Tactile Based Interaction Patents (Class 715/702)
  • Patent number: 8863038
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for displaying an image at an electronic device are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, an electronic device is disclosed that includes a first panel having a first display surface to display a graphical user interface element associated with an application. The electronic device also includes a second panel having a second display surface. The first display surface is separated from the second display surface by a gap. A processor is configured to execute program code including a graphical user interface. The processor is configured to launch or close the application in response to user input causing a movement of the graphical user interface element in relation to the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Bennett M. King, Dimosthenis Kaleas, Sten Jorgen Ludvig Dahl, Mark A. Charlebois, Robert S. Daley, Thomas E. Kilpatrick, II
  • Patent number: 8856689
    Abstract: An electronic device, a mobile communication terminal, method and computer program product for editing data The method of editing data of an electronic device displays an item list comprising at least one item; detecting first and second touch inputs and detects a change in a distance between first and second touch input points. The method executes a predetermined function related to the item list according to the detected distance change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Serk Park
  • Patent number: 8856648
    Abstract: An electronic interaction apparatus is provided with a processing unit. The processing unit detects a drag event on a touch screen to indicate a first position to which a menu item is moved, and determines whether the first position corresponds to a page indicator other than a currently highlighted page indicator. If so, the processing unit further configures the touch screen to display a plurality of first menu items corresponding to the page indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsin Yang, Xiaomeng Yan
  • Publication number: 20140289620
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses method and device for triggering operations via interface components. The method comprises: triggering movement of a floating window corresponding to an interface component by operating on the floating window; moving the floating window to a first region; triggering a release command to release the floating window in the first region; running the interface component corresponding to the floating window in accordance with the release command. The device comprises: a triggering module that triggers movement of a floating window corresponding to an interface component by operating on the floating window; a movement module that moves the floating window to a first region; a release module that triggers a release command to release the floating window in the first region; and a running module that runs the interface component corresponding to the floating window in accordance with the release command. The present disclosure greatly enhances operational convenience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Zhao Liang XIE, Wen Liang TANG, Xing ZENG, Rui Tian CAI
  • Patent number: 8843854
    Abstract: A method for executing a menu in a mobile terminal is disclosed, wherein the method includes displaying a first icon on a touch screen of the mobile terminal, receiving a first multi touch gesture pattern on the first icon, and displaying at least one second icon upon recognition of the first multi-gesture pattern, the at least one second icon a sub icon of the first icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Se Sook Oh, Ho Jae Jung, Moon Kyung Kim
  • Publication number: 20140281957
    Abstract: A method of receiving user input includes operating a software program in a first operating mode and modifying a graphical interface of the software program in response to receiving gesture. The method also includes receiving a haptic input and operating the software program in a second operating mode in response to the haptic input. In the second operating mode, the gesture produces a different modification to the graphical interface than in the first operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fuliang Weng, Zhongnan Shen
  • Publication number: 20140281954
    Abstract: Systems and methods for haptic and gesture-driven paper simulation are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving an electronic document; receiving metadata associated with the electronic document, the metadata comprising a characteristic indicating a type of paper; generating and transmitting a display signal configured to cause display of the at least a portion of the document; and generating and transmitting a haptic signal based on the type of paper, the haptic signal configured to cause a haptic output device to generate a haptic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ullrich, David M. Birnbaum, Marcus Aurelius Bothsa
  • Publication number: 20140281956
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a controller that is configured to execute an iconic menu system. A display is coupled to the controller and configured to display icons generated by the controller. A plurality of sensors are coupled to the controller and configured to detect a movement of the electronic device. Memory is also coupled to the controller. The controller is further configured to execute a selected one of a plurality of functions in response to the movement, the function being associated with a selected icon of the iconic menu system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Glen J. Anderson, Jose K. Sia, JR., Lenitra M. Durham, Jared S. Bauer
  • Publication number: 20140281958
    Abstract: Interactive content may be presented to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. One or more state parameters that are related to the position of the peripheral may be determined. The peripheral may be identified from a plurality of possible peripherals. The interactive content may be adjusted based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. Haptic feedback to be provided to the user may be determined based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. BIRNBAUM, Danny A. GRANT, Robert W. HEUBEL
  • Publication number: 20140281955
    Abstract: Technologies for sharing information between computing devices comprises determining a location of a recipient destination computing device relative to a source computing device and transmitting information data to the recipient destination computing device based on an input gesture received on the source computing device and the relative location of the recipient computing device. The information data is usable by the recipient destination computing device to access the shared information. The input gesture may be embodied as a tactile or non-tactile gesture that indicates the relative location of the recipient computing device to which the information is to be shared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Mark E. Sprenger
  • Patent number: 8839155
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is performed at a multifunction device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes detecting multiple input gestures by a user, beginning with an initial input gesture. For each input gesture after the initial input gesture, the method scrolls information on the display at a respective scrolling speed. The respective scrolling speed is determined based on the respective input gesture movement speed in the input gesture and a movement multiplier. The method determines whether the respective input gesture meets one or more swipe gesture criteria, and determines whether the respective input gesture meets one or more successive gesture criteria. When the input gesture meets the one or more swipe gesture criteria and the one or more successive gesture criteria, the method updates the movement multiplier in accordance with one or more movement multiplier adjustment criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Bas Ording
  • Publication number: 20140258853
    Abstract: A computer-implemented user interface method for a computing device is disclosed. The method includes associating each of a plurality of telephone keys with a direction of each key relative to a center of a telephone keypad, receiving a contact from a user of the device at a location on a touchscreen display of a computing device and an input at a direction relative to the location of the user contact, and causing a telephone number to be entered on the computing device based on the direction of each key relative to the center of the telephone keypad corresponding to the direction relative to the location of the user contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Tiruvilwamalai Venkatram Raman, Charles L. Chen
  • Publication number: 20140258854
    Abstract: A media program is displayed on a touch-sensitive screen of an electronic device. On the touch-sensitive screen, a scroll bar and an indicator are displayed. The indicator is configured to be moved along the scroll bar in a first direction or a second direction. A movement of the indicator in the first direction along the scroll bar causes the media program to be navigated forward in time, and a movement of the indicator in the second direction along the scroll bar causes the media program to be navigated backward in time. The indicator is moved along the scroll bar in one of the first and second directions in response to a user engagement of the touch-sensitive screen. The moving of the indicator comprises snapping the indicator to a predefined location on the scroll bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Qing Li
  • Patent number: 8830188
    Abstract: An interactive wall provides tactile feedback based on detected touch and displayed content on the wall surface. Upon detecting a touch on the wall surface, the interactive wall provides real time tactile feedback corresponding to the touch employing one or more actuators. The interactive wall itself may serve as projection surface for the display or a wall-size display be affixed to the wall trans-conducting tactile feedback to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William Verthein, Josh Watson, Stephen Lee
  • Patent number: 8826128
    Abstract: Methods, computer systems, and computer storage media are provided for initiating clinical actions associated with a clinical object on a touch screen interface using incremental gestures. A clinical object is presented in an object row on the touch screen interface, and clinical actions associated with the clinical object are determined. A user gesture comprising an incremental gesture of the object row in a first direction is detected; the incremental gesture reveals an indicator associated with one of the clinical actions. The indicator is revealed after the incremental gesture has traveled a first distance. The action is initiated upon release of the incremental gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Jeffrey Reynolds, Tyler Biethman, Matt Henkes
  • Patent number: 8826137
    Abstract: A screen reader software product for low-vision users, the software having a reader module collecting textual and non-textual display information generated by a web browser or word processor. Font styling, interface layout information and the like are communicated to the end user by sounds broadcast simultaneously rather than serially with the synthesized speech to improve the speed and efficiency in which information may be digested by the end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian D. Hofstader, Glen Gordon, Eric Damery, Ralph Ocampo, David Baker, Joseph K. Stephen
  • Patent number: 8826341
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver controlled by a screen remote controller and a space remote controller and controlling method, the method including according to an embodiment displaying a screen remote controller, partitioning a portion of a whole screen of the broadcast receiver into at least two control regions, displaying a pointer to enable a first pointing signal outputted from the space remote controller to indicate one control region of the screen remote controller, receiving a second pointing signal from the space remote controller, and executing a function corresponding to the one control region indicated by the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dae Young Jung
  • Publication number: 20140245139
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing feedback in a portable apparatus are provided. An object is displayed on a touch screen of the portable apparatus. A first touch, from an input unit, is detected at a position on the touch screen corresponding to the displayed object. The object is selected in response to the first touch. A copy command by which the selected object is copied to a copy target is received from the input unit. A first control command corresponding to haptic feedback determined in response to the received copy command is transmitted from the portable apparatus to the input unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Youn LEE, Jin-Hyoung Park, Sang-Hyup Lee
  • Patent number: 8819581
    Abstract: An information processing device capable of processing navigation information is provided. A touch panel can display images and can receive a user's touch operation. An image generation section generates a navigation image including a map image and a plurality of operation button images for receiving the touch operation, the images being displayed on the touch panel. A plurality of operation button images include a first operation button image related to a navigation function and a second operation button image related to a plurality of functions other than the navigation function. The image generation section generates a first image which is obtained by combining the navigation image and the first operation button image and a second image which includes the second operation button. The first image and the second image are respectively displayed in a first display region and a second display region. The first display region and the second display region are separated by a movable boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Fumitake Nakamura, Noriyuki Kamikawa, Takahiro Nakagawa, Satoru Nagamoto, Takashi Ohta, Takaho Okada, Hideki Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8816979
    Abstract: A method and device for determining a single touch or multiple touches is disclosed. A touch related sensing information with a single zero-crossing is used for determining a pair of values, and the locations of a pair of centroids are calculated depending on the pair of values. The distance between the locations of the pair of centroids can be used to determine whether the number of touches is one or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Egalax—Empia Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Fu Chang, Cheng-Han Lee, Chi-Hao Tang, Shun-Lung Ho
  • Patent number: 8818624
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for configuring the touch-sensitive area and/or the tap duration associated with a plurality of touch-sensitive soft buttons of a vehicle user interface in response to varying vehicle conditions. In particular, as a monitored vehicle condition deteriorates, the system controller coupled to the vehicle user interface expands the touch-sensitive region and/or increases the tap duration of the touch-sensitive soft buttons, thereby improving the user's ability to successfully interact with the interface. Vehicle conditions that may be monitored and used to configure the touch-sensitive area and/or tap duration include passenger cabin vibration levels, vehicle speed, turn radius, lateral force levels, precipitation levels and external ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Small, Michael Fairman
  • Publication number: 20140237360
    Abstract: A portable electronic device displays icons (e.g., graphical objects) in one or more regions of a user interface of a touch-sensitive display, and detects user input specifying an exchange of positions of icons in the user interface. In some aspects, the respective positions of two icons in a user interface can be selected to exchange positions in the one or more regions of the user interface, and one or both icons can change their visual appearance to indicate their selection status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Imran A. CHAUDHRI, Bas ORDING, Steven JOBS
  • Patent number: 8810522
    Abstract: A method for selecting a graphic widget displayed on a background of an interactive input system comprises tracking one or more touch points associated with the background, and in the event that one or more touch points coincide with a location of the graphic widget, associating the coinciding touch points with the graphic widget.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Edward Tse, Kathryn Rounding
  • Patent number: 8806336
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including an operating tool detector for detecting a touch state of an operating tool with a display panel; a display controller for, when change of a pointing direction of the operating tool is detected by the operating tool detector on an object selected on the display panel, controlling the display panel to display near the object an operation menu containing one or more operation items I selectable for the object; and an operation item selecting portion for, when the operation menu is displayed, selecting one of the operation items in accordance with the change in the pointing direction of the operating tool detected by the operating tool detector from the operation menu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Miyazawa, Fuminori Homma, Tomoya Narita, Tatsushi Nashida
  • Patent number: 8806378
    Abstract: A mobile phone messaging system and method for managing display of messages to mobile phone users. A mobile client application operates at user's mobile phone. Mobile content providers manage the display of messages and related interactions throughout a specific period of time (e.g., daily, weekly, bi-weekly). Phone wakeup time data and message identifying data are transmitted from a mobile content provider server to a mobile phone. The wakeup time data and message identifying data are stored in the phone. The wakeup times are also added to a registry at the phone that facilitates launching of applications at the times indicated in the registry. At the specified wakeup times, the mobile client application determines the message identifying data associated with the wakeup time, connects to the mobile content provider server, and provides the message identifying data. The provider responds with a specific message and the mobile client application displays the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Humana Innovations Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Schwarzberg, Timothy J. Dion
  • Patent number: 8806280
    Abstract: APIs to test a device are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a housing, one or more sensors supported by the housing, and one or more modules disposed within the housing that are implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are configured to process inputs detected using the one or more sensors and expose one or more application programming interfaces to a robot to cause the robot to perform one or more operations that are detectable by the one or more sensors, the one or more operations usable to test detection performed by the one or more sensors and the processing of the inputs performed by the one or more modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alan W. Stephenson, Xiao Tu, Scott S. Sheehan, Robert K. Mickle, Changsin Lee
  • Patent number: 8799778
    Abstract: A user interface includes a tactile interface on a client device that allows users to interact with social networking system content in a manner that is optimized for touch screens and mobile devices. The tactile interface allows users to efficiently navigate the social networking system data as well as to capture new content for upload to the social networking system. New content may be captured in a way that allows the user to preview the content in-context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: William Joseph Flynn, III, Michael Dudley Johnson, Hsi Wang
  • Patent number: 8799777
    Abstract: A system and method for disambiguating a selection made on a touch-screen display is provided. Embodiments of the present invention determine when selectable objects are either too small or too closely spaced together to be easily selected through a touch-screen display. The selectablity of these objects may be improved by presenting them for selection in an enhanced presentation. The enhanced presentation may be generated by zooming into selectable objects or rerendering the display to increase the space between the selectable objects. Display of the enhanced presentation may be triggered by detecting selection of a selectable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Woojae Lee, Cesar Perez, Ryan Patrick Dreiling, Jason D. Cole
  • Publication number: 20140215329
    Abstract: A computerized system for facilitating eye-free use, e.g. by the blind, of an electronic device, the system comprising an interface layer including a hierarchy of operating modes presenting a portion of a hierarchy of possible choices, each portion comprising possible users' choices within the hierarchy; and an OS for accepting, via a touch screen, selected options generated by the user responsive to the sequence of possible choices respectively, and for activating electronic device functionalities accordingly. The hierarchy of possible choices includes sequences of n possible choices presented within sequences of n operating modes having n predetermined archetypical formats each having at least one fixed characteristic. The interface layer includes an orientation signal generator for generating orientation signals, sensible by the user and uniquely associated with the archetypical formats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: PROJECT RAY LTD
    Inventors: Boaz ZILBERMAN, Michael VAKULENKO, Arik SIEGEL, Ehud NACHUM
  • Patent number: 8791798
    Abstract: There is provided a haptic feedback device, including: a vibrating member coupled to a fixed body; and a vibrating element formed on the vibrating member to vibrate the vibrating member, wherein the vibrating member has a plurality of fixed points coupled to the fixed body while allowing a length thereof, vibrated by the vibrating element, to be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeon Ho Son, Dong Sun Park, Jae Kyung Kim, Dae Woong Yun
  • Patent number: 8793608
    Abstract: A dual-screen user device and methods for revealing a combination of desktops on single and multiple screens are disclosed. Specifically, a determined number of desktops and/or running applications can be selectively displayed on dual screen displays conditioned upon inputs received and the state of the device. Desktop displays and applications can be selectively shifted between the screens by user gestures, or moved off of the screens by other user gestures and hidden. The hidden desktops and screens can be re-displayed by yet another gesture. The desktops and applications are arranged in a window stack that represents a logical order of the desktops and applications. Desktops and applications can be selectively launched and added to the window stack. The user can also select where the desktops/applications are to be inserted and where they are first to be displayed after being launched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sirpal, Paul Reeves, Alexander de Paz, Jared Ficklin, Denise Burton
  • Publication number: 20140208204
    Abstract: A haptic device includes a display configured to display an image, a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to a user when the user interacts with the display, and a processor configured to receive information related to the image displayed on the display. The processor is also configured to create a friction based haptic effect map associated with the image displayed on the display, and generate a signal to the haptic output device to output the haptic effect when the user interacts with the display when the image is displayed on the display, the haptic effect being configured to simulate a feel of the image in three dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Vincent Levesque
  • Patent number: 8788954
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for use at a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display includes displaying a web page or portion thereof on the touch screen display. An activation of an options icon is detected. In response, a plurality of icons including a web-clip widget creation icon is displayed. An activation of the web-clip widget creation icon is detected; in response, a web-clip widget is created corresponding to the displayed web page or portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen O. Lemay, Richard Williamson, Scott Forstall, Chris Blumenberg, Timothy P. Omernick
  • Patent number: 8786555
    Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and a touchscreen device manipulating user-input elements are provided. Generally, manipulation includes identifying a predefined configuration associated with a request received from a user and/or application, deriving configuration settings from the predefined configuration, and transmitting the configuration settings to an electromechanical device that adjusts a portion of user-input elements to an extended orientation and activates a portion of user-input elements. In embodiments, the extended user-input elements positioned in the extended orientation are activated, while the remainder are set to an idle condition. Typically, the extended user-input elements produce outwardly-extending protrusions expressed at a flexible touchpad incorporated in the touchscreen device. These outwardly-extending protrusions may replicate keys of a standard keyboard and correspond with the presently-running application implemented on the touchscreen device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Eric M. Bloomcamp, Shane R. Werner, Warren B. Cope
  • Patent number: 8780108
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for simulating a material. In particular, the disclosed apparatus, systems and methods involve modeling deformation characteristics of a material and generating a virtual representation of a physical interaction with the material based on the modeled deformation characteristics of the material and data representative of the physical interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Marc S. Ellens, Francis Lamy, Adrian Kohlbrenner
  • Patent number: 8782550
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, for display at a presence-sensitive display, a graphical user interface including a text display region and a graphical keyboard. The method further includes receiving an indication of a first gesture detected at a location within the text display region, and selecting, based at least in part on the location within the text display region, at least a portion of a character string included in the text display region. The method further includes receiving, while the first gesture is detected at the presence-sensitive display, an indication of at least a portion of a second gesture to select at least one key of the graphical keyboard, and outputting, responsive to receiving an indication of a termination of at least the second gesture, a replacement character string for display within the text display region to replace the portion of the character string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Edward Patridge, Yu Ouyang
  • Patent number: 8780057
    Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus including an operation display unit for displaying a display screen and detecting an operation location on the display screen based upon a user operation on the display screen, a pressure detecting unit including a plurality of pressure sensors for detecting a pressure value according to the user operation on the operation display unit for each of the plurality of pressure sensors, an operation type determining unit for determining a type of the user operation, a deriving unit for selectively deriving a barycentric location on the display screen based upon detection results from the plurality of pressure sensors, based upon a determination result from the operation type determining unit, and an estimating unit for estimating a pressure value on the operation location, based upon a derivation result from the deriving unit and upon information of barycentric location candidates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Fuminori Homma, Tatsushi Nashida
  • Patent number: 8782520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for differentiating haptic feelings by a selection menu of a rotary switch, in which haptic feelings of the switch or rotary switch can be differentiated by each menu when scrolling the rotary switch in order to setup or select a variety of functions of an electronic product. Specifically, the haptic feelings by vibration and resistance against turning the switch are transferred to a user at different strengths when the user scroll-manipulates a switch to select a variety of menus, selects items of a first menu, transits first menu from the first menu to a second menu, and selects items of each second menu, so that the user can easily perceive the positions of the respective menus even without watching a cluster display window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Sun Han, Deok Jin Yang
  • Publication number: 20140195906
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Erin B. RAMSAY, Robert W. HEUBEL, Jason D. FLEMING, Stephen D. RANK
  • Publication number: 20140195905
    Abstract: A system and method for on-demand user control may detect a user's intend to interact with a currently undisplayed user control. The user's intent may include, for example, a hand approaching a touch-sensitive screen device. In response to the detected intent, the currently undisplayed user control may be displayed. The choice and location of the displayed user control may be derived from a location associated with the detected intent. The user control may be displayed progressively giving the appearance of morphing, emerging or being extruded from the display screen. The user may interact with the displayed user control using, for example, gestures on the touch-sensitive screen device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: QNX Software Systems Limited
    Inventor: Danny Thomas Dodge
  • Publication number: 20140195907
    Abstract: A user interface method for use with a touch gesture user interface in a system implementing global or universal gestures and application-specific gestures for the control of software executing on a device comprising a touch user interface and a computational processor wherein the touch gestures are responsive to at least one finger angle. In an example implementation, wherein when a gesture with an application-specific association is recognized, the user interface operation is determined by the software application that has a currently active user-interface focus. In an example implementation, a global or universal gesture is used to control the system. In an example implementation, a global or universal gesture is used to control a software application executing on the system. In an example implementation, the user interface operation is context-specific.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20140189506
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for interpreting physical interactions with a graphical user interface are disclosed. For example, one system for interpreting physical interactions with a graphical user interface is a device having a housing configured to be grasped by a user, a display disposed in the housing, the display configured to display a graphical user interface, and a sensor disposed in the housing, the sensor configured to detect a movement of the housing in a degree of freedom. The device also includes a processor disposed in the housing and in communication with the display and the sensor, the processor configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor, the sensor signal comprising a parameter associated with the movement, to determine a command associated with the graphical user interface based on the parameter, to determine a function to be executed based on the command, and to execute the function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Birnbaum, Christopher J. Ullrich, Peter Rubin, Phong David Ngo, Leo Kopelow
  • Patent number: 8769444
    Abstract: Improved multi-input gesture control for a display screen is enabled by using a first screen input to determine control operations that result from a second screen input that is followed by a gesture. A gesture that corresponds to a path traced on a display screen may define a new screen input or manipulate existing screen objects depending on some specific feature of the path or the entirety of the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Horst Werner
  • Patent number: 8766933
    Abstract: Embodiments of tactile stimulation apparatuses and components of such apparatuses are generally described herein. For example, in one embodiment, a tactile stimulation apparatus is provided. This tactile stimulation apparatus has a composite section comprising an insulation region and a semiconducting region that is proximate to the insulation region. This insulation region is touchable by a body member. Additionally included is a voltage source proximate to the semiconducting region. Here, the voltage source is configured to charge the semiconducting region to an electric potential, which produces an electrosensory sensation on the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Senseg Ltd.
    Inventors: Ville Makinen, Jukka Linjama, Zohaib Gulzar
  • Patent number: 8768521
    Abstract: An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John Amundson, Jeffrey Boll
  • Patent number: 8769442
    Abstract: The subject specification provides a system, method, and computer readable storage medium directed towards allocating digital canvasses for digital graffiti. The specification discloses receiving data corresponding to digital graffiti formed from a gesture undergone by a device. The specification also discloses identifying a digital canvas corresponding to the digital graffiti as a function of the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Moe Khosravy, Lev Novik, Katrika Marie Woodcock
  • Publication number: 20140181650
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide computer or smartphone users with a self-adapting user interface and shortcuts to most frequently used actions (visual or audio). The invention may be applied to menus and to search queries. User has a choice of recent, most frequently used, group, regional or global configuration for either menu or search query defaults. These configurations can be accessed either locally on a disconnected device, synchronized between devices directly or indirectly through a third device such as a local or remote server. The search query can be visually configured to interact with any search engine. The uniqueness of this invention is in access to the last or most frequent uses. The resulting queries can extend from single-term to complex multi-term, multi-range combinations of inclusions and exclusions. The balancing of included search terms with excluded ones helps to eliminate unwanted finds in any database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Michal Polubinski
  • Patent number: 8760413
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a device includes a surface and an actuator mechanism operably associated with the surface. The actuator mechanism is configured to provide tactile feedback to a user responsive to an electrical signal. In at least some embodiments, the actuator mechanism comprises a pair of spaced-apart substrates each of which supports a conductive layer of material. A dielectric material and an adjacent air gap may be interposed between the substrates. Drive circuitry is operably connected to the spaced-apart substrates and is configured to drive the conductive layers of material with an electrical signal. This signal may be responsive to sensing a touch input on the surface or other appropriate event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Cody George Peterson, Douglas M. Krumpelman, Andrew P. Huska
  • Patent number: 8760555
    Abstract: A display control apparatus that enables to reliably and quickly search for a desired image. When a wheel is operated by a user by an amount less than a predetermined operation amount, image feeding is made in a first display mode where a plurality of images are displayed on an image display unit. When the wheel is operated by the user by an amount equal to or greater than the predetermined operation amount, image feeding is made in a second display mode where a larger number of images than in the first display mode are displayed on the image display unit in a smaller size than in the first display mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshimi, Katsuhito Yoshio
  • Patent number: 8762840
    Abstract: A user interface method is provided for use in a device having a touchscreen. The method includes maintaining the state of content displayed on the device, determining a display image, applying a transformation to at least a portion of the display image based on the maintained state of the displayed content on the device, and displaying the transformed image on the device. The user interface detects transitions, such as, for example, page transitions, and the like, and updates the state based on detected transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Beamberry Solutions Inc. d/b/a SLG Mobile, Inc.
    Inventors: Dimitar Gouglev, David Shalamberidze, Evgeny Lebanidze, Shota Shalamberidze