Portable (i.e., Handheld, Calculator, Remote Controller) Patents (Class 345/169)
  • Patent number: 9230349
    Abstract: An electronic device and a control method enable easily inputted characters or numbers to be converted and used in an application. When characters are inputted via input keys and the inputted characters are determined to match at least part of prescribed characters stored in a memory, a control unit keeps the inputted characters displayed on a display unit while also displaying, on the display unit, prescribed numbers associated with the prescribed characters. Then, with the inputted characters and prescribed numbers displayed on the display unit, if an instruction is given to start up an application related to the inputted characters and prescribed numbers, the control unit starts up the application, inputting either the inputted characters or the prescribed numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomohiro Sudou
  • Patent number: 9213419
    Abstract: An orientation of a computing device can be determined using at least in part one or more orientation sensors on the computing device. In some embodiments, a location of a head (and a face) of a user of the computing device can be determined and utilized at least in part for the determining of the orientation of the computing device. The computing device can play a media file, for example, via an application capable of media playback. A change to the orientation of the computing device can be determined by the one or more orientation sensors. The playing of the media file can be modified based on the determined change to the orientation of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Hastings Cassidy
  • Patent number: 9191703
    Abstract: Controlling and managing home electronic devices is disclosed. A remote control may obtain from a wireless home entertainment controller registration information. The remote control may then determine an instruction to switch content from a first source device to content from a second source device based on a sensed motion of the remote control. The remote control may then send to the wireless home entertainment controller the instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Porto Vinci Ltd. Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Patrick T. Igoe
  • Patent number: 9182841
    Abstract: An input apparatus includes a pointing device which has a main unit and an operation unit, and a fixing unit which fixes the pointing device to a hand. The pointing device is attached to the hand via the fixing unit when the input apparatus is used. The fixing unit fixes the main unit to the thumb side or the back side of the hand when the input apparatus is attached to the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 9178977
    Abstract: A communication terminal includes: a touch panel, which receives a contact operation and outputs position information representing the contact position, and which includes a first operation area configured to receive a position designating operation and a second operation area configured to receive a response operation to respond to an event occurring according to an execution of another function; a control unit, which determines whether the position information represents the first operation area or the second operation area, wherein, in a case where the position information represents the first operation area, the control unit outputs the received position information to the transmitting unit, and wherein, in a case where the position information represents the second operation area and the notification signal is received, the control unit controls to perform a process corresponding to a notification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Yu Konishi
  • Patent number: 9170659
    Abstract: The present disclose provides a mobile terminal, including a terminal body having a front surface and a rear surface, a front display unit disposed on the front surface and configured to output visual information thereon, and a rear input unit disposed on the rear surface and configured to be manipulated to input a control command, wherein the rear input unit includes a frame installed on a case of the terminal body to be manipulated in a pressing manner, and having a mounting portion, and a rear display mounted onto the mounting portion, and configured to output visual information toward the rear surface, the visual information being related to an event generated in the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunjoong Kim, Dongguk Kang, Chulbae Lee, Byunghwa Lee, Choonghwan Shin
  • Patent number: 9158335
    Abstract: A notebook computer is disclosed in the present invention which comprises: a screen, which is a touch screen configured to be operable via touching; a host, which is integrated in the screen; and a keyboard, which is detachably connected with the screen so that the keyboard and the screen can be in a state of being connected to each other or in a state of being separated from each other in use. When the notebook computer is used, the keyboard and the screen can be in the state of being separated from each other in use, so that the screen and the keyboard of the notebook computer are used separately. And the keyboard and the screen can be separated when needed and the notebook computer can be use by touching operation on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: Wenjie Zheng
  • Patent number: 9159366
    Abstract: A device and method for synchronization of data for audio and/or video between a memory of a device in a motor vehicle and an external device is provided. The method comprises synchronizing the data between the memory and the external device through a radio connection through a synchronization unit. The method further comprises outputting a status signal (St) based on a charge state (C) of the first power source by a monitoring unit to the synchronization unit and signaling from the synchronization unit to the external device an interruption of the synchronization due to low charge level. The method further comprises terminating the synchronization of the data based on the status signal (St) indicating that the charge state (C) of the first power source is below a threshold (th) and/or that a second power source for charging of the first power source is disconnected from the first power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Schweikhardt, Ulrich Wenckebach, Matthias Seidel
  • Patent number: 9152288
    Abstract: A remote multi-touch system includes a pressure-sensitive, multi-touch device, a display separate from the pressure-sensitive, multi-touch device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the pressure-sensitive, multi-touch device and the display. The pressure-sensitive, multi-touch device measures a position at which one or more touches are executed on the pressure-sensitive, multi-touch device and, for each of the one or more touches, a force with which that touch is executed. The controller receives a touch report for each of the one or more touches from the pressure-sensitive, multi-touch device. Each touch report indicates the position at which that touch is executed and the force with which that touch is executed. The controller outputs to the display a pre-touch visualization command for displaying a pre-touch visualization. The pre-touch visualization is displayed at a location of the display mapped from the position at which that touch is executed on the pressure-sensitive, multi-touch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Dietz
  • Patent number: 9141135
    Abstract: A dual-screen user device and methods for revealing a combination of desktops on single and multiple screens are disclosed. Selected desktops and/or running applications are displayed on dual screen displays. Desktops and applications can be shifted between screens by user gestures, and/or moved off of the screens and therefore hidden. Hidden desktops and screens can be re-displayed by other gestures. The desktops and applications are arranged in a window stack that represents a logical order of the desktops and applications providing a user with an intuitive ability to manage multiple applications/desktops running simultaneously. User gestures rearrange the order of the applications and desktops in the window stack. One embodiment provides an annunciator display or window extending across both screens in a dual screen configuration of the device. The annunciator window provides alerts, notifications, and statuses of the device in an increased area thereby enhancing viewability of information in the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sirpal, Paul Edward Reeves, Alexander de Paz, Eduardo Diego Torres Milano, Jared Ficklin, Denise Burton, Gregg Wygonik
  • Patent number: 9141329
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for combining two or more physical electronic displays into a single, unified electronic display. In an embodiment, two or more displays are combined into a single combined display by removing display bezel sections that exists between the combined displays. In another embodiment, two or more display panels (such as LCD panels) are combined into a single display by coupling a single combined bezel, backlight, and/or power supply to the combined display panels. Such a combined electronic display may provide a significantly reduced cost as compared to a similarly sized single electronic display. Additionally, a combined display may provide sizes that are currently unavailable in single electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: D.R. Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Murray A. Reicher, Florent Saint-Clair, Evan K. Fram
  • Patent number: 9141286
    Abstract: In a method for displaying an input interface on a touch panel of an electronic device, a first display area and a second display area are determined on the touch panel according to touch ranges of touch operations on the touch panel. The method obtains a first sub-keyboard and a second sub-keyboard of the input interface, displays the first sub-keyboard in the first display area by performing a zoom operation on the first sub-keyboard, and displays the second sub-keyboard in the second display area by performing the zoom operation on the second sub-keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Liu-Wei Wu, Jiun-Ru Hou, Hsin-Chang Lai, Han-Zen Chang
  • Patent number: 9137478
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a television apparatus includes a panel unit, a support base, a plurality of slide support mechanisms, and an operation mechanism. The panel unit includes a front panel arranged in front of a display panel and a periphery member arranged in at least part of the periphery of the front panel. The support base supports the display panel. The slide support mechanisms are attached to the support base to slidably support the panel unit. The operation mechanism is attached to the periphery member. The operation mechanism includes a movable portion capable of rotating relative to the periphery member, and receives operation from the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Satoshi Yokote, Yoshihiko Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 9137917
    Abstract: One or more apparatuses and methods are disclosed for data entry from a removable portable device cover which are configured to cover, surround, and/or encapsulate at least a portion of an exterior shell of a portable electronic device. In one embodiment of the invention, a physical keyboard is operatively connected and/or attached to a removable portable device frame of the removable portable device cover, wherein the removable portable device frame is designed to fit a portable electronic device. In some embodiments of the invention, the operative connection and/or attachment of a physical keyboard to a removable portable frame may be accomplished by using straps, connector ports, and/or wireless protocols. Furthermore, a physical keyboard operatively connected and/or attached to the removable portable device frame may be a foldable physical keyboard which enables easy touch-typing for a user if the foldable physical keyboard is fully expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: Christine Hana Kim
  • Patent number: 9128550
    Abstract: Provided is an information processing device which allows a user to provide, regardless of a position or direction of a touch sensor, an operation input to the touch sensor at an arbitrary position or in an arbitrary direction. The information processing device includes two touch sensors each including a detection surface for detecting a position of an object thereon, the two touch sensors being arranged to be opposed to each other, determines at least one of a reference point and a reference axis based on one or a plurality of positions detected by one touch sensor of the two touch sensors, and evaluates a content detected by another touch sensor of the two touch sensors based on the at least one of the determined reference point and the determined reference axis to determine a content of an operation input of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Imada, Arito Mochizuki, Tomoya Kitayama, Phillip Profitt
  • Patent number: 9128921
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a touchscreen keyboard with corrective word prediction. A method for correcting text input on an electronic device is described. The method comprises: displaying a virtual keyboard on a touchscreen, the virtual keyboard including a plurality of keys; receiving input from the virtual keyboard; generating one or more predicted sets of characters in accordance with the received input; and displaying a predicted set of characters at a designated location when the received input does not match one of the predicted sets of characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Alistair Robert Hamilton, Donald Somerset McCulloch McKenzie, Jerome Pasquero
  • Patent number: 9110624
    Abstract: A method for restoring visual output to a display device. The method includes detecting a display device connection change on an output connector and changing output settings to a compatible output mode on the output connector. The method further includes cloning graphics output to the output connector. The graphics output is modified for display on the output connector. The display device is signaled to change the input source to correspond to the output connector. Subsequently, a control panel application is executed to present an on-display control for changing the output mode of the first output connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: NVDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: William S. Herz, Gang Han
  • Patent number: 9101336
    Abstract: The present invention is a medical symbol keypad that includes a plurality of keys that each have a top surfacing that are disposed on the medical symbol keypad and a plurality of medical symbols that are disposed on the top surfacing of the keys. The medical symbol keyboard includes a software module that is included with the medical symbol keypad, the software module performs a plurality of operations associated with the medical symbol keypad and a downloadable App that is similar to the software module provided on the medical symbol keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventors: Sandra Ingold, Melody Czanstkowski
  • Patent number: 9099151
    Abstract: An editing server is a multimedia content editing server that generates multimedia content including: media data including an image; and a media control script for controlling a reproduction scenario that includes at least one of a layout, a reproduction order, and a reproduction effect of the media data. The editing server includes: a script generation unit that generates the media control script, according to processing capability information that indicates a processing capability of a terminal for the media control script; and a multimedia content generation unit that generates the multimedia content including the media control script.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouji Miura, Naohisa Tanabe, Tomohiko Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9094492
    Abstract: A communication system, including a mobile communicator including a modem for conducting a communication with a remote party, an input unit for inputting communication data to the modem, and an output for outputting communication data from the modem, a display device including an input unit, an output unit, a connector for engaging the mobile communicator and for exchanging data with the mobile communicator, and a display for displaying party-specific information about the remote party involved in the communication, wherein the modem switches to receive its communication input via the display device input unit and directs its communication output to the display output unit when the mobile communicator is engaged with the connector, and wherein the modem switches back to receive its communication input via the mobile communicator input unit and directs its communication output to the mobile communicator output unit when the mobile communicator is disengaged from the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dov Moran, Itay Sherman, Orlee Tal, Ayelet Shadmi-Barzilay, Uri Ron
  • Patent number: 9086849
    Abstract: An electronic equipment includes a display device, an input device, a first connecting rod, and a second connecting rod. Two ends of the first connecting rod are respectively pivotable on sides of the display device and the input device, and two ends of the second connecting rod are respectively pivotable on the opposite sides of the display device and the input device. When the electronic equipment is in a tablet mode, the display device covers the input device, and the display device and the input device are located between the first and the second connecting rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yi-Ta Huang, Cheng-Nan Ling, Hsien-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 9075436
    Abstract: A computer-implemented user interface method include displaying an image on a graphical user interface of a mobile computing device, receiving a first user input indicating an intent to perform a zooming operation on the graphical user interface, transitioning the mobile computing device into a zooming mode in response to the user input, sensing motion of the mobile computing device in one or more of a plurality of directions, correlating the sensed motion in one or more of a plurality of directions with either a zooming in or a zooming out zooming direction, and changing a zoom level of the display of the image on the graphical user interface to correspond to the correlated zooming direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Korn, David Held
  • Patent number: 9069822
    Abstract: User input from a reduced keypad is disambiguated and compared with a first dynamic lexicon, and predicted matches (e.g. either a single word or phrase) are offered. If a user continues to type beyond a boundary condition, then input is no longer predicted from the first lexicon, but instead is interpreted as a request for matches from a second, quasi-static lexicon allowing words or phrases to be entered. When the entry is accepted, data is transmitted to a remote receiver and may be parsed as an inquiry for subsequent operation. Following acceptance, the apparatus invokes a program suitable for interacting with the response generated to the inquiry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventors: Weigen Qiu, Roland E. Williams, William J. Templeton-Steadman
  • Patent number: 9071793
    Abstract: A display device including a display module; a first interface to transmit and receive a signal to and from a remote controller; a second interface to transmit and receive a signal to and from at least one external apparatus; and a processing unit to output processed data to the display module to display a video. Further, when the first interface wirelessly receives a remote control signal regarding a first external apparatus from the remote controller, the second interface wirelessly transmits the remote control signal to the first external apparatus. In addition, the first interface wirelessly transmits information on any external apparatus connected to the display device among a plurality of external apparatuses to the remote controller, such that the remote controller displays a changed key for a user's input depending on the information on the external apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sun Young Choi, Woo Jin Jeong, Man Gu Kwon
  • Patent number: 9063580
    Abstract: Keyboardless text entry methods and systems are described. Various display tools are used in conjunction with, for example, pointing, scrolling and/or clicking actions to enter text into an interface. One display tool is a pie widget shape, another display tool uses a box like shape containing other box like shapes which are scaled according to a proportionate chance of containing the desirable selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Frank A. Wroblewski, Daniel Simpkins
  • Patent number: 9059679
    Abstract: Tunable interconnect structures, integrated circuits containing the tunable interconnect structures and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The interconnect transmission line structure includes a signal conductor and a plurality of conductors in proximity to the signal conductor. The structure further includes one or more switchable conductors in proximity to at least the signal conductor. The one or more switchable conductors has a programmable wiring switch with a terminal connected to the one or more switchable conductors and another terminal connected to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel C. Edelstein, Alberto Valdes-Garcia, Stephen M. Gates, Wayne H. Woods, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9049255
    Abstract: A method of event notification on a handheld communications device involves first receiving an indication of an occurrence of an event at the handheld communications device. The communications device comprises a display device, and the event has an associated notification definition for providing a visual notification of the occurrence of the event. The notification definition comprises a content parameter that specifies a scope of the content of the visual notification, and an action parameter that specifies the action to be taken on the communications device after the visual notification is initiated. Then, a visual notification of the occurrence is provided on the display device in accordance with the associated notification definition. The visual notification provides particulars of the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tammy MacFarlane, Alain Gagne, Chris Wormald, Herbert Little
  • Publication number: 20150145780
    Abstract: A touch sensitive keypad device (101) for an electronic device (100) includes one or more keys (106,107,108,109,110) situated in a keypad carrier (206). One or more conductive layers (115,116,117,118) span the keys. One or more transverse conductive layers (119,120,121,122,123,124) are integrated with a non-key component, such as the keypad carrier (205). A capacitance sensing circuit (126) detects changes in capacitance between the conductive layers and the transverse conductive layers to detect user input, thereby allowing a user (1990) to use a matrix (1902) of keys as a touch pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Jiri SLABY, John Henry KRAHENBUHL, Roger W. ADY
  • Patent number: 9041656
    Abstract: A keyboard device for a small size tablet personal computer is provided. The keyboard device includes a first casing, a connecting plate, and a second casing. The first casing includes a first keyboard plate and a first recess. The second casing includes a second keyboard plate and a second recess. The connecting plate is connected with the first casing and the second casing. Consequently, the second casing is rotatable relative to the first casing. The first keyboard plate and the second keyboard plate are collectively defined as a whole keyboard to be operated by both hands of the user. Moreover, the small size tablet personal computer is accommodated within the first recess and the second recess collaboratively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 9041661
    Abstract: A cover configured to overlie a touch screen of an electronic device the cover including an output portion configured to enable content presented on the touch screen to be visible to a user through the cover; and the cover including a plurality of distinct input portions each sharing a physical characteristic that demarcates each of the plurality of distinct input portions as an input portion, wherein each of the plurality of distinct input portions is configured to enable one of a plurality of touch sensitive areas of the touch screen to be actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: James Edward Renwick
  • Publication number: 20150138095
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to classifying character information to be input by category and inputting the information classified by category by using the motion information of a motion remote control working as an input unit. Character information input according to embodiments is as follows. At least one of a mode and a key to input information is selected, a category including information to be input is selected, and by moving an in input unit to be corresponded to the information direction in the category activated on a display device on the basis of the selection, character information is input/output on the display device on the basis of the motion direction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Jong Bok Kim
  • Patent number: 9037459
    Abstract: A method for entering text in a text input field using a non-keyboard type accessory includes selecting a character for entry into the text field presented by a portable computing device. The portable computing device determines whether text suggestions are available based on the character. If text suggestions are available, the portable computing device can determine the text suggestions and send them to the accessory, which in turn can display the suggestions on a display. A user operating the accessory can select one of the text suggestions, expressly reject the text suggestions, or ignore the text suggestions. If a text suggestion is selected, the accessory can send the selected text to the portable computing device for populating the text field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin W. Foo
  • Patent number: 9035805
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving character entries in mobile computer devices uses an improved keypad. The keypad uses a dual key press method in which each key of the keypad includes a unique key definition when it alone is pressed. Each of two adjacent keys of the keypad also include a unique key definition when the two adjacent keys are pressed at substantially the same time. A keypad controller receives inputs from the keys and decodes the single key entries and the dual key entries. The keypad occupies a relatively small keypad area while providing full size keys for the user. The keypad also has a mode key that enables a user to change the alphabet mode of the keypad to a numerical mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Chee Yu Ng
  • Patent number: 9035877
    Abstract: The present invention introduces a 3D computer cursor that helps the user to interact with 3D computer applications in an intuitive manner. Said 3D computer cursor enables the user to easily manipulate a plurality of windows, objects, or the like to be moved or rotated in three dimensions on the computer display serving a variety of desktop and web-based applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Cherif Atia Algreatly
  • Patent number: 9030409
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method for controlling a portable device connected to an earphone having a coil includes detecting removal of one of left and right units of the earphone worn by a user, generating an electromagnetic pattern corresponding to an Identifier(ID) of the portable device at the removed unit of the earphone, and receiving data from the external device in correspondence with the ID of the portable device. According to an embodiment, a method for controlling a display device includes displaying a Graphic User Interface on a display unit, sensing an earphone within a detection area of the display unit, sensing an electromagnetic pattern of the earphone within a detection area of the display unit, acquiring an ID of an external device connected to the earphone from the sensed electromagnetic pattern, and transmitting data to the external device identified by the acquired ID of the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihwan Kim, Jungbin Yim, Sihwa Park
  • Patent number: 9030417
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method and apparatus for preventing incorrect input in a portable terminal includes identifying an input character string and, among previously registered candidate words, searching among a plurality of candidate words recommended for the input character string, calculating a similarity between the input character string and each of the searched candidate words, and presenting one or more of the searched candidate words in order of descending similarity associated with the one or more searched candidate words.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Sogang University
    Inventors: Joon-Seop Oh, Young-Hee Park, Jung-Yun Seo, Hark-Soo Kim, Yeong-Kil Song
  • Patent number: 9030419
    Abstract: Techniques for navigating through a user interface with a force-sensitive touch sensor are described. In some implementations, the force-sensitive touch sensor is also a display that presents the user interface. Touches on the force-sensitive touch sensor may be interpreted as indicating a vector direction based on the location of the touch and a vector magnitude based on the force of the touch. For instance, when a user navigates through a collection of photographs on a device having a force-sensitive touch sensor, the vector direction may determine if the user is scrolling forwards or backwards through the photographs and the vector magnitude may determine how rapidly the scrolling occurs. The user may also navigate through a hierarchy of folders and files using touch and force. Selection of a folder and application of force exceeding a threshold may result in display of the contents of a most commonly accessed subfolder or file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian W. Freed
  • Patent number: 9024733
    Abstract: A universal remote control device (10) is programmed by determining layout properties of an existing remote control device (12) that must be replaced by the universal remote control device (10). Information identifying at least part of said layout properties is input into a selection system (14, 18). A command set for the universal remote control device (10) is selected dependent on said information. The universal remote control device (10) is programmed to implement the selected command set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Johan Agnes Emiel Wouters
  • Patent number: 9026180
    Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus has a display, keypad, sensor and controller. Keys of the keypad are distributed within a keypad area in at least a first plane and are arranged for user actuation transversally to the first plane to provide a first type of user input. The sensor is positioned to sense navigating user actuation at the keypad area in or coincident with the first plane to provide a second type of user input. The controller is configured to control a focus position on the display in response to the second type of user input; associate a plurality of display subareas of the display with respective keys of the keypad; and accept, for user input of the second type, user actuation of an actuated key among the keys as a selection of a selectable item presented at the focus position in a particular display subarea associated with the actuated key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Unwired Planet, LLC
    Inventor: Jacob Strom
  • Patent number: 9024869
    Abstract: An input apparatus of a display apparatus, a display system, and a control method thereof, are provided herein, the input apparatus including: a communication unit which communicates with the display apparatus; a sensing unit which detects angular speed and acceleration from a motion of the input apparatus; a storage unit which stores position information on a position of the input apparatus; and a controller which calculates the motion information based on the detected angular speed and the position information and transmits the calculated motion information through the communication unit if the input apparatus moves, and updates the position information in the storage unit based on the detected acceleration if the input apparatus does not move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-seok Choi, Sang-on Choi, Mi-ra Yu
  • Patent number: 9024975
    Abstract: A system, method, and program product is provided that automatically allocates a display screen into two areas when the display screen is pivoted from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation. A hypervisor receives a pivot request (e.g., from a user) to pivot the display screen from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation. When the display screen is oriented in the landscape orientation, a primary operating system displays its data on the display screen. Upon reception of the pivot request, the hypervisor allocates the display screen into a primary display area and a secondary display area. The hypervisor then displays data originating from the primary operating system in the primary display area and displays data originating from a second operating system in the secondary display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin Tyler Dubs, Harriss Christopher Neil Ganey, Aaron Michael Stewart, Jennifer Greenwood Zawacki
  • Publication number: 20150116224
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a base, a keyboard module secured in the base, a display module slidably coupled to the base, and an infrared module movably coupled to the base. The display module is capable of sliding to a retracted position, where the keyboard module is covered by the display module, or to an extended position, whereby the keyboard module is exposed to a user. A positioning area is defined in the infrared module and is configured to recognize an operating location of the display module or keyboard module. The infrared module is capable of moving to a first position, where the display module is located in the positioning area, and a second position, where it is the keyboard module which is located in the positioning area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: YI-RU CHEN
  • Patent number: 9019208
    Abstract: A state display device includes: a key operating section which receives input from a user; light sources which are formed by an R lighting element, a G lighting element, and a B lighting element, and which are provided in the vicinity of the key operating section; and a control unit which controls the lighting of each one of the RGB lighting elements of the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Limited (Hong Kong)
    Inventors: Hirohito Asakura, Kengo Tamura
  • Patent number: 9021378
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method for controlling a virtual key pad thereof are disclosed. The mobile terminal identifies a touch pattern of a touch action of each of a plurality of virtual keys, and changes at least one of an area and position of a sensing zone corresponding to each of the plurality of virtual keys to correspond to the identified touch pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kanghee Kim, Wonyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 9019203
    Abstract: A non-limiting example game system includes a game apparatus to which a television functioning as a stationary-type display device is connected. The game apparatus performs game processing basically according to operation data from a controller. An input terminal device functioning as a portable-type display device is kept at a user's hand, for example. A course selecting screen is displayed on a screen of the television and an information presenting screen corresponding to the course selecting screen is displayed on a screen of the input terminal device. In the information presenting screen, a comment input by another user is displayed near a course mark, and a designating object which designates the presence of the comment is displayed at a corresponding position in the course selecting screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Asuke, Masataka Takemoto, Daiki Iwamoto
  • Publication number: 20150109207
    Abstract: A keyboard and mouse of a handheld digital device comprises a keyboard and a simulated mouse. The keyboard comprises a plurality of side-keys and a main keyboard. The side-keys are located on the side(s) of the device, mainly used for controlling the inputs of the keys of the main keyboard, and operated by one hand. The main keyboard is mainly used for inputting characters and commands, and operated by another hand. The simulated mouse is simulated by a screen-touching finger or a touch pen. The left and right buttons of the simulated mouse are simulated respectively by the fingers clicking on the screen at the left and right of the simulating finger. The middle button of the simulated mouse is simulated by two fingers touching and sliding on the screen side by side or by one finger touching and sliding together with another touching and staying on the screen. And some of the side-keys can be reused as the left, right and middle simulated mouse buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Yonggui Li, Kun Li
  • Patent number: 9013439
    Abstract: A terminal device with a display function enables only an operation of a desired operation key valid, and easily perform the invalidation operation. In response to switching to a predetermined function mode by manipulating a jog dial, an image in the switched function mode is displayed in a display surface, based on an image signal from a display control section. A bar is located on a borderline between a contents area and an operation area in an initial state of displaying an image. When the jog dial is manipulated by the user to thereby move the bar from the borderline to a predetermined position within the operation area, a CPU determines that the position of the bar has been moved. Then, the CPU detects a new position of the bar, and makes an operation with respect to the operation key located between the bar and the borderline invalid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Eita Katsu, Michiaki Koizumi
  • Patent number: 9015616
    Abstract: A computer-implemented user input method includes sensing a user manipulation of a mobile device to present a keyboard, automatically presenting, in response to the sensed manipulation, a search entry area on a display of the user device, and activating the keyboard to provide input into the search entry area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Erick Tseng, Nickolas Jay Sears
  • Patent number: 9013410
    Abstract: A portable terminal device has enclosures with a movable portion, a display section that displays visible information showing an operation target area, and a touch sensor that detects a position on a display screen of the display section touched by a user's finger, or the like. A shape detection section detects a change in the shape of the enclosure; an input operation management section manages a position detected by the touch sensor and an operation target area of each of pieces of visible information displayed on the display section in an associated manner; and a display control section automatically makes a change to at least display positions of the respective pieces of visible information about the operation target displayed on the display section in accordance with a change in shape of the enclosure detected by the shape detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ishihara, Kazumasa Gomyo, Satoshi Iino, Yuji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9013408
    Abstract: An improved user input device is disclosed whereby the device is equipped with a trackball in addition to other control devices, such as an analog stick controller (e.g., thumbstick or joystick). The trackball is mounted in such a way that it projects both upwardly and downwardly from the device body in the vertical plane. The user is able to touch and use the trackball from both the upper and lower directions. In a preferred embodiment, the trackball is clickable, affording greater control and ease of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Sian-Chin Tsai