Patents by Inventor Robert T. Noble

Robert T. Noble 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: 9292119
    Abstract: Display devices and methods for detecting user-intended touch input are provided. An example display device includes a touch-sensitive display. Further, the display device includes an impact sensor attached to the touch-sensitive display and configured to generate a signal representative of an impact of the touch-sensitive display. The display device also includes a computing device configured to receive the signal. The computing device is also configured to detect a peak of the signal. Further, the computing device is configured to determine whether a rising edge of a magnitude of the peak detected signal meet predetermined criteria. The computing device is also configured to indicate detection of user-intended touch in response to determining that the predetermined criteria are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Duane S. Miller, Robert T. Noble
  • Patent number: 8902183
    Abstract: Display devices and methods for detecting user-intended touch input are provided. An example display device includes a touch-sensitive display. Further, the display device includes an impact sensor attached to the touch-sensitive display and configured to generate a signal representative of an impact of the touch-sensitive display. The display device also includes a computing device configured to receive the signal. The computing device is also configured to detect a peak of the signal. Further, the computing device is configured to determine whether a rising edge of a magnitude of the peak detected signal meet predetermined criteria. The computing device is also configured to indicate detection of user-intended touch in response to determining that the predetermined criteria are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Duane S. Miller, Robert T. Noble
  • Publication number: 20140340346
    Abstract: Display devices and methods for detecting user-intended touch input are provided. An example display device includes a touch-sensitive display. Further, the display device includes an impact sensor attached to the touch-sensitive display and configured to generate a signal representative of an impact of the touch-sensitive display. The display device also includes a computing device configured to receive the signal. The computing device is also configured to detect a peak of the signal. Further, the computing device is configured to determine whether a rising edge of a magnitude of the peak detected signal meet predetermined criteria. The computing device is also configured to indicate detection of user-intended touch in response to determining that the predetermined criteria are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Duane S. Miller, Robert T. Noble
  • Publication number: 20130307828
    Abstract: Display devices and methods for detecting user-intended touch input are provided. An example display device includes a touch-sensitive display. Further, the display device includes an impact sensor attached to the touch-sensitive display and configured to generate a signal representative of an impact of the touch-sensitive display. The display device also includes a computing device configured to receive the signal. The computing device is also configured to detect a peak of the signal. Further, the computing device is configured to determine whether a rising edge of a magnitude of the peak detected signal meet predetermined criteria. The computing device is also configured to indicate detection of user-intended touch in response to determining that the predetermined criteria are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Duane S. Miller, Robert T. Noble
  • Publication number: 20130147661
    Abstract: A system, method, and program product for determining an approximate position of a global positioning system (GPS) receiver of a global positioning receiver connected to a computer. The computer compares obtained image data of landmarks with a database of known landmarks to determine an approximate position of the GPS receiver at a specified time. The computer converts and transmits an error signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul D. Kangas, Robert T. Noble, Jeff D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8378960
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling an electronic display. An activity module receives a brightness restore signal and sets a brightness level of an electronic display to a default brightness level in response to the brightness restore signal. A brightness decay module dims the brightness level of the electronic display from the default brightness level to an intermediate brightness level at a first dimming rate. The intermediate brightness level is selected from one or more intermediate brightness levels. A plateau module maintains the brightness level of the electronic display at the intermediate brightness level for a predefined period of time. A minimum brightness module dims the brightness level of the electronic display from an intermediate brightness level to a minimum brightness level at a second dimming rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Kangas, Robert T. Noble
  • Publication number: 20120256845
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting and interpreting touch input to a touch-sensitive display screen, while identifying and excluding activity not intended as touch input. A positional sensor is used to obtain positional information of a touch to the display screen using a finger or stylus. Intended touch input is verified by sensing vibration, displacement, or other movement caused by an impulse to the display screen to verify that the activity is intended as touch input. Intended touch input is further verified by timing signals from the positional sensor and the impulse sensor to determine that these two signals likely resulted from intended touch input, and not from separate or unrelated activity not intended as touch input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert T. Noble
  • Publication number: 20110037781
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling an electronic display. An activity module receives a brightness restore signal and sets a brightness level of an electronic display to a default brightness level in response to the brightness restore signal. A brightness decay module dims the brightness level of the electronic display from the default brightness level to an intermediate brightness level at a first dimming rate. The intermediate brightness level is selected from one or more intermediate brightness levels. A plateau module maintains the brightness level of the electronic display at the intermediate brightness level for a predefined period of time. A minimum brightness module dims the brightness level of the electronic display from an intermediate brightness level to a minimum brightness level at a second dimming rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul D. Kangas, Robert T. Noble
  • Patent number: 4521775
    Abstract: Two levels of liquid crystal material and upper, center and lower transparent members are sandwiched to form a stacked display. Segment electrodes, which are disposed on opposite sides of the center transparent member, are controllable to selectively display information in one of the two levels while the other level is caused to remain transparent. By applying different waveforms to the levels, one level can be energized while the other is held inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert T. Noble
  • Patent number: 4485376
    Abstract: Two levels of liquid crystal material and upper, center and lower transparent members are sandwiched to form a stacked display. Segment electrodes, which are disposed on opposite sides of the center transparent member, are controllable to selectively display information in one of the two levels while the other level is caused to remain transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert T. Noble
  • Patent number: 4328571
    Abstract: A rapid start oscillator latch circuit for avoiding long start up time while maintaining minimum operating power for a crystal oscillator in an electronic watch. The oscillator is operated at a relatively high gain immediately after power is applied and until the oscillator is running, after which the oscillator is caused to operate under the normally preferred conditions. A power up pulse sets a latch and the latch is reset by either a pulse from the prescaler or a manual input. When the latch is set, the oscillator circuit is modified for quick start-up. After the oscillator is running, it activates the prescaler, and after several cycles of clock inputs to the prescaler, an output from the prescaler or a manual input resets the latch and the oscillator is returned to its normal operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert T. Noble
  • Patent number: 4312055
    Abstract: Electronic circuits especially adapted for driving an electro-optic representation of a conventional mechanical analog watch, such circuits providing improved signal multiplexing for activating the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert T. Noble
  • Patent number: 4212159
    Abstract: Improved timekeeping apparatus, such as a watch or clock with an electro-optic display simulating a conventional mechanical analog timepiece. Electro-optical material, e.g., liquid crystal material, is activated in selected areas to change its appearance to simulate movement of the hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert T. Noble, Perry A. Penz, Burton W. Marks
  • Patent number: 4209974
    Abstract: Electronic circuits especially adapted for driving an electro-optic representation of a conventional mechanical analog watch, such circuits providing improved signal multiplexing for activating the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1980
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert T. Noble