Patents Issued in December 17, 2019
  • Patent number: 10509434
    Abstract: The amount of drift in an oscillator, as a function of temperature, can be profiled by adjusting the temperature and monitoring the corresponding change in frequency of the oscillator. Temperature sensors on a computing device can provide the temperature readings for the profiling, as well as readings during operation. A system clock on the computing device can be synchronized with a reliable external clock at a regular interval, such as every fifteen minutes. Between those synchronizations, the temperature values provided by the temperature sensors can be determined and the corresponding oscillator drift determined according to the oscillator profile. The drift value can be used to adjust the output of the system clock to account for variations that may become present between the synchronization times. Effects of factors such as voltage and humidity can also be profiled to provide a more accurate timing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Marcin Piotr Kowalski
  • Patent number: 10509435
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for initializing and synchronizing a protected real time clock via hardware connections. For example, in some embodiments, a protected real time clock on a trusted execution environment may initialize via a hardware connection to a master clock, which is synchronized to a trusted time source via a hardware connection. In some embodiments, a protected real time clock on a trusted execution environment may initialize to a master clock during a system hardware reset sequence. In some embodiments, before a system is running normally, a real time clock on an integrated Intellectual Property agent may initialize and synchronize to a protected real time clock via a hardware connection. In some embodiments, after a system is running normally, a real time clock on a discrete device may initialize and synchronize to a protected real time clock via a hardware connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ramamurthy Krithivas, Mark A. Bordogna, James M. Sepko
  • Patent number: 10509436
    Abstract: A display panel is provided. The display panel includes a display area including four sides and four corners, and all of the corners are not right angles; and a border area surrounding the display area, wherein four fold lines respectively parallel to the four sides are arranged in the border area, the four fold lines enclose a fold frame, the fold frame divides the border area into a first border area and a second border area, the second border area includes four borders and a turning portion connecting every two of the four borders, and the turning portions makes the four borders be independently folded along the fold frame. The display panel of the disclosure adopts a special display area design and a special border area wiring method to ensure the reliability of the thin film encapsulation and achieve the ultra-narrow border or even borderless border of the flexible display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guang Li, Jun Chen, Shou-Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 10509437
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an electronic device, comprising: a housing comprising a fixed pyramidal-shaped base, each side of the pyramidal-shaped base having different dimensions allowing for different viewing angles than other sides of the pyramidal-shaped base; the housing comprising a display; the housing comprising an integrated speaker; at least one sensor; and at least one processor operatively coupled to the display, integrated speaker, and at least one sensor. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Samuel Jackson Patterson, Thomas Perelli, Cuong Huy Truong
  • Patent number: 10509438
    Abstract: A removable counter-balance accessory may include a cranial brace that rests against the back of a user's head when the user is wearing a head-mounted display on the user's face. The removable counter-balance accessory may also include an insert that fits in an opening formed by a strap that wraps around the back of the user's head to hold the head-mounted display on the user's face and secures the cranial brace to the strap at the back of the user's head. The removeable counter-balance accessory may further include at least one weight that applies, in connection with the cranial brace at the back of the user's head, a force that at least partially counter-balances the weight of the head-mounted display on the user's face. Various other counter-balance accessories, head-mounted-display systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Lesley Ribble Magrath
  • Patent number: 10509439
    Abstract: An electronic device having a curved surface display area, the electronic device including: a display including: glass including an edge having a certain curvature; an opaque layer disposed at the edge of the glass; and a panel module layer including a non-display area disposed under the opaque layer; and a housing supporting the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Min Choi, Soon Woong Yang, Jong Chul Choi
  • Patent number: 10509440
    Abstract: A bendable display assembly comprises a plurality of layered elements each having two side surfaces, each having an area, the elements comprising a display element capable of displaying an adjustable visual output. Two successive elements of the plurality of layered elements have opposite side surfaces facing towards each other, the opposite side surfaces being, for a majority of their areas, in contact with a sealed sliding fluid volume extending between the successive elements, whereby the successive elements are slidably movable relative to each other when the display assembly is bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Esa Hussa
  • Patent number: 10509441
    Abstract: The present application discloses a foldable display device, comprising a flexible screen and a support backplane cooperating therewith, the support backplane includes a first support plate and a second support plate hinged therewith by a rotary shaft system; a tension releasing mechanism is disposed at the first support plate or the second support plate, the flexible screen has a first end connected to the first support plate or the second support plate, and a second end opposite thereto, the second end is connected to the tension releasing mechanism, such that the second end of the flexible screen is slidable along a corresponding support plate between a first position in which the foldable display device is in an outward bending state and a second position in which the foldable display device is in a deployed state, and between the second position and a third position in which the foldable display device is in an inward bending state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhongbao Wu, Zhihong Du
  • Patent number: 10509443
    Abstract: A housing includes: a bottom cover; a top cover; and a reinforcing structure that is disposed in a space divided by the bottom cover and the top cover and has a flat portion, a rising wall member erected on a rim of the flat portion, and a joining portion extending from a rim of the rising wall member, or a curved portion, and a joining portion extending from a rim of the curved portion, the joining portion of the reinforcing structure being joined to the bottom cover or the top cover. The area of the joining portion is within a range of 10 cm2 or more and 100 cm2 or less, and the maximum value of the height of the reinforcing structure is within a range of 3 mm or more and 30 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Masato Honma, Takashi Fujioka
  • Patent number: 10509444
    Abstract: The present application provides a docking station and a POS machine using the same. The docking station includes a housing, a mainboard mounted inside the housing, a display device mounted on the housing, and a support configured to detachably support a card swiping device; the display device is mounted on the housing, the support is fixed on the housing, a data plug for connecting with the card swiping device is mounted inside the support, and the data plug is electrically connected with the mainboard. Such that the function of the card swiping device can be expanded and the docking station of the card swiping device is formed. By using the support to support the card swiping device, the occupied space can be reduced, and the use is convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: PAX COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shaowen Luo, Chenghe Yang, Jigui Li
  • Patent number: 10509445
    Abstract: A data storage enclosure for storing data on digital storage media has a lid that secures to a base. The enclosure has an upper insulating block that is located adjacent the lid and a lower insulating block that is located in the base. Each insulating block has a corresponding cover that overlays and protects its respective block. A storage unit has outer thermal management layers and a center layer located therebetween. The thermal management layers each contain a corresponding heat absorber that absorbs energy and changes from solid to liquid as the temperature of the storage unit begins to rise to excessive temperatures. The center layer contains a digital storage drive that is connected to a flexible cable that is connected to a sacrificial connector. When assembled, the insulating blocks and covers constrain and hold the storage unit and flexible cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Patrick Scott Heller
  • Patent number: 10509446
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus that includes a base plate configured to dissipate heat and including a heat exchange unit, and a cover member coupled to the base plate and at least partially enclosing the heat exchange unit. The cover member and the base plate define a heat exchange chamber that includes the heat exchange unit. The cover member defines a first opening and a second opening, and at least one of the first and second openings are above the heat exchange unit. The cooling apparatus further includes a flow guidance plate disposed on the cover member and a housing disposed on the flow guidance plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: COOLER MASTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shui-Fa Tsai, Fu-Lung Lin
  • Patent number: 10509447
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a novel solution for improving heat management in computing devices by using thermally active material integrated within a shield can disposed over an integrated circuit or printed circuit board. By integrating the thermally active material within the shield can, isothermal conditions can be maintained for a longer period of time, thereby extending the transient state of a heat-producing system for longer durations, while maintaining slim vertical profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
    Inventors: Srinivasa Damaraju, Chandra Madichetty
  • Patent number: 10509448
    Abstract: The embodiments herein describe technologies of cryogenic digital systems with a power supply located in an ambient temperature domain and logic located in a cryogenic temperature domain. A pair of conductors is operable to carry current with a voltage difference between the power supply and the logic. The pair of conductors includes a first portion thermally coupled to a temperature-regulated or temperature-controlled intermediate temperature domain. The intermediate temperature domain is less than the ambient temperature domain and greater than the cryogenic temperature domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Patrick R. Gill
  • Patent number: 10509449
    Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a method may comprise collecting environment information for a processor, determining a maximum power level for the processor and setting a frequency level and a core-to-frequency ratio that maintains the maximum power for the processor. The frequency level and the core-to-frequency are respectively controlled by a programmable frequency register and a programmable core register. The method may comprise receiving a die temperature corresponding to the processor, determining that the die temperature exceeds a temperature corresponding to the processor and adjusting the maximum power to a level that maintains the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Vincent Nguyen, Robert E. Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 10509450
    Abstract: A method for thermally protecting an access point (AP) device may include receiving an actual AP power consumption value, the actual AP power consumption value being one of a plurality of potential AP power consumption values, receiving a sensed internal AP temperature value, the sensed internal AP temperature value being one of a plurality of potential internal AP temperature values, accessing an ambient temperature look up table defining relationships between the plurality of potential AP power consumption values, the plurality of potential internal AP temperature values and a plurality of ambient temperature values, and retrieving one of the plurality of ambient temperature values associated with the actual AP power consumption value and the sensed internal AP temperature value from the ambient temperature look up table, the retrieved ambient temperature value being an estimated ambient temperature value of the AP device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Yue Sun, Yinzhi Dong, Lin Li
  • Patent number: 10509451
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a device, first data transmitted from a stylus by near-field communication. The first data comprises a strength of a magnetic field as measured by the stylus. 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: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Izhar Bentov
  • Patent number: 10509452
    Abstract: Techniques for managing power distribution amongst processors in a massively parallel computer architecture are disclosed. The techniques utilize a hierarchy that organizes the various processors of the massively parallel computer architecture. The hierarchy groups numbers of the processors at the lowest level. When processors complete tasks, the power assigned to those processors is distributed to other processors in the same group so that the performance of those processors can be increased. Hierarchical organization simplifies the calculations required for determining how and when to distribute power, because when tasks are complete and power is available for distribution, a relatively small number of processors are available for consideration to receive that power. The number of processors that are grouped together can be adjusted in real time based on performance factors to improve the trade-off between calculation speed and power distribution efficacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Xinwei Chen, Leonardo de Paula Rosa Piga
  • Patent number: 10509453
    Abstract: A Power-over-Ethernet terminal includes a plurality of components including at least one network communications port, a first plug connector electrically coupled with the network communications port, a first isolating transformer configured for the decoupling of signals, the first isolating transformer electrically coupled with the first plug connector, and a network communications unit electrically couplable with the first isolating transformer, wherein the first plug connector is configured to be selectively connected to at least one bridging element or an add-on board, such that when the at least one bridging element is connected to the first plug connector, a direct electric connection between the communications port and the first isolating transformer is established, and when the add-on board is connected to the first plug connector, an indirect electric connection between the network communications port and the network communications unit via a second isolating transformer arranged on the add-on board i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Fujitsu Technology Solutions Intellectual Property GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Häußermann
  • Patent number: 10509454
    Abstract: Battery status information may be provided to an information handling system, such as a laptop computer, through the same cable as the power. The transfer of battery status information may be facilitated by a power delivery (PD) controller in the external battery that communicates with a power delivery (PD) controller in the laptop computer. One cable type that can support the transfer of battery status information is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C cable. Battery status information may be transferred as packetized data according to a vendor-defined messaging (VDM) protocol from the external battery to the laptop computer. An embedded controller within the laptop computer may decode the packets and report the battery status information to components within the laptop computer. The battery status may be accessed through application programming interfaces (APIs) by third-party applications or displayed through the operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Adolfo S. Montero, Richard Thompson
  • Patent number: 10509455
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a link. This may include determining a condition of a first device coupled to the link, receiving, at the first device, a request for a specific link state from a second device coupled to the link, and determining a power state of the link based on the determined condition of the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Corey D. Gough, Ian M. Steiner, Krishnakanth V. Sistla
  • Patent number: 10509456
    Abstract: A method for power management by a rack management controller (RMC) of a server rack includes collecting power consumption data from a first baseboard management controller (BMC) of a first server in the server rack and sending the power consumption data to a management server. The RMC receives power requirements from the management server and determines a power setting based on the power consumption data and the power requirements. The RMC requests the first BMC to limit power consumption of the first server according to the power setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Chieh Lin, Wei-Yu Chien
  • Patent number: 10509457
    Abstract: A processor can have a plurality of cores. A first core processor of a first core can read one or more values of a default parameter set. The first core can be operated in accordance with a first operating characteristic based, at least in part, on the one or more values of the default parameter set. The first core processor can receive an indication to change the operating characteristic of the first core processor. In response to receiving the indication to change the operating characteristic, a signal can be issued to the first core processor to reset. In response to the reset, the first core processor can read one or more values of an alternative parameter set. The first core processor can then be operated in accordance with a second operating characteristic based, at least in part, on the one or more values of the alternative parameter set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel R. Chadwick, Bjorn P. Christensen, James M. Crafts, Allen R. Hall, Kevin F. Reick, Jon Robert Tetzloff
  • Patent number: 10509458
    Abstract: An information processing device suppresses the entering of a state unintended by a user in a standby mode. The information processing device, which has a standby mode and a normal operation mode, has a mode control portion changing the mode to the standby mode of bringing the state into a first low power consumption state and configured to be switched to a first operating state in which background processing is executed in response to a stop of a display of a display portion, and a power setting processing portion configured to set a first upper limit power consumption in the first operating state and a second upper limit power consumption in a second operating state in the normal operation mode, and set the first upper limit power consumption so as to be lower than the second upper limit power consumption when the mode control portion changes the mode to the standby mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kosugi, Takuroh Kamimura, Hajime Yoshizawa, Yuhsaku Sugai
  • Patent number: 10509459
    Abstract: An approach to sensor data is based on scenes. One aspect concerns a computer-implemented method for specifying and obtaining a variety of sensor data and processed sensor data related to a scene. The method incorporates a Scene-based API that uses SceneModes and SceneData. An application requesting sensor data communicates a SceneMode to a group of one or more sensor devices and/or sensor modules via the Scene-based API. The SceneMode determines the SceneData to be captured or provided by the sensor group, which typically includes different types of sensor data related to the Scene and also further processed or analyzed data. The application receives the SceneData from the sensor group via the Scene-based API, with the SceneData organized into SceneShots which are samples of the Scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SCENERA, INC.
    Inventors: David D. Lee, Andrew Augustine Wajs, Seungoh Ryu, Chien Lim
  • Patent number: 10509460
    Abstract: A transparent display apparatus is provided. The transparent display apparatus includes a transparent display which displays information, a sensor which senses background information in a first direction, and a controller configured to modify a display state of the displayed information on the transparent display based on the sensed background information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nipun Kumar, Joon-kyu Seo, Yeo-jun Yoon, Young-joon Choi
  • Patent number: 10509461
    Abstract: An augmented reality home console is provided. Users can wear head-mounted displays with transparent screens and can control video game indicia that are perceived as being augmented over a user's environment by displaying video game indicia onto the transparent displays. As such, for example, two users can play an airplane dog fighting game where each user controls a plane in their living room. A device that can determine surfaces of objects (e.g., walls) can be utilized such that when the airplane is flown into a wall, the airplane explodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey David Mullen
  • Patent number: 10509462
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying a feature of an object based on an AR device is provided. The AR device is capable of superimposing a virtual reality scene on a real reality scene. The method includes: an identification obtaining step of obtaining identification information corresponding to an object to be inspected; a tag selecting step of checking the object and using the AR device to select at least one tag based on a visual feature of the object; and a tag associating step of using the AR device to associate the at least one selected tag with the identification information of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: HISCENE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Binglong Xie, Chunyuan Liao
  • Patent number: 10509463
    Abstract: A virtual reality system including a head mounted display (HMD), a server, and a beam steering apparatus utilizes optical data transmission from the server to the HMD. The data rates/bandwidths provided by optical data transmission allow the amount of compression needed for data transfer (and the latency associated with compression) to the HMD to be reduced. The efficient offloading of processing tasks from the HMD to the server, reduces HMD power consumption, and enables the delivery of video having high resolution, framerate, and quality. As the user of the HMD moves, and the pose (position and orientation) of the HMD changes, the pose is provided to the server and beam steering apparatus. Based on the pose, the server renders image frames for transmission to the HMD and the beam steering apparatus directs an optical beam to the HMD to enable transmission of the image frames from the server to the HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Eduardo Cuervo, Monia Ghobadi, Krishna Chintalapudi, Manikanta Kotaru
  • Patent number: 10509464
    Abstract: A system including a plurality sensor modules, each having an inertial measurement unit and attached to a portion of a user (e.g., upper arm, hand, and/or head) to measure the current orientation of the corresponding portion of the user. A computing device coupled to the sensor modules is configured to identify a type of the current pose of the user, compute a front facing direction of the torso of the user from the sensor measurements, select a torso leaning model based on the pose type, project onto a vertical plane the lengthwise directions of the arms of the user as tracked by the sensor modules attached to the upper arms of the user, and calculate a torso leaning angle from the projected lengthwise directions of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: FINCH TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Viktor Vladimirovich Erivantcev, Rustam Rafikovich Kulchurin, Alexander Sergeevich Lobanov, Iakov Evgenevich Sergeev, Alexey Ivanovich Kartashov, Daniil Olegovich Goncharov
  • Patent number: 10509465
    Abstract: A mouth operated input system that includes a controller and a mouth operated input device that is operably coupled to at least one device so as to provide input control thereof. The mouth operated input device includes a joystick module and an activation module operably coupled thereto. The activation module includes an activation module control board and further has mounted thereto a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator is mounted to be engaged by a user's mouth. The second actuator is mounted to the housing of the activation module and is configured as an optical switch. The activation module is movable in all directions so as to provide movement of the joystick operably coupled thereto. The controller of the present invention includes a database that stores input data from the joystick module and the first and second actuators. Multiple modes of operation are provided by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventors: Adriana Mallozzi, Shana Penna, Jiahao Zhao, Elijah Tucker, Marian Heman-Ackah
  • Patent number: 10509466
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting on a head including a frame, A face-wearable near-ocular optics and a micro-display for displaying data in front of the eyes is provided. A computing device is coupled to the micro-display. At least one sensor is coupled to the computing device for receiving biometric human information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Erick Miller, Jonathan Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10509467
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) head mounted display (HMD) includes multiple image capture devices positioned within the HMD to capture portions of a face of a user wearing the HMD. Images from an image capture device include a user's eye, while additional images from another image capture device include the user's other eye. The images and the additional images are provided to a controller, which applies a trained model to the images and the additional images to generate a vector identifying a position of the user's head and positions of the user's eye and fixation of each of the user's eyes. Additionally, illumination sources illuminating portions of the user's face include in the images and in the additional images are configured when the user wears the HMD to prevent over-saturation or under-saturation of the images and the additional images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shih-En Wei, Jason Saragih, Hernan Badino, Alexander Trenor Hypes, Mohsen Shahmohammadi, Dawei Wang, Michal Perdoch
  • Patent number: 10509468
    Abstract: Various systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed which provide fingertip tactile feedback from virtual objects. In various embodiments, a wearable haptic thimble is disclosed. The wearable haptic thimble is configured for use with a virtual reality (or augmented reality) system, and may include: an attachment mechanism for engaging a finger of a user; and at least one contact pad coupled with the attachment mechanism, the at least one contact pad configured to deliver tactile sensations to the finger of the user to provide a tactile representation of virtual reality (or augmented reality) in the virtual reality (or augmented reality) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TACTAI, INC.
    Inventors: Katherine J. Kuchenbecker, Steven D. Domenikos, Jean-Samuel Chenard, Ilann Derche
  • Patent number: 10509469
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data input device and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, a data input device comprises a plurality of inertial sensor units, one or more touch input devices, a microcontroller configured to collect sensor data from the inertial sensors and the one or more touch input devices and process the sensor data to generate processed sensor data, and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit the processed sensor data to a host computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: FINCH TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Viktor Vladimirovich Erivantcev, Rustam Rafikovich Kulchurin, Alexander Sergeevich Lobanov, Iakov Evgenevich Sergeev, Yana Olegovna Gabdullina, Alexey Ivanovich Kartashov
  • Patent number: 10509470
    Abstract: A vibrating device that includes a pair of vibrators, a vibrating body that includes a conductor, a touch panel sensor that includes touch sensors, and a printed circuit board on which a drive circuit is formed. The touch panel sensor is attached to one principal surface of the vibrating body. Moreover, both ends of the vibrating body on the other principal surface of the vibrating body are fixed to the pair of vibrators. The vibrating body is a conductor that is arranged between the touch sensors and the drive circuit. The conductor is connected to a reference potential of each touch sensor and the printed circuit board is positioned between the two vibrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kentaro Usui
  • Patent number: 10509471
    Abstract: A control device for an automotive vehicle has a touch surface with a plate bearing a contact sensor that detects contact of a finger of a user, a haptic feedback module that vibrates the touch surface, which includes actuators positioned below the touch surface and linked to the plate of the touch surface, and a driver unit configured to drive the haptic feedback module to generate haptic feedback in response to a press on the touch surface. The haptic feedback is composed of a vibratory signal produced by control signals including one or more succession of pulses sent to the actuators, wherein each of the plurality of control signals generates one individual haptic pattern, a repetition of at least two identical individual haptic patterns, generated successively, and a period with no haptic feedback between two successive individual haptic patterns. A method of control of such a device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: DAV
    Inventors: Stéphanie Dabic, Nour-Eddine El-Ouardi
  • Patent number: 10509472
    Abstract: A haptically-enabled controller device comprising a controller body, a user input element, a haptic actuator, and a transmission component is presented. The user input element has a range of motion that extends from a first position to an end stop position. The haptic actuator is configured to output a force or torque. The transmission component comprises an arm connected to the haptic actuator and to the user input element. The arm is configured to transfer the force or torque from the haptic actuator to the user input element with a first multiplication factor when the user input element is at the first position, and to transfer the force or torque from the haptic actuator to the user input element with a second multiplication factor when the user input element is at the end stop position. The second multiplication factor is higher than the first multiplication factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, William S. Rihn, Simon Forest, Stephen D. Rank, Neil T. Olien
  • Patent number: 10509473
    Abstract: A computer system associates one or more haptic feedbacks with one or more user activities. The computer system monitors current user activity on a computing device to determine whether the current user activity corresponds to at least one of the one or more user activities. In response to determining that the current user activity corresponds to a first user activity of the one or more user activities, the computer system causes a first haptic feedback of the one or more haptic feedbacks to be provided on the computing device, wherein the first haptic feedback is associated with the first user activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jiri Medlen, Braden Christopher Ericson, Gautam Madaan, Anush Vishwanath, Michael Charles Todasco, Cheng Tian, Titus Woo, Cameron Winter McClees, David Flemate
  • Patent number: 10509474
    Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a first sensor configured to detect a position associated with a deformable surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the position; and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Danny Grant, Jamal Saboune, Abdelwahab Hamam, William Rihn
  • Patent number: 10509475
    Abstract: An input/output interface for an electronic device receives touch and/or force input and, additionally provides haptic output to a user. In particular the input/output interface is operated in conjunction with an input surface and includes at least one input sensor and at least one haptic output element. In typical embodiments, the input sensor is ground-shifted to prevent damage to the input sensor when the haptic output element is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence L. Van Ausdall, Senem E. Emgin, Soyoung Kim, Ryan J. Moynihan, YiBo Liu
  • Patent number: 10509476
    Abstract: Techniques described herein may allow for an enhanced authentication of a user of a user device, such as a mobile telephone. Some such techniques may be applicable when transitioning the user device from a locked state to an unlocked state. The user device may determine an orientation associated with the user device (e.g., a magnetic declination, which may be expressed in terms of degrees from north), and may output the direction to an authentication server. The authentication server may determine whether the orientation matches a previously stored orientation, and may indicate to the user device whether the user device should activate a public mode or a private mode. The authentication server may also notify one or more application servers regarding the mode of the user device. In private mode, the presenting, sending, or receiving of certain types of data (e.g., sensitive data) may be restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Viraj C. Mantri, Shivaramakrishna Nyshadham, Prateek Mehrotra, Vishal Bhasin
  • Patent number: 10509477
    Abstract: With the addition of directional information and gesture based input in a location based services environment, a variety of service(s) can be provided. For example, a computer system can identify a spatially-related point of interest based on a geographical location of the computer system and based on directional information. The computer system can display a first visualization of a first type, including an indication of the point of interest, which represents the geographical location. Then, based on detecting a gesture, the computer can display a second visualization of a second type, also including an indication of the point of interest, which also represents the geographical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Moe Khosravy, Lev Novik, Katrika Marie Morris
  • Patent number: 10509478
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and devices for radar-based gesture-recognition through a wearable device. The techniques enable an easy-to-use input interface through this wearable radar device, in contrast to small or difficult-to-use input interfaces common to wearable computing devices. Further, these techniques are not limited to interfacing with wearable computing devices, but may aid users in controlling various non-wearable devices, such as to control volume on a stereo, pause a movie playing on a television, or select a webpage on a desktop computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Poupyrev, Gaetano Roberto Aiello
  • Patent number: 10509479
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for gesture detection and recognition. The apparatus includes a processing element, a radar sensor, a depth sensor, and an optical sensor. The radar sensor, the depth sensor, and the optical sensor are coupled to the processing element, and the radar sensor, the depth sensor, and the optical sensor are configured for short range gesture detection and recognition. The processing element is further configured to detect and recognize a hand gesture based on data acquired with the radar sensor, the depth sensor, and the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Pavlo Molchanov, Shalini Gupta, Kihwan Kim, Kari Pulli
  • Patent number: 10509480
    Abstract: A rotary operation device includes a rotary operation part on which a rotation operation is performed, a rotation detector configured to detect an amount of rotation of the rotary operation part, a display part integrally formed with the rotary operation part and configured to display an image while rotating with the rotary operation part, and a controller configured to control the display part such that the image is displayed moved in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the rotary operation part based on the detected amount of rotation so as to look still to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Susumu Mega
  • Patent number: 10509481
    Abstract: A key inputting apparatus includes: a substrate provided with a switch; a key having a depression surface and a back surface on an opposite side to the depression surface, and a contacting section projecting from the back surface in a first direction from the depression surface toward the back surface; a panel having an opening in which the key is arranged; a first plate arranged between the substrate and the key in the opening of the panel; a second plate supported by the first plate between the key and the first plate; and a third plate arranged between the first plate and the substrate. The first to third plates are formed with first to third through portions, respectively, through each of which the contacting section is passable. The second plate is formed with a leaf spring section urging the key in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Namba
  • Patent number: 10509482
    Abstract: A keyboard device includes a base plate with a base plate with a connecting bracket, a wing-type connecting element and a keycap. A first connecting shaft of the wing-type connecting element is inserted into the connecting bracket, so that the wing-type connecting element is connected with the base plate. While the keycap is depressed, the first connecting shaft is inserted into a first receiving space of the connecting shaft and used as a swinging fulcrum. Since the vertical movement of the wing-type connecting element is restricted by the first receiving space, the swinging range of the wing-type connecting element is reduced. Consequently, the keyboard device of the present invention is capable of improving the depressing stability of the keycap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Lei-Lung Tsai, Yi-Shu Lee
  • Patent number: 10509483
    Abstract: A key structure includes a key cap, a supporting board, a bridge assembly, a first supporting part, a second supporting part, an attractable element and a magnet. The bridge assembly includes first and second hinge parts. The first hinge part has a first pivot coupling portion. The second hinge part has a second pivot coupling portion. The first and second supporting parts are coupled to two ends of the first and second pivot coupling portions, respectively, wherein the first and the second supporting parts are disposed on the supporting board, a material of the first supporting part is different from a material of the supporting board, and a material of the second supporting part is different from the material of the supporting board. The attractable element is disposed on the second hinge part. The magnet is correspondingly located under the attractable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun-Lin Chen, Hsin-Fu Liu
  • Patent number: 10509484
    Abstract: In some examples, a first keyboard includes a plurality of light-sensing electrodes, where individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes correspond to individual keys of the first keyboard. The first keyboard includes a microprocessor electrically coupled to individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes. A second keyboard comprised of light-transmitting material may be placed on top of the first keyboard. The second keyboard may include a plurality of keys, with individual keys including a keycap having opaque material attached to a bottom surface and a scissors mechanism to lower the opaque material when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied to the keycap. The microprocessor is configured to perform operations including determining that the opaque material is obstructing light to a first particular light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes and sending a signal indicating a selection of a first key corresponding to the first particular light-sensing electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Sathish Kumar Bikumala