Having Variable Cursor Speed Patents (Class 345/159)
  • Patent number: 8872761
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pointing device and a method for processing signals from such a pointing device, said device comprising a base and an actuator movable with respect to the base, and a detector, said detector adapted for providing at least first and second positional signals indicating a position of the actuator with respect to the base along corresponding first and second axes, wherein said signal processing method comprises the steps of converting the at least two positional signals into a polar coordinate signal comprising a magnitude signal, and thresholding the magnitude signal of the polar coordinate signal to provide a thresholded magnitude signal. In an embodiment the method further comprising the step of applying a conversion curve to the thresholded magnitude signal to produce a velocity magnitude signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventor: Kim Le Phan
  • Publication number: 20140306892
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for dynamically adjusting image frame rate, which includes: sequentially obtaining plural displacements; accumulating a count of the displacement is sequentially higher than a first threshold value, to increase an image frame rate if the count is larger than a first reference value; and accumulating a count of the displacement is sequentially lower than a second threshold value, to reduce the image frame rate if the accumulated count is larger than a second reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: CHIP GOAL ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chun-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 8854302
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing data being displayed on at least one monitor screen based on monitoring user's attention in relation to the monitor screen. In one embodiment, upon detecting that the user's attention is leaving at least a portion of a screen, the system may alert the user of such an event. Alternatively, the system could alert the user upon detecting a triggering condition while the user's attention is away from the at least a portion of the screen. The step of alerting the user may include modifying at least a portion of a display on a monitor not being viewed by the user. Additionally, the system may initiate preparation of a report including any data not being viewed by a user during the time period when the user is not viewing a portion of the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Trading Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Buck
  • Patent number: 8842097
    Abstract: Provided are a command input device, a mobile information device, and a command input method which can easily be operated by a user even when the input unit in the device is small. A first and a second detection modules arranged on a device which is brought into contact with a user body detect vibration caused by a tapping operation on the user body and transmitted via the user body. The position of the tapping operation on the user body is identified according to analysis data obtained by analyzing the vibration relations detected by the first and the second detection modules such as a known correspondence between a time difference between the detection timings and the position of the tapping operation on the user body. Since the user body can be used as a space for inputting a command, it is possible to secure a sufficient input space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shin Norieda
  • Patent number: 8831691
    Abstract: A keypad assembly for a portable radiotelephone and a method for controlling the keypad assembly. The keypad assembly includes: a printed circuit board having a plurality of metal domes; a keypad rubber disposed on the printed circuit board and having bosses formed integratedly on the positions corresponding to the respective metal domes; a sensing means disposed on the keypad rubber; and a key button part disposed on the sensing means, such that a touch screen function using the sensing means or a key button function electrically contacting the metal domes is selectively used according to the mode of the radiotelephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jae-Goo Choi, Young Choi
  • Patent number: 8826341
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver controlled by a screen remote controller and a space remote controller and controlling method, the method including according to an embodiment displaying a screen remote controller, partitioning a portion of a whole screen of the broadcast receiver into at least two control regions, displaying a pointer to enable a first pointing signal outputted from the space remote controller to indicate one control region of the screen remote controller, receiving a second pointing signal from the space remote controller, and executing a function corresponding to the one control region indicated by the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dae Young Jung
  • Patent number: 8823651
    Abstract: Operating a pointing device in a low power manner by receiving first tracking information from a first tracking device, de-activating the first tracking device when the accuracy of the first tracking information is determined to be inadequate, activating a second tracking device in order to acquire second tracking information when the first tracking device is deactivated, wherein the first tracking device is substantially lower power device that the second tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Hotelling, Joshua Strickon, Brian Huppi, Christoph Krah
  • Patent number: 8816958
    Abstract: A first device such as a portable computing device can be configured to act as a text-entry device (in a text-entry mode) and a cursor control device (in a cursor control mode) for a second device. The first device can include a touch-sensitive display capable of receiving text inputs and cursor inputs for controlling the display of a second device which is communicatively coupled to the first device. The first device can be configured such that selection of certain items displayed by the second device can cause the first device to switch from a text-entry mode to a cursor control mode. The first device can be configured such that rotation of the device between a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation causes the device to switch between modes. The first device can be configured such that sideways movement of the device causes the device to switch between modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Kalu Onuka Kalu, Laura Mahan, Jung-Chien Kevin Chuang
  • Patent number: 8803919
    Abstract: A display apparatus and an image display method thereof are provided. The display apparatus automatically displays images stored in a memory in a pre-set order, and displays the images in various sequences if a change in position of the display apparatus is detected by a motion sensor. Accordingly, the sequence in which the images are displayed is easily changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-hwan Kim, Seung-soo Kang
  • Patent number: 8797260
    Abstract: A game controller is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Mao, Richard L. Marks, Gary M. Zalewski
  • Patent number: 8793620
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for interfacing a user with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) are provided. One method includes an operation for identifying the point of gaze (POG) of the user. The initiation of a physical action by the user, to move a position of a cursor on a display, is detected, where the cursor defines a focus area associated with a computer program executing the GUI. Further, the method includes an operation for determining if the distance between the current position of the cursor and the POG is greater than a threshold distance. The cursor is moved from the current position to a region proximate to the POG in response to the determination of the POG and to the detection of the initiation of the physical action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Roger Stafford
  • Publication number: 20140176439
    Abstract: Computing interface systems and methods are disclosed. Some implementations include a first accelerometer attached to a first fastening article that is capable of holding the first accelerometer in place on a portion of a thumb of a user. Some implementations may also include a second accelerometer attached to a second fastening article that is capable of holding the second accelerometer in place on a portion of a wrist of a user. Some implementations may additionally or alternatively include magnetometers and/or gyroscopes attached to the first and second fastening articles. Some implementations may also include a processing device configured to receive measurements from the accelerometers, magnetometers, and/or gyroscopes and identify, based on the measurements, symbols associated with motions of a user's hand and/or the orientation of the hand. Some implementations may allow a user to control a cursor in a three dimensional virtual space and interact with objects in that space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Eric Jeffrey Keller, Vinh Vi Lam, Frank Peter Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 8760587
    Abstract: A remote control device is operative to enable and facilitate user control of video systems that are operative to provide one or more three-dimensional (3D) viewing effects. According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote control device includes a user input terminal having an input element operative to receive user inputs to adjust at least one of a volume setting and a channel setting of a video system, and further operative to receive user inputs to adjust a three-dimensional (3-D) viewing effect of the video system. A transmitter is operative to transmit control signals to the video system in response to the user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Dong Tian, Peng Yin, Wang Lin Lai, Zhenyu Wu, Chad Andrew Lefevre
  • Patent number: 8749489
    Abstract: An object is to appropriately transmit operation data from a controller device to an information processing device. The controller device is capable of wirelessly communicating with the information processing device. The controller device includes a generating unit, a communication unit, and a display unit. The generating unit generates operation data based on an operation performed on the controller device. The communication unit receives one image's worth of image data from the information processing device with a first frequency, the image data generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on the operation data, and transmits the operation data to the information processing device with a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency. The display unit displays an image based on the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Ito, Yasuyuki Shimohata, Jumpei Ueki
  • Patent number: 8751949
    Abstract: A technique for selectable variable speed for controlled object movement receives a selection of a point on an object being moved, using a selector, to form a selected point, calculates a displacement of the selected point from a center of the object being moved to form a displacement value, calculates a sensitivity value using the displacement value, calculates a movement speed using the sensitivity value, wherein a ratio of movement speed to displacement is configurable as a ratio that is inversely proportional to the distance from the center of the object being moved and provides movement speed information for object movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Amer Hammoud
  • Patent number: 8749589
    Abstract: An information handling system is disclosed including a display, a base coupled to the display and a keypad with a plurality of keys disposed on the base. The system further includes a touchpad located proximate the keypad and a point stick located substantially between at least two of the plurality of keys, wherein the point stick is configured to be a scroll control device. A method for manipulating information on a display of an information handling system is further disclosed herein. The method includes moving a cursor on the display using a touchpad proximate a keypad on the information handling system and scrolling the information on the display in a direction corresponding with the direction of pressure applied to a top portion of a point stick located substantially between at least two keys of the keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Ronald LeBert, Robert C. Nerhood, II, Kevin Mundt
  • Patent number: 8749488
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for providing a contactless Graphical User Interface (GUI). The apparatus for providing a contactless GUI includes a basic information management unit, a pointer tracking unit, and a mouse event management unit. The basic information management unit receives finger image information, and generates basic pointer information for a mouse pointer service. The pointer tracking unit analyzes the finger image information based on the basic pointer information, and generates a mouse operation event by tracking a mouse operation in order to control a mouse pointer based on results of the analysis. The mouse event management unit analyzes the mouse operation event, and generates an operation message corresponding to the mouse operation. The pointer tracking unit tracks the mouse operation by calculating the movement distance of the tips of a thumb and an index finger based on the finger image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Chung-Hwan Lee, Seung-Woo Nam
  • Patent number: 8743050
    Abstract: A handheld device includes a housing and a keypad assembly configured within the housing. The keypad assembly includes one or more groups of keys configured for movable positioning between a first orientation in which a top surface of an individual key is exposed to a user, and a second orientation in which the top surface of the key pivotally retracts into the housing so as to expose an edge surface of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Norman Miner Ladouceur, Jason Tyler Griffin
  • Patent number: 8719726
    Abstract: In a hierarchical display structure, a high layer window contains one or more input images that serve as a window switchover region for switching into a low layer window. Each of the input images is a first correspondence image that has a unique color. When a manipulation device selects one of the input images and performs a determination input to the selected input image in the high layer window being displayed on a screen of a display device, the display on the screen is switched from the high layer window into the low layer window. The low layer window on the screen contains a background image as a second correspondence image that has a color identical to a color of the input image to which the determination input was performed in the high layer window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kunihiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8698746
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for calibrating a pointing device. A virtual movement of a position indicator is generated based on current acceleration parameters of an acceleration curve applied to a physical movement made at a pointing device and terminating at a target action. A plurality of virtual path segments are determined based on the physical movement, and an overall error representative of a deviation of the endpoint of each segment from the target action is generated. One or more hypothetical acceleration parameters are calculated that, when applied to the changing position information, generate an overall hypothetical error value less than the overall error. The current acceleration parameters are set equal to the one or more hypothetical acceleration parameters to calibrate the pointing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Iain Merrick
  • Patent number: 8693179
    Abstract: A detachable touch structure for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The detachable touch structure comprises a flexible board, a flexible touch panel, a control module, and a linkage element; the flexible touch panel is superimposedly disposed on the flexible board; the control module is connected with the flexible board and electrically connected with the flexible touch panel, and the control module comprises two sliding slot structures each comprising a first sliding slot and a second sliding slot communicated with each other; the linkage element comprises two positioning levers, the linkage element has one end pivotally connected with the flexible board and the other end movably connected with each one of the sliding slot structures via each one of the positioning levers respectively. When two ends of the flexible board are bended by force, the detachable touch structure can be in a tablet form or a mouse form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Ren-Jing Wei
  • Patent number: 8681096
    Abstract: Touchpad devices emulating button functionality (“click pad” devices) that simultaneously emulates multiple functionalities are described herein. In addition, embodiments provide for click pad emulation of both TrackPoint and touchpad functionality. According to embodiments, a click pad device emulating multiple functionalities may enable or disable certain functionalities based on user interaction with the click pad device. For example, a click pad device emulating both TrackPoint and touchpad functionality may enable TrackPoint functionality and disable touchpad functionality if user gestures on the click pad device indicate that the user is interacting with the click pad as a TrackPoint device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Stewart, Harriss C. Ganey
  • Patent number: 8659549
    Abstract: There is provided an operation control device including a motion detection part which detects an object to be detected, which is moved by motion of a user, a motion determination part which determines motion of the object to be detected based on a detection result, a movable region movement processing part which moves a cursor movable region including a cursor operating an object displayed in a display region, and a cursor movement processing part which moves the cursor. Based on motion of a first detected object, the movable region movement processing part moves the cursor movable region along with the cursor in the display region by a first movement unit. Based on motion of a second detected object, the cursor movement processing part moves only the cursor in the cursor movable region by a second movement unit smaller than the first movement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Fuminori Homma, Tatsushi Nashida
  • Patent number: 8659548
    Abstract: Enhanced camera-based input, in which a detection region surrounding a user is defined in an image of the user within a scene, and a position of an object (such as a hand) within the detection region is detected. Additionally, a control (such as a key of a virtual keyboard) in a user interface is interacted with based on the detected position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Evan Hildreth
  • Patent number: 8656315
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for moving a graphical selector. In one example, a method includes activating, by a computing device, a graphical key that is displayed with a presence-sensitive interface of the computing device. Upon activation of the graphical key, the method also includes receiving gesture input corresponding to a directional gesture using the presence-sensitive interface of the computing device and moving a graphical selector displayed with the presence-sensitive interface from a first graphical location to a second graphical location by at least one selected increment based on a property of the gesture input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Ficus Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 8634863
    Abstract: There are obtained a mobile terminal device and a data transfer control program that, even in the case where a plurality of data that become a target of transfer exist, can simply carry out an operation to select data to be transferred from them and to start transfer itself without a mistake. An acceleration sensor 118 fixedly provided in the device is activated at a state where the data to be transferred are displayed on a first liquid crystal display 104 and selected by an operation section 112. A control section 121 starts the transfer of the data using an infrared communication section 105 at the time when to become a posture of a specific angle range continuously more than once. Since a predetermined melody comes out from a speaker 110 during the transfer of the data, it is possible to know that the transfer is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Motoyoshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8633893
    Abstract: A solid-state roller on a pointing device with enhanced features. The solid-state design described herein allows the sensor to be placed on any shape of surface, such as one that has curvature in two directions. In one embodiment, a trench or downward curve contains sensors for detecting finger movement. The user's finger can thus bend about a knuckle in a curved motion to activate the sensor, requiring little or no movement of the finger up and down. The solid-state sensors can be of one of a number of designs. In one embodiment, multiple electrodes are contacted by a finger as it moves. Each electrode is coupled to a capacitive detection circuit, for detecting the change in capacitance as the electrode is contacted by the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Florian Max Kehlstadt, Berni Joss, Julien Piot, Marc Bidiville, Laurent Plancherel, Baptiste Merminod, Jean-Luc Dupraz, Maxime Marini, Chiu Yu
  • Publication number: 20130342459
    Abstract: A user can use a finger, or other such object, to provide input to a computing device. The finger does not have to contact the device, but can be positioned and/or oriented in such a way that the device can determine an input that the user is attempting to provide, such as an element or icon that the user is intended to select. One or more cameras can capture image information, which can be analyzed to attempt to determine the location and/or orientation of the finger. If the finger is at least partially outside a field of view of the camera(s), the device can use a sensor (e.g., EMF) to attempt to determine a location of at least a portion of the finger, which can be used with the image information to determine the location and/or orientation of the finger. Other estimation processes can be used as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Karakotsios, Isaac S. Noble, Dong Zhou
  • Patent number: 8599138
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a position acquisition unit for obtaining a display position of an input area in a display area, and a display control unit for controlling, based on the display position of the input area, in the display area a display position of an input operation area in which a character to be displayed in the input area is input. The display control unit displays the input area near the display position of the input area, and makes the input operation area follow the movement of the input area when the display position of the input area is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuma Takahashi, Manabu Yasumi
  • Patent number: 8599135
    Abstract: A controller device transmits operation data to an information processing device. The controller device wirelessly communicates with the information processing device. The controller device includes an operation unit, a generating unit, and a communication unit. The operation unit includes at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction input unit, and a touch panel. The generating unit generates operation data based on data obtained from the operation unit. The communication unit wirelessly transmits the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jumpei Ueki, Yasuyuki Shimohata, Kuniaki Ito
  • Patent number: 8587521
    Abstract: A computer mouse notifies a mouse driver whenever a scroll event occurs as a result of rotation of a scroll wheel. In response to receiving a notification of a scroll event, the mouse driver adjusts a stored value that represents inertia calculated based on elapsed time between scroll events. The computer scrolls a number of lines on a display, the number being based on the stored value. When the stored value does not represent zero inertia and upon a predetermined amount of time elapsing without occurrence of a scroll event, the computer scrolls a second number of lines on the display. The second number is based on the stored value. The mouse driver adjusts the stored value so as to represent a decrease in inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Terry Lynn Zielke, Derek W. Hanson
  • Patent number: 8587517
    Abstract: The invention related to an input device and an input method as well as a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which can be used, in particular, to very precisely change parameters in data processing programs or electric devices in conjunction with a graphic user interface (GUI). It is therefore proposed to employ an input device with a rotary controller for controlling programs via a graphic user interface of a data processing system, wherein the input device is configured to generate a signal string when the rotary controller is actuated, which causes an operating system of the data processing system to change the values of the data used for positioning a cursor on the graphic user interface so that the cursor is moved on the graphic user interface on a substantially linear curve, when the cursor is visualized according to the data used for positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Hannes Perkunder
  • Publication number: 20130285910
    Abstract: The electronic device 100 includes a touch panel 102 to be touched by a user, a vibrating section 203 for vibrating the touch panel 102, a vibration control section 301 for controlling the vibration of the vibrating section 203, and a display section 101 for displaying an image. The vibration control section 301 changes the vibration of the vibrating section 203 in accordance with a speed at which the user performs a swiping operation on the touch panel 102 and a spatial frequency in a swiping direction of an image displayed at a position where the user is performing a swiping operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Yusuke ADACHI, Shoichi ARAKI, Yoshifumi HIROSE
  • Patent number: 8566741
    Abstract: Mechanisms for allowing a user to scroll through a displayed viewer. Upon detected using input while the viewer is being displayed, the user input is identified is being a scrolling gesture. In response, a scrolling control is activated at an interior portion of the displayed viewer. In addition, when the user navigates the cursor to within a scrollable display, the cursor is adorned with a scrolling context emblem that represents scrolling options available for that viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Danton, Florian Voss, Arwen E. Pond, James R. Flynn, Laurent Mollicone
  • Patent number: 8558787
    Abstract: An input device includes an operating unit that a user grasps and operates in a three-dimensional free space in order to remotely operate an information processing device; and a transmitting unit to transmit a signal for a first gesture in the free space of the operating unit to set a mode, and a signal for a second gesture in the free space of the operating unit which differs from the first gesture to execute processing in the mode set based on the first gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Kumagai, Hiroyuki Ogawa, Hideo Niikura, Kazuyuki Yamamoto, Hidetoshi Kabasawa, Toshio Mamiya
  • Patent number: 8531399
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a control apparatus, an input apparatus, a control system, a control method, and a handheld apparatus that are capable of preventing a deviation between a display position of a pointer and a relative position of the input apparatus when the input apparatus is moved out of a screen from an end portion of the screen, and with which a user can obtain an intuitional operational feeling. [Solving Means] Not only on a real screen (95) but also on a virtual screen (105) set around the real screen (95), coordinates of a virtual pointer (2?) are generated and stored. Accordingly, by moving an input apparatus (1) only by an amount that the input apparatus has moved outside the real screen (95), in an opposite direction, for example, a user can resume a movement of a pointer (2) that has reached a boundary line of the real screen (95), on the real screen (95).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kabasawa, Takashi Masuda, Kazuyuki Yamamoto, Kunihito Sawai
  • Patent number: 8462112
    Abstract: Improved techniques that enable control of responsiveness to user movement of a pointing device with respect to a graphical user interface are disclosed. According to one embodiment, by controlling responsiveness, a friction effect can be imposed at predetermined regions of the graphical user interface. According to another embodiment, by controlling responsiveness, a gravitational effect can be imposed at predetermined regions of the graphical user interface. According to still another embodiment, by controlling responsiveness, frictional and gravitational effects can be imposed at predetermined regions of the graphical user interface. The responsiveness control, e.g., frictional effect and/or gravitational effect, can be used to enhance user interaction with the graphical user interface. For example, user controls, such as buttons, boxes, borders, boundaries, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Koski
  • Patent number: 8451223
    Abstract: Provided is a pointing apparatus, a pointer control apparatus, a pointing method, and a pointer control method to a pointing apparatus, a pointer control apparatus, a pointing method, and a pointer control method capable of recognizing image codes included in an image frame using an image sensor to determine a pointing direction, and continuously updating the gain between the displacement of the motion of the pointing apparatus and the displacement of the motion of a displayed pointer. The pointing apparatus includes an image receiving unit sensing image patterns that exist in a sensed region, among all of the image patterns arranged in a display region; an inertial sensor sensing an input motion using at least one of the acceleration and angular velocity that are generated due to the motion; and a coordinate determining unit determining moving coordinates that are moved from the central coordinates of the sensed image pattern by coordinate displacement corresponding to the sensed motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-seok Choi, Won-chul Bang, Sang-on Choi, Mun-cheol Choi
  • Patent number: 8451224
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus provide that movement of an interference pattern of a coherent light beam is mapped to cursor movement to effect navigation of a user interface. A remote controller operable to emit a coherent light beam is in cooperative arrangement with a display device operable to display a user interface, navigable by means of a cursor. A laser diode element and coupled diffuser element of the remote controller generate the coherent light beam. Movement of the remote controller causes movement of an interference pattern of the coherent light beam impinging upon a sensor of the display device; movement of the interference pattern is sensed by the display device and mapped to corresponding movement of the cursor in the user interface. Thus, the remote controller may be used to navigate an on-screen user interface by movement of the remote controller itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Tohru Doumuki
  • Patent number: 8441442
    Abstract: An acceleration data acquisition means obtains acceleration data repeatedly. An acceleration determination means determines whether an acceleration represented by the acceleration data acquired by the acceleration data acquisition means is an acceleration at the time of accelerating, which is applied when a housing is moved and accelerated in a predetermined direction, or an acceleration at the time of decelerating, which is applied when the housing is moved and decelerated in the predetermined direction. A moving direction calculation means calculates a direction in which the housing is moved, by using the acceleration at the time of decelerating determined by the acceleration determination means. A processing means performs a predetermined process based on the moving direction calculated by using the moving direction calculation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenta Sato
  • Patent number: 8411035
    Abstract: A track ball cursor positioning sub-system is employed by a handheld electronic device including an operating system and a plurality of applications having a plurality of predetermined scaling values. The cursor positioning sub-system includes a track ball cursor positioning device adapted to output a plurality of device pulses, and a track ball cursor resolution controller adapted to repetitively input the device pulses and to responsively output to the operating system a plurality of cursor movement events. The cursor resolution controller is further adapted to be controlled by the operating system or by the applications to learn which one of the applications is active and to automatically scale a number of the cursor movement events for a corresponding number of the device pulses based upon a corresponding one of the predetermined scaling values of the active one of the applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Steven H. Fyke, Vahid Moosavi
  • Patent number: 8407624
    Abstract: Moving a pointer in a graphical user interface environment is provided. An input comprising an initial delta value determined by a device driver is received from the device driver. The initial delta value is located in a data structure. A new delta value associated with the initial delta value is selected from the data structure. A new position of a pointer in the graphical user interface environment is calculated based on the new delta value. The new position of the pointer is sent to the graphical user interface environment for rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George Francis Ramsay, III, John Fred Spannaus
  • Patent number: 8395583
    Abstract: An input apparatus, a control apparatus, a control system including those apparatuses, and a control method therefor with which a user can feel a linearity between a movement of the input apparatus and that of a pointer and an accurate pointing operation is possible are provided. An MPU of an input apparatus variably controls a gain value in a range from first threshold value to a second threshold value or first range, in which the input apparatus is within a low-velocity range, and controls the gain value to be constant in a range exceeding the second threshold value second range. The gain value is a value multiplied to a velocity value of the input apparatus that is obtained by an operation, the velocity value being obtained through detection of a movement of the input apparatus. Accordingly, in a relatively-low-velocity range, a pointer velocity value becomes smaller by a multi-degree function as movements of the input apparatus and a pointer on a screen become slower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8390571
    Abstract: A pointing device includes an operation body that operates a cursor moving on a display screen, a detection unit that detects an operating force applied to the operation body, a cursor control unit that generates cursor movement data according to the operating force, a communication control unit that outputs the cursor movement data to the outside, and a central control unit that controls the operation of the units. The cursor control unit includes a cursor-speed determining unit and a recording unit. The cursor-speed determining unit determines cursor moving speed in an X-Y plane direction by a predetermined reference function from an operating force in an X-Y plane direction and an operating force in a perpendicular z axis direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane direction that are detected by the detection unit. The recording unit stores the reference function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhito Ohshita
  • Patent number: 8373676
    Abstract: A solid-state roller on a pointing device with enhanced features. The solid-state design described herein allows the sensor to be placed on any shape of surface, such as one that has curvature in two directions. In one embodiment, a trench or downward curve contains sensors for detecting finger movement. The user's finger can thus bend about a knuckle in a curved motion to activate the sensor, requiring little or no movement of the finger up and down. The solid-state sensors can be of one of a number of designs. In one embodiment, multiple electrodes are contacted by a finger as it moves. Each electrode is coupled to a capacitive detection circuit, for detecting the change in capacitance as the electrode is contacted by the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Florian Max Kehlstadt, Berni Joss, Julien Piot, Marc Bidiville, Laurent Plancherel, Baptiste Merminod, Jean-Luc Dupraz, Maxime Marini, Chiu Yu
  • Patent number: 8355838
    Abstract: An indication unit indicates arranged selective areas on a display surface for accepting input. A move unit moves an instructed position on the display surface according to an operation quantity of an operation unit. A selected-state determination unit determines a selected-state area from the selective areas according to the instructed position. A width determination unit determines a width of the selected-state area in each of an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction of the display surface. A moving speed set unit sets a moving speed of the instructed position variably at least when the instructed position passes through the selected-state area such that: a velocity component in the x-axis direction becomes larger as the determined width in the x-axis direction becomes larger, and a velocity component in the y-axis direction becomes larger as the determined width in the y-axis direction becomes larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Itoh, Takeshi Haruyama
  • Patent number: 8350809
    Abstract: An input device to control elements of graphical user interfaces has at least one input element with multiple buttons (keys), and at least one rotatable input element that is actuated at least along one essentially horizontal axis, and at least one elevation (18) that extends essentially perpendicular to a primary extension plane of the input device. The elevation is provided with at least one additional input element and the additional input element is rotatable around an essentially vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karlheinz Glaser-Seidnitzer, Johannes Kling
  • Publication number: 20130002552
    Abstract: An interactive image system includes a host generating interactive images; a light source generating at least one light beam; and an interactive control device transmitting data to the host and switching between an operation status and an idle status. The interactive control device includes: an image sensor capturing a first picture in the idle status, wherein the first picture has a reference point image formed by the light beam; and a control circuit selecting a pixel area according to the position of the reference point image in the first picture, controlling the image sensor to obtain a second picture according to the pixel area, and comparing a threshold value with the brightness information of at least one pixel in the pixel area of the second picture to confirm whether the interactive control device is still in the idle status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Chia-Cheun Liang, Ming-Tsan Kao
  • Patent number: 8334837
    Abstract: A method, a computer program and a computer program product for interacting with a device via an interaction unit, wherein the interaction unit comprises a plurality of interaction areas that can be activated by an activation unit to effect the interaction, the method comprising detecting approached interaction areas, wherein the approached interaction areas are interaction areas that are approached by the activation unit without yet being activated; displaying representations of the approached interaction areas on a display of the device. The invention further relates to the device itself and to a module for such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Zoran Radivojevic, Reijo Lehtiniemi
  • Patent number: RE44658
    Abstract: An input processing device comprises a display screen and a pointing device for inputting corresponding 2-dimensional coordinates on the display screen. A 3-dimensional space is displayed on the display screen and the 2-dimensional coordinates inputted from the pointing device are detected. Next, shift amounts, per unit of time, of the detected 2-dimensional coordinates are calculated based on a predetermined calculation start condition. And the calculated shift amounts are converted to 3-dimensional coordinate shift amounts in the 3-dimensional space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Konno, Yoshitaka Ajioka, Yasushi Ebisawa, Kiyoshi Mizuki