Light Pen For Controlling Plural Light-emitting Display Elements (e.g., Led, Lamps) Patents (Class 345/183)
  • Patent number: 11972738
    Abstract: System and methods for maintaining color information in on-screen images by spectrally-controlling backlighting for liquid crystal display panels in multiple viewing and night vision compatible viewing environments while maintaining the integrity of the data provided in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: Charles Joseph Wagner
  • Patent number: 11226669
    Abstract: A control method for an electronic device, an electronic device and a computer-readable storage medium are provided. The electronic device includes a transparent display screen and an infrared sensor. The transparent display screen includes a display area. The infrared sensor is stacked below the display area. The infrared sensor is configured to emit infrared light and receive infrared light reflected by an object to detect a distance between the object and the electronic device. The control method includes: acquiring an ambient brightness of the electronic device when the infrared sensor is turned on; determining whether the ambient brightness is less than a preset brightness, and controlling the infrared sensor to operate at a first predetermined power in a case that the ambient brightness is less than the preset brightness. The first predetermined power is less than a rated power of the infrared sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Haiping Zhang
  • Patent number: 10712841
    Abstract: Display operation of a display device is controlled in association with a pointer device. A display control system that includes: a display device for displaying information on a display surface; a control device for controlling the display of the display device; and an image acquisition device for acquiring an image of the display device including a light beam from a pointer device capable of emitting a light beam is proposed. The control device includes: an acquisition unit for acquiring the image from the image acquisition device; a feature identification unit for identifying a feature of the light beam included in the image; and a display control unit for performing display operation of the display device based on the feature and state of the light beam. A corresponding display control method and display control program are proposed, too.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsunori Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 9874946
    Abstract: An input device includes: an operating section which is held by a user and operated in a three-dimensional free space in order to operate an information processing apparatus by remote control; a calculation section which calculates a hand shake related value for controlling selection of an image to be controlled which is displayed on the information processing apparatus, the hand shake related value being relevant to an amount of hand shake of the operating section; and an output section which outputs the hand shake related value as an operation signal for operating the information processing apparatus by remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamamoto, Ken Onogi
  • Patent number: 9690398
    Abstract: A capacitive pointer is disclosed. The capacitive pointer comprises a conductive refill, a refill cover, an elastomer, a pressure sensor, a sensor board, a control circuit board, a pointer tip, a first frame and a second frame. The conductive refill penetrates and combines with the refill cover. The pressure sensor is mounted on the sensor board. The conductive refill applies a tip pressure against on the pressure sensor through the refill cover pushing the elastomer to sense the tip pressure of the capacitive pointer. The sensor board electrically connects the control circuit board to calculate a tip pressure value of the capacitive pointer. The pointer tip electrically connects the control circuit board. The first frame and the second frame are located between the conductive refill and the refill cover and combine to secure the control circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Walltop International Corporation
    Inventor: Chung-Hsuan Li
  • Patent number: 9423892
    Abstract: The information input device includes first detecting portion, second detecting portion, first positioning portion, second positioning portion, first information acquiring portion, and second information acquiring portion. The first information acquiring portion is configured to acquire information that is written on a paper sheet overlapping with a cover sheet positioned by the first positioning portion, based on the position of the writing tool detected by the first detecting portion. The second information acquiring portion is configured to acquire information that is written on a paper sheet overlapping with a cover sheet positioned by the second positioning portion, based on the position of the writing tool detected by the second detecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Inaba, Naoki Tanjima, Atsushi Kasugai
  • Patent number: 9317143
    Abstract: The information input device includes first detecting portion, second detecting portion, first positioning portion, second positioning portion, first information acquiring portion, and second information acquiring portion. The first information acquiring portion is configured to acquire information that is written on a paper sheet overlapping with a cover sheet positioned by the first positioning portion, based on the position of the writing tool detected by the first detecting portion. The second information acquiring portion is configured to acquire information that is written on a paper sheet overlapping with a cover sheet positioned by the second positioning portion, based on the position of the writing tool detected by the second detecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Inaba, Naoki Tanjima, Atsushi Kasugai
  • Patent number: 9024874
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for capturing environmental image data and providing tactile feedback about the visual environment to a user. One or more image sensing devices are mounted on various appendages of a user and are used to sense the environment. The image data is sent to a computer vision system where it is processed in order to identify specific objects within the environment. When the computer vision system makes such an identification it may send a signal to a haptic stimulator mounted on a user's appendage or may be used to control an object in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: George DeWitt Stetten, Roberta Klatzky
  • Patent number: 9024919
    Abstract: A light emitting diode display panel includes a control circuit and a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. Each of the pixels includes a first light source and a first light sensing element. The first light sensing element receives a first optical signal from a lighting pen and generates a first control signal to the control circuit. According to the first control signal, the control circuit turns on the first light source in the pixel. The pixels further comprise a first polarizer covering the first light sensing element. When the lighting pen emits the first optical signal, a polarization direction of the light from the lighting pen is parallel to a polarization direction of the first polarizer. Therefore, the first optical signal can pass through the first polarizer and be received by the first light sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 9007349
    Abstract: A writing device includes an emitter and a light emitting diode display panel. The light emitting diode display panel includes an array and a receiver. The array has a plurality of pixels each including a first light source, a second light source, a third light source, a driving circuit and a light detecting device. The light detecting device is configured to receive the control signal from the emitter and transmit the control signal to the driving circuit to turn on the pixel. The receiver is electrically connected with the driving circuit. The receiver is configured to receive at least one of the first selective signal, the second selective signal and the third selective signal and transmit it to the driving circuit to turn on at least a corresponding one of the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Chang Tseng
  • Patent number: 8970560
    Abstract: A writing instrument includes a cylindrical barrel and an end cover having a robust structure and attached to the cylindrical barrel. The end cover includes a cylindrical base attached to a rear end portion of the cylindrical barrel, a cover body fitted around an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base, a stopper ring fitted around an outer peripheral surface of at least a fitted portion between the cylindrical base and the cover body, and a cooperation structure for enhancing a holding force which is exerted on the cover body by the cylindrical base and the stopper ring and for joining the cylindrical base, the cover body, and the stopper ring together to form a joined unit which includes the cylindrical base, the cover body and the stopper ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kotobuki & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Keda, Sachio Arai, Hidehei Kageyama
  • Patent number: 8970477
    Abstract: A exemplary key assembly for a handheld device includes one or more L-shaped key structures each having a first member configured to receive an input keystroke and a second member substantially orthogonal to the first member; and a frame configured to receive the one or more L-shaped key structures, the frame having a wall aligned with the second member of the key structure, with the wall further comprising a switch for each of the one or more L-shaped key structures associated with an inner surface of the wall, wherein each switch is associated with an actuator associated with the second member of the corresponding key structure such that depression of a given key structure causes the actuator of the second member of the key structure to engage the switch of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Norman Miner Ladouceur, Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Riddiford, Daniel Jordan Kayser, Tracy Christina Sharp, Rachael Elizabeth Roberts
  • Patent number: 8928627
    Abstract: A light sensing circuit using an oxide semiconductor transistor, a method of manufacturing the light sensing circuit, and an optical touch panel including the light sensing circuit. Because the light sensing circuit includes only one light sensor transistor and one switch transistor formed on the same substrate, a structure of the light sensing circuit is simplified. Furthermore, because the light sensor transistor and the switch transistor have the same structure, a method of manufacturing the light sensing circuit is also simplified. Also, since an optical touch panel or an image acquisition apparatus using the light sensing circuit uses the light sensing circuit having a simple structure and does not use a capacitor, the optical touch panel or the image acquisition apparatus may be made thinner and larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-hun Jeon, I-hun Song, Seung-eon Ahn, Chang-jung Kim
  • Patent number: 8913014
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus for data input in which input and editing can be performed through a simple operation is disclosed. The apparatus includes first determination means for determining whether drawing has been completed following input of coordinate data in the drawing mode; second determination means which, if completion of drawing has been determined, is for adopting drawing data, which has been drawn from input of coordinate data until completion of drawing, as a drawing object to be edited, and determining whether this drawing object has a portion that overlaps another object; and control means which, if it has been determined that the drawing object to be edited has a portion that overlaps another object, is for applying control to the drawing object to be edited in such a manner that this drawing object will no longer have a portion that overlaps another object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Naganawa
  • Patent number: 8913008
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved generation of images using a handheld electronic device. Motion of the handheld electronic device is detected using a sensor of the handheld electronic device and data, dependent upon the sensed motion, is transmitted from the device to a remote electronic device. An image, representative of the sensed motion of the handheld electronic device and generated from the transmitted data, is rendered on a display of the remote electronic device and provides a user with visual feedback of the motion of the handheld electronic device. The image data may be generated by the handheld electronic device or by the remote electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Robert George Oliver, Christopher Harris Snow, Nazih Almalki, Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods
  • Publication number: 20140362058
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display for displaying data stored on said electronic device; input means; sensing means for sensing the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to said device; and control means for controlling the data displayed on said display in dependence on the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to said device. The input means includes a source of electromagnetic radiation for directing an infrared conical beam onto the display. The sensing means can sense the elliptical eccentricity of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the angle at which it strikes the display, and can sense the area of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the distance of the input means from the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: POWER2B, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT MICHAEL LIPMAN, SARAH MICHELLE LIPMAN
  • Patent number: 8896580
    Abstract: The present technique provides a system and method for providing instrument-activated buttons having a sub-surface mechanism for triggering a desired function upon interaction with an above-surface electronic/digital user device, such as a digitizing pointing device. The instrument-activated buttons may be disposed in a display device, a tablet computing device, or any other suitable electronic device. A user navigates a housing surface of the electronic device until a signal identifies the sub-surface button, which may then be activated by performing an instrument-based activation event. The activation event may be a button click, a tip movement, or any other suitable trigger on the electronic/digital user device. A wireless communication is then transmitted between the sub-surface mechanism and the electronic/digital user device to initiate the function associated with the instrument-activated button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul J Doczy, Stacy Wolff, Steven S Homer, Mark C Solomon
  • Patent number: 8890821
    Abstract: A method and device for dual-differential sensing is disclosed. The sensing information can be generated from signals provided by a sensing device with a plurality of sensors. Each value of the sensing information corresponds to signals of three sensors, respectively. The sensing device is flexible and configured on a display. The noise effect of the display on the signal of each sensor corresponds to the distance between the display and the sensor. Besides, the noise effect of the display on each value of the sensing information corresponds to the distances between the display and the three sensors, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Egalax—Empia Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Fu Chang, Cheng-Han Lee, Chi-Hao Tang, Shun-Lung Ho
  • Patent number: 8872778
    Abstract: An apparatus such as a touch screen display includes correlated emitter-detector pairs for determining the amount of electromagnetic radiation received at a detector from its paired emitter. The apparatus comprises an array of emitters operable to emit electromagnetic radiation, an array of detectors for detecting the electromagnetic radiation, and drive control circuitry configured to control the array of emitters so that they emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation. The amplitude of the pulses is modulated using mutually orthogonal binary vectors such as a Paley construction of the Hadamard matrix. Each emitter has a different vector associated with it. Detection circuitry is provided to detect the electromagnetic radiation reaching each particular detector in the array of detectors using the mutually orthogonal binary vector associated with the correlated emitter to produce a correlation between particular emitter-detector pairs. The arrangement can discriminate between near field and touching objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Display Technology Limited
    Inventors: Euan Smith, Aleksandra Rankov
  • Patent number: 8866703
    Abstract: A persistence-of-vision display device that is configured to receive inputs via a stylus and methods for its use are described. The device includes a display housing with a rotating armature disposed therein. The armature includes arrays of light sources and sensors. A stylus is provided that is useable to provide input through the display housing in a manner similar to drawing on the housing. Angular locations of the inputs are identified and corresponding light sources are illuminated. The impression of drawing on the display device is thus provided. Controls for color selection, animation, and other features are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Crayola LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Weiss, Gregory R. Nungester
  • Patent number: 8838170
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus which is carriable by a user includes a force-sense generating mechanism which imparts, to the user, a force-sense in a predetermined direction to induce an input operation to the user; a motion sensor which detects a motion imparted by the user while the force-sense generating mechanism imparts the force-sense to the user or after the force-sense generating mechanism has imparted the force-sense to the user; and a controller which controls the force-sense generating mechanism, and which recognizes the input operation by the user, based on the motion detected by the motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroto Sugahara
  • Patent number: 8816994
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display for displaying data stored on said electronic device; input means; sensing means for sensing the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to said device; and control means for controlling the data displayed on said display in dependence on the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to said device. The input means includes a source of electromagnetic radiation for directing an infrared conical beam onto the display. The sensing means can sense the elliptical eccentricity of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the angle at which it strikes the display, and can sense the area of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the distance of the input means from the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Power2B, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Lipman, Sarah Michelle Lipman
  • Patent number: 8786578
    Abstract: A pointing device and a display apparatus applying the same are provided. The pointing device corrects an error that occurs in a boundary between block in calculating a current location of the pointing device and calculates the current location. Accordingly, an error occurring in a boundary between blocks in calculating a current location of the pointing device is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-seok Soh, Sang-on Choi, Yong-wan Choi, Mi-ra Yu
  • Publication number: 20140176514
    Abstract: A light emitting diode display panel includes a control circuit and a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. Each of the pixels includes a first light source and a first light sensing element. The first light sensing element receives a first optical signal from a lighting pen and generates a first control signal to the control circuit. According to the first control signal, the control circuit turns on the first light source in the pixel. The pixels further comprise a first polarizer covering the first light sensing element. When the lighting pen emits the first optical signal, a polarization direction of the light from the lighting pen is parallel to a polarization direction of the first polarizer. Therefore, the first optical signal can pass through the first polarizer and be received by the first light sensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHEN-HAN LIN
  • Patent number: 8760439
    Abstract: A photoelectric blackboard pen includes a pen tube, a photoelectric element, a spring, and a spherical lens. The pen tube includes an upper portion and a lower portion away from the upper portion. The lower portion defines a circular through hole. The photoelectric element is positioned on an internal sidewall of the upper portion. The diameter of the spherical lens is slightly larger than that of the through hole. The spherical lens is rotatably positioned in the through hole and partially passes through the through hole. One end of the spring is positioned on the internal sidewall of the upper portion. The diameter of the spherical lens is slightly larger than that of the spring, the other end of the spring sleeves around and resists against the spherical lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Po-Chou Chen
  • Patent number: 8743050
    Abstract: A handheld device includes a housing and a keypad assembly configured within the housing. The keypad assembly includes one or more groups of keys configured for movable positioning between a first orientation in which a top surface of an individual key is exposed to a user, and a second orientation in which the top surface of the key pivotally retracts into the housing so as to expose an edge surface of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Norman Miner Ladouceur, Jason Tyler Griffin
  • Patent number: 8717310
    Abstract: A stylus comprises a first shell, a second shell, a first slide enabling member. The first shell has a first hole defined therethough. The second shell is slidably accommodated in the first hole of the first shell. The first slide enabling member couples the second shell to the first shell such that the second shell slides relative to the first shell from a retracted configuration to an extending configuration. The first slide enabling member includes a first pin and a first track that engages the first pin, the second shell slides relative to the first shell along the first pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Shi-Xu Liang, Jun-Lin Chen, Chung-Yeh Sa
  • Patent number: 8659548
    Abstract: Enhanced camera-based input, in which a detection region surrounding a user is defined in an image of the user within a scene, and a position of an object (such as a hand) within the detection region is detected. Additionally, a control (such as a key of a virtual keyboard) in a user interface is interacted with based on the detected position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Evan Hildreth
  • Patent number: 8659582
    Abstract: An input system includes an input device including at least one of a first reflecting section having a reflectance varying in a longitudinal direction, and a second reflecting section having a reflectance varying in a rotational direction, a detection section adapted to detect reflected light from at least one of the first reflecting section and the second reflecting section, and a processing section adapted to obtain at least one of movement amount information of the first reflecting section in the longitudinal direction, and rotation amount information in the rotational direction of the second reflecting section, based on the detection result in the detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kanechika Kiyose
  • Patent number: 8643569
    Abstract: Tools for use within a 3D scene. The 3D scene may be presented by at least one display, which includes displaying at least one stereoscopic image of the 3D scene by the display(s). The 3D scene may be presented according to a first viewpoint. User input may be received to the 3D scene using one or more tools. The 3D scene may be updated in response to the use of the one or more tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: zSpace, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Vesely
  • Patent number: 8628198
    Abstract: Lighting systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed, which employ optical transmission of two-dimensional control signals to manipulate lighting elements. The lighting apparatus can include a projector with an IR LED array to wirelessly transmit pixel information onto a target space. The pixel information controls lighting elements within the target space. The two-dimensional control signals can includes subareas corresponding to lighting elements in a control array. The lighting elements can be lights producing light of desired wavelengths including infrared and/or visible wavelengths. LEDs can be used as light sources in exemplary embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: LSI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bassam D. Jalbout, Brian Wong
  • Patent number: 8599138
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a position acquisition unit for obtaining a display position of an input area in a display area, and a display control unit for controlling, based on the display position of the input area, in the display area a display position of an input operation area in which a character to be displayed in the input area is input. The display control unit displays the input area near the display position of the input area, and makes the input operation area follow the movement of the input area when the display position of the input area is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuma Takahashi, Manabu Yasumi
  • Patent number: 8576165
    Abstract: An input device includes: an operating section which is held by a user and operated in a three-dimensional free space in order to operate an information processing apparatus by remote control; a calculation section which calculates a hand shake related value for controlling selection of an image to be controlled which is displayed on the information processing apparatus, the hand shake related value being relevant to an amount of hand shake of the operating section; and an output section which outputs the hand shake related value as an operation signal for operating the information processing apparatus by remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamamoto, Ken Onogi
  • Patent number: 8546706
    Abstract: A position detection system for use in association with computing applications, the system comprising: a positional element for attaining a position and comprising a first emitter for emitting a substantially continuous ultrasonic waveform decodable to fix said position, and a detector arrangement for detecting said waveform in a manner permitting fixing of said position and outputting said waveform for computation, in a manner retentive of said position fixing ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Nathan Altman, Oded Eliashiv
  • Patent number: 8542194
    Abstract: A keypad assembly (100) provides improved backlighting in a slim-line from factor with a minimal number of LEDs (130). The keypad assembly (100) utilizes side-firing LEDs (130) mounted to a keypad flex (112) which protrude through subsequent thin layers of substrates. A light-guide film (104) disposed over the layers includes corresponding cut-outs through which the side-firing LEDS partially protrude. The light-guide film includes light dispersion areas (114) formed thereon. A cover (102) seals the side-firing LEDs (130) protruding through the light-guide film (104). An interconnect flex (132) couples to the keypad flex (112) to provide flexible coupling of the keypad assembly to an electronic device. The light-guide film (104) provides both light dispersion and sealing to the keypad assembly (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody H. Akens, Salvador P. Magana
  • Patent number: 8531417
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a touch on a touch-sensitive display at a location not associated with a control, displaying, in association with the location, a displayed control, and activating the displayed control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Todd Andrew Wood
  • Patent number: 8519983
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, an input device may be utilized in conjunction with a scanned beam display or the like, or may be based on the scanning platform as used in a scanned beam display such as a MEMS based scanner. An input event such as illumination of a photodetector or reflection of a scanned beam off of a retroreflector may be correlated with a timing event of the scanning platform such as a refresh signal, or a horizontal and vertical sync signals. The correlation of the timing event may be representative of an X-Y location, and in some embodiments of a Z location, that may be utilized to provide input data back to a host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Christian Dean DeJong, Gregory T. Gibson
  • Patent number: 8513547
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a pointer having an axis extending along an axis line, that indicates a position on a medium; N (N?3) irradiating units that respectively irradiate light toward an area that includes the position; and a signal generator that generates, from the irradiated light reflected by the medium, a signal representing an image on the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushige Ooi
  • Patent number: 8514195
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for determining a level of cleanliness of a multi-touch screen display, characterizing objects that make contact with the screen, and initiating a specific maintenance action on the screen, based on screen cleanliness and the object(s) characterization(s). A screen diagnostic and maintenance (SDM) utility initiates a number of procedures to determine the type of object(s) and a set of characteristics of object(s) that make contact with the touch screen. Based on the results of the procedures, the SDM utility characterizes/identifies the object(s). In addition, the SDM utility initiates maintenance screen check(s) based on information stored in maintenance configuration file(s). Based on the results of the maintenance check(s), configuration file(s) data and type and characterization of the object(s) that have made contact with the screen, the SDM utility determines the type of maintenance that is performed and the timing/schedule of the maintenance action(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nicole M. Arnold, Lydia M. Do, Pamela A. Nesbitt, Lisa A. Seacat
  • Patent number: 8493364
    Abstract: A dual sided transparent display module and an electronic device incorporating the same are provided. The dual sided transparent display module includes a primary transparent display having a first surface side and a second surface side. The transparent display module further includes a first side touch sensor array and a second side touch sensor array respectively located at the first surface side and the second surface side of the primary transparent display. The transparent display module still further includes a shutter element located at one of the first surface side and the second surface side of the primary transparent display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Michael L Charlier, Thomas E Gitzinger, Jeong J Ma, Tom R Schirtzinger
  • Patent number: 8446359
    Abstract: The present technique provides a system and method for providing instrument-activated buttons having a sub-surface mechanism for triggering a desired function upon interaction with an above-surface electronic/digital user device, such as a digitizing pointing device. The instrument-activated buttons may be disposed in a display device, a tablet computing device, or any other suitable electronic device. A user navigates a housing surface of the electronic device until a signal identifies the sub-surface button, which may then be activated by performing an instrument-based activation event. The activation event may be a button click, a tip movement, or any other suitable trigger on the electronic/digital user device. A wireless communication is then transmitted between the sub-surface mechanism and the electronic/digital user device to initiate the function associated with the instrument-activated button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul J. Doczy, Stacy Wolff, Steven S. Homer, Mark C. Solomon
  • Patent number: 8436811
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional virtual input and simulation apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus comprising a plurality of point light sources, a plurality of optical positioning devices with a visual axis tracking function, and a control analysis procedure. The invention is characterized in that the plurality of optical positioning devices with the visual axis tracking function are provided for measuring and analyzing 3D movements of the plurality of point light sources to achieve the effect of a virtual input and simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Ming-Yen Lin
  • Patent number: 8408710
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method thereof for recording a presentation. The presentation recording apparatus includes: a projector operable to project an original image of a presentation onto a screen; a camera operable to capture the image of the presentation projected onto the screen and a light of a pointing device which is irradiated onto the screen; a memory; and a controller, wherein if the projector projects the image of the presentation onto the screen, the controller controls the camera to capture the image of the presentation projected onto the screen, determines coordinate information corresponding to a position of the light of the pointing device irradiated onto the screen, and controls the memory to store the original image of the presentation together with the determined coordinate information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-hyuk Jang, Seung-kwon Park, Hee-seob Ryu
  • Patent number: 8411064
    Abstract: A contact detecting device includes: n driving electrodes that are arranged in a scanning direction; a detection drive scanning unit that selects continuous m (2?m<n) driving electrodes out of the n driving electrodes, simultaneously AC-drives the selected m driving electrodes, and repeats shift operation for changing selection targets of the m driving electrodes in the scanning direction such that one or more driving electrodes common before and after the shift operation performed each time are included in the selection targets; plural detection electrodes that form capacitors, between which and the respective n driving electrodes capacitors are formed; plural detection circuits that are connected to the plural detection electrodes and compare potentials of the detection electrodes corresponding thereto with a predetermined threshold every time the detection drive scanning unit performs the shift operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Noguchi, Koji Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 8400432
    Abstract: A writing device includes: a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to a display medium including a first display layer, second display layer and a photoconductive layer; a first obtaining unit that obtains image data showing an original image; a controller that controls the voltage application unit and the irradiating unit to cause the display medium to show an overlapped image including the obtained original image and an overwritten image overwritten on the original image, the overwritten image including a point corresponding to the location shown by the location information stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taijyu Gan, Hiroshi Arisawa, Haruo Harada, Takashi Morikawa, Chisato Urano, Yasunori Okano, Atsushi Hirano
  • Patent number: 8319753
    Abstract: An optical pen is disclosed. The handwriting input pen includes a housing, a light source module received in the housing, an optical lens, a pen tip. The light source module is configured for emitting light. The optical lens is configured for converging light emitted from the light source module, the optical lens comprising an optical portion and a supporting portion around the optical portion. The pen tip is positioned at an end of the housing and is configured for guiding light out of the housing to project. The shielding member is around the optical portion attached to the optical lens and covering the supporting portion of the optical lens, and is configured for stopping the light passing through the supporting portion from entering into the pen tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Cheng Ko
  • Patent number: 8284175
    Abstract: A light pointing device employed in an input apparatus comprises a signal receiving interface and a light emitting component. The signal receiving interface is used to receive a system signal from the input apparatus. The light emitting component can generate a flashing light source whose intermittence cycle is synchronized with the reference clock cycle of the system signal. Furthermore, the ratio of the intermittence cycle of the flashing light source to the reference clock cycle of the system signal is a natural number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hannstar Display Corporation
    Inventors: Po Yang Chen, Kei Hsiung Yang
  • Patent number: 8279178
    Abstract: A system and method for performing optical navigation uses an imaging lens, which is positioned between a target surface and an image sensor array, that is orientated to be substantially horizontal with respect to the target surface such that the optical axis of the imaging lens is substantially perpendicular to the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Thineshwaran Gopal Krishnan, Yat Kheng Leong, Sai Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 8199133
    Abstract: A writing device includes: a display medium including: a first display layer; a second display layer stacked on the first display layer; a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer sandwiching the first display layer and the second display layer; and a photosensitive layer located between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; a voltage-applying unit that applies a bias voltage to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, a frequency of the bias voltage differing between a case in which a state of the first display layer and a state of the second display layer are changed simultaneously, and a case in which a state of the first display layer and a state of the second display layer are changed separately; and a light outputting unit that irradiates light to the display medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruo Harada, Chisato Urano, Hiroshi Arisawa, Yasunori Okano, Taijyu Gan, Takashi Morikawa, Atsushi Hirano
  • Patent number: 8139049
    Abstract: Convenience, ease of use, efficiency, and economy are some of the benefits of a cordless hand-held device implementing both a scanner and a stylus (active or passive) within a common housing. In an illustrative embodiment, the combined scanner/stylus device is ergonomically shaped and sized for extended comfortable use. During scanning, the device is generally held and aimed at a scan target using one hand as one would hold and aim a small flashlight. The long-axis of the device is thus kept generally parallel with an extended thumb, a scan button being positioned such that the thumb naturally rests atop it for selectively initiating a scan. To write on or tap on the input area of a PDA or Tablet PC, a user of typical coordination can, with the one hand holding the device, spin (rotate) the device to a position common for holding a writing implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Socket Mobile, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Brandon, Kevin J. Mills