Roland Bosa

US Patent:

6710764, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

May 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/568092

Inventors:

Thomas Burgel - Newark CA
Roland Bosa - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Logitech Europe S.A.

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345156, 345701

Abstract:

A low-cost method and system for processing force feedback effects generated at a host for playback at a physical interaction device by moving much of the force feedback effect processing from the device back to the host, and performing this in a manner that does not adversely affect latency effects or the load on the host processor. This is achieved by a novel combination of software and hardware techniques. In particular, the device hardware uses a low-cost microcontroller with limited processing capabilities, minimal memory and a low speed USB interface. The small memory also alleviates the need for buffer assignments and memory management. On the other hand, the device driver software residing on the host computer relies on the hosts powerful processor to perform the majority of the effect management and computation, as well as translating all the complex high-level effect commands to a unique, small and simplified set of low-level commands which are periodically updated and transferred to the device for playback.

US Patent:

6741233, May 25, 2004

Filed:

Apr 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/560554

Inventors:

Fred Swan - Castro Valley CA
Aidan Kehoe - Fremont CA
Thomas Burgel - Newark CA
Roland Bosa - Fremont CA
Paul Loughnane - Newark CA
Urs Boesiger - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Logitech Europe S.A.

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345161, 345156

Abstract:

A roller is provided in an input device such as a joystick to perform functions that compliment its operation. Upon detecting rotational movement of the roller in a first direction by a preset angle, a first signal is generated for activating a first logical button. Upon detecting rotational movement of the roller in a second direction by a preset angle, a second signal is generated for activating a second logical button. Roller rotation by multiples of the preset angle represents a series of button presses. The button press may be assigned a function such as selecting an item from a menu or adjusting attributes of objects or data displayed on a computer screen, such as the selection or firing of weapons or adjustment of shield balance in a video game application.

US Patent:

8159414, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Jun 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/155972

Inventors:

Christopher Pate - Fremont CA, US
Mark Lavelle - San Mateo CA, US
David Wegmuller - Palo Alto CA, US
Roland Bosa - Fremont CA, US
Nanda Kutty - Union City CA, US
Vahid Afshar - San Carlos CA, US
Aidan Kehoe - Fremont CA, US
Thomas Burgel - Newark CA, US

Assignee:

Logitech Europe S.A. - Morges

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345 11, 341 22, 345168

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention provide programmable keys in a keyboard that provide the user with added functionalities and versatility to enhance the usage of the computer for game play or the like. In one embodiment, an input device for use with a computer comprises an input device housing; at least one input member disposed on the input device housing; and an auxiliary display connected to the input device housing, the auxiliary display being configured to display information received from the computer including images provided by the computer.

US Patent:

20060284847, Dec 21, 2006

Filed:

Jun 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/156213

Inventors:

Christopher Pate - Fremont CA, US
Avinash Shinde - Fremont CA, US
Mark Lavelle - San Mateo CA, US
Roland Bosa - Fremont CA, US
Nanda Kutty - Union City CA, US
Aidan Kehoe - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

Logitech Europe S.A. - Romanel-sur Morges

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345168000

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention provide programmable keys in a keyboard that provide the user with added functionalities and versatility to enhance the usage of the computer for game play or the like. In one embodiment, a keyboard for use with a computer comprises a plurality of keys which include a plurality of programmable function keys each being programmable to have multiple shift states to provide different macro functions among the multiple shift states to be inputted to the computer; a plurality of macro shift buttons which represent the multiple shift states and which are configured to be pressed to toggle among the multiple shift states for the plurality of programmable function keys; and a macro record button configured to start and stop macro recording of the macro functions of the programmable function keys.

US Patent:

20090251417, Oct 8, 2009

Filed:

Mar 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/415902

Inventors:

Christopher Pate - Fremont CA, US
Avinash Shinde - Fremont CA, US
Mark Lavelle - San Mateo CA, US
Roland Bosa - Fremont CA, US
Nanda Kutty - Union City CA, US
Aidan Kehoe - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

Logitech Europe S.A. - Romanel-sur-Morges

International Classification:

G06F 3/02

US Classification:

345168

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention provide programmable keys in a keyboard that provide the user with added functionalities and versatility to enhance the usage of the computer for game play or the like. In one embodiment, a keyboard for use with a computer comprises a plurality of keys which include a plurality of programmable function keys each being programmable to have multiple shift states to provide different macro functions among the multiple shift states to be inputted to the computer; a plurality of macro shift buttons which represent the multiple shift states and which are configured to be pressed to toggle among the multiple shift states for the plurality of programmable function keys; and a macro record button configured to start and stop macro recording of the macro functions of the programmable function keys.

US Patent:

6658954, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Jun 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/179398

Inventors:

Roland Bosa - Fremont CA
David McVicar - El Dorado CA
David Wegmuller - Union City CA

Assignee:

Logitech Europe S.A.

International Classification:

F16H 5518

US Classification:

74409, 74665 A, 74665 B, 318437

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gear based transmission apparatus that are configured to reduce or eliminate the backlash effects. In one embodiment, a transmission apparatus comprises a follower gear, a first drive gear set coupled with the follower gear to drive the follower gear, and a second drive gear set coupled with the follower gear to drive the follower gear. The first drive gear set includes at least one gear, and the second drive gear set includes at least one gear. A controller is coupled with the first drive gear set and the second drive gear set. The controller is configured to synchronize the first drive gear set and the second drive gear set to drive the follower gear in a first direction in a first transmission drive mode, the controller being configured to reverse the direction of the first drive gear set by a phase-shift time period before reversing the direction of the second drive gear set in a transmission reversal mode so as to reduce or eliminate backlash in the first drive gear set prior to engaging the first drive gear set with the follower gear to drive the follower gear in a second direction opposite from the first direction.