Patents by Inventor Kuo-Feng Tong

Kuo-Feng Tong 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: 8994670
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a first touch at a first touch location on a touch-sensitive display, detecting a second touch at a second touch location on the touch-sensitive display, and when a first distance from the first touch location to the second touch location meets a distance threshold and a second distance from the previous touch location to the first touch location does not meet the distance threshold, identifying the second touch as a new touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Kuo-Feng Tong, Jeffrey John Paul Dippel, Kevin Paul Timmerman
  • Patent number: 8859971
    Abstract: An optical navigation device, such as an optical navigation joystick or mouse, includes an internal redirector which may be separate or formed from material of a touch surface of the optical device. The redirector is disposed at an angle with respect to a plane of the touch surface, operative to reflect light which would otherwise strike the touch surface at a low angle and be internally reflected. The light may be reflected in a direction away from a light sensor of the device, reducing sensed internally reflected light, or may be reflected into the touch surface at a higher angle, potentially increasing a quantity of good signal. The redirector may also include portions which block light directly emitted from a light emitter, or reflected off other surfaces of the navigation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Arnett Ryan Weber, James Alexander Robinson, Robert James Lowles, Derek Raymond Solven, Kuo-Feng Tong, Yun Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 8736559
    Abstract: A method includes determining first respective values representative of forces applied by a plurality of actuators to a touch-sensitive input device of an electronic device, controlling the actuators to cause the actuators to change the forces applied to the touch-sensitive input device, determining second respective values representative of the forces applied by the actuators to the touch-sensitive input device, and determining when there is a fault based on a change from the first respective values to the second respective values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Pertuit, Richard James Brogle, Kuo-Feng Tong, Adam Louis Parco
  • Patent number: 8736564
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided related to proximity detection between a mobile device and a related object, such as a holder, holster, pocket liner, support surface, or the like. A pattern is associated with the related object or device, for example printed on a surface thereof, the pattern being discernable by a mobile device input module, such as a touch surface or optical navigation module. When the pattern is presented to the input module, the mobile device detects the pattern and may respond accordingly, for example by shifting to a standby mode or suppressing mobile device inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Kuo-Feng Tong, Devin Jay Kaiser
  • Patent number: 8669946
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a first touch at a first location and a second touch at a second location on a touch-sensitive display, determining a first force value by a first sensor and a second force value by a second sensor, wherein the first force value and the second force value are determined at a time when the first touch and the second touch are both detected, and determining a first applied force value for the first touch and a second applied force value for the second touch based on the first force value and the second force value and based on the first location and the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Kuo-Feng Tong
  • Patent number: 8466889
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a touch on a touch-sensitive display, determining when a touch value associated with the touch meets a first touch threshold, determining a first period of time between detecting the touch and when the touch value meets the first touch threshold, and providing a first tactile feedback when the first period of time is meets a first time threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Kuo-Feng Tong, Katarina Pavlikova, Yingying Lu, Arnett Ryan Weber
  • Patent number: 8451255
    Abstract: A method includes detecting, at a first time, a first touch associated with a first touch value that meets one of a first touch threshold and a second touch threshold, detecting, at a second time, a second touch associated with a second touch value that meets one of the first touch threshold and the second touch threshold, providing first tactile feedback at the first time, and providing second tactile feedback at the second time when the time period between the first time and the second time meets a time threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Arnett Ryan Weber, Kuo-Feng Tong, Christopher James Grant, Katarina Pavlikova, Yingying Lu
  • Publication number: 20130092838
    Abstract: An optical navigation device, such as an optical navigation joystick or mouse, includes an internal redirector which may be separate or formed from material of a touch surface of the optical device. The redirector is disposed at an angle with respect to a plane of the touch surface, operative to reflect light which would otherwise strike the touch surface at a low angle and be internally reflected. The light may be reflected in a direction away from a light sensor of the device, reducing sensed internally reflected light, or may be reflected into the touch surface at a higher angle, potentially increasing a quantity of good signal. The redirector may also include portions which block light directly emitted from a light emitter, or reflected off other surfaces of the navigation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Arnett Ryan WEBER, James Alexander ROBINSON, Robert James LOWLES, Derek Raymond SOLVEN, Kuo-Feng TONG, Yun Seok CHOI
  • Patent number: 8390569
    Abstract: An optical trackpad module is described herein. The module includes a light source and a trackpad that is optically coupled to the light source such that light from the light source can reach the trackpad. The trackpad is configured to receive an input object. The module also includes a sensor array that receives at least some of the light from the light source that is reflected off the input object. The sensor array is divided into sub-sections, and each sub-section corresponds to a portion of the trackpad. In addition, each sub-section detects at least translational movement of the input object on the corresponding trackpad portions to enable detection of rotational motion of the input object on the trackpad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Fredrik Martin Stenmark, Kuo-Feng Tong
  • Patent number: 8384677
    Abstract: A method of determining input at a touch-sensitive input surface of a portable electronic device includes detecting a touch event at the touch-sensitive input surface, sampling touch attributes during the touch event, determining an actual touch location and determining at least one shift in touch location based on the touch attributes sampled during the touch event, and determining an input based on the actual touch location and the direction of shift of the touch location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: David Mak-Fan, Kuo-Feng Tong, Matthew Bells, Douglas Rider, Michael Langlois, Jong-Suk Lee, Jason T. Griffin, Colin Ho
  • Patent number: 8378798
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying a view of an application on a touch-sensitive display include detecting a touch on the touch-sensitive display. When the touch is at a first force, first feedback is provided and a first function is performed. When the touch is at a second force, second feedback is provided and a second function is performed. The first function and the second function are different. The first force and the second force are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Bells, Jordanna Kwok, Colin Ho, Kuo-Feng Tong, Deepankar Banshilal Jain, Douglas Clayton Rider, Ian Paul Barta
  • Publication number: 20130021263
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a first touch at a first touch location on a touch-sensitive display, detecting a second touch at a second touch location on the touch-sensitive display, and when a first distance from the first touch location to the second touch location meets a distance threshold and a second distance from the previous touch location to the first touch location does not meet the distance threshold, identifying the second touch as a new touch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kuo-Feng TONG, Jeffrey John Paul DIPPEL, Kevin Paul TIMMERMAN
  • Publication number: 20120299864
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided related to proximity detection between a mobile device and a related object, such as a holder, holster, pocket liner, support surface, or the like. A pattern is associated with the related object or device, for example printed on a surface thereof, the pattern being discernable by a mobile device input module, such as a touch surface or optical navigation module. When the pattern is presented to the input module, the mobile device detects the pattern and may respond accordingly, for example by shifting to a standby mode or suppressing mobile device inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kuo-Feng Tong, Devin Jay Kaiser
  • Patent number: 8279184
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device having a touchscreen and a method of using a touchscreen of a handheld electronic device are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Lowles, ZhongMing Ma, Kuo-Feng Tong
  • Publication number: 20110291951
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a first touch at a first location and a second touch at a second location on a touch-sensitive display, determining a first force value by a first sensor and a second force value by a second sensor, wherein the first force value and the second force value are determined at a time when the first touch and the second touch are both detected, and determining a first applied force value for the first touch and a second applied force value for the second touch based on the first force value and the second force value and based on the first location and the second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Kuo-Feng TONG
  • Publication number: 20110291950
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a first touch at a first location and a second touch at a second location on a touch-sensitive display, determining a first force value and a second force value based on measured force values at force sensors, force sensor locations, and the first and second locations, determining a third force value based on the measured force values at force sensors, the force sensor locations, and the first and second locations, and pairing coordinate values of the first touch and the second touch based on the first force value, the second force value, and the third force value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Kuo-Feng TONG
  • Publication number: 20110279380
    Abstract: A method includes detecting, at a first time, a first touch associated with a first touch value that meets one of a first touch threshold and a second touch threshold, detecting, at a second time, a second touch associated with a second touch value that meets one of the first touch threshold and the second touch threshold, providing first tactile feedback at the first time, and providing second tactile feedback at the second time when the time period between the first time and the second time meets a time threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Arnett Ryan Weber, Kuo-Feng Tong, Christopher James Grant, Katarina Pavlikova, Yingying Lu
  • Publication number: 20110279381
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a touch on a touch-sensitive display, determining when a touch value associated with the touch meets a first touch threshold, determining a first period of time between detecting the touch and when the touch value meets the first touch threshold, and providing a first tactile feedback when the first period of time is meets a first time threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kuo-Feng TONG, Katarina PAVLIKOVA, Yingying LU, Arnett Ryan WEBER
  • Publication number: 20110260983
    Abstract: A method includes determining first respective values representative of forces applied by a plurality of actuators to a touch-sensitive input device of an electronic device, controlling the actuators to cause the actuators to change the forces applied to the touch-sensitive input device, determining second respective values representative of the forces applied by the actuators to the touch-sensitive input device, and determining when there is a fault based on a change from the first respective values to the second respective values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Pertuit, Richard James Brogle, Kuo-Feng Tong, Adam Louis Parco
  • Publication number: 20110248839
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a touch at a touch location on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, identifying a first threshold value associated with the touch location, comparing the first threshold value to a force value related to the touch, and providing a first tactile feedback in response to determining that the force value meets the first threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Jordanna KWOK, Christopher James GRANT, Kuo-Feng TONG