Patents Issued in January 2, 2018
  • Patent number: 9857927
    Abstract: A transparent resin laminate includes: a high-hardness hard coating layer having a pencil hardness of 6H to 8H; a transparent (meth)acrylic resin layer; and an impact resistant hard coating layer including a urethane bond-containing acrylic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LG HAUSYS, LTD.
    Inventors: Deok Ryul Hwang, Ku Il Park, Seong Hoon Yue, Jong Hun Lee, Min Hee Lee, Chang Hak Shin, Hwan Seok Park, Yea Ri Song
  • Patent number: 9857928
    Abstract: A display with a force sensing function has two layers of a reference voltage, for example a ground voltage. One reference voltage layer is inside the display stack. A sensor layer between the two reference voltage layers senses capacitance from the distance between the sensor layer and the reference voltage layer. The capacitance changes according to the force applied to the display, as the display moves slightly when the user presses the display. A thin foam layer allows the distance between the sensor layer and the reference voltage to change. This change is reflected in the measured capacitance. Multiple force sensors also enable detection of the position of the touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Pasi Kemppinen, Matti Pellikka
  • Patent number: 9857929
    Abstract: A touch panel and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the touch panel includes a substrate including a touch area, a photosensitive lower layer formed over the substrate and a plurality of touch electrodes and a plurality of connecting lines formed over the photosensitive lower layer positioned in the touch area of the substrate. The touch panel also includes a pad formed over the photosensitive lower layer positioned outside the touch area of the substrate and connected to one end of the connecting line and a photosensitive upper layer positioned over the touch electrodes and the connecting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo-Han Bae, Sung Ku Kang, Yun Ha Kim
  • Patent number: 9857930
    Abstract: In one embodiment a transparent conductive component is described comprising a flexible transparent substrate; a transparent conductive layer disposed on the flexible transparent substrate; and a plurality of metal traces disposed on and in electrical communication with the transparent conductive layer. A portion of the flexible transparent substrate comprising the transparent conductive layer and metal traces forms an interconnect circuit tab. At least the interconnect circuit tab comprises a cured organic polymeric material disposed on the (e.g. patterned) transparent conductive layer and metal traces metal traces and flexible transparent substrate such that the cured organic polymeric material forms an exposed surface layer. The cured organic polymeric material is optionally disposed at the bezel region and/or at a central region of the transparent conductive component (e.g. touch sensor).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Muthu Sebastian, Roger W. Barton, Dominic M. Travasso
  • Patent number: 9857931
    Abstract: A touch sensor electrode includes first and second layers and a substrate. The first layer has first strip electrodes along a first direction. Each of the first strip electrodes includes a first pad and a first group including first electrode lines. The second layer has second strip electrodes along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second strip electrodes each include a second group including second electrode lines. As viewed perpendicular to the substrate, one cell is a region in which one first group three-dimensionally crosses one second group, and the cells are arranged along the second array direction in each of the first strip electrodes. The cell placed closest to the first pad is a first closest cell. The first group includes, in the first closest cell, a first unconnected line not connected to the first pad and a first connected line connected to the first pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasunori Hashida, Takahiro Harada
  • Patent number: 9857932
    Abstract: An analog front end circuit utilizes coherent detection within a capacitance measurement application. The analog front end circuit uses coherent detection to measure capacitance of a touch screen display. An analog excitation signal is modulated by a capacitor to be measured. The modulated signal is synchronously demodulated using a correlator, which includes a discrete mixer and a discrete integrator. The excitation signal is also input to the mixer such that the modulated signal is multiplied by the excitation signal. The excitation signal is an analog signal having a sine wave function or other waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ozan E. Erdogan, Guozhong Shen, Rajesh Anantharaman, Ajay Taparia, Behrooz Javid, Syed T. Mahmud, Rahim F. Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 9857933
    Abstract: Disclosed are an electronic device, a control method thereof, and a recording medium. The electronic device includes a first loop unit configured to sense a first signal relating to an input of the touch object, a second loop unit configured to sense a second signal relating to the input of the touch object, and a controller configured to determine a sensing area including the location where the input is received based on the first signal and to determine the input location included in the determined sensing area based on the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Byung-Hoon Kang, Kang-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 9857934
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling and displaying a visual ensemble of musical performances that were created and uploaded from one or more locations that are remote from a host of the network, a director or other administrator reviewing submissions for selection and assembly, or perhaps merely remote from one or more other submissions received over a computer network. The assembled performances include a plurality of submissions, the submissions including performances created and uploaded at one or more locations remote from the location of the director for the assembly and display over the computer network. Systems and methods are also included for mapping one performance against another performance qualitatively, quantitatively, in real-time, or some combination thereof, enabling a musician, or a reviewer of performances, in the assessment of one performance relative to another performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: JAMMIT, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Humphrey, Frank Gryner
  • Patent number: 9857935
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a plurality of applications are provided. The method includes determining at least a partial area of a User Interface (UI) corresponding to an input, generating a window based on the at least the partial area, displaying an application list related to the window, and based on an input of selecting one application from the application list, providing the selected application through the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyesoon Jeong, Jaewon Jeon, Daesik Hwang
  • Patent number: 9857936
    Abstract: A system for sharing a physical display screen among multiple applications on a mobile platform includes an Internet-connected client device and software executing on the client device from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function assigning dominancy to one of the multiple running applications, a second function mitigating application background transparency among the multiple running applications, a third function establishing a messaging mechanism and protocol between the multiple running applications, and a fourth function enabling the dominant application to intercept digital input directed toward individual ones of the multiple running applications and to dispatch the input to the appropriate application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GENESYS TELECOMMUNICATIONS LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: David Beilis, Adrian Lee-Kwen
  • Patent number: 9857937
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for changing a graphical user interface is provided. The method may include identifying one or more devices. The method may include determining product information associated with the one or more devices, whereby the product information includes at least one of a type, a model number, and a brand. The method may include determining one or more applications associated with the one or more devices based on the product information, whereby the one or more applications allow for operation of the one or more devices. The method may include retrieving the one or more applications. The method may include determining that the computer is oriented toward a first device of the one or more devices. The method may include displaying a first graphical user interface corresponding to a first application of the one or more applications that allows for operation of the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael S. Thomason
  • Patent number: 9857938
    Abstract: A unique system and method is provided that facilitates pixel-accurate targeting with respect to multi-touch sensitive displays when selecting or viewing content with a cursor. In particular, the system and method can track dual inputs from a primary finger and a secondary finger, for example. The primary finger can control movement of the cursor while the secondary finger can adjust a control-display ratio of the screen. As a result, cursor steering and selection of an assistance mode can be performed at about the same time or concurrently. In addition, the system and method can stabilize a cursor position at a top middle point of a user's finger in order to mitigate clicking errors when making a selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Hrvoje Benko, Andrew D. Wilson, Patrick M. Baudisch
  • Patent number: 9857939
    Abstract: Three-dimensional virtualization may include receiving captured images of an entity and/or a scene, and/or capturing the images of the entity and/or the scene. The images may be connected in a predetermined sequence to generate a virtual environment. A virtual reality application may be generated to implement controls for manipulation of the virtual environment. Gestures related to a view generated by the virtual reality application may be received. The gestures may be translated to manipulate the view generated by the virtual reality application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Sunny M. Webb, Matthew Thomas Short, Robert P. Dooley
  • Patent number: 9857940
    Abstract: A method of managing screens of a portable terminal includes: requesting a movement of an icon; displaying summary information corresponding to each of the screens in response to the request; requesting a movement and a rearrangement of the icon in relation to one piece of summary information among the displayed summary information; and moving the icon to and rearranging the icon on a screen corresponding to the summary information in relation to which the movement and the rearrangement of the icon is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In-Kook Park
  • Patent number: 9857941
    Abstract: An electronic device displays one or more thumbnails. The device detects a first multi-contact gesture that includes movement of a first contact and a second contact; and, in response to detecting the first multi-contact gesture, the device displays content associated with a respective thumbnail and enlarges the content associated with the respective thumbnail to a respective enlarged size in accordance with the first multi-contact gesture. The device detects termination of the first multi-contact gesture; and, in response to detecting termination of the first multi-contact gesture: when a resizing metric based on the first multi-contact gesture is below a predefined threshold, the device ceases to display the content at the respective enlarged size; and, when the resizing metric based on the first multi-contact gesture is above the predefined threshold, the device displays the content on the display in a predefined arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver P. Wagner, Michael Matas
  • Patent number: 9857942
    Abstract: A method of connecting device adapted to an interactive whiteboard system and a host device thereof are provided. The host device has an interactive display device. The method includes the following steps. A scanning process is executed to receive a notification signal which is continuously broadcast by a first client device. A representative icon is obtained from an icon base, and the representative icon is set according to device information of the first client device in the notification signal, such that the representative icon is related to the first client device. The representative icon is displayed on the interactive display device, and then a broadcast termination signal is transmitted back to the first client device after the representative icon is displayed. After receiving the broadcast termination signal, the first client device stops broadcasting the notification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Pen-Tai Miao, Ping-Hung Chen, Fang-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 9857943
    Abstract: A method for managing a task on a terminal device and the terminal device are provided. The method for managing a task on a terminal device may include: monitoring whether a first application on the terminal device is running, and monitoring a user's action of operating a desktop of the terminal device; and displaying, on the desktop of the terminal device, a running-state icon corresponding to the first application if it is detected that the first application is running, and disabling the first application if it is detected that the first application is running and the detected user action meets a preset disabling condition corresponding to the first application; or displaying, on the desktop of the terminal device, a disabled-state icon corresponding to the first application if it is detected that the first application is in a disabled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Songlin Li, Liu Yang
  • Patent number: 9857944
    Abstract: A user terminal and a driving method thereof, a control device and a driving method thereof, and a control system of a controlled device are provided. The user terminal includes: a communication interface configured to communicate with a plurality of controlled devices which are operated based on individually set setting values; a user interface configured to receive an adjustment value for collectively controlling the plurality of controlled devices as a group; and a controller configured to individually adjust each of the setting values based on a ratio which relates to the received adjustment value, and to control the plurality of controlled devices based on the adjusted setting values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-hyun Shim, Seung-uk Lee
  • Patent number: 9857945
    Abstract: A segment ring menu is provided that is used to easily access menu items. The segment ring menu includes a number of menus that are located equidistant from an initial mouse position from where the segment ring menu is evoked. Hovering over any of the sections of the segment ring menu displays the menu items hosted in that section. The segment ring menu layout is directed at making it easy for the user to reach any of the menu items with a small amount of mouse movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mirko Mandic, Marina Dukhon, Mark Pearson, Clay Satterfield
  • Patent number: 9857946
    Abstract: An example system and method elicits reviews and opinions from users via an online system or a web crawl. Opinions on topics are processed in real time to determine orientation. Each topic is analyzed sentence by sentence to find a central tendency of user orientation toward a given topic. Automatic topic orientation is used to provide a common comparable rating value between reviewers and potentially other systems on similar topics. Facets of the topics are extracted via a submission/acquisition process to determine the key variables of interest for users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Summize, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdur Chowdhury, Gregory Scott Pass, Ajaipal Singh Virdy, Ophir Frieder
  • Patent number: 9857947
    Abstract: Dialog metadata is used to generate a metadata driven dialog definition. The metadata can define logic that is run on the dialog, and customizations to the dialog are made by modifying the dialog metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Anusha Shankar, Bharath Swaminathan, Zhi J. Zhao
  • Patent number: 9857948
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method, an apparatus and a computer-readable storage means for adjusting at least one parameter, which can be used for enhancing the user experience of adjusting parameters, especially of adjusting parameters in common audio software through a system of assignable rotary encoders with capacitive-sensing knob caps and a parameter type aware software. In particular, the present invention ensures that parameters of (audio) software can be adjusted quickly, without diverting a user's attention from actual tasks. For this purpose, a method is proposed, where at least one touch sensitive input element is provided, for at least one of the input elements at least one of a time between subsequent sensed contacts and a time of the presence of the contact is determined, based on the determined time it is decided, whether the contact is a tap gesture, and a parameter is adjusted depending from the tap gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Native Instruments GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Hlatky, Dinos Vallianatos, Christian Wachsmuth
  • Patent number: 9857949
    Abstract: An approach to generating a context for translating strings for a graphical user interface. The approach includes a computer receiving a string to be translated and associated source code, the string identified by a unique key within the associated source code and the associated source code is markup language. The computer identifies a first logical section of the associated source code corresponding to a unique key of the string and one or more graphical user interface components within the identified logical section of the associated source code. The computer then creates a mockup image presenting the one or more graphical user interface components and the string. The computer then labels, in the created mockup image, each of the one or more graphical user interface components and the first string of the plurality of strings, and identifies one or more additional graphical user interface components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Bartley, Gavin G. Bray, Elizabeth M. Hughes, Kalvinder P. Singh
  • Patent number: 9857950
    Abstract: A system, method and program product are provided for system for processing a set of social media (SM) streams. A system is disclosed that includes: a user interface for selecting the set of SM streams and for inputting a set of filtering definitions; a stream unification system that creates a single unified stream from the set of SM streams; a content filtering system that selects relevant content items from the single unified stream based on the set of filtering definitions and generates a unified filtered SM stream using selected content items; and an output system that outputs the unified filtered SM stream to a user display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, John M. Ganci, Jr., Kimberly G. Starks, Craig M. Trim
  • Patent number: 9857951
    Abstract: A method, executed by a computer, for file-centric form selection includes receiving a selection of files from a user, determining a relevance value for each form, and presenting the forms to a user in order of relevance value. Once a particular form is selected, a reference to each file may be automatically placed into the form's appropriate input fields. A user may also input non-file information into the form. In certain embodiments, the relevance value is determined by a history of use of the form by the user or by other users. In some embodiments, the relevance value is determined according to the percentage of the form's input fields completed by using the files as input. A computer program product and computer system corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin C. Y. Kan
  • Patent number: 9857952
    Abstract: A method includes displaying a chart. The chart includes a first set of data marks and a line that connects adjacent data marks. The method further includes detecting a first input at a location that corresponds to the chart and, while detecting the first input: horizontally expanding at least a portion of the chart; expanding at least a portion of the line; and adding a second set of data marks on the line, where each data mark is placed on the line based on its respective abscissa, independent of the respective ordinate. The method also includes, for each data mark placed at a vertical position distinct from its respective ordinate: (1) animatedly moving the data mark vertically in accordance with the respective ordinate and a vertical scale for the vertical axis; and (2) animatedly adjusting the line so that the line connects the second set of data marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Tableau Software, Inc.
    Inventor: Robin Stewart
  • Patent number: 9857953
    Abstract: In embodiments of image color and tone style transfer, a computing device implements an image style transfer algorithm to generate a modified image from an input image based on a color style and a tone style of a style image. A user can select the input image that includes color features, as well as select the style image that includes an example of the color style and the tone style to transfer to the input image. A chrominance transfer function can then be applied to transfer the color style to the input image, utilizing a covariance of an input image color of the input image to control modification of the input image color. A luminance transfer function can also be applied to transfer the tone style to the input image, utilizing a tone mapping curve based on a non-linear optimization to estimate luminance parameters of the tone mapping curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kalyan K. Sunkavalli, Zhe Lin, Xiaohui Shen, Joon-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 9857954
    Abstract: A computer system displays a first window corresponding to an aspect of a first executing program in a first display area on one or more display devices. The computer system identifies an activity of a second program. The computer system determines whether the activity of the second program meets a threshold of priority. In response to determining that the activity meets the threshold, the computer system manipulates the first window such that the display area can be distributed, at least partially, between the first window and a second window corresponding to the activity of the second program. The computer system displays the second window with the first window within the display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gene L. Brown, Brendan F. Coffey, Christopher J. Dawson, Clifford V. Harris
  • Patent number: 9857955
    Abstract: A computer system displays a first window corresponding to an aspect of a first executing program in a first display area on one or more display devices. The computer system identifies an activity of a second program. The computer system determines whether the activity of the second program meets a threshold of priority. In response to determining that the activity meets the threshold, the computer system manipulates the first window such that the display area can be distributed, at least partially, between the first window and a second window corresponding to the activity of the second program. The computer system displays the second window with the first window within the display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gene L. Brown, Brendan F. Coffey, Christopher J. Dawson, Clifford V. Harris
  • Patent number: 9857956
    Abstract: Among other features, notification is presented on a mobile device to a user to advise the user of the availability of a media object that (a) has been received from a server and stored on the mobile device without the user having been aware of the receipt or storage, or (b) has newly become available for streaming from the server to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Penthera Partners, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam L. Berger, Gary N. Wallace, Jr., Michael J. Wener
  • Patent number: 9857957
    Abstract: A portable device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of detecting a folded state, wherein the first body is folded to the second body, displaying a first interface on a side display area, wherein the first interface is configured of a first part and a second part and includes multiple objects, detecting a first control input configured to select a first object included in the first interface, and displaying a first application respective to the first object, when a first triggering signal configured to shift the portable device from the folded state to an unfolded state is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Doyoung Lee, Sinae Chun, Juhwan Lee, Sihwa Park
  • Patent number: 9857958
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to user interfaces and systems that may enable dynamic and interactive access of, investigation of, and analysis of data objects stored in one or more databases. The data objects may be accessed from the one or more databases, and presented in multiple related portions of a display. In particular, the system provides a time-based visualization of data objects (and/or properties associated with the data objects) to a user such that the user may, for example, determine connections between various data objects, observe flows of information among data objects, and/or investigate related data objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Jason Ma, Aaron Davidson
  • Patent number: 9857959
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to providing a webpage design system that facilitates a simple and unified user-experience for users modifying responsive webpages. In general, the webpage design system provides an agnostic framework that allows a user to modify a responsive webpage irrespective of the responsive framework used to create the responsive webpage. For example, the webpage design system can translate one or more responsive frameworks into an agnostic framework. Further, the webpage design system can load a responsive webpage and correlate elements in the responsive webpage with operations of the agnostic framework. Upon correlating the elements with agnostic framework operations, the webpage design system can provide agnostic framework operations to a user when the webpage design system detects that a user selects an element from the responsive webpage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Vickramaditya Dhawal
  • Patent number: 9857960
    Abstract: Techniques related to data collaboration between different entities are disclosed. In an embodiment, a graph may be displayed in a computer graphical user interface. The graph may include nodes and edges. Each node may represent a distinct data object. Each edge may represent one or more relationships between the two distinct data objects. Based on one or more redaction criteria, a portion of the graph may be identified to be redacted before the graph is exported. Display of the graph in the computer graphical user interface may be updated to remove display of the portion of the graph. After the updating, a request to export the graph may be received. Responsive to receiving the request, a machine-readable representation of a redacted graph may be exported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Palantir Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Dennis, Timothy Taylor, Kimberley Lear, Jesse Rickard, Dyon Balding, Hunter Pitelka, David Leblanc, Vaughan Shanks, Joel Davies, Steffen Merten, Christopher Cook, Christopher Male, Marc Barker
  • Patent number: 9857961
    Abstract: An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat is described that includes a thermostat body, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy and an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body. The passive infrared sensor may be positioned behind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. The thermostat may also include a temperature sensor and a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based on measurements from the passive infrared sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Google inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Shigefumi Honjo, John B. Filson, Michael J. Matas, Fred Bould, Brian Huppi
  • Patent number: 9857962
    Abstract: A robot operation apparatus comprising: a touch panel that receives input of a touch operation and a movement operation from a user; an operation detector that detects the touch operation and the movement operation to the touch panel; and a behavior command generator that generates a behavior command operating a robot based on a detection result of the operation detector. The behavior command generator performs a behavior speed determination process that determines a behavior speed of the robot based on an operation speed of the movement operation, when the operation detector detects the movement operation to an operation graphic provided on the touch panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daisuke Yui, Motoki Kanada, Atsuko Sugano, Hirota Touma
  • Patent number: 9857963
    Abstract: A method of generating interaction activity information, performed by a device, is provided. The method includes establishing communication with at least one external apparatus; receiving first information about a user selectable function of the external apparatus; and generating second information, based on the first information, about a user selectable function of the device, wherein the user selectable function of the device corresponds to the user selectable function of the external device and can be performed in collaboration with the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seung dong Yu, Woo-yong Chang, Se-jun Park, Min-jeong Moon
  • Patent number: 9857964
    Abstract: Systems and methods for instantiating collaboration interfaces via object recognition are disclosed. An object recognition engine communicatively coupled to a database and an electronic device receives sensor data related to an object and identifies an object characteristic. A component is selected having criteria satisfied by the object characteristic and a collaboration interface is instantiated on the electronic device. This can allow a user to edit content related to an object. A substantially identical collaboration interface can be instantiated on a second electronic device to allow collaboration among user with respect to content related to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Patrick Soon-Shiong
  • Patent number: 9857965
    Abstract: Methods and systems involving resolution of directional ambiguity between a graphical display and a touch-based user-interface are disclosed herein. An example system may be configured to: (a) cause a visual depiction of a first reference marker on a graphical display; (b) receive first input data indicating an initial touch input on a touch-based user-interface, where the initial touch input corresponds to an input-direction path having a first end and a second end, and where the touch input corresponds to movement of the input-direction path; (c) associate movement of the first reference marker with subsequent touch inputs; (d) receive second input data indicating a subsequent touch input; and (e) cause a visual depiction of movement of a second reference marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Thad Eugene Starner, Nirmal Patel, Adrian Wong, Michael Patrick Johnson
  • Patent number: 9857966
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method for converting an image format object to a text format object are provided. The method includes selecting a region within an object displayed on a first screen; converting an image format object included inside the selected region to a text format object; and displaying the converted text format object on a second screen as an object that is inputtable to an input window of the second screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Geon-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9857967
    Abstract: A method for showing page flip effect of touch panel comprises detecting a two-point touch event generated at the touch panel for defining a first touch position and a second touch position. The touch panel is determined into a first active area comprising the second touch position and a second active area comprising the first touch position according to the first touch position and the second touch position. When the first touch position continuously locates at the touch panel, the second touch position disappears and the first touch event is generated at the first active area, a corresponding first page flip event is executed. When the second touch position continuously locates at the touch panel, the first touch position disappears and the second touch event is generated at the second active area, a corresponding second page flip event is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Szu-Ju Shen
  • Patent number: 9857968
    Abstract: A supplemental display unit may provide information to a display associated with a wearable article. The supplemental display unit may share a communications channel with a mobile device, and exchange data with the mobile device over the communications channel while the mobile device resides within the wearable article. The supplemental display unit may generate a screen having a graphical user interface (GUI) based on the exchanged data, where an appearance of the screen is based on a measurement of the wearable article. The supplemental display unit may provide icons on the GUI presenting information to the user, where the icons may be arranged in groups based upon the type of information that each icon presents, and provide the GUI to the display, where the display is coupled to the wearable article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Raheel Khalid, Paul Berman, Marlene Kay Enright, Cory Michael Bruno, Christian Egeler
  • Patent number: 9857969
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display section configured to display, on a display surface, a screen of an application program running on an information processing apparatus, a detecting section configured to detect the position of a pointer, a receiving section configured to receive a determination result concerning whether the position is present within a predetermined range including an image object, a drawing section configured to draw, when an operation mode is a first mode, a line corresponding to a track of the position, a second transmitting section configured to transmit, when the operation mode is a second mode, the information indicating the position to the information processing apparatus, and a switching section configured to switch, when the operation mode is the first mode, the operation mode to the second mode when the receiving section receives the determination result indicating that the position is within the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiki Fujimori
  • Patent number: 9857970
    Abstract: Techniques involving gestures and other functionality are described. In one or more implementations, the techniques describe gestures that are usable to provide inputs to a computing device. A variety of different gestures are contemplated, including bimodal gestures (e.g., using more than one type of input) and single modal gestures. Additionally, the gesture techniques may be configured to leverage these different input types to increase the amount of gestures that are made available to initiate operations of a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Hinckley, Koji Yatani, Michel Pahud
  • Patent number: 9857971
    Abstract: A user input method includes the following steps. A virtual keyboard layout and a control region are displayed. The virtual keyboard layout includes a plurality of key subgroups each mapped to a respective one of a plurality of regions of the control region. Locations of an object from at least one captured image are extracted to identify a location of a feature point of the object. A target region in which the feature point is located is determined. Keys mapped to the target region are determined. Movements of the object are translated as input data to the user interface system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ming-Wei Chang, Chia-Ming Chang, Tzi-Cker Chiueh
  • Patent number: 9857972
    Abstract: An operation device for performing an operation input on a play machine has an operation unit, a support that rotatably supports the operation unit, a first magnetic member that rotates integrally with the operation unit, a second magnetic member in which a magnetic force acts between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and a switching unit that switches a distance between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Onitsuka
  • Patent number: 9857973
    Abstract: An interface circuit may include a first FIFO circuit and a second FIFO circuit. The first FIFO circuit may generate first output data based on a first sampling signal and a second sampling signal. The second FIFO circuit may generate second output data based on a third sampling signal and a fourth sampling signal. The first FIFO circuit and the second FIFO circuit may be cross-reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwanyeob Chae, Yoonjee Nam, Ji Hun Oh, Shinyoung Yi, Jong-Ryun Choi
  • Patent number: 9857974
    Abstract: A method includes a dispersed storage (DS) processing module receiving a request. The method continues by identifying a session associated with the request. The method continues by queueing one or more tasks associated with the request. The method continues by determining whether the session is still active. When the session is not active, the method continues by cancelling the one or more tasks associated with the session prior to execution. When the session is still active, the method continues by executing the first task of the one or more tasks when a task resource is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Baptist, Joseph Martin Kaczmarek, Yogesh Ramesh Vedpathak
  • Patent number: 9857975
    Abstract: A method for managing data on a microcontroller. The method includes a computer processor receiving data to write to the memory of a microcontroller of a field-replaceable unit (FRU). The method further includes a computer processor determining that the received data is a type of data that is stored in a first logical partition, wherein the first logical partition is a logical partition of non-volatile memory of the microcontroller. The method further includes a computer processor determining whether the first logical partition includes sufficient space to store the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas C. Long
  • Patent number: 9857976
    Abstract: A method for managing data on a microcontroller. The method includes a computer processor receiving data to write to the memory of a microcontroller of a field-replaceable unit (FRU). The method further includes a computer processor determining that the received data is a type of data that is stored in a first logical partition, wherein the first logical partition is a logical partition of non-volatile memory of the microcontroller. The method further includes a computer processor determining whether the first logical partition includes sufficient space to store the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas C. Long