Patents Issued in June 12, 2018
  • Patent number: 9996116
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a shaft, a first connecting member pivoted to the shaft and connected to a first body, a second connecting member fixed to the shaft and connected to a second body, a limiting frame, a rail base, a pin movably disposed through a slot of the limiting frame, and an elastic member connected to the pin and abutting against the first connecting member for driving the pin against the rail base. The limiting frame is fixed to the first connecting body and pivoted to the shaft. The rail base is fixed to the shaft and has first, second, third arc-shaped rails and a transition rail. When the first body rotates an expanding angle relative to the second body in a first rotating direction, the pin moves along the first arc-shaped rail to the transition rail and abuts against a first stopping end surface of the transition rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Peng Wu
  • Patent number: 9996117
    Abstract: A method for controlling a touch device to power on or power off has steps of receiving direction information of the touch device; determining if the touch device is oriented to a direction that is outside or inside a preset viewing angle according to the direction information; detecting a gesture present on the touch device; and performing a power-saving function or a power-on function when detecting the gesture present on the touch device and determining that the direction of the touch device is outside or inside the preset viewing angle. The foregoing technique can replace the power-saving function and the power-on function activated by pressing a physical power button. Accordingly, operational frequency and failure rate of the physical power button can be reduced and an intuitive method for powering on or off the touch device with easy operation can thus be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: INSYDE SOFTWARE CORP.
    Inventor: Wen-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 9996118
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to provide wireless communication; a display on the terminal body, an acceleration sensor; a low-energy image sensor; and a controller configured to control the acceleration sensor to sense an acceleration of the mobile terminal, control the low-energy sensor to capture a surrounding image of the mobile terminal, in response to the sensed acceleration of the mobile terminal being related to a body movement of a user carrying the mobile terminal based on the surrounding image, output information related to the body movement of the user of the mobile terminal based on the sensed acceleration, and in response to the sensed movement of the mobile terminal being related to a movement different than the body movement of the user based on the surrounding image, disregard the sensed acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mihyun Park, Hongjo Shim, Hyunok Lee, Mansoo Sin
  • Patent number: 9996119
    Abstract: A module connectivity device includes a stationary pivot plenum, a number of rocker-arm assemblies movably coupled to the stationary pivot plenum in which the rocker-arm assemblies move between an open position and a closed position, and a number of module connectors movably coupled to the rocker-arm assemblies, in which the module connectors move between a disengaged position and an engaged position with respect to the connectors on system modules. A module connectivity system includes a number of rocker-arm assemblies and a number of module connectors movably coupled to the number of rocker-arm assemblies. The system also includes a module connectivity manager to manage the connectivity of the module connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LP
    Inventors: Kevin B. Leigh, George D. Megason, Eugene E. Freeman, William James Walker
  • Patent number: 9996120
    Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) module that includes a processor package, an upper PCB and a lower PCB. The processor package includes a processor substrate and a processor. An upper socket is disposed on a lower surface of the upper PCB, and the upper socket electrically connects to a top electrical interface on the upper surface of the processor substrate. The lower PCB electrically interfaces with a bottom electrical interface on a lower surface of the processor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Fricker
  • Patent number: 9996121
    Abstract: There is provided a cable holder including: a first holder configured to house a cable; and a second holder configured to house the cable, the second holder being at least partly housed in the first holder, wherein the second holder is held by the first holder, and drawn along the first holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Noriko Mitsuishi, Noboru Izuhara, Junichi Hayama
  • Patent number: 9996122
    Abstract: A motherboard can include a socket coupled to a cable. The motherboard can also include an adapter coupled to a central processing unit (CPU). The adapter can be received in the socket upon installation of the CPU in the motherboard. The socket and the cable can be installed in the motherboard prior to installation of the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventor: John Norton
  • Patent number: 9996123
    Abstract: A computer device includes a holding structure, a motherboard module and a cover plate. The holding structure includes a holder and a frame. The holder includes a supporting face and an end edge. The frame is connected to the supporting face and arranged adjacent to the end edge. The frame includes an opening and a top bar. The motherboard module, including I/O ports disposed in the opening, is installed on the supporting face. The cover plate covers the opening, a bottom portion of the cover plate is detachably connected to the end edge with a positioning structure, a top portion of the cover plate is detachably connected to the top bar with a fastening structure, the cover plate includes through slots, and the I/O ports are inserted through or disposed corresponding to the through slots respectively, so that the computer device facilitates easy and flexible assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AIC INC.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yen Chung, Hsin-Chan Liu, Ta-Chih Chung
  • Patent number: 9996124
    Abstract: A system can include a board that includes a chipset that includes a processor; an edge connector housing and card lock assembly mounted to the board where the edge connector housing and card lock assembly includes a tongue that includes an axle and a latch rotatable about the axle for orientation in a locked state and in an unlocked state; and a video card operatively coupled to the processor where the video card includes a graphics processor and an edge received by the edge connector housing and card lock assembly and where the video card includes a prong wherein, in the locked state, an extension of the latch is disposed between a surface of the prong and a surface of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ali Kathryn Ent, Shuang Li, Jianyang Chen
  • Patent number: 9996125
    Abstract: A drive-removal mechanism may include, but is not limited to: at least one rotatable member; and at least one drive-engaging member operably coupled to the at least one rotatable member, wherein the drive-removal mechanism is detached from at least one drive to be removed. A drive enclosure may include, but is not limited to: at least one drive-receiving member including at least one drive-receiving channel; and at least one drive-removal mechanism including: at least one rotatable member; and at least one drive-engaging member operably coupled to the at least one rotatable member, wherein the drive-removal mechanism is configured to at least partially remove at least one hot swappable drive from the at least one drive-receiving channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Walter A. Goodman, Daniel P. Kelaher, Roland K. Alo, William Beauchamp
  • Patent number: 9996126
    Abstract: The present application is directed at pin programming od controllers for power converters and provides for the programming of a plurality of different controller parameters using a single programming resistor. The value of the programming resistor is used as a pointer to select a table storing a plurality of different settings for the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ROHM Powervation Limited
    Inventors: Karl Rinne, Antoin Russell
  • Patent number: 9996127
    Abstract: A processor and method are described for performing proactive throttling of execution unit ports. For example, one embodiment of a processor core comprises: a plurality of execution unit ports within an execution stage of the processor core; a scheduler unit to schedule execution of a plurality of operations to the plurality of execution unit ports; and proactive throttling logic to limit acceleration of execution of the operations by the ports to an acceleration level which does not result in significant power supply droops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Omer Vikinski, Igor Yanover, Gavri Berger, Gabi Malka, Zeev Sperber
  • Patent number: 9996128
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reliable redundant power distribution. Some embodiments include micro Automatic Transfer Switches (micro-ATSs), including various components and techniques for facilitating reliable auto-switching functionality in a small footprint (e.g., less than ten cubic inches, with at least one dimension being less than a standard NEMA rack height). Other embodiments include systems and techniques for integrating a number of micro-ATSs into a parallel auto-switching module for redundant power delivery to a number of devices. Implementations of the parallel auto-switching module are configured to be mounted in, on top of, or on the side of standard equipment racks. Still other embodiments provide power distribution topologies that exploit functionality of the micro-ATSs and/or the parallel micro-ATS modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Chapel, William Pachoud
  • Patent number: 9996129
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system includes an AC input interface and a DC output interface, and a plurality of power supply paths coupled between the AC and DC interfaces. A first one of the power supply paths has a lower component count, whereas a second one of the power supply paths has a higher component count. At least one of the power supply paths is structured to supply DC electrical power to a power bus in the DC output interface at a varying voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Sara Ahmed, Zhenyuan Wang, Francisco Canales
  • Patent number: 9996130
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided including a processor; a connection unit including a power supply terminal and an identification terminal; a first switch coupled to the power supply terminal and the processor; a second switch coupled to the identification terminal and the processor; and an interface control circuit configured to control an amount of current supplied to the processor by opening or closing each of the first switch and the second switch in accordance with voltage that is applied to at least one of the power supply terminal and the identification terminal by an external device connected to the connection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bongjae Rhee
  • Patent number: 9996131
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with electrical fast transient tolerant input/output (I/O) communication (e.g., universal serial bus (USB)) design are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may include common mode extraction circuitry to extract a common mode voltage from a USB input signal for a USB device, compare the common mode voltage with a reference voltage range and determine, based on the comparison, that the common mode voltage is outside of the reference voltage range. In the embodiments, the apparatus may further include processing circuitry to adjust the common mode voltage to within the reference voltage range. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Amit Kumar Srivastava
  • Patent number: 9996132
    Abstract: A distributed processing method of a system in which communications apparatuses communicate data by multi-hop communication is executed by a given communications apparatus among the communications apparatuses. According to the method, the given communications apparatus executes a given process based on a result of a first process executed by a first communications apparatus that among the communications apparatuses, communicates directly with the given communications apparatus and operates using power stored in a charging device charged by power generated from energy obtained corresponding to an environment where installed. The given communications apparatus executes the given process when receiving the result of the first process from the first communications apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Toshiya Otomo, Koichiro Yamashita, Takahisa Suzuki, Hiromasa Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 9996133
    Abstract: In one example a power management module comprises logic, at least partially including hardware logic, to detect a disconnection on at least one signaling contact in a receptacle prior to a disconnection on the at least one power contact in the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is adapted to mate with a plug, the receptacle comprising a plurality of electrical contacts including at least one power contact to connect with a power pin on the plug and at least one signaling contact to connect with a signaling pin on the plug and in response to the disconnection on the signaling contact, to switch a processor to a low power state prior to a disconnect between the at least one power contact in the receptacle and the power pin on the plug. Other examples may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Browning, Vijaykumar B. Kadgi, Robert A. Dunstan
  • Patent number: 9996134
    Abstract: A method to avoid over-rebooting of a power supply device comprises Step 1: receiving a power-good signal generated by a power supply device working normally; Step 2: checking whether the power-good signal is received; if no, demanding the power supply device to reboot; and Step 3: recording a count of rebootings of the power supply device; after the power supply device reboots, checking again whether the power-good signal is received; if yes, letting the power supply device keep on working and resetting the count of rebootings; if no, demanding the power supply device to reboot again, accumulating the count of rebootings, and checking whether the count of rebootings is greater than a limited count of rebootings; if yes, forbidding the power supply device to reboot. Thus is solved the problem that a power supply device whose abnormality cannot be removed by rebooting may damage the information device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ZIPPY TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Tsun-Te Shih, Yu-Yuan Chang, Kuang-Lung Shih, Heng-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 9996135
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor includes a core domain with a plurality of cores and a power controller having a first logic to receive a first request to increase an operating voltage of a first core of the core domain to a second voltage, to instruct a voltage regulator to increase the operating voltage to an interim voltage, and to thereafter instruct the voltage regulator to increase the operating voltage to the second voltage. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan D. Wells, Itai Feit, Doron Rajwan, Nadav Shulman, Zeev Offen, Inder M. Sodhi
  • Patent number: 9996136
    Abstract: A data transform method and a data transformer. The method includes: importing a data transform rule; acquiring from the data transform rule a source data definition, a destination data definition and a data transform rule definition; predicting resource energy consumption parameters of a data transform node server according to the source data definition, the destination data definition and the data transform rule definition; and deploying a resource energy consumption optimization policy of the data transform node server according to the predicted resource energy consumption parameters of the data transform node server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ying Chen, Li Li, Liang Liu, Peini Liu, Bo Yang
  • Patent number: 9996137
    Abstract: Embodiments generally provide techniques for waking up a plurality of network devices from a power saving mode via layer 1 (L1) signaling. Embodiments include entering a power saving mode at a first network device, wherein logic for processing layer 2 and higher data is inactive during the power saving mode and receiving, while the first network device is in the power saving mode, a L1 bit stream from a second network device connected to the first network device. Additionally, embodiments include, upon determining that a predefined code is present within the received L1 bit stream, exiting the power saving mode at the first network device and transmitting a second L1 bit stream containing the predefined code to a third network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Chaplin, Stephen Patrick Kolecki, Krishna Kumar Vavilala, Chris Desiniotis
  • Patent number: 9996138
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a plurality of function modules, each of the plurality of function modules operates according to one of a plurality of clock signals; and a clock management module, for generating the plurality of clock signals according to a plurality of performances requirements of the plurality of function modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Ying-Ting Yang, Chiuan-Shian Chen
  • Patent number: 9996139
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a data buffer, a volatile memory for storing a management table uniquely associates the user data with an address of the physical storage region of nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a controller that carries out a force quit process for writing the user data stored in a data buffer, the management table stored in volatile memory into the nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and a storage battery. The controller starts the force quit process prior to the power supply of the internal power supply regulator is switched from an external power supply to the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Kimura, Hiroki Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9996140
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, provided is an electronic device that includes: an energy generation unit that generates electrical power; an accumulating unit that accumulates therein the electrical power generated by the energy generation unit; and a network control unit that includes: a first function unit that performs network response processing; a second function unit that performs network response processing with a relatively smaller processing load than the network response processing performed by the first function unit; and a third function unit that controls the electrical power supply to the function units. The third function unit stops the electrical power supply to the first function unit in a predetermined standby operation mode that is standby for a network response request, and supplies the electrical power to the second function unit directly from the energy generation unit bypassing the accumulating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Shigeo Ueda
  • Patent number: 9996141
    Abstract: The disclosure storage device provides a hard disk drive (HDD) module, the HDD module includes a plurality of HDD units, and each the HDD unit include a plurality of HDDs, a switching unit, and a plurality of indication units. The switching unit configured for operating in a first state or a second state. Each indication unit is configured to electrically couple to the switching unit. When the switching unit outputs a first state signal, the switch control circuit outputs a first control signal to turn off the corresponding indicating control circuits. When the switch control circuit operates in the second state, the switch control circuit outputs a second control signal to turn on the corresponding indicating control circuits. An electronic device using the same is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HONGFUJIN PRECISION ELECTRONICS (TIANJIN) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ching-Hsiang Chan, Jiing-Shyang Jang, Meng-Liang Yang
  • Patent number: 9996142
    Abstract: Technologies for updating firmware in a pre-boot environment include a mobile computing device having a firmware environment and an operating system. In the pre-boot environment, the mobile computing device extracts a firmware update from a capsule previously generated by the operating system and determines a power consumption setting for a hardware component as a function of the firmware update. The mobile computing device configures the hardware component based on the power consumption setting and applies the firmware update in response to configuring the hardware component. The firmware update may include a firmware driver executable in the firmware environment. The hardware component may include a peripheral device or a device controller of the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may determine a power policy as a function of the firmware update, and determine the power consumption setting as a function of the power policy. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mallik Bulusu, Vincent J. Zimmer, Krishna Kumar Ganesan
  • Patent number: 9996143
    Abstract: A disable module may be coupled to an analog circuit of an electronic circuit. The disable module may detect an input voltage that is supplied to the analog circuit, and may disable (such as by powering off) the analog circuit if the input voltage is below a reference value. The reference value may be set at a voltage level at or below a maximum voltage that may be present across a transistor in the analog circuit. Accordingly, the analog circuit may be disabled without damage to the transistors of the analog circuit. The disable module may detect whether the input voltage is below the reference value level by comparing the input voltage to a reference voltage. The electronic circuit may include a voltage regulator, and the voltage regulator may include the analog circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Shor
  • Patent number: 9996144
    Abstract: A system on chip (SoC) includes an internal read-only memory (ROM) configured to store a first boot loader; a first internal static random access memory (SRAM) configured to receive a second boot loader output from a booting device, store the second boot loader, and perform a booting sequence according to control of the first boot loader; a second internal SRAM configured to receive a third boot loader output from the booting device, store the third boot loader, and perform a wake-up sequence according to control of the first boot loader; and a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) controller configured to load an operating system (OS) from the booting device into a DRAM according to control of the second boot loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hee Dong Shin
  • Patent number: 9996145
    Abstract: A multicore architecture is configured to exploit explicit task parallelism to save power by sharing interrupt sources that trigger independent tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Juan Diego Echeverri Escobar, Jose de Jesus Pineda de Gyvez
  • Patent number: 9996146
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus including a power supply part and a voltage compensating circuit. The power supply part is configured to supply electric power to a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The voltage compensating circuit is configured, when the first electronic device is connected to the information processing apparatus, to increase a voltage output from the power supply part and to switch a power supply path for supplying the output voltage to the second electronic device from a first power supply path to a second power supply path including a step-down element so as to decrease the increased output voltage and to supply the decreased output voltage to the second electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 9996147
    Abstract: The invention discloses a high temperature and high humidity testing device and a high temperature and high humidity testing system. The high temperature and high humidity testing device comprises: a test platform composed of a work area and a non-work area, the work area is used for carrying a under-test portion of a display panel, and the non-work area is used for carrying a non-test portion of the display panel; and a sealing cover arranged above the work area, wherein the sealing cover and the test platform jointly form a sealed chamber in the work area, the test platform is provided with a gas guide through groove in the work area, and the gas guide through groove is used for delivering high temperature and high humidity gas to the sealed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yan Jiang, Xianzhen Tang, Xiaoming Lu, Dan Li, Xiaowei Gong, Chiyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 9996148
    Abstract: Features are disclosed for presenting multiple media items based on one or more rules defining how the items are to be presented. One media item may be presented, and during presentation any number of additional media items may be received or scheduled for presentation. Rules may define which media items have priority over others, which media items may interrupt others or be interrupted, which media items may be delayed or presented early, whether particular media items are time-critical such that they are not to be delayed but rather should take presentation priority over others, etc. Metadata may be associated with particular media items or categories thereof. The metadata can provide details regarding how the rules should be applied to those media items. User feedback may also be obtained, and may affect the further application of the rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frédéric Johan Georges Deramat, Vikram Kumar Gundeti, Fred Torok, Jeffrey Penrod Adams
  • Patent number: 9996149
    Abstract: A system for translational navigation of an immersive virtual reality environment is provided. The system includes a head mounted display having a field of view of the immersive virtual reality environment displayed on a display of the head mounted display and at least one sensor for detecting an orientation of the head mounted display. The system includes a user input control for translating input from a user into a velocity of the user in a single direction within the immersive virtual reality environment. A control module is provided in communication with the user input control and head mounted display for limiting movement of a user through the virtual reality environment to a direction corresponding to a center of the field of view when a velocity input is detected from the user input control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Harry Lee Martin, Kyle Leinart
  • Patent number: 9996150
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to enabling augmented reality applications using eye gaze tracking are disclosed. An exemplary method according to the disclosure includes displaying an image to a user of a scene viewable by the user, receiving information indicative of an eye gaze of the user, determining an area of interest within the image based on the eye gaze information, determining an image segment based on the area of interest, initiating an object recognition process on the image segment, and displaying results of the object recognition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ashwin Swaminathan, Mahesh Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 9996151
    Abstract: A contact lens type line-of-sight detection apparatus has a shape such that it is wearable on an eyeball of a user. Furthermore, in the line-of-sight detection apparatus, a plurality of light-emitting sections that output light and a plurality of light-receiving elements that receive light reflected by an eyeball surface. The light-receiving elements receive light that has been output from the light-emitting sections and reflected by the eyeball surface and output light-receiving signals according to amounts of light received. The signal processing unit detects a line of sight of the user based on the light-receiving signals of the light-receiving elements. The present technology can be applied to a contact lens type line-of-sight detection apparatus or a display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Iwasaki, Yoichiro Sako
  • Patent number: 9996152
    Abstract: In an interface apparatus for presenting a force sense at a remote place or in a virtual space to a user, the number of motors for exerting force upon fingers of the user is decreased. The interface apparatus includes a first arm and a second arm for being attached to the thumb and a finger other than the thumb, respectively. A motor includes a motor main body supported for rotation, and a rotary shaft that relatively rotates with respect to the motor main body. The rotary shaft is connected to the second arm. The motor main body is connected to the first arm so as to impart rotation thereof to the first arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Shigeo Hirose, Hiroaki Ishida, Takeshi Yamagishi, Tomokazu Kake, Keiji Togawa
  • Patent number: 9996153
    Abstract: The current technology concerns an improved method for communicating and processing motion output signals from haptic, wearable devices to the host system that runs, manages and modifies a type of an application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CaptoGlove, LLC
    Inventor: Paolo Trotta
  • Patent number: 9996154
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method of controlling a display apparatus. The method includes presenting a stimulus to a user by using information regarding a user environment, obtaining, from the user, an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal in response to the stimulus, and controlling the display apparatus based on the EEG signal. By using the apparatus and the method of controlling the display apparatus, an appropriate type of a stimulus may be presented to the user based on the information regarding the user environment. Thus, the user may conveniently operate the display apparatus, and may accurately operate the display apparatus according to an intention of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mi-young Kim, Eun-mi Oh, Min-su Hwangbo, Tae-ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 9996155
    Abstract: A system and method for manipulating a virtual object based on thought is described. A display of a device displays a first virtual object based on an identification of a physical object detected by the device. The device monitors brain activity data of a user of the device. The brain activity data is generated in response to the first virtual object being displayed in the display. The device identifies a second virtual object based on the brain activity data of the user of the device and displays the second virtual object in the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DAQRI, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Mullins
  • Patent number: 9996156
    Abstract: The embodiments are directed toward techniques for isolating a user input signal at a haptic output device. A signal originating from a user input element associated with the haptic output device is received. The received signal is separated into a first component including the user input signal, and a second component including a haptic feedback signal. While the first component is processed, the second component can be discarded or otherwise ignored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Douglas George Billington, Stephen Rank, Daniel Parker, Aaron Kapelus
  • Patent number: 9996157
    Abstract: An electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface, a display, and one or more tactile output generators for generating tactile outputs displays a user interface that includes a first item. While displaying the user interface, the device detects a first portion of an input by a first contact on the touch-sensitive surface, and detects a first movement of the first contact on the touch-sensitive surface. The device further, in response to detecting the first portion of the input that includes the first movement of the first contact, in accordance with a determination that the first movement of the first contact meets first movement-threshold criteria that are a precondition for performing a first operation, generates a first tactile output, and in accordance with a determination that the first movement of the first contact does not meet the first movement-threshold criteria for the first operation, forgoes generation of the first tactile output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Imran A. Chaudhri, Sebastian J. Bauer, Hugo D. Verweij, Gary I. Butcher, Camille Moussette, Jean-Pierre M. Mouilleseaux, Madeleine S. Cordier, Joshua B. Kopin, Daniel T. Preston, Peter L. Hajas
  • Patent number: 9996158
    Abstract: Introduced here are methods and systems to create a relief on an electronic display. In one embodiment, the relief is created by micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) placed above a cover layer of the electronic display. Each MEMS when activated can protrude or depress, thus creating the relief on the electronic display. In another embodiment, the relief is created by a plurality of resistors placed beneath the cover layer. The cover layer is made out of an elastically deformable material that, when heated, expands, thus creating a protrusion on the electronic display. Each resistor when activated heats a section of the cover layer, causing the cover layer to protrude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Andrew E. Rubin, Xinrui Jiang, Xiaoyu Miao, Joseph Anthony Tate, Matthew Hershenson, Jason Sean Gagne-Keats, Michael Kolb
  • Patent number: 9996159
    Abstract: A computer apparatus is associated with a graphical display presenting at least one GUI-component adapted to be manipulated based on user-generated commands. An event engine is adapted to receive an eye-tracking data signal that describes a user's point of regard on the display. Based on the signal, the event engine produces a set of non-cursor controlling event output signals, which influence the at least one GUI-component. Each non-cursor controlling event output signal describes a particular aspect of the user's ocular activity in respect of the display. Initially, the event engine receives a control signal request from each of the at least one GUI-component. The control signal request defines a sub-set of the set of non-cursor controlling event output signals which is required by the particular GUI-component. The event engine delivers non-cursor controlling event output signals to the at least one GUI-component in accordance with each respective control signal request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Christoffer Björklund, Henrik Eskilsson, Magnus Jacobson, Mårten Skogö
  • Patent number: 9996160
    Abstract: A device includes a display and one or more motion sensors configured to track positions of two or more feature points of an object when the object is used to perform a gesture at a position remote from the display, and generate, based on the tracked positions of the feature points, sequential position data that indicates a relative position of the feature points with respect to each other and to the display. The device includes circuitry configured to determine, based on the sequential position data, whether the gesture corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined input operations, and execute processing related to the predetermined input operation when a correspondence is determined. The circuitry is configured to determine whether the gesture corresponds to the predetermined input operation based on variations in the relative positions of the feature points with respect to each other and to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventor: Makoto Tachibana
  • Patent number: 9996161
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes determining, by a first motion module of a computing device and based on first motion data measured by a first motion sensor at a first time, that the mobile computing device has moved, wherein a display operatively coupled to the computing device is deactivated at the first time; responsive to determining that the computing device has moved, activating a second motion module; determining, by the second motion module, second motion data measured by a second motion sensor, wherein determining the second motion data uses a greater quantity of power than determining the first motion data; determining a statistic of a group of statistics based on the second motion data; and responsive to determining that at least one of the group of statistics satisfies a threshold, activating the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Etienne Le Grand, Michael Andrew Sipe
  • Patent number: 9996162
    Abstract: A wearable sensor system is disclosed that provides a measurable magnetic field that changes horizontally within the range of motion of human limbs. The wearable sensor system includes a magnetic sensing device, and one or more magnet devices that provide the measurable magnetic field with a strength exceeding the Earth's magnetic field. To this end, the magnetic sensing system provides a “personal” magnetic field about a user, with that magnetic field traveling with the user and overpowering adjacent interfering fields. The wearable sensor system may include a sensor arrangement that measures a strength of the personal magnetic field and field direction to perform horizontal localization, and may send a representation of a same to a remote computing device to cause an action to occur. Some such actions include output of pre-recorded or synthesized musical notes, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Swarnendu Kar, Jeremy Parra, Saurin Shah, Brian K. Vogel
  • Patent number: 9996163
    Abstract: A method and system for positioning based device control. The method includes receiving device control instructions associated with function control of a device based on a positioning of a wearable hardware device of a user. Communications between the device and the wearable hardware device are synchronized and a position signal indicating a current position of the wearable hardware device with respect to a body of the user is received. In response, a command associated with controlling a specified function of the device is received and a command is executed resulting in the specified function of the device being modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Seacat Deluca, Clifford A. Pickover, Dana L. Price, Aaron J. Quirk
  • Patent number: 9996164
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for recording a custom gesture command. In an aspect, at least one camera of a user device captures the custom gesture command, wherein the custom gesture command comprises a physical gesture performed by a user of the user device, a user interface of the user device receives user selection of one or more operations of the user device, and the user device maps the custom gesture command to the one or more operations of the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Bapineedu Chowdary Gummadi, Venkata A Naidu Babbadi, Hem Agnihotri, Anurag Tiwari
  • Patent number: 9996165
    Abstract: The description relates to 3D gesture recognition. One example gesture recognition system can include a gesture detection assembly. The gesture detection assembly can include a sensor cell array and a controller that can send signals at different frequencies to individual sensor cells of the sensor cell array. The example gesture recognition system can also include a gesture recognition component that can determine parameters of an object proximate the sensor cell array from responses of the individual sensor cells to the signals at the different frequencies, and can identify a gesture performed by the object using the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ran Gilad-Bachrach, Dimitrios Lymberopoulos, Gerald Reuben Dejean, II, Eden Alejandro Alanis Reyes, Trang T. Thai