Patents Issued in March 1, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070046594
    Abstract: A class of electromechanical switch cell including an optical shutter mechanism suited for use as an optical light valve, light curtain, and/or other display applications, is disclosed. An optical shutter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can include a first set of opaque elements on a substrate foil and a second set of opaque elements on an opposing surface of a moveable foil. By translating the moveable foil, the second set of opaque elements can be made to alternatively be in optical misalignment with the first set of opaque elements, in which case light may not pass through the cell, or in optical alignment with the first set, in which case light may pass through the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Nicholas Pasch
  • Publication number: 20070046595
    Abstract: A driving method of a stacked light modulating device for recording an image therein, which includes selective reflection layers each having a cholesteric liquid crystal, reflecting light with different wavelengths within a visible range, and being different in a lower threshold value of texture change from a planar to a focal conic texture with respect to an externally applied voltage and an upper threshold value of texture change from the focal conic to a homeotropic texture, and a pair of electrodes disposed outside, includes applying between the pair of electrodes voltages including a voltage V1 and have a same frequency, to select an area exceeding or not exceeding the upper threshold value in each of the selective reflection layers, and applying voltages including a voltage V2 and have a same frequency different from the voltage V1, to select an area exceeding or not exceeding the lower threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taijyu Gan, Haruo Harada, Yasunori Okano, Makoto Gomyou, Hiroshi Arisawa
  • Publication number: 20070046596
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: an image signal processing unit which adjusts an input grayscale values included in an input image signal according to a predetermined grayscale characteristic; a display unit which displays an image based on an image signal included in an output grayscale value adjusted by the image signal processing unit; and a grayscale characteristic changing unit which changes a correlation between the input and output grayscale values defined based on the grayscale characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takefumi Sakakibara, Yuji Mochizuki, Osamu Kumamoto, Shiki Furui
  • Publication number: 20070046597
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display with improved response time and a method of making such display are presented. The invention improves the quality of moving images. The display includes a plurality of pixels, an image signal modifier for generating a preliminary signal based on a previous image signal and a current image signal and generating a modified image signal based on the preliminary signal and a next image signal, and a data driver for changing the modified image signal from the image signal modifier into a data voltage and supplying it to the pixels. The value of the modified image signal is set according to the magnitude of the next image signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Bong-Im Park, Bong-Ju Jun
  • Publication number: 20070046598
    Abstract: The number of transistors in an output control circuit is significantly reduced in a liquid crystal display drive circuit. Also, power consumption is reduced and a drive voltage is stabilized. A pair of control transistors is provided for each of four output transistors TR1-TR4, resulting in total of eight control transistors being provided. The eight control transistors are switched according to a dot signal DA and a field signal DF to select one output transistor out of the four output transistors TR1-TR4. Transition from ON to OFF of the output transistors is quickened by steepening rise of DFp and DFBp that are applied to gates of the output transistors and fall of DFn and DFBn that are applied to gates of the output transistors. Also, transition from OFF to ON is delayed by slackening fall of DFp and DFBp and rise of DFn and DFBn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Yamase, Kaoru Yamase
  • Publication number: 20070046599
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel having a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of display panel driving apparatuses. Each of the display panel driving apparatuses includes a data line driving circuit, and a plurality of pads via which corresponding gray-scale voltages are respectively output. The data line driving circuit drives corresponding data lines of the plurality of the data lines. Each of the plurality of the pads outputs a corresponding gray-scale voltage of a plurality of gray-scale voltages, wherein the pads of the display panel driving apparatuses are connected in a cascade. The pads of the display panel driving apparatuses may be connected via a flexible printed circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Kyung-Myun Kim, Kyeong-Tae Moon, Byung-Hun Han, Sang-Hun Kim
  • Publication number: 20070046600
    Abstract: A display device includes a data voltage generating circuit supplied with a data signal and generating a data voltage. The data voltage generating circuit includes a gamma reference voltage generator generating first and second gamma reference voltages and a gray level voltage generator including a plurality of gray level voltage dividers generating a plurality of 2k gray level voltages. The gray level voltage dividers use the first and second gamma reference voltages, wherein one of the plurality of gray level voltage dividers is selected and supplied with the first and second gamma reference voltage. The data voltage is one of the selected 2k gray level voltages corresponding a gray level of a data signal. A display panel displays images using the data voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Won-Young Sun
  • Publication number: 20070046601
    Abstract: A display device and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix with each pixel including first and second subpixels. First gate lines are connected to the first subpixel and transmit a first gate-on voltage, second gate lines are connected to the second subpixel and transmit a second gate-on voltage, and data lines are connected to the first and second subpixels and transmit first and second data voltages. The respective first and second data voltages that are applied to the first and second subpixels are obtained from the same image information, the first data voltage is not higher than the second data voltage, and the second data voltage is precharged in the data lines before applying the first data voltage to the first subpixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Byung-Hyuk Shin, Tae-Sung Kim
  • Publication number: 20070046602
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes an over driving data generator that compares a gray level of a data signal of a present frame with a gray level of a data signal of a previous frame to output an over driving data signal. The data signal has a bit number of n. A data drive IC generates level voltages having a number of more than 2n and outputs one of the level voltages of the over driving data signal. A liquid crystal panel includes a pixel applied with the one of the level voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Tae-Ho You, Yong-Sung Ham
  • Publication number: 20070046603
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for driving electroluminescent, in particular organic light emitting diodes (OLED) displays using multi-ling addressing (MLA) techniques. Embodiments of the invention are particularly suitable for use with so-called passive matrix OLED displays. A current generator for an electroluminescent display driver, the current generator including: a first, reference current input to receive a reference current; a second, ratioed current input to receive a ratioed current; a first ratio control input to receive a first control signal input; a controllable current mirror having a control input coupled to said first ratio control input, a current input coupled to said reference current input, and an output coupled to said ratioed current input; said current generator being configured such that a signal and said control input controls a ratio of said ratioed current to said reference current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Euan Smith, Paul Routley
  • Publication number: 20070046604
    Abstract: A method of inserting black frames is provided. The LCD comprises a pixel, and the pixel comprises a liquid crystal capacitor. Firstly, during a normal-mode period, a common voltage is provided to a first end of the liquid crystal capacitor. Next, a data signal is provided to a second end of the liquid crystal capacitor, so that the liquid crystal capacitor has a first voltage drop. Finally, during a dark-mode period, a first voltage different from the common voltage is provided to the first end of the liquid crystal capacitor to change the voltage at the second end of the liquid crystal capacitor, so that the liquid crystal capacitor has a second voltage drop to drive the pixel in a dark mode during the dark-mode period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Kuei-Sheng Tseng, Chu-Yu Liu, Ming-Hung Chen, Wen-Bin Chen, Tsong-Cheng Lin
  • Publication number: 20070046605
    Abstract: A light control device has a substrate, a planar electrode, a light modulating film having a refractive index that is changeable in accordance with an electric field applied to the film, and a plurality of electrode segments arranged at a predetermined interval on the light modulating film. A controller applies a control voltage to at least predetermined electrode segments, and the remaining electrode segments and the planar electrode are set to ground potential. This makes the interval of a distribution of electric fields generated in the light modulating film larger than the interval of the electrode segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu FUJIMORI
  • Publication number: 20070046606
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device includes an LCD panel and a driving module. The LCD panel includes a plurality of pixel parts, each including a transmitting portion and a reflecting portion. The transmitting portion has a first switching element electrically connected to a first gate line, and a first liquid crystal capacitor electrically connected to the first switching element. The reflecting portion has a second switching element electrically connected to a second gate line, and a second liquid crystal capacitor electrically connected to the second switching element. The driving module applies a first common voltage to the first liquid crystal capacitor during turning-on of the first switching element, and applies a second common voltage to the second liquid crystal capacitor during turning-on of the second switching element. Therefore, an image display quality is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Il-Gon Kim, Ung-Sik Kim, Tae-Hyeong Park, Kook-Chul Moon, Pil-Mo Choi, Seock-Cheon Song, Sang-Hoon Lee, Keun-Woo Park, Ho-Suk Maeng
  • Publication number: 20070046607
    Abstract: A display panel, comprising a scan driver, at least one data driver, and a plurality of pixel groups. The scan driver drives a plurality of scan lines arranged in a first direction. The data driver drives a plurality of data lines arranged in a second direction. Each pixel group comprises a predetermined number of pixels arranged in the second direction. In each pixel group, the pixels are coupled to the same scan line and simultaneously receive video signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Ming-Sheng Lai
  • Publication number: 20070046608
    Abstract: A system on panel (SOP)-type emission driving device of an organic light emitting display device. The emission driving device includes an odd emission control line controller having a plurality of flip-flops for outputting emission control signals to odd emission control lines, and an even line controller having a plurality of flip-flops for outputting emission control signals to even emission control lines. Each of the flip-flops alternately receives a clock signal and an inverted clock signal for causing the flip-flip to output an emission control signal. In one embodiment, each flip-flop includes nine PMOS transistors and two capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Bo-Yong Chung
  • Publication number: 20070046609
    Abstract: A display device includes an image signal modifier for modifying input image signals based on the difference between the input image signal for a pixel in a first row and the input image signal for the pixel in the adjacent row. The gate-on voltages includes a pre-charging voltage and a main charging voltage, the main charging voltage for the first row overlaps the pre-charging voltage for the second row and the pre-charging voltage for the first grow overlaps the main charging voltage for the second row for a predetermined time. The first data voltage is applied to the pixels of the first and second rows after application of the main charging gate-on voltage for the first row and the pre-charging gate-on voltage for the row, and the second data voltage is applied to the pixel of the second row after application of the main charging gate-on voltage for the second row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Baek-Woon Lee
  • Publication number: 20070046610
    Abstract: A driving method for a display apparatus including a plurality of pixels arranged in matrix along a line direction and a column direction implements sequential driving in the column direction by inverting a polarity of a plurality of pixels arranged in the line direction. The method includes driving a plurality of pixels arranged in an odd line, and driving a plurality of pixels arranged in an even line and in a column different from a column of the plurality of driven pixels in the odd line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noboru Okuzono
  • Publication number: 20070046611
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for driving passive, electro-optic displays with greater efficiency. The invention is particularly suitable for driving passive matrix organic light emitting diode displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Cambridge Display Technology Limited
    Inventors: Paul Routley, Euan Smith
  • Publication number: 20070046612
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display controller includes a circuit which generates a signal for driving a signal line with the polarity of the signal controlled by a control signal; an inductance element into which current flows in synchronization with the control signal; and a switching unit which connects selectively one of the inductance element and the circuit to the signal line. The signal line of a liquid crystal display device is driven by the inductance element, whereby the power consumption is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Haruhiko Okumura, Tetsure Itakura
  • Publication number: 20070046613
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display system reduces a consumed current and reduces generation of heat in a data integrated circuit. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal cell array, a first charge sharing circuit arranged on one side of the liquid crystal cell array to pre-charge the data lines before the data lines are charged with a data voltage, and a second charge sharing circuit arranged outside the other side of the liquid crystal cell array to pre-charge the data lines before the data lines are charged with a data voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Sung Ha, Man Park
  • Publication number: 20070046614
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving a thin-film transistor liquid crystal display is provided. The apparatus is able to reduce power consumption of its source driver IC in the vertical blanking time without affecting image quality in the normal display time. The apparatus comprises an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and a source driver IC. The ASIC outputs a latch pulse signal. The source driver IC has a plurality of output terminals and outputs a data voltage at each of the output terminals in response to the latch pulse signal. The source driver IC further comprises a switch. The switch is electrically connected to two adjacent output terminals of the source driver IC and connects the adjacent output terminals in the vertical blanking time in response to the latch pulse signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Chih-Jung Chien
  • Publication number: 20070046615
    Abstract: A LC panel for use in a projection LCD device includes a source driver IC operating in a frame-inversion driving scheme. The luminance gradient caused by the frame-inversion driving scheme in the active-matrix substrate is cancelled by the luminance gradient caused by the heat generated by the source driver. A heat adjusting element is provided for the source driver IC, wherein the heat adjusting element is either a radiator or a heater depending on the relationship of the magnitude between the luminance gradients caused by the frame-inversion driving scheme and the source driver IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shunji Tsuida, Yoshinori Tomihari, Hiroyuki Sekine
  • Publication number: 20070046616
    Abstract: A backlight module at least includes a light-emitting unit, a driving circuit board, and a casing. The light-emitting unit at least has an electrode pin. The driving circuit board at least generates a power signal for driving the light-emitting unit. The electrode pin of the light-emitting unit is directly connected to the driving circuit board. The casing has a reflection surface and a lateral surface, which is approximately perpendicular to the reflection surface. In this case, the driving circuit board is disposed at the lateral surface of the casing, and the light-emitting unit is disposed above and approximately parallel to the reflection surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Feng-Li Lin
  • Publication number: 20070046617
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light-generating unit, a heat-radiation member, a first receiving container, and a second receiving container. The heat-radiation member is disposed under the light-generating unit and radiates heat generated by the light-generating unit. The first receiving container is composed of a bottom portion and side portion extended from the bottom portion. The first receiving container has an opening formed through partial removal of the bottom portion so that the heat-radiation member received inside is exposed. The second receiving container is disposed under the first receiving container. An air layer is formed in between the first and second receiving containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Chun-Ho Song, Sang-Yu Lee, Gi-Cherl Kim, Seock-Hwan Kang, Joo-Woan Cho
  • Publication number: 20070046618
    Abstract: In addition to a normal waiting mode of displaying in a whole screen of a liquid-crystal panel and a first power-saving mode of eliminating the displaying in a whole screen of the liquid-crystal panel, a second power-saving mode of displaying at a part of the liquid-crystal panel is provided. In the normal waiting mode, a controller controls the backlight to turn on a light illuminating a whole area and also controls a touch panel to be turned on. In the first power-saving mode, the controller turns off the light and also turns of the touch panel. In the second power saving mode, the controller controls the display section to display a summarized content of settings at the part of the liquid crystal panel, controls the backlight to turn on the light illuminating the part of the liquid crystal panel and turns off the touch panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Keita Imai
  • Publication number: 20070046619
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device 1 of the invention has a liquid crystal display panel in which a liquid crystal layer 14 is provided between a TFT substrate 2 and a CF substrate 25 that has a common electrode 26, a light sensing component LS1 with a TFT photosensor that senses external light, and an illuminating means controlled according to the output of the light sensing component. The light sensing component is deployed at the periphery of the TFT substrate's display area DA and uses a thin film transistor as photosensor. A capacitor C is connected between source and drain electrodes SL, DL for such TFT photosensor. One of the capacitor's terminals is connected to a standard voltage source VS via a switch element SW, and the other to the common electrode 26. Voltage that is always lower than the voltage applied to the common electrode by an amount corresponding to a reverse bias voltage is applied to the gate electrode GL for the TFT photosensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: SANYO EPSON IMAGING DEVICES CORP.
    Inventors: Yutaka Sano, Takashi Kunimori, Masanori Yasumori, Toshihiko Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20070046620
    Abstract: A light transmission device transmits an image signal on light to an output device based on a control signal for controlling the image signal. The light transmission device includes a transmitting interface component, a receiving interface component, and a light transmitting medium. The transmitting interface component converts the image signal to a light signal and transmits the light signal. The receiving interface component converts the light signal transmitted from the transmitting interface component to an image signal and transmits the same to the output device. The light transmitting medium connects the transmitting interface component and the receiving interface component. The transmitting interface component includes a combining component, which classifies the image signal to each of plural bit data channels according to a predetermined condition, inserts the control signal into the remaining bits of the bit data channels and then carries out modulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Atsushi Ugajin
  • Publication number: 20070046621
    Abstract: An image display device and image display method are provided. The device and method can prevent changes in image density and contrast, which are caused by repeated displaying over long periods of time and changes in environment, by employing accurate electric current detection, due to the following operations. Voltage measurement is initiated with a detection circuit. Next, the application of drive voltage is initiated with a drive power source. An electric current value is calculated from the measured voltage value and the electric current value is temporarily stored. The electric current values are stored every set amount of time and the storage thereof accumulates. Application of the drive voltage is terminated and the integral value of the electric current is calculated in accordance with formulas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Suwabe, Yoshiro Yamaguchi, Yoshinori Machida, Motohiko Sakamaki, Atsushi Hirano, Takeshi Matsunaga, Kiyoshi Shigehiro, Shunichiro Shishikura
  • Publication number: 20070046622
    Abstract: A driving method for driving an electrophoretic device that includes a display region including a plurality of electrophoretic elements each including a dispersed system that includes electrophoretic particles and that is disposed between a common electrode and a pixel electrode, a driver that drives the electrophoretic elements by applying voltages to the electrophoretic elements, and a controller that controls the driver, wherein two or more units of display rewritten at different rewrite intervals are provided in the display region includes controlling, by the controller, the driver to apply a higher voltage to an electrophoretic element included in a unit of display having a longer rewrite interval when an image is rewritten.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki KAWAI
  • Publication number: 20070046623
    Abstract: An electronic paper display device, a manufacturing method and a driving method thereof are disclosed. Micro protrusion members are formed at electrodes or at insulating layers. Consequently, the electrophoretic particles are prevented from being securely attached to an upper or the lower structure, and therefore, the quality of pictures is improved, and the contrast ratio of the pictures is increased. The relative sizes and the injection amounts of two kinds of electrophoretic particles are changed such that the relative sizes and the injection amounts of the electrophoretic particles are different from each other. Consequently, the driving voltage is lowered by excessively electrifying the electrophoretic particles of one kind. Protrusions are formed at the corresponding electrode such that a relatively large electric field is distributed around the electrode at which electrophoretic particles are located in the initial stage of voltage application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Moon Song
  • Publication number: 20070046624
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a scalable controller for a computer input area is provided with: a plurality of drive signal pads; a plurality of signal detection pads; a programmable memory to store an indication of active ones of the drive signal pads and signal detection pads; and control circuitry to identify user input with the computer input area by 1) driving active ones of the drive signal pads, and 2) reading active ones of the signal detection pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Chee-Heng Wong, Deng-Peng Chen
  • Publication number: 20070046625
    Abstract: An interactive display system configured for detecting an object or user input provided with an object. The system includes a display surface on which graphic images are displayed, one or more scanning light sources configured for scanning the interactive display surface, and a light detector configured for detecting light reflected from an object that is adjacent to or in contact with the interactive display surface. A computing system storing machine instructions is in communication with the scanning light source and the light detector. When executed, the machine instructions cause the computing system to illuminate the interactive display surface with the scanning light source, to detect light with the light detector that is reflected from an object after illumination with the light source, and to generate an output signal based on the detected light that has been reflected from an object on or adjacent to the interactive display surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Dawson Yee
  • Publication number: 20070046626
    Abstract: A digital presenter has a base, an image acquiring device with an automatic focusing function, and a flexible support device connected between the base and the image acquiring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Lumens Digital Optics Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Chin Cheng
  • Publication number: 20070046627
    Abstract: An input device and method for protecting input information from exposure, in which the time of input of information is determined using a tactile output to protect the input information from being exposed. The input device for protecting input information from exposure includes a user-input module for receiving predetermined input information from a user, a control module for setting the information inputted in association with a tactile signal among the input information as user-input information, and a tactile-output-generation module for generating and providing the tactile signal to the user-input module under the control of the control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung-seok Soh, Kyu-yong Kim, Sang-youn Kim, Gyung-hye Yang, Yong-beom Lee
  • Publication number: 20070046628
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a user interface using a jog dial and a navigation key are provided. The method includes navigating a main menu by a jog dial and navigating a submenu by a navigation key in a menu structure having at least one step; and navigating the main menu without separate key input when movement of the jog dial is sensed while navigating a submenu.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Si-Hyoung Lee, Nam-Choon Park, Jung-Won Kang, Yi-Sak Park, Ji-Hoon Kim, So-Young Shin
  • Publication number: 20070046629
    Abstract: A display device comprises a display screen, a graphical user interface navigation button and a proximity sensor including an infrared radiation emitter, an infrared radiation sensor and an infrared radiation source differentiator. The infrared radiation emitter emits a navigation infrared radiation. The infrared radiation sensor is positioned relative to the infrared radiation emitter to sense a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation in a navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Ong Chi-Boon, Lim Sin-Heng
  • Publication number: 20070046630
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for dynamically changing the display of a picture according to the degree of tilt of a mobile terminal without any separate key input. The degree of tilt refers to the angle at which the mobile terminal is tilted with respect to a reference plane, and the degree of tilt is calculated using a geomagnetic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nho-Kyung Hong, Sung-Jun Lee, June-Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20070046631
    Abstract: A computer mouse includes one or more tracing devices disposed in a housing, and a keying device attached to the housing for entering digital or control signals. A cover is pivotally coupled the housing for supporting the keying device. The keying device includes a number of key pads attached to a casing for being actuated by a user. The keying device includes a NUM LOCK key for changing a function of the key pads to a briefing or meeting function, and the housing includes a light device for generating and emitting a light out of the housing and for indicating that the function of the key pads are acted as the briefing or meeting function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Wen Chang
  • Publication number: 20070046632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier that holds a component in a defined position on a circuit board in a housing or housing part. In particular, the invention relates to a carrier for a sensor board on which a light-sensitive sensor is mounted. According to the invention, it is proposed that the carrier have at least one mechanical keying that interacts with a corresponding mechanical keying on the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: BASLER AG
    Inventors: Bjorn Schomann, Ralf Brachmann, Friedrich Dierks, Michael Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20070046633
    Abstract: A user interface apparatus for an electronic device. The apparatus comprises: one or more mechanical keys; one or more touch sensitive surfaces, the mechanical keys being adjacent to the touch sensitive surfaces; and a processor for receiving one or more user input operations performed on the mechanical keys and the touch sensitive surfaces, the input operation comprising a combined operation combining touching the touch sensitive surface with pressing at least one mechanical key, in a single stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: David Hirshberg
  • Publication number: 20070046634
    Abstract: A method for operating one or more computing input devices in a power saving mode. The method includes providing a computer input device having a wireless sensing device coupled to a processing unit. The wireless sensing device and the processing unit are provided in a housing of the computing input device. The method includes monitoring for one or more packets using the wireless sensing device from a wireless tag device, which can be portable and capable of being personalized. The method brings the wireless tag device within a selected spatial proximity of the computer input device including the wireless sensing device. The method captures the one or more packets using the wireless sensing device after the wireless tag device is within the selected spatial proximity of the computer input device. The method initiates a wake up process using the processing unit of the computer input device from information derived from the one or more packets from the wireless sensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dean Rice
  • Publication number: 20070046635
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, An electronic apparatus comprises; a body including a keyboard exposed on an upper surface hereof; a display device including a display surface and movable to a first state, a second state and a third state; an inversion hinge for rotating the display device on an inversion axis to move the display device from the first state to the third state; a support unit connected to the display device by the inversion hinge; a rotation hinge for rotating the support unit on a rotation axis provided along a rear side of the body while connecting the body and the support unit to each other; and an operation device provided in the support unit coaxially with the inversion axis and for outputting a signal related to information displayed on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Shigeki Nishiyama, Kenji Shimano, Satoshi Araki
  • Publication number: 20070046636
    Abstract: A key pad assembly and a mobile communication terminal having the same. The key pad assembly comprises: a key pad installed at a front surface of a cover so as to be exposed outwardly; a switching unit arranged at a rear surface of the cover for generating a signal when the key pad is pressed; a signal transmitting unit electrically connected to the switching unit below the switching unit, for transmitting a signal generated from the switching unit; and a supporting plate arranged below the signal transmitting unit and having a guiding portion for inducing the signal transmitting unit to be bent in a direction spaced from a lower surface of the cover, for supporting the signal transmitting unit towards the cover. As the key pad assembly is implemented to be slim, a spatial efficiency of the mobile communication terminal is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Sang-Eun Nam
  • Publication number: 20070046637
    Abstract: A touch key assembly is structured to operate with a cover having at least one touch key, which is defined by an optically transmissive region of the cover. A touch pad is coupled to the cover and is shaped to define at least one aperture which forms a light guide that is associated with the touch key. A light source is positioned relative to the bottom side of the touch pad, and is further positioned relative to the light guide to provide light to the touch key. The assembly may also include an optical waveguide positioned relative to the bottom side of the touch pad, the optical waveguide being structured to transmit light. A reflection element operatively associated with the bottom side of the optical waveguide may be used to enhance refection of the light. The touch key assembly may be implemented in a portable electronic device, such as a mobile terminal or a personal digital assistant (PDA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Zhi-Min Choo, Hyung-Woon Lee, Dong-Seuck Ko
  • Publication number: 20070046638
    Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an improved method facilitate the entry of data when the data is to be of a particular arrangement of alphabetic (A) and/or numeric (N) and/or other characters. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the handheld electronic device includes a user interface that facilitates the entry of postal codes, zip codes, and the like that vary from country to country by processing key inputs according to a data format that has been selected on the basis of its correspondence with a country. In the example of address data, the handheld electronic device detects the entry of country-specific data, such as the name of the country or one of its geographic regions, and selects a corresponding data format for processing keystrokes during entry of postal codes, zip codes, or other codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: George Bumiller
  • Publication number: 20070046639
    Abstract: A touch sensor is disclosed comprising a display device having a substrate on which substrate at least one display electrode is disposed for the display of a shape on the display device. An interface is coupled to the at least one display electrode for receiving display data to the display device. Moreover is a measuring circuit coupled to the at least one display electrode. Switching means are provided for connecting the interface to the at least one display electrode when the switching means is in a first state of operation and connecting the measuring circuit to the at least one display electrode when the switching means is in a second state of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Anders Swedin
  • Publication number: 20070046640
    Abstract: A switch panel having a touch plate, image generator, imaging system and light source is disclosed. The touch plate includes an optically transparent layer having first and second surfaces in which a light signal is trapped by internal reflection. The image generator displays an image that includes a plurality of button positions to a person viewing the touch plate from the first surface. When the user touches the front surface at one of the button positions, light from a multi-LED light source that generates the trapped light signal is caused to escape the touch plate at a point corresponding to the point of contact. The light leaving the touch plate is imaged by the imaging system and used to determine the location of the point of contact. Images taken with different LEDs in the light source are used to make the contact determination to reduce the effects of ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Chin Oon, Kean Keh, Fam Chen
  • Publication number: 20070046641
    Abstract: A method (300) for entering a character into an electronic device (100) is provided. The method (300) includes displaying (301) input character keys (204) on a touch sensitive region (202) of a display screen (105) of the device (100), the keys identifying an associated character. Next, a display step (309) shows at least one entered character in a display region (201) of the screen, the entered character having been selected by actuation of one of the character keys (204). Next, a group of potential subsequent characters that follow the entered character is predicted (311, 317). A second set of input character keys (205) identifying the potential subsequent characters is displayed (327). The second set of keys (205) are grouped together (323) such that their relative screen locations with respect to each other are different to that of corresponding keys in the first set of keys (204).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventor: Swee Ho Lim
  • Publication number: 20070046642
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a first supporting substrate, a second supporting substrate that faces the first supporting substrate, a first transparent electrode formed on the first supporting substrate, a second transparent electrode formed on the second supporting substrate, a third transparent electrode formed between the first and second transparent electrodes, a medium layer formed between the first and third transparent electrodes, and a piezoelectric layer formed between the second and third transparent electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Dong-Won Lee, Deuk-Soo Kim, Kun-Bin Lee, Myung-Sook Jung
  • Publication number: 20070046643
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying user gesture includes a touch sensor for determining contact information that describes locations at which a user contacts a touch sensitive surface corresponding to a display. The touch sensor provides the contact information to a gesture identification module which uses state information to identify a user gesture and, responsive thereto issues an associated display command to a display control module. The display control module updates the display based on display commands received from the gesture identification module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, James Benson, James Lamanna