Patents Issued in March 20, 2018
  • Patent number: 9921608
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a hollow display cover structure. The hollow display cover structure may be formed from a structure having an inner surface. The structure may be an elongated member having a longitudinal axis. A material such as sapphire, other crystalline materials, or other transparent materials may be used in forming the hollow display cover structure. A flexible display layer such as an organic light-emitting diode display layer or other flexible display structure may be wrapped around the longitudinal axis to cover the interior surface of the hollow display cover structure. The electronic device may have a touch sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and other sensors for gathering input such as user input. The electronic device may use one or more sensors to gather information on rotational motion of the device and can display content on the flexible display layer accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Myers, Derek Wright, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 9921609
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deformation and haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor signal indicating a contact with a device and a location of the contact on the device; determining a deformation effect based on the contact and the location of the contact, the deformation effect configured to cause a change in a shape of the device; and outputting the deformation effect to a deformation device configured to change the shape of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Abdelwahab Hamam, Danny A. Grant
  • Patent number: 9921610
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes first body and second body pivoted to the first body. The first body includes casing, supporter, first magnetic component and torsion component. The casing includes accommodating trench and first trench. First lateral of the supporter is pivoted to the casing via the torsion component, and second lateral of the supporter includes notch. When the supporter is located in the accommodating trench and the first magnetic component extends into the notch, the supporter is positioned inside the accommodating trench by the first magnetic component, and the torsion component stores elastic potential energy. When the second body rotates close to the first body, the first magnetic component exits the notch due to magnetic repulsive force of second magnetic component of the second body, and the torsion component releases the elastic potential energy so that the second lateral of the supporter rotates out to support the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ming-Shun Lu, Ming-Chung Liu, Kun-Hsin Liu, Yun Bai, Yu-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 9921611
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device and a flexible connection device. The electronic device comprises a first body; a second body; and a flexible connection device, configured to connect the first body and the second body. The flexible connection device comprises N shafts; and N?1 transmission structures, wherein each of the transmission structures connects two adjacent shafts, to connect the N shafts together in order, wherein N is an integer which is larger than 3 or equals to 3. When an action force is applied onto the first body and/or the second body so that relative positions of the first body and the second body are changed, the N shafts and the N?1 transmission structures are driven sequentially so that the flexible connection device is flexibly bent while keeping the length of the inner arc of the flexible connection device constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Beijing Lenovo Software Ltd., Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
    Inventor: Lijun Wang
  • Patent number: 9921612
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including detecting, using a touch sensor, a touch input; and operating, using a control unit, a variable friction hinge to achieve a low friction mode in response to the touch input. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Ian Tucker, Ali Kathryn Ent, Cuong Huy Truong
  • Patent number: 9921613
    Abstract: A biaxial hinge has a first hinge portion which includes a first A hinge shaft, a second A hinge shaft, and a first radial direction coupling unit for coupling the first A hinge shaft and the second A hinge shaft. The biaxial hinge also has a second hinge portion which includes a first B hinge shaft and a second B hinge shaft, and a second radial direction coupling unit for coupling the first B hinge shaft and the second B hinge shaft. The biaxial hinge also has an axial direction coupling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Kem HongKong Limited
    Inventor: Ryuta Kuramochi
  • Patent number: 9921614
    Abstract: A multifunctional adapter or interface unit for a portable electronic device, the adapter unit being stored or stowable within the portable electronic device and being operable as a power adaptor, user input/output device, and/or data transfer unit. The power adaptor includes a plug body with a retractable tray for storing a user input/output device, e.g. a peripheral device such as earphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: AQUATERRA LIMITED
    Inventor: Julian Richard Ellis
  • Patent number: 9921615
    Abstract: A component carrier with a tray, a slide cage, a level, and a tilting mechanism. The tray has a bottom surface with a groove formed therein. The slide cage is actuatably coupled with the tray and has a receiving space and an undercarriage. The lever is pivotally coupled with the slide cage and has a lower portion for engaging the groove to transition the slide cage between a first position and a second position. The tilting mechanism is coupled with the tray and configured for biasing the slide cage to the second position. In the first position the undercarriage of the slide cage is positioned proximal to the bottom surface of the tray. In the second position a first end portion of the undercarriage of the slide cage is displaced away from the bottom surface and a second end portion is positioned proximal to the bottom surface of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Chao-Jung Chen, Yaw-Tzorng Tsorng, Kun-Pei Liu, Yi-Te Chang
  • Patent number: 9921616
    Abstract: A riser card is used for inserting into a motherboard module including a casing and a motherboard disposed in the casing, and includes a handle bar, a main body and first and second linkage mechanisms pivoted to the main body. A side wall of the casing corresponding to a slot of the motherboard has first and second support pillars. The handle bar moves between non-pressed and pressed positions with swinging of the first and second linkage mechanisms. When the first and second linkage mechanisms are supported by the first and second support pillars and the handle bar is pressed to the pressed position, the handle bar is collinear with the first and second linkage mechanisms, and the first and second linkage mechanisms abut against the first and second support pillars to move and rotate for generating lever torques to insert a card pin of the riser card into the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Chao-Hsin Yuan
  • Patent number: 9921617
    Abstract: A data storage device securing mechanism for convenient assembly and disassembly of a data storage device includes a bracket and two latch members. The bracket includes a bottom plate and a first side plate connected with one side of the bottom plate. The first side plate includes a limiting plate and a latch member is secured on the first side plate. One end of each latch member is hooked, and the limiting plate is configured to be elastically deformed to slide the latch member relative to the bracket. The hook is abutted the limiting plate to prevent the limiting plate from rebounding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ScienBiziP Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peng-Kuei Wang
  • Patent number: 9921618
    Abstract: The present techniques are related a dock with a cooling solution. The performance dock includes a thermoelectric device, an alignment mechanism, and an air mover. The alignment mechanism is to align the computing device when docking the computing device, and the thermoelectric device is to cool the computing device when docked, and the air mover is to enable an airflow through the dock to cool the thermoelectric device when the computing device is docked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Aleksander Magi, Mark J. Gallina, Catharina Biber, Xi Guo, Gabriele C. Garbarino
  • Patent number: 9921619
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a component bay having an operational height and an expanded height. The component bay is moveable between the operational height and the expanded height. A thermal element divides the component bay into one or more compartments, each compartment configured to receive a system component. The component bay at the operational height provides thermal contact between the received system component and the thermal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bret P. Elison, Phillip V. Mann, Arden L. Moore, Arvind K. Sinha
  • Patent number: 9921620
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a housing of an electronic device includes the following steps. An area not to be etched is shielded and an etching area is exposed. The etching area is etched by photolithography and forming a plurality of heat dissipation holes of nanometer scale in the etching area. The area not to be etched is cleaned for removing the shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shyan-Juh Liu, Kar-Wai Hon, Sha-Sha Liu
  • Patent number: 9921621
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus having a detachable cooling device is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a portable information device having a heating body contained therein. The portable information device also includes a heat sink disposed on a bottom surface of the portable information device and thermally connected to the heating body. The detachable cooling device includes a mount surface on which the bottom surface of the portable information device is mounted, a heat-receiving heat sink disposed on the mount surface and thermally connected to the heat sink, and an up-and-down mechanism that moves the heat-receiving heat sink towards the heat sink and causes the heat-receiving heat sink to contact the heat sink when the portable information device is mounted on the mount surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shibayama, Hiroaki Agata, Eiji Shinohara
  • Patent number: 9921622
    Abstract: A stand-alone immersion tank datacenter (SITDC) includes: a multi-phase heat transfer immersion cooling tank having external walls surrounding a tank volume within which a dielectric liquid is maintained and heated to a boiling point temperature; a plurality of servers having one or more processing and memory components submerged within the dielectric liquid for cooling of the one or more components via heat dissipation from the one or more components into the dielectric liquid when the one or more components are connected to an electric power supply; and a condenser located vertically above the plurality of servers and in a direct path of rising dielectric vapor created when the dielectric liquid absorbs sufficient heat from the one or more components to reach a boiling point temperature of the liquid. The condenser can be a passive heat exchanger, created by providing a heat conductive material as a top lid of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Jimmy Pike
  • Patent number: 9921623
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for implementing thermal air flow control management of a computer system. A temperature profile of the server system is identified. One or more dual in-line memory-modules (DIMMs) are used to pivot on an axis to direct air flow to cool identified hot spots based upon the temperature profile of the server system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Diyanesh B. Chinnakkonda Vidyapoornachary, Edgar R. Cordero, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Patent number: 9921624
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus may include (1) at least one power interface that unites a plurality of power supplies that output electrical power for consumption by a network device that facilitates network traffic within a network and (2) a power-management unit communicatively coupled to the plurality of power supplies, wherein the power-management unit (A) detects an operating temperature of a power supply within the plurality of power supplies that output electrical power for consumption by the network device, (B) determines that the operating temperature of the power supply exceeds a temperature threshold, and then (C) modifies an amount of electrical power being output by the power supply to account for the operating temperature exceeding the temperature threshold. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Okamura
  • Patent number: 9921625
    Abstract: A chassis structure capable of sensing temperature of a media storage device includes a tray. The tray includes a body, an accommodating space formed in the body, a connector disposed on the body, and a temperature sensor juxtaposed with the connector. The media storage device is electrically coupled to the connector and contacts the temperature sensor. A working temperature is measured by a temperature sensor directly attached to an outer housing of the media storage device, thereby avoiding influences such as air flow and undesired heat conduction of the chassis structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: AIC INC.
    Inventors: Yun-Lan Li, Chin-Yen Chen, Fu-An Jhang, Wei-Shih Wu
  • Patent number: 9921626
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a device first data transmitted from a stylus by near-field communication. The device determines a hover distance of the stylus in reference to the device based at least in part on the first data. The device is operated based at least in part on the hover distance of the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Izhar Bentov
  • Patent number: 9921627
    Abstract: A control circuit for a programmable power supply is provided. It comprises a reference generation circuit generating a voltage-reference signal and a current-reference signal for regulating an output voltage and an output current of the power supply. A feedback circuit detects the output voltage and the output current for generating a feedback signal in accordance with the voltage-reference signal and the current-reference signal. A switching controller generates a switching signal coupled to switch a transformer for generating the output voltage and the output current in accordance with the feedback signal. A micro-controller controls the reference generation circuit. The micro-controller, the reference generation circuit, and the feedback circuit are equipped in the secondary side of the transformer. The switching controller is equipped in the primary side of the transformer. The control circuit can achieve good performance for the programmable power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ta-Yung Yang
  • Patent number: 9921628
    Abstract: A power converter for a computer device having a processing unit and a memory device is suggested. The power converter is connectable to the computer device by a coupling circuitry, wherein the computer device requires an actual input voltage. The power converter comprises a voltage regulator, a measuring entity, and a determining entity. The voltage regulator is configured to control an actual output voltage for the coupling circuitry based on a determined reference output voltage. The measuring entity is configured to measure an actual output current of the voltage regulator output to the coupling circuitry. The determining entity is configured to determine the determined reference output voltage such that the determined reference output voltage equals a sum of the actual input voltage of the computer device and the product of the measured actual output current and a resistance of the coupling circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas C. Doering, Rihards Dziedatajs
  • Patent number: 9921629
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor and a power system comprising a plurality of voltage regulator phases, wherein at least one of the plurality of voltage regulator phases comprises an allocable voltage regulator phase that is configured to be selectively allocated to one of at least a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail of the information handling system based on a hardware configuration of the information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Stuart Allen Berke, John J. Breen
  • Patent number: 9921630
    Abstract: Described is a processor comprising: a plurality of transistors operable to provide dynamically adjustable transistor size, the plurality of transistors coupled at one end to a first power supply and coupled at another end to a second power supply; a circuit coupled to the second power supply, the second power supply to provide power to the circuit; and a power control unit (PCU) to monitor the level of the first power supply, and to dynamically adjust the transistor size of the plurality of transistors so that the second power supply is adjusted to keep the circuit operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gururaj K. Shamanna, Stefan Rusu, Phani Kumar Kandula, Sankalan Prasad, Mandar R. Ranade, Narayanan Natarajan, Tessil Thomas
  • Patent number: 9921631
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a device uses a camera and an eye detection service to determine whether a user is looking at a display of the device during periods when the user is not actively interacting with the device. In response to a determination that the user is not looking at the display, the display is automatically powered off. In response to the user's resumption of looking at the display, the display may be automatically powered back on. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jose Piccolotto, German Lancioni
  • Patent number: 9921632
    Abstract: Provided is a method for pausing activities in an internet browser in which a plurality of webpages are open, at least one of the webpages being a background webpage relative to at least one other of the webpages. The method may comprise executing, while the plurality of webpages are open, software scripts on the background webpage. The method may then include analyzing a Document Object Model (DOM) and a rendering tree of a background webpage to discover what software scripts the background webpage runs while in the background, and determining whether the background webpage provides title bar updates. The method may also include periodically pausing, by a background activity suspension component, the execution of the software scripts for a pause duration to conserve power or processing resources, and adjusting the pause duration to be longer or shorter based on characteristics of the software scripts that run on the background webpage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shyama Prasad Mondal, Kevin A. Hart, Kulanthaivel Palanichamy, Devdeep Choudhury
  • Patent number: 9921633
    Abstract: An indication of a mode for a job is received. An available power for the job is determined based on the mode. A first power for the job is allocated based on the available power. A first frequency for the job is determined based on the available power. The first power is adjusted based on the available power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Devadatta V. (Deva) Bodas, Justin J. Song, Muralidhar (Murali) Rajappa, Andy Hoffman, James W. (Jimbo) Alexander, Joseph A. Schaefer, Sunil K. Mahawar
  • Patent number: 9921634
    Abstract: A differential coupling path is provided for power measurement communication between a host device and a line side device. The line side device couples to AC power grid to extract voltage signals and current signals using various voltage and current sensors. The extracted voltage signal and current signal are converted to digital signals by internal A/D converters within the line device and then sent to the host device through the differential coupling path coupled between the host device and the line side device. The host device may couple to one or more line side devices via multiple differential coupling paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Silergy Corp.
    Inventor: Bertram John White
  • Patent number: 9921635
    Abstract: An approach is described herein that includes a method for power management of a device. In one example, the method includes sampling duration characteristics for a plurality of past idle events for a predetermined interval of time and determining whether to transition a device to a powered-down state based on the sampled duration characteristics. In another example, the method includes determining whether an average idle time for a plurality of past idle events exceeds an energy break-even point threshold. If the average idle time for the plurality of past idle events exceeds the energy break-even point threshold, a device is immediately transitioned to a powered-down state upon receipt of a next idle event. If the average idle time for the plurality of past idle events does not exceed the energy break-even point threshold, transition of the device to the powered-down state is delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuko Eckert, Manish Arora
  • Patent number: 9921636
    Abstract: Disclosed are a terminal device and a method for controlling the terminal device that can reduce power consumption. The disclosed terminal device includes: a response time establisher unit which establishes a response time of an interactive application executed on the terminal device, with a frequency of a processor within the terminal device and a priority value of the interactive application as variables; a frequency determiner unit which determines the frequency of the processor based on a default priority value such that the response time does not exceed a preset response time threshold; a priority value determiner unit which determines the priority value based on the determined frequency such that the response time does not exceed the response time threshold; and an executor unit which runs the interactive application based on the determined frequency and the determined priority value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jong-Moon Chung, Sung-Woong Jo, Tae Young Ha, Tae Hyun Kyong
  • Patent number: 9921637
    Abstract: Multi-port power prediction for power management of data storage devices is disclosed. For certain embodiments, a host interface within a port multiplier receives host messages from a host device for a plurality of data storage devices. The port multiplier then uses a plurality of ports to forward device messages to the data storage devices based upon the host messages. A power prediction controller determines target data storage devices for access commands within the host messages and generates power commands to adjust power modes for target data storage devices to place the target data storage devices in active power modes prior to access according to the access commands from the host device. Power up latency is thereby reduced or eliminated for the target data storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitriy Shurin, Ron-Michael Bar, Eran Glickman
  • Patent number: 9921638
    Abstract: The data processing system has: a plurality of hardware resources each having at least one standby mode; a control part for controlling execution of a task achieved by using, of the plurality of hardware resources, predetermined ones, and a working status of each hardware resource; and a power-source part for controlling supply of a power source to each hardware resource. The control part performs the scheduling of a scheduled execution time of the task based on information for determining a timing of executing the task, and calculates a standby time of the hardware resource based on a result of the scheduling. The control part compares the standby time with a break-even time depending on the standby mode, thereby deciding whether or not to cause each hardware resource to transition to the standby mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaru Haraguchi, Isamu Hayashi, Hiroyuki Kawai, Hideyuki Noda
  • Patent number: 9921639
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to clustering execution in a processing system. An aspect includes accessing a control flow graph that defines a data dependency and an execution sequence of a plurality of tasks of an application that executes on a plurality of system components. The execution sequence of the tasks in the control flow graph is modified as a clustered control flow graph that clusters active and idle phases of a system component while maintaining the data dependency. The clustered control flow graph is sent to an operating system, where the operating system utilizes the clustered control flow graph for scheduling the tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pradip Bose, Alper Buyuktosunoglu, Hans M. Jacobson, Augusto J. Vega
  • Patent number: 9921640
    Abstract: Magnetically enhanced inductors integrated with microelectronic devices at chip-level. In embodiments, magnetically enhanced inductors include a through substrate vias (TSVs) with fill metal to carry an electrical current proximate to a magnetic layer disposed on a substrate through which the TSV passes. In certain magnetically enhanced inductor embodiments, a TSV fill metal is disposed within a magnetic material lining the TSV. In certain magnetically enhanced inductor embodiments, a magnetically enhanced inductor includes a plurality of interconnected TSVs disposed proximate to a magnetic material layer on a side of a substrate. In embodiments, voltage regulation circuitry disposed on a first side of a substrate is integrated with one or more magnetically enhanced inductors utilizing a TSV passing through the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Uwe Zillmann, Andre Schaefer, Ruchir Saraswat, Telesphor Kamgaing, Paul B. Fischer, Guido Droege
  • Patent number: 9921641
    Abstract: An augmented reality environment allows interaction between virtual and real objects. By monitoring user actions with the augmented reality environment various functions are provided to users. Users may buy or sell items with a gesture, check inventory of objects in the augmented reality environment, view advertisements, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Christopher Coley, Robert A. Yuan, Edward Dietz Crump, Colter E. Cederlof
  • Patent number: 9921642
    Abstract: A hand-held controller includes a user-input surface, a grip coupled to the user-input surface, and a cage coupled to the user-input surface at two points without the grip interposed between the user-input surface and the cage. The hand-held controller includes may further include a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: OCULUS VR, LLC
    Inventors: James S. Webb, Benjamin E. Tunberg Rogoza, Peter Wesley Bristol, Jason Andrew Higgins, Sharvil Shailesh Talati, Yi-yaun Chen, Neil Warren Konzen
  • Patent number: 9921643
    Abstract: A method of extracting a static pattern from an output of an event-based sensor. The method may include receiving an event signal from the event-based sensor in response to dynamic input, and extracting a static pattern associated with the dynamic input based on an identifier and time included in the event signal. The static pattern may be extracted from a map generated based on the identifier and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Haeng Lee, Keun Joo Park, Changwoo Shin, Jooyeon Woo, Hyunsurk Eric Ryu, Seokjin Hong
  • Patent number: 9921644
    Abstract: A non-linear user interface display presented at a desktop conforms to dimensions of a user detected by a depth camera, such as by presenting the user interface along an arc having a radius determined from a reach of the user detected by the depth camera. Windows presented in the arc vary in size based upon their position relative to a user focus, such as by detecting a user gaze direction or by comparing position to a central display mat. User gestures control presentation of visual images in the arc, such rotating visual image windows in a circular manner around the arc radius and to different orientations in the arc relative to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Christophe Daguet, Roman J. Pacheco, Mark W. Welker, Abu S. Sanaullah, Edward L. Boyd, Michiel Sebastiaan Emanuel Petrus Knoppert, Mark R. Ligameri, Daniel Acevedo, Rocco Ancona
  • Patent number: 9921645
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to retinal display projection device comprising a projection component arranged for projecting an image directly onto the retina of a user wearing the device. The projection device further comprises an eye gaze detection module arranged to take an eye image of a user's eyes and to activate the projection component if a pupil of the user is in a predetermined position in said eye image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Theytaz, Christophe Constantin, Arash Salarian, Maxim Vlassov, Daniel Bonanno
  • Patent number: 9921646
    Abstract: A transmissive head-mounted display device includes an image display unit, a detection unit, a control unit, an imaging unit, and an imaging setting unit. The display unit generates image light representing an image, allows a user to visually recognize the image light, and transmits outside scenery when worn on a head of a user. The detection unit detects a shielding object that is located at a predetermined distance from an eye of the user. A control unit performs control of the image light based on the detection result of the detection unit. The imaging unit images the outside scenery. The imaging setting unit adjusts the imaging unit. The imaging setting unit shifts a display mode of the image display unit to an imaging adjustment mode based on the detection result of the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Takano, Fusashi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9921647
    Abstract: A method for preventing vision damage to a user viewing a screen of a mobile device is presented. The method may include collecting viewing condition data. The method may also include retrieving an eye health profile associated with the user. The method may then include retrieving eye health guidelines. The method may further include determining a maximum reading time based on the collected viewing condition data, the retrieved eye health profile, and the retrieved eye health guidelines. The method may also include determining that the determined maximum reading time exceeds a current reading time. The method may then include performing a preventive action in response to determining that the determined maximum reading time exceeds the current reading time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Su Liu, Shunguo Yan
  • Patent number: 9921648
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, a method, and a recording medium for controlling a portable communication terminal and a smart watch of the portable communication terminal, which control an operation of a display unit only when a user obtains information on a movement of the smart watch from a sensor installed in the smart watch and view the smart watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: University of Seoul Industry Cooperation Foundation
    Inventor: Jin Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 9921649
    Abstract: A user input element includes a first part having a first capacitive surface, a second part having a second capacitive surface configured to be movable relative to the first capacitive surface, and an insulator positioned in between the first capacitive surface and the second capacitive surface so that a haptic effect is generated when the second capacitive surface is moved relative to the first capacitive surface from a first position to a second position. The user input element may be part of a haptic feedback interface system configured to provide haptic effects to a user operating the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Daniel Gregory Parker
  • Patent number: 9921650
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a curved device that includes a curved outer housing, The illustrative system also includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with the curved device and transmit a sensor signal associated with the user interaction. The illustrative system additionally includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal from the sensor; determine a user interaction based on the sensor signal, determine a first haptic effect based at least in part on the user interaction, and transmit a haptic signal associated with the first haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the first haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Ali Modarres, Jamal Saboune
  • Patent number: 9921651
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for presenting video content to a user. The method includes displaying video content on a visual display layer of a display device. The method further includes tracking, by a video processor, at least one object of interest in the video content. The method also includes embossing, based on respective positions of the at least one object, the at least one object on a microfluidics panel surface layer of the display device. The method additionally includes magnetizing, based on the respective positions, one or more portions of magnetic material in a magnetic material mesh layer of the display device to create respective temporary magnetics at the one or more portions that emit respective magnetic fields detectable by at least one user-wearable magnetic ring device held proximate to the display device. The respective magnetic fields indicate at least a movement of the at least one object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Company
    Inventors: Sarbajit K. Rakshit, John D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9921652
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a mechanical input configured to move in a first direction in response to an input at the mechanical input. A mechanical input sensor is coupled to the mechanical input and configured to sense the input at the mechanical input based on the movement of the mechanical input in the first direction. A mechanical input actuator is coupled to the mechanical input and configured to displace the mechanical input in a second direction, different from the first direction. In some examples, the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. In some examples, the mechanical input comprises a rotary input configured to rotate in the first direction in response to the input. In some examples, the mechanical input actuator is configured to displace the mechanical input in the second direction while the mechanical input is moving in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Camille Moussette, John Morrell, Duncan Robert Kerr, Benjamin G. Jackson, Steven J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9921653
    Abstract: A system for authoring one or more haptic effects using a haptic effect authoring tool receives a haptification model that is based on a predetermined haptic effect style. The system receives an input that includes at least one of audio and video and a plurality of events. The system then, using the haptification model, recommends a haptic effect to be associated with a corresponding event from the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Jamal Saboune, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9921654
    Abstract: A tactile sense presentation device that includes a film member which deforms in a planar direction when a voltage is applied thereto, a diaphragm fixed to the film member in a state where a bending stress is applied to the diaphragm, a touch detector which detects a touch operation, and a voltage driver which applies a drive signal to the film member when the touch detector detects the touch operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Hashimoto, Kentaro Usui, Masamichi Ando
  • Patent number: 9921655
    Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method of providing haptic effects to a first user of a multi-user application. The method includes executing a first instance of the multi-user application on a first computing platform associated with the first user. The multi-user application is configured to interface with an object based on control inputs received from the first user and based on control inputs received from a second user via a second computing platform executing a second instance of the multi-user application, and responsive to performance of a first control input by the second user on the second computing platform, the method includes generating a first haptic effect for the first user on the first computing platform, the first haptic effect conveying information to the first user about the effect of the first control input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: David M. Birnbaum
  • Patent number: 9921656
    Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect using an Eccentric Rotating Mass (“ERM”) actuator determines a back electromotive force (“EMF”) of the ERM actuator during operation of the device and receives a haptic effect signal including one or more parameters, where one of the parameters is a voltage amplitude level as a function of time. Based on the determined back EMF, the system determines if the ERM actuator is spinning and varies the voltage amplitude level based on the back EMF to generate a varied haptic effect signal, where the varying includes, when the ERM actuator is determined to be spinning, reducing the voltage amplitude level compared to when the ERM actuator is determined to not be spinning. The system then applies the varied haptic effect signal to the ERM actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Lacroix, Michael A. Greenish, Erin B. Ramsay
  • Patent number: 9921657
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for using one or more radar measurements to detect a gesture of a body part relative to a mobile device and comparing the gesture to one or more known gestures. Additionally, if the gesture corresponds to at least one of the one or more known gestures, an application running on the mobile device may be notified of the gesture. In one example, the one or more radar measurements are obtained from a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) radar modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Sprenger, Paul J. Gwin