Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of user interactive devices.
In the last twenty years, the use of personal computing devices, such as desktop computer systems, laptop computer systems, handheld computers systems, and tablet computer systems, has grown tremendously. These personal computing devices provide users with a broad range of interactive applications, business utilities, communication abilities, and entertainment possibilities.
Current personal computing devices provide access to these interactive applications via a user interface. Typical computing devices have on-screen graphical interfaces that present information to a user using a display device, such as a monitor or display screen, and receive information from a user using an input device, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, or a stylus.
Even more so than computing systems, the use of pen and paper is ubiquitous among literate societies. While graphical user interfaces of current computing devices provide for effective interaction with many computing applications, typical on-screen graphical user interfaces have difficulty mimicking the common use of a pen or pencil and paper. For example, desktop and laptop computer systems typically do not have a pen-like interface. Moreover, input into a computer is shown on an electronic display, and is not tangible and accessible like information written on paper or a physical surface.
Finally, images and writings drawn with a pen-like interface on a paper surface have convenience, permanence, and tangibility, but do not allow for easy reuse of the markings on the paper surface once they have been written using the pen-like interface. In other words, some pen-like computer systems provide recognition of certain user written items on paper and once recognized, some immediate action may be taken by the pen-like computer system. However, if the user wants to perform that same computer function again, the item needs to be written again on the paper. Specifically, these pen-like computer user interfaces do not allow a user to directly interact with a written item on paper (e.g., select via a pen tap—much like a mouse click) to automatically invoke the computer function desired.
Accordingly, what is described is a user interface for an interactive device in which computer functionality is invoked by user interaction with dynamically generated interface regions associated with a writing surface. A computer system identifies a marking written on the writing surface or recognizes a user interaction with an existing written marking. Adjacent to the marking, the computer system automatically generates one or more interface regions associated with the marking. An interface region is defined in computer memory with respect to spatial coordinates of the writing surface and is invisible to the user. User interaction with one of these regions invokes prescribed computer functionality related to the interacted region and also related to the marking. A different computer function may be invoked by each interface region. The computer system dynamically positions and may dynamically size the interface regions based on the position (and size) of the associated marking. Multiple markings yield multiple regions, with different regions associated with respective markings. In one embodiment, the regions are established in front of and/or after a written word. Regions may also be established on top of and/or below the written word, for example. In another embodiment, the computer system is an interactive pen-based computer system.
In one particular example, an interactive pen-based computer system may be used to recognize a written word on a surface. In one application, the pen-based computer system provides a translation of that word from one language to another. After the word is written (or if the word exists and is selected), the computer system automatically generates, in memory, a first interface region on the surface spatially in front of the word and a second interface region on the surface spatially after the word. User interaction with the first region invokes a first computer functionality that is related to the first region and the word (e.g., the translation of the word is rendered by the computer in an audible form). User interaction with the second region invokes a second computer functionality that is related to the second region and the word (e.g., the translated version of the word is spelled out letter by letter in an audible form). It is appreciated that the interface regions may be located in any position adjacent to the written word and that the particular positions described herein are exemplary only. In one embodiment, the regions are sized such that their height is similar to the height of the written word and their width may be of a fixed nature or related to the size or shape of the written word.
Embodiments of the present invention also include processes for resolving interferences between interactive regions of different markings. These processes may include a sharing model, a time-out model, a pop-up model and/or a warn model. Embodiments of the present invention also include efficient processes for automatically computing the interactive regions as needed such that computer resources are conserved by not persistently storing every interactive region in memory at all times.
More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer implemented method of interfacing with a user, the method comprising: identifying that a marking has been made by a writing device on a surface; identifying a location of the marking on the surface and identifying a size of the marking; automatically computing a location and a size of a first interface region, wherein the first interface region is located adjacent to the marking; associating a first computer function with the first interface region; and in response to a user selection of the first interface region, performing the first computer function on data associated with the marking. Embodiments include the above and further comprising: automatically computing a location and a size of a second interface region of the surface wherein the second interface region is positioned adjacent to the marking and does not overlap the first interface region; associating a second computer function with the second interface region; and in response to a user selection of the second interface region, performing the second computer function on the data. Embodiments include the above and wherein the first interface region is positioned spatially to the left of the marking and wherein further the second interface region is positioned spatially to the right of the marking.
Embodiments also include a computer implemented method of interfacing with a user, the method comprising: identifying that a written marking has been selected by a user, wherein the written marking is located on a writing surface; accessing from memory an interface region associated with the written marking; automatically computing a location and a size of a first interface region, wherein the first interface region is located adjacent to the written marking; associating a first computer function with the first interface region; and in response to a user selection of the first interface region, performing the first computer function on data associated with the written marking. Embodiments also include the above and further comprising: automatically computing a location and a size of a second interface region of the surface wherein the second interface region is positioned adjacent to the marking and does not overlap the first interface region; associating a second computer function with the second interface region; and in response to a user selection of the second interface region, performing the second computer function on the data. Embodiments also include the above and wherein the first interface region is positioned spatially to the left of the written marking and wherein further the second interface region is positioned spatially to the right of the written marking.
Embodiments are also directed to an interactive device programmed in accordance with above.
Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments in accordance with the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with various embodiments, it will be understood that these various embodiments are not intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the scope of the invention as construed according to the Claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of various embodiments in accordance with the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.
Some portions of the detailed descriptions, which follow, are presented in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits that can be performed on computer memory. For instance, processes 500, 550, 600 and 700. These descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A procedure, computer executed step, logic block, process, etc., is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a computer system. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the invention, discussions utilizing terms such as “recognizing” or “initiating” or “conveying” or “embedding” or “coupling” or “accessing” or “identifying” or “receiving” or “outputting” or “generating” or “determining” or “associating” or “storing” or the like, refer to the actions and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
In response to a user writing a word, e.g., “cat” 4, the application program automatically announces the Spanish translation, “gato.” The same may occur for the written word “dog,” e.g., the computer announces “perro.” In this application, if the user wants the translation to be repeated, a user written interface item 10 needs to be written on the paper. When the user selects this item 10 with the pen tip, the computer will announce the translation of the most recent selected word, e.g., cat 4 or dog 6. If the user wants the translated word spelled out in letters, then a selection of written item 8 will perform this function. Again, the most recently selected word will be spelled out.
Unfortunately, for frequently executed or core functions, it can become user-tedious to select the word, then go over to some other part of the paper and select a separate drawn function item, e.g., item 8 or 10, to apply to that word. The user, in this case, may find himself/herself constantly tapping over the paper to engage in the translations and/or spelling functions. Also, if the user wants only to translate one or two words, the user interface overhead for doing the example of
As described further below, embodiments of the present invention provide an advantageous user interface for drawn items that eliminate the shortcomings described above.
In the embodiment of
In one embodiment, the device 100 may include an audio output device 36, a display device 40, or both an audio device and display device may be coupled to the processor 32. In other embodiments, the audio output device and/or the display device are optional or are physically separated from device 100, but in communication with device 100 through either a wired and/or wireless connection. For wireless communication, device 100 can include a transmitter or transceiver 33. The audio output device 36 may include a speaker or an audio jack (e.g., for an earphone or headphone). The display device 40 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or some other suitable type of display.
In the embodiment of
Device 100 can also include a light source or optical emitter 44 and a light sensor or optical detector 42 coupled to the processor 32. The optical emitter 44 may be a light emitting diode (LED), for example, and the optical detector 42 may be a charge coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imager array, for example. The optical emitter 44 illuminates surface 70 or a portion thereof. Light reflected from the surface 70 can be received at and recorded by optical detector 42.
In one embodiment, a pattern of markings is printed on surface 70 for use in conjunction with device 100. The surface 70 may be any suitable surface on which a pattern of markings can be printed (or formed or deposited), such as a sheet a paper or other types of surfaces. The bottom end 39 of device 100 that can hold optical emitter 44 and optical detector 42 is placed against or near surface 70. As device 100 is moved relative to the surface 70, the pattern of markings can be read, recorded and identified by optical emitter 44 and optical detector 42. As discussed in more detail further below, in one embodiment, the markings on surface 70 are used to determine the position of device 100 relative to surface 70 (e.g., see
Device 100 of
In the embodiment of
Surface 70 may be a sheet of paper, although surfaces consisting of materials other than paper may be used. Surface 70 may be a flat panel display screen (e.g., an LCD) or electronic paper (e.g., reconfigurable paper that utilizes electronic ink). Also, surface 70 may or may not be flat. For example, surface 70 may be embodied as the surface of a globe. Furthermore, surface 70 may be smaller or larger than a conventional (e.g., 8.5×11 inches) page of paper. In general, surface 70 can be any type of surface upon which markings (e.g., letters, numbers, symbols, characters, etc.) can be printed or otherwise deposited. Alternatively, surface 70 can be a type of surface wherein a characteristic of the surface changes in response to action on the surface by device 100 such that markings appear visible.
Specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, cartridge 28 can include a memory 30, functional logic, an interface 35 along with an optional peripheral 41 that can all be located within a cartridge housing 31. In one embodiment, the cartridge housing 31 can have the form of a pen cap or a cap for a writing instrument or utensil (e.g., device 100). For example, in one embodiment, the cartridge housing 31 can be designed to securely fit over a top portion 37 and a bottom portion 39 of the housing 62 of device 100. As such, the housing 31 of cartridge 28 can shaped such that it can be fit securely to device 100 in a manner similar to when a pen cap is fit securely to a pen. Specifically, housing 31 of cartridge 28 can be designed to fit securely onto the top portion 37 of the housing 62 of device 100. Furthermore, housing 31 of cartridge 28 can be designed to also fit securely onto the bottom portion 39 of the housing 62 of device 100, thereby enabling cartridge 28 to be utilized as a cap (or cover) for device 100 for covering and/or protecting writing element 52, optical detector 42 and/or optical emitter 44. It is appreciated that when cartridge 28 can be passively stored when is securely fit to bottom portion 39 of device 100.
Within
Cartridge 28 can also optionally include one or more peripherals (e.g., 41) that can be associated with one or more applications stored by cartridge 28. For example, the optional peripheral 41 can be implemented as, but is not limited to, a rumble pack, a light-emitting diode (LED), an upgraded display, an upgraded speaker, and the like. Peripheral 41 can be coupled to device 100 via interface 35 of cartridge 28. It is understood that memory 30 of cartridge 28 can be implemented in a wide variety of ways. For example, memory 30 can be implemented with, but is not limited to, flash memory, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or any other non-volatile memory that can store data after being disconnected from an electrical source for long time periods.
Additionally,
With reference back to
In the example of
In one embodiment, the character is associated with a particular command. In the example just described, a user can create (e.g., write) a character that identifies a particular command, and can invoke that command repeatedly by simply positioning device 100 over the written character. In other words, the user does not have to re-write the character for a command each time the command is to be invoked; instead, the user can write the character for a command one time and invoke the command repeatedly by using, e.g., selecting with the pen tip, the same written character.
Region includes a pattern of marks such as dots. In the embodiment, the pattern is decoded to obtain a unique location within a larger map area. The location may be of an (x,y) coordinate pair. The surface of this region can include yet other information. For example, the surface may contain text-based or image-based information printed thereon in conjunction with the dot pattern. As a specific example, the surface may be a page that may include one or more pictures as well as the patterns of markings referred to above that can be utilized in combination with one or more applications stored by cartridge 28. The information encoded by the pattern of marks in the region can be used in a variety of different ways. For instance, the decoded location information may be used to identify an application associated with that location.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the interactive computer then automatically generates, in memory, invisible interface regions 320a and 320b that are adjacent to the boundary 335 (and therefore adjacent to the written word 330). Each of the interface regions 320a and 320b is of width, w, and height, h. In this example, the height of each of the interface regions is defined to be of the same height as the boundary 335. In one embodiment, the width may be a fixed width, or it may be dependent on the width and/or height of the boundary 335. It is appreciated that interface regions of a same written word do not overlap spatially with each other and do not overlap with their associated boundary.
It is appreciated that each interface region has assigned thereto a special computer function. For instance, in one embodiment, the interface region 320a, when selected by the user, causes the associated word 330 to be translated. In this example, translation means an audible announcement of the translation of cat, e.g., “gato” in Spanish (for an English to Spanish translation). In one embodiment, user selection of an interface region means a user tapping the tip of the interactive device within that region. Selection may also mean the user double tapping and/or writing a symbol or other marking within the region. Furthermore, when the user selects region 320b, this causes the associated word 330 to be spelled out, e.g., “g,” “a,” “t” and “o” in audible announcements. Therefore, the translate function is associated with interface region 320a and the spell function is associated with interface region 320b. Further, both computer functions automatically operate on the associated word 330 for these two interface regions. It is also appreciated that similarly positioned interface regions of different words generally have associated therewith the same computer functionality but operate on their associated word.
The boundary or word interface region 335 is also an active region. In other words, if the written word 330 has multiple translations, then the user can select the appropriate translation by rotating through the list of translations, one by one, by tapping within the interface region 335. In this embodiment, each tap causes the announcement of the next translation, in round-robin fashion. In this case, the interface regions 320a and 320b will operate on the last translation selected by the user.
It is appreciated that any function could be associated with an interface region and any application may make use of such functionality. For instance, instead of a translation application, a dictionary application may be used. In this case, the active regions may invoke a computer function that defines the associated word, or provides a antonym or synonym or cognate or similar word for the associated word. These functions may be assigned in any fashion to the interface regions 320a and 320b.
It is appreciated that the interface regions 320a and 320b are not only generated upon the user writing the associated word 330, but may also be generated automatically at any time the user selects the word 330, e.g., by tapping within boundary 335.
One advantage of the use of automatically generated interface regions 320a and 320b is that the user does not need to separately draw translate and/or spell markings (as shown in
As shown in
It is appreciated that generally within the same application program, interface regions of the same spatial position of different marking have the same computer functionality. In other words, interface regions 320a and 340a both have the same computer functionality, but operate on their respective markings, 330 and 350. More specifically, according to one embodiment, within a same application program, the same computer functions are assigned to the interface regions 340a and 340b as discussed with respect to
It is appreciated that in the example of
Embodiments of the present invention may persistently store the word boundaries 335 and 355 in computer memory, but may or may not persistently store the interface regions (320a, 320b, 340a, 340b) in memory in an effort to save computer resources, e.g., memory and processing power. In other words, once the word boundaries are known and saved, the interface regions can be quickly computed when needed, so therefore they do not necessarily need to be persistently stored in memory while their target application is active. In one embodiment, the active regions for an associated word are only saved (e.g., held in memory) for the last word used and the interface regions associated with another word, that is not the last word used, are quickly computed when the user interacts with that word. In this fashion, only a few interface regions need be active at any time.
In another embodiment, the interactive computer allows the user to complete writing the second word, dog 350, and merely adjusts (e.g., shrinks) interface regions 320b and 340a in width (or height as the case may be in some instances) such that they no longer overlap, e.g., they share the space between boundaries 335 and 355. This is the “sharing” embodiment.
In yet another embodiment, the interactive computer allows interface region overlap because only the interface regions for the latest written and/or selected word are active at any time. This is referred to as “pop-up” interface regions. For instance, once the user writes dog 350, then interface regions 340a and 340b are generated and made active. However, the existing interface regions 320a and 320b are then deactivated. Therefore, among active interface regions, there is no overlap between regions 320b and 340a because interface region 320b is not currently active at this point. Selection within any point of region 340a will therefore not cause an unexpected computer function because the function associated with region 340a will execute. Moreover, if the user next selected within boundary 335, then interface regions 320a and 340a would become active (e.g., “pop-up” to the surface) and interface regions 340a and 340b would be rendered inactive, and again, no overlap condition remains.
In another embodiment, if an overlap condition occurs, then the interface region that was last drawn (most recent) controls and the other interface region becomes inactive. This is the “Z-ordering” embodiment in which the interface regions with the largest Z value (an analogy from computer graphics processing) remain active when overlapping with others. In the case of
In another embodiment, interface regions “time-out” after a period of time. Therefore, assume that cat 330 was written and interface regions 320a and 320b were generated and remained active. A time-out period is defined. If no interactions occur with interface regions 320a and 320b or with boundary 355 over the time-out period, then interface regions 320a and 320b become deactivated. If region 340a is generated after region 320b becomes deactivated due to time-out, then no overlap condition exists.
In this particular example, four interface regions are automatically defined with respect to the written word 410. In this case, the application may be a dictionary application with computer functions such as 1) definition; 2) antonym; 3) synonym; and 4) cognate being assigned, respectively, to the interface regions 430a, 430b and 420a, 420b in any order.
It is appreciated that although particular examples have been given for placement of the interface regions, embodiments of the present invention are well suited for any spatial placement of an interface region that is adjacent to the written word and is therefore visibly associated with the word. The interface region placement of left, right, up and down are merely exemplary. Also, the sizes of the interface regions may also be varied within the scope of the present invention. The interface regions may be of fixed width, variable width, or a combination of both. Also, rectangular areas have been described as shapes for the interface regions. However, these are exemplary only and other well known geometric shapes can be adopted, e.g., circular, triangular, irregular etc. Also, written words have been used as examples for triggering the generation of interface regions. However, any written item can be used to trigger interface region generation, e.g., numbers, letters, equations, graphics, names, diagrams, etc. Lastly, exemplary applications such as translator, dictionary, etc. have been described herein. These are exemplary only. Any application may be used within the scope of the present invention that offers computer functions that take the meaning (interpretation) of written items as input.
At step 510, the computer detects that a user writes a marking, e.g., a word, on a writing surface, e.g., paper, etc. The spatial boundary (or “word boundary”) of the word is then computed, e.g., that of a rectangle encompassing the word. The spatial boundary for the written word is then recorded into memory at step 515. At step 520, interface regions (active regions) are automatically generated that are adjacent to the spatial boundary. The interface regions are positioned adjacent to the spatial boundary therefore the locations of the interface regions are dependent on the location of the spatial boundary. Also, in one embodiment the height of the interface regions is matched to the height of the spatial boundary, so the sizes of the interface regions are dependent on the size of the spatial boundary and therefore also dependent on the size of the written word. Each interface region has a particular computer function associated therewith that depends on the currently operating application program.
At step 525, a check is made if a user interacts with one of the interface regions (e.g., taps or double taps or writes within one of the interface regions). If not, then step 530 is entered but if so, then at step 535 the computer function associated with the selected interface region is executed with respect to the written word associated with the selected interface region. User interaction is then checked against the spatial boundary of the written word at step 530. If so, then a computer function associated with the spatial boundary is performed with respect to the associated written word. The process then repeats at 525 until another written word is made, at which time step 510 is entered in response to the new word being written.
At step 560, a check is made if a user has selected an existing and stored spatial boundary (e.g., the user taps or double taps or writes something within the spatial boundary). If so, then at step 520, the interface regions for the selected spatial boundary are automatically generated. Steps 520-540 are analogous to
At step 620, the interactive device computes the location and size of the interactive regions associated with the second marking. Then, the device detects whether or not these interactive regions overlap with any other interactive regions, e.g., the interactive regions of the first marking. In one embodiment, overlap is detected by a comparison of the spatial coordinates of the interface regions. Upon a coordinate match, an overlap is detected. If no overlap is detected, then at step 630, the interactive device generates and activates the interface regions associated with the second marking.
However, at step 625, an overlap resolution process is entered to resolve the spatial ambiguity between the overlapping interface regions. One of several resolution processes may be performed, as described above. In one embodiment, at step 625, the interactive device may warn the user that the second marking is too close to the first marking. This is the warn model. In this embodiment, step 630 is not entered because the interface regions of the second marking are never created. The user is then encouraged to draw the second marking in a position does not overlap existing writings. In a second embodiment, the sharing model may be employed. In this case, at step 625 the interactive device determines if there is enough room between the first and second markings to share that space between the overlapping interactive regions. If so, then the widths (or heights, as the case may be) of the overlapping regions are shortened until the overlap is eliminated. Step 630 then creates the new interface regions for the second marking. If there is not enough space to allow sharing, then step 630 is not entered.
In a third embodiment, the time-out model, at step 625 the interactive device first checks if the marking associated with the first interface region has timed-out. In other words, if no user interaction has been done with the first marking, or any of its associated interface regions for a prescribed time-out period, then it is assumed that these objects are no longer active. If the first marking has timed-out, then step 630 is entered to generate the second interface regions. If the first marking is still active, then sharing may be attempted. If there is not enough space to allow sharing, then step 630 is not entered.
In a fourth embodiment, the pop-up model is used. In this model, overlapping interface regions are allowed as long as one of the regions is not currently active. Therefore, at step 625 it is determined whether or not the interface regions associated with the first marking are active. If not, then step 630 is entered. If these interface regions are active, then sharing may be attempted. If there is not enough space to allow sharing, then step 630 is not entered.
At step 710, the interactive device detects a user interacting with a coordinate (x,y) of the written surface, e.g., by a pen tap, double tap or writing thereon. The interactive device, at step 715, then scans its memory stored spatial boundaries (corresponding to written markings) to determine the spatial boundary that is closest to the (x,y) position. The interactive then, at step 720, computes the interface regions associated with the spatial boundary determined from step 715. At step 725, the interactive device then determines if the (x,y) coordinate falls within any of the interface regions computed at step 720. If so, then step 730 is entered which performs the computer function associated with the interface region of the (x,y) coordinate on the marking associated with the spatial boundary determined at step 715.
If the (x,y) position does not fall within an interface region, then from step 725, step 735 is entered. At step 735, the interface device checks if the (x,y) coordinate falls within the spatial boundary determined at step 715. If so, then the computer function associated with that spatial boundary is executed at step 740. The process then repeats.
The advantage of process 700 is that the interface regions do not need to be persistently stored in memory, but are computed as needed. The spatial boundaries associated with each marking are persistently stored. It is appreciated that this region interaction process 700 may be implemented as step 525 of
The foregoing descriptions of various specific embodiments in accordance with the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The invention can be construed according to the Claims and their equivalents.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2182334 | Crespo | Dec 1939 | A |
2932907 | Stieber et al. | Apr 1960 | A |
3292489 | Johnson et al. | Dec 1966 | A |
3304612 | Proctor et al. | Feb 1967 | A |
3530241 | Ellis | Sep 1970 | A |
3591718 | Asano | Jul 1971 | A |
3657812 | Lee | Apr 1972 | A |
3782734 | Krainin | Jan 1974 | A |
3798370 | Hurst | Mar 1974 | A |
3888311 | Cooke, Jr. | Jun 1975 | A |
3911215 | Hurst et al. | Oct 1975 | A |
3921165 | Dym | Nov 1975 | A |
4079194 | Kley | Mar 1978 | A |
4220815 | Gibson et al. | Sep 1980 | A |
4318096 | Thornburg et al. | Mar 1982 | A |
4337375 | Freeman | Jun 1982 | A |
4375058 | Bouma et al. | Feb 1983 | A |
4425099 | Naden | Jan 1984 | A |
4464118 | Scott et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
4492819 | Rodgers et al. | Jan 1985 | A |
4570149 | Thornburg et al. | Feb 1986 | A |
4603231 | Reiffel et al. | Jul 1986 | A |
4604058 | Fisher et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
4604065 | Frazer et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
4627819 | Burrows | Dec 1986 | A |
4630209 | Saito et al. | Dec 1986 | A |
4650926 | Nakamura et al. | Mar 1987 | A |
4686332 | Greanias et al. | Aug 1987 | A |
4706090 | Hashiguchi et al. | Nov 1987 | A |
4739299 | Eventoff et al. | Apr 1988 | A |
4748318 | Bearden et al. | May 1988 | A |
4787040 | Ames et al. | Nov 1988 | A |
4793810 | Beasley, Jr. | Dec 1988 | A |
4839634 | More et al. | Jun 1989 | A |
4841387 | Rindfuss | Jun 1989 | A |
4853494 | Suzuki | Aug 1989 | A |
4853498 | Meadows et al. | Aug 1989 | A |
4853499 | Watson | Aug 1989 | A |
4880968 | Kwang-Chien | Nov 1989 | A |
4913463 | Tlapek et al. | Apr 1990 | A |
4922061 | Meadows et al. | May 1990 | A |
4924387 | Jeppesen | May 1990 | A |
4964167 | Kunizawa et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4972496 | Sklarew | Nov 1990 | A |
4990093 | Frazer et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
4991987 | Holloway et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
5007085 | Greanias et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5030117 | Delorme | Jul 1991 | A |
5053585 | Yaniger | Oct 1991 | A |
5057024 | Sprott et al. | Oct 1991 | A |
5059126 | Kimball | Oct 1991 | A |
5113178 | Yasuda et al. | May 1992 | A |
5117071 | Greanias et al. | May 1992 | A |
5128525 | Stearns et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
5149919 | Greanias et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5157384 | Greanias et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5168147 | Bloomberg | Dec 1992 | A |
5184003 | McMillin et al. | Feb 1993 | A |
5194852 | More et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5209665 | Billings et al. | May 1993 | A |
5217376 | Gosselin | Jun 1993 | A |
5217378 | Donovan | Jun 1993 | A |
5220136 | Kent | Jun 1993 | A |
5220649 | Forcier | Jun 1993 | A |
5221833 | Hecht | Jun 1993 | A |
5250930 | Yoshida et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5260697 | Barrett et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
5294792 | Lewis et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5301243 | Olschafskie et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5314336 | Diamond et al. | May 1994 | A |
5356296 | Pierce et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5401916 | Crooks | Mar 1995 | A |
5406307 | Hirayama et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5409381 | Sundberg et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5413486 | Burrows et al. | May 1995 | A |
5417575 | McTaggart | May 1995 | A |
5438168 | Wolfe et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5438662 | Randall | Aug 1995 | A |
5466158 | Smith, III | Nov 1995 | A |
5474457 | Bromley | Dec 1995 | A |
5480306 | Liu | Jan 1996 | A |
5484292 | McTaggart | Jan 1996 | A |
5485176 | Ohara et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5509087 | Nagamine | Apr 1996 | A |
5510606 | Worthington et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5517579 | Baron et al. | May 1996 | A |
5520544 | Manico et al. | May 1996 | A |
5561446 | Montlick | Oct 1996 | A |
5572651 | Weber et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5575659 | King et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5636995 | Sharpe, III et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5686705 | Conroy et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5717939 | Bricklin et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5835726 | Shwed et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5844483 | Boley | Dec 1998 | A |
5847698 | Reavey et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5992817 | Klitsner et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6020895 | Azami | Feb 2000 | A |
6144371 | Clary et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6239792 | Yanagisawa et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6275301 | Bobrow et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6313828 | Chombo | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6418326 | Heinonen et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6431439 | Suer et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6456749 | Kasabach et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6502756 | Fahraeus | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6529920 | Arons et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6584249 | Gu et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6641401 | Wood et al. | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6847883 | Walmsley et al. | Jan 2005 | B1 |
6874883 | Walmsley et al. | Apr 2005 | B1 |
6965454 | Silverbrook et al. | Nov 2005 | B1 |
6966495 | Lynggaard et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
7134606 | Chou | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7202861 | Lynggaard | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7409089 | Simmons et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
7421439 | Wang et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7453447 | Marggraff et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
20020060665 | Sekiguchi et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020077902 | Marcus | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020120854 | LeVine et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20030014615 | Lynggaard | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030071850 | Geidl | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030133164 | Tsai | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030173405 | Wilz, Sr. et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20040202987 | Scheuring et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040259067 | Cody et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050002053 | Meador et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050060644 | Patterson | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050131803 | Lapstun et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050134926 | Takezaki et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050138541 | Euchner et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050211783 | Chou | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20060126105 | Sedky et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060146029 | Diercks | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060159345 | Clary et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060242562 | Wang et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1655184 | Aug 2005 | CN |
539053 | Apr 1993 | EP |
1315085 | May 2003 | EP |
57-238486 | Mar 1982 | JP |
61-46516 | Mar 1986 | JP |
5-137846 | Jun 1993 | JP |
5-217688 | Aug 1993 | JP |
WO 0073983 | Dec 2000 | WO |
WO 0101670 | Jan 2001 | WO |
WO 0116691 | Mar 2001 | WO |
WO 0126032 | Apr 2001 | WO |
WO 0171473 | Sep 2001 | WO |
WO 0171475 | Sep 2001 | WO |
WO 0175723 | Oct 2001 | WO |
WO 0175773 | Oct 2001 | WO |
WO 0175780 | Oct 2001 | WO |
0183213 | Nov 2001 | WO |
WO 0195559 | Dec 2001 | WO |
03067553 | Aug 2003 | WO |
2004084190 | Nov 2004 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20070097100 A1 | May 2007 | US |