Patents by Inventor Joseph J. Hebenstreit

Joseph J. Hebenstreit 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: 8348450
    Abstract: A dedicated electronic book (“eBook”) reader device and a reading light are described. The reading light may be embedded in a cover for the eBook reader device. The cover may draw power from the eBook reader device and provide that power to the reading light. The reading light may be attached to the cover by a flexible connector that, when withdrawn from the cover, automatically positions the reading light to illuminate an electronic display of the eBook reader device. In one implementation, the flexible connector is made of shape-memory alloy. The reading light may be oriented within the cover such that the reading light extends from a corner of the cover at an approximately 45 degree angle from a spine of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Wilfrido Loor Canizares, Amrinder Pal Singh Siani, Hannah Rebecca Lewbel
  • Patent number: 8345073
    Abstract: Layers of a touch sensor array used by electronic devices may be incorporated into other components, such that a touch sensor array is formed upon assembly of the other components. This touch sensor array may then be used as an input device by a user. For example, one layer of a touch sensor array may be integrated into the back of a display component, forming a first integrated package. Similarly, a second layer of the touch sensor array may be integrated into the front of a battery, forming a second integrated package. Upon assembly of the display atop the battery, the touch sensor array is formed. Such integration results in simpler and less expensive assembly, reduces the count of discrete parts during assembly, and minimizes the electronic device's physical profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hebenstreit, David C. Buuck
  • Patent number: 8295037
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as an electronic book (“eBook”) reader device, is configured with two panels connected via a hinge. A first panel includes components such as a battery, a main logic board, a wireless networking interface, and so forth while a second panel includes a display component such as an electrophoretic display. The panels may be opened for use wherein the display is visible to a user, or closed such that the first panel protects and/or obscures the second panel and the display located therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Buuck, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Kenneth M. Karakotsios
  • Publication number: 20110164410
    Abstract: A dedicated electronic book (“eBook”) reader device and a reading light are described. The reading light may be embedded in a cover for the eBook reader device. The cover may draw power from the eBook reader device and provide that power to the reading light. The reading light may be attached to the cover by a flexible connector that, when withdrawn from the cover, automatically positions the reading light to illuminate an electronic display of the eBook reader device. In one implementation, the flexible connector is made of shape-memory alloy. The reading light may be oriented within the cover such that the reading light extends from a corner of the cover at an approximately 45 degree angle from a spine of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Amrinder Pal Singh Siani, Wilfrido Loor Canizares
  • Publication number: 20110050593
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Christopher Green, Kevin E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20110050591
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Christopher Green, Kevin E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20110050592
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Christopher Green, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Kevin E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20110050594
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Christopher Green, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Kevin E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20110043435
    Abstract: A reflective display, such as an electrophoretic display (EPD), and an emissive display, such as a backlit liquid crystal display, may be combined to form an amalgamated display. This combination may include layering one display atop the other, alternating reflective and emissive display elements, or otherwise interspersing reflective and emissive display elements with one another. Images on the amalgamated display may be presented using either reflective or emissive modes or a combination of the two, depending upon factors such as refresh rate, power consumption, presence of color and/or video, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Amish Rajesh Babu
  • Publication number: 20100188327
    Abstract: Haptic feedback may be provided to a user of an electronic device, such as an electronic book reader device, to confirm receipt of user input or otherwise convey information to the user. The haptic feedback may be provided more quickly than a display update time of a display of the electronic device. Different patterns, durations, and/or intensities of haptic feedback may be used in response to different events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Marcos Frid, Rajiv Kotesh Ghanta, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, John T. Kim