Patents Issued in July 24, 2018
  • Patent number: 10031546
    Abstract: A selector lever that comprises a shaft rotatably attached to a pivot and arranged between two detent plates, each of the detent plates having a plurality of slots arranged for receiving a detent pin located on the shaft. Each of the plurality of slots on each of the two detent plates is defined by a radial depth. One or more of the plurality of slots is a failure detection slot having an extended radial depth. When one of the detent pins has failed, the opposing detent pin is allowed to travel into the extended radial depth when placed in the failure detection slot. This action reveals a failure indicator, providing a visual indication that one of the detent pins has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cory M. Crandall-Seibert, Andrew N. Baines, Timothy Michael Mayer, Gary L. Voss, Sean Bradshaw, Roger F. Glenn
  • Patent number: 10031547
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are described, which provide a mechanism that enables data to be written into registers of a slave device without a free-running clock, while facilitating an efficient sleep and wakeup mechanism for slave devices. A receiver device may receive a plurality of symbols over a shared bus, extract a receive clock signal embedded in symbol-to-symbol transitions of the plurality of symbols, convert the plurality of symbols into a transition number, convert the transition number into data bits, and store at least a portion of the data bits into one or more registers using only the receive clock signal. The receiver device may start a down counter upon detection of a first cycle of the clock signal, trigger a marker when the down counter reaches a pre-defined value, and use the marker to store at least a portion of the data bits into registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Shoichiro Sengoku
  • Patent number: 10031548
    Abstract: A latency control device and a semiconductor device including the same may be provided. The latency control device may include a first delay controller configured to delay a command signal based on a first internal clock having a first phase and a control signal. The latency control device may include a second delay controller configured to delay the command signal based on a second internal clock having a second phase different from the first phase and a test control signal. The latency control device may include a selection circuit configured to select any one of an output signal of the first delay controller and an output signal of the second delay controller based on a selection signal, and output a latency signal. The latency control device may include a test controller configured to generate the test control signal based on the control signal and a test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Seong Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 10031549
    Abstract: Transitioning between a high-resolution input mode, such as a mouse-based interface, and a low-resolution input mode, such as a touch-based interface, is described. A change of orientation of a touch screen between a first orientation and a second orientation is detected. Transitioning between the two input modes and corresponding user interfaces (UIs) is based on the detected change of orientation. A change of orientation can be detected with one or more sensors, such as an accelerometer, position sensors, etc. Transitioning from one mode to another can include modifying an item displayed in the UI of the one mode into a corresponding item displayed in the UI of the other mode. The modifying can include enlarging/reducing, obscuring/unobscuring, moving, etc. For example, an item can be obscured by the visual effect of sliding it off of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Costa
  • Patent number: 10031550
    Abstract: Provided is a display device, including: a display unit (31); a touch panel (32) stacked on a front part of the display unit (31); and a case for housing the touch panel (32) and the display unit (31). The case includes: a rear case (21); and a front case (22) removably attached to the rear case (21), which has an opening portion for exposing a touch detection region and a visible region of the touch panel (32) and the display unit (31) stacked together. The display unit (31) is mounted to the rear case (21), and the touch panel (32) is mounted to the front case (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: NEC Platforms, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Iwamoto, Natsuki Hagiwara, Takashi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10031551
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wearable electronic device comprises a circuit board including first portions where a plurality of electronic parts are mounted, and second portions arranged between the first portions and rotatably connecting the first portions with each other, and a bracket having a plurality of contact surfaces corresponding to the first portions, wherein the circuit board is coupled to surround at least a portion of the bracket. The circuit board may be coupled to surround at least a portion of the bracket. The wearable electronic device may be implemented in various manners according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Il Seo, Ki-Jae Kim, Byoung-Uk Yoon
  • Patent number: 10031552
    Abstract: A display in a portable information handling system may have a narrow or no border. A display panel cover included with the display may be formed with an insert molding that is co-molded with an outer panel for high bonding strength and high stiffness, as well as providing a desired high quality external appearance to information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Schwager, Deeder M. Aurongzeb, Chi-Chou Cheng, Kai-Yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 10031553
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic device having a noise blocking structure comprising: a first electronic component including a noise source; a first connecting portion disposed on one side of the noise source and grounded to a first grounded portion; and a second connecting portion disposed on the other side (such that the noise source is between the second connecting portion and the first connecting portion) and grounded to a second grounded portion. By means of a first grounded region formed by the first connecting portion and a second grounded region formed by the second connecting portion, the noise generated from the noise source is prevented from emanating at least to a second electronic component nearby so as to prevent a degradation in the performance of nearby electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Il Yang
  • Patent number: 10031554
    Abstract: A display device or a display system with which a viewer can feel a strong or natural stereoscopic effect in a two-dimensional image and is less likely to be fatigued is provided. The display system includes a display portion, a detection portion, and a control portion. The display portion is flexible. The detection portion is configured to detect the conditions of a viewer's eye to obtain detection information and to supply the detection information to the control portion. The control portion is configured to extract information on the viewer's fatigue from the detection information and to change the curvature of the display portion on the basis of the information on the viewer's fatigue. The central angle of the curved surface of the display portion is preferably greater than or equal to 20° and less than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 10031555
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a flexible display screen, first and second display platforms, and a plurality of micro-beads. The flexible display screen is movably mounted to the first and second display platforms. The plurality of micro-beads is coated on the flexible display screen, and the plurality of micro-beads comprises a protective layer of increase hardness relative to the flexible display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Knepper, Deeder M. Aurongzeb, John Trevor Morrison, Patrick Hampton
  • Patent number: 10031556
    Abstract: User experience adaptation techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a connection portion configured to be removably physically and communicatively with a computing device, a housing physically connected to the connection portion and providing an outer surface having one or more characteristics that are viewable by a user, and memory disposed within the housing and configured to communicate data to the computing device via the connection portion, the data usable by the computing device to dynamically adapt a user interface displayable by a display device of the computing device to mimic the one or more physical characteristics of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Panos C. Panay, Sharon Drasnin, Michael D. McCormack, John E. Inman, Steve Seixeiro, Anthony Christian Reed, Ralf Groene, Jeffrey Jay Johnson
  • Patent number: 10031557
    Abstract: Embodiments provide the ability to store a pen device within an integrated docking compartment of an IHS (Information Handling System) that utilizes a touch-sensitive display, such as certain laptops and tablet devices. The pen device is stored within a docking compartment provided partially within a cooling structure that protrudes from the bottom of the enclosure of the IHS, thus creating an air gap below the IHS that allows heated air to be vented from underneath the IHS. The docking compartment may include charging contacts that interface with charging contacts on the pen device when docked in order to charge internal batteries that power sensors integrated into the pen device. By integrating the docking compartment into the cooling structure, a pen device may be protected from damage and loss while still supporting the thin applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: John Trevor Morrison, Travis North
  • Patent number: 10031558
    Abstract: A security apparatus for a portable electronic device includes a locking head having a base and an engagement element extending from the base and adapted to be inserted into an aperture of the portable electronic device. The engagement element includes a wedge-shaped engagement portion configured to engage part of the portable electronic device when inserted into the aperture. The locking head also has a stabilizing element extending from the base and slidable along a side of the engagement element into the aperture of the portable electronic device, thereby inhibiting the engagement element from being removed from the aperture. The security apparatus further includes a security device attached to the locking head and configured to engage the immovable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ACCO Brands Corporation
    Inventors: John Hung, Ryan White, Guillermo Andres, David Thomas Dobson, Jacque Gagne
  • Patent number: 10031559
    Abstract: An electronic device (such as a laptop) may selectively latch a base to a lid using a switchable magnet array. In particular, a drive circuit in the electronic device may apply at least a current pulse to a conductor that generates a magnetic field to reverse a direction of a remnant magnetization in the switchable magnet array. By reversing the direction of the remnant magnetization, the electronic device may selectively increase or decrease a magnetic field generated by the switchable magnet array at an attraction plate in the electronic device. This magnetic field may, in turn, result in an attractive force between the switchable magnet array and the attraction plate, thereby selectively latching the base and the lid when the base and the lid are proximate to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Hamel, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, John C. Difonzo, Jean-Marc Gery
  • Patent number: 10031560
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel for displaying an image, and a window substrate covering the display panel, the window substrate including a base substrate having a display area and a non-display area, a first printing layer at the base substrate, corresponding to the non-display area, and defining a logo hole, a logo pattern at the first printing layer and corresponding to the non-display area, a portion of the logo pattern being exposed through the logo hole, and a second printing layer at the logo pattern and spaced from the first printing layer with the logo pattern therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sangwoo Han, Min-a Kim, Dongho Lee
  • Patent number: 10031561
    Abstract: A storage device mounting system includes a cage assembly configured to receive one or more storage devices. A pivot assembly is configured to pivotally attach the cage assembly to a chassis assembly. A flexible conductor assembly is configured to electrically couple the one or more storage devices to a system board assembly while allowing the cage assembly to pivot with respect to the chassis assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen E. Strickland, Lawrence J. Feroli
  • Patent number: 10031562
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for cooling electronic components of a printed circuit board module and for supplying power to the electronic components of the printed circuit board module. The computer module comprises a printed circuit board module, wherein the electronic components are attached to a first side of the printed circuit board module, and a cooling module being attached to a second side of the printed circuit board, being arranged in parallel to the printed circuit board and having a first layer being thermally and electrically conductive. The first layer is arranged such that heat is dissipated from the printed circuit board module and that power from a power source is supplied to the electronic components of the printed circuit board module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas C. Doering, Ronald P. Luijten, Bruno Michel, Stephan Paredes
  • Patent number: 10031563
    Abstract: A tool-less heat spreader for dissipating heat produced by an electrical computing component includes a first section having a flexible thermal interface material for engaging either side of the electrical computing component; and a rigid heat shield pivotally connected to the first section, the rigid heat shield pivoting between one of a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aaron R. Cox, ZhenDe Fu, Lei R. Li, Jason E. Minyard
  • Patent number: 10031564
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a heat pipe. The heat pipe includes a heat dissipation section arranged to dissipate heat using a fan. The heat pipe further includes a heat absorption section arranged to absorb heat from a heat source of an electronic device. The heat pipe further includes a heat dissipation medium disposed inside the heat pipe. The apparatus further includes a driving member coupled to the heat pipe and configured to drive the heat dissipation medium to flow circularly inside the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
    Inventors: Zizhou Jia, Ying Sun, Zhigang Na
  • Patent number: 10031565
    Abstract: A heat dissipation structure is provided for arrangement on an addin card and includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins arranged on the addin card, at least one bent section formed at one side of the heat dissipation fins and located on the addin card, at least one gap section formed between each bent section, and at least one first through-hole section formed in the heat dissipation fins. The heat dissipation fins allow heat to be dissipated from the addin card. The gap section and the first through-hole section of the heat dissipation fins allow air to flow therethrough and ventilate so as to enhance the effect of heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: EVGA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tai-Sheng Han
  • Patent number: 10031566
    Abstract: Described are an on board unit (OBU) and a method to control an OBU within a communication zone of a road side unit (RSU), said OBU can be set into an active mode and a sleep mode. Said OBU is set into sleep mode upon receiving a release command from said RSU, and the OBU electronics are shut down so no or a minimum of power is consumed, and is set into active mode when entering said communication zone. A communication unit of said OBU is thereby powered such that the OBU can communicate with said RSU. Said OBU can be set into a tracking mode by said RSU, whereby in said tracking mode at least said communication unit is shut down and a timer is activated in said OBU, such that said OBU can restart said communication unit within a specified time limit from when it is shut down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Johan Rogö, Robert Povolny, Markus Krapfenbauer, Heinz Liebhart
  • Patent number: 10031567
    Abstract: Techniques are described for battery management in a computing device. The described techniques may be implemented by a battery offline module that provides functionality to control utilization of a battery such as determining whether the battery is available to receive power from a power source. For instance, the battery offline module may receive an input requesting that a battery be taken offline, determine whether system conditions for taking the battery offline are met, and take the battery offline when the system conditions are met such that the battery is not capable of receiving power from a power source of the computing device. In some instances, the battery offline module may cause different powering and charging arrangements between multiple batteries of the computing device. By implementing the battery offline module in the computing device, battery utilization is controlled to improve battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Ceceli Ann Wilhelmi, Ricardo Marquez, Ying Huang, Wei Guo
  • Patent number: 10031568
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a tablet computer. The tablet computer includes a battery and a voltage regulator circuit, wherein the voltage regulator circuit includes a step-up circuit for raising a voltage supplied by the battery in order to utilizing the raised voltage to charge an external device connected with the tablet computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., K-TRONICS (SUZHOU) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chao Zeng
  • Patent number: 10031569
    Abstract: One of a first voltage and a second voltage may be selected based on input from a basic input/output system (BIOS). One of the selected voltage and no voltage may be output to a carrier detect (CD) pin and a ring Indicator (RI) pin of a serial communication port, based on the input from the BIOS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Nam Nguyen, Robert S Wright, Binh T Truong
  • Patent number: 10031570
    Abstract: A system for performing computing operations in a data center includes one or more sets of computer systems, one or more primary power systems, and a reserve power system. The primary power systems include at least one power distribution unit that supplies power to at least one of the sets of computer systems. The reserve power system automatically supplies power to at least one of the sets of computer systems if a condition is met (such as a failure of the primary power system).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Osvaldo P. Morales, James R. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 10031571
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for power loss protection of one or more storage resources may include receiving information from each of the one or more storage resources regarding power loss protection capabilities of such storage resource. The method may also include based on the information, repurposing, for each power loss protection capable storage resource, a communications channel between a logic device and such power loss protection capable storage resource for transmission of a respective early power-off warning signal for such power loss protection capable storage resource. The method may further include in response to a power event of a power supply unit for providing electrical energy to the one or more storage resources, asserting for each power loss protection capable storage resource its respective early power-off warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Michael J. Stumpf, Timothy M. Lambert, Frank Widjaja Yu
  • Patent number: 10031572
    Abstract: Provided are a method and device for processing a core of a processor, and a terminal. The method comprises that: a current utilization rate of the processor is acquired; and the number of currently-running cores of the processor is processed according to the acquired utilization rate. By means of the present disclosure, the problems of high device power consumption, high electric energy consumption, poor heat dissipation and the like in the related art are solved, thereby achieving the effects of improving the utilization rate of the processor, lowering power consumption and improving user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tianming Chen
  • Patent number: 10031573
    Abstract: Energy efficiency is managed in a multi-cluster system. The system detects an event in which a current operating frequency of an active cluster enters or crosses any of one or more predetermined frequency spots of the active cluster, wherein the active cluster includes one or more first processor cores. When the event is detected, the system performs the following steps: (1) identifying a target cluster including one or more second processor cores, wherein the each first processor core in the first cluster and each second processor core in the second cluster have different energy efficiency characteristics; (2) activating at least one second processor core in the second cluster; (3) determining whether to migrate one or more interrupt requests from the first cluster to the second cluster; and (4) determining whether to deactivate at least one first processor core of the active cluster based on a performance and power requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Jia-Ming Chen, Hung-Lin Chou, Pi-Cheng Hsiao, Ya-Ting Chang, Yun-Ching Li, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 10031574
    Abstract: A computing system includes a multi-core processor and a core controller. The core controller is for: monitoring utilization of the multi-core processor; calculating a target performance index according to the utilization of the multi-core processor, a target utilization and a first performance index, wherein the first performance index is associated with a first entry of a dynamic voltage frequency scaling (DVFS) table that corresponds to a current setting for the multi-core processor; and selecting a second entry of the DVFS table that corresponds to a target-setting according to the target performance index and a second performance index that is associated with the second entry. The target-setting is used to configure the multi-core processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Jih-Ming Hsu, Yen-Lin Lee, Jia-Ming Chen, Shih-Yen Chiu, Chung-Ho Chang, Ya-Ting Chang, Ming-Hsien Lee
  • Patent number: 10031575
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a device for waking up a microcontroller unit (MCU) chip, which belongs to an intelligent device technology field. The method includes: receiving a wireless message sent from other intelligent device when a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip is under a low power consumption mode, in which the wireless message is dedicated to the low power consumption mode, determining whether the wireless message is a specified wakeup message, and if it is determined that the wireless message is the specified wakeup message, sending an interrupt wakeup signal to the MCU chip via a wakeup pin connected between the Wi-Fi chip and the MCU chip, so as to wake up the MCU chip. The MCU chip and the Wi-Fi chip are integrated in the same Wi-Fi module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Xiaomi Inc.
    Inventors: Deguo Meng, Xin Liu, Enxing Hou
  • Patent number: 10031576
    Abstract: A speech generation device is disclosed. The speech generation device may include a head mounted display unit having a variety of different components that enhance the functionality of the speech generation device. The speech generation device may further include computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processor, instruct the speech generation device to perform desired functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Dynavox Systems LLC
    Inventor: Bob Cunningham
  • Patent number: 10031577
    Abstract: Systems and computer program products to perform an operation comprising outputting a first content on a first device and a second content on a second device, wherein the first and second devices are communicably coupled as part of a multi-device platform, wherein the first and second content are related content, monitoring, by a gaze detection module, a gaze of a first user holding the first device, and upon determining that the gaze of the first user is focused on one of the first device and the second device, performing a predefined operation to modify the first and second contents outputted on the first and second devices based on the gaze of the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: James G. McLean
  • Patent number: 10031578
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a sequence of three-dimensional (3D) maps of at least a part of a body of a user of a computerized system and extracting, from the 3D map, 3D coordinates of a head of the user. Based on the 3D coordinates of the head, a direction of a gaze performed by the user and an interactive item presented in the direction of the gaze on a display coupled to the computerized system are identified. An indication is extracted from the 3D maps an indication that the user is moving a limb of the body in a specific direction, and the identified interactive item is repositioned on the display responsively to the indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Eyal Bychkov, Oren Brezner, Micha Galor, Ofir Or, Jonathan Pokrass, Amir Hoffnung, Tamir Berliner
  • Patent number: 10031579
    Abstract: Example embodiments include a lens having an IR-reflective coating that is selectively applied to form a variable infrared (IR) interaction pattern on the lens. The variable IR interaction pattern may vary in the manner it interacts with IR wavelengths, so as to provide a machine-readable code when the lens is illuminated by IR light. Accordingly, variable IR interaction patterns may be used to identify particular lenses. Accordingly, a glasses-style, modular, head-mountable device (HMD) may identify which of a number of different possible lenses are currently attached to the HIVID, and update certain processes according to the lens or lenses is or are attached. For example, an HIVID may calibrate an eye-tracking process according to the particular lens that is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Hayes Solos Raffle, Simon Robert Prakash
  • Patent number: 10031580
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from a neural interface configured to detect an electrical signal associated with a nervous system. The processor is also configured to determine an interaction in with a virtual object in a virtual environment based on the sensor signal. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the interaction with the virtual object in the virtual environment. The processor is also configured to transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10031581
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing virtual artifacts using mobile devices. In one aspect, methods include receiving a signal indicating user input to a touchscreen display of a mobile computing device, detecting motion of the mobile computing device, the motion mimicking motion associated with a physical artifact, identifying a function based on the user input and the motion, the function corresponding to a function that can be physically performed using the physical artifact, executing the function on the mobile device, and generating feedback to a user of the mobile device, the feedback indicating execution of the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: T. V. Raman, Chaitanya Gharpure, Charles L. Chen
  • Patent number: 10031582
    Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine an ESF-based haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the ESF-based haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. Further, the illustrative system includes an inducing electrode configured to receive the ESF signal and induce an electric charge on an induced electrode, wherein the inducing electrode does not contact the induced electrode, and wherein the induced electrode is configured to output the ESF-based haptic effect to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10031583
    Abstract: Systems and methods for force-based object manipulation and haptic sensations are disclosed. One disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a first signal indicating a location of a user interaction and receiving a second signal indicating a first force. The method also includes, if the location of the user interaction corresponds to an object displayed on a display screen: outputting a first haptic signal to a haptic output device to cause a first haptic effect; and outputting a second haptic signal to the haptic output device to cause a second haptic effect if the first force meets or exceeds a first force threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant, Jamal Saboune, Liwen Wu, Kurt Eerik Stahlberg, Abdelwahab Hamam
  • Patent number: 10031584
    Abstract: A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a piezoelectric element 1, a detection unit 7 for detecting each pressing and releasing based on an output voltage of the piezoelectric element 1, a drive unit 4 for driving the piezoelectric element 1 synchronously with the detection of each pressing and releasing by the detection unit 7 and thereby providing a tactile sensation, a discharge unit 5 for discharging the piezoelectric element 1 after the driving of the piezoelectric element 1 before start of detection of next releasing or pressing, and a voltage fixing unit 11 for fixing, after the detection of the pressing or releasing by the detection unit 7 before the start of the detection of the next pressing or releasing, an input voltage of the detection unit 7 at a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10031585
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display part; a top panel having a manipulation input surface; first vibrating elements configured to vibrate the manipulation input surface; second vibrating elements configured to vibrate the manipulation input surface; a memory configured to store section area data, in which coordinate points of section areas and identifiers of the first vibrating elements and the second vibrating elements are associated, the manipulation input surface being sectioned into the section areas; and a drive controlling part configured to drive at least one of the first vibrating elements and the second vibrating elements based on a position of a manipulation input performed on the manipulation input surface and the section area data by using a driving signal causing the at least one of the first vibrating elements and the second vibrating elements to generate a natural vibration in an ultrasound-frequency-band in the manipulation input surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Taninaka, Yuichi Kamata, Akinori Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Endo
  • Patent number: 10031586
    Abstract: Approaches to enable a computing device, such as a phone or tablet computer, to use sensor information obtained from sensors of the computing device to interpret one or more gestures and/or other input provided by the user. In particular, the computing device may use information about the movement of the device gathered from an accelerometer or gyroscope in combination with input data detected by the touch screen or cameras of the device in order to disambiguate between several different types of gestures for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Michael P. Touloumtzis
  • Patent number: 10031587
    Abstract: An electronic device and method are disclosed, the electronic device including a variable detection module operable in a plurality of modes, each of the plurality of modes configuring the variable detection module to detect a different external signal; and a controller. The controller may implement the method, including operating the variable detection module in one of the plurality of operating modes, and executing a function of the electronic device in response to a signal detected by the variable detection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joon Heo
  • Patent number: 10031588
    Abstract: A tracking system generates a structured light pattern in a local area. The system includes an array of lasers that generate light. The array of lasers includes a plurality of lasers and an optical element. The plurality of lasers are grouped into at least two subsets of lasers, and each of the at least two subsets of lasers is independently switchable. The optical element includes a plurality of cells that are each aligned with a respective subset of the array of lasers. Each cell receives light from a corresponding laser of the array of lasers, and each cell individually applies a modulation to the received light passing through the cell to form a corresponding portion of the structured light pattern that is projected onto a local area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitay Romano, Nadav Grossinger, Yair Alpern, Emil Alon, Guy Raz
  • Patent number: 10031589
    Abstract: A method comprising: causing transfer of a displayable first item to a display of a remote apparatus by causing transfer of data to the remote apparatus, the data defining features of the displayable first item; and enabling remote user-control of interaction, in the display of the remote apparatus, between a second item displayed in the display of the remote apparatus and the transferred displayable first item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Kongqiao Wang, Yingfei Liu
  • Patent number: 10031590
    Abstract: A method of one embodiment includes generating, by a stylus, a composite signal. The composite signal includes a first signal having a first frequency, the first signal being used by a touch-sensing device to determine a position of the stylus relative to the touch-sensing device, and a second signal having a second frequency. The second signal may include status information such as an amount of force exerted on the stylus, battery information, orientation information, information indicating whether the stylus is within a threshold distance of the touch-sensing device, information indicating a status of a button of the stylus, and/or information indicating input from a user of the stylus. Furthermore, the second frequency is higher than the first frequency. The stylus sends the composite signal to the touch-sensing device, and an electrode array of the touch-sensing device may receive the composite signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Vemund Kval Bakken, Izhar Bentov, Vivek Pant
  • Patent number: 10031591
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a pointing device system including an elongate base member, a sleeve disposed to fit over a portion of the elongate base member, the sleeve configured to rotate about the elongate base member in a first direction and slide about the elongate base member in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, a first support disposed at a first end of the elongate base member, a second support disposed at a distal second end of the elongate base member, and a plurality of support rails interposed between the first support and the second support, wherein the first support includes a first angular extension and the second support includes a second angular extension, the first angular extension and second angular extension configured to support depression of the elongate base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: CONTOUR DESIGN, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Wang, HanNing Lu, ChangJun Zhao, ZhiJian Huang
  • Patent number: 10031592
    Abstract: Described herein is a control console. The control console may have a first contextual knob configured to control a first system, a display encompassing the first contextual knob, and a control module configured to update a first portion of the display responsive to detecting a first input. The first portion of the display may be adjacent to the first contextual knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: David Tsai, Steve Basra, John McLaughlin, Shady Shahid, Greg McNamara, Per Selvaag
  • Patent number: 10031593
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a human interface device including an inner sphere, wherein the inner sphere has a center point. The human interface device can further include an outer sphere, and the outer sphere may be compressible. The human interface device may also include a plurality of pressure sensors between the inner sphere and the outer sphere for detecting localized compression of the outer sphere, a first three-axis-accelerometer located within the inner sphere, and a second three-axis-accelerometer located within the inner sphere, wherein the first three-axis-accelerometer and the second three-axis-accelerometer-accelerometer are each located at least a predetermined distance from the center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gherardo Albano, Francesco M. De Collibus, Luca Landi, Claudio Prudenzi
  • Patent number: 10031594
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a human interface device including an inner sphere, wherein the inner sphere has a center point. The human interface device can further include an outer sphere, and the outer sphere may be compressible. The human interface device may also include a plurality of pressure sensors between the inner sphere and the outer sphere for detecting localized compression of the outer sphere, a first three-axis-accelerometer located within the inner sphere, and a second three-axis-accelerometer located within the inner sphere, wherein the first three-axis-accelerometer and the second three-axis-accelerometer-accelerometer are each located at least a predetermined distance from the center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gherardo Albano, Francesco M. De Collibus, Luca Landi, Claudio Prudenzi
  • Patent number: 10031595
    Abstract: A control device includes: a receiver for receiving first information regarding the movement of a casing, and second information regarding whether to reflect the first information on the movement of coordinate values; a storage unit for storing a whole-screen region including a real-screen region, and a virtual-screen region set around the real-screen region; a generator for generating the coordinate values within the whole-screen region based on the first information; a switcher for switching a first state in which the coordinate values are movable, and a second state in which the coordinate values are immovable, based on the second information; a determining unit for determining which of the real-screen region or the virtual-screen region the coordinate values belong to; and a coordinate-value control unit for controlling the coordinate values so as to move the coordinate values within the virtual-screen region to the position of predetermined coordinate values within the real-screen region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihito Sawai, Kazuyuki Yamamoto