Tactile Based Interaction Patents (Class 715/702)
  • Patent number: 9037991
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a processor, a memory for storing digital content and a display. The processor forms a content navigation bar for the digital content. The content navigation bar is rendered on the display and includes a first section marker corresponding to a first section of the digital content. A set of page markers corresponds to pages within the first section of the digital content. The set of page markers includes a boundary page marker. A second section marker is adjacent to the boundary page marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Babur Habib, Osman Rashid, Bradley S. Hochberg, Kyrie Robinson, Ann Sydeman, Paul S. Chambers, Mohnish Rao
  • Publication number: 20150128035
    Abstract: An information processing device includes processing circuitry that receives slide information from an operation unit regarding a slide operation performed on a displayed time that is slid across at least a portion of a display. The processing circuitry also changes a displayed image in accordance with time information associated with the slide operation of the displayed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Yu Takae
  • Publication number: 20150128036
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and electronic devices for moving a target element are provided herein. An exemplary method can be implemented on an electronic device having a display unit. The display unit can display a display interface. A selection signal can be received. A state of a target element on the display interface can be updated as a selected state according to the selection signal. A movement signal linked after the selection signal can be received. A notification message of a target location can be displayed following the movement signal on the display interface. A confirmation signal linked after the movement signal can be received. The target element can be moved to the target location based on the confirmation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: HUANHUAN XU, GUO ZHENG, BO PENG, JIE DENG, LILI XIANG, JIE YU, GANG LIU, CHAO FENG
  • Patent number: 9024880
    Abstract: An interactive system capable of improving image processing includes a reference device, a processing module and a controller. The reference device is used for transmitting and/or reflecting light signals within a predetermined spectrum. The processing module includes an image sensor, an estimation unit and a transmission interface. The image sensor is used for sensing an image so as to generate pixel signals; the estimation unit is used for determining static parameters of at least one image object according to the pixel signals; and the transmission interface is used for serially outputting the static parameters of the at least one image object. The controller is used for controlling operation of the interactive system according to the static parameters of the at least one image object outputted from the transmission interface. The image sensor, the estimation unit, and the transmission interface can all be formed on the same substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chia Chen, Chih-Hung Lu, Cho-Yi Lin, Tzu-Yi Chao
  • Patent number: 9024845
    Abstract: A method of controlling a head mounted display (HMD) according to one embodiment of the present specification includes the steps of detecting a first contact contacted with a nose pad of the HMD, detecting a second contact contacted with a temple of the HMD, if the first contact and the second contact are detected, operating in a wearing mode to activate a display unit and an audio input unit, if the first contact is not detected and the second contact is detected, operating in a mute mode to activate the display unit and inactivate the audio input unit, and if the first contact and the second contact are not detected, operating in a non-wearing mode to inactivate the display unit and the audio input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihwan Kim, Doyoung Lee, Sinae Chun, Yongsin Kim
  • Patent number: 9026932
    Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a computing device is described. The user interface has an edge navigation feature designed to facilitate navigation through digital content items, such as electronic books, in response to user input received via the touch-screen display. This navigation may be to an arbitrary point within the content, or to previously defined bookmarks. The user interface provides a representation of a virtual edge of the content object, such as a book or album. Presentation of this virtual edge, overlaid with bookmark indicators, allows the user to spatially visualize the position of content within the book, and select a desired location or bookmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Dixon
  • Patent number: 9025168
    Abstract: An information processing device includes: a display portion that can display a plurality of icons including first information; a detection portion that detects a contact to the display portion; and a control unit that, in a case in which the detection portion detects a contact having a trajectory encircling at least one icon displayed on the display portion in a state in which the icons are displayed on the display portion in a first display mode, displays the at least one icon in a second display mode with a greater display area and displays the at least one icon in a central region of the display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Ryuichi Nitta
  • Patent number: 9026951
    Abstract: An electronic device displays a first map view of a map that includes one or more map objects on a touch-sensitive display. While displaying the first map view, the device detects a first gesture of a first gesture type at a first location on the touch-sensitive display. The first location corresponds to a respective map object. In response to detecting the first gesture at the first location, the device enters a map view selection mode. While in the map view selection mode, the device detects a second gesture of a second gesture type at a second location on the touch-sensitive display. The second location corresponds to a respective location on the map. In response to detecting the second gesture at the second location, the device replaces the first map view with a second map view that includes a view of the respective map object from the respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Blumenberg
  • Patent number: 9020664
    Abstract: A method for displaying a flight path navigational procedure includes, but is not limited to, detecting with a position detecting system a current location of the aircraft, obtaining from an electronic storage device a plurality of flight path navigation procedures available for a geographic location, determining with a flight path analysis system a preferred flight path that will be taken by the aircraft, and displaying on a display unit a moving map corresponding with the current location of the aircraft and further displaying a depiction of the plurality of flight path navigation procedures on the moving map. The preferred flight path is displayed with a visual cue that visually differentiates the preferred flight path from the other flight paths of the plurality of flight path navigation procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Burgin, Pramod Kumar Malviya, Dave Pepitone, Jerry Ball
  • Patent number: 9021354
    Abstract: A user can make selections of one or more items, defined as a context, in a graphical user interface on a computer running software. The computer sends data to a connected wireless device, and the data is representative of the context. The wireless touch screen device displays one or more commands corresponding to the received context data and the commands can control the program on the computer. The wireless touch screen device then receives a user input on the wireless touch screen device to execute one of the one or more commands. The wireless touch screen device then sends the user command to the computer, wherein the computer executes the command and controls the program according to the user command. For example, this can allow remote control of a DAW, video-editing software, photo-editing software, and word processing software by a coupled wireless touch screen device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jan-Hinnerk Helms
  • Patent number: 9019228
    Abstract: One embodiment of the user interface system comprises: a volume of fluid; a tactile layer; a retaining wall substantially impermeable to the fluid; a permeable layer; a displacement device; and a touch sensor. The tactile layer, with a back surface, defines a second region, operable between: a retracted state, wherein the second region is substantially flush with a first region; and an expanded state, wherein the second region is substantially proud of the first region. The permeable layer, joined to the back surface of the first region, includes a plurality of fluid ports that communicate a portion of the fluid through the permeable layer to the back surface of the second region. The displacement device directs the fluid through the fluid ports to the back surface to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state. The touch sensor detects a user touch on the tactile layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Micah Yairi, Craig Ciesla, Nathaniel Mark Saal
  • Patent number: 9015584
    Abstract: A mobile device for providing a shortcut in the form of tactile feedback based on a user touch input and a method controlling the same are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes displaying a user interface; receiving a first touch input to the user interface for selecting an item from the displayed interface, wherein the first touch input is for setting a shortcut interface of the selected item; displaying a virtual image corresponding to the selected item in a first region based on the first touch input; receiving a second touch input to the user interface for moving the virtual image from the first region to a second region or for selecting the second region; and setting the shortcut interface of the selected item at the second region based on the second touch input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyorim Park
  • Patent number: 9013417
    Abstract: A user interface system including a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a first level fluid vessel arranged at a first level within the sheet and a second level fluid vessel arranged at a second level within the sheet, wherein both the first and second level fluid vessels are arranged underneath the surface; a first volume of fluid contained within the first level fluid vessel; a second volume of fluid contained within the second level fluid vessel; and a displacement device coupled to the first and second level fluid vessels that selectively manipulates the first and second volumes of fluid, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface to a first and second stage, respectively or deforming a first particular region and a second particular region of the surface, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Tactus Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Michael Ciesla, Micah B. Yairi, Nathaniel Mark Saal
  • Publication number: 20150106707
    Abstract: Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in a user interface device are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a process comprises defining a first cell, mapping a first location of a matrix with the defined first cell, and mapping a second location of the matrix with the defined first cell. The first cell comprises a first parameter representing a first haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny Grant, Pedro Gregorio, Neil T. Olien, Adam C. Braun
  • Patent number: 9009621
    Abstract: Disclosed is a user interface providing method for controlling a game play in a portable device. A user interface providing technology determines whether a received first touch input is a touch input for setting a GUI, determines a GUI setting mode, and activating at least one GUI element for controlling the game play in response to the GUI setting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nexon Korea Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Suk Ahn, Yu Kyoung Lim, Yoon Ji Park, Sung Hwan Yoon, Jae Sung Park, Young Jin Ahn
  • Patent number: 9000898
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic controller feedback system and method including an electrohydraulic operator controller and a feedback mechanism is disclosed. An operator controls a machine hydraulic function using the electrohydraulic operator controller, the feedback system senses a property of the hydraulic function, and generates tactile feedback in the electrohydraulic operator controller based on the sensed property. The electrohydraulic operator controller can be, for example, a joystick or control lever. The tactile feedback can be vibrations that vary based on the sensed property. The vibration can vary according to a profile relating the vibration amount to the sensed property. The profile can include portions of various shapes, for example, linear, exponential or parabolic, and can include breakpoints. The profile can include high sensitivity regions where small changes in the sensed property result in large vibration changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: James D. Matthews, Daniel J. Wallace
  • Patent number: 8997004
    Abstract: Techniques for real-time observation assessment are provided. The techniques, which are designed for educators, take advantage of handheld computers, desktop/laptop computers and Internet access in order to reduce the paperwork associated with conventional educational assessments. An array of instructional assessment applications are designed to run on handheld computers. The instructional assessment applications may be based on existing and widely used paper methodologies. A common Web-based platform for assessment application distribution, selection, download, data management and reporting is also provided. Users can then periodically synchronize instructional data (assessments, diagnostic results, notes and/or schedules) to the Web site. At the Web site, browser-based reports and analysis can be viewed, administered and shared via electronic mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Amplify Education, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Jason Berger, Gregory M. Gunn, John D. Stewart, Kenneth M. Gunn, Elizabeth Lynn, Nicole M. Adams, Anouk Markovits, Aaron Boyd
  • Publication number: 20150089360
    Abstract: Sizing of icons displayed on a home screen may be intelligently adapted. A sensor output is received indicating a measure of vibration of a mobile device. A database is queried for the measure of the vibration. The database stores different sizes for the icons associated with different measures of the vibration. One of the sizes is retrieved that is associated with the measure of the vibration. The icons on the home screen of the mobile device are sized according to the one of the sizes. The vibration experienced by the mobile device thus determines how the icons are sized on the home screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Arthur Richard Brisebois
  • Publication number: 20150089359
    Abstract: Icons displayed on a home screen may be intelligently adapted. A sensor output is received indicating a measure of vibration of a mobile device. A database is queried for the measure of the vibration. The database stores different iconic arrangements associated with different measures of the vibration. One of the iconic arrangements is retrieved that is associated with the measure of the vibration. The icons on the home screen of the mobile device are arranged according to the one of the arrangements. The vibration experienced by the mobile device thus determines how the icons are arranged on the home screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Arthur Richard Brisebois
  • Publication number: 20150089361
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for managing an electronic device are provided. The method comprises: determining a state of the electronic device; monitoring whether an instruction for invoking a notification component in the electronic device has been generated when the state of the electronic device satisfies a predetermined condition; and intercepting the instruction for invoking the notification component to prevent a notification event associated with the instruction from being executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Hongliang Gu, Hao Chen, Qian Zhao
  • Patent number: 8990732
    Abstract: This disclosure provides examples of computerized methods and software for receiving time-based interval selections on multi-touch devices. In one aspect, a time interval slider is displayed in a portion of a graphical user interface, where the time interval slider is a listing of time values in a single dimension at a first granularity level. A request is received via a multi-touch gesture to change from the first granularity level of time values to a second granularity level of time values in the time interval slider. In response, an updated set of time values at a second granularity level is displayed within the time interval slider. A selection of a first time value is received for a first endpoint in a time interval via a first touch input, and a selection of a second time value is received for a second endpoint in the time interval via a second touch input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Eckhard Farrenkopf, Hans-Juergen Richstein, Daniel Markwig
  • Patent number: 8988445
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing and recreating the feel of a surface are disclosed. A method for capturing a feel of a surface comprises contacting the surface with a handheld tool, recording data measured by the tool, and generating a texture model of the surface based on the recorded data. A method for recreating a feel of a surface comprises contacting a virtual surface with a handheld tool, determining an estimated contact force based on the data measured by the tool, generating a vibration waveform from a texture model based on the data measured by the tool; and actuating at least one actuator of the tool according to the vibration waveform. A system for capturing and recreating a feel of a surface comprises a handheld tool, a storage device, and a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Katherine J. Kuchenbecker, Joseph Romano, William McMahan, Nils Landin
  • Patent number: 8988369
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are provided for defining a touch gesture on a touch sensing device. The method can include receiving a touch gesture at the touch sensing device, determining that the touch gesture is not associated with any operations, and providing an indication of one or more operations the touch sensing device can perform in response to the touch gesture. The method can also include receiving a selection of an operation, and associating the touch gesture with the selected operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Fulcher, Gabriel Cohen, Paul Westbrook, Andrew Flynn
  • Patent number: 8988366
    Abstract: A technique for integrating a multi-touch surface into a desktop environment is disclosed. One or more multi-touch display devices are placed on the horizontal surface surrounding or beneath a keyboard or mouse. At least one region on the multi-touch surface is defined to display one or more user interface tools on the multi-touch surface. The one or more user interface tools displayed via the multi-touch surface may control or display information associated with desktop applications displayed via a primary display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc
    Inventors: Tovi Grossman, Justin Frank Matejka, George Fitzmaurice, Xiaojun Bi
  • Publication number: 20150082162
    Abstract: A method for performing a function of a display apparatus including, displaying, in response to a first user input being received on an edge area among a plurality of edge areas of a screen, a menu on the screen, the displayed menu comprising at least one item, and performing, in response to a selection of the at least one item from the displayed menu, performing a function corresponding to the selected item, and when an item is selected from the menu, a function corresponding to the selected the at least one item, wherein the displayed menu corresponds to the edge area among the plurality of edge areas where the first user input is received, and wherein at least one other menu corresponds to at least one edge area among the plurality of edge areas where the user input was not received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joo-yeon CHO, Min-jeong MOON, Sun-hwa KIM, Do-hyoung KIM, Yeon-hee JUNG, Sun CHOI
  • Publication number: 20150082163
    Abstract: Devices, methods and computer readable mediums storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for interacting with targets on a display, particularly in regards to devices utilizing a multi-touch display that are driven by gestures. The use of such devices, methods, and computer readable mediums storing a program allows the user to interact with devices through the use of multi-touch displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Volker ROTH
  • Patent number: 8982068
    Abstract: A device includes a housing, a processor that is coupled to the housing, the processor is configured to process a software program stored in a memory. A touch screen is coupled to the housing and configured to display graphical objects, wherein a sensor signal associated with a user's interaction with the touch screen is provided to the processor. A first actuator is coupled to the touch screen and positioned within the housing. The first actuator is configured to output a first haptic effect to the touch screen upon receiving a first activating signal from the processor. A second actuator is coupled to the housing and configured to output a second haptic effect to the housing upon receiving a second activating signal from the processor. The first activating signal is associated with a foreground event and the second activating signal is associated with a background event occurring in the software program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Robert W. Heubel
  • Patent number: 8977987
    Abstract: A computer-implemented user interface method include displaying an image on a graphical user interface of a mobile computing device, receiving a first user input indicating an intent to perform a zooming operation on the graphical user interface, transitioning the mobile computing device into a zooming mode in response to the user input, sensing motion of the mobile computing device in one or more of a plurality of directions, correlating the sensed motion in one or more of a plurality of directions with either a zooming in or a zooming out zooming direction, and changing a zoom level of the display of the image on the graphical user interface to correspond to the correlated zooming direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Korn, David Held
  • Patent number: 8976139
    Abstract: An electronic device 10 includes a casing 14, a display section 12 for displaying information, a touch panel 11 to be touched by the user, a connecting portion 16 for connecting together the casing 14 and the touch panel 11, a vibrating section 13 for vibrating the touch panel 11, and a vibration control section 33 for controlling the vibration of the vibrating section 13. The vibration control section 33 controls the vibration so as to generate a greater vibration when the touch panel 11 is supported only by the connecting portion 16 than when the touch panel 11 is supported by the connecting portion 16 and another point of support other than the connecting portion 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Koga, Ryo Okumura
  • Patent number: 8977319
    Abstract: Disclosed are a portable electronic device and a method for controlling the portable electronic device wherein it is possible to use an application enabling an easy input of characters. The portable electronic device is provided with a starting unit, a display unit, a detection unit, and a control unit. The starting unit starts the application enabling the input of characters. The display unit displays a screen based on the application. The detection unit detects a contact to the display unit. The control unit causes the starting unit to start the application when identifying, while a standard screen is displayed on the display unit, the track of the contact to the display unit according to the contact to the display unit detected by the detection unit and determining from the detected track of the contact that characters are being inputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8976131
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing device including a display control unit configured to acquire hover coordinates on the touch screen in accordance with a transition of mode to a hover mode, and determine both the acquired hover coordinates and coordinates obtained by adding a desired offset value to the hover coordinates as a range of a hover display to be displayed on the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Fuminori Homma, Ikuo Yamano, Shunichi Kasahara, Tatsushi Nashida
  • Publication number: 20150067495
    Abstract: An electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface, a display, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface displays a user interface object having a plurality of activation states; detects a contact on the touch-sensitive surface; and detects an increase of intensity of the contact from a first intensity to a second intensity. In response to detecting the increase in intensity, the device: changes activation states M times, and generates a tactile output on the touch-sensitive surface corresponding to each change in activation state. The device detects a decrease of intensity of the contact from the second intensity to the first intensity; and in response to detecting the decrease in intensity, the device: changes activation states N times, and generates a tactile output on the touch-sensitive surface corresponding to each change in activation state, where N is different from M.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Avi E. Cieplinski, May-Li Khoe, Nicholas Zambetti
  • Publication number: 20150067497
    Abstract: An electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and a display displays a user interface object on the display, detects a contact on the touch-sensitive surface, and detects a first movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface, the first movement corresponding to performing an operation on the user interface object, and, in response to detecting the first movement, the device performs the operation and generates a first tactile output on the touch-sensitive surface. The device also detects a second movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface, the second movement corresponding to reversing the operation on the user interface object, and in response to detecting the second movement, the device reverses the operation and generates a second tactile output on the touch-sensitive surface, where the second tactile output is different from the first tactile output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Avi E. Cieplinski, May-Li Khoe, Bianca C. Costanzo
  • Publication number: 20150067496
    Abstract: An electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and a display displays a user interface object on the display, detects a contact on the touch-sensitive surface, and detects a first movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface, the first movement corresponding to performing an operation on the user interface object, and, in response to detecting the first movement, the device performs the operation and generates a first tactile output on the touch-sensitive surface. The device also detects a second movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface, the second movement corresponding to reversing the operation on the user interface object, and in response to detecting the second movement, the device reverses the operation and generates a second tactile output on the touch-sensitive surface, where the second tactile output is different from the first tactile output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Julian Missig, Jeffrey Traer Bernstein
  • Patent number: 8970531
    Abstract: A tactile sensation providing apparatus determines a touched object and stores touch information based on the object in a memory unit 16. When an object in current touch information does not match an object in previous touch information stored in the memory unit 16, the tactile sensation providing unit 12 provides a first tactile sensation. When these objects match each other, the tactile sensation providing unit 12, based on the current touch information and the previous touch information, provides the first tactile sensation or a second tactile sensation, which is different from the first tactile sensation and provided with lower power than that for providing the first tactile sensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Takeda
  • Patent number: 8972891
    Abstract: An interactive input system, method and computer readable medium for handling objects representing annotations on an interactive input system are disclosed. The method includes creating an annotation on the interactive input system, associating the annotation with a temporary grouping region, and in the event that a threshold amount of time passes before a further annotation is created within a threshold distance of the temporary grouping region, disabling the temporary grouping region to thereafter prevent automatic grouping with the annotation of any further annotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Alexander Garin, Ann Dang Pham, Kathryn Rounding, Kenny Tsang, Tom Willekes
  • Patent number: 8972879
    Abstract: At a multifunction device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, a plurality of objects are displayed on the display. The plurality of objects have a first layer order. A first contact is detected at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a location of a respective object of the plurality of objects. While detecting the first contact, a gesture that includes a second contact is detected on the touch-sensitive surface. In response to detecting the gesture, the plurality of objects are reordered in accordance with the gesture to create a second layer order that is different from the first layer order. In some embodiments, the position of the respective object within the first order is different from the position of the respective object within the second order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Migos, Jay Christopher Capela, Christopher Douglas Weeldreyer, William John Thimbleby, Elizabeth Gloria Guarino Reid
  • Publication number: 20150058723
    Abstract: An electronic device, with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, includes one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface. The device displays a user interface object on the display. The device further detects a press input on the touch-sensitive surface while a focus selector is at a first location in a user interface. In response to detecting the press input on the touch-sensitive surface, upon determining that the press input has an intensity above a predefined activation threshold, the device moves the user interface object directly to the first location in the user interface; and upon determining that the press input has an intensity below the predefined activation threshold and meets gradual-movement criteria, the device moves the user interface object toward the first location in the user interface in accordance with the intensity of the press input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Avi E. Cieplinski, May-Li Khoe
  • Publication number: 20150058722
    Abstract: A signal associated with multiple haptic effects is received, each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects being associated with a time slot from multiple time slots. Each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects is associated with an effect slot from multiple effect slots at least partially based on the time slot associated with that haptic effect. An output signal is sent for each effect slot from the multiple effect slots, when the associated haptic effect is scheduled for its time slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Juan Manuel CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Henrique D. DA COSTA, Danny A. GRANT, Robert A. LACROIX
  • Patent number: 8963842
    Abstract: An integrated user interface has a sensory surface operable to receive a selection signal from a user and send a corresponding command signal within a software system. The integrated user interface has a plurality of tactile features operable to provide a user with tactile feedback corresponding to the selection signal received by the sensory surface when simultaneously selected by the user. A method of integrating the hardware and software functionality for a user interface is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Andrews, Michael D. Tschirhart
  • Publication number: 20150052430
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable mediums for selecting a subset of content items from a plurality of content items on a user device using various gestures are provided. Such methods may include displaying a plurality of content items on a touch-sensing display interface of a user device, detecting a first tactile gesture on the touch-sensing display interface, the first tactile gesture engaging a selection mode, detecting a second tactile gesture on the touch-sensing display interface, the second touch gesture selecting and placing at least one of the plurality of content items in a subset of content items, and in response to the detected gestures, performing an action with the subset of content items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Dropbox, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael DWAN
  • Patent number: 8959013
    Abstract: A method, including presenting, by a computer system executing a non-tactile three dimensional user interface, a virtual keyboard on a display, the virtual keyboard including multiple virtual keys, and capturing a sequence of depth maps over time of a body part of a human subject. On the display, a cursor is presented at positions indicated by the body part in the captured sequence of depth maps, and one of the multiple virtual keys is selected in response to an interruption of a motion of the presented cursor in proximity to the one of the multiple virtual keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Micha Galor, Ofir Or, Shai Litvak, Erez Sali
  • Patent number: 8959435
    Abstract: Touchscreen electronics for detecting debris on a display screen of a touchscreen system and alerting a user to the presence of the debris broadly comprises a plurality of transmitters, a plurality of receivers, and a controller. Each transmitter may transmit at least one beam across the display screen. The receivers may detect the beams from the transmitters, and each receiver may generate a receive signal. The controller communicates with the transmitters and the receivers and may be configured to analyze the receive signals to determine if debris may be present on the display screen. If so, then the controller may generate an alert signal to indicate that the display screen needs to be cleaned or examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Joseph L. Komer, Ted D. Mabie, David M. Dixon, Clayton C. Vondrasek
  • Patent number: 8957918
    Abstract: Methods for activating multi-touch functionality by recognizing and processing multi-touch interactions on a touch surface of non-multi-touch computing devices. The computing device may detect a jump from the location of the first touch event to determine that a multiple touch gesture is being traced. Virtual touch events are detected and stored. Using mathematical formulae, parameters are calculated based on initial and subsequent virtual touch event locations. Based on these parameters the multi-touch functionality is determined, such as a zooming or rotating function. A transform factor may be determined and applied to the image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Sri Venkatesh Godavari
  • Patent number: 8958747
    Abstract: A mobile terminal which can enter a content share mode, a mobile terminal system, and a method for controlling the operation of the same are provided. After entering a content share mode, a mobile terminal can transmit and receive content to and from another mobile terminal which is in the content share mode and within a predetermined distance. The mobile terminal can also specify a content transmission format. Before the content is transmitted, the content may be displayed on another mobile terminal using a thumbnail of the content. Users can conveniently transmit content between mobile terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmin Baek, Eunhae Cho, Jaehee Chung, Namhoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8954848
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a morphable pad and display configured for tactile control. The system comprises a display for displaying a user interface comprising a layout of vehicle control features. The display is configured to highlight a portion of the layout associated with a received highlight input, and to update the layout based on a received selection input. A morphable pad is connected to the display and comprises an array of switches. Each switch is configured to receive highlight input and selection input. The switches are also configured to adjust in tactile feel to match the layout, and to reconfigure in tactile feel responsive to a change in the layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nick Scheufler, Steven Feit, Dave Choi, Ross Miller
  • Patent number: 8954890
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display screen, and computing hardware to execute a software product. Executing the software product results in generating and rendering a graphical user interface on the display screen to facilitate user interaction. The graphical user interface, when rendered, presents one or more graphical objects, a pointer object configured to be movable over one or more of the one or more graphical objects, and configured to invoke a menu list containing one or more user selectable options as the pointer object is clicked or tapped over the one or more of the one or more of the graphical objects. A user selectable option is selected the pointer object swipes a touch sensitive object and the software product can maintain an effect corresponding to the selected option to be applied to the graphical objects and enable a change in status of the graphical objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Supercell Oy
    Inventors: Timur Haussila, Touko Tahkokallio, Mikko Hokkanen
  • Patent number: 8952905
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating an image display device using a pointing device includes displaying, on a display of the image display device, a handwriting region, receiving a pointing signal from the pointing device, determining whether a location of an image based on positional information corresponding to the received pointing signal is included in the handwriting region, and displaying the image corresponding to the received pointing signal at a boundary area of the handwriting region closest to the location when the location of the image is determined to be not included in the handwriting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Youk Kwon, Joomin Kim, Gyuseung Kim, Janghee Lee, Jaekyung Lee, Youngwan Lim, Sijin Kim, Kunsik Lee, Sanghyun Cho
  • Publication number: 20150040005
    Abstract: A mobile computing device can include one or more haptic devices and a haptic output module. Responsive to receiving an indication of an instruction for the mobile computing device to perform a task, the haptic output module can be operable to cause at least one haptic device of the one or more haptic devices to output, for a period of time based on a duration of the task, a haptic signal having a characteristic that indicates a progress of performance of the task by the mobile computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Faaborg, Gabriel Aaron Cohen
  • Patent number: 8949716
    Abstract: A device and method for adjusting the target size of display images based on the detection of an input device is disclosed. The device (10) includes an input device detection circuit (56) operative to provide a detection signal (57) in response to the detection of an input device (36); and a device controller (50) operative to adjust the size of a target (16-26) presented on a display (14) in response to the detection signal (57). The method of the present invention includes detecting the presence of an input device; and adjusting the size of the targets present on a display in response to input device detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Robert Strong, Timothy Bruns, Jeremy Jobling