Having Programmable Function Key Patents (Class 345/172)
  • Patent number: 9986110
    Abstract: A system and method for document processing includes a controller configured for digital control of multifunction peripheral operations. The controller detects a portable data device and receives configuration data through a near field communication interface. The controller selectively enables of document processing operations of the MFP as specified by received configuration data. The controller generates an active display on a touch screen control panel in accordance with the received configuration data and receives user selection data via the active display on the touch screen control panel. The controller commences a document processing operation in accordance with received user selection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Channa
  • Patent number: 9939255
    Abstract: A curvature measuring apparatus includes: a fixing member including: a curvature portion under the display panel, the curvature portion including a bending portion to support the display panel; and a plurality of protrusions at both ends of the curvature portion; a support adjacent to the fixing member to fix the fixing member, the support including a plurality of coupling grooves; and a measuring member above the display panel to measure a curvature of the bending portion of the display panel, wherein one of the protrusions is in one of the coupling grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jongsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 9904354
    Abstract: An operating device for a household appliance includes an electronic display panel, and an operating element that is displaceable relative to the display panel to set operating conditions of the household appliance. The operating element has a region which is disposed within an area of the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Goss, Oliver Kraemer, Robert Sachon
  • Patent number: 9836267
    Abstract: In an image/audio playback technology in a mobile communication terminal, a single image is divided into two halves, i.e., left-half and right-half images, which are displayed on two mobile communication terminals, respectively. In addition, two mobile communication terminals can play left-side and right-side audio data, respectively, which compose stereo audio data, according to the relative locations of the two mobile communication terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GOLDPEAK INNOVATIONS INC
    Inventor: Sun-Dong Lee
  • Patent number: 9798721
    Abstract: An approach includes a method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied in a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The approach further includes the programming instructions configured to receive a bilingual text which comprises a first set of characters in a Latin-based language and a second set of characters in a non Latin-based language. The approach further includes the programming instructions configured to convert the second set of characters in the non Latin-based language in the bilingual text to a third set of characters in the Latin-based language based on a lookup table. The approach further includes the programming instructions configured to add a prefix character and a postfix character to each converted word in the third set of characters. The approach further includes the programming instructions configured to output an encoded representation of the bilingual text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KING ABDULAZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Felwah Alhamed, Sara Aldoweesh, Amr Alasaad
  • Patent number: 9659546
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a detector configured to detect an infrared ray emitted from a human body; a state signal generator configured to generate a state signal including at least one of a first state signal component indicating that the human body is approaching the detector and a second state signal component indicating that the human body is leaving from the detector in response to an intensity variance of the infrared ray detected with the detector; and a controller configured to start controlling an external device upon detecting the first state signal component from the state signal generated by the state signal generator but to stop controlling the external device upon detecting the second state signal component from the state signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuneo Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9626004
    Abstract: Integrated control panel and electronic displays wherein the control panel may be positioned over the electronic display with at least part of the display being visible to the user. The control panel may consist of control elements such as rotary controls or buttons that can be associated with graphics on the display. Light emitters and detectors may be used to detect movement of the control elements such that the region of the display adjacent or juxtaposed to the control elements is not obscured from view of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: LAWO HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Alex Miles
  • Patent number: 9612660
    Abstract: A touch screen with haptic feedback knob arrangement. The arrangement includes an interactive surface having a controllable electrostatic pressure region across a portion of the interactive surface. The arrangement further includes a controller having an algorithm programmed thereon for controlling the amount of electrostatic pressure applied to the portion of the interactive surface where the electrostatic pressure region is located. A knob is rotatably mounted to the interactive surface and receives rotational resistance from the electrostatic pressure region of the interactive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Adelle Drescher, Tejas Bhupendra Desai
  • Patent number: 9569019
    Abstract: An aspect of the invention includes a display device that operates controls on a display surface independent of a size of the display surface. A touch panel displays a screen on a display surface and inputs a user operation point on the display surface. An extracting part extracts controls that receive a touch operation of a user from content to be displayed on the display surface. A display controller displays auxiliary buttons for providing instructions for input of an extracted control, together with the content on the display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaaki Kawase, Satoko Kinoshita, Yoshio Horiuchi, Daisuke Maruyama, Tetsuya Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 9563355
    Abstract: A novel keyboard interface and input method are described. The interface is driven by a dynamic, general-purpose typing and data-entry software application, with a reduced number of keys to minimize screen real-estate requirements, especially for mobile devices. At any given time, the interface presents base characters with built-in key points on or around the base characters that can be selected and/or swiped to generate characters. The key points are strategically placed based on the intuitiveness of such placements, reducing the curve for learning how to use the interface. Its advantage over other methods of input such as handwriting, voice and gesture recognition is that it is less prone to error and privacy issues. The interface occupies a dramatically smaller area of the screen compared to traditional on-screen keyboards and can provide alternate placement as well as transparency to reveal text or images underneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Inventors: Rajeev Jain, Sahil Jain, Sagar Jain, Sumit Jain
  • Patent number: 9557916
    Abstract: Alternative textual interpretations of each sequence of inputs detected within an auto-correcting keyboard region are determined. Actual keystroke contract locations may occur outside the boundaries of specific keyboard key regions associated with the actual characters of word interpretations proposed for selection. The distance from each contact location to each corresponding intended character may increase with the expected frequency of the intended word. An intended word is selected from among generated interpretations and is automatically accepted for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: B. Alex Robinson, Michael R. Longé, Brian H. Palmer, Keith C. Hullfish, Douglas Brams
  • Patent number: 9547421
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a controller to present a plurality of associable actions and a plurality of accessories of distinct operational types, associate an action with an input function of a select one of the plurality of accessories, monitor the selected accessory for a stimulation of the input function, and transmit the action to an operating system to launch a first software application or to convey to a second software application the action or an aspect of the action. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: STEELSERIES ApS
    Inventors: Michael Aronzon, Jacob Wolff-Petersen, Tino Soelberg
  • Patent number: 9542795
    Abstract: A switch unit is provided, comprising: a display part configured to display an image in at least one input area; an input part provided above the display part, the input part comprising a contact, wherein when the input part is pressed toward the at least one input area displayed on the display part, the contact corresponding to the input area is conducted; and an operating button configured to cause conduction of the contact of the input part, the contact corresponding to the input area, by a press-down operation toward the input area of the display part, wherein the operating button is made of a translucent rectangular parallelepiped member, and at least one side wall of the translucent rectangular parallelepiped member is formed into an inclined surface widening outwardly toward bottom of the operating button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Okazaki, Eiji Yasuda, Junya Fujita
  • Patent number: 9507519
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a mobile computing device displays at least part of an electronic form containing input objects to accept user input. A virtual keyboard module parses the form to discover attributes of the input objects and automatically determines whether the form includes a command button or other non-textual input object, based on results of the parsing. In response to discovering that the form includes a non-textual input object, the virtual keyboard module automatically adds a corresponding non-textual virtual keyboard component to a virtual keyboard, and the virtual keyboard module displays the virtual keyboard with the added non-textual virtual keyboard component on the display of the mobile device. The added non-textual virtual keyboard component may be configured to allow a user to invoke, from the virtual keyboard, a function associated with the corresponding non-textual input object in the form. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Aras Bilgen, James Ketrenos
  • Patent number: 9372847
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, device and computer readable recording medium for preventing an input error when information is inputted through a touch screen. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for preventing an input error when information is inputted through a touch screen, including the steps of sensing a start and a finish of a touch on the touch screen and acquiring input data corresponding to a point where the touch is finished when the finish of the touch is sensed, and performing a grammar check on the acquired input data and displaying the input data if the input data is determined to be grammatically correct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: NHN Corporation
    Inventor: Seung Phill Lim
  • Patent number: 9336198
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer readable medium are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing polysemous symbols for selection on an initial electronic screen overlay displayed on a display; storing, in a memory, a plurality of the selectable polysemous symbols in association with a pointer identifying display of an electronic screen overlay which is different from the initial electronic screen overlay; and displaying a second electronic screen overlay on the display, in response to initial selection of one of the provided polysemous symbols. In at least one embodiment, the second electronic screen overlay is the electronic screen overlay associated with the selected polysemous symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: SEMANTIC COMPACTION SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Baker, Glenna L. Butler, Russell T. Cross, Thomas R. Kovacs, Cindy C. Halloran, John D. Halloran, David H. Hershberger, Rob Read
  • Patent number: 9329767
    Abstract: The disclosed methods, devices, and systems may enable the user of an input device to be identified based on characteristics of the user's input. In one aspect, an example computer-implemented method may involve: (i) receiving an input signal corresponding to a touch interaction on a touch-based interface; (ii) determining, based at least in part on the input signal, one or more characteristics of the touch interaction, where the one or more characteristics of the touch interaction include at least one behavioral characteristic of the touch interaction; (iii) using the one or more characteristics of the touch interaction as a basis for determining a user-profile; and (iv) initiating at least one action based on the determined user-profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Teller, Cheryl Grunbock, Claes-Fredrik Mannby, Kevin Anthony Furr
  • Patent number: 9326348
    Abstract: An illumination system comprises at least two light sources (101,102,103) having different emission spectra to one another; a detection circuit (131,132,133) for sensing a light intensity using at least one of the light sources as a photosensor; and driving means (161,162,163) for driving the light source in dependence on the sensed spectral distribution of light. The emission spectrum of a light source with the smallest bandgap overlaps the emission spectrum of a light source with the second-smallest bandgap. The illumination system is possible to measure the intensity of light emitted by the light source with the smallest bandgap by putting the light source with the second-smallest bandgap in detection mode. The illumination system may also sense the spectral distribution of ambient light, to allow the output from the illumination system to be adjusted in dependence on the ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rakesh Roshan, Benjamin James Hadwen, David James Montgomery, Jonathan Heffernan
  • Patent number: 9281727
    Abstract: A user device may include one or more features on a surface of the user device, where a user may interact with the one or more features. In response to a user action with respect to one of the features, a particular sound, frequency, or change in frequency may be output. An augmented reality functional node (ARFN) may detect the sound or frequency and identify a particular operation that corresponds to the sound or frequency. The ARFN may then cause that operation to be performed within an environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Coley, Menashe Haskin, Robert A. Yuan, Juli A. Satoh, William Thomas Weatherford
  • Patent number: 9256218
    Abstract: A control mechanism includes a housing that is moveable from a first position to a second position. The housing includes a display area. The movement of the housing from the first position to the second position is detected. A first image is displayed on a display screen responsive to detection of the movement of the housing from the first position to the second position. At least a portion of the first image is optically transmitted from the display screen to the display area via an optical coupling system for display in the display area of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Ian N Robinson
  • Patent number: 9250804
    Abstract: An electronic device detects erroneous key selection entries or inaccurate actuation of a keypad. The device has a keypad with aligned keys. Each of the keys is partitioned into two sensor sub regions. A first one of the sub-regions includes at least a first sensor and a second one of the sub-regions includes a second sensor. A processor with a keypad sensor inputs is selectively coupled to the first and second sensors of each of the sub-regions. The second sensor of the first key and a proximal first sensor of an adjacent second key are coupled to a common keypad sensor input to provide indistinguishable sub-regions of adjacent keys. The processor is programmed to detect an erroneous key selection entry when only a key actuation signal is provided from the common keypad sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR,INC.
    Inventors: Yonggang Chen, Changhao Shi, Jianxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 9208594
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer readable medium are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing polysemous symbols for selection on an initial electronic screen overlay displayed on a display, a plurality of the provided polysemous symbols including a visual indicator indicating a link to a different next level electronic screen overlay; storing, in a memory and in association with each one of the plurality of polysemous symbols, a pointer identifying display of the next level electronic screen overlay which is different from the initial electronic screen overlay; and displaying the next level electronic screen overlay which is different from the initial electronic screen overlay on the display, in response to initial selection of a respective one of the plurality of polysemous symbols including the visual indicator, the next level electronic screen overlay being the electronic screen overlay associated with the selected polysemous symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: SEMANTIC COMPACTIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Baker, Russell T. Cross, Thomas R. Kovacs, Cindy C. Halloran, John D. Halloran, David H. Hershberger, Rob Read
  • Patent number: 9202298
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer readable medium are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing polysemous symbols for selection on an initial electronic screen overlay displayed on a display; storing, in a memory, a plurality of the selectable polysemous symbols in association with a pointer identifying display of an electronic screen overlay which is different from the initial electronic screen overlay; and displaying a second electronic screen overlay on the display, in response to initial selection of one of the provided polysemous symbols. In at least one embodiment, the second electronic screen overlay is the electronic screen overlay associated with the selected polysemous symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: SEMANTIC COMPACTION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Baker, Glenna L. Butler, Russell T. Cross, Thomas R. Kovacs, Cindy C. Halloran, John D. Halloran, David H. Hershberger, Rob Read
  • Patent number: 9176595
    Abstract: A speed adjustable USB keyboard is provided. The keyboard comprises a plurality of keys, wherein each of the keys generates a press signal when being pressed and a release signal when being released; and a control module, coupled between the keys and a computer, for simulating a part of the press signal as the release signal to respond to polling signals from the computer according to the setting of at least one of a repeat delay and a repeat rate of the keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Duckychannel International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Chuan Chao
  • Patent number: 9142188
    Abstract: A method including selecting a luminance setting for at least a portion of a display from a plurality of luminance settings; controlling the insertion of blank fields with respect to frames of data displayed on the display for the selected luminance setting at a duty ratio, at least some of the luminance settings having an associated range of duty ratios for reducing flicker and/or blur perceived by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Jarmo Juhani Kurikko
  • Patent number: 9071272
    Abstract: A controlling device has a configurable key. An overlay, such as a sticker, is provided to the configurable key and includes an indicia representative of media content and machine readable data indicative of an identity of the media content represented by the indicia. A memory of the controlling device stores a correspondence between the configurable key and data indicative of a source of the media content. Upon activation of configured, configurable key, the controlling device uses select command codes from a library of command codes and the correspondence between the configurable key and the data indicative of the source of the media content to transmit one or more commands for causing one or more appliances to access the source of the media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy K. Black, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9041657
    Abstract: An ergonomic keyboard is described. In one aspect, a keyboard layout for a subject language is developed by determining a percent of frequency of monograph characters and digraphs of characters used in writing in the subject language. Thereafter, each key for the characters from each most frequent digraph is positioned under different hands on the keyboard layout, on a middle row of the keyboard layout, and under the index or middle fingers of a keyboard user. Other most frequent characters are positioned in the middle row of the keyboard layout or in a position on the keyboard layout to be struck using the index or middle fingers. The least frequent monograph characters are positioned in the bottom and top rows of the keyboard, with the least frequent characters under pinky fingers of a keyboard user. An optimized Arabic keyboard layout is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Mohamed Zaki Ramadan Osman
  • Patent number: 9043235
    Abstract: A cloud computing system for object location, object identification, object picking, object picking by line, object loading onto one or more transport devices, or object delivery that can include using a cloud based server comprising a cloud based processor in communication with a cloud based data storage. The cloud based server can be in communication with at least one mobile processor in communication with a mobile data storage and a display. The method can also include sending instructions to an operator from the cloud based computer to a mobile processor associated with an operator to instruct the operator to perform a logistics operation. The logistic operation can include one or more of object location, object identification, object picking, object picking by line, object loading onto one or more transport devices, and object delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SYSTEMS APPLICATION ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Jerry Dennis Sacks, James Michael Parks, Gregory Parker Braun, Christopher Burks Parr
  • Patent number: 9041652
    Abstract: Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards for detecting touch events and key depressions on the keyboard are provided. The keyboard can include a set of individually depressible mechanical keys having a touch sensitive area located on their surface. A touch sensor can be included to detect touch events on the surface of the keys. A keypad can also be included to detect a depression of the mechanical keys. One or more of the depressible mechanical keys can be multi-purpose keys capable of being depressed to multiple levels. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can receive key depression input, touch event input, or combinations thereof at the same time. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can further include a processor for distinguishing detected touch events from detected key depressions. The processor can generate a key depression command or a touch event command in response to the detected touch events and key depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Greer Elias, Steven J. Martisauskas
  • Publication number: 20150138097
    Abstract: A system and method for entering characters that form a radio station channel and tune in a radio station channel on a radio tuner interface includes a touch screen display which displays a radio tuner interface. The radio tuner interface includes a plurality of character keys on a keypad that can be enabled or disabled to allow a user to touch input an available AM, FM, or satellite radio station channel that is in broadcast range of the location in which the vehicle is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Yamada
  • Patent number: 9035915
    Abstract: A photo sensor type touch panel includes a plurality of readout lines electrically connected in parallel. The overall capacitance of a coupling capacitor between the readout lines connected in parallel and adjacent data lines having one type of polarity is equal to the overall capacitance of a coupling capacitor between the readout lines connected in parallel and adjacent data lines having the other type of polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yueh-Hung Chung, Yi-Ru Cheng, Ya-Ling Hsu, Hsueh-Ying Huang
  • Patent number: 9037459
    Abstract: A method for entering text in a text input field using a non-keyboard type accessory includes selecting a character for entry into the text field presented by a portable computing device. The portable computing device determines whether text suggestions are available based on the character. If text suggestions are available, the portable computing device can determine the text suggestions and send them to the accessory, which in turn can display the suggestions on a display. A user operating the accessory can select one of the text suggestions, expressly reject the text suggestions, or ignore the text suggestions. If a text suggestion is selected, the accessory can send the selected text to the portable computing device for populating the text field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin W. Foo
  • Publication number: 20150123909
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunctional input device. The input device includes a functional mode which defines the mode of operation of the input device. Each functional mode includes one or more domain levels with each domain level containing one or more domain-level values. Each domain level-value within each functional mode is assigned to one of a plurality of programmable input keys. The domain-level value assigned to each programmable input key controls the function of that programmable input key within a given functionality and domain level. The present invention also includes a display to indicate the domain-level value associated with each of the programmable input keys within a given functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Timothy B. Higginson
  • Publication number: 20150116225
    Abstract: Character input in which key press information input by a user is received. When the received key press information meets a preset enabling condition of the mapping mode, a mapping mode is entered into; key press information input by the user in the mapping mode is receive. A character string corresponding to the key press information input by the user in the mapping mode is searched according to a preset mapping relation between the character string and a keyboard, and the searched character string is sent to an application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Gang LUO, Yanping SHEN
  • Patent number: 8994516
    Abstract: A control device may include a control unit to control transmission of a predetermined control command to a controlled device, when an operation surface is put face down is detected from a detection result of at least one sensor indicating the operation surface is put face down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Ito, Yoshinori Ohashi, Eiju Yamada, Tsuyoshi Honma
  • Publication number: 20150084871
    Abstract: An electronic device is described herein. The electronic device includes a keyboard and a plurality of keys arranged on the keyboard. The plurality of keys may include dynamically customized keys based on usage. The display and function of the customized keys may be enabled through the use of platform components and cloud services on the keyboard. The customized keys may include generic, customer-specific, or dynamically updated images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Mark D. Yarvis, Ayeshwarya B. Mahajan, Christopher J. Lord, Ramesh Pendakur
  • Patent number: 8988353
    Abstract: Provided are a method and related mobile device for editing, in an integrated, convenient and quick manner, various menu pages selectively used for a home screen. In response to a given input signal, the mobile device outputs a page edit screen including a specific page displayed on the home screen. Then, in response to subsequent input signals, the mobile device may add a new page, delete a selected page, change a title of a selected page, move or remove a selected icon in a page, change a background image of a selected page, or change a positional order of pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Woo Shin, Bong Won Lee
  • Patent number: 8989662
    Abstract: A method of automatically connecting to a peripheral Bluetooth device and service in a mobile communication terminal having a Bluetooth module is provided. Upon input of a key, it is determined whether the key includes a Bluetooth mode key. If the key includes the Bluetooth mode key, the terminal transitions to a Bluetooth mode. A Bluetooth device or service corresponding to the key as a short key is detected and connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chul-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8988356
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A swiping action between a touch sensor and a touchscreen of a computing device is identified. The identification includes determining, while the computing device is in a state that provides a first graphical display, that the touch sensor has been physically contacted by a user. The identification includes determining that the physical contact with the touch sensor has ended. The identification includes determining, within a predetermined time period of the end of the physical contact, that a dragging motion across the touchscreen has originated at a peripheral edge of the touchscreen. In response to the identifying, a predetermined computerized routine is invoked that replaces the first graphical display with a second graphical display, wherein user interaction with the touch sensor or touchscreen individually do not invoke the predetermined computerized routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Erick Tseng
  • Patent number: 8977966
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure enable use of a keyboard to navigate a webpage presented in a web browser. According to an embodiment, a two-dimensional grid is placed over a webpage and elements of the webpage are assigned to the nearest cells of the grid. The grid specifies the directional and distance relations among the various elements of the webpage. Functionality is provided that enables users to quickly navigate the elements of the webpage using arrow keys of a keyboard. For example, if a selection indicator is currently focused on a webpage element that is assigned to a particular cell of the grid, a press of the left-arrow key moves the selection indicator leftward along the grid to the element that is assigned to the nearest leftward cell. The same functionality is applied to up-arrow, down-arrow, and right-arrow keys. Further, functionality is provided that enables users to quickly navigate the elements of the webpage using hotkeys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Amit Saurav
  • Patent number: 8976119
    Abstract: An electronic display board apparatus configured to provide an operation key, includes a display with a touch panel function on which an application image is displayed; a mode change accepting unit which accepts an operation mode for the touch panel function, the operation mode including a simple operation mode; an image analyzing unit which detects an operational image associated with an operational function from the application image displayed on the display at the simple operation mode; a key allocation unit which allocates the operation key to the operational image detected by the image analyzing unit so that an operation of the allocated operation key is treated as an operation to the operational image at the simple operation mode; and a touch panel control unit which suppresses the touch panel function of at least a part where the operational image is displayed at the simple operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Sakuramata, Kuangyi Zhu
  • Patent number: 8970477
    Abstract: A exemplary key assembly for a handheld device includes one or more L-shaped key structures each having a first member configured to receive an input keystroke and a second member substantially orthogonal to the first member; and a frame configured to receive the one or more L-shaped key structures, the frame having a wall aligned with the second member of the key structure, with the wall further comprising a switch for each of the one or more L-shaped key structures associated with an inner surface of the wall, wherein each switch is associated with an actuator associated with the second member of the corresponding key structure such that depression of a given key structure causes the actuator of the second member of the key structure to engage the switch of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Norman Miner Ladouceur, Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Riddiford, Daniel Jordan Kayser, Tracy Christina Sharp, Rachael Elizabeth Roberts
  • Publication number: 20150054749
    Abstract: The present invention provides an interface application enabling multi-functionality of a specific area part of an interface in a computerized device. The interface comprised of: at least one touch enabled surface, where in at least partial area surface is integrated with at least one fingerprint sensor for capturing at least part of distinguishing ridges and valleys of the touching fingertip touching a specific area, a processing module arranged to analyze said distinguishing ridges and valleys of the touching fingertip, for identifying characteristic of the specific touching finger differentiating said finger from other fingers of the same user (either from the same of both hands), and an activation module for determining the functionality of said specified area based on the identified touching finger(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin Zimchoni, Teddy Nehmad, Yoram Zer
  • Patent number: 8963694
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting a remote controlled device to be controlled from among a plurality of remote controllable devices. The system includes an electronic device having a registration interface configured to register device data corresponding to the plurality of remote controllable devices, a position locator configured to determine position data corresponding to a position of the electronic device, and an orientation interface configured to receive orientation data corresponding to an orientation of a user. A controller is configured to select the remote controlled device based on the device data, the position data, and the orientation data. The plurality of remote controllable devices each may include a respective data source configured to provide the device data, and a headset may be configured to generate the orientation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Martin Nystrom, Erik Ahlgren
  • Patent number: 8946574
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an method apparatus includes an optically clear adhesive (OCA) layer between a cover sheet and a substrate. The substrate has drive or sense electrodes of a touch sensor disposed on a first surface and a second surface of the substrate. The first surface is opposite the second surface and the drive or sense electrodes are made of a conductive mesh of conductive material including metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: David Brent Guard, Esat Yilmaz, Tsung-Ching Wu
  • Publication number: 20150029106
    Abstract: The invention relates to the controlling of functions of an information and communication system in a vehicle by means of physical keys. A control unit for an information and communication system of a vehicle is equipped for receiving a sequence of sensor signals of different proximity sensors of corresponding different mechanical function keys, to which corresponding first functions are assigned. The control unit is further equipped for detecting a swiping event over the mechanical function keys, wherein a swiping event comprises the fact that the sequence of sensor signals corresponds to the sensor signals of proximity sensors of corresponding adjacent mechanical function keys. The control unit is further equipped for assigning corresponding second functions to the mechanical function keys when a swiping event is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Clemens BOEBINGER, Martin KUEMMEL, Michael NIRSCHL
  • Patent number: 8922479
    Abstract: A user input panel dynamically expands to accommodate user input, such as handwritten or keyboard input. Expansion may occur in one or two out of four possible directions, depending upon the language to be written or typed. For example, when writing English words, the input panel may expand to the right as the user writes and then downward when the input panel has fully expanded rightward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest L. Pennington, II, Adrian James Garside, Jeffrey West Pettiross, Shawna Julia Davis, Tobiasz Alexander Zielinski
  • Patent number: 8917242
    Abstract: A computer with an input device having a labeled region including a host, a first monitor, a first touchpad and a cover is provided. The first monitor is electrically connected to the host and serves as a display media of the host. The first touchpad is electrically connected to the host and serves as an input media of the host. The first touchpad includes a touch keypad region, wherein a plurality of touch keys is disposed in the touch keypad region. The cover encloses the first touchpad and includes a labeled region. When the device is power on, the labeled region is corresponding to the touch keypad region of the first touchpad, and the user can distinguish positions of each of the touch keys of the touch keypad region when inputting data by means of the touch keypad region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsun-Chih Yang, Hao-Sheng Lo
  • Patent number: 8908107
    Abstract: A remote control system includes a remote control device and an electronic device. The remote control device includes an input element, a wireless transmitter to transmit an absolute coordinate signal and a motion signal and a control unit electrically connected to the input element and the wireless transmitter. The electronic device includes a wireless receiver and a display screen. The wireless receiver receives the absolute coordinate signal and the motion signal, and displays the absolute coordinate signal at the display screen via a cursor. When the electronic device does not receive the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is not operated on an application program of the electronic device. When the electronic device receives the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is operated on the application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Shen Wu
  • Patent number: 8896538
    Abstract: A mobile phone manages display area 12 as twelve partial areas obtained by dividing the display area into a matrix of four rows and three columns, which is identical to an arrangement of keys of a numeric keypad; if plural windows are displayed in a partial area arranged in the same position as a pressed key, assigns a key to each of the windows displayed in the partial area, the key being for selecting the window, and notifies the keys; and if one of the notified keys is pressed, selects a window to which the pressed key has been assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Onda, Izua Kano, Dai Kamiya, Keiichi Murakami, Eiju Yamada, Kazuhiro Yamada