Electromechanical Controls (joystick, Trackball, Mouse, Etc.) Patents (Class 348/211.7)
  • Patent number: 6608648
    Abstract: An array of photosensors, used for imaging in a digital camera, is used to detect pressure, for example pressing by a finger, on an attached lens cap. The location of the pressure may be used to directly position a cursor, or the location of the pressure may be used to control direction of movement of a cursor. The lens cap is designed so that pressure on an outer layer changes reflectance or color of an area on an inner layer. For example, an inner layer may be translucent and dark and separated by a gap from a light colored outer layer. When the outer layer is pressed against the inner layer, the area of contact has an increased reflectance. Alternatively, the inner layer may be transparent, and a colored liquid may separate the inner layer from a light colored outer layer. When the outer layer is pressed against the inner layer, the area where all the liquid is displaced has the color of the outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Heather N. Bean
  • Publication number: 20030137589
    Abstract: An OSD circuit superimposes a mask image on a video imaged by a camera main body in a camera device. A microcomputer performs processing for changing the position where a mask image is displayed (superimposed) within a range of imaging with the camera device on the basis of a signal representing the pan/tilt position of the camera device. At this time, when the mask image is moved in the pan direction from an area where the initial position of the mask image is set, the position and the size of the mask image are corrected depending on the amount of movement of the mask image and the tilt angle of the camera device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Kazunori Miyata
  • Patent number: 6577340
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating video signals from a photographic image previously recorded on film (a cine-video system) which includes a film transport mechanism for advancing or rewinding the film in order to position a film frame at a film gate for projection, an image projector which detects when a film frame is positioned at the film gate and projects an illuminated image of that frame, a video pickup system which receives the image and generates a video signal which represents it, and an output circuit which produces a resultant output video signal. A window generating capability provides for optional enhancement of the video signal within a user-selectable range of video signal values. One or more cursors may be superimposed on the video image, and measurements to determine the distance between two such cursors may be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erhan H. Gunday, Michael Doliton, Paul Foung, John R. Lee
  • Patent number: 6563533
    Abstract: A ergonomically designed apparatus for selectively actuating remote robotics cameras. The present invention enables an operator to leave his hand on the robotics controller while selecting any one of several remote robotics cameras. In one embodiment, a selector unit comprises twelve buttons each corresponding to one remote robotics cameras arranged in two columns. The robotics controller, comprising a joystick having a rotatable knob on a top end, is juxtaposed adjacent to a vertical side of the columns of buttons such that an operator may adjust the robotics controller while simultaneously selecting the remote robotics cameras. The camera selector may include a first circuit board containing passive electronics perpendicularly coupled to a second circuit board containing active electronics. The first circuit board and the buttons may be mounted to the face panel by closely placed screws and heavy spacers designed to withstand physical shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Colby