Did You Know...
...that in the early 1940s GE engineer James Wright was charged with a task of utmost importance to the war effort: develop a cheap substitute for rubber that could be used to produce tires, gas masks and a whole host of military gear. Wright tackled the task diligently -- and wound up inventing Silly Putty.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7741979 | Haptic keyboard systems and methods Various embodiments provide keyboards that utilize electrically-deformable material as an actuating mechanism to provide haptic feedback to a user of the keyboard. In at least some embodiments, the electrically-deformable material is utilized to impart, to a depress... | 06/22/2010 |
| 7420480 | Methods, systems, and computer program products for iteratively providing feedback via a user interface for multi-character, multi-mode alphanumeric data entry Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for receiving input from a multi-function momentary switch by providing feedback from a user interface for each function associated with the switch. According to one method, alphanumeric input values are ... | 09/02/2008 |
| 7408107 | Keyboard with audio output A keyboard provides an analog sound signal for a sound producing device. The keyboard includes an interface circuit that couples the keyboard to a digital sound source through a universal serial bus (USB) cable. The keyboard further includes an audio rendering circu... | 08/05/2008 |
| 7394456 | Raised keys on a miniature keyboard A miniature keyboard wherein the keys are arranged in a way to improve data entry and decrease the chance of depressing multiple keys at a time. Accordingly, the height of the keys are patterned to decrease the chance of multiple key depressions thus increasing the ... | 07/01/2008 |
| 7385530 | Key system for a communication device A key activation system for use in a handheld communication device is provided. The system comprises an activation mechanism associated with a key in the system, a first feedback system and a second feedback system. The activation mechanism is associated with the ke... | 06/10/2008 |
| 7362213 | Method and apparatus for remotely controlling a plurality of devices Disclosed is a method for controlling usage times for at least one device, including the steps of: (a) identifying a device to be controlled; (b) utilizing the device by a user; (c) tracking a device usage value for the device as the user utilizes the device; and (d... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7339578 | Multi-layer touch display device comprising electromagnetic actuators A touch-sensitive display device (10) is characterized in that it is constituted by a stack of layers (1, 4), an insulating layer (2) comprising recesses (21) for the displacement of blades (12) connected to a touch plate (1... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7326864 | Method and apparatus for masking keystroke sounds from computer keyboards Disclosed herein is a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selecte... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7315246 | Security and monitoring for containers A container security system has a container interior monitor portion with a container interior light sensing portion responsive to visible light. A different embodiment involves a monitoring device with a support, a door engaging member movable to and from an operat... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7291940 | Pressure sensitive switches including touch sensor structures An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power source and at least one load such as a light bulb, a radio or motor, includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The input does not for... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7269484 | Vehicular touch switches with adaptive tactile and audible feedback A manual control system for a vehicle includes a touch sensitive input element actuatable in response to proximity of a user's appendage. A tactile feedback generator produces a perceptible tactile stimulus. An audible feedback generator produces a perceptible audib... | 09/11/2007 |
| 7170428 | Electronic device and method of managing its keyboard The invention relates to an electronic device and a method of managing a virtual keyboard of the electronic device. The device comprises a touch pad (106), a processing unit (600) and a feedback unit (612), which provides tactile feedback unit (... | 01/30/2007 |
| 7158374 | Method and system for assembling keypad A method and system for assembling a keypad or a keypad module to a processing portion of an electronic device is described. The keypad module is a sealed unit connectable to the pre assembled processing portion through a common interface. The keypad module includes... | 01/02/2007 |
| 7139623 | Method and apparatus for use of multiple control systems A method and apparatus for simultaneously controlling multiple control systems is provided. The resulting hybrid control system provides for sharing of inputs and outputs on a control surface membrane between the multiple distinct control systems. A unified tactile/... | 11/21/2006 |
| 7106305 | Haptic feedback using a keyboard device A low-cost haptic feedback keyboard device for providing haptic feedback to a user for enhancing interactions in a displayed environment provided by a computer. The haptic keyboard device can be a keyboard having multiple keys, or can be a wrist rest or other attach... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7106220 | Tactile graphic-based interactive overlay assembly and computer system for the visually impaired A computer-based system permitting a visually impaired user to interact with tactile graphic-based interactive software applications is provided. The system includes a host computer having a data processor and a drive for running the interactive software application... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7091886 | Flexible touch-sense switch A flexible touch-sense switch includes a force sensitive composite and an at least one proximity sensor. The force sensitive composite includes a plurality of force sensors disposed between a first layer and a second layer of polymide film defining a displacement re... | 08/15/2006 |
| 7056043 | Keyboard for a mobile device An apparatus has a keyboard panel with a QWERTY array of alphabetic key actuation indicia. The apparatus further has a QWERTY array of keys that are free of alphabetic key actuation indicia, and are located adjacent to corresponding alphabetic key actuation indicia ... | 06/06/2006 |
| 7020840 | Relating to Braille equipment A apparatus and method are provided which assist the use of electronic documents in both a word processor (17) and Braille environment (16). The apparatus and methods facilitate conversion of electronic documents between various formats for subsequent ... | 03/28/2006 |
| 7012208 | Thin switch An improved thin switch aims at reducing overall height of switches without shortening existing compression displacement. It has a trigger assembly which includes an upper button with a bracing section housed in a compartment, a coupling trough, and a lower button w... | 03/14/2006 |
| 6998548 | Buffering protective handheld controller A buffering protective handheld controller, mainly with a buffering protective configuration for direction button and a number of functional buttons on one side of the main unit. The user is allowed to have greater touch area and more comfortability when pressing th... | 02/14/2006 |
| 6980136 | Keyboard with detection function for pressing pressure The present invention provides a kind of computer keyboard being able to detect the pressing pressure of keys. The computer keyboard comprises: a plurality of keys; a detecting unit, which outputs a detecting signal according to the pressing pressure of the pluralit... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6970158 | Computer keyboard providing an alert when typing in Caps Lock mode A computer keyboard providing an audible alert and a visual alert to the user when the keyboard is in the CAPS LOCK mode of operation. A computer system including a computer keyboard providing an audible alert and a visual alert to the user when the keyboard is in t... | 11/29/2005 |
| 6931359 | Human interface method and apparatus A method and apparatus for measuring one or more physical conditions of a computer operator and for automatically inputting signals corresponding to the physical conditions into a computer (12) for control and monitoring purposes. ... | 08/16/2005 |
| 6930590 | Modular electrotactile system and method This application relates to an electrotactile system and method for delivering tactile stimuli to a skin surface of a user. The system includes one or more electrotactile modules each comprising an array of electrodes electrically connected to an integrated circuit.... | 08/16/2005 |
| 6909205 | Motor assembly allowing output in multiple degrees of freedom A motor allowing multiple degrees of output freedom includes a stator having an interior surface forming at least a portion of a sphere or curved surface and first and second substantially orthogonally positioned stator coils wound on the interior surface. A rotor i... | 06/21/2005 |
| 6885361 | Tactile feedback mechanism for a data processing system An apparatus for providing a tactile stimulus to a part of the body of a physical operator when a virtual operator, created by movements of the physical operator, encounters a virtual object defined by a computer. A signalling unit communicates with the computer and... | 04/26/2005 |
| 6883985 | Printable, reusable key masks A functional and decorative key mask is disclosed that is printable and has a uniquely functional geometry for easy and clean removable attachment to the keyfaces of a keyboard or keypad. The materials and design combine to provide a durable and reusable key mask. I... | 04/26/2005 |
| 6869239 | Compact keyboard with sliding motion key actuation A keyboard allowing typists to use approximate QWERTY finger movements on a more compact, collapsible, and portable keyboard. The keyboard size is made more compact by using thin capacitance-responsive surfaces as key switches for the rows above and below the home r... | 03/22/2005 |
| 6844829 | Alarm system and kit with event recording A stand alone alarm system and kit for vehicles are disclosed. The alarm system includes an alarm module connected to an audio and visual device and at least one sensor. The alarm system also includes an input device coupled to the alarm module. The alarm system als... | 01/18/2005 |
| 6822853 | Method and system for assembling keypad A method and system for assembling a keypad or a keypad module to a processing portion of an electronic device is described. The keypad module is a sealed unit connectable to the pre assembled processing portion through a common interface. The keypad module includes... | 11/23/2004 |
| 6777626 | Input device and portable equipment using the same Disclosed are a compact input device that offers a wide space for input operation and portable equipment using the device. The input operation section of the input device is not only for data entry by users, but also for transmitting sound vibration. The coupling se... | 08/17/2004 |
| 6715045 | Host cache for haptic feedback effects Methods and apparatus for efficient management of memory in a haptic feedback system including a host computer and a haptic feedback device. A representation of device memory is maintained on the host computer to allow the host computer knowledge of force effects st... | 03/30/2004 |
| 6710707 | Vehicle-mounted input device A vehicle-mounted input device for controlling by a single manual control section the function of air conditioner, radio, television, CD player, car navigation system, etc. mounted on a motor vehicle. The manual control section has finger detector, for example a pho... | 03/23/2004 |
| 6700508 | Thin keyboard unit capable of making large the stroke of a key top A keyboard unit capable of making large the stroke of a key top and a sure click touch. In one aspect of the invention, the keyboard unit of the present invention comprises an elastic material such as a domed reversible return spring. In another aspect, a... | 03/02/2004 |
| 6690360 | Liquid proof switch array Switch arrays such as keyboards are described. The switch arrays may include an array of dome spring elements. Each dome spring element may define a chamber, and a plurality of channels may interconnect the chambers of the dome spring elements such that e... | 02/10/2004 |
| 6525676 | Character input device and method Texts including required message are entered with a small number of keys such as those of a cellular telephone. In this case, a conversion table is unnecessary and the number of key operations is reduced. The number of input characters or input character ... | 02/25/2003 |
| 6501394 | Interface terminal for the visually impaired A computing device for visually impaired persons. In one embodiment, the device includes processing logic, input and output devices, a selectable member that has a plurality of functions associated therewith, and a device that indicates in a non-visual ma... | 12/31/2002 |
| 6473069 | Apparatus and method for tactile feedback from input device A method and apparatus for providing tactile feedback to a user moving his/her finger across the touch-sensitive surface of a touchpad or tablet. Different regions of the touch-sensitive surface are differentiated from each other by providing a different ... | 10/29/2002 |
| 6343349 | Memory caching for force feedback effects Methods and apparatus for efficient management of memory in a force feedback system including a host computer and a force feedback device. A representation of device memory is maintained on the host computer to allow the host computer knowledge and contro... | 01/29/2002 |
