Patents Examined by Tammy Pham
  • Patent number: 7808479
    Abstract: An ambidextrous mouse is disclosed. The ambidextrous mouse is configured for both left and right handed use. The mouse may include right handed buttons on the front side of the mouse and left handed buttons on the back side of the mouse. The user may change the handedness of the mouse by rotating the mouse about a vertical axis of the mouse such that the left hand can use the left hand buttons and the right hand can use the right hand buttons. The mouse may include a handedness selection system for configuring the mouse for right handed or left handed use even though the mouse has the capability for both right and left hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Hotelling, Brian Huppi
  • Patent number: 7786961
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same are provided. A liquid crystal display device includes a driving circuit that includes a data driver that is inputted with a m-bit data signal. The data driver is operative to extract a n-bit data signal from the m-bit data signal and a (m-n)-bit data signal, and adjust a gray level of the (m-n)-bit data signal using the n-bit data signal. A liquid crystal panel includes a pixel that is supplied with the (m-n)-bit data signal during a plurality of frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: LG. Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Mo Yoon, Bu-Yeol Lee
  • Patent number: 7750872
    Abstract: A method for driving a flat-type display device which includes a cathode panel having first electrodes and second electrodes and an anode panel, the cathode panel and the anode panel having spacers is provided. The method includes the steps of: in the non-display operation period of the flat-type display device, determining a normalized first current from a first current by non-display-driving the electron emitter areas near the spacers, and determining a normalized second current from a second current by non-display-driving the electron emitter areas which are not near the spacers; and in the actual display operation period of the flat-type display device, setting the driving conditions for the electron emitter areas on the basis of the normalized first current and normalized second current so that the electron emission conditions in the electron emitter areas near the spacers and not near the spacers are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinobu Iguchi, Hiroyuki Ikeda, Yasuhito Hatano, Kunihiko Nagamine
  • Patent number: 7667679
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display, a method for determining a dynamic capacitance compensation (DCC) gray level, and a method for correcting a gamma value of the liquid crystal display are provided. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel, a gate driver, a data driver, a gray scale voltage provider, and a DCC gray level provider consisting of a DCC gray scale voltage generator and a DCC processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bong-im Park, Woo-chul Kim
  • Patent number: 7609228
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic keystone correction system and method. The system includes a projection means to project an image on a projection surface and a means for selecting a maximally distorted corner on the image. And the system includes means for moving the maximally distorted corner from a first to a second position and means for distorting image data responsive to the moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Pixelworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Tianbing Brian Teng
  • Patent number: 7598937
    Abstract: A display panel is disclosed. The display units with the same position at odd rows and even rows are electrically coupled to different data lines, such that most of the time each of the data lines on the display panel is maintained on a single polarity, respectively. Accordingly, the swing voltage of the data lines on the display panel is reduced when scanning an image, such that the power consumption of the display panel is further reduced in order to achieve the object of saving power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Che-Li Lin, Chang-San Chen
  • Patent number: 7589706
    Abstract: Drive method and pixel circuits comprising a direct current path between a scan electrode and a data electrode are disclosed. Preferred embodiments of said pixel circuit are provided for the application to convert current signal received from a data electrode to voltage signal for current-control drive. In such preferred embodiments, light emitting device displays are operated in current-control mode without being influenced by variations in threshold voltage of transistor and forward voltage of light emitting element. Further extension and applications are described. Preferred embodiments leading to three-transistor solution of such operation are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Chen-Jean Chou
  • Patent number: 7576735
    Abstract: A power circuit outputs and applies an AC voltage and a DC voltage to respective terminals of a capacitor, so as to obtain an AC output voltage shifted in accordance with the DC voltage component. The power circuit comprises a first voltage adjuster for outputting an AC voltage and a first DC voltage, and a second voltage adjuster for outputting a second DC voltage. For a predetermined duration after turning on power, the power circuit supplies the first DC voltage from the first voltage adjuster and the second DC voltage from the second voltage adjuster, for application to respective terminals of the capacitor. After the predetermined duration has passed, the power circuit changes the voltage output from the first voltage adjuster to the AC voltage, and supplies the AC voltage and the second DC voltage for application to the respective terminals of the capacitor. With this arrangement, a required potential can be quickly achieved at the time of turning on power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuji Yamamoto, Kazunori Nohara, Tomoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7564431
    Abstract: A method for recovering electric energy of a plasma display panel (PDP) by controlling two recovery units respectively connected to two sides of the PDP is introduced. The method includes forming series resonance loops within corresponding periods of a working period so that a capacitor of one of the two recovery units is charging twice, where it is charged once by the PDP and is also charged by another capacitor of the other one recovery unit; and controlling the two capacitors of the two recovery units to respectively charge the PDP within proper periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Hsiu Lin, Han-Yu Chao
  • Patent number: 7545365
    Abstract: A touch sensor comprises a substrate capable of propagating acoustic waves. The substrate includes a first surface having a touch sensitive region and a first sidewall intersecting the first surface at a first edge. A transmitter is provided on the first sidewall of the substrate. The transmitter generates acoustic waves that propagate directly from the first sidewall through at least a portion of the touch sensitive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Joel C. Kent, Paulo I. Gomes
  • Patent number: 7535450
    Abstract: A circuit (10) for reducing errors due to adjacent pixel interdependence in a liquid crystal display includes a decomposer (12) for dividing an input signal into a plurality of signals having at least a high brightness signal and a low brightness signal, a delay match circuit (14) for the high brightness signal a split low pass filter arrangement (25) for the low brightness signal, and a combiner (24) for combining the delay matched high brightness signal and the filtered low brightness signal to provide an output, wherein the output signal has reduced sparkle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Donald Henry Willis
  • Patent number: 7535465
    Abstract: A method and system is provided to display media content data for playback on a playback device. The system may include a playback unit and a remote control device. The playback unit may include a media content data storage communication interface to communicate with a media storage device thereby to receive the media content data. Further, the playback unit may include a display data processor to process the media content data and generate display metrics based on the media content data, and a bi-directional remote control communication interface. The remote control device may be used to select the digital media for playback on the playback device and include a complemental remote control communication interface communication with the communication interface of the playback unit. Further, the remote control device may include a display screen, and a display rendering module to display the media content data on the display screen based on the display metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Lee Morse, David Beauchesne
  • Patent number: 7508372
    Abstract: A control device includes a roller configured to rotate and tilt; a roller support coupled to the roller, wherein the roller is configured to rotate relative to the roller support; the first hinge disposed adjacent to a first end of the roller support; and a second hinge disposed adjacent to a second end of the roller support, wherein the first end and the second end are substantially opposite ends of the roller support, the second hinge is above the first hinge, and the first hinge and the second hinge are configured to provide tilting support for the roller and roller support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventor: Christian M. Blandin
  • Patent number: 7508381
    Abstract: In an on-board display apparatus, a transmission type display device is provided in front, displays a touch switch display when necessary, and operates as a touch panel. The transmission type display device can be turned to be transparent, and an image display device is provided rearward of the transparent portion. Since the display screen of the image display device toward the back, the visual range is long, and visibility can be improved. Since the display screen of the image display device and the display screen of the transmission type display device are not on the same plane, even if the touch switch display is touched by a finger, an image can be seen, and a pointer can be displayed on the display screen of the image display device in a position corresponding to the touched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Matsumura, Hiroyuki Asada, Takashi Ota, Takeshi Konuma, Yasuhiro Sakakibara, Akiyoshi Nagano, Etsuo Ozawa, Minoru Shibata
  • Patent number: 7499021
    Abstract: A haptic input device comprises a hexapod or pentapod parallel linkage mechanism with force feedback effected by proportional control of magneto-restrictive fluid brakes constraining the measurement of the struts of the mechanism, through their base nodes. In the pentapod version of the haptic data input device, a haptic stylus is employed which includes an annular compliant feature that can be squeezed and whose squeeze pressure can be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Makex Limited
    Inventor: Ralph-Peter Steven Bailey
  • Patent number: 7495638
    Abstract: This invention provides a continuous display with non-uniform pixel density, forming a foveated display. A single, continuous display has a higher pixel density at the center of the display than at the periphery of the display. Where two continuous displays are used in accordance with the present invention, the central forward gaze of the viewer's image will be displayed in high resolution while the leftmost portion of the left eye display will be in low resolution and the rightmost portion of the right eye display will be in low resolution. The pixel resolution of the visual display may correspond to the visual acuity of the human eye. A foveated image display system using a continuous display with non-uniform pixel density increases the field of view while reducing the image bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Research Triangle Institute
    Inventors: Michael K. Lamvik, Gary E. McGuire, John S. Lewis, III
  • Patent number: 7468713
    Abstract: A method of driving a plasma display panel including discharge cells, each at an intersection of a scan electrode and a sustain electrode, and a data electrode. One field period is divided into a plurality of sub-fields, each having an initializing period, writing period, and sustaining period. The sustaining period of at least one sub-field has a first sustaining period and second sustaining period. In the first sustaining period, a sustain pulse has a first leading edge duration. In the second sustaining period, the sustain pulse has a second leading edge duration shorter than the first leading edge duration. The second sustaining period is included at least at the end of the sustaining period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Ogawa, Shigeo Kigo, Kenji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7417626
    Abstract: A computer receives data from a keyboard having one or more keys which cause generation of keyboard data that quantitatively describe the relative force applied to those keys. The keyboard data are transmitted in an HID report containing identifiers for one or more keys that have been pressed and force data for each key. The force data may be a multi-bit value quantifying the key force, or a null indicator signaling that the key is not force-sensing. Keyboard data messages are then prepared which identify keys pressed, contain force data, and may indicate whether the force data updates previous force data. Force updates are only provided to application programs registering for key force data. In other aspects of the invention, key repeat messages are automatically generated for a key held pressed by a user. The key repeat messages are generated at a rate controlled by the amount of force applied to the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Randall E. Aull, Firdosh K. Bhesania, Michael William John McCracken, Hirofumi Yamamoto, Steven N. Bathiche, Timothy T. Brewer
  • Patent number: 7379045
    Abstract: A line driver circuit, an electro-optic device, and a display apparatus efficiently reduce cost by reducing process dimensions and effectively shorten display panel development turn-around time by simplifying the reconfiguration of output voltages. The liquid crystal apparatus 10 has an LCD panel 20, a signal driver 30, a scan driver 50, and a power supply circuit 80, each of which is controlled by an LCD controller 60. Signal driver 30 contains an interface unit 200 for converting a first voltage specified for a low voltage process to a second voltage specified for a high voltage process. The interface circuitry within interface unit 200 is made up devices using a medium voltage process. Interface unit 200 receives and converts low voltage signals (i.e. first voltage level) supplied from LCD controller 60 to high voltage signals (i.e. second voltage level), and supplies the level-shifted voltage signal to scan driver 50 or power supply circuit 80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Morita
  • Patent number: 7365732
    Abstract: An electrophoretic display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite each other, a dielectric liquid filled in a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, a plurality of charged electrophoretic particles dispersed in the dielectric liquid, a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on the first substrate to define a pixel, a partition wall disposed on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate between adjacent pixels to prevent migration of the charged electrophoretic particles between the adjacent pixels, and a third electrode disposed adjacent to the partition wall. The charged electrophoretic particles migrate at least between a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode, and between the surface of the first electrode and a side surface of the partition wall where the third electrode is disposed to thereby switch displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yojiro Matsuda, Etsuro Kishi