Mechanical Control (e.g., Rotatable Knob, Slider) Patents (Class 345/184)
  • Patent number: 11964585
    Abstract: An apparatus for managing power of an electric vehicle and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus determines whether a user participates in a leisure activity based on surrounding information of the electric vehicle, and supplies power when a plug is connected to an outlet provided in the electric vehicle while entering a leisure mode to allow the user to use the outlet during leisure activities. The apparatus includes an information collector that collects surrounding information of the electronic vehicle, and a controller that determines whether a user is performing a leisure activity based on the surrounding information of the electric vehicle collected by the information collector and adjusts power supply based on whether an outlet provided in the electric vehicle is plugged in in a leisure mode indicating that the user is performing a leisure activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Da Ye Oh, Ki Suk Lee
  • Patent number: 11942287
    Abstract: A load control device may be configured to control multiple characteristics of one or more electrical loads such as the intensity and color of a lighting load. The load control device may switch from controlling one characteristic of the electrical loads to controlling another characteristic of the electrical loads based on the position of one or more components of the load control device. Such a position may be manipulated by moving the one or more components relative to an idle position of the load control device. The load control device may be a wall-mounted device or a battery-powered remote control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Shan Shi
  • Patent number: 11934595
    Abstract: A user input device that includes a rotary input control is described herein. The rotary input control includes first and second ferritic substrates; first and second permanent magnets extending between the first and second ferritic substrates to form a magnetic circuit; one or more magnetizing coils wrapped around the first permanent magnet; and a wheel defining a central volume within which the first and second ferritic substrates, the first and second permanent magnets and the one or more magnetizing coils are positioned. The user input device also includes a control system configured to direct current to the one or more magnetization coils to change a magnetization of the first permanent magnet to adjust a resistance profile of the rotary input control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Maxim Vlasov, Nicolas Ramond, Jean-Claude Dunant, Patrick Cerisier
  • Patent number: 11927960
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes at least one imaging device attached to a vehicle and that captures multiple images, and a control circuit that generates a composite image from the multiple images and displays the composite image on a display unit. The vehicle is operated according to a user operation on a portion of the display unit on which the composite image is being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohtaro Sabe, Peter Duerr
  • Patent number: 11928271
    Abstract: A method is provided. The method comprises: obtaining, by a processing system and using a set of rotation electrodes that interact with the knob interface, first resulting signals and second resulting signals; determining, by the processing system, an initial state of the knob interface using the first resulting signals and the second resulting signals; obtaining, by the processing system and using the set of rotation electrodes, third resulting signals indicating a first rotational state of the knob interface, based at least in part on the knob interface being rotated from the initial state to the first rotational state; determining, by the processing system, the rotational direction of the knob interface using the first resulting signals, the second resulting signals, and the third resulting signals; and adjusting, by the processing system, a setting using the determined rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelvin Fong, Tomohiro Hirakawa, Yan-Ju Du
  • Patent number: 11928989
    Abstract: A rollable display device includes a flexible display panel, a storage unit provided at one end side of the flexible display panel, a support bar provided at the other end side of the flexible display panel, a plurality of glass substrates aligned side by side in a direction intersecting a winding direction of the flexible display panel, and a cover layer formed to cover the glass substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11921974
    Abstract: An icon display controlling device includes an area displaying unit for causing a display to display a first display area within which an icon can be placed; a deleting mode switching unit for switching to a deleting mode that enables deletion of a second icon that has already been placed in the first display area, in response to performance of a predetermined operation for placing a first icon in the first display area; and an icon positioning unit for placing the first icon in the first display area upon deletion of the second icon in the deleting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: FAURECIA CLARION ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Matsushita, Azusa Shiina, Jun Sakura
  • Patent number: 11924990
    Abstract: A protective cover for a portable electronic device includes a support with a support element that includes a slot bounded by a forward surface and an opposed rear surface. The forward surface and the opposed rear surface are planar surfaces oriented parallel to one another and spaced apart a distance that enables the slot to receive peripheral edges of any of a plurality of differently configured devices from different manufacturers and having different capabilities. The forward surface and the opposed rear surface are located a single fixed distance apart from one another, enabling the slot to self-support the plurality of differently configured devices from different manufacturers and having different capabilities. The protective cover may include a keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ZAGG Inc
    Inventor: David Gengler
  • Patent number: 11921547
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and program products for dynamically shaping are computing display screen are disclosed. One apparatus includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to receive an input from a user, determine if the input is a predefined input, and modify the size and/or shape of the computing display screen in response to the input being the predefined input. Methods and computer program products that perform the operations and/or functions of the apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, Nathan Peterson, John Petersen, Chekim Chhuor
  • Patent number: 11914829
    Abstract: An input detection system includes a plurality of detection electrodes arrayed in a detection region, and an input support device that includes an LC circuit, a first electrode coupled to one end side of the LC circuit, and a second electrode coupled to the other end side of the LC circuit. The input support device is disposed to overlap with some of the detection electrodes, a reference potential is supplied to the detection electrode overlapping with the first electrode, and a detection drive signal is supplied to the detection electrode overlapping with the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Yuto Kakinoki
  • Patent number: 11890961
    Abstract: An apparatus for managing power of an electric vehicle and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus determines whether a user participates in a leisure activity based on surrounding information of the electric vehicle, and supplies power when a plug is connected to an outlet provided in the electric vehicle while entering a leisure mode to allow the user to use the outlet during leisure activities. The apparatus includes an information collector that collects surrounding information of the electronic vehicle, and a controller that determines whether a user is performing a leisure activity based on the surrounding information of the electric vehicle collected by the information collector and adjusts power supply based on whether an outlet provided in the electric vehicle is plugged in in a leisure mode indicating that the user is performing a leisure activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Da Ye Oh, Ki Suk Lee
  • Patent number: 11890700
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a display module includes preparing a display module comprising a plurality of layers and forming a through-hole in the display module. The forming the through-hole includes performing a first irradiation process of irradiating a first laser beam along a first boundary defining the through-hole, performing a second irradiation process of irradiating a second laser beam along a second boundary after the first irradiation process, and performing a third irradiation process of irradiating a third laser beam along a third boundary after the second irradiation process. A time interval between the first irradiation process and the second irradiation process may be different from a time interval between the second irradiation process and the third irradiation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youngjin Oh, Sanghoon Lim, Jinhyeong Kim, Kyoungseok Cho, KuHyun Kang, Sungjin Jang
  • Patent number: 11842861
    Abstract: A switch cap for a switch device that can reduce a pressing error of a switch is provided. A three-dimensional first cap main body moves by a force applied to a first abutting portion from a finger which is an operator. A first sensor is disposed in the first cap main body, and detects abutting or approach of the finger to the first abutting portion. A first transmission member is fixed to the inside of the first cap main body, and moves together with the first cap main body for first switching to transmit movement of the first cap main body to a push button which is a predetermined location of a switch device. A first sensor is formed in a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) disposed in the first cap main body, and the FPC is fixed by the first transmission member and the first cap main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: NISSHA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chuzo Taniguchi, Eiji Kawashima, Jun Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11836290
    Abstract: A system may include at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and a control circuit configured to maintain timing parameters for operation of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and vary at least one of the timing parameters to control a spectrum associated with the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, wherein the spectrum comprises one of a sensor activity spectrum of the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and a current usage spectrum associated with electrical current delivered to the at least one resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor from a source of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Kost, Bruce E. Duewer, Tejasvi Das, Matthew Beardsworth, Anthony S. Doy
  • Patent number: 11830682
    Abstract: A display cover apparatus having a display cover for a push button on a push button switch, a holder for the display cover, and a housing. The display cover has lock hooks and the holder has a hollow interior, a top end with lock slots that removably connect to the lock hooks, a bottom end, a flexible retaining washer in a groove at the bottom end, and a locking key between the top end and the bottom end. The holder is positioned on a circular shelf in an interior of the housing. The circular shelf has an internal circular flange with a locking slot that receives the locking key to prevent rotation of the holder in the housing. The flexible retaining washer is positioned beneath the flange. The circular shelf and the flexible retaining washer prevent linear movement of the holder in the housing. An alignment hook on the display cover removably connects to an alignment slot on the holder, thereby preventing the display cover from rotating on the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: David Worsham
  • Patent number: 11822737
    Abstract: An information handling system mouse couples a scroll wheel at a scroll wheel position of the mouse upper surface to a five-way switch so that movement of the scroll wheel commands through the five-way switch a scroll up or down, a swipe left or right and a press down mouse click. An adjacent button provides precision or fast scroll through an interaction separate from the scroll wheel. A vibration device interfaced with the scroll wheel provides haptic feedback of end user interactions, such as by providing vibrations with a vertical orientation from a position below the scroll wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Karthikeyan Krishnakumar, Suet Chan Law, Wong Hin Loong Justin
  • Patent number: 11816280
    Abstract: An encoder may be configured to receive a first input from a user. The encoder may include a first user input area. A configurator may be configured to communicate with the encoder and the encoder may be configured to communicate with a CPU. The encoder may receive the first input from the user at the first user input area based on an encoder configuration defined by the configurator. The encoder may communicate the first input to the CPU based on the encoder configuration defined by the configurator. A panel may be configured to receive a first input from a user. The panel may include a plurality of input areas. A portable computing device may comprise a configurator. The portable computing device may be configured to communicate with a CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: GRAYHILL, INC.
    Inventors: Matt Huner, Kevin Dooley, Torsten Chase, Robert Kerner, Kenneth G. Mages, Robert Piotr Obrochta, Andrew Wood Polk, IV, Patrick Charles Leighton, Cheng-Yu Hsu
  • Patent number: 11803254
    Abstract: A flexible display apparatus and a control method therefor. The flexible display apparatus comprises: a flexible display panel (10); a bending sensor (11), that is configured to sense bending information of the flexible display panel (10); and a processor, that is coupled to the bending sensor (11), configured to receive the bending information of the bending sensor (11), and determines whether the bending information is valid bending information, and if so, then a currently running application program is controlled according to the valid bending information to perform a corresponding operation. By bending the flexible display panel (10), an application program is controlled to perform a corresponding operation, achieving a convenient, accurate, and effective operation, and improving user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: Chengdu BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Zhu, Xiaolin Liu, Chao Sun, Yuanjie Li
  • Patent number: 11789553
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device of a capacitive touch surface capable of detecting the position or movement of at least one finger or a control stylus of a user in the proximity of the capacitive touch surface. The device includes a three-dimensional control member secured to the capacitive touch surface and provided with an electrically insulating body having a lower surface facing the capacitive touch surface and a three-dimensional surface intended to be touched or scanned by at least one finger or a stylus of a user. The three-dimensional control member is provided with a plurality of electrical conductors separated in pairs by an electrically insulating space and configured to exchange electrical charges with the capacitive touch surface when a user touches or swipes the three-dimensional surface, such that a user can interact with the capacitive touch surface via the three-dimensional control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: HAP2U
    Inventors: Maxime Gaillard, Mickaël Cottin-Bizonne, Bruno Challiol, Simon Rouillere
  • Patent number: 11789277
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a front having a display housing and a back having a rear housing. A first member extends between the front and the back and is adjustable via an actuation of a first rotatable actuator and a first cabling mechanism. A second member extends between the front and the back and is adjustable via an actuation of a second rotatable actuator and a second cabling mechanism. A third member extends between the front and the back and is adjustable via the actuation of the second rotatable actuator and a third cabling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Keaton Snyder, Isaac Frazier, Jos Jacobs, Carl Samuel Conlee, IV, Ivan A. McCracken, Clement Gallois, John Underwood, William Winters, Darryl Jensen
  • Patent number: 11784644
    Abstract: A rotation detector includes a rotary member, a magnet rotating as the rotary member rotates, and a first magnetic sensor detecting a direction of magnetic flux that changes as the magnet rotates. And the rotation detector includes a first soft magnetic member and a second soft magnetic member for the first magnetic sensor that are arranged on one side and the other side, respectively, of a detection direction of the first magnetic sensor. The magnet has a rotation axis that passes through the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukikazu Ujikane, Koji Masuda
  • Patent number: 11781770
    Abstract: A novel small format touch screen user interface for displaying, adding and editing program setpoints is described. When editing a setpoint the user's input is constrained such that the user can only alter one parameter. As soon as the user begins to drag a setpoint icon in either a horizontal (e.g. adjusting time), or vertical (e.g. adjusting temperature), the other parameter is constrained. Additionally, the disclosed user interface includes displaying information as to how the setpoint was most recently added or adjusted. For example the display can be used to indicate whether a setpoint was added or adjusted on the control device itself; by an automated learning algorithm; by a user on a web client; by a user using a mobile device, and so forth. Further, the name of the particular device may be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Timo A. Bruck, David Sloo, Clemens M. Knieper
  • Patent number: 11759086
    Abstract: A household dishwasher includes a washing compartment, an activatable unit arranged in the washing compartment, a control device configured to actuate the activatable unit, an optical sensor configured to acquire an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment, and a communication unit for bidirectional communication with a remote server. The communication unit transmits the acquired optical sensor signal to the remote server and receives a control command from the remote server for actuating the activatable unit and to forward the received control command to the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Maria Terrádez Alemany, Kai Paintner, Matthias Heckes, Daniel Hitzler
  • Patent number: 11755075
    Abstract: An electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include: a first housing, a second housing coupled to the first housing, and configured to move in a first direction from a first position to a second position or in a second direction opposite the first direction between the first position at least in part accommodated in the first housing and the second position protruding from the first housing, a driving unit comprising a driving motor configured to move the second housing in the first direction or the second direction, a first sensor configured to detect a position of the second housing, at least one processor operably coupled with the driving unit and the first sensor, and a memory operably coupled with the at least one processor, wherein the memory may store instructions which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to: detect an input for moving the second housing in the first direction, control the driving unit to drive the driving unit for a first time to move the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Juyeol Park
  • Patent number: 11755161
    Abstract: A touch control structure is provided. The touch control structure includes a plurality of first mesh electrodes along a row direction and a plurality of second mesh electrodes along a column direction. The touch control structure is limited in a touch control region and absent in a window region surrounded by the touch control region. The plurality of second mesh electrodes includes a first mesh block and a second mesh block; a first conductive plate connected to one or more mesh lines of the first mesh block; a second conductive plate connected to one or more mesh lines of the second mesh block; and a first conductive bridge connecting the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate. A second segment of the first conductive bridge is in a layer different from a first segment of the first conductive bridge, the first conductive plate, and the second conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignees: Chengdu BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping Wen, Wei Wang, Shun Zhang, Yuanqi Zhang, Chang Luo, Yang Zeng, Yu Wang, Yi Zhang
  • Patent number: 11708893
    Abstract: A shift device for a vehicle includes: a shift body that is moved in a predetermined range in a first direction and in a second direction that is a direction opposite from the first direction, and whose shift position is changed; and a moving mechanism that has a moving member at which a first moving portion and a second moving portion are provided, the first moving portion moving the shift body in the first direction, and the second moving portion moving the shift body in the second direction, due to movement of the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Naomi Asahina, Yutaka Inamura, Kenji Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 11703578
    Abstract: Techniques for operating an ultrasonic sensor array, the ultrasonic sensor array disposed under a platen, include making a determination whether or not to recalibrate the ultrasonic sensor array based on whether a first screen protector disposed above the platen has been removed or replaced by a second screen protector; and recalibrating the ultrasonic sensor array, when the determination is to recalibrate the ultrasonic sensor array. In some cases, the techniques include prompting a user to indicate whether or not the screen protector has been changed or removed, and recalibrating the ultrasonic sensor array only after confirmation from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Yipeng Lu, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Jessica Liu Strohmann, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev
  • Patent number: 11693473
    Abstract: A reconfigurable controller system for one or more switchable electronic devices has a relay junction with a plurality of relay connections, each of which includes at least a load circuit input, a load circuit output connectible to a respective one of the one or more switchable electronic devices, and a control circuit line. A controller head unit connectible to the relay junction includes a plurality of switch buttons, each with an independent indicator screen programmable with one or more display outputs, and associated output functions to a specific one the control circuit lines generated when the switch is actuated. A scroll dial is receptive to a rotary input that responsively switches, for one or more of the plurality of switch buttons, given ones of the display outputs and associated output functions to another one of the display outputs and associated output functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: KC IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Bobby Leang, Nicholas William Mazzanti
  • Patent number: 11687113
    Abstract: A pointing device includes: a substrate; an operation member that is provided tiltably with respect to the substrate, and includes a protrusion protruded from one of an inner wall and an outer wall; and a rotation member that is provided rotatably on the substrate, and includes a hole which the protrusion enters when the rotation member overlaps the operation member; wherein the rotation member rotates in conjunction with the operation member when the protrusion contacts an edge of the hole according to rotation of the operation member, wherein the hole is formed in a range in which the protrusion is movable by tilt of the operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi Arita, Tamotsu Koike
  • Patent number: 11676783
    Abstract: A press-type input device includes a first pressing member, a second pressing member, a base, and a holding member. The first pressing member has a pressure receiving surface and a first axis and is tiltable around the first axis. The second pressing member has a second axis and is tiltable around the second axis. The base includes a detection unit configured to detect a tilt of the second pressing member. The holding member is configured to hold, together with the base, the first pressing member and the second pressing member. A location of at least one of the first axis or the second axis is variable in accordance with a pushed location on the pressure receiving surface. When viewed in a direction vertical to the pressure receiving surface, the second axis and the detection unit do not overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yoshihara, Mitsuru Satou, Masaki Sawada
  • Patent number: 11660964
    Abstract: Disclosed is a user interface capable of controlling various functions of a vehicle, and more particularly a vehicle function control system and a control method using a detachable control device. A method of controlling an integrated control unit includes: recognizing a first detachable control device attached to a first attachment position among at least one attachment position provided at an attachment unit; establishing a first data path with the first detachable control device; transmitting information about a first function to be controlled corresponding to the first attachment position to the first detachable control device through the first data path; and when receiving first manipulation information from the first detachable control device, controlling the first function to be controlled based on the first manipulation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jae Hoon Chung, Si Hoon Sung
  • Patent number: 11662823
    Abstract: A haptic device according to one embodiment can comprise: a database unit for storing acoustic information or receiving the acoustic information from an external device; a control unit for converting the acoustic information into an electrical signal according to a predetermined pattern; a driving unit for generating a motion signal on the basis of the electrical signal; and a transfer unit for transferring a patterned tactile signal to a user by means of the motion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: CK MATERIAL LAB CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyeong Jun Kim, Ji Goo Kang, Jong Hun Lee, Jeong Beom Lee, Jong Hyung Jung
  • Patent number: 11653990
    Abstract: A surgical robot comprising a base and an arm extending from a proximal end attached to the base to a distal end attachable to a surgical instrument via a series of links interspersed by articulations. The arm comprises a receiver, a proximity sensor and a controller. The receiver is configured to receive data from the surgical instrument over a short-range wireless communications link with the surgical instrument. The proximity sensor is configured to detect the proximal presence of the surgical instrument. The controller is configured to respond to the proximity sensor detecting the proximal presence of the surgical instrument by enabling the short-range wireless communications link between the receiver and a transmitter of the surgical instrument to be established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: CMR Surgical Limited
    Inventor: Luke David Ronald Hares
  • Patent number: 11644892
    Abstract: A method generates synchronized auditory and haptic feedback for artificial-reality environments. The method includes performing a simulation of a user interaction with a virtual object in an artificial-reality environment. The user interaction (i) traverses a surface of the virtual object (e.g., running a finger over a textured surface), and (ii) includes a set of contact events (e.g., a sparse set of events). The method also includes estimating a trajectory of the user interaction with the virtual object based on the set of contact events. The method also includes determining a surface profile associated with the surface of the virtual object, generating an excitation force profile according to (i) the estimated trajectory and (ii) the surface profile, and rendering, based on the excitation force profile, audio and synchronized haptic feedback for the user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sonny Chan, Nicholas Colonnese
  • Patent number: 11630564
    Abstract: The information processing device includes: an operation detecting unit that determines that a first touch operation has been detected, calculates the length of a virtual line segment connecting the plurality of touched positions detected or the rotation angle with respect to a reference direction for the virtual line segment, and determines whether or not there has been a change in the length or rotation angle of a virtual line segment when coordinate information has been inputted, the touch panel displaying a second screen, and determines that a second touch operation has been detected when it has been determined that there has been a change in the length or rotation angle of the virtual line segment; and an execution instruction issuing unit that issues an instruction to execute the process associated with the change in the length of the virtual line segment or the rotation direction of the virtual line segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Faurecia Clarion Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11625159
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an electronic input device includes a knob assembly defining an annular cavity and including a magnetically attractable armature. The electronic input device also includes a ratchet assembly disposed within the annular cavity and includes a ring magnet. The electronic input device includes a clutch mechanism that has a friction disc assembly, and an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field that shifts the friction disc assembly between a first position in which the friction disc assembly prevents rotation of the ratchet assembly and a second position in which the ratchet assembly is free to rotate with the knob assembly. The ring magnet of the ratchet assembly interacts with the magnetically attractable armature to generate a ratcheting feedback in response to rotation of the knob assembly when the friction disc assembly is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Baptiste Merminod, Davin O'Mahony, Antoine Merminod
  • Patent number: 11617945
    Abstract: A video game controller is provided with at least one rotatable input mechanism such as a “scroll wheel”. The rotatable input mechanism is disposed within the body of the controller but protrudes partially through an aperture to allow a user to rotate the mechanism using a finger or thumb. The rotatable input mechanism may be positioned so that the user may rotate the mechanism while gripping the controller body with the same hand. The input from the rotatable input mechanism may be used to control various software functions, such as video game functions. In some versions the controller comprises a Gamepad style controller with a scroll wheel disposed at the thumb area of one or both of the hand grips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: QTECH INNOVATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Quincy Box
  • Patent number: 11614838
    Abstract: An input detection system includes a display device with a detection function that includes a plurality of detection electrodes arrayed in a display region, an electronic apparatus case including an accommodation portion accommodating the display device with the detection function and a cover covering the display region of the display device with the detection function, and an input device that is mounted on the cover of the electronic apparatus case so as to rotate around a rotating axis extending in a normal direction to a surface of the cover and includes a first electrode and a second electrode facing the detection electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Hayashi, Yuto Kakinoki, Takaaki Kono
  • Patent number: 11600246
    Abstract: In the use of a display of a converter, method for operating a converter, and converter, the converter having an address code switch, in particular on its housing, and in an actuation of the address code switch and during a subsequent, predefined period of time, a respective value corresponding to the respective switch position of the address code switch is displayed by the display. Operating information of the converter is displayed in all other cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Joachim Nikola
  • Patent number: 11602024
    Abstract: A control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The control device may be a wall-mounted device or a battery-powered remote control device. The feedback may indicate the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The feedback may also indicate a low battery condition. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 11577610
    Abstract: Compact, multi-function rotational controllers or switches that allow an operator of a vehicle to simultaneously view the status of a plurality of related functions, and to easily change or toggle the status of each of the functions. A multi-function controller of the present disclosure may include a rotatable central control dial that is at least partially surrounded by a visual indicator panel that indicates a current status for the functions that are controlled by the multi-function controller. The multi-function controller may include a selected function indicator that indicates which of the plurality of related functions is currently selected, control input hardware that receives operator input, and control circuitry that toggles the state of the selected function responsive to such operator input. The multi-function controller may include an “all functions off” function that allows the operator to simultaneously turn all of the related functions off via a single input action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Paccar Inc
    Inventor: Leslie Lee Darrah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11574782
    Abstract: A switching device includes a first knob to receive a pressing operation in a first direction; a pressing detection switch to be pressed upon transmission of an operating force of the pressing operation; a decorative member to decorate a periphery of the first knob, that includes an engaged portion; and a holder to engage and hold the decorative member, that includes an engaging portion to engage the engaged portion. In response to the pressing operation by a first stroke amount, by the operating force transmitted to the pressing detection switch without transmitted to the engaged portion, the pressing detection switch is pressed. In response to the pressing operation by a second stroke amount greater than the first stroke amount, by the operating force applied to the first knob being transmitted to the engaged portion, the engaged portion elastically deforms, and engagement of the engaging/engaged portions is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeonjo Choi, Inseob Kang
  • Patent number: 11561683
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting region of a flexible screen based on a detected curvature of the flexible screen. A mobile device detects a vertex and degree of the curvature of the flexible screen. The mobile device selects a region of the flexible screen that is centered at the vertex and whose size is proportional to the degree of curvature. The mobile device highlights the region of the flexible display to visually indicate the selected region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: Vinayaka Prakasha Bandishti
  • Patent number: 11558969
    Abstract: A display device is disclosed. The display device includes a flexible display panel, a module cover positioned behind the flexible display panel, a panel roller coupled to a lower end of the flexible display panel, a subsidiary roller spaced apart from the panel roller and positioned adjacent to a front side of the flexible display panel, a protective sheet in contact with a front side of the flexible display panel when the protective sheet is wound around the panel roller together with the flexible display panel and the module cover, a filler coupled to the subsidiary roller, wherein a portion of the filler is configured to be in contact with the front side of the flexible display panel and a distance between a rotational axis of the panel roller and a rotational axis of the subsidiary roller is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hoyoung Kim, Dongkyoon Han, Heegun Park, Hyeongjun Kwon
  • Patent number: 11555880
    Abstract: An intelligent bed monitoring device and method are provided in this disclosure. The device is applied to a bed frame, and the bed frame includes a first bed board and a second bed board. The intelligent bed monitoring device includes a plurality of audio sensors, a processor and a controlling module. The processor is electrically connected to the audio sensors and the controlling module. The audio sensors are configured to detect a plurality of audio signals. The processor is configured to receive the audio signals, and calculate an audio source direction according to the audio signals. The controlling module is configured to control one of the first bed board and the second bed board according to the audio source direction to adjust one of the first bed board and the second bed board into a plurality of modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignees: AI. SLEEP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 11531412
    Abstract: A display control system using a knob includes an input part to receive a touch input signal for a display area, a memory to store a display control program according to the touch input signal, and a processor to execute the program, such that the processor moves a position of a knob to perform function control of an area of the display to which the touch input signal is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Hun Kim, Kyung Hoon Kim, Sung Joon Ahn, Myung Bin Choi, Seung Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 11526055
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a first camera, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, and a liquid crystal panel disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer. The liquid crystal panel includes a first scanning line, a first signal line intersecting the first scanning line, a first switching element electrically connected to the first scanning line and the first signal line, and a first control electrode electrically connected to the first switching element. The first control electrode overlaps the first camera, and is disposed in an annular first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Aoki, Hiroyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 11525694
    Abstract: Superimposed-image display devices and programs superimpose an image on a surrounding environment in front of a vehicle so that the image can be visually identified. The image includes at least one of a first guidance image that prompts a driver to change driving operation and a second guidance image that does not prompt a driver to change driving operation. The second guidance image is displayed in a display mode in which the second guidance image more harmonizes in at least one of a location, brightness, and color with the surrounding environment than the first guidance image, the surrounding environment being a superimposition target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Watanabe, Hiroyuki Miyake
  • Patent number: 11527126
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming device or system that detects, at each input electrode location of a plurality of elastically deformable input electrode locations, an amount of pressure applied to an elastically deformable outer layer at a corresponding input electrode location in response to deformation of the elastically deformable outer layer by physical contact with a player of a gaming device; determines that the player has applied pressure to the plurality of elastically deformable input electrode locations continuously over at least a predetermined time interval; determines a pressure pattern corresponding to the plurality of elastically deformable input electrode locations; compares the pressure pattern to a plurality of different pressure patterns corresponding to a plurality of different player gestures to determine a player gesture corresponding to the pressure pattern; and determines, based on the determined player gesture and a comparison of the amount of applied pressure to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael Russ, David Froy, Sven Aurich
  • Patent number: 11490981
    Abstract: An input control device is disclosed. The input control device can be configured to operate in different modes depending on proximity data provided by a proximity detection system. The input control device can include a feedback generator configured to generate feedback in response to the input control device switching between operational modes, the proximity data provided by the proximity detection system, and/or other conditions of the surgical procedure, robotic surgical tool, surgical site, and/or patient. The input control device can include a variable resistance assembly for resisting input control motions applied to an actuator thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the input control device can include an end effector actuator assembly for repositioning the end effector actuator based on feedback from a paired robotic surgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Clinton W. Denlinger, Gregory W. Johnson, Charles J. Scheib, Jeffrey S. Swayze