Patents Examined by Regina D. Liang
  • Patent number: 5654737
    Abstract: Two channels of output of sequences of digital still images are input to a DYE system which has pipelined memory circuits rather than frame buffers. The DVE system includes a DVE unit which performs arbitrary three-dimensional, digital video effects on the two channels of input to provide a composite output sequence. The DVE system thus operates on sequences of digital still images rather than video signals. The DVE system is also adapted to prevent output upon receipt of a control signal, which may indicate that an output pipeline is full. The DVE system also provides a control signal to prevent input when it cannot receive input or it is not providing output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Der, Barry Horne, Jeffrey Kurtze
  • Patent number: 5650774
    Abstract: A remote control access system which may be in the form of a security system or a convenience system for buildings and vehicles to thereby enable access opening and closing of buildings and vehicles. The system is operable on a remote control basis and comprises one or more hand held remote transmitters and a receiver unit located at or near the building or in the vehicle. The receiver is operable in conjunction with a control unit which contains a microprocessor capable of performing control functions and decoding functions. The remote control access system is unique in that it enables the user to electronically program into or delete from the receiver a digital code or so-called encoding signal from any of a plurality of transmitters. Each transmitter may contain not only different numbers of digital codes, but also a code generated by an entirely different method of encoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Clifford Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ze'ev Drori
  • Patent number: 5650795
    Abstract: In an electron source comprising a base plate and an electron emitting element disposed on the base plate, the electron emitting element includes a plurality of electron emitting portions electrically connected in parallel, the electrical connection being made through a thermally cut-off member. After forming the plurality of electron emitting portions, their electron emission characteristics are checked and, for that electron emitting portion on which the electron emission characteristic has been found not normal, the electrical connection is cut off. Alternatively, the electron emitting element includes an electron emitting portion connected to a voltage supply through a thermally cut-off member, and an electron emitting portion forming film which includes a thermally connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Banno, Seishiro Yoshioka, Ichiro Nomura, Hidetoshi Suzuki, Tetsuya Kaneko, Toshihiko Takeda
  • Patent number: 5648798
    Abstract: The present invention, functioning as either a mouse, trackball, or combination of both, allows the user to achieve a truly neutral operating position. This positioning, preferred by occupational therapists, forms the basis of the numerous ergonomic advantages of the invention. The invention permits neutral positioning by providing a formed hand support pad on top of a lower housing on which the side of the user's hand rests. Thus the invention is passively held by the weight of the user's hand and may be moved across the work surface without the constant stress of holding the device. An adjustable upper housing, mounted on the lower housing, is shaped and positioned to fit comfortably within the vertical palm of the user's hand. The upper housing contains the mouse buttons and trackball and is adjustable about an axis perpendicular to the work surface to allow use of the invention by right and left hand users having a variety of hand sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Daniel T. Hamling
  • Patent number: 5648795
    Abstract: A method of resetting the screen display mode in a computer system having a display monitor is disclosed. The method is arranged to reset the display mode while a designated operating system such as a windowing environment based operating system is running, without requiring the operating system or any currently running application(s) to be exited and reloaded. The method includes the step of receiving a user initiated input requesting a change in the display mode. After a display mode request is received, the operating system display characteristic variables are reset to values that are appropriate for the requested display mode. Additionally, the display driver display characteristic variables are reset to values that are appropriate for the requested display mode. Moreover, the hardware mode is set to a mode that is appropriate for the requested display mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Binar Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Vouri, Paul Jerome Higgins
  • Patent number: 5646649
    Abstract: In a unit body of a portable information terminal is assembled a display and a pressure-sensitive input device overlying the display. An opening and closing cover is attached to the unit body for covering the pressure-sensitive input device. An operating button device provided in the cover exposes, when the cover is closed, its operating surface from the surface of the cover. The operating button device exerts a pressing force applied to the operating surface onto the surface of the pressure-sensitive input device. Thus, with the cover closed, major function entry or data entry can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Iwata, Jiro Nakasu, Makoto Takemoto
  • Patent number: 5644335
    Abstract: The invention relates to the graphic reproduction of symbols on an imaging surface. These symbols can be controlled as regards position and/or scale. They are reproduced as successions of brightness values arranged in image lines. As a result of the use of brightness values between levels occurring in an ideal brightness profile of the symbol (for example, only black and white), high-resolution details are reproduced. In accordance with the invention, boundaries between successive image lines are used to reproduce transitions between the brightness levels as sharply as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Pieter M. Mielekamp
  • Patent number: 5644338
    Abstract: A keyboard to be used on an operators lap that separates to relieve stress in an operators neck and wrists. The keyboard has a flat surface between the keyboard sides, so while being held on a persons lap, will hold reference material and a second party pointing device that can be used with either hand to keep the neck straight. A notebook computer with keyboards that open up on each side so the operators hands are separated. The keyboards can slide closed or fold closed, and when folded, interleave so full size keys can be used and facilitate a more compact design, and can be unfolded so the keyboards slant down below the computer or keyboard to centralize the computer on a persons lap, and reduce the twist between the hand and wrist. The keyboard includes a device to turn all visual indication of computer operation off to be used in a secure no light area with a speaker to give verbal enunciated messages in response to the keyboard and from a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: James H. Bowen
  • Patent number: 5627561
    Abstract: An electrophoretic display having a plurality of individual characters which are individually addressable for writing and erasing. The anode of the display has a plurality of character blocks which correspond to the character positions of the display. The character blocks are interconnected by a series of character column and row control lines which are insulated from each other. Each character block is connected to one row line and one column line, respectively, by a resistor and a diode which are arranged in parallel. A further resistor is connected in series with the diode. An individual character block is erased by applying a negative voltage to the specific column line and row line which cross at the desired character block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Copytele, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Laspina, Edward G. Lewit
  • Patent number: 5619225
    Abstract: A liquid-crystal display apparatus which improves horizontal and vertical resolutions and is capable of displaying a high-quality image free from flicker is provided. Pixels of each color are arranged in a delta form, color selected from the pixels of each color is connected to a column data line, at least one memory circuit is disposed in correspondence with the selected color, and image information is supplied to each pixel in such a way that the image information is distributed to the upper and lower portions of the column data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5617117
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of an input device for inputting coordinates that is natural to operate. In the present invention, coordinate input device outputs one- or higher-dimensional coordinates of an object placed in close proximity thereto or in contact therewith, and pressed or not-pressed information indicating whether said object is pressed or not pressed thereon. Cursor generating device accepts at its inputs the coordinates and the pressed or not-pressed information output from the coordinate input device, repositions the cursor in accordance with the input coordinates, and outputs an image with the external appearance of the cursor changed in accordance with the pressed or not-pressed information. Further, image generating device outputs a synthesized image synthesized by combining an image output from the cursor generating device and an image input at an image input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuteru Kataoka, Takeshi Imanaka, Atsushi Tanaka, Sozo Yamamoto