Patents by Inventor Laura Mahan

Laura Mahan 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: 9652142
    Abstract: A first device such as a portable computing device can be configured to act as a text-entry device (in a text-entry mode) and a cursor control device (in a cursor control mode) for a second device. The first device can include a touch-sensitive display capable of receiving text inputs and cursor inputs for controlling the display of a second device which is communicatively coupled to the first device. The first device can be configured such that selection of certain items displayed by the second device can cause the first device to switch from a text-entry mode to a cursor control mode. The first device can be configured such that rotation of the device between a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation causes the device to switch between modes. The first device can be configured such that sideways movement of the device causes the device to switch between modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Kalu Onuka Kalu, Laura Mahan, Jung-Chien Kevin Chuang
  • Patent number: 9081547
    Abstract: A first device such as a portable or handheld electronic computing device can be configured to act as a text-entry device and a cursor control device for a second device. The first device can include a touch-sensitive display capable of receiving text inputs and cursor inputs for controlling the display of a second device which is communicatively coupled to the first device. The first device can be configured such that selection of certain items such as a text-entry field displayed by the second device can cause the first device to switch or change from a text-entry mode to a cursor control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Kalu Onuka Kalu, Laura Mahan, Jung-Chien Kevin Chuang
  • Patent number: 9013435
    Abstract: A method includes: detecting a first touch at a first location on a touch-sensitive display; detecting a second touch at a second location on the touch-sensitive display; and displaying a navigation indicator on the touch-sensitive display in response to detecting the second touch while first touch contact is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Steven Henry Fyke, Jason Tyler Griffin, Kevin Howard Orr, Laura Mahan
  • Patent number: 8952682
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for calibrating a magnetometer of a mobile device. The method comprises displaying a visual indication of a gestural path on a display of the portable electronic device, monitoring for changes in orientation of the portable electronic device, changing the visual indication in response to the monitored changes in the orientation of the portable electronic device, measuring a magnetic field with the magnetometer, and calibrating the magnetometer in accordance with measurements of the magnetic field acquired at different points along the gestural path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Laura Mahan, Jeffrey Charles Bos, Przemyslaw Abratowski, Christopher Harris Snow, Steve Robert Grenier, Nazih Almalki
  • Publication number: 20140365902
    Abstract: A first device such as a portable computing device can be configured to act as a text-entry device (in a text-entry mode) and a cursor control device (in a cursor control mode) for a second device. The first device can include a touch-sensitive display capable of receiving text inputs and cursor inputs for controlling the display of a second device which is communicatively coupled to the first device. The first device can be configured such that selection of certain items displayed by the second device can cause the first device to switch from a text-entry mode to a cursor control mode. The first device can be configured such that rotation of the device between a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation causes the device to switch between modes. The first device can be configured such that sideways movement of the device causes the device to switch between modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Kalu Onuka KALU, Laura MAHAN, Jung-Chien Kevin CHUANG
  • Patent number: 8816958
    Abstract: A first device such as a portable computing device can be configured to act as a text-entry device (in a text-entry mode) and a cursor control device (in a cursor control mode) for a second device. The first device can include a touch-sensitive display capable of receiving text inputs and cursor inputs for controlling the display of a second device which is communicatively coupled to the first device. The first device can be configured such that selection of certain items displayed by the second device can cause the first device to switch from a text-entry mode to a cursor control mode. The first device can be configured such that rotation of the device between a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation causes the device to switch between modes. The first device can be configured such that sideways movement of the device causes the device to switch between modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Kalu Onuka Kalu, Laura Mahan, Jung-Chien Kevin Chuang
  • Patent number: 8723890
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device having a movable display screen is used to capture image data. The movable display screen is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position a first portion of the display screen is hidden from view and a second portion of the display screen is viewable, and in the second position the first portion and the second portion of the display screen are viewable, the handheld electronic device having an image sensor, an orientation sensor for sensing an orientation of the handheld electronic device, and at least one position sensor for sensing a position of the display screen. Device orientation information is received from the orientation sensor, display screen position information is received from the position sensor and image data is received from the image sensor representing an image. An image orientation for the image is determined in dependence on both the display screen position information and the device orientation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Laura Mahan
  • Publication number: 20140078092
    Abstract: A method includes: detecting a first touch at a first location on a touch-sensitive display; detecting a second touch at a second location on the touch-sensitive display; and displaying a navigation indicator on the touch-sensitive display in response to detecting the second touch while first touch contact is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Steven Henry FYKE, Jason Tyler Griffin, Kevin Howard Orr, Laura Mahan
  • Patent number: 8624858
    Abstract: A method includes: detecting a first touch at a first location on a touch-sensitive display; detecting a second touch at a second location on the touch-sensitive display; and displaying a navigation indicator on the touch-sensitive display in response to detecting the second touch while first touch contact is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Steven Henry Fyke, Jason Tyler Griffin, Kevin Howard Orr, Laura Mahan
  • Patent number: 8610684
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a first electronic device connectable to a second electronic device. The first electronic device comprises a touch-sensitive non-display area for detecting one or more touch-sensitive non-display area gestures. Each touch-sensitive non-display area gesture is associated with a respective function of the first electronic device. The method comprises partitioning a touch-sensitive input mechanism of the second electronic device into a non-display portion and a display portion; receiving a gesture using the non-display portion, the gesture corresponding to a touch-sensitive non-display area gesture; and determining an instruction to be performed by the first electronic device based on the gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Kalu Onuka Kalu, Laura Mahan
  • Publication number: 20130154959
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling an electronic device. The method includes detecting a gesture on a touch-sensitive input mechanism of the electronic device, the gesture comprising an origin point and an end point, and executing a command associated with the gesture, the command comprising a back command if the end point is located left of the origin point with respect to an orientation of the electronic device or comprising a forward command if the end point is located right of the origin point with respect to the orientation of the electronic device, wherein a dedicated non-gesture input mechanism to input the command is absent from the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Donald James LINDSAY, Laura MAHAN, Roy Robert George WILSON
  • Patent number: 8432156
    Abstract: A system and method of obtaining magnetometer readings for performing a magnetometer calibration are provided. The method comprises detecting initiation of a magnetometer calibration; displaying a plurality of visual elements representing at least a pair of movements, each of the movements orienting a device comprising the magnetometer in substantially opposite positions along a respective axis; and obtaining at least one magnetometer reading during movement of the device. The visual elements may include one in an upright position, one in an upside down position, one facing a first direction and one illustrating the device facing in a second direction. A path may also be defined between the plurality of visual elements using one or more arrows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Nazih Almalki, Laura Mahan, Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods
  • Publication number: 20130093662
    Abstract: A first device such as a portable computing device can be configured to act as a text-entry device (in a text-entry mode) and a cursor control device (in a cursor control mode) for a second device. The first device can include a touch-sensitive display capable of receiving text inputs and cursor inputs for controlling the display of a second device which is communicatively coupled to the first device. The first device can be configured such that selection of certain items displayed by the second device can cause the first device to switch from a text-entry mode to a cursor control mode. The first device can be configured such that rotation of the device between a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation causes the device to switch between modes. The first device can be configured such that sideways movement of the device causes the device to switch between modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kalu Onuka KALU, Laura MAHAN, Jung-Chien Kevin CHUANG
  • Publication number: 20130093685
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a first electronic device connectable to a second electronic device. The first electronic device comprises a touch-sensitive non-display area for detecting one or more touch-sensitive non-display area gestures. Each touch-sensitive non-display area gesture is associated with a respective function of the first electronic device. The method comprises partitioning a touch-sensitive input mechanism of the second electronic device into a non-display portion and a display portion; receiving a gesture using the non-display portion, the gesture corresponding to a touch-sensitive non-display area gesture; and determining an instruction to be performed by the first electronic device based on the gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Kalu Onuka Kalu, Laura Mahan
  • Publication number: 20130093686
    Abstract: A first device such as a portable or handheld electronic computing device can be configured to act as a text-entry device and a cursor control device for a second device. The first device can include a touch-sensitive display capable of receiving text inputs and cursor inputs for controlling the display of a second device which is communicatively coupled to the first device. The first device can be configured such that selection of certain items such as a text-entry field displayed by the second device can cause the first device to switch or change from a text-entry mode to a cursor control mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kalu Onuka KALU, Laura MAHAN, Jung-Chien Kevin CHUANG
  • Patent number: D675620
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dustin Jonathan Smith, Donald Somerset McKenzie, Kevin Roy Sugden, Shannon Tyler Moore, Anders Fahrendorff, Jason Tyler Grffin, Laura Mahan
  • Patent number: D676848
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion limited
    Inventors: Dustin Jonathan Smith, Donald Somerset McKenzie, Kevin Roy Sugden, Shannon Tyler Moore, Anders Fahrendorff, Jason Tyler Grffin, Laura Mahan
  • Patent number: D682832
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dustin Jonathan Smith, Donald Somerset McKenzie, Kevin Roy Sugden, Shannon Tyler Moore, Anders Fahrendorff, Jason Tyler Griffin, Laura Mahan
  • Patent number: D688242
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dustin Jonathan Smith, Donald Somerset McKenzie, Kevin Roy Sugden, Shannon Tyler Moore, Anders Fahrendorff, Jason Tyler Griffin, Laura Mahan
  • Patent number: D690729
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Przemyslaw Abratowski, Laura Mahan, Jeffrey Charles Bos