Patents by Inventor Robert H. Duffield

Robert H. Duffield 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).

  • Publication number: 20170024053
    Abstract: A touch alphabet and communication system is provided. The communication system uses a predetermined set of touch gestures, such as fingertip touch patterns performable on keyless touch-sensitive surfaces, to express the user's desired communication. The touch-sensitive surface may be the touch screen display of a computer, tablet device, cell phone, or a touch-sensitive pad, for example. The finger touch patterns are based on a limited set of unique and ergonomically pleasing finger positions that may be performed in a limited area. The touch alphabet allows the user to comprehensively communicate without looking at the communication device, and with just one hand, or in another implementation, with two hands. Thus, a user can comfortably tap an entire alphabet and related functions, with one hand, without having to visualize the user interface surface or hunt for individual keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: ROBERT H. DUFFIELD
  • Patent number: 9280229
    Abstract: A touch alphabet and communication system is provided. The communication system uses a predetermined set of touch gestures, such as fingertip touch patterns performable on keyless touch-sensitive surfaces, to express the user's desired communication. The touch-sensitive surface may be the touch screen display of a computer, tablet device, cell phone, or a touch-sensitive pad, for example. The finger touch patterns are based on a limited set of unique and ergonomically pleasing finger positions that may be performed in a limited area. The touch alphabet allows the user to comprehensively communicate without looking at the communication device, and with just one hand, or in another implementation, with two hands. Thus, a user can comfortably tap an entire alphabet and related functions, with one hand, without having to visualize the user interface surface or hunt for individual keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Robert H Duffield
  • Publication number: 20150077378
    Abstract: A touch alphabet and communication system is provided. The communication system uses a predetermined set of touch gestures, such as fingertip touch patterns performable on keyless touch-sensitive surfaces, to express the user's desired communication. The touch-sensitive surface may be the touch screen display of a computer, tablet device, cell phone, or a touch-sensitive pad, for example. The finger touch patterns are based on a limited set of unique and ergonomically pleasing finger positions that may be performed in a limited area. The touch alphabet allows the user to comprehensively communicate without looking at the communication device, and with just one hand, or in another implementation, with two hands. Thus, a user can comfortably tap an entire alphabet and related functions, with one hand, without having to visualize the user interface surface or hunt for individual keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: ROBERT H. DUFFIELD
  • Patent number: 8896555
    Abstract: A touch alphabet and communication system is provided. The communication system uses a predetermined set of touch gestures, such as fingertip touch patterns performable on keyless touch-sensitive surfaces, to express the user's desired communication. The touch-sensitive surface may be the touch screen display of a computer, tablet device, cell phone, or a touch-sensitive pad, for example. The finger touch patterns are based on a limited set of unique and ergonomically pleasing finger positions that may be performed in a limited area. The touch alphabet allows the user to comprehensively communicate without looking at the communication device, and with just one hand, or in another implementation, with two hands. Thus, a user can comfortably tap an entire alphabet and related functions, with one hand, without having to visualize the user interface surface or hunt for individual keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Robert H Duffield
  • Publication number: 20120293434
    Abstract: A touch alphabet and communication system is provided. The communication system uses a predetermined set of touch gestures, such as fingertip touch patterns performable on keyless touch-sensitive surfaces, to express the user's desired communication. The touch-sensitive surface may be the touch screen display of a computer, tablet device, cell phone, or a touch-sensitive pad, for example. The finger touch patterns are based on a limited set of unique and ergonomically pleasing finger positions that may be performed in a limited area. The touch alphabet allows the user to comprehensively communicate without looking at the communication device, and with just one hand, or in another implementation, with two hands. Thus, a user can comfortably tap an entire alphabet and related functions, with one hand, without having to visualize the user interface surface or hunt for individual keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: ROBERT H. DUFFIELD
  • Patent number: 4744006
    Abstract: An expansion card for a personal computer includes a printed circuit board having a portion that extends through an opening in the computer so that input/output connectors can be mounted on the extended portion. The number of input/output connectors that can be mounted on the extended portion of the printed circuit board is greater than the number of connectors that can be mounted on a conventional expansion card for a personal computer. The expansion card includes an enclosure that surrounds the extended portion of the printed circuit board to provide mechanical support for the connectors mounted thereon and further to provide shielding to substantially prevent the emission of electromagnetic radiation from the extended portion. The enclosure includes a portion that extends through the opening in the personal computer so that the enclosure can be securely attached to the personal computer by a support member which also blocks electromagnetic emissions through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Robert H. Duffield