Including Keyboard Patents (Class 345/168)
  • Patent number: 9329736
    Abstract: An input device includes a selection circuit to which a plurality of electrodes disposed in a capacitive touch panel are connected, a line connected to the selection circuit and having a same internal resistance as that between the plurality of electrodes and the selection circuit, an A/D conversion part connected to the selection circuit so as to measure a voltage of the electrodes or a measurement value when the line is connected thereto, wherein the electrodes and the line are each connected selectively to the A/D conversion part by the selection circuit, and a control part configured to control the selection circuit so as to allow the A/D conversion part to measure a voltage of one of the electrodes and the measurement value, and to calculate an electrostatic capacitance of one of the electrodes based on the voltage of one of the electrodes and the measurement value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Yasue
  • Patent number: 9329687
    Abstract: A touch panel device includes a touch panel, a first displacement section, and a second displacement section. The first displacement section is in contact with a reserve surface of the touch panel and displaces the touch panel in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the touch panel based on a first drive signal. The second displacement section is in contact with the reverse surface of the touch panel at a location close to a location where the first displacement section is in contact with the reverse surface of the touch panel and displaces the touch panel in the direction perpendicular to a plane of the touch panel based on a second drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yoko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9329639
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a front panel, a back cover, a stand, and at least one hinge module. The stand is disposed on a surface of the back cover opposite to the front panel and is rotatable relative to the surface. The hinge module disposed between the front panel and the back cover includes a fixing element, a sliding element, a pivot, and a spring strip. The fixing element has a hole, and the fixing element is fixed on the back cover, such that an accommodating space is formed between the fixing element and the back cover. The sliding element having a hook portion is slidably disposed in the accommodating space. The pivot is slidably disposed in the accommodating space. The sliding element is connected to the stand by the pivot. The spring strip is disposed in the accommodating space. The spring strip is deformably fixed on the back cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Szu-Chi Lee, Huang-Lin Lee, I-Hao Chen, Kun-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9317148
    Abstract: A display input device includes a display portion and a touch panel portion. The display portion displays a screen having an object thereon. The touch panel portion is provided on the display portion and detects a plurality of touched positions touched by a user. The display portion, while displaying the screen having the object thereon, when an operation of touching two points on the touch panel portion has been performed, displays transfer destination information indicating a transfer destination candidate that can be a transfer destination of the object. The touch panel portion, when an object transfer operation including an operation of touching a display position of the transfer destination information and then releasing the touched state has been performed, accepts that the transfer destination candidate corresponding to the transfer destination information displayed at the last touched position has been determined as an actual transfer destination of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Arakawa, Yasuhiro Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 9317070
    Abstract: An adjustable keyboard having a number of keys (205) is formed in at least two segments (202, 203) which are mutually movable relative-to one another using a hinge or joint (206). Each of the segments (202, 203) of the keyboard has mounted thereon some of the keys (205). The adjustable nature of the keyboard reduces stress and discomfort to the user by reducing contortion to the user's wrists. More particularly, discomfort to the user caused by pronation of the wrists and/or ulnar deviation of the wrists is reduced. The hinge or joint (206) is in the form of a ball and socket-type joint with a locking mechanism, which preferably includes a pivoted handle (100), in the form of a lever, used for locking and unlocking the hinge or joint (206). The surface of at least one of the ball and socket of the joint define a plurality of recesses or a plurality of projections, to provide increased resistance to joint movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Key Ovation, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Linegar, Mark Norwalk
  • Patent number: 9317202
    Abstract: A keyboard overlay for use with a virtual touch screen keyboard, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present technology, a keyboard is overlaid over a plurality of virtual keys that have virtual key centers laterally spaced apart from each other. The keyboard can have a base configured to be coupled to the virtual touch screen keyboard and a plurality of overlay key structures corresponding to the virtual keys. The overlay key centers of the individual overlay key structures have overlay key centers, and at least a subset of the overlay key structures can be arranged such that the overlay key centers of the subset are offset relative to the virtual key centers of the corresponding virtual keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Touchfire, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley S. Melmon, Steven A. Isaac, Ralph Levy
  • Patent number: 9308443
    Abstract: A method of associating a controller to a console comprises, at the controller, establishing a connection with the console such that the controller is assigned to one of a plurality of different ports of the console over which different controllers may separately communicate with the console. A visual indication is then provided on the controller to indicate to the user of the controller which one of the plurality of different ports of the console has been assigned to the controller and over which the controller communicates with the console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Russell E. Glaser, Amy Lynn Landers, Kevin L. Furr, Leonardo G. Del Castillo, Richard S. Lum, Steven R. Gunn, Wei Guo
  • Patent number: 9311724
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a handheld computerized device with a bit mapped display screen on the front panel, and a touchpad installed in an alternative location. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and graphical user interface that can, for example, enable the user to see the user's finger position and motion from behind the device superimposed upon a virtual keyboard layout on the front panel. This can allow the user to use a touchpad keypad on the back of the device to input keystrokes and mouse actions, and these will be reflected on the display screen on the front of the handheld computerized device as “virtual fingers” or equivalent. The system operates by inputting touchpad data into a software biomechanical and anatomical model of the human hand, optionally supplemented by video or image information to refine this model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Handscape Inc.
    Inventor: Tong Luo
  • Patent number: 9304595
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, by a computing device and for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a group of keys. The method may further include receiving an indication of a first portion of a gesture to select a first key, and determining, based at least in part on the first key, one or more predicted next characters. The method may further include determining a path from a first location of the graphical keyboard to a second location of the graphical keyboard, the first location corresponding to the first key, the second location corresponding to one of the one or more predicted next characters. The method may further include comparing a second portion of the gesture with the determined path, and selecting, based at least in part on the comparison, the one of the one or more predicted next characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kataoka, Keisuke Kuroyanagi
  • Patent number: 9298310
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Carl Westerman, John Greer Elias
  • Patent number: 9298278
    Abstract: A method of controlling a touch sensitive display device according to one embodiment of the present specification may include the steps of displaying a graphic user interface including a first area of a virtual keyboard and a second area of a digital content containing at least one word, detecting a first contact from the first area, displaying and moving a word-selecting interface according to the first contact moving from the first area to the second area, displaying the at least one word overlapped by the word-selecting interface in the digital content as a soft button, detecting a second contact from the soft button, and inputting a word corresponding to the soft button from which the second contact is detected into a text input box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Jihwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9292100
    Abstract: A keyboard can be comprised of a plurality of alphabetic keys that are disposed in an evenly-spaced grid pattern with respect to one another. In any event, these keys have keycaps configured to comport with touch typing as with a keyboard having a plurality of alphabetic keys that are disposed in an offset pattern (such as the classic QWERTY offset-pattern typewriter-styled keyboard). By one approach, these keycaps can have keycaps having bilaterally-nonsymmetrical tactile features that at least substantially match standard touch-typing finger positions. By one approach these tactile features can comprise an indentation. If desired, these keycaps can share a same form factor. In such a case, some of the keycaps for the alphabetic keys can be disposed on the keyboard at a 180 degree rotation as compared to others of the alphabetic character keycaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Roman Peter Rak
  • Patent number: 9292133
    Abstract: A spatial input device includes a light beam scanner, a photodetector, and a controller. The light beam scanner is configured to emit light beams toward a spatially projected image while two-dimensionally scanning the light beams. The photodetector is configured to detect the light beams that have been reflected by an input object within a detection range. The detection range extends inward of the spatial input device relative to the image. The controller is configured to count a scan line number indicative of a number of the light beams that have been detected by the photodetector, and to detect a depth position of the input object based on the scan line number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ken Nishioka
  • Patent number: 9287066
    Abstract: A key structure in an electronic product includes a housing. The key structure includes a pressing portion, a printed circuit board (PCB), a key, and a sensor. The key and the sensor are both located on the PCB and electronically connected with each other. When the pressing portion is pressed, the key structure acts as a mechanical key. When the pressing portion is simply touched, the key structure acts as a touch key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chin-Lung Ho
  • Patent number: 9282826
    Abstract: Ergonomic chairs, systems and hand and arm support structures capable of comfortably supporting upper arms, forearms, back, seat, and hand heels of a user are provided. Devices and device holders designed for ergonomic benefit to be utilized in conjunction with the chairs, systems, and support structures are also disclosed. Device holders feature a platform and a hand heel rest. Actuator components of a number of the devices are disposed on a multidimensionally arcuate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: CLEVER CONCEPTS, LLC
    Inventor: Tara Hickman
  • Patent number: 9285891
    Abstract: A method for processing data entered using a keyboard and a keyboard capable of implementing the method is described. In one embodiment, the keyboard includes keys associated with at least one input data value and at least one multi-value key associated with at least two input data values. Each key includes a unit and each multi-value key includes a plurality of units and each input data value corresponds to at least one unit. The keyboard also includes an eye-tracking system that determines an area where a user is gazing by monitoring eye movements of the user, and an input value selection module coupled to units and to the eye-tracking system. The input value selection module determines probabilistically which input data value was entered based on a value received from at least one unit and on the area where the user is gazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Scenera Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mona Singh, Theodosios Thomas
  • Patent number: 9280494
    Abstract: A method on a computing system for associating an output of a coupled peripheral device to an input of the peripheral device is provided. A computing system configured to be coupled to a peripheral device comprising an input and an associated output is provided. The computing system comprises an input logical layer configured to receive descriptor configuration information from the peripheral device and build interface sets including attributes of the input of the peripheral device and the associated output. The input logical layer uses the interface sets to select and set attributes of the output of the peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Slezak, Alain Michaud
  • Patent number: 9281141
    Abstract: A key-board assembly (10) is described that has a key-mat and a keyboard PCB (3) aligned with respect to each other instead of first to a housing of an input device. First, such alignment is achieved by adding pins (6) to the key-mat that fit tightly in holes (5) of the PCB. Secondly the key-mat has hooks (14) that can be clicked around the PCB and/or ribs (4) around the edges/carve-outs of the PCB that hold to the PCB with tight tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Home Control Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kurt Rochlitz, Michael Walter Paul D'Hoore, Paul Joseph Claes
  • Patent number: 9280257
    Abstract: A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides cursor wrapping around the view id the 3D scene with continued motion of the cursor in the direction of movement by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: George Fitzmaurice, Justin Matejka, Gord Kurtenbach, Azam Khan
  • Patent number: 9274551
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of inputting data for an electronic data entry device are provided. In one embodiment, main keys on a keyboard of a device are used in which the main keys have multiple symbols or functions associated therewith, and one or more assisting keys of the device are used to select between the symbols or functions on the main keys. In a further embodiment, identification of an input object such as the particular fingers of a user that are used to actuate a key region is performed. The symbol associated with the actuated key region and the finger (or other input object) used is determined. Various types of sensors and recognition technology are implemented in order to identify fingers (or other input objects) in various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Zienon, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Ling Su, Dong Ge Li, Joseph Zlotnicki
  • Patent number: 9274611
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a touch panel, a display, a key detection module, a keyboard display module and a transmission module. The key detection module is configured to detect a touch and a release of a key of a software keyboard, based on touch detection on the touch panel. The transmission module is configured to transmit data indicative of key-down of a first key in accordance with touch detection of the first key, to transmit data indicative of key-down of a second key in accordance with touch detection of the second key in a state in which the first key is touched, and then to transmit data indicative of key-up of the first key and the second key in accordance with release detection of the first key and the second key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takahiro Arai
  • Patent number: 9268319
    Abstract: A controlling and monitoring control application associated with one or more work operations of one or more utility devices is disclosed. The controller is programmed for controlling one or more external work operations associated with one or more utility devices. An I/O board is connected in communication with the primary controller having a module with a plurality of device-specific control applications associated with one or more device-specific work operations. The housing of the controller includes one or more cable access points for plugging a cable into the controller. The cable access points are sealed to prevent water from entering into the housing. A mounting bracket assembly provides flexibility for mounting the controller at various orientations and/or positions. The controller also includes a DC control circuit for controlling backlight luminance over the entire dimming ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Carlson, Ryan A. Chernik, Aron D. Dahlgren, Wesley M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9262063
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Christopher Green, Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9261905
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an input module, a connection assembly and a display module. The input module has a recess structure. The connection assembly includes a link member and a support plate. The link member has a first end and a second end, and the first end is pivotally disposed on one side of the input module. The support plate has a first edge and a second edge, and the first edge is pivotally disposed on the second end. The display module is pivotally disposed on the second edge. The recess structure is configured for accommodating the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: INVENTEC (PUDONG) TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chia-Cheng Shih
  • Patent number: 9261913
    Abstract: A system or method including a display and sensor to detect touches of the display. The display can display an image of a keyboard. The image of the keyboard can be shaped to the locations of the touches of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gaurang Mittal, Robert Campbell, Glenn A. Wong, Mark C. Solomon, Arthur Chao-Chung Wu
  • Patent number: 9261970
    Abstract: An extended keyboard includes keys and conductive contact points. Each key is connected to a corresponding one or more conductive contact points. The conductive contact points protrude from a backside of the extended keyboard. The conductive contact points are used to contact with a multi-point touch screen of an electronic device when the extended keyboard is placed on the multi-point touch screen of the electronic device, such that when an operation is applied to one key, the corresponding one or more conductive contact points electrically connected to the key conduct the operation to positions of the multi-point touch screen contacted with the corresponding conductive contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Po-Sung Hu
  • Patent number: 9258440
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a setting information transmitting portion to transmit setting information including a setting screen stored in a screen storage area, screen identification information thereof, and a setting value stored in a setting value storage area to a remote operation device; a remote setting portion to, in response to remote operation information being received after transmission of the setting information, update the setting value stored in the setting value storage area with a setting value included in the remote operation information; and a remote setting screen update portion to generate a setting screen based on the setting value stored in the setting value storage area and update the setting screen stored in the setting screen storage area, after the setting value is updated. An operation is specified based on positional information included in the remote operation information in the updated setting screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Akihiko Oda, Manabu Furukawa, Hiroki Tajima, Kenzo Yamamoto, Hiroki Ueda
  • Patent number: 9256259
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a touch-control socket device and a display device. The touch-control socket device includes a socket and a touch-control glass. The socket has a seat, a frame extended from the seat, and a connecting module disposed in the seat. The seat has a first insertable opening and a second insertable opening respectively facing two different directions. The touch-control glass is fixed on the frame and electrically connected to the connecting module. The touch-control glass has a first surface and an opposite second surface. When an electrical connector of the display device inserts into the connecting module through the first insertable opening, the first surface is used as a touch-control interface. When the electrical connector of the display device inserts into the connecting module through the second insertable opening, the second surface is served as a touch interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventor: Shih-Jeh Lin
  • Patent number: 9256326
    Abstract: A fabricating method of a display device includes: forming a thin film by coating a liquid polymer material over a substrate using spin coating or slit coating; forming a touch screen panel (TSP) over the thin film; separating the substrate from the thin film; and placing the TSP over a surface of the display device. The TSP includes: first and second sensing patterns alternately arranged, the first sensing patterns formed to be connected to one another for each column, the second sensing patterns formed to be connected to one another for each row; first connection lines electrically connecting the first sensing patterns; connection patterns connecting the second sensing patterns and formed in a different layer from the first and second sensing patterns; and a first insulating layer formed between the connection patterns and the first and second sensing patterns. The sensing patterns are formed of a transparent conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Brent Jang
  • Patent number: 9256363
    Abstract: According to an aspect, an information processing device includes: a touch panel for detecting a contact; and a controller configured to display a virtual keyboard including a plurality of buttons on the touch panel, and receive, when the touch panel detects a contact started at a first position on the surface of the touch panel and terminated at a second position on the surface of the touch panel, a character string including characters corresponding to the buttons displayed on a trajectory obtained by connecting each position at which the contact is detected from when the contact is started at the first position to when the contact is terminated at the second position as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Sudo, Hiroshi Tsuruta, Atsuo Chiba, Nayu Nomachi, Takayuki Sato
  • Patent number: 9250650
    Abstract: A computer *display is pivotally connected to at least one *display arm, which in turn is pivotally connected to a base. When the *display arm(s) points upward from the base, the *display may hang in a vertical position. When the *display arm is lowered a torque is exerted on the *display to tilt the *display away from the base. When the *display reaches a *horizontal position an open space will exist under the *display that can be used to place items such as a mouse, keyboard, notepad, pens or other low profile devices. One or more feet are attached to the *display such that that when the *display is in the horizontal position the foot or feet contact a stable surface such as a desk, table or other suitably stable object, and further provides for such open space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Myerchin Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian P. Myerchin
  • Patent number: 9253909
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a first module, a second module, a pivoting mechanism and an electronic module. The pivoting mechanism is connected to the first module and the second module so that the second module pivots relative to the first module. The pivoting mechanism includes a pair of first fixing components, a pair of pivoting components and a pair of second fixing components. Each fixing component is fixed on the first module. Each pivoting component includes a first component and a second component, and the first component is fixed on the corresponding first fixing component. Each second fixing component is fixed on the corresponding second component and the second module. The electronic module is connected to the two second components so that the pivoting mechanism drives the electronic module and the second module to pivot simultaneously as the second module pivots relative to the first module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Kuo-Wei So
  • Patent number: 9250805
    Abstract: Methods of and systems for entering ambiguous text input via a linear character selection display are provided. A system for entering an alphanumeric string includes presentation logic for displaying on a presentation device an alphabet arranged into a row of letters and indication logic for presenting visual cues grouping a series of letters of the row into a cluster. The system also includes navigation logic for receiving user actions to move the visual cues along the row of letters to change the letters grouped into the cluster. The visual cues move along the row of letters in variable offsets based on a rate of input of the user actions. The system further includes selection logic for receiving user actions to select the cluster of letters to cause at least one of the letters of the selected cluster to be displayed in a string field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Veveo, Inc.
    Inventor: Murali Aravamudan
  • Patent number: 9253348
    Abstract: A display control device includes a display unit that displays one or a plurality of instruction images to be pressed to input operating instructions, a key press detection unit that detects a press on the instruction image, a key press duration detection unit that detects a duration of the time the key press detection unit continuously detects that the instruction image is being pressed, and a vibration drive unit that starts applying vibration to the display unit in response to a press on the instruction image detected by the key press detection unit and adjusts the amplitude of the vibration based on the type of the instruction image detected as being pressed and the key press duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Yoko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9244563
    Abstract: A method of providing a user defined user key pad and a mobile terminal supporting the same are provided. The method includes displaying guide information when entering a user key pad setting mode, determining a designation range for the user key pad according to a user interaction inputted based on the guide information, computing a key arrangement of the user key pad in response to the determined range, and configuring the user key pad according to the computed key arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Ram Nam Goong, Hwang Joon Lee
  • Patent number: 9239657
    Abstract: A character input method according to the present invention includes the steps of when a user brings a mouse cursor into contact with the term input box of a web browser or website, or clicks the term input box one or more times, displaying a character input window, in which two or more character buttons and a completion button for enabling the input of a signal indicative of the completion of the entry of one or more characters are arranged, in abutment with the term input box; when one or more of the character buttons are clicked, entering one or more characters cor? responding to the clicked character buttons into the term input box; and when the completion button is clicked, generating an activation signal so that an search engine associated with the term input box is run using the characters, entered into the term input box, as search data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY, INC.
    Inventor: Youn Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9239629
    Abstract: A keystroke determination method and a device thereof are applicable to a keyboard input device. The keystroke determination device performs the keystroke determination method including the following steps. A triggering signal corresponding to both a first circuit node and a second circuit node of the keyboard input device is received. Whether a first key definition of the first circuit node represents a null key is determined. When the first key definition of the first circuit node represents the null key, a signal specifying a second key definition of the second circuit node is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: MSI ELECTRONIC (KUN SHAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Szu Lee, Hsin-Huang Tsai, Chien-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 9223344
    Abstract: A docking station is used to hold an electronic apparatus and includes a docking body and a hinge module. The docking body includes an operation interface and a hinge portion. The hinge module includes a hinge element and a holding element. The hinge element is pivotally connected to the hinge portion and connected to the holding element. The holding element and the docking body form a groove. The holding element for holding the electronic apparatus is rotatable relative to the docking body for more than 270 degrees through the rotation space provided by the groove until being stopped by the docking body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chi-Han Wang, Chun-Liang Yeh, Hua-Yu Huang, Mei-Hui Wang
  • Patent number: 9224367
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program realizing natural scroll display and high-speed scroll. The image processing apparatus includes: a detector detecting a scroll request; and a processor, when the detector detects a high-speed scroll request, employing a blurred picture created through a blurring process as a new picture required for a subsequent update of image displayed in a scroll region, thereby generating an image to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Utsuki
  • Patent number: 9218076
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display and a proximity sensor arranged near a display surface of the display and configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a degree of proximity of an object to the display surface, and provides a position of the approaching object in a direction horizontal to the display surface. A user interface control unit has a first operational mode and a second operational mode, where in the first operation mode, the proximity of a user's hand from the display surface is monitored based on the output signal of the proximity sensor. In the second operational mode, a position of the user's hand in a direction horizontal to the display surface is detected within a detection target range and a user's operation is accepted according to the detected position of the user's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: ALPINE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Osamu Nagahara, Futoshi Tomitsuka
  • Patent number: 9218068
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a processor arranged to receive an input signal from an input device and a first event conversion module. The first event conversion module may receive an input event from the input device as an operating system (OS)-specific event arranged in a format operable by a first operating system, convert the OS-specific event into a converted event having an OS-independent format, and dispatch the converted event for processing. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dan Zhang, Shoumeng Yan, Peng Guo, Gansha Wu
  • Patent number: 9213414
    Abstract: A system and method for mirroring a touch screen interface on a mechanical keyboard is disclosed. A display screen is mapped to a touch sensing area on a keyboard having mechanical keys with key caps closely spaced to provide a relatively smooth surface. Touch position on the keyboard is detected and used to control a user interface on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: EZERO TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: David L. Henty
  • Patent number: 9207775
    Abstract: A method for positioning keys in a limited key space in handheld computing and communication devices for efficient finger operation, has the steps of, (i) selecting a set of keys from a full set of keys, where the selected set is useful for use in small handheld devices based on their mode of use and operation, (ii) partitioning the selected keys in two groups of more-used and less-used keys, (iii) positioning the more-used keys in a top center area of the keypad space and the less-used keys in a remainder key space including a bottom, a left, and a right area of the key space, and (iv) adjusting the layout of the keys in the key space based on the size and the orientation of the key space with an correspondingly adjusted key size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Tara Chand Singhal
  • Patent number: 9207865
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing method and a terminal device, where the method includes: receiving an input character input by a user; displaying, according to the input character and in a ring arrangement around the input character, candidate characters corresponding to the input character; receiving selection information so as to select one candidate character as a to-be-processed character; receiving, according to correspondence between the selection information and a candidate character position, a candidate character in the position corresponding to the selection information as the to-be-processed character; and processing the to-be-processed character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: HUAWEI DEVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xufeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9207827
    Abstract: There is provided an interactive board for use with a user device having a touch screen. The interactive board includes a plurality of board pads, each of the plurality of board pads including a ground region interdigitated with a sense region, a user device region configured to receive the touch screen of the user device, the user device region including device region pads configured to transmit signals to the touch screen of the user device, a plurality of traces coupling the plurality of board pads to the device region pads, and a ground flap coupled to the ground region of each of the plurality of board pads, the ground flap configured to at least partially cover a back area of the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Christen, Quinn Smithwick, Harout Jarchafjian, Jeffrey Voris, Jorge Alted
  • Patent number: 9201509
    Abstract: A character input method and device based on an arrow key are provided. The method of the present invention includes: querying a letter database according to triggering of a arrow key and obtaining a letter set corresponding to the arrow key; arranging the letter set corresponding to the arrow key according to a predetermined rule, and partially or fully spreading and then displaying the letter set in a display region; displaying a selection cursor at a default position in the display region, where the selection cursor is used for identifying a currently selected letter; and inputting the letter identified by the selection cursor into a character input region according to a predetermined selection rule. Embodiments of the present invention are mainly applied to a character input process based on an arrow key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wenting Yang
  • Patent number: 9203937
    Abstract: An apparatus including a main section including a display configured to be located on a first face of the main section; at least one movable section coupled to the main section, the at least one movable section including at least one acoustic transducer port located on a first face of the movable section, wherein in a first mode of operation the first face of the at least one movable section is configured to form an extension of the first face of the apparatus and locate the acoustic transducer port on the same face as the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Nigel Richardson
  • Patent number: 9193174
    Abstract: A method, device, and computer program product for analyzing multiple keystrokes in an electronic stenographic recording machine having keys forming stenographic keystrokes when actuated includes sensing a depressed state of at least first and second keys and recording first and second depression times, sensing released states of the first and second keys and recording first and second release times, determining an elapsed depression-release time for each of the first and second stenographic keys, determining a percentage of chronological overlap of each of the elapsed depression-release times, and separating the first and second key depressions into separate stenographic keystrokes when the percentage of chronological overlap indicates a lack of correlation between the first and second key depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Advantage Technology and Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Siebert, Portia Seely
  • Patent number: 9189093
    Abstract: In a system, as well as a method for the generation of a signal correlated with a manual input operation, especially a gesture-like input operation is executed by a user with his hands or fingers in front of a physical device and it input signals for signal processing operations are generated which correlate in a particularly reliable and accurate way with manual input operations. A system may have an electrode group integrated into an equipment component, that has several plane shaped electrodes adjacent to each other, and a circuit arrangement coupled to the electrodes of the electrode group, wherein the electrode group and the circuit arrangement constitute a sensor circuit allowing both a detection of a status to evaluate as a physical contacting of the equipment component, and a position detection of the hand or a finger of a user in a area placed spatially upstream of the equipment component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Artem Ivanov
  • Patent number: 9182829
    Abstract: An adjustable ergonomic keyboard includes keyboard segments coupled by a joint allowing the keyboard segments to pivot relative to one another. A retainer secures a corresponding keyboard segment with respect to a base support and allows the corresponding retained keyboard segment to rotate thereabout and to travel laterally with respect to the base support. The base support may be part of a portable laptop chassis or body or may be a stand alone base for use of the keyboard as a peripheral data input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Key Ovation, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Linegar, Mark Norwalk