Patents Assigned to Atlab, Inc.
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Publication number: 20100225579Abstract: Provided is an optical pointing system. The optical pointing system has an image sensing unit for receiving light and generating a plurality of first analog signals corresponding to a quantity of the received light in response to a reset signal and a pixel selection signal, at least one pixel for shutter control for receiving light, each of the pixel for shutter control generates a second analog signal corresponding to a quantity of the received light, a first comparator for comparing voltages of the plurality of first analog signals to generate a first comparison digital signal in response to a shutter control signal, an image processor for receiving the first comparison digital signal to calculate a movement value of the optical pointing system, and a shutter control unit for generating the shutter control signal based on the at least second analog signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: ATLAB INC.Inventors: Jong-Taek KWAK, Duck-Young JUNG
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Publication number: 20100212975Abstract: Provided are a touch sensor and a method of operating the same. The touch sensor includes: a pulse signal generator for generating a pulse signal of which pulse width is calibrated in response to a control code; a pulse signal transmitter for transmitting the pulse signal when a touch object is out of contact with a touch pad and stopping transmitting the pulse signal when the touch object is in contact with the touch pad; a pulse signal detector for detecting the pulse signal transmitted through the pulse signal transmitter; and a controller recognizing a non-contact state and adjusting the control code to calibrate the pulse width of the pulse signal when the pulse signal detector detects the pulse signal. In the above-described configuration, the contact of the touch object with the touch pad can be sensed more precisely, and the occurrence of a malfunction in the touch sensor due to changed operating conditions can be prevented. As a result, the operating reliability of the touch sensor can be enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: ATLAB INC.Inventors: Byung-Joon MOON, Sang-Yun HAN, Jae-Surk HONG, Duck-Young JUNG
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Patent number: 7783309Abstract: A wireless communication system and a channel changing method thereof are provided. The wireless communication system which includes a plurality of channels, uses one of the plurality of channels as a specific channel, and uses another channel of the plurality of channels as a communication channel, includes: a base terminal for obtaining the one of the plurality of channels as an alternative channel, generating a channel change command including information on the alternative channel, and transmitting the command on a specific channel, when there is a data error received on the communication channel; and a wireless input device for resetting the alternative channel as a new communication channel and performing wireless communication on the communication channel which was reset, after obtaining the information on the alternative channel by receiving the channel change command from the specific channel.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Atlab Inc.Inventors: Chul-Yong Joung, Yu-Young Cha, Young-Ho Shin, Bang-Won Lee
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Publication number: 20100188360Abstract: Provided are an electronic device and a method of arranging a touch panel thereof. The electronic device includes: a display panel for displaying an image; a touch panel including a cover and a plurality of electrodes adhered to the cover; and a sensing unit including a plurality of digital contact controllers for detecting delays caused by variations of capacitances of the electrodes to output digital data signals. Thus, the electronic device includes an economical touch panel that can be variously applied according to users' convenience or purpose without using an expensive substrate having the entire surface coated with an ITO layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: ATLab INC.Inventors: Chul-Yong Joung, Bang-Won Lee
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Publication number: 20100188359Abstract: Provided are a touchpad and a touch sensor using the same. The touchpad includes: a printed circuit board (PCB); a plurality of conductors; and a non-conductive board disposed on one surface of the PCB and having a plurality of protrusions respectively including the conductors therein. In addition, the touch sensor includes: the touchpad; and a contact signal generation unit having a plurality of digital contact controllers for sensing delay due to a change in impedance between the conductors in the protrusions and the PCB and outputting a digital signal according to the delay. An apparatus having the touchpad as an input device enables a user to feel the touchpad better.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: ATLAB INC.Inventor: Bang Won Lee
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Patent number: 7760185Abstract: An optical pointing device is provided. The optical pointing device includes: a base plate; a circuit board disposed on one side of the base plate, and having a light source irradiating light and a sensor receiving a light reflected from a working surface; an optical structure disposed between the base plate and the circuit board and having a light path guiding the light irradiated from the light source to the sensor; and a light blocking mean disposed on the light path to block the light path when the base plate is separated from a predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: ATLab Inc.Inventors: Chul-Yong Joung, Jong-Taek Kwak, Young-Ho Shin, Bang-Won Lee
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Patent number: 7738014Abstract: Provided is an image sensor and optical pointing system using the same. The image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photocell for receiving light and generating an analog signal having a voltage corresponding to a quantity of the received light, a comparator for, in response to a shutter control signal, comparing the analog signal of the photocell with an analog signal of an adjacent pixel to generate a digital signal for movement calculation, or comparing the analog signal of the photocell with a reference voltage to generate a digital signal for shutter control, and a switch for transferring the digital signal for movement calculation and the digital signal for shutter control in response to a pixel selection signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Atlab Inc.Inventors: Jong-Taek Kwak, Duck-Young Jung
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Patent number: 7701503Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a light source and optical input device using the same. The light source controlling method includes setting a shutter ON time of an image sensor using a statistical value of an image obtained through the image sensor, and setting a light source ON time in accordance with the shutter ON time and turning on/off the light source and the shutter in response to the set light source ON time and the set shutter ON time. Thus, undesired consumption of electric power of the light source is prevented to increase energy efficiency by actively setting an ON/OFF period of the light source consuming the maximum electric current in the optical input device according to a shutter ON/OFF period. Further, availability of the light source and its electric current is enhanced by controlling the light source for the shutter OFF period and by allowing the light source to be used as a source for the data transmission.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Atlab Inc.Inventors: Bang-Won Lee, Young-Ho Shin
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Publication number: 20100072916Abstract: Provided is a touch sensor device including: at least one terminal connected to at least one contact pad; at least one common terminal; at least one light emitter connected between the common terminal and the terminal; and a touch sensor and light-emission controller unit connected to the common terminal and the terminal, and when a touch is sensed by the contact pad, controlling a corresponding light emitter to emit light.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2007Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: ATLAB INC.Inventors: Young-Ho Shin, Bang-Won Lee, Du-Su Shin
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Patent number: 7667690Abstract: An optical pointing device includes: an image input part emitting light and accumulating the light reflected from a working surface during a sampling period to generate an analog image, and converting the analog image into a digital image to output a sample frame, a correlation matrix generator comparing the sample frame with a reference area to generate a correlation matrix, selecting one weighting matrix of a plurality of weighting matrices in response to a movement value, and outputting a weighted correlation matrix using the selected weighting matrix, a movement value calculator finding a cell having a largest correlation value among the weighted correlation matrix, calculating the movement value and outputting the movement value to a position of the cell, and transmitting the movement value to the correlation matrix generator to select a following weighting matrix, and an interface converting the outputted movement value into a signal of a certain format.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: ATLab Inc.Inventor: Bang-Won Lee
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Publication number: 20100006349Abstract: Provided are a sensor device and a method of operating the same. The sensor device includes a plurality of semiconductor devices connected in series. When a semiconductor device does not sense a state of contact with an object and receives first sensing data from a preceding semiconductor device, the semiconductor device outputs the first sensing data to a succeeding semiconductor device. When the semiconductor device senses the state of contact with the object and receives the first sensing data from the preceding semiconductor device, the semiconductor device generates second sensing data and outputs the first and second sensing data to the succeeding semiconductor device. When the semiconductor device senses the state of contact with the object and does not receive the first sensing data from the preceding semiconductor device, the semiconductor device generates the second sensing data and outputs the second sensing data to the succeeding semiconductor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2007Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: ATLab Inc.Inventors: Jei-Hyuk Lee, Bang-Won Lee, Young-Ho Shin, Jae-Surk Hong
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Publication number: 20100001956Abstract: Provided is a handheld terminal. The handheld terminal includes a case having a through-hole formed at one side thereof; and an optical module constituted by a circuit board in which a light source for irradiating light and a sensor for receiving the light are installed, a lens disposed at one side of the circuit board and inserted into the through-hole, and a support bracket disposed at the other side of the circuit board. Therefore, it is possible to uniformly maintain the height of the sensor for receiving light based on the thickness of the lens to maintain a certain depth of focus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: ATLab Inc.Inventor: Oan-Kyu CHOI
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Patent number: 7639236Abstract: An image sensor, an optical pointing device and a motion calculating method of the optical pointing device are disclosed. The optical pointing device includes an image sensor for obtaining and providing a surface image corresponding to a motion searching range; and an image processor for determining a direction and a length of an X axis and a Y axis of the motion searching range and a reference area to continuously obtain the surface image corresponding to the direction and length of the X axis and Y axis, obtaining a reference frame and a current frame using the continuously obtained surface image, setting a certain area of the reference frame corresponding to the direction and length of the X axis and Y axis of the reference area as the reference area, and calculating a correlation between the reference area and the sample frame, to thereby calculate motion. The image sensor can obtain the larger surface image in the X axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Atlab Inc.Inventor: Bang-Won Lee
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Patent number: 7633489Abstract: Disclosed are a navigation system and a navigation method, wherein the navigation method comprises the steps of sequentially providing image frames containing navigation information and generating electric signals corresponding to a position of an optical sensor, storing a first image frame into a reference frame memory as a reference frame, storing an input image frame subsequent to the first image frame into an input frame memory as a current input frame, setting a mask window having a predetermined size on the reference frame, obtaining correlation values over all the pixels on the current input frame by a full search comparison method, by moving the mask window on the current input frame pixel by pixel, calculating X-axis and Y-axis displacements of a pixel having the greatest correlation value of all the pixels, and updating the reference frame using the current input frame stored in the input frame memory.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignees: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd., ATLab Inc.Inventors: Bang Won Lee, Jong Taek Kwak
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Publication number: 20090289171Abstract: An optical pointing device is provided. The optical pointing device includes an image sensor including a photocell array including a plurality of photocells for sensing light and generating an analog signal corresponding to the light, the image sensor sequentially outputting analog signals from the plurality of photocells, a comparator for comparing the signals output from the image sensor to generate a relative comparative signal, and comparing at least one signal output from the image sensor with a comparative signal to generate an absolute comparative signal, and a controller for outputting motion data using the relative comparative signal and outputting a shutter control signal using the absolute comparative signal. The optical pointing device does not include an A/D converter or a pre-filter circuit, thus reducing a chip size of a semiconductor integrated circuit, unlike a conventional optical pointing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2008Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: ATLAB INC.Inventors: DUCK-YOUNG JUNG, BANG-WON LEE
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Patent number: 7616193Abstract: Provided is a human input apparatus and method for calculating a movement value thereof. The human input apparatus includes a plurality of touch sensors for varying and outputting output signals by direct contact, a sensing unit for receiving the output signals in parallel from the plurality of touch sensors and generating input data in response to the output signals, and a movement value calculating means for extracting valid input data from the input data and operating on and outputting a movement value using operated-on data comparing the valid input data with reference data and the reference data. Accordingly, a mechanical device mounted on the human input apparatus in order to express movement can be replaced by an electronic device employing the touch sensors, so that it is possible not only to prevent malfunction caused by noise or abrasion of a mechanical switch, but also to reduce power consumption and production cost. Further, it is advantageous for downsizing.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: ATLab Inc.Inventors: Chul-Yong Joung, Jae-Surk Hong, Bang-Won Lee, Young-Ho Shin
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Patent number: 7612764Abstract: Disclosure is a position tracking sensor of an optical mouse and method of controlling the same. The position tracking sensor comprises an image sensor for receiving light inputted from exterior of the optical mouse to detect an image and outputting image information on the detected image, and a controller for determining whether the optical mouse is spaced apart from a worktable using the image information and turning off a light source when it is determined that the optical mouse is spaced apart from the worktable. Thus, it is possible not only to prevent malfunction of the optical mouse resulting from the image detected by external light when the optical mouse is spaced apart from the worktable, but also to prevent the light source from being unnecessarily turned on and the resulting undesired consumption of electrical power.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: ATLab Inc.Inventor: Woo-Seok Lee
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Publication number: 20090267899Abstract: An optical sensor module for an optical pointing device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The optical sensor includes: a lead frame having a light receiving hole formed in a pad; an image sensor attached to the pad and detecting light emitted from a light source through the light receiving hole; and a molding member for integrally molding the lead frame and the image sensor. The method includes: forming a light receiving hole in a pad of a lead frame; attaching an image sensor to the pad; connecting the image sensor to a lead of the lead frame by bonding using a wire; molding the lead frame and the image sensor; and trimming the lead of the lead frame to a certain length and forming the lead.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2006Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: ATLAB INC.Inventors: Wan-Gyo Jeong, Bang-Won Lee, Sung-Hyuk Hong
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Patent number: 7609250Abstract: Provided are an optical module and an input apparatus having the same. The input apparatus includes the optical module having a circuit board provided with a light source and a sensor installed therein, a lens disposed at one side of the circuit board, and a support bracket disposed at the other side of the circuit board; and a main body having a through-hole at its one side and into which the lens of the optical module is inserted. Therefore, it is possible to uniformly maintain the height of the sensor for receiving light based on the thickness of the lens to maintain a certain depth of focus.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: ATLab Inc.Inventor: Oan-Kyu Choi
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Patent number: 7605805Abstract: An electrical touch sensor is provided. The electrical touch sensor includes: a touch detection part having at least one touch pad and generating a first signal having a same delay time regardless of whether the object is in contact with the touch pad and a second signal having a varied delay time according to whether the object is in contact with the touch pad; and a contact signal generator generating a contact signal in response to the delay time-difference between the first and second signals. Therefore, it is possible to increase operation reliability by precisely determining whether the object is in contact with the pad, when the object has charge accumulation characteristics more than a certain level, although its conductive is insufficient. In addition, the electrical touch sensor can determine whether the object is in contact with the pad using only one pad to reduce a layout area of a product.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Atlab Inc.Inventors: Deok-Young Jung, Jae-Surk Hong, Young-Ho Shin