Patents Issued in February 16, 2016
  • Patent number: 9261961
    Abstract: A screen protector is provided with tactile aids for vision-impaired users. The screen protector can be placed on the display screen of a computing device to enhance the out-of-box experience for vision-impaired users and/or guide the user during subsequent use of the device. For example, the screen protector can be configured to be tactilely-informative about how to activate accessibility features of the device and/or how to proceed with initial set-up and configuration of the device. The screen protector may include, for example, braille instructions for activating the accessibility mode and/or a raised or embossed tactile aid that identifies the location of a UI control feature that can be engaged to initiate the accessibility mode or other desired function. Once the user has engaged the accessibility mode, the user may receive verbal instructions and cues going forward so as to allow the user to successfully use the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nook Digital, LLC
    Inventor: Ian C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9261962
    Abstract: A method for providing tactile feedback comprises displaying a visual representation of a physical object having at least one haptic property, generating time-varying data associated with the at least one haptic property from the visual representation, sending the time-varying data to a computing device including a feedback apparatus electrically connected to the computing device, and generating the tactile feedback via the feedback apparatus in response to a pressure on the feedback apparatus applied by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Siddique Mohammed, David Nahamoo, Dhandapani Shanmugam
  • Patent number: 9261963
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing tactile feedback is provided. The apparatus includes a touch-sensitive screen that detects a touch input and a set of electrodes. The apparatus also includes a haptic voltage signal generator that applies a haptic signal to the set of electrodes and modifies the haptic signal based on a displacement current from the touch input to the set of electrodes. The apparatus also includes a haptic feedback controller that determines the displacement current, where the displacement current is an effect of an amplitude of the haptic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sam Shan Jiang, Christian A. Webb, Craig W. Northway
  • Patent number: 9261964
    Abstract: A method for rejecting an unintentional palm touch is disclosed. In at least some embodiments, a touch is detected by a touch-sensitive surface associated with a display. Characteristics of the touch may be used to generate a set of parameters related to the touch. In an embodiment, firmware is used to determine a reliability value for the touch. The reliability value and the location of the touch is provided to a software module. The software module uses the reliability value and an activity context to determine a confidence level of the touch. In an embodiment, the confidence level may include an evaluation of changes in the reliability value over time. If the confidence level for the touch is too low, it may be rejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Reed L. Townsend, Alexander J. Kolmykov-Zotov, Steven P. Dodge, Bryan D. Scott
  • Patent number: 9261965
    Abstract: An application runs on an electronic device having a touch surface, with one or more virtual controls on the touch surface. An overlay panel is attached to the electronic device, with one or more physical actuators mounted within a nonconductive frame. Each physical actuator has one or more conductive elements configured to create a conductive path through the physical actuator. Each physical actuator is aligned with and makes contact with one or more associated virtual controls on the touch surface, such that a user can operate the virtual control(s) by actuating the associated physical actuator(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Moore King, Christopher David Braun
  • Patent number: 9261966
    Abstract: A natural user interface system and method of operation thereof including: a display device having a display screen and a display device camera; a mobile device having a mobile device camera, an optical axis of the mobile device camera positioned at an angle to an optical axis of the display device camera; wherein: the mobile device includes a first device pairing module for pairing the mobile device with the display device; the mobile device camera and the display device camera are for: detecting a user's hand, and determining posture and movement of the user's hand; and the display device includes a motion translation module for translating the posture and movement of the user's hand into a gesture for controlling an element of a user interface on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Berestov, Jun Yokono
  • Patent number: 9261967
    Abstract: A device, a method and a system for detecting and recognizing gestures, such as different hand gestures, includes at least one electrode for measuring an electrical property of a skin of a user, for example the electrical conductance of the skin and/or its change. From these measurement data, different gestures assumed by the body can be recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Dzmitry Viktorovich Aliakseyeu
  • Patent number: 9261968
    Abstract: A video gaming system includes a wireless controller that senses linear and angular acceleration to calculate paths of controller movement over a broad range of controller motion. The system also includes an electromagnetic alignment element, such as a set of LEDS. The controller includes an additional sensor to sense light from the LEDs over a relatively restricted range of controller motion, and use this sensed light to dynamically calibrate the controller when the controller passes through the restricted range of motion over which the sensor senses the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AiLive, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Yen, Ian Wright, Xiaoyuan Tu, Stuart Reynolds, William Robert Powers, III, Charles Musick, John Funge, Daniel Dobson, Curt Bererton
  • Patent number: 9261969
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to make it possible for smart devices such as smartphones to provide new operability to users. A gesture detecting device includes a motion detecting unit and a processor. The processor calculates deviation value outputted by the motion detecting unit. At timing when the deviation value exceeds a threshold value at the time of shaking out, the processor obtains a direction determination value at the time of shaking out, whereas at timing when the deviation value falls below a threshold value at the time of shaking back the smartphone, the processor obtains a direction determination value at the time of shaking back. Further, on the basis of a combination of the direction determination value, the processor detects a gesture of the gesture detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: JFE Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Dangi, Noriyuki Ohashi, Yuko Arai, Toshiki Tsuruoka, Atsushi Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 9261970
    Abstract: An extended keyboard includes keys and conductive contact points. Each key is connected to a corresponding one or more conductive contact points. The conductive contact points protrude from a backside of the extended keyboard. The conductive contact points are used to contact with a multi-point touch screen of an electronic device when the extended keyboard is placed on the multi-point touch screen of the electronic device, such that when an operation is applied to one key, the corresponding one or more conductive contact points electrically connected to the key conduct the operation to positions of the multi-point touch screen contacted with the corresponding conductive contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Po-Sung Hu
  • Patent number: 9261971
    Abstract: An input device is provided in the present application. The input device includes a first panel and a second panel, the first panel is provided with multiple grooves; the second panel is located under the first panel or fused to a bottom of the first panel, and includes a sensing unit configured to sense a key. In the input device, each of the grooves is arranged to correspond to one key area, and a key command may be input by performing a touch key operation on a corresponding sensing unit under the groove. Compared with the conventional input device, in the input device of the present application, the input of the key command may be realized without key caps and scissor-shaped structures for supporting the key caps, thereby shortening the key travel and reducing the thickness of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: Beijing Lenovo Software Ltd., Lenovo (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang Shao, Qing Liu, Jinping Yang, Qi Li
  • Patent number: 9261972
    Abstract: Sliding and non-sliding touch input to an electronic device may be selected so that the motions associated with a character to input are intuitive and thus easy to remember. The motions for the contacts of the touch input may be selected ergonomically in a way enabling touch-typing, thus increasing user comfort for longer periods of use. Multiple repositionable finger contact regions are maintained on a contact surface in an arrangement that is easily accessible for the user's fingertips. Each available input character is associated with a unique finger contact or set of simultaneously-entered contacts, each contact being either sliding or non-sliding contact, and the sliding contacts having a direction associated with the character. One example touch surface is a touch screen. Another example touch surface is the table upon which the electronic device sets and thus separate from the electronic device and freeing space on the device for other use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: INPRIS INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS LTD
    Inventors: Nissan Yaron, Ben Etzion Yaron
  • Patent number: 9261973
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting a touch of a first key associated with a first character on the keyboard, detecting a touch of a second key corresponding to a second character on the keyboard, determining an order for previewing the first and second characters in response to the detecting, and previewing the first and second characters in the determined order in an information entry field of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Donald Somerset McCulloch McKenzie, Jerome Pasquero, Jason Tyler Griffin
  • Patent number: 9261974
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is capable of processing a sensory effect of image data. The apparatus includes an image analyzer that analyzes depth information and texture information about at least one object included in an image. A motion analyzer analyzes a motion of a user. An image matching processor matches the motion of the user to the image. An image output unit outputs the image to which the motion of the user is matched, and a sensory effect output unit outputs a texture of an object touched by the body of the user to the body of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Hoon Park, Kwang-Cheol Choi, Je-Han Yoon
  • Patent number: 9261975
    Abstract: The optical position detection device includes a light irradiation unit that irradiates a target object with light, and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the target object. The light receiving unit includes a segmented photodiode in which a light receiving surface is two-dimensionally segmented into a plurality of light receiving regions, the segmented photodiode outputting a current corresponding to the intensity of light received by each of the light receiving regions; a light receiving lens that condenses the reflected light from the target object and forms an image of the target object on the light receiving surface of the segmented photodiode; and an arithmetic unit that detects a position of the target object in a two-dimensional direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the light receiving lens, based on the output currents corresponding to the respective light receiving regions of the segmented photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: MEGACHIPS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshihide Miyake
  • Patent number: 9261976
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having an input device for receiving a gesture based input from a user is used to control a navigation operation of an appliance. The portable electronic device receives via the input device the gesture based input and uses one or more parameters stored in a memory of the portable electronic device and one or more characteristics associated with the gesture based input to cause the portable electronic device to transmit a navigation step command to thereby control the navigation operation of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Jeffrey Kohanek, Pamela Eichler Keiles, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9261977
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a position indicator that includes: an enclosure forming a hollow and rod-shaped tubular body; a substrate disposed in the hollow portion of the enclosure and having a circuit configured to process signals exchanged with a position detection sensor; and a film-shaped capacitor having first and second conductor layers. The first conductor layer is formed on one side of a sheet-shaped dielectric, and the second conductor layer is formed on another side of the sheet-shaped dielectric and is opposed to the first conductor layer with the sheet-shaped dielectric provided therebetween. The film-shaped capacitor is fastened to the substrate in such a manner as to make up part of said circuit, and the size of an area over which the first and second conductor layers of the film-shaped capacitor are opposed is changeable by changing the size of the film-shaped capacitor to specify a constant for said circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Fukushima, Hiroyuki Fujitsuka
  • Patent number: 9261978
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention address these needs and others by providing a handheld device, e.g., a 3D pointing device, which uses at least one sensor to detect motion of the handheld device. The detected motion can then be mapped into a desired output, e.g., cursor movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HILLCREST LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Liberty, Daniel S. Simpkins, Charles W. K. Gritton, Mark Turner, Frank A. Hunleth
  • Patent number: 9261979
    Abstract: Motion of a device is sensed using image data, and a gesture corresponding to the sensed motion of the device is recognized. Functionality of the device corresponding to the recognized gesture is determined and invoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Atid Shamaie, Francis B. MacDougall
  • Patent number: 9261980
    Abstract: The invention applies to a pointing device of a mobile element, for example a cursor, on a plane surface. The pointing device comprises a first sensor for measuring the angular rates of the device and a second sensor of the linear accelerations along three dimensions of said device. Preferably, the first sensor is a two-axis or three-axis gyrometer and the second sensor is a three-axis accelerometer. The invention makes it possible to render the movements of the mobile element in the surface of the orientation in which the pointing device is held by its user. This result is achieved by global resolution of the angles of torsion by combining the measurements of the first and second sensors either within an extended Kalman filter or by application of an optimization criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: MOVEA, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Cindy Bassompiere, Yanis Caritu, Bruno Flament, Andrea Vassilev
  • Patent number: 9261981
    Abstract: A portable electronic device including a display device, an acceleration sensor and a processing unit is provided. The display device has a display surface. The acceleration sensor has a plurality of detecting sensor arrays for detecting a three-dimensional acceleration, and a shift angle smaller than 90 degrees is formed between at least one of the detecting sensor arrays and the display surface. The processing unit is configured to calculate a tilt angle according to the three-dimensional acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chi-Yi Liao
  • Patent number: 9261982
    Abstract: A computer readable recording media, having at least one program code recorded thereon, an image adjusting method can be performed when the program code is read and executed. The image adjusting method comprises: catching a current image; computing at least one kind of brightness information of the current image; respectively setting corresponding threshold values to different kinds of the brightness information; and determining if a contrast enhancing operation should be performed to the current image to generate an adjusted image according to a number that the brightness information is over the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventor: Tzu-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 9261983
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a system that includes a tracking device to generate movement information for use in moving a user interface object on a graphical user interface. The tracking device is configured to receive at least a portion of a user's finger. The system also includes a base device configured to receive the tracking device. The base device is configured to translate movement of the base device relative to an adjacent surface for use in moving the user interface object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FTM Computer Products
    Inventor: Michael P. Bailen
  • Patent number: 9261984
    Abstract: A mouse with multi button functionality is disclosed. The mouse includes a housing that surrounds the internal components of the mouse. The housing includes at least a first member and a second member, each of which forms a substantial portion of the housing. The first member moves relative to the second member so as to implement at least one of the multiple button functions of the mouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham Farag, Brian Q. Huppi
  • Patent number: 9261985
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for interacting with a computing device using a stylus. The stylus is configured with a touch-sensitive control feature that can be activated to perform various actions while the stylus is touching or otherwise sufficiently proximate to a stylus detection surface of the device. The swipe function can be associated with a variety of tasks on the computing device such as: adjusting variables, executing a particular command, switching between tools, modifying a particular tool's settings, and launching an application. In some embodiments, the stylus-based touch-sensitive control feature is configured to allow for both forward and backward swiping actions, tapping actions, and various combinations of such touch-types on the touch-sensitive control feature to uniquely identify a corresponding function to be carried out on the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Kourtny M. Hicks
  • Patent number: 9261986
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a trackball device provided for an operation panel of a predetermined computer, the device includes a first casing including a housing portion, a ball rotatably housed in the housing portion, a detector provided in the housing portion and configured to detect input information based on rotation of the ball, and a second casing including an opening portion and mounted on the first casing to restrain the ball in the housing portion while part of the ball is exposed from the opening portion, wherein the second casing further comprises a ring portion which is provided along the opening portion and exposed from the operation panel when the trackball device is provided on the operation panel, and is configured to be detachable from the first casing upon application of a dynamic action to the ring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Tamagawa Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kumazawa, Shinichiro Kikuchi, Shingo Higashiyama
  • Patent number: 9261987
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving an input event associated with a first user ID, the input event being a command for selecting at least one graphic object; determining if a selection is currently associated with the first user ID; and if no selection is currently associated with the first user ID creating a first selection; associating the first selection with the first user ID; and including the selected at least one graphic object in the first selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Kathryn Rounding, David Milford, Shih-Chen Man, Michael Boyle, William Leung
  • Patent number: 9261988
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle has a touch-sensitive input panel. The touch-sensitive input panel includes a transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Johannes Tovar, Tahar Bouaziz, Heike Sacher
  • Patent number: 9261989
    Abstract: The subject technology discloses configurations for providing a radial menu on one or more computing devices with a touch-sensitive screen. In one example, a user activates the radial menu after touching a first finger at a first or anchor point on a touchscreen that serves as a center of the radial menu. While the first finger is disposed, the user then touches a second finger at a second point some distance from the anchor point corresponding to the first finger on the touchscreen. The radial menu is generated based on a distance calculated between the anchor point and the second finger at the second point. The radial menu is not a complete circle and instead displayed as a partial circle, and the radial menu is generated so that the display area is bisected from the anchor point to the second point in some configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Friedrich Kuscher, Stefan Kuhne
  • Patent number: 9261990
    Abstract: A hybrid touch screen device applied to an electric device. The hybrid touch screen device preferably includes a touch panel, a pen touch panel, a display panel, and at least one processor. The touch panel detects an input event by a direct touch. The pen touch panel detects a touch pen input and an input event from an entry into a predetermined detection distance before a touch. The display panel displays a screen according to the touch panel, the pen touch panel, and a user operation. The processor also performs control to execute a relevant function according to an input event inputted to the touch panel and the pen touch panel. The processor also performs control so that an input event of the touch pen and an input event of the touch panel are detected independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Jin Choi, Ho-Seung Shin, Ju-Seung Lee
  • Patent number: 9261991
    Abstract: A display component (108) displays multiple icons that a user can touch. A multi-layered sensing component (104) includes at least a high resolution sensing component (204) and a low resolution sensing component (202). The low resolution sensing component is activated to detect objects touching the multi-layer sensing component. In response to the low resolution sensing component detecting an object touching one of the multiple icons, the low resolution sensing component is deactivated and at least a portion of the high resolution sensing component over the touched icon is activated. The high resolution sensing component senses the user's fingerprint, which is authenticated. After sensing the user's fingerprint, the high resolution sensing component is deactivated and the low resolution sensing component is reactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Rachid M. Alameh, Robert T. Love, Jiri Slaby
  • Patent number: 9261992
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a touch method for palm rejection and an electronic device using the same. The electronic device comprises a touch panel and a control unit, wherein the touch panel has a first detection region and includes a first operation mode and second operation mode, and the touch panel correspondingly performs a clicking or sliding motion by detection at the second operation mode. The control unit is electrically connected to the touch panel, when the first detection region detects a motion at the first operation mode, the touch panel generates a detecting signal correspondingly to be transmitted to the control unit, and then the control unit generates a control signal to the touch panel. Thus, the touch panel activates the first operation mode and ceases the second operation mode correspondingly provided that no motion is detected for a first period of time at the second operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mou Ming Ma, Yi Yuan Liu, Hsiang Yun Kuo
  • Patent number: 9261993
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a touch liquid crystal grating, a manufacturing method thereof and a touch 3D display device, the touch liquid crystal grating comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer; first electrodes, disposed on a side of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer; an insulating layer, covering the first electrodes; second electrodes, disposed on a side of the insulating layer facing the liquid crystal layer, a spacing region being between adjacent two second electrodes; second touch electrodes, disposed in the same layer with the second electrodes, each being located in one spacing region; first touch electrodes, wherein when being powered on, the first and second touch electrodes function to realize a touch function; liquid crystal molecules under the second electrodes rotate, and liquid crystal molecules under the second touch electrodes do not rotate, forming the liquid crystal grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shengji Yang
  • Patent number: 9261994
    Abstract: A mobile terminal is disclosed, thereby implementing a user input of a new type and enabling a user to determine a type and arrangement of a displayed navigation button on user's own. The present invention includes a display unit having a prescribed region assigned as a navigation region; and a controller controlling at least one navigation button to be displayed through the navigation region, wherein a type and arrangement of the at least one navigation button displayable through the navigation region are changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junghyun Lee, Jinhae Choi, Younghoon Lee, Jongseok Park
  • Patent number: 9261995
    Abstract: A method of selecting an object by using a multi-touch, by which the object displayed on a screen of an electronic device is selected, is provided. The method includes determining whether at least two touches are input to a touch screen of an electronic device, determining a reference point from touch points where the at least two touches have been input, when it is determined that the at least two touches have been input, tracking a path along which the determined reference point is moved, as the at least two touch points are moved on the touch screen, and selecting at least one object corresponding to the moving path of the reference point on a screen displayed on the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soung-Kwan Kimn
  • Patent number: 9261996
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a mobile terminal including a touch screen supporting a multi-touch input. The method includes: determining a number of one or more points inputted as a first touch input on the touch screen; when the number is 3, determining the first touch input as a three-point input; determining a size of a largest internal angle of a triangle generated by connecting points of the three-point input on the touch screen; displaying one of a linear tool and a circular tool based on a size of the largest internal angle of the triangle; receiving a second touch input; generating a line corresponding to the second touch input by interworking with one of the linear tool and the circular tool; and displaying the generated line on the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Byung-Min Jung, Yeong-Woong Yoo, Yu-Jin Lee, Eun-Joo Lee
  • Patent number: 9261997
    Abstract: Touch regions in a diamond configuration in a touch sensitive device are disclosed. Touch regions can include drive regions of display pixels to receive stimulation signals and sense regions of display pixels to send touch signals based on a touch or near touch. The drive regions and sense regions can be disposed diagonally adjacent to each other to form a diamond configuration. In an example diamond configuration, diagonal drive regions can be separate and unconnected from each other, while diagonal sense regions can be electrically connected to each other via their sense lines. The diagonal sense region connections can be in a forward diagonal direction, a backward diagonal direction, or a combination thereof. In an alternate example diamond configuration, diagonal drive regions can be electrically connected to each other via their drive lines, while diagonal sense regions can be electrically connected to each other via their sense lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shih Chang Chang, Marduke Yousefpor
  • Patent number: 9261998
    Abstract: One object of an embodiment is to provide a novel electronic device which is configured so that a user can read data regardless of a location, input data by directly touching a keyboard displayed on a screen or indirectly touching the keyboard with a stylus pen or the like, and use the input data. The electronic device includes a first transistor electrically connected to a reflective electrode and a photo sensor over a flexible substrate. A touch-input button is displayed as a still image on a first screen region of a display portion, and a video signal is output so that a moving image is displayed on a second screen region of the display portion. A video signal processing portion supplying different signals between the case where a still image is displayed on the display portion and the case where a moving image is displayed on the display portion is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kurokawa, Takayuki Ikeda, Hikaru Tamura, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9261999
    Abstract: A display panel includes a plurality of pixels disposed on a first panel substrate of first and second panel substrates that face each other and cooperate to display an image. The second panel substrate includes a base substrate, a read-out line, a first insulating layer, a scan line, a switching device, and a light sensor. The read-out line is disposed on the base substrate and extended in a direction. The first insulating layer is disposed on the read-out line. The scan line is extended to cross the read-out line and disposed on the first insulating layer. The switching device includes a first electrode connected to the scan line, a second electrode connected to a read-out line, and a third electrode spaced apart from the second electrode. The light sensor is structured to selectively detect lights of predetermined wavelengths and connected to the third electrode of the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-Hun Jeong, Woongkwon Kim, Yunjong Yeo, Sungryul Kim, Byeonghoon Cho, HeeJoon Kim, Daecheol Kim, Hong-Kee Chin, Jung suk Bang, Kun-Wook Han
  • Patent number: 9262000
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are described including using a Human Interface Device (HID) source device to configure a HID sink device to provide interface data such as multi-touch data. The HID source device may enable a data module in the HID sink device to generate the interface data. After receiving the interface data the HID source device may generate output data and provide the output data to the HID sink device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srikanth Kambhatla, Steven B. Mcgowan
  • Patent number: 9262001
    Abstract: A high-accuracy OLED touch display panel structure of narrow border includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, an OLED layer configured between the upper and lower substrates, a sensing electrode layer, a thin film transistor layer, a cathode layer, and an anode layer. The sensing electrode layer has a plurality of first conductor line units. The thin film transistor layer includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of source lines, and a plurality of second conductor line units. The plurality of first conductor line units and the plurality of second conductor line units form a sensing touch pattern structure for sensing an approaching external object. The plurality of first conductor line units and the plurality of second conductor line units are disposed corresponding to positions of the plurality of gate lines and the plurality of source lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SuperC-Touch Corporation
    Inventor: Hsiang-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 9262002
    Abstract: A computing device includes a touch screen display with a plurality of force sensors, each of which provides a signal in response to contact with the touch screen display. Using force signals from the plurality of force sensors, a characteristic of the contact is determined, such as the magnitude of the force, the centroid of force and the shear force. The characteristic of the contact is used to select a command which is processed to control the computing device. For example, the command may be related to manipulating data displayed on the touch screen display, e.g., by adjusting the scroll speed or the quantity of data selected in response to the magnitude of force, or related to an operation of an application on the computing device, such as selecting different focal ranges, producing an alarm, or adjusting the volume of a speaker in response to the magnitude of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Momeyer, Kevin M. Beckwith, Hui-Ya L. Nelson, Andre Gustavo P. Schevciw, Louis Dominic Oliveira, Wade L. Heimbigner, Babak Forutanpour
  • Patent number: 9262003
    Abstract: A touch sensing system may include a pressure and force sensing device capable of sensing dynamic pressure or dynamic force applied to a piezoelectric sensing array. In such implementations, an applied force may be detected (and optionally recorded) during a period of time that the force is applied and changing. The force-sensing device may have a sufficiently high resolution to function as a fingerprint sensor. The touch sensing system may include one or more additional components capable of fingerprint sensing, such as an ultrasonic transmitter that allows the device to become an ultrasonic transducer capable of imaging a finger (or another object) in detail. The force-sensing device also may be capable of functioning as an ultrasonic receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack C. Kitchens, John K. Schneider, Stephen M. Gojevic
  • Patent number: 9262004
    Abstract: An overlay for covering the writing surface of an electronic writing tablet includes (a) an LCD touch screen adapted to (i) initially display an image drawn or written upon the upper surface by application of pressure on the upper surface without requiring a transfer of matter to the upper surface and (ii) continue display of the image without the consumption of electrical power; (b) a source of electrical power; and (c) a reversible attaching mechanism for reversibly attaching the LCD touch screen over the writing surface of the writing tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Topaz Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony E. Zank
  • Patent number: 9262005
    Abstract: A technique for integrating a multi-touch surface into a desktop environment is disclosed. One or more multi-touch display devices are placed on the horizontal surface surrounding or beneath a keyboard or mouse. At least one region on the multi-touch surface is defined to display one or more user interface tools on the multi-touch surface. The one or more user interface tools displayed via the multi-touch surface may control or display information associated with desktop applications displayed via a primary display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AUTODESK, Inc.
    Inventors: Tovi Grossman, Justin Frank Matejka, George Fitzmaurice, Xiaojun Bi
  • Patent number: 9262006
    Abstract: A mobile terminal which includes a terminal body; a display mounted to the terminal body; a window disposed to cover the display and including central and edge regions wherein the central region is formed of a transmissive material and configured to align with the display, and the edge region is formed of an opaque material and configured to surround the central region. The mobile terminal further includes a first touch sensor disposed to span at least the central region and configured to detect a touch input to the central region; and a second touch sensor disposed to span at least part of the edge region and configured to detect a touch input to the at least part of the edge region, wherein the second touch sensor is configured to have a higher touch sensitivity than the first in order to detect a touch input to the opaque edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hongjo Shim, Seonghyok Kim, Haengchul Kwak, Hyejin Eum
  • Patent number: 9262007
    Abstract: An operation input device includes touch panel, depression time detecting portion, input determination portion, display control portion, sound control portion, vibration portion, and vibration control portion. Touch panel outputs a depression signal according to a depression time when an input region is depressed. The depression time detecting portion detects the depression time based upon the depression signal from the touch panel. Input determination portion determines input content according to the depression time detected by the depression time detecting portion. Display control portion outputs visual information, which corresponds to the input content determined by input determination portion, to a display portion of the touch panel. Sound control portion outputs sound corresponding to the input content determined by input determination portion. Vibration portion transmits vibration to touch panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Junichi Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 9262008
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for recognizing touch on a touch panel. A first value and a second value are set. Sensing value Cn is compared with the first value and the second value. When the sensing value Cn is greater than or equal to the first value, a touch with finger is recognized. When the sensing value Cn is smaller than the second value, no touch is recognized. When the sensing values Cn are greater than or equal to the second value and smaller than the first value, following steps are taken. A time period is setting. Touch signals are sensed several times during the time period and a number of maximum sensing values ?Cpeak are selected. Average sensing values ?Cpeak are calculated. When the average sensing values ?Cpeak satisfy following formula: 0.8 ?Cpeak??Cpeak?1.2 ?Cpeak, a touch with glove is determined. And when not, no touch is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TIANJIN FUNAYUANCHUANG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Min Chao, Chien-Yung Cheng, Po-Sheng Shih
  • Patent number: 9262009
    Abstract: A touch device and method for detecting a touch point thereof are provided. The method includes: detecting a plurality of first touch values, second touch values and third touch values corresponding to a plurality of touch regions of a touch panel, respectively, during a first frame period, a second frame period and a third frame period; performing a value obtaining operation to output a median of the first touch value, the second touch value and the third touch value to which each of the touch regions correspond; and determining a real touch point according a touch threshold and the first touch values, the second touch values and the third touch values outputted by the value obtaining operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Jui-Ming Liu, Li-Lin Liu, Chung-Wen Chang, Shen-Feng Tai
  • Patent number: 9262010
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved input device performance. Specifically, the devices and methods provide improved resistance to the effect of interference on input devices, and in particular, to the effect of unison noise on proximity sensors that use capacitive techniques to generate images of sensor values. The devices and methods provide improved resistance to the effects of interface by using images of sensor values and one or more profiles of sensor values. An image of sensor values is combined with one or more profiles of sensor values to produce a modified image of sensor values, the modified image having reduced errors due to noise. This reduction in errors due to noise can improve the accuracy and performance of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Mihai Bulea