Patents Examined by Regina D. Liang
  • Patent number: 5805120
    Abstract: A head-up display apparatus includes a display device for displaying various items of information and a combiner provided in front of an eye of a viewer in a visual field of the viewer, which combiner allows an outside image lying in the visual field to be passed through it and which reflects an image displayed by the display device so that the outside image passed (transmitted) through the combiner and the displayed image reflected thereby are integrated in the same visual field of the viewer, the combiner being configured to be of a substantially spherical shape with a concave surface facing the viewer, and the display device being provided in such a position that a display can be directly observable from the outside through the combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamada, Eiji Takuma
  • Patent number: 5805131
    Abstract: To compensate for the variation of the transmission-voltage characteristic curve due to temperature changes in a ferro-electric display device, the display device is provided with one or more measuring elements (5) for measuring the polarization current. The drive voltages are corrected by means of the polarization current which is used as a feedback parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Wilbert J. A. M. Hartmann, Franciscus H. A. Lathouwers
  • Patent number: 5786811
    Abstract: Operator interaction with electrical systems is facilitated by providing electromechanical control devices, which have switch buttons, rotary knobs or the like, with flat panel displays that convey information pertaining to the controls that can be changed instantly by a display controller. The display may identify the function of the control, the current setting, create calibration marks or provide other graphics. The images change automatically if the same control is used for multiple functions. In one form of the invention, the display screen has openings in the image area and the controls extend through and protrude from the screen enabling display of graphics in close proximity to the controls. In another form, the settings of controls which are secured to the face of a display screen are optically or magnetically detected by sensors located behind the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Intertactile Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Denny Jaeger
  • Patent number: 5734362
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for adjusting the brightness of an image signal having digital pixel values to produce brightness adjusted output pixel values is provided with an adder and lower and upper clamp circuits. The adder adds a brightness value to the digital pixel values of the image signal to produce adjusted pixel values and a carry-out signal. The lower clamp circuit clamps the adjusted pixel values to a lowest output pixel value when the carry-out signal and the brightness value indicate that addition of the brightness value to the digital pixel values produces adjusted pixel values below the lowest output pixel value. The upper clamp circuit clamps the adjusted pixel values to a highest output pixel value when the carry-out signal and the brightness value indicate that addition of the brightness value to the digital pixel values produces adjusted pixel values above the highest output pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Julian Eglit
  • Patent number: 5731808
    Abstract: An ergonomic computer keyboard is specially designed to allow a user to alter the line of key stroke in multiple directions. The keyboard housing is divided into three separate sections, and each section is connected to another by means of a cable. The dividing of the keyboard into three separate sections provides for a first adjustable positioning of the keys for the comfort of the user. A further adjustable positioning is facilitated by the shape of the keyboard housing since the housing is angled upwardly and is concave so that it curves up in the back. The keys are mounted perpendicular to it, and this has the effect of raising the keys at the back of the keyboard to a higher and more easily usable angle. A third adjustment of key stroke is afforded by the slidable displacement of the concavely-shaped keyboard upwardly or downwardly through the use of releasable fasteners so as to further vary key stroke alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph A. Gaither
  • Patent number: 5726683
    Abstract: An improved ergonomic computer mouse is provided. The ergonomic mouse allows for the operator's hand to remain in a relaxed position in as near a state of repose as possible while operating the mouse. The shape of the mouse reduces several of the known high risk postures during mouse use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Midas Mouse International Pty.
    Inventors: Mark Goldstein, Elizabeth Cecelia Goldstein
  • Patent number: 5724057
    Abstract: The generation of flicker is prevented when the contrast of a displayed image is changed. The amplitude of the data voltage whose polarity is inverted at a timing synchronized with the display cycle of an image is changed based on the tone and the designed contrast. At the same time, the position (center) of 0 V relative to the amplitude of the data voltage is offset a larger amount as the contrast increases. This corrects a change V in voltage between the electrodes under the influence of the parasitic capacity of a TFT when the TFT is turned off, so that the voltage between the electrodes is also turned off despite the polarity of the data voltage applied to the liquid crystal, even when the designated contrast is relatively high and the amplitude of the data voltage is relatively small, and even when the designated contrast is relatively low and the amplitude of the data voltage is relatively large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kimura, Satoru Nishi, Takahiro Onodera
  • Patent number: 5724065
    Abstract: A method, system and program for displaying data in a panel with output fields which are insufficiently long to display some data. A panel with data in a plurality of output fields is displayed, in one preferred embodiment, the data is displayed in matrix form. A first data displayed in a truncated manner in a first output field insufficiently long to fully display the first data. If the first output field is selected, a first location on the display is determined at which a first floating output field sufficiently long to display the first data will not overlap any significant feature of the panel and the first floating output field is displayed at this location. An indicia is displayed in any output field to indicate that the data is displayed therein in a truncated manner. If subsequent output fields are selected containing truncated data, their floating output fields are located so that they do not overlap any previous floating output field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: David Yu Chang, Shih-Gong Li
  • Patent number: 5724062
    Abstract: A high resolution, high brightness, full color display is provided having a liquid crystal pixel selectably addressable during a predetermined time period, a set of at least one red, one green, and one blue color light emitting diodes positioned adjacent the liquid crystal pixel for emitting light through the liquid crystal pixel, and means connected to the liquid crystal pixel for addressing the liquid crystal pixel a plurality of times during the predetermined time period for each color so as to provide persistence when changes in color are perceived by the human eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Cree Research, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Eric Hunter
  • Patent number: 5719594
    Abstract: A method and system in a data processing system are disclosed for improving video sequence image resolution when creating an enlarged final image from an initial image included within the video sequence. An enlargement factor is determined for creating a final image having a final image size from an initial image having an initial image size, where the enlargement factor is the quotient of the final image size divided by the initial image size. An intermediate factor is established to optimize the image resolution and minimizing the hardware required to produce the image. In response to the enlargement factor being less than the intermediate factor, the final image is created from the initial image utilizing the enlargement factor and bilinear interpolation. In response to the enlargement factor being greater than the intermediate factor, an intermediate image is created. The intermediate image has an intermediate size which is greater than the initial image size and less than the final image size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Brahmaji Potu
  • Patent number: 5717428
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable computer keyboard capable of operation in three distinct modes: stand-alone mode, automatic mode and a conventional mode. In stand-alone mode, information entered is stored in an on-board memory buffer, and may be edited by using a set of predetermined editing keys in conjunction with a display mounted on the device. In automatic mode, the contents of the on-board memory buffer are transmitted, by a keystroke emulation technique, to an attached host computer via a conventional keyboard connector cable. In the conventional keyboard mode, keystrokes entered are transmitted directly to an attached host computer. The keyboard of the invention may be operated in connection with a plurality of different host computers, and includes host detection and host identification to facilitate operation with such a plurality of different host computers. Also disclosed is a power conservation technique where the device enter a dwell or sleep mode when waiting to process keystrokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Intelligent Peripheral Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Barrus, Ketan D. Kothari
  • Patent number: 5717416
    Abstract: A display apparatus operable for displaying actual three-dimensional moving images is provided. The display apparatus includes a stepper motor having an elongated rotatable shaft, a plurality of display structures spaced along the length of the rotatable shaft, each of the display structures including a light-emitting element, and a control assembly for controlling the illumination of the light-emitting elements of the respective display structures for generating three-dimensional displays of moving images thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Kansas
    Inventor: Swapan Chakrabarti
  • Patent number: 5714980
    Abstract: A compact pointing device of a novel constitution featuring high operability. A disk-like operation unit 4 is disposed on the PC substrate 8 via an annular resilient stopper 7. Magnets 11, 12, 13 and 14 are arranged on the lower surface of the operation unit 4 along the circumference thereof maintaining an angle of 90 degrees. Hall elements 15, 16, 17 and 18 are arranged on the upper surface of the PC substrate 8 opposed to the magnets 11, 12, 13 and 14. A processing circuit is mounted on the PC substrate 8 to convert the changes in the output voltages of the Hall elements 15, 16, 17 and 18 into moving amounts of the cursor in the predetermined directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanobu Niino
  • Patent number: 5714977
    Abstract: A video processing system for use in creating apparent three dimensional movement of a two dimensional video image on a display screen 20. At least one set of axes is displayed on the image to be moved. A computer 24, in response to signals from a user operated stylus 21 and touch tablet 22, controls the manipulation of image data in an image store 26 to control apparent rotation of the image about, and/or linear movement along, an axis selected by the user. In the described embodiment several sets of linked axes are defined. Rotation or linear movement with respect to an axis is controlled respectively by selecting a marker identifying the axes or a line representing the axis. Selection is made by way of a cursor under the control of the stylus and touch tablet. The system can also display a line representing the user defined movement of e.g. the center of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Quantel Limited
    Inventor: Ian Mc Neil
  • Patent number: 5712661
    Abstract: Operator interaction with electrical systems is facilitated by providing electromechanical control devices, which have switch buttons, rotary knobs or the like, with flat panel displays that convey information pertaining to the controls that can be changed instantly by a display controller. The display may identify the function of the control, the current setting, create calibration marks or provide other graphics. The images change automatically if the same control is used for multiple functions. In one form of the invention, the display screen has openings in the image area and the controls extend through and protrude from the screen enabling display of graphics in close proximity to the controls. In another form, the settings of controls which are secured to the face of a display screen are optically or magnetically detected by sensors located behind the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Intertactile Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Denny Jaeger
  • Patent number: 5712665
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) for use in MPEG decoding includes d devices each having r rows and c columns with b bits per cell and p samples, where b*d is divisible by 8 and r*c is larger than a sum of upstream buffers in bytes and either 2 or 3 times 1.5*1*p divided by (b*d/8). First and second reference picture components are organized first along a depth axis (d) and then along rows (r) with complete lines of a component occupying the same row with the memory region occupied by each component being rectangular and third reference signal components are organized first along a depth axis and then along rows and occupying a largest possible part of each row in multiples of 8*(8/(b*d)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Zoran Microelectronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Refael Retter, Moshe Bublil, Gad Shavit, Aharon Gill
  • Patent number: 5710572
    Abstract: When images of several frames captured by an image sensing device such as an electronic still-video camera are displayed on a display unit, the images are made easier to view by rotating each image in conformity with the inclination of the horizontal scanning direction of the camera, with respect to the horizontal, which prevailed when the image was captured. Several frames of compressed image data stored in a memory card or external storage unit are decompressed by a compression/expansion circuit and then stored in a compression/expansion memory. The stored compressed image data thus is read out by a thin-out/rotation circuit and the data is then thinned out, processed for movement to a designated position and processed for rotation based on angle data. The processed image data is stored in a display memory. Under the control of a display control circuit, the display unit displays the image data that has been stored in the display memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaname Nihei
  • Patent number: 5708452
    Abstract: An LED display device and a method for controlling the same have been proposed which comprises at least an LED matrix circuit in which LEDs are arranged in a matrix fashion, an analogue switch for respectively selecting analogue display data for respective rows in said LED matrix circuit, a sample hold circuit for sample-holding the display data selected by the analogue switch, a driver for driving and controlling the LEDs in corresponding rows of the LED matrix circuit based on the display data being sample-held, and a counter and a decoder for generating a switching signal of the analogue switch. According to this configuration, a gradation display of the LEDs is executed by virtue of the display data as analogue signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Nozomu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5706027
    Abstract: A force and torque converter provides an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque. The converter includes a base, a movable member that provides movement relative to the base in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque, a controlling mechanism, and a detection circuit. The controlling mechanism has a plurality of resilient mechanisms, connected to the base and co-acting with the movable member, that provide at least one of a restoring force and a restoring torque to the movable member in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque. The controlling mechanism further includes a restraining member, disposed within the movable member, that restrains the movable member when the movable member is in contact with the restraining member. The detection circuit co-acts with the controlling mechanism, to detect the movement of the movable member relative to the base, and provide the electronic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Spacetec IMC Corporation
    Inventors: John Hilton, Stephan Roundtree, Hal Avery
  • Patent number: 5703621
    Abstract: An array of light control units has an area large enough to present images for direct viewing. The array also has light control units sufficiently dense that ordinary acuity artifacts are not noticeable in presented images when the array is directly viewed at usual viewing distances by a human with normal vision. Signal circuitry can provide signals to the light control units. The array can present an image that includes M colors, where M is more than three, even though each light control unit can only cause presentation of one of a segment with one of a set of N colors, where N is less than M. Data defining an input image with M colors are used to obtain data defining an output image that is a version of the input image but includes, for each light control unit, a color data item indicating one of its set of N colors. The signal circuitry provides signals to the light control units so that each light control unit presents a segment with the color indicated by its color data item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Russel A. Martin, Richard H. Bruce, Victor M. DaCosta, Thomas G. Fiske, Alan G. Lewis, Louis D. Silverstein, Hugo L. Steemers, Malcolm J. Thompson, William D. Turner