Patents by Inventor Martin Riddiford

Martin Riddiford 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: 8660621
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first housing to the second housing and enabling movement of the device between an open configuration and a closed configuration. When the device is in the open configuration, the first housing is planar with the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Paul Masser, Jason Tyler Griffin, Jodie Elizabeth Fletcher, Li Huang, Neil Savio Pereira, Timothy Herbert Kyowski, Benjamin John Henley, Joris Willem Beets, Martin Riddiford
  • Patent number: 8630686
    Abstract: A slide system for a mobile device including a base portion and a slide portion configured to slide in relation to the base portion, the system including: at least one base magnet provided to the base portion; a plurality of slide magnets provided to the slide portion and configured such that the plurality of slide magnets are aligned to the at least one base magnet at predetermined positions during movement of the slide portion relative to the base portion; and a magnetically active element provided to the slide portion in spatial relation to at least one of the plurality of slide magnets such that magnetic forces between the at least one of the plurality of slide magnets and the at least one base magnet are affected. In particular, the magnetic forces can be altered to provide an altered “feel” to the sliding movement by lowering repulsive forces and increasing attractive forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Martin Earl Holman, IV, Jason Tyler Griffin, Aaron Robert Allen, Martin Riddiford, Julia Allwright, James Fullalove
  • Patent number: 8483784
    Abstract: A mobile communication device may include at least a lid member and a base member which are hingeably coupled together by a linkage mechanism. The device may include additional interface elements on an interface surface accessible when the device is in the closed position. A mobile communication device is provided which further comprises a rotatable member having an interface surface. The linkage mechanism actuates movement of the rotatable member from a first rotation state, such that the interface surface is accessible when the device is in a closed position, to a second rotational state, such that the interface surface is positioned between and concurrently viewable with inner surfaces of the lid and base members when the device is in an opened position. The linkage mechanism actuates the movement of the rotatable member responsive to movement of the device from the closed to the opened position and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Riddiford, James Reeves, Julia Allwright
  • Patent number: 8467838
    Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises a base and a cover rotatably mounted to the base. A lever arrangement comprising a co-operating lever arm and a support is defined by the base and the cover. The cover is movable between a closed position and an open position through an over center position by movement of the lever against the support upon rotation of the cover. The cover may be biased toward the closed position when the cover is on a closed side of the over center position and toward the open position when the cover is on an open side of the over center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Riddiford
  • Publication number: 20130117135
    Abstract: An interactive food and/or drink ordering system is provided comprising a computer controlled projector apparatus and a horizontal surface, wherein images from the computer controlled projector apparatus are projected onto some or all of the surface, the images including a menu of food and/or drink selection options, the selection options being selectable by a first user operating an interface device operable to provide input to the computer and also by a second user operating an interface device operable to provide input to the computer, wherein the menu of food and/or drink selection options is projected into a zone on the surface that is shared by the first and second users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: COMPURANTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Riddiford, Julia Allwright, Sam Broadbent, Jim Reeves, Daniel Potter, Noel Hunwick
  • Publication number: 20130036846
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a mobile electronic device is provided with a linkage mechanism that couples first and second members of the device such that the device may be moved between a first position and a second position. The linkage mechanism includes a linkage intermediate the first and second members, the linkage having a fixed length. The linkage mechanism further includes a motion constraint mechanism that constrains movement of the first member with respect to the second member to a controlled motion. The linkage mechanism described herein may further provide that the top member rotates without increasing the length or width of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Riddiford, James William Reeves
  • Publication number: 20130038996
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a mobile electronic device is provided with a linkage mechanism that couples first and second members of the device such that the first and second members may be moved between a first position, a second position and a third position. The second member of the device includes a body and an input member. The input member includes an input device and is coupled to the body by a lateral displacement mechanism that allows the input member to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The linkage mechanism and the lateral displacement mechanism may thereby provide at least three operating configurations for the device. An assembly for use with an electronic device is also provided. The assembly may be attachable to, and possibly detachable from, the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Riddiford, James William Reeves
  • Publication number: 20130033432
    Abstract: A exemplary key assembly for a handheld device includes one or more L-shaped key structures each having a first member configured to receive an input keystroke and a second member substantially orthogonal to the first member; and a frame configured to receive the one or more L-shaped key structures, the frame having a wall aligned with the second member of the key structure, with the wall further comprising a switch for each of the one or more L-shaped key structures associated with an inner surface of the wall, wherein each switch is associated with an actuator associated with the second member of the corresponding key structure such that depression of a given key structure causes the actuator of the second member of the key structure to engage the switch of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Norman Miner Ladouceur, Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Riddiford, Daniel Jordan Kayser, Tracy Christina Sharp, Rachael Elizabeth Roberts
  • Patent number: 8284544
    Abstract: A mobile communication device, a corresponding connecting mechanism and method are provided. The device comprises a connecting mechanism which rotatably couples a lid member and a base member at a linked end of the device. The connecting mechanism also translationally couples the lid and the base member. When the device is in the closed position, displacing the lid member of the device in the direction of the free end of the device may initiate movement of the device to the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Julia Allwright, Benjamin Henley, Martin Riddiford
  • Publication number: 20120233034
    Abstract: A combined table and computer-controlled projector unit, comprises: (a) at least one table; (b) a stand supporting the table; (c) a projector controlled by a computer; and (d) an imaging system mounted on the stand, the imaging system causing an image to be projected onto the table. Because the unit combines both a table and the computer controlled projector unit, it can be readily installed and does not require any ceiling cabling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Compurants Limited
    Inventors: Martin Riddiford, Daniel Potter, Noel Hunwick
  • Publication number: 20120170243
    Abstract: An electronic mobile device includes a base supporting an input panel. A cover pivotally connects to the base and is pivotable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa relative to the base. In the closed position the cover covers the input panel, and in the open position the cover is disposed away from the base. A base magnet is supported within the base and has a first magnetic axis. A cover magnet is supported within the cover so as to move with the cover relative to the base. The cover magnet has a second magnetic axis that tends to align with the first magnetic axis to thereby bias the cover towards at least one of the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Julia Allwright, Martin Riddiford, James Reeves
  • Patent number: 8159834
    Abstract: An electronic mobile device comprises a base forming an inner surface and having a base hinge end. A cover having a cover hinge end is engaged with the base hinge end, and the cover is pivotable about a hinge axis that is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the base. The cover is movable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa relative to the base. In the closed position the cover is disposed proximate the base, and in the open position the cover is disposed away from the base. A base magnet having a first magnetic axis is supported at the base hinge end, and a cover magnet is supported at the cover hinge end so as to move with the cover relative to the base. The cover magnet has a second magnetic axis and interacts with the base magnet. Interaction of the base magnet and the cover magnet tends to align the first magnetic axis and the second magnetic axis and thereby bias the cover towards at least one of the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Research in Motion Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Julia Allwright, Martin Riddiford, James Reeves
  • Patent number: 8159818
    Abstract: A docking apparatus for a portable device, comprising a base and a mounting part which is connected to the base, wherein the mounting part is pivotally mounted within said base and consists of a cover portion which in a first position lies in substantially co-planar relationship with a lip of said base, said cover portion capable of being pivoted to a second position wherein part of the cover portion extends substantially from the docking apparatus, said pivotal motion also revealing a fin part depending from the underside of said cover portion so that in said second position, said fin part lies in substantially co-planar relationship with said lip instead of said cover portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tomtom International B.V.
    Inventor: Martin Riddiford
  • Patent number: 8126521
    Abstract: A system and method for multi-mode user input for a mobile device, the system including: a second portion of the mobile device; a first portion of the mobile device that is movably engaged with the second portion to move between a closed position and an open position to allow access to an open user input area; and a detent mechanism configured to allow the first portion to be held at a first mode position between the closed position and the open position to allow access to a partial user input area that is less than the open user input area. The partial user input area has predetermined functions associated therewith, which may be changed when the first portion is moved to an open position, exposing the open user input area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason Griffin, Julia Allwright, Martin Riddiford
  • Publication number: 20120046081
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first housing to the second housing and enabling movement of the device between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The hinge assembly includes a pair of link arm assemblies each including a first linkage arm configured for engaging the first housing and a second linkage arm configured for engaging the second housing. When the device is in the open configuration, the first housing is planar with the second housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin RIDDIFORD, Julia ALLWRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20120046076
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first housing to the second housing and enabling movement of the device between an open configuration and a closed configuration. When the device is in the open configuration, the first housing is planar with the second housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul MASSER, Jason Tyler Griffin, Jodie Elizabeth Fletcher, Li Huang, Neil Savio Pereira, Timothy Herbert Kyowski, Benjamin John Henley, Joris Willem Beets, Martin Riddiford
  • Publication number: 20110211297
    Abstract: A mobile communication device, a corresponding connecting mechanism and method are provided. The device comprises a connecting mechanism which rotatably couples a lid member and a base member at a linked end of the device. The connecting mechanism also translationally couples the lid and the base member. When the device is in the closed position, displacing the lid member of the device in the direction of the free end of the device may initiate movement of the device to the opened position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Julia Allwright, Benjamin Henley, Martin Riddiford
  • Patent number: D659573
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Martin Riddiford, Rachael Roberts, Daniel Browning
  • Patent number: D692326
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Rachael Roberts, Martin Riddiford
  • Patent number: D703204
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Martin Riddiford, Anthony Nicholas Pond, Liam James O'Brien