Electronic Book With Display Patents (Class 345/901)
  • Patent number: 7027035
    Abstract: A computer system includes a first display device to display an image and includes an application program to copy the image displayed on the first display device to a second display device. A selectable control, when selected, initiates that the application program copy the image displayed on the first display device to the second display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: John J Youden
  • Patent number: 7023418
    Abstract: The invention comprises a display sheet, a light guide sheet and a light source provided to at least one side of the light guide sheet. And an electronic paper of the invention has a configuration for color display that the display sheet is made up by laminating respective display sheets for red, green and blue colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Nakamura, Masichiro Tatekawa
  • Patent number: 7010261
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a voice book device. The voice book device includes voice book and a book support. The voice book contains various pieces of information. The book support includes a printed circuit board and a housing. The printed circuit board has a storage unit, an optical sensor unit, a decoder unit, a voice output unit, and a control unit. The housing includes the printed circuit board. Each page of the voice book consists of a transparent part and a contents part. An optical reflector is formed on the transparent part and one or more optical sensors are disposed in the book support, and the optical reflectors and the optical sensors are arranged in a one-to-one mapping relationship so that the pages of the voice book are automatically recognized by cooperation operation between the optical reflectors and the optical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: SYhitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung-Ho Kim, In-Kil Jeon, Je-Young Oh
  • Patent number: 7009596
    Abstract: An electronic information browsing system that provides a book-like interface—a virtual book—for presenting electronic contents. Specifically, an electronic information browsing system that allows users to configure its behavior via data and program specification encapsulated in a dynamic file format. Configurable behavior includes but not limited to the kind of contents to be displayed in the virtual book, the sources of the contents to be displayed, the static aspects of the virtual book such as the book dimensions and the dynamic aspects of the virtual book such as when a page is to be flipped, how the flipping of pages is contingent upon the execution of certain pre-specified events, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: E-Book Systems PTE LTD
    Inventors: Chern Hway Seet, Seng Beng Ho
  • Patent number: 7006116
    Abstract: A system for viewing information is provided and includes an electronic book having a display and a cover containing an electronic code associated with the information. When the cover is coupled to the electronic book, the information is viewable in the display and when the cover is not coupled to the electronic book, the information is not viewable in the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Stephan Meyers, Hannu Nieminen
  • Patent number: 6989815
    Abstract: A method for flipping pages of an electronic book via an electromechanical information browsing device that controls page flipping actions of information displayed as an e-book on a display device. The browsing device includes a controller that provides tactile feedback so as to lessen the user-interface differences between conventional books and e-books. Sensors and control mechanisms in the controller generate a series of electrical signals that are interpreted by the computer that displays the e-book to control various browsing operations, such as flipping pages, controlling a rate of page flipping, jumping to pre-set locations in the e-book, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: E-Book Systems PTE Ltd.
    Inventors: Chee Cheng J. Liang, Jason Bradley Austin, Seng Beng Ho
  • Patent number: 6985135
    Abstract: The invention provides an information processing apparatus wherein playback of display data and playback of audio data relating to the display data are changed over in an associated relationship with each other in response to an open or closed state of a lid with respect to a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 6975308
    Abstract: The present invention provides a picture frame for displaying digital images taken by a digital camera. The invention may be a wall mounted frame or a desk top frame. The invention includes a display, such as an active matrix display for rendering images for viewing. The invention includes an interface for manipulating images by using a graphical user interface in conjunction with an operating system. The present invention may be employed for displaying overhead projection slides for conferences, lectures and meetings. The invention includes sensors for monitoring conditions in areas around the frame. The frame includes floppy disk and CD/DVD drives for transferring data to a memory of the frame. The memory of the frame is used to store images and may select images according to a program or list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventors: Frank W. Bitetto, James J. Bitetto
  • Patent number: 6972752
    Abstract: A display device capable of allowing a page to be turned to give a feeling as if a page is actually turned includes a memory for storing information, a display for displaying information, a page turn instruction unit for detecting that the unit itself is tilted to output a detection signal indicating the direction of the tilt, and a display control unit for receiving an instruction from the page turn instruction unit to read information of the next or previous page from the memory according to the direction of the tilt and display the read information on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Nako, Minako Kuwata, Keisuke Iwasaki, Shigeki Kuga
  • Patent number: 6950680
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed and comprises: a display (5); a keypad (4,42); a light source (28) associated with the display (5); and a substrate (30) to receive the display (5) and the keypad (4) and having a wedge shaped portion formed from a light transmitting material in a region beneath the keypad (4) such that light emitted by the light source (28) is transmitted through the substrate (30) and is out-coupled from the substrate (30) via the wedge shaped portion to illuminate the keypad (4). The electronic device of the invention is preferably a mobile telephone (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jukka Kela, Stefan Olsen, Helle Baarup Lundsgaard
  • Patent number: 6947035
    Abstract: Battery powered electrical equipment such as a portable personal computer operates in one of plural power saving modes to control operating speed and display brightness. The remaining capacity of the battery powering the electrical equipment is derived and one of the power saving modes is selected. The selected power saving mode is automatically displayed in close relationship with the remaining battery capacity so that an operator can readily determine the remaining operating time of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Shiraga
  • Patent number: 6943795
    Abstract: An image display control method and its system for this method in an information processing unit sequentially changing a series of image contents to display images on the screen. Image content information for displaying image contents on the information processing unit and screen transition process information for performing an screen transition process on a series of image contents are made separate and generated separately. One frame of the display image of the information processing unit consists of one parent frame and two child frames in the parent frame. The image content information is stored in one child frame and the screen transition process information is stored in the other child frame, and a series of image contents is sequentially moved to display images on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayaki Matsui, Norio Danbara
  • Patent number: 6943769
    Abstract: A portable computer having a display unit coupled to a base. The display unit includes an exterior display case, a screen, one or more liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, display electronics and a light source. The light source is a tubular shaped lamp which extends along a length of the display case and is held in place by a harness at one end of the display case. A section of the display case is an independently movable reflector, coated with a light reflective mirrored finish that distributes light evenly along the LCD panel surface. The computer has a storage mode and an active mode. When in active mode, the reflector is inclined and light from the light source reflects unto the LCD panel within the case. In storage mode, the reflector is closed and no light is reflected unto the LCD panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Satwinder Malhi
  • Patent number: 6933928
    Abstract: This paperless book is portable and uses removable ROM devices to provide the visual and aural information displayed in the paperless book. The book can be read in a visual mode, as print, or in an aural mode, as the spoken word corresponding to the print, or in both visual and aural modes. The display mode may be conveniently shifted back and forth between visual and aural, for use, for example, by a counter who uses the book in the aural mode while driving and switches to the visual mode while riding on a train. In addition, the visual display may be manipulated affecting the appearance, for use, for example, by persons with reduced visual acuity. Movies also may be viewed using the paperless book. Finally, portions of the text may be enhanced by additional visual images, music or other sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Scott E. Lilienthal
  • Patent number: 6906698
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a main body, a cover unit having a display such as an LCD, and a detecting mechanism for detecting the opening and closing of the cover unit in relation to the main body. The detecting mechanism includes a cam mounted coaxially to and rotating together with a pivot shaft that can rotate together with the cover unit, and a detecting switch mounted to the main body and directly or indirectly actuated by the action of the cam as the cover unit opens and closes to detect the opening and closing of the cover unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tadanori Tachikawa, Sonomasa Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6897850
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus wherein playback of display data and playback of audio data relating to the display data are changed over in an associated relationship with each other in response to an open or closed state of a lid mounted on a housing, includes the portable housing having an image display section provided thereon, the lid mounted for opening and closing motion on the housing for covering the display section, a lid opening/closing detection section for detecting opening or closing of the lid with respect to the housing, a display control section for displaying display data on the image display section, an audio playback section for playing back audio data relating to the display data, and a control section for controlling the audio playback section so as to play back, when opening or closing of the lid is detected by the opening/closing detection section, the audio data relating to the display data displayed when the opening or closing of the lid is detected by the lid opening/closing det
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 6865367
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a voice book device. The voice book device includes voice book and a book support. The voice book contains various pieces of information. The book support includes a printed circuit board and a housing. The printed circuit board has a storage unit, an optical sensor unit, a decoder unit, a voice output unit, and a control unit. The housing includes the printed circuit board. Each page of the voice book consists of a transparent part and a contents part. An optical reflector is formed on the transparent part and one or more optical sensors are disposed in the book support, and the optical reflectors and the optical sensors are arranged in a one-to-one mapping relationship so that the pages of the voice book are automatically recognized by cooperation operation between the optical reflectors and the optical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Syhitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung-Ho Kim, In-Kil Jeon, Je-Young Oh
  • Patent number: 6859206
    Abstract: A presentation of textual material is provided in a “role-play” reading format which has text corresponding to the dialogue of a plurality of characters in order to facilitate reading aloud in a group. The text for the dialogue of a plurality of characters is presented in a different indicia throughout substantially all the presentation. Preferably the indicia is color so the dialogue for each character is in a different color. The test for each character is also selected and presented at a level corresponding to the reading level of the reader selecting or assigned to read each character. The text is preferably selected from among a plurality of texts pre-written at substantially different reading levels. The reading material can be presented on paper, or on media suitable for display on an electronic screen. The text for each character is in a size and font suitable for the reading level of the reader selecting or assigned to read the dialogue for the character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Dianna L. Cleveland
  • Patent number: 6859218
    Abstract: Electronic display devices and methods are described. In one embodiment, a display device comprises a housing and a display area provided within the housing to display content for a user. Memory is provided within the housing to hold data that is to be rendered into user-viewable content. An electrophotographic assembly is provided within the housing and is configured to electrophotographically render user-viewable content from the data that is held in the memory. A loop of material is disposed proximate the electrophotographic assembly and is configured to receive electrophotographically rendered content and present the content for user viewing within the display area. A control area is provided on the housing and includes one or more user-engagable structures to permit a user to interact with the device. The control area is positioned on the housing to accommodate one-handed use of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Luman, Samuel A. Johnson, Thomas Camis
  • Patent number: 6825832
    Abstract: A hand held computer is provided wherein data input is facilitated through a full function, folding keyboard, that is suitable for touch typing. In addition, the present invention utilizes an open architecture, embedded technology system design in conjunction with web based content to provide a full function affordable portal to the Internet. The hand held computer may be modified to play music files when in a closed position and may be modified to play game files when in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Vercel Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb Chung, Chris L. Hubbell, Victor J. Valenti, Stuart K. Imai
  • Publication number: 20040237109
    Abstract: The user of a mobile terminal capable of receiving broadcast transmissions, such as Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) transmissions, enters keywords indicative of messages the user wishes to peruse. When the mobile terminal receives a broadcast transmission having a message, keywords associated with the message are compared with the user-entered keywords; if any match, at least a portion of the message is displayed on the mobile terminal. The displayed portion may be a “crawl” which appears at the bottom of the display screen. The user may request to view the remaining portions, if any, of the message, or to download data linked to the message, where the downloaded data may be for viewing or for another purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Timo M. Laitinen, Jarkko Lempio, Tomi Heinonen, Mikko Rautiainen, Ari Aarnio
  • Patent number: 6806867
    Abstract: A palm pad system including an electronic notepad coupled to a conventional personal digital device (“PDD”) via a data bus is set forth that enables a user to transpose handwritten data into electronic files or pages. The notepad and PDD are mounted onto a common base. The base includes a retaining structure for retaining the notepad on the base and another retaining structure for retaining the PDD on the base. The base further includes a flexible portion that permits the base to be folded into a compact form for protecting the notepad and PDD during transport. A pen containing a transmitter is employed by the palm pad system to transmit a signal to receptive electronics while a user writes data on the notepad with a writing tip contained in the pen. The signal received by the electronics is processed to generate an electronic file representative of the user's handwritten data. The electronic file can be electronically stored and retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: A.T.X. International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Arruda, Gregor Mittersinker, Robert Southworth, A. Jason Mirabito, Kenneth Rawlings
  • Patent number: 6801185
    Abstract: A viewing assembly, viewing system, and method of use are provided. The viewing assembly and system and method of use provide images that may be viewed from any position orthogonal to, and from a plurality of positions oblique to, the axis on which a substantially planar viewing assembly may be rotated. The assembly and method allow viewers to view images from any position 360 degrees around the viewing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: C-360, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil B. Salley
  • Patent number: 6788283
    Abstract: An electronic book includes pages with printed materials, a display showing selectively a plurality of images and a control circuit arranged to cause pictures to be displayed in accordance with pages being viewed by a reader. In one embodiment, a sensor is used to detect which page is the reader looking at. In other embodiments, an automatic sensor or a sensor operated by the reader is used to determine what images are to be shown. Multiple images are also displayed in sequence to form moving images. In addition, speakers may also be provided to reproduce sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph M. Blotky, Gregory B. Thagard, John H. Dargan
  • Patent number: 6771250
    Abstract: A hand-held computer is described, which comprises an application program launcher having a multi-point switch. Using the launcher, a user selects and executes one of several application programs registered in a program selection menu. If a launching signal is generated from the launcher when the hand-held computer is at a low power consumption mode, the hand-held computer wakes up from a sleep mode and its mode is converted into a normal mode. At this time, a program selection menu is displayed on a screen. If an application program is not selected before a predetermined time elapses, the hand-held computer re-enters the low power consumption sleep mode without delay. Thus, it is possible to prevent the hand-held computer from consuming unnecessary power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Choeul Oh
  • Patent number: 6765553
    Abstract: There is provided a handy terminal including (a) a body, (b) a central processing unit housed in the body, (c) a display screen equipped at a surface of the body, displaying therein data instructed by the central processing unit, (d) a display controller controlling an operation of the display screen in accordance with a display control signal transmitted from the central processing unit, and (e) an inclination detector detecting a direction in which the body is inclined and an inclination angle by which the body is inclined, and transmitting an inclination-indicating signal indicative of the thus detected inclination direction and angle of the body to the central processing unit. The central processing unit transmits a display control signal indicative of the detected inclination direction and angle of the body to the display controller, which scrolls the data displayed in the display screen in accordance with the received display control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Odamura
  • Patent number: 6727892
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a hot spot is normally centered in an area of contact between a user's finger and a touch screen to position the hot spot on an icon or other feature thereby selecting a program or function corresponding to the icon or feature. When the contact area is near an edge, the hot spot is offset toward the edge so that it coincides more closely to the center of the users finger, thus allowing an icon or other feature adjacent the edge of the screen to be more easily selected. In another embodiment, a cursor is displayed on a touch screen at a location that is offset from the contact area between a finger and the screen. The cursor, which is used as the hot spot of the computer, is normally offset above the contact area except when the contact area is close to the bottom of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6726487
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device for supporting reading of a text from a display member (1) in order to increase the reading speed. The device includes first means (2, 4) which are arranged to provide a text, which consists of a number of characters forming words in said text, and to display at least a part of the text on the display member (1), an second means (2, 5), which are arranged to display a marking means (7) which marks at least one character of said part of the text on the display member (1). The second means are arranged to move the marking (7) in an automatic manner on the displayed part of the text in order to control the reading of the text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Tomas Dalström
  • Patent number: 6717798
    Abstract: A digital picture display system may operate through a wireless connection to a remote processor-based display. The system may operate in a portable and/or a fixed mode. In the portable mode, a portable display device may be wirelessly coupled to the processor-based system and may function using its own onboard battery source. In a fixed mode, the portable device may be plugged into a display station, which not only provides an AC power supply, but also aesthetically frames the display device, providing a picture framing function as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Cynthia S. Bell, Gregg E. Hardy
  • Patent number: 6714797
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program for ordering, paying for and download digital products to a mobile device in a cost-effective manner. The mobile device includes a short range transceiver and a network transceiver. The mobile device accesses electronic shop server web sites which contain digital products for sale and hotspot network locations where these digital products may be downloaded to the mobile device via the short range transceiver. The hotspot network locations contain a hotspot device for transmitting the digital products to the mobile devices via the low power radio frequency signal of the short range transceivers when the mobile device has detected the low power radio frequency signal. Using this system, method and computer program, a user of a mobile device may download large amounts of digital data without incurring telephone or cellular phone charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Heikki Rautila
  • Patent number: 6683611
    Abstract: A presentation of textual material is provided in a “role-play” reading format which has text corresponding to the dialogue of a plurality of characters in order to facilitate reading aloud in a group. The text for the dialogue of a plurality of characters is presented in a different indicia throughout substantially all the presentation. Preferably the indicia is color so the dialogue for each character is in a different color. The text for each character is also selected and presented at a level corresponding to the reading level of the reader selecting or assigned to read each character. The text is preferably selected from among a plurality of texts pre-written at substantially different reading levels. The reading material can be presented on paper, or on media suitable for display on an electronic screen. The text for each character is in a size and font suitable for the reading level of the reader selecting or assigned to read the dialogue for the character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Dianna L. Cleveland
  • Patent number: 6680725
    Abstract: An electronic book comprising multiple, electronically addressable, page displays is described. Said page displays may be formed on flexible, thin substrates. Said book may additionally encompass memory, power, control functions and communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph M. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 6680715
    Abstract: An electronic baseball card and an associated adapter is disclosed for showing images of baseball players or other personalities. The card includes a flat body similar to a standard pre-printed baseball card with an electronic display and a memory storing imaging data. The display shows images based on the data from the memory. The stand includes its own memory and an external interface for receiving data from an external source and for storing it into its memory. When the card is coupled to the stand, the data from the stand memory may be transferred and stored in the card memory. In addition to images, the card and/or the stand can also display other information such as statistical or biographical information of one or more players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Time Warner Entertainment Co LP
    Inventors: Randolph M. Blotky, Gregory B. Thagard, John H. Dargan
  • Patent number: 6670950
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a main LCD panel hingedly coupled to a system body, and an auxiliary LCD panel mounted upon the system body. A video image is identically displayed on both the main LCD panel and the auxiliary LCD panel. Alternatively, a definition of the auxiliary LCD panel is lower than that of the main LCD panel. Although a user cannot look at a screen of the main LCD panel, the user can confirm a position of a pointer through a screen of the auxiliary LCD panel. Therefore, the user can precisely control the pointer using a touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Je Chin, Du-Il Kim
  • Publication number: 20030218604
    Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Wood, Tracey Hope Jedrzejek, Richard Glen Freeman, Mark Flowers, Eric Thomas Shuler, Margaret E. Grunert, Jason Avery
  • Patent number: 6650305
    Abstract: The present invention is a portable electronic video display. The display is configured to be worn on the arm or wrist of a user, or stored in a pocket or backpack. The display is raised to eye level and the user looks through an eyepiece to view the video display. Control buttons are located on the display for generating point and click type commands. The display is meant to be used remotely from a computer. The computer could be worn or carried by the person or simply be free standing, some distance away. The computer is configured to convert video signal into a serial data stream and then transmit that stream via an RF signal. The display then receives that signal and converts it back into a video signal, displaying it on a miniature electronic video display. That image is them magnified through various optics to present a final image to the user. The point and click commands are separately transmitted back to the computer, where they are received and acted upon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Havey, Steven A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6642909
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device for the display and input of text and data. The present invention provides a flat screen, which displays textual information, hinged to a keypad, which provides data entry. The electronic book also has two CD drives. The first of these drives is read only and its purpose is to read CD's that provide several textbooks for display on the screen. The second drive is writable and provides data entry storage. Students may use the keypad and writable CD drive to take notes in class and store them on a CD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony R. Oliva
  • Patent number: 6642921
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a hot spot is normally centered in an area of contact between a user's finger and a touch screen to position the hot spot on an icon or other feature thereby selecting a program or function corresponding to the icon or feature. When the contact area is near an edge, the hot spot is offset toward the edge so that it coincides more closely to the center of the users finger, thus allowing an icon or other feature adjacent the edge of the screen to be more easily selected. In another embodiment, a cursor is displayed on a touch screen at a location that is offset from the contact area between a finger and the screen. The cursor, which is used as the hot spot of the computer, is normally offset above the contact area except when the contact area is close to the bottom of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6639577
    Abstract: A portable information display device has a backlit touch-sensitive display screen and a housing. The housing has a bezel portion which defines a perimeter of the display screen. The bezel has location identification means which identify touch-responsive icon regions on the display screen. The location identification means allow the device to be used in poor lighting conditions or by the sight-impaired. The user can trace the bezel until finding the location identification means which corresponds to the desired icon region. The desired icon region can then be touched to manipulate the displayed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin F. Eberhard
  • Patent number: 6630939
    Abstract: A thin, flat, self-contained electronic display unit of substantially the same width and length as a standard letter-sized sheet of paper, with a flat display screen, an input port for receiving data from a selected computer, electronic circuitry for storing inputted data and making it available to the screen, and command buttons or keys enabling the user to select stored data for display on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Bryan K. Mills
  • Patent number: 6556228
    Abstract: Solar powered electronic display devices and methods are described. In one embodiment, a device comprises a housing (102) and a display area (104) within the housing to display content for a user. Memory (310, 312) is provided within the housing to hold data that is to be rendered into user-viewable content. An electrophotographic assembly (200) is provided within the housing and is configured to electrophotographically render user-viewable content from the data that is held in the memory. A loop of material (202) is disposed proximate the electrophotographic assembly (200) and is configured to receive electrophotographically rendered content and present the content for user viewing within the display area. A power source is provided and comprises a solar panel member (107) disposed on the housing for converting solar power into electrical power to power the device. The power source can also include one or more batteries, with the solar panel member supplementing the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Thomas Camis
  • Patent number: 6525750
    Abstract: A display system for a computer includes an image projector located in the computer and oriented to project a computer-generated image from the computer. Alternatively, the display system includes a screen and an image projector attached to the screen, where the screen is capable of receiving a computer-generated image projected by the image projector. Alternatively, the display system includes an image projector and a screen that is attached to the computer and that is capable of displaying an image projected by the image projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventor: Richard M. Knox
  • Patent number: 6525706
    Abstract: The electronic picture book of the present invention includes a plurality of pages graphically depicting or telling a story. The book further includes an LCD screen and a speaker to provide a reader with animation sequences and sounds that relate to the graphical pictures on the pages. A set of buttons is provided to trigger the animation sequences and sounds. While reading the book, each page indicates a button to depress. The reader, depressing the correct button, is then provided with animation sequences and sounds indicative to the graphic representations on the page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Rehkemper, Dennis J. O'Patka
  • Patent number: 6512497
    Abstract: An image information display device, such as an electronic book, that displays contents stored in a recording medium on a first screen and a second screen in which liquid crystal is used. The device includes means for paging through image information and means for screen selection. The means for screen selection is used to select a two-screen mode in which the contents are displayed on both the first and second screens or a one-screen mode in which an image is displayed on either of the screens. By selecting the one-screen mode, energy consumption may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kondo, Sadafusa Tsuji, Hideo Hotomi, Katsuyuki Nanba, Isao Hayami
  • Patent number: 6507336
    Abstract: A data entry mechanism for a handheld computer is provided. The data entry mechanism comprises: a plurality of keys configured to be actuated by a stylus of the handheld computer, each of the plurality of keys being electronically coupleable to the handheld computer and generating an electronic signal upon actuation by the stylus; and an encasement structure to retain the plurality of keys, the structure being engagable with a slot of the handheld computer. The data entry mechanism may be used to facilitate data input to a computing or a telecommunications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Michael Lunsford
  • Patent number: 6507342
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is comprised of a data input device for inputting informations, a memory for storing the informations input by the data input device, a processor for processing the informations in a form of a plurality of pages, a displaying device for displaying the informations formed in a unit of the pages, a device for registering image data in respect of owner name input by the data input device, a device for judging whether or not a predetermined process is done at one of the pages, and a device for storing the image data at a predetermined position of the one of the pages by a judged result of the judging device, wherein when the one of the pages is displayed, the stored image data is displayed with the informations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoshi Hirayama
  • Patent number: 6473058
    Abstract: An information display device can be structured as an electronic book which has a first screen and a second screen made of liquid crystal with a memory effect. A dry battery can be used as its power source section. The remaining electric power of the battery is detected by measuring the voltage, and immediately before the remaining electric power becomes a minimum voltage necessary for erasure of the screens, the first and second screens are reset so that the images displayed thereon can be erased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Hotomi, Takashi Kondo, Isao Hayami, Katsuyuki Nanba, Sadafusa Tsuji
  • Patent number: 6462729
    Abstract: A compact, light weight and display apparatus is formed with a display, a bulk storage means and a key signal entering are housed in a display operating unit which is provided as a separate case from a driving unit 11 for reproducing the data stored in a disc storage medium, so that when the two are connected to each other, the reproducing data read from the driving unit are transferred to the display operating unit, and is sequentially stored into the bulk storage. And when carrying it around, the display operating unit is to be disconnected, and the reproduced data stored in the bulk storage are displayed on the display based on the operation of the key signal entering. Therefore, the necessary data can be freely searched without carrying the thick and heavy driving unit, thus enhancing the convenience for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Morita
  • Patent number: 6459418
    Abstract: A process for creating an electronically addressable display includes multiple printing operations, similar to a multi-color process in conventional screen printing. In some of the process steps, electrically non-active inks are printed onto areas of the receiving substrate, and in other steps, electrically active inks are printed onto different areas of the substrate. The printed display can be used in a variety of applications. This display can be used as an indicator by changing state of the display after a certain time has elapsed, or when a certain pressure, thermal, radiative, moisture, acoustic, inclination, pH, or other threshold is passed. In one embodiment, the display is incorporated into a battery indicator. A sticker display is described. The sticker is adhesive backed and may then be applied to a surface to create a functional information display unit. This invention also features a display that is both powered and controlled using radio frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Barrett Comiskey, Joseph M. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 6437773
    Abstract: A notebook computer has a basic body comprising a bottom shell and a top shell. A display unit is arranged in a pivotable lid housing and a keyboard is detachably mounted on the top shell. A cutout is provided in the top shell and an outwardly directed electrical contact configuration is secured on an assembly that is attached to the basic body such that the contact configuration is secured in the cutout. The contact configuration is for electrically contacting the keyboard, which has a corresponding mating contact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH
    Inventors: Ingbert Kornmayer, Bernd Seidel, August Scherer, Jürgen Geiger, Christoph Mayer