Patents by Inventor William Robert Hanson
William Robert Hanson 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).
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Patent number: 9977641Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a processor. The display system also includes a first display device having a first display surface and receiving display data from the processor. The display system also includes a second displayed device having a display area smaller then the first display device and moveable over the surface of the first display device. The display system also includes a sensor in communication with the processor and communicating location data to the processor. The location data is representative of the relative location of the first display to the second display. Further still, the display system includes a program running on the processor and providing display data to the first and second display devices. The display data is provided to the second display device based on the location data.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2006Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy, Sherridythe A. Fraser, Yoon Kean Wong, Mark W. Oliver
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Publication number: 20180013875Abstract: An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson
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Publication number: 20160231776Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but not all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn Gettemy
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Patent number: 8717293Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 8384674Abstract: An integrated enclosure/touch screen assembly with a soft thermoplastic outer surface coupled directly to a digitizer mechanism. A touch screen assembly consisting of a display mechanism and a resistive digitizer mechanism are enclosed within a single piece cover. The digitizer mechanism consists of a top film and a digitizing element, and the single piece cover is affixed directly to the top film of the digitizer mechanism. The single piece cover has a flat outer surface that is free of any steps or indentations which provides an enclosure that is both dust free and waterproof. The soft thermoplastic material used for the single piece cover will allow activation of the digitizer mechanism by means of mechanical pressure applied to the outer surface of the single piece cover. In one embodiment, the single piece cover is constructed by coupling a soft thermoplastic outer film directly to the top film of the digitizer mechanism by an in mold decoration process.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Anna Pia Slothower, David Northway, William Robert Hanson, Lawrence Lam
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Patent number: 8270149Abstract: A cover for an opening in the housing of a portable electronic device that provides a function in addition to that of protecting the opening from dirt. The cover can be coupled to the housing so that it can move between a closed position within the housing's surface recess and an open position that allows access to the opening in the housing. In the closed position, the cover becomes part of the housing and the of the device is generally unchanged. The cover can function as an antenna for wireless communication between the device and a network or access point, and it can contain circuitry for devices such as transmitter/receivers. The cover can also function as a display device, a speaker, or an alarm. Thus an existing cover that occupies space within the volume of a handheld device can be utilized for expanding the functionality of the device while generally retaining the current form factor of the device.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: William Robert Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong
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Patent number: 8212781Abstract: An electronic device includes a bezel feature, a connector and a processor. The bezel feature is rotatable amongst a plurality of positions on an arc length that defines a path of motion for the bezel feature. The plurality of positions are distributed along the entire arc length of the path of motion. An interface or connector couples the bezel feature to the processor of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 8049727Abstract: An accessory module or accessory display device for a handheld computer is disclosed. The device includes an interface configured to be coupled to a handheld computer through an interface slot. The module may be flexibly hinged to the interconnect interface, permitting the coupling of the module to a variety of host devices. The module includes memory configured to store information customized to the user.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2006Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: William Robert Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong
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Publication number: 20100171699Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Yoon Kean WONG, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 7701442Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: PALM, Inc.Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy
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Publication number: 20090279241Abstract: A cover for an electronic device for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The cover may comprise a thin, flexible transparent layer coupled with a supporting structure over a display screen and a digitizer mechanism. The digitizer mechanism may include a flexible conductive paste and a digitizing element. Users input data by applying mechanical pressure on the cover which deflects it and causes the conductive paste to contact and activate the digitizing element disposed beneath. A decorative border may be molded into the cover to conceal the electrical elements of the portable electronic device. The decorative border may be disposed directly beneath the flexible cover. The cover may be dust-free, waterproof, and have an outer surface that is free of any steps, openings, or indentations. Indentations may be molded into the cover to indicate button functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: PALM, INC.Inventors: Shawn R. Gettemy, William Robert Hanson, Eiji Nakagawa
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Publication number: 20090268402Abstract: A cover for an opening in the housing of a portable electronic device that provides a function in addition to that of protecting the opening from dirt. The cover can be coupled to the housing so that it can move between a closed position within the housing's surface recess and an open position that allows access to the opening in the housing. In the closed position, the cover becomes part of the housing and the of the device is generally unchanged. The cover can function as an antenna for wireless communication between the device and a network or access point, and it can contain circuitry for devices such as transmitter/receivers. The cover can also function as a display device, a speaker, or an alarm. Thus an existing cover that occupies space within the volume of a handheld device can be utilized for expanding the functionality of the device while generally retaining the current form factor of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventors: William Robert Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong
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Publication number: 20090184942Abstract: An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: PALM, INC.Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson
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Patent number: 7551429Abstract: A cover for an opening in the housing of a portable electronic device that provides a function in addition to that of protecting the opening from dirt. The cover can be coupled to the housing so that it can move between a closed position within the housing's surface recess and an open position that allows access to the opening in the housing. In the closed position, the cover becomes part of the housing and the of the device is generally unchanged. The cover can function as an antenna for wireless communication between the device and a network or access point, and it can contain circuitry for devices such as transmitter/receivers. The cover can also function as a display device, a speaker, or an alarm. Thus an existing cover that occupies space within the volume of a handheld device can be utilized for expanding the functionality of the device while generally retaining the current form factor of the device.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong
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Patent number: 7411583Abstract: An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson
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Patent number: 7280100Abstract: An accessory module or accessory display device for a handheld computer is disclosed. The device includes an interface configured to be coupled to a handheld computer through an interface slot. The module may be flexibly hinged to the interconnect interface, permitting the coupling of the module to a variety of host devices. The module includes memory configured to store information customized to the user.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong
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Patent number: 7256767Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: PALM, Inc.Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 7159194Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple housing segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but nor all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy
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Patent number: 7154746Abstract: A cover for an opening in the housing of a portable electronic device that provides a function in addition to that of protecting the opening from dirt. The cover can be coupled to the housing so that it can move between a closed position within the housing's surface recess and an open position that allows access to the opening in the housing. In the closed position, the cover becomes part of the housing and the of the device is generally unchanged. The cover can function as an antenna for wireless communication between the device and a network or access point, and it can contain circuitry for devices such as transmitter/receivers. The cover can also function as a display device, a speaker, or an alarm. Thus an existing cover that occupies space within the volume of a handheld device can be utilized for expanding the functionality of the device while generally retaining the current form factor of the device.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong
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Patent number: 7091964Abstract: An electronic device includes a bezel feature, a connector and a processor. The bezel feature is provided on the front panel and interfaces with the processor. The bezel feature includes a circumferential track provided on the front panel and is formed by a contact-sensitive material that provides a surface capable of detecting contact from a user at multiple positions on the track. The contact indicates an input based on both a starting position and a finishing position of the contact on the track. The processor is configured to calculate the input based on the starting position and the finishing position and to perform an operation corresponding to a selection of an application based on the input.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Yoon Kean Wong, William Robert Hanson, Shawn R. Gettemy