For Handicapped User Patents (Class 341/21)
  • Patent number: 11382501
    Abstract: OCT-display for vitreoretinal surgery may be foot pedal controlled. Specifically, the tissue layers displayed in an en face image generated from OCT scanning may be navigated downward or upward based on user input supplied by a foot pedal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Tammo Heeren
  • Patent number: 10932729
    Abstract: An overdose of opioids can cause the user to stop breathing, resulting in death. A physiological monitoring system monitors respiration based on oxygen saturation readings from a fingertip pulse oximeter in communication with a smart mobile device and sends opioid monitoring information from the smart mobile device to an opioid overdose monitoring service. The opioid overdose monitoring service notifies a first set of contacts when the opioid monitoring information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Massi Joe E. Kiani, Bilal Muhsin, Ammar Al-Ali, Keith Ward Indorf, Omar Ahmed, Jerome Novak, Walter M. Weber
  • Patent number: 10888383
    Abstract: A foot pedal assembly for controlling a robotic surgical system. The foot pedal assembly including a foot pedal base, a foot pedal and a sensor. The foot pedal moves relative to the foot pedal base and has a contact surface extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the foot pedal. The contact surface is to come into contact with a foot of a user during use of the foot pedal assembly for controlling the robotic surgical system and the distal end is farther away from a heel of the foot than the proximal end during use of the assembly for controlling the robotic surgical system. The sensor is coupled to the contact surface of the foot pedal at a position closer to the proximal end than the distal end, and the sensor is operable to sense a target object positioned a distance over the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: VERB SURGICAL INC.
    Inventors: Taylor Cone, Joan Savall
  • Patent number: 10889237
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for controlling an exterior and dashboard lights of an autonomous vehicle are described. One example of a method for controlling one or more exterior lights includes receiving, from an autonomous driving system (ADS) of the vehicle, an input to control one or more exterior lights that are part of a lighting system of the vehicle, and transmitting, based on the input, a message to a controller area network (CAN) bus of the lighting system, the message being further based on a driver command upon a determination that a driver-initiated message is received. In an example, the lighting system of the vehicle further comprises a plurality of dashboard lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Ju Hsu, Xiaoling Han, Jay Day, Jeffrey Renn, Bret Vanatta
  • Patent number: 10884504
    Abstract: A wearable device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes: a sensor array having a plurality of sensors each detecting a physical change in epidermis of a corresponding body area and a body movement determination unit configured to determine movement of a body part based on sensing signals respectively received from the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kunnyun Kim, Kwang Bum Park, Won Hyo Kim, Yeon Hwa Kwak
  • Patent number: 10528134
    Abstract: A one-handed input chording user input device for converting finger movements into digital input has a chassis configured to conform to human fingers with a plurality of articulating finger frames connected adjacent to each other, a plurality of user input elements, a processing device, and a signal transmitter. The plurality of user input elements is connected around the chassis in order to capture flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction movements of the plurality of articulating finger frames. The processing device interprets signals received from the plurality of articulating finger frames into desired output communication elements such as text characters. The signal transmitter sends the interpreted output to a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Mark Stouffer
  • Patent number: 10209886
    Abstract: Provided is a device for adaptively adjusting a layout of a touch input panel, including: an input information counting component, configured to count error input information of virtual keys in real time; a holding mode judgement component, configured to judge, when the number of error inputs occurring in a region on one side of the input panel is apparently more than the number of error inputs occurring in a region on the other side of the input panel, that the user is holding and operating a mobile terminal with a single hand and the user is currently holding, by the single hand, the side where fewer error inputs occur; and a panel layout adjustment component, configured to adjust an overall layout of the input panel and a current UI, and arrange the virtual keys to places where the single hand holding the mobile terminal is capable of completely controlling them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignees: ZTE CORPORATION, XI'AN ZHONGXING NEW SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chun Fu
  • Patent number: 9904353
    Abstract: An accessory device for handheld electronic devices such as, for example, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a media player, and a tablet computer includes circuitry for sensing flow of human breath and for communicating with the handheld electronic device, to enable user control of the handheld electronic device employing the flow of human breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Pierre Bonnat
  • Patent number: 9757511
    Abstract: A personal medical device and method of use with restricted mode challenge having a personal medical device including: a memory operable to store programming code; a processor operably connected to the memory; a user input having input buttons to receive input from the user; and a user display to display output to the user. The processor is operable to: detect a user request for entry to the restricted mode; display a user input image on the user display, the user input image including display buttons corresponding to the input buttons; highlight one of the display buttons; detect actuation of one of the input buttons on the user input; and deny entry to the restricted mode when the one of the input buttons does not correspond to the highlighted display button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Adamczyk, Mark Freger, David P. Lewinski, Ulrich H. Rankers, Lisa M. Val Verde, Steven J. Vargas, Yongbo Wang
  • Patent number: 9699333
    Abstract: An image forming system including an image forming device and a portable terminal device communicably connectable to the image forming device is disclosed. An image forming device includes a touch panel, a detector section, a voice information generator section, and a transmitter section. The touch panel displays a softkey. The detector section detects a pressed position in the touch panel. The voice information generator section generates voice information concerning the position detected by the detector section and the softkey. The transmitter section transmits the voice information to the portable terminal device. The portable terminal device includes a receiver section, a voice data creator section, and a voice outputting section. The receiver section receives the voice information transmitted from the transmitter section. The voice data creator section creates voice data to be output based on the voice information. The voice outputting section outputs a voice based on the voice data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9654723
    Abstract: Changes of a user's emotion that occurs when content is reproduced and a user's surrounding environment that occurs when the content is reproduced are recorded as sensing meta data and content is reproduced in a reproducing mode corresponding to the recorded sensing meta data. Content supplied from a content providing section 11 is normally reproduced. A human body sensor 24 measures biological information of a user of content. An environmental sensor 25 measures a user's surrounding environment. A sensing meta data generating section 19 generates sensing meta data using information detected by at least one of the human body sensor 24 and the environmental sensor 25. A recording processing section 20 records the generated sensing meta data to a record medium 21. A reproducing processing section 23 reproduces sensing meta data. A reproducing control section 12 reproduces content in a reproducing mode that changes corresponding to the reproduced sensing meta data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Takehara, Yoichiro Sako, Toshiro Terauchi
  • Patent number: 9632657
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are technologies for providing an auxiliary input device. The auxiliary input device may provide data to a mobile host device. In some implementations, the auxiliary input device includes a photoelectric sensor that tracks movement and provides spatial data that manipulates a cursor displayed on a user interface of the mobile host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventor: Changliu Dong
  • Patent number: 9138364
    Abstract: Among other things, an apparatus includes a wheelchair control device sensitive to motion and adapted to attach to a user's head, and includes a wheelchair interface device in communication with the wheelchair control device and adapted to manipulate a control system of a motorized wheelchair in response to communication from the wheelchair control device. Among other things, a method includes causing a motorized wheelchair to change velocity in response to changing a position of a head-mounted wheelchair control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: John Hinkel, III
  • Patent number: 9041656
    Abstract: A keyboard device for a small size tablet personal computer is provided. The keyboard device includes a first casing, a connecting plate, and a second casing. The first casing includes a first keyboard plate and a first recess. The second casing includes a second keyboard plate and a second recess. The connecting plate is connected with the first casing and the second casing. Consequently, the second casing is rotatable relative to the first casing. The first keyboard plate and the second keyboard plate are collectively defined as a whole keyboard to be operated by both hands of the user. Moreover, the small size tablet personal computer is accommodated within the first recess and the second recess collaboratively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 9041562
    Abstract: An apparatus and an article of manufacture for controlling a voice site using a haptic input modality include validating a haptic input from an instrument capable of accessing a voice site, processing the haptic input on a server to determine a voice site command corresponding to the haptic input, and processing the voice site command at the server to control an interaction with the voice site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anupam Jain, Nitendra Rajput, Simon N. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9035806
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a plurality of key tops having areas where light is transmitted; a gear link part provided below the key top and configured to vertically move the key top, a housing part provided below the key top, the housing part being configured to hold the gear link part; a rubber actuator configured to provide a reaction force based on vertical motion of the key top; a membrane sheet provided below the rubber actuator and having a contact, the contact being configured to open and close based on the vertical motion of the key top; a support panel provided below the membrane sheet, the support panel being configured to fix the gear link part with the housing part; a light guide plate provided below the support panel; and a light emitting diode configured to emit the light to a side surface of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventor: Takeshi Nishino
  • Patent number: 9019132
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus, an input-mode adjustment method, and an input-mode adjustment program capable of allowing a user to input intended information are provided. The information processing apparatus determines whether the number of repetitions of deletion operation on information, such as a character string, is greater than a predetermined deletion operation threshold. When the number of deletion operations is greater than the deletion operation threshold, the information processing apparatus determines that a current input mode is not desired by a user, and changes the input mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Taniyama
  • Patent number: 9013335
    Abstract: The method relates to a method and a device for controlling a Braille display having a read area suitable for displaying a portion of a text in Braille form, said read area comprising a row of Braille cells. The control device comprises: emitters, each suitable for emitting a light beam in register with a respective Braille cell; receivers, each suitable for receiving a light beam reflected by at least one finger of a user when said finger is situated on a Braille cell; and a calculation unit suitable for determining the position or the succession positions of a user's finger relative to the read area as a function of the detected light beams, the calculation unit being suitable for triggering commands for navigation in the text as a function of the determined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Eurobraille
    Inventors: Damien Mauduit, Didier Poitou
  • Patent number: 9013336
    Abstract: A data entry device including a housing including a top housing portion including key apertures, a plurality of data entry keys mounted in the housing to have data entry key depression travel paths in the housing, the plurality of data entry keys being associated with a substrate, which is disposed below the top housing portion and anti-tampering electrical conductors arranged between the top housing portion and the substrate thereby to prevent unauthorized access to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Verifone, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Eric Schulz, Arnon Aviv, Amihay Avital, Sergey Meron, Mehran Mirkazemi-Moud, Dave Faoro
  • Patent number: 9000956
    Abstract: A portable terminal includes a finger sensor that recognizes, in response to contact of a finger, the contact and a movement of the finger; and a conversion unit that converts the movement of the finger recognized by the finger sensor into an input event corresponding to an operation instruction to an application running on the portable terminal. If a period of time from recognition of release of the finger from the finger sensor to recognition of placement of the finger on the finger sensor is less than a predetermined amount of time corresponding to physical limitations of a human, the conversion unit does not convert to the input event the recognition of placement of the finger, and recognition of a movement of the finger until recognition of release of the finger after the recognition of placement of the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masayuki Goto, Makoto Hosoi, Hidekazu Ito, Shigefumi Yamada, Yoshihiro Takamatsuya
  • Patent number: 8992225
    Abstract: An interactive cooking preparation device is presented. The user places ingredients that the user wishes to use in a recipe. The interactive cooking preparation device detects the ingredients placed by the user in the detection area of the interactive cooking preparation device using sensors. The detection results in a set of ingredient identifiers that correspond to the placed ingredients. A recipes database is then searched for the detected set of ingredient identifiers. The database search results in one or more suggested recipes. The suggested recipes are displayed to the user on a display device that is included in the interactive cooking preparation device. The user then selects one of the suggested recipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lydia Mai Do, Travis M. Grigsby, Pamela Ann Nesbitt, Lisa Anne Seacat
  • Patent number: 8976046
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a MEMS detector that enables control of a device using human breath are disclosed and may include detecting air flow caused by human breath via a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) detector, which may include deflectable members operable to detect the movement of air. The deflection of the members may be limited via a spacer within the MEMS detector. The amount of deflection may be determined by measuring reflected light signals, piezoelectric signals, capacitance changes, or current generated by the deflection in a magnetic field. Output signals may be generated based on the detected movement. The MEMS detector may include a substrate, a spacer, and the MEMS deflectable members. The substrate may include a ceramic material and/or silicon, and may include embedded devices and interconnects. An integrated circuit may be electrically coupled to the substrate. Air flows may be directed out of the side of the MEMS detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Pierre Bonnat
  • Patent number: 8970498
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a touch-enabled input device for a computing system. According to one embodiment, the touch enabled device includes a housing having an input surface and a plurality of identifiable key areas formed along the input surface. The input surface of the device is configured to detect individual presses of each key area in addition to touch-based input from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Bradley Neal Suggs
  • Publication number: 20150029047
    Abstract: There is described a foot-operated controller for providing discrete inputs to a machine to be controlled, comprising: a base; a foot-receiving member for receiving a foot of a user, the foot-receiving member movably secured to the base according to at least one degree of freedom and substantially extending within a plane; at least two switches each located at a different location between the base and the foot-receiving member and each activatable upon a corresponding motion of the foot-receiving member relative to the base; and a communication interface unit for connecting the foot-operated controller to the machine and transmitting to the machine a respective discrete command upon activation of the at least one switch, the discrete command corresponding to a discrete input for the machine, the foot-operated controller being connectable to a power source for powering at least the at least two switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGIE STELULU INC.
    Inventors: Luc Levasseur, Stephane Rivard
  • Patent number: 8920174
    Abstract: An electro-tactile display includes an electrode substrate provided with a plurality of stimulation electrodes, a conductive gel layer positioned between the stimulation electrodes and the skin of a wearer, a switching circuit section electrically connected to the stimulation electrodes, a stimulation pattern generating section electrically connected to the switching circuit, and means for alleviating a sensation experienced by the wearer as a result of the stimulation electrodes. In one aspect, the means for alleviating a sensation is configured from the conductive gel layer. The conductive gel layer has a resistance value equivalent to that of the horny layer of the skin. In another aspect, the means for alleviating a sensation is configured from the stimulation determination means and the threshold value adjustment means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: The University of Tokyo, Eye Plus Plus, Inc.
    Inventors: Susumu Tachi, Hiroyuki Kajimoto, Yonezo Kanno
  • Patent number: 8866640
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and program storage device are provided for preventing inadvertent inputs from a user while utilizing an electronic device having multiple user input devices. The instant invention broadly contemplates prioritizing an input device to the exclusion of other input devices available to the user based upon an intelligently designed prioritization scheme. The prioritization scheme disables the other input devices for a period of time to permit the user to provide inputs from a prioritized user input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Harriss C. N. Ganey, Aaron M. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8866641
    Abstract: A device (2600) includes a controllable skin texture (2606) defining a keypad (2610), a sensor (2602), and control logic (200). The sensor senses a proximity of a pointing element (2900) to a particular key (2800, 2808, 2902, 2908) of the keypad based on a user input. The control logic adjusts a height of the particular key with respect to another key of the keypad in response to the sensor sensing the proximity of the pointing element to the particular key. In one example, the device includes a display (2700) for displaying a plurality of keys (2612). The control logic adjusts visual characteristics of the particular key (2800, 2808, 2902, 2908) and an adjacent key (2802, 2810, 2904, 2910) with respect to each other and with respect to other keys of the plurality of keys in response to the sensor sensing the proximity of the pointing element to the particular key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Caine, Theodore R. Arneson, William N. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8836546
    Abstract: A keypad for a wireless device is disclosed. The keypad comprises one or more key stems, each key stem having an upper key stem surface. The keypad also comprises one or more keycaps configured to be mounted over the one or more key stems, each keycap having a lower keycap surface for bonding to the upper key stem surface of each key stem with adhesive. The upper key stem surface includes at least one depression and at least one groove along a perimeter of the upper key stem surface. The depression and groove can help reduce the risk of adhesive flow to undesirable areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Chao Chen
  • Patent number: 8803809
    Abstract: The invention provides an optical touch device, including a main body, a keyboard and a light emitting member. The keyboard, placed on the main body and having a first end portion and a second end portion, includes a supporting frame, a keycap and a stopping member. The keycap is connected to the supporting frame and moves between a first position and a second position. The stopping member is connected to the keycap and moves simultaneously with the keycap. The light emitting member generates a light beam to the keyboard. When the keycap is in the first position, the light beam passes through the first end portion to the second end portion, and when the keycap is in the second position, the light beam is terminated by the stopping member, such that the light does not reach the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Ta Lin, Wen-Ji Tsai, Jung-Wen Chang, Chee-Chun Leung
  • Patent number: 8780047
    Abstract: An interface system and method are provided for facilitating cross-disability access to an electronic device. A first screen of a plurality of screens is displayed on the electronic device. Each screen includes at least one of a non-input element and an input element. The interface system includes a keyboard having a plurality of alpha-numeric keys and a plurality of keys or selectors that allow a user to navigate through the non-input elements and input elements of the plurality of screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gregg C. Vanderheiden, J. Bern Jordan, David P. Kelso
  • Patent number: 8766823
    Abstract: Keyboard configurations are described. In embodiments, a keyboard includes a microcontroller to register key inputs, a memory to store time durations that correspond to the key inputs, and an algorithm that generates an input signature based on the time durations that correspond to the key inputs. The input signature can be used for user authentication and identity theft protection, and/or used to validate users for access to a computer system. The input signature may also include a watermark, a timestamp, or voice stamp for further security. An input system that includes a keyboard can provide multi-modal biometric protection by supplementing keystroke-scans with fingerprint, voice-scan, signature-scan and mouse-scan verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bekad MGMT. II, LLC.
    Inventor: Arkady G. Zilberman
  • Patent number: 8761840
    Abstract: A mobile device having first and second modes of operation is operated responsive to detection of a predefined localized movement of a housing of the mobile device using a sensor associated therewith. The detected predefined localized movement is associated with first and second functions of the mobile device responsive to a user input assigning the detected predefined localized movement thereto. A first device function is performed responsive to detection of the predefined localized movement in the first mode of operation, and a second device function is performed responsive to detection of the predefined localized movement in the second mode of operation. A predetermined delay time may also be associated with the predefined localized movement, and the first and/or second functions may be performed at the predetermined delay time after detecting the predefined localized movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Gregory A. Dunko
  • Patent number: 8717201
    Abstract: The application provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a main body and a cover. The main body has a sheet and the sheet includes a first key set and a second key set. The cover, slidably disposed on the main body between a first configuration and a second configuration, includes a first portion and a second portion connected thereto. The first key set is visible through the first portion and the second portion covers the second key set when the cover is in the first configuration, and the second key set is visible through the first portion and the second portion covers the first key set when the cover is in the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Tai, Yi-Ching Liu, Cheng-Chieh Chuang, I-Fang Li
  • Patent number: 8669842
    Abstract: Provided is a technology for controlling a contents player based on a grasping power information of a hand by measuring a change of the bundle shape of a tendons in an inside muscle of wrist, in which the device and method for controlling the contents player comprises a sensing unit that generates a grasping power information; a control state managing unit that manages a control state of the contents player; and a control order generating unit that generates a control order controlling the contents player based on the control state and the grasping power information, and transmits the control order, in which the control state can be changed or can be generates in response to the grasping power information, and the sensing unit can be existed in both hands, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jeong-Mook Lim, Dong-Woo Lee, Yong-Ki Son, Bae-Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 8669888
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Hangeul input keypad and a method using the same. Basic consonants and basic vowels are assigned to the Hangeul input keypad, the number of the basic consonant-assigned keys is less than that of the basic vowel-assigned keys, the consonant keys and the vowel keys are disposed separately, and a shift key converting the basic consonants to extended consonants is disposed adjacent to the consonant keys to which the basic consonants convertible to the extended consonants are assigned. The Hangeul input keypad and method according to the present invention improves speed of Hangeul input, provides convenience in operation of consonant keys and a shift key, and ease of a user's learning of the Hangeul input method by optimizing the disposition of the consonants and vowels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Hisayuki Kunigita, Shi Hyong Cho, Yong Ho Lee, Young Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 8665076
    Abstract: A tactile feedback system includes: a removing section for removing a contact-device-specific oscillating waveform, included in both a first contact-generated waveform representing a frictional vibration produced when a contact device contacts with one object and a second contact-generated waveform representing a frictional vibration produced when the contact device contacts with another object, from the first contact-generated waveform; a superposing section for superposing a finger-pulp-specific oscillating waveform, included in both the first finger-pulp-generated waveform representing a frictional vibration produced when a person's finger pulp contacts with the one object and the second finger-pulp-generated waveform representing a frictional vibration produced when the finger pulp contacts with that another object, on the first contact-generated waveform from which the contact-device-specific oscillating waveform has been removed; and a simulating section for displaying a vibration stimulation based on t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Okimoto, Hideto Motomura
  • Patent number: 8654079
    Abstract: Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for facilitating a method of mapping a numerical keypad to keys of a keyboard on a mobile communications device based on an initial selection of an edge key. One embodiment of the method includes receiving input by way of a given key of the keypad and then dynamically configuring that given key to be a numerical key of a numerical keypad. In particular, input received by way of the numerical key is interpreted as a corresponding numeral regardless of a prior configuration associated with the numerical key. Further, keys of a keyboard within a proximity of the numerical key are mapped to remaining numerical keys of the numerical keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Trevor Daniel Shipley, Jeremy Richard Breau
  • Patent number: 8629839
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for audibly interpreting a screen display. The method comprises: locating a display interpreter (DI) with a tactile matrix of sensors overlying a display screen; in response to sensing a proximate pointer, accepting a tactile matrix region selection; loading a first reference map, cross-referencing DI tactile matrix regions with a first field of screen icons; loading a second reference map, cross-referencing screen icons with audible recordings identifying the screen icons; mapping a screen icon to the selected tactile matrix region; and, audibly identifying the mapped screen icon. That is, the DI uses the second reference map to cross-reference the located screen icon to the audible recording identifying the screen icon, and plays the recording. In one aspect, the DI can be located over a touchscreen with touchscreen icons. Then, the method may further comprise engaging a touchscreen icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Burton Lee Levin, Charles Edward Pierson
  • Patent number: 8537036
    Abstract: A device for transferring keyboard commands from a user to an electronic apparatus or machine. An arm intended to be carried by the user as a headset, is provided with signal sensors responding to the presence or pressure of the user's tongue by emitting an electric signal or impulse. A signal unit registers and converts signals from the sensors into corresponding keyboard commands which are then input to the electronic device or machine. The device thus basically works as a keyboard where the signal sensors constitute keys that can be operated solely by the tongue, i.e. without involving the hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Brusell Communications AB
    Inventors: Tomas Brusell, Mats Ekström
  • Patent number: 8531319
    Abstract: A method of distinguishing input signals detected by a mobile terminal is provided. The method comprises detecting at least a first and a second input signal, wherein a first vibration signal is associated with the first input signal and a second vibration signal is associated with the second input signal; and outputting a combined vibration signal corresponding to at least the first and second input signals. The first and second input signals may be proximity signals, touch signals, or a combination thereof. The combined vibration signal may be outputted according to a characteristic of at least the first and second input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ja Hoon Ku, Jong Hwan Kim, Seon Hwi Cho
  • Patent number: 8533621
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to a communication system founded on character recognition utilizing a graphical display and method of use thereof. The invention is primarily directed to enable communication with disabled individuals in conjunction with a communication partner or receiver who manipulates a graphical display. The primary focus of the present invention is to provide a communication system that enables expeditious discovery of the sender selected series of characters, thereby permitting time-effective communications. The present invention utilizes a graphical display where characters are grouped into quadrants, chunks, or the like. The characters comprising the quadrants are further organized based on a set of character guidelines. The set of character guidelines include, but not limited to character frequency of occurrence, consonant blend considerations, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventors: Katherine S. Meddaugh, Mary D. Seebach
  • Publication number: 20130229291
    Abstract: The image forming method includes: applying two or more kinds of ink compositions having different hues onto a recording medium to form a multi-color image, each ink composition containing a pigment, water, and 5% by mass to 15% by mass of polyvalent (meth)acrylamide represented by the following formula (1) with respect to the total amount of the ink composition; and applying a treatment solution, containing an aggregation component onto the recording medium. In the image forming method, an average diameter ?1 (?m) of droplets of the ink compositions on the recording medium satisfies the following relational expression (1), and an application density of droplets having a minimum volume of ink composition on the recording medium is 80% or more (Q: n-valent linking group, R1: H, methyl group, n?2). (2.54×10000/R)×1.5??1?(2.54×10000/R)×1.7??Relational Expression (1) wherein, R represents a resolution (dot per inch) of an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi KAERIYAMA, Kiyoshi IRITA
  • Patent number: 8497760
    Abstract: Provided is a system controller device intended for use by persons having limited or no use of their hands. The device includes a first air sensor configured to provide a first electromagnetic signal representative of an air pressure or an air-flow, or a combination thereof, a second orientation sensor configured to provide a second electromagnetic signal representative of a relative orientation or a change of orientation, or a combination thereof, of said first sensor, a third linear position sensor configured to provide a third electromagnetic signal representative of a relative position or change of position, or a combination thereof, of said first sensor along a linear carriage, and a signal processor configured to combine said first, said second and said third electromagnetic signals to provide an event message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: My Music Machines, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Whalen, James J. Luther, Michael C. Dicesare
  • Patent number: 8466813
    Abstract: A computer keyboard which enables a computer to automatically recognize nomenclature information (ID) of keys is provided. Preferably, the keyboard contains a first memory which stores a table in which nomenclature information (ID) of keys and resistance values are associated with each other, a resistor having a resistance value substantially equal to any one of the resistance values, and a controller connected to the first memory and the resistor. The controller detects the resistance value of the resistor and reads the ID of the key corresponding to the resistance value from the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Uemura
  • Patent number: 8442578
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating feedback. In one aspect, a method includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is associated with a mobile device of a user; aggregating the received sensor data to generate aggregated sensor data; processing the aggregated sensor data to determine an aggregated metric; comparing the aggregated metric to a target associated with the user to determine a measure of performance; and generating feedback based on the determined measure of performance. Further, the mobile device can comprise a mobile personal services device that includes one or more of an audio sensor, a video sensor, an environmental sensor, a biometric sensor, a location sensor, an activity detector, and a health monitor. The feedback can be displayed on the mobile personal services device. The feedback also can be displayed in near real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventors: Alex M. Kass, Lucian P. Hughes, Owen E. Richter, Dana Le, Daniel R. Farina
  • Patent number: 8395591
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to tactile display devices that include a reservoir for containing a driving fluid. A plurality of toxel portions may be sensitively drivable by the fluid for causing toxels to be displayed, and a pump member associated with the reservoir and toxel portions may pump the fluid from the reservoir to selected toxel portions to display a tactile image. The pump member may include an electro-osmotic pump configured to pump the fluid electro-osmotically in response to an applied voltage, and may be configured to selectively pump the fluid to generally activate the toxels independently from each other. The toxel layer may include the plurality of toxels as well as an elastomeric membrane that may have a pattern of the toxels, and may be configured such that the toxels may be expandable generally independently of each other in response to increased pressure of the fluid pumped into association therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
  • Patent number: 8368652
    Abstract: The invention provides an optical touch device, including a main body, a keyboard and a light emitting member. The keyboard, placed on the main body and having a first end portion and a second end portion, includes a supporting frame, a keycap and a stopping member. The keycap is connected to the supporting frame and moves between a first position and a second position. The stopping member is connected to the keycap and moves simultaneously with the keycap. The light emitting member generates a light beam to the keyboard. When the keycap is in the first position, the light beam passes through the first end portion to the second end portion, and when the keycap is in the second position, the light beam is terminated by the stopping member, such that the light does not reach the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Ta Lin, Wen-Ji Tsai, Jung-Wen Chang, Chee-Chun Leung
  • Patent number: 8363014
    Abstract: A wireless keyboard base includes a base, a wireless keyboard and a plurality of magnets. The base has a groove to accommodate an edge of an electronic device. The wireless keyboard is disposed on the base and has a wireless communication module to exchange information data with the electronic device. The plurality of magnets are disposed within the groove to magnetically attract the edge of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Chee-Chun Leung, Yuan-Chen Liang, Gwo-Chyuan Chen, Shyh-Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 8350804
    Abstract: A system for controlling a computer by thoughts in the user's brain. The system applies stimuli of the brain via magnetic source imaging (MSI) for controlling the computer. Patterns of brain stimuli are recorded along with the particular thoughts that produced them and these thoughts are interpreted as functions for controlling the computer in much the same way as inputs from a keyboard or mouse. Criteria of acceptance of thought stimuli are generated by the system. Body stimuli, in addition to the brain stimuli, are monitored and used by the system. A user profile is maintained and displayed along with selected pictures for assisting with stimuli/thought pattern utilization. Artificial intelligence is used to enhance stimuli selection, human factors and reliability, as well as analyzing past errors, adverse occurrences and performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Edward W. Moll
  • Patent number: 8339287
    Abstract: A device to facilitate a user interface of a computer system utilizing breath includes a body, a user side inlet defined by the body to receive a fluid flow generated by a user, an exhaust opening defined by the body, a conduit positioned between the user side inlet and the one exhaust opening, at least one segment positioned inside the body and one or more contactors positioned to be intermittently in contact with the at least one segment. The contact may occur responsive to the fluid flow generated by the user. The device may include a sensor to react to a movement of the at least one segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Inputive Corporation
    Inventor: Pierre Bonnat