    Abstract: A method of maintaining a blacklist for gesture-based passwords is provided. A data store of vectors corresponding to gestures is maintained on a blacklist server. Upon receiving a new gesture based password, an electronic device converts the password to a vector and forwards that vector to the blacklist server. The blacklist server assigns the vector to one of a cluster of vectors each having low distance from one another. If the increase in the occurrences of the number of vectors in the cluster results in a blacklist threshold being exceeded, the cluster of vectors is inputted to the blacklist. A notification can be sent back to the electronic device if the forwarded vector is on the blacklist or is inputted to the blacklist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Maksym NECHYTAYLO, Wolfgang Michael THEIMER, Thomas BALON, Pascal WIßMANN
  • Patent number: 8838259
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to media players, such as portable electronic devices, vehicle audio systems, home stereo systems, etc. In particular, it relates to the management of the sound pressure level generated by portable electronic devices. A method and system for controlling the consumed audio dose of a user of a media player is described. The method comprises the steps of selecting a first frequency range from the total frequency range relevant for the human ear; of determining the audio dose already consumed by the user within the first frequency range; of evaluating the audio dose of a media track within the first frequency range and the already consumed audio dose of the user within the first frequency range; and of controlling the audio dose generated by the media player based on the evaluating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Wolfgang Michael Theimer, Frank von Heimburg, Frederik Nicolas Goerges, Wolfgang Edeler, Gunther Heinrich Burghardt, Jens Koenig
  • Publication number: 20140104218
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing power consumption in an electronic device by controlling the transition of the electronic device from a sleep mode to a full power mode. The electronic device comprises a main processor a touch-sensitive overlay, and an overlay controller. A sequence of touch inputs on the touch-sensitive overlay are detected and captured using the overlay controller while the main processor is in the sleep mode. A subset of the sequence of touch inputs is processed using the overlay controller to determine that the sequence of touch inputs corresponds to a coarse model of a pre-determined wake-up gesture prior to transitioning the electronic device from the sleep mode to the full power mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Marc DRADER, Wolfgang Michael THEIMER
  • Publication number: 20140055363
    Abstract: A physical keyboard having a plurality of individual keys temporarily overlays a touch-sensitive display. Each individual key selectively provides either of a first level of capacitive coupling and a second, different level of capacitive coupling to the touch-sensitive display. By one approach the key provides that first level of capacitive coupling to the touch-sensitive display when a user asserts the key (for example, by pressing upon the key) to thereby communicate to the touch-sensitive display a selection of that individual key. The key can provide that second level of capacitive coupling when a user touches, but does not assert, the individual key. So configured, this second level of capacitive coupling serves to communicate to the touch-sensitive display an input instruction other than a selection of that individual key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter MEIERLING, Wolfgang Michael THEIMER, Günther Heinrich BURGHARDT, Heinz Henning TASCHKE, Frank VON HEIMBURG
  • Patent number: 8660677
    Abstract: The present document relates to media players, such as portable electronic devices, vehicle audio systems, home stereo systems, etc. In particular, it relates to the management of the sound pressure level generated by portable electronic devices. A method and system for controlling the cumulated audio dose of a user of a media player is described. The method comprises the steps of determining the audio dose already consumed by the user and of selecting one or more media tracks for play back on the media player based on the audio dose of the media track and the already consumed audio dose of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Wolfgang Michael Theimer, Frank von Heimburg, Frederik Nicolas Goerges, Wolfgang Edeler, Gunther Heinrich Burghardt, Jens Koenig
  • Publication number: 20140035875
    Abstract: Methods and devices for receiving reflectance-based input are provided. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitting devices and one or more electromagnetic radiation receiving devices for receiving reflected light from the electromagnetic radiation emitting devices. In one aspect, a method includes: repeatedly performing a reflectance measuring routine, the reflectance measuring routine including: alternatingly outputting light at each of the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitting devices; and monitoring light received at one or more of the electromagnetic radiation receiving devices as a result of the alternating output; determining, based on the light received at the one or more electromagnetic radiation receiving devices, whether a predetermined gesture has been performed; and performing a function associated with the predetermined gesture when the predetermined gesture has been performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Wolfgang Michael THEIMER, Christian TENDYCK, Markus ZGORZELSKI
  • Patent number: 8635560
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing power consumption in an electronic device by controlling the transition of the electronic device from a sleep mode to a full power mode. The electronic device comprises a main processor a touch-sensitive overlay, and an overlay controller. A sequence of touch inputs on the touch-sensitive overlay are detected and captured using the overlay controller while the main processor is in the sleep mode. A subset of the sequence of touch inputs is processed using the overlay controller to determine that the sequence of touch inputs corresponds to a coarse model of a pre-determined wake-up gesture prior to transitioning the electronic device from the sleep mode to the full power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Marc Drader, Wolfgang Michael Theimer
  • Patent number: 8615793
    Abstract: A method of maintaining a blacklist for gesture-based passwords is provided. A data store of index values corresponding to gestures is maintained on a blacklist server. Upon receiving a new gesture based password, an electronic device converts the password to an index value and forwards that index value to the blacklist server. The blacklist server increases an occurrence of the received index value by one in a data store and if the increase results in a blacklist threshold being exceeded, the index value is inputted to the blacklist. A notification can be sent back to the electronic device if the forwarded index value is on the blacklist or is inputted to the blacklist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Wolfgang Michael Theimer, Thomas Balon, Pascal Wissmann
  • Publication number: 20130285929
    Abstract: A control circuit detects an initial interaction between a touch-sensitive surface and a stylus and responsively automatically displays a corresponding fresh electronic ink writing façade. By one approach the initial interaction can comprise a non-touching interaction. The fresh electronic ink writing façade can comprise a representation of an unmarked sheet of paper. If desired, upon detecting the initial interaction, the control circuit can first determine whether an electronic ink writing façade already exists for the presently-displayed content. When true, the control circuit can automatically display at least a portion of the already existing electronic ink writing façade. Otherwise, the control circuit can provide the aforementioned fresh electronic ink writing façade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Wolfgang Michael THEIMER, Ilya Alexander ELIASHEVSKY, James Allen HYMEL, Mathias LEWIN, Roy Robert George WILSON
  • Publication number: 20130207936
    Abstract: Methods and devices for receiving reflectance-based input are provided. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitting devices and one or more electromagnetic radiation receiving devices for receiving reflected light from the electromagnetic radiation emitting devices. In one aspect, a method includes: repeatedly performing a reflectance measuring routine, the reflectance measuring routine including: alternatingly outputting light at each of the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitting devices; and monitoring light received at one or more of the electromagnetic radiation receiving devices as a result of the alternating output; determining, based on the light received at the one or more electromagnetic radiation receiving devices, whether a predetermined gesture has been performed; and performing a function associated with the predetermined gesture when the predetermined gesture has been performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Wolfgang Michael THEIMER, Christian TENDYCK, Markus ZGORZELSKI
  • Patent number: 8502836
    Abstract: The present document relates to the presentation of visual data that is stored on a mobile communication device, in particular to the presentation of sequences of images such as slideshows that may further include animation sequences as well as static images. A method for displaying data includes: transferring visual data from a mobile communication device (100) to a rendering device (200) via a wireless communication link; transferring control data from the mobile communication device (100) to the rendering device (200); rendering the received visual data in the rendering device (200); and displaying the visual data, where the displaying of the visual data is controlled in accordance with the control data received from the mobile communication device (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Wolfgang Michael Theimer, Kevin Ang, Dominic Sacre