Mark S Della

US Patent:

7454839, Nov 25, 2008

Filed:

Aug 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/508549

Inventors:

Mark Alan Della Bona - Los Altos CA, US
Sabrina Hofmann - Hammelburg, DE
Zhi Qing Jiang - Shenzhen, CN
Verena Kehrer - Munich, DE
Mark Kam Ming - Hong Kong, CN
Stefan Reichl - Munich, DE
Andreas Roessner - Munich, DE
Lam Yat Wah - Hong Kong, CN
Tang Chia Weng - Hong Kong, CN
Jiqiang Yang - Wuhan, CN

Assignee:

Robotoolz, Ltd. - Kwun Tong, Kowloon

International Classification:

G01C 15/00
G01C 15/14

US Classification:

33283, 33281, 33291, 33DIG 21

Abstract:

A laser unit for providing at least one of a laser level line and a laser plumb line, where the unit includes both a locked mode and an unlocked (or auto-leveling) mode. In the unlocked mode, the laser unit is configured to provide at least one of a level line or a plumb line when the pendulum assembly is free to settle to a point of equilibrium. In the locked mode, a pendulum locking mechanism locks the laser assembly into a fixed position regardless of the orientation of the laser unit. Optionally, an attachment accessory may also be provided. The attachment accessory preferably includes a ball and socket joint attachment assembly that is configured for attaching the laser unit to the attachment accessory such that the laser unit can be rotated or tilted with respect to the attachment accessory.

US Patent:

60292148, Feb 22, 2000

Filed:

Nov 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/566883

Inventors:

Jonathan H. Dorfman - Berkeley CA
Mark A. Della Bona - Los Altos CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1312

US Classification:

710 73

Abstract:

A computer system includes an input pointer, a tablet having a two-dimensional tablet surface, and a data processor coupled to the tablet and operative to receive coordinate data from the tablet. The coordinate data is preferably in absolute-mode, and the data processor processes the coordinate data such that coordinate data influenced by a first segment of the tablet surface is processed in a relative-mode fashion, and coordinate data influenced by a second segment of the tablet surface is processed in an absolute-mode fashion. In consequence, the tablet is segmented for simultaneous relative-mode and absolute-mode operation. The segments can take on a number of configurations depending upon the configuration of the computer screen, the application program running, and user preferences. A method for processing input tablet data of the present invention includes the steps of receiving coordinate data from a tablet having a two-dimensional tablet surface, processing the coordinate data in a relative-mode if the data is influenced by proximal positioning of an input pointer with a first segment of the tablet surface, and processing the coordinate data in an absolute-mode if the data is influenced by a proximal positioning of the input pointer with a second segment of the tablet surface. The method further detects commands to change the logical segmentation of the tablet surface, and changes the logical segmentation in response to the detected commands.

US Patent:

57642184, Jun 9, 1998

Filed:

Jan 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/381471

Inventors:

Mark A. Della Bona - Los Altos CA
Jonathan Dorfman - Berkeley CA
Jay F. Hamlin - Santa Cruz CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 333

US Classification:

345157

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus for contacting a touch-sensitive cursor-controlling input device to generate button values simulating the button state of a mechanical button switch. This method and apparatus enable an operator to utilize the touch-sensitive cursor-controlling input device to change the value of a ButtonState variable (which simulates the ButtonState of a mechanical button switch) by (1) detecting contact intervals when the user contacts the touch-sensitive input device, (2) detecting gap intervals between subsequent contact intervals, and (3) moving the cursor on the display screen and changing the value of the ButtonState variable based on the duration of the contact and gap intervals. In turn, this button generation capability enables an operator to perform with a single touch-sensitive input device numerous control operations, such as cursor manipulation, click, multi-click, drag, click-and-drag, and multi-click-and-drag operations.