Patents by Inventor Benjamin E. Norman

Benjamin E. Norman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9465441
    Abstract: An optical navigation device, including a radiation source capable of producing a beam of radiation; a sensor for receiving an image; and an optical element for identifying movement of an object on a first surface to thereby enable a control action to be carried out. The optical element is such that a whole of the imaged area of the first surface is substantially covered by the object in normal use. The device is operable to receive from the object on the first surface an input describing a pattern, to compare the received pattern to a stored reference pattern and to perform a predetermined function if the received pattern and stored reference pattern are substantially similar. The pattern may be a continuous line, the device being operable to store the continuous line as a set of turning points in chronological order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Benjamin E. Norman
  • Patent number: 9235984
    Abstract: A remote control device includes first and second pointing devices, wherein each pointing device is provided in a different plane, for the provision of flexible and ergonomic user commands. The first pointing device may be provided on an upper surface of a remote control housing (in a first plane) while the second pointing device may be provided on a lower surface of the remote control housing (in a second plane). In this configuration, a user's thumb may engage the first pointing device which the user's finger engages the second pointing device. Combinations of thumb and finger movement are detected through the pointing devices and interpreted to generate remote control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Raynor, Benjamin E. Norman
  • Publication number: 20130307676
    Abstract: A remote control device includes first and second pointing devices, wherein each pointing device is provided in a different plane, for the provision of flexible and ergonomic user commands. The first pointing device may be provided on an upper surface of a remote control housing (in a first plane) while the second pointing device may be provided on a lower surface of the remote control housing (in a second plane). In this configuration, a user's thumb may engage the first pointing device which the user's finger engages the second pointing device. Combinations of thumb and finger movement are detected through the pointing devices and interpreted to generate remote control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Raynor, Benjamin E. Norman