Abstract: The present invention provides a control knob on a device that allows a user to control functions of the device. In one embodiment, the knob is rotatable in a rotary degree of freedom and moveable in at least one transverse direction approximately perpendicular to the axis. An actuator is coupled to the knob to output a force in the rotary degree of freedom about the axis, thus providing force feedback. In a different embodiment, the knob is provided with force feedback in a rotary degree of freedom about an axis and is also moveable in a linear degree of freedom approximately parallel to the axis, allowing the knob to be pushed and/or pulled by the user. The device controlled by the knob can be a variety of types of devices, such as an audio device, video device, etc. The device can also include a display providing an image updated in response to manipulation of the knob.

Abstract: An input device for improving man-machine interface, for use in connection with a data processing system such as a computer, is disclosed. The input device provides a more direct and natural relationship between the control movements of an operator and the output from the data processing system.

Abstract: A haptic device comprises an actuator and a mass. The actuator has a shaft. The actuator is elastically coupled to the mass and/or a base.

Abstract: In a method for driving a liquid crystal display apparatus in which in each field, scan lines are successively scanned in order to display an image, the scanning sequence or the polarity of a signal voltage is reversed between a first field and a second field. A liquid crystal display apparatus driven by the method is also disclosed. It is possible to provide a high contrast, high brightness liquid crystal display apparatus which is not affected by electrical asymmetry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a gray level for a display panel driven by a plurality of scan line signals and a plurality of data line signals is characterized in that some bits of the respective data are pulse amplitude modulated and the other bits are pulse width modulated (PWM) so as to control the gray level for the display panel.

Abstract: A photowriting display device which is capable of performing bright full color display and a photowriting display apparatus which incorporates the photowriting display device and on which the pen moving operation is directly reflected as information to be displayed. A photowriting display device is disclosed which incorporates: an electrochromic display member incorporating a photoconductor in which only regions irradiated with writing light generate carriers to realize conductivity; an electrochromic layer in which light absorption of the regions are reversibly changed owing to electrochemical oxidation and reduction reactions caused to occur due to the conductivity; an electrolyte in which the electrochromic layers are laminated or an electrochromic material is dissolved; and a pair of electrodes laminated through the photoconductor, the electrochromic layer and the electrolyte. A plurality of the electrochromic display members are laminated.

Abstract: To provide an environment-compliant image display system, a presentation system, an image processing method, and a program, a colored-light information processing section 140 is used to create XYZ values that take into account a visual environment, based on colored-light information (more precisely, RGB or XYZ tristimulus values) that has been measured by a colored-light sensor 60, and a profile management section 130 is used to correct the input-output profiles of the projector.

Abstract: An apparatus to determine and apply a voltage to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix. During ordinary scan cycles, a conduction voltage is sensed while the elements conduct a selected current. While not conducting the selected current, the sensed conduction voltage is averaged with other conduction voltages, and based on the averaged voltage a precharge voltage is provided during a precharge period of the scan cycle.

Abstract: A reference voltage generation circuit outputs multi-valued reference voltages by a ladder resistance circuit connected between a first power supply line to which a power supply voltage on the high potential side is supplied and a second power supply line to which a power supply voltage on the low potential side is supplied. The ladder resistance circuit is formed by connecting a plurality of resistance circuits in series. A first impedance variable circuit of the reference voltage generation circuit changes a first impedance value (resistance value) between the first power supply line and a jth (j is an integer) divided node. A second impedance variable circuit in the reference voltage generation circuit changes a second impedance value (resistance value) between the kth (1?j<k?i, k is an integer) divided node and the second power supply line.

Abstract: A method to determine and apply a voltage to precharge current-driven elements in a matrix. During ordinary scan cycles, a conduction voltage is sensed while the elements conduct a selected current. While not conducting the selected current, the sensed conduction voltage is averaged with other conduction voltages, and based on the averaged voltage a precharge voltage is provided during a precharge period of the scan cycle.

Abstract: A wide range-inputable touch panel is provided which allows a larger amount of input operations to be made with one display operation on a screen, in which at least one bus bar and a transparent electrode on a conductive panel fronting the bus bar though spaces formed in an adhesive layer cut out from an outer edge side thereof face each other so as to be capable of making electrical contact with each other by a press.

Abstract: A display is backlit by a source having spatially modulated luminance to attenuate illumination of dark areas of images and increase the dynamic range of the display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a presentation device which is primarily designed for advising customers while conducting visits outside of the office. A laptop computer with a detachable keyboard (1) has a second display screen (5) located under the same. A primary display screen (2) can be pivoted around an angle of at least 220° so that, during a presentation, two people located opposite one another can each view a display screen. The presentation device can also be used as a conventional laptop.

Abstract: A display system includes a display panel having an array of pixels, the pixels having ON states and OFF states. The pixels form images by modulating light in a temporal sequence during an image frame in response to drive signals generated from incoming video data. A light source arrangement that emits at least two colors of light illuminates the display panel. The image frame is divided into color segments with only one color of light being emitted from the light source during each segment. The color segments are further divided into grayscale periods. Transition segments are provided for the transitions between colors. The state of each pixel during these transition segments is a function of the desired brightness level for each pixel, as derived from incoming video data.

Abstract: Mechanisms for a control knob or other interface device providing additional degrees of freedom for the knob. One embodiment provides a rotatable knob moveable also in a lateral plane approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A mechanism providing the lateral motion can include a gate member and a plunger member that engages grooves in the gate member. A rotational sensor detects a rotational position and a lateral sensor can detect a lateral position of the knob. Another embodiment provides an actuator that includes a shaft that is coaxial with the axis of rotation and which can be moved linearly along the axis of rotation with respect to actuator housing to accommodate linear motion of the knob. In another embodiment, a gear assembly including two interlocked gears is provided to transmit rotational motion from the knob to the sensor, and the interlocked gears translate with respect to each other when the knob is translated along the rotational axis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multilayer substrate for use in touchscreen and touch sensor applications. The substrate, including a microsheet, a polymer sheet, and a plate supports the propagation of acoustic waves, including Love waves and Rayleigh-like waves. The microsheet and plate may be fabricated from glass, metal, or other suitable materials depending on the desired application for the touchscreen. The polymer sheet may be fabricated from polystyrene, polyacrylates, polyether sulfones, or polycyclic olefins. The disclosed touchscreen substrates are thin but durable and have increased touch sensitivity with decreased sensitivity to water and other surface contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for entering information into an electronic device are provided. The apparatus (200) includes five text-input buttons (102, etc) that can be activated by pressing or by touching. In one embodiment, the buttons are located on a disk (302). Text is entered by pressing or touching a single text-input button and then passing a finger or thumb over additional buttons in a prescribed order. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with additional input devices, such as an ‘accept’ or ‘OK’ button. Four navigation buttons (104, etc) are also provided. In one embodiment, these are additional buttons. In a further embodiment, four of the five text-input buttons are selectable as navigation buttons. The selection may be achieved by rotation of the disk (302) on which the buttons are located. The apparatus may also include a rotatable wheel or roller (108) to permit scrolling through lists. The apparatus may be used to enter navigation (command), text or number information.

Abstract: A system and method for driving a flat panel display are provided. The system includes a register connected to a latch having outputs connected to logic circuits which correspond to the electrodes. Each logic circuit is also connected to the register, and generates control signals based on the next state and the current state of the corresponding electrode. Each logic circuit is configured such that upon an activation signal, the logic circuit control signals connect the change up driver to electrodes having a low current state and a high next state, and connect the change down driver to electrodes having a high current state and a low next state.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for software contrast control and a portable computer implementing software contrast control. The contrast control is initiated by a single interaction with an input mechanism, for example a pressing of a dedicated contrast control button. The method can be applied more generally to viewing parameters other than contrast such as brightness, color bit depth, color versus monochrome, and screen resolution. The method includes a processor disposed in the portable computer receiving an activation signal from a button or other input mechanism, and displaying viewing parameter adjustment graphics on the image screen. The method continues with the processor receiving a viewing parameter adjustment signal and responding to the adjustment signal by adjusting the viewing parameter levels for the image screen to levels based on the adjustment graphics.

Abstract: A source driver 4A arranged on a liquid crystal panel includes therein in-chip reference voltage wires 17 extending from one end to the other end of an LSI chip. The source driver 4A includes therein: branch reference voltage wires 17a branching off from in-chip reference voltage wires 17; reference voltage production buffers 31; a control circuit 30 for controlling the reference voltage production buffers 31; a reference voltage production resistor section 32 for subdividing the reference voltage into values of n steps; voltage level selection circuits 34 each for selecting one of the subdivided voltages; and output buffers 35. Since the reference voltages are supplied to each source driver 4 via wiring for connecting the in-chip reference voltage wires 17 in series with one another, the wiring structure for supplying the reference voltages can be simplified.