Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090036176 | Interface with and communication between mobile electronic devices - An input device and mobile electronic devices having improved user interface capabilities are described. In one embodiment, An input device includes a display device, a capacitive touch sensor overlying the display device, and a pressure-sensing layer underlying the display device. The display device may be, for example, a cholesteric liquid crystal display that directly captures and displays writing in response to applied pressure. Such an input device may be used to greatly facilitate input of text and graphical information to mobile electronic devices. In another embodiment, a mobile electronic device includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion connected together in a hinged manner, a display housed by the first housing portion, and a pressure-sensing layer housed by the second housing portion for performing writing capture in response to a stylus. In another embodiment, a method of sending a message includes establishing a communication session, capturing stylus input, and as part of the communications session, sending a representation of the captured stylus input. The representation may be a textual representation or a graphical representation. The graphical representation may be sent in real time and displayed as a succession of images, each successive image updating a prior image, and the communications session may include voice communications. | 02-05-2009 |
20090066660 | Interface with and communication between mobile electronic devices - An input device and mobile electronic devices having improved user interface capabilities are described. In one embodiment, An input device includes a display device, a capacitive touch sensor overlying the display device, and a pressure-sensing layer underlying the display device. The display device may be, for example, a cholesteric liquid crystal display that directly captures and displays writing in response to applied pressure. Such an input device may be used to greatly facilitate input of text and graphical information to mobile electronic devices. In another embodiment, a mobile electronic device includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion connected together in a hinged manner, a display housed by the first housing portion, and a pressure-sensing layer housed by the second housing portion for performing writing capture in response to a stylus. In another embodiment, a method of sending a message includes establishing a communication session, capturing stylus input, and as part of the communications session, sending a representation of the captured stylus input. The representation may be a textual representation or a graphical representation. The graphical representation may be sent in real time and displayed as a succession of images, each successive image updating a prior image, and the communications session may include voice communications. | 03-12-2009 |
20090091535 | Keyboard with touch-sensor space bar - A keyboard is provided with a touch sensor incorporated within a space bar thereof, allowing for cursor manipulation in two dimensions. The keyboard may be a split keyboard having an enlarged space bar. The touch sensor may be operated with the thumb of the user without removal of the user's fingers from the keyboard. | 04-09-2009 |
20090144142 | Postal article re-addressing and re-delivery using smart mailer - A system allows for more efficient circulation of articles through the postal system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a smart mailer is provided having wireless communication and display capabilities. When an article is to be returned through the postal system, the postman uses a portable terminal (such as a cellphone) to check in the article and, at the same time, re-address the article for delivery to a subsequent (preferably local) customer. Preferably, these actions are both performed by a simple swiping of the portable terminal with respect to the article. Back-office infrastructure is provided for accounting of postal charges, etc. The utility of the portable terminal may be further increased by incorporating barcode reading capability, GPS capability, etc. The system may be used for articles of all descriptions, but is especially suited for smaller articles including media (recordings, books), jewelry, etc. | 06-04-2009 |
20090203362 | Cellphone extensions - Extensions are provided for mobile electronic devices including cellphones, wherein different extensions may correspond to different communication contexts. In an exemplary embodiment, a call is answered using an automated answering system. The caller is requested to enter an extension number. In response to the extension number, a call alert (such as a ring tone) unique to that extension is activated. | 08-13-2009 |
20090219250 | Interface with and communication between mobile electronic devices - An input device and mobile electronic devices having improved user interface capabilities are described. In one embodiment, a “triple-threat” device is provided in the form of a mobile electronic device of a slider construction. A two-way slider mechanism is provided. In one embodiment, a screen of the mobile electronic device is touch-sensitive (touch input); in a first slider position, tactile-response keys are exposed (key input); in another slider position, a writing pad is exposed (stylus input). | 09-03-2009 |
20090260900 | Untethered electrostatic pen/stylus for use with capacitive touch sensor - An untethered electrostatic pen/stylus for use with capacitive touch sensors, described herein, allows for a single device like the iPhone to receive input via both finger touches and a stylus. Stylus input is more precise for various uses including, for example, text input and drawing input. | 10-22-2009 |
20100020103 | Interface with and communication between mobile electronic devices - An input device and mobile electronic devices having improved user interface capabilities are described. In one embodiment, a “triple-threat” device is provided in the form of a mobile electronic device of a slider construction. A two-way slider mechanism is provided. In one embodiment, a screen of the mobile electronic device is touch-sensitive (touch input); in a first slider position, tactile-response keys are exposed (key input); in another slider position, a writing pad is exposed (stylus input). | 01-28-2010 |
20100109115 | Virtual IC wafers and bonding of constitutent IC films - Integrated circuits are made by bonding to a substrate one or more slices of material, and forming circuits using the slices of material. | 05-06-2010 |
20100173675 | "Talk-to-talk" telephony, especially mobile telephony - A “talk-to-talk” (as compared to “push-to-talk,” for example) interface technique is used to establish voice communications. In accordance with one method, a user speaks the name of a desired party. Machine recognition of the name is performed, and a determination is made whether the desired party is unreachable. Unless the desired party is unreachable, packet-based voice communications with are commenced with the desired party. Packet-based voice communications may include sending the name of the desired party as previously spoken, possibly in combination with other words, either spoken or previously recorded. Instant-messaging type presence services may be used to determine whether or not the desired party is unreachable. Typically, the desired party is unreachable when the desired party is not within range of or is not connected to a wireless network such as a WLAN network, a WiMax network, or other IP network or “always on” network. | 07-08-2010 |
20110014325 | Smore Centers - A chocolate bar or the like is configured to allow squares to be broken off. On the rear side of each of the squares, a centered indentation is provided. This allows a square to be skewered without breaking. Two or more squares are skewered between two marshmallows, and the assembly is roasted. In the course of roasting, the chocolate is heated but retains its form. The roasted combination is placed between two full graham crackers. The skewer may be worked back and forth a bit to distribute the melted chocolate. The result is an incomparably delicious and kid-friendly campfire smore. | 01-20-2011 |
20110053567 | Click to call browser functionality - Telephone numbers are displayed within a browser window as active links that can be clicked on or otherwise activated. Telephone capabilities of the device being used are then activated to automatically dial the selected telephone number. The device may be a smartphone, a personal computer, etc. | 03-03-2011 |
20110099017 | System and method for interactive communication with a media device user such as a television viewer - A personalized television or internet video viewing environment, where the user can respond to messages. Messages are received over the internet and overlaid onto the video program. A light and vibrator on the remote control alert the viewer to respond by speaking into a microphone in the remote control unit. Voice recognition techniques are used to interpret the user's response, and biometric voice analysis can be used to identify the user. Successive interactions can be related and tailored to the particular user. | 04-28-2011 |
20110099596 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH A MEDIA DEVICE USER SUCH AS A TELEVISION VIEWER - A personalized television or internet video viewing environment, where the user can respond to messages. Messages are received over the internet and overlaid onto the video program. A light and vibrator on the remote control alert the viewer to respond by speaking into a microphone in the remote control unit. Voice recognition techniques are used to interpret the user's response, and biometric voice analysis can be used to identify the user. Successive interactions can be related and tailored to the particular user. | 04-28-2011 |
20110234623 | Interface with and communication between mobile electronic devices - A method of entering text into a mobile electronic device, comprising: sensing stylus input that is input on a surface through which information displayed on an electronic display is viewed; and displaying on the electronic display an image of the stylus input as it is being input, the image of the stylus input being displayed in a translucent manner so as to less obscure underlying display information. A corresponding mobile electronic device is also described. | 09-29-2011 |
20110283315 | Video processing system providing interactivity independent of service provider equipment and video output device - Described herein is a video display arrangement in which a video signal from a video source is intercepted and, in response to a command from a user, a desired video signal is obtained by at least one of substituting a different video signal for the video signal from the video source and augmenting the video signal from the video source to add interactivity information for display to the user. The desired video signal is applied to a display device and displayed to the user. The arrangement may use a smart cable or a small accessory. | 11-17-2011 |
20130142916 | Spice packaging and distribution including the use of scannable codes - Spices are packaged in a card format. In one embodiment, multiple pods of a single spice are adhered to a card. The spices are used in a “peel off, peel open” manner. That is, a pod is peeled off the card; then a seal of the pod is peeled open to allow the spice to be poured out. Remaining pods continue to be adhered to the card and stored for later use. Cards for different spices are readily grouped together, such as in a box or tin. If the cards are made relatively thin, dozens of different spices can be conveniently stored in a compact box or the like. Preferably, card backs are printed with the name of the spice and possibly other information about the spice. If the spices cards are arranged together alphabetically, in a “spice index” arrangement, a desired spice may be found very readily. | 06-06-2013 |
20130160052 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH A MEDIA DEVICE USER SUCH AS A TELEVISION VIEWER - A personalized television or internet video viewing environment, where the user can respond to messages. Messages are received over the internet and overlaid onto the video program. A light and vibrator on the remote control alert the viewer to respond by speaking into a microphone in the remote control unit. Voice recognition techniques are used to interpret the user's response, and biometric voice analysis can be used to identify the user. Successive interactions can be related and tailored to the particular user. | 06-20-2013 |
20130161323 | CONDIMENT CONTAINER WITH FEATURES FOR AFFIXING TO FOOD CONTAINER - A stick-on condiment container may have a form similar to existing condiment containers commonly used in the fast-food industry (for example by McDonalds Corporation for its dipping sauces) with certain modifications. One modification is the addition of an adhesive layer applied on top of the sealing layer of the condiment container. Such an adhesive layer may be added at minimal cost. The adhesive layer enables the condiment container to be adhered to a fry carton, for example, in an orientation such that the greatest dimension is the depth dimension. The sealing layer, which is adhered to the fry carton, remains sealed; that is, the condiment container remains unopened. Another modification, therefore, is to define in the condiment container an alternative opening, for example by laser scoring. | 06-27-2013 |
20130191478 | Opinion forming using social networking - Methods are described of ascertaining public opinion using character-limited messages. In one method, a character-limited message is sent from a sender account to each of a plurality of follower accounts seeking a response chosen from among possible responses including multiple predetermined responses. Responses are received including a response from each of multiple follower accounts. The received responses are electronically tabulated to obtain tabulated results. An identical character-limited message may be sent to each of the multiple follower accounts. Alternatively, different character-limited messages may be sent to different ones of the multiple follower accounts. Follow-on character-limited message may also be sent and responses received and tabulated. In effect, choices are “percolated up” to arrive at a collective judgment or opinion. | 07-25-2013 |
20130245942 | Indoor navigation using stored geographical bearing information - Indoor navigation may be performed by storing information sufficient to describe a graph in which destinations are ordered along edges each having a geographic bearing associated therewith. A selection is received from a user of a desired destination, and transmissions are received from a plurality of storefront transmitters. The stored information is used to determine a geographic bearing for the user to follow to reach the desired destination, and the geographic bearing is displayed to the user. | 09-19-2013 |
20140066139 | Interface with and communication between mobile electronic devices - An input device and mobile electronic devices having improved user interface capabilities are described. In one embodiment, an input device includes a display device, a capacitive touch sensor overlying the display device, and a pressure-sensing layer underlying the display device. The display device may be, for example, a cholesteric liquid crystal display that directly captures and displays writing in response to applied pressure. Such an input device may be used to greatly facilitate input of text and graphical information to mobile electronic devices. In another embodiment, a mobile electronic device includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion connected together in a hinged manner, a display housed by the first housing portion, and a pressure-sensing layer housed by the second housing portion for performing writing capture in response to a stylus. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067805 | Cloud-based information exchange using identifiers such as QR codes - Document capture and tracking is simplified using coded information that may be printed on the document. In one embodiment, the coded information is scanned. As a result, the information of the document or a pointer thereto is retrieved or stored from a server (i.e., from the cloud). Preferably, the information of the document is in XML format such that one or more interested programs may process the information intelligently. | 03-06-2014 |