Patents Examined by Stephen T Reed
  • Industrial control projective capacitive touch interface
    Patent number: 11528823
    Abstract: An industrial control device includes a display, a body, a first sensor, and a controller. The body includes a facia wall, an inner shroud, and an outer shroud. The facia wall includes a window that is a transparent material aligned to permit the display to be viewed through the window. The inner shroud extends rearward from a rear side of the facia wall. The outer shroud is disposed about the inner shroud and extends rearward from the rear side of the facia wall and is spaced apart from the inner shroud to define a cavity. A seal member is within the cavity forms a seal with a facia plate disposed about the inner shroud. The first sensor detects contact with a front surface of the facia wall. The controller is coupled to an output of the first sensor. The controller is coupled to the display and controls the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark Hoven, Andrew Borkowski, Bret Wadewitz, Robert A. Pape, Jeremy J. Quandt, Theodore Von Arx, Austin Johannes, Stephen White
  • Drive-sense control for duplicated or mirrored sensor panels
    Patent number: 11526230
    Abstract: A touch sensor device includes a first panel, a second panel, and a drive-sense circuit (DSC). The first panel that includes first electrodes arranged in a first direction and second electrodes arranged in a second direction. The second panel includes third electrodes arranged in a third direction and fourth electrodes arranged in a fourth direction. The DSC is operably coupled via a single line to a coupling of a first electrode of the first electrodes and a first electrode of the third electrodes. The DSC is configured to provide the signal, which is generated based on a reference signal, via the single line to the coupling and simultaneously to sense the signal via the single line. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the at least one electrical characteristic associated with the first electrode of the first electrodes and/or the first electrode of the third electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Derichs
  • Method for monitoring an operation condition of an interactive information system
    Patent number: 11526228
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an operation condition of an interactive information system is provided. The interactive information system includes a touch panel and a touch control unit, and executes a resident scanning program to detect whether a hardware-related issue or a software-related issue of the touch panel or the touch control unit has occurred. When the hardware-related issue has occurred, the interactive information system downloads and executes a hardware diagnosis program to obtain a diagnosis result. When the software-related issue has occurred, the interactive information system downloads and executes a software adjustment program to resolve the software-related issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: FLYTECH TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Chun Chou, Shui-Chin Tsai, Yu-Cheng Lin
  • Touch sensing device
    Patent number: 11526236
    Abstract: A device with touch sensing includes a bracket, a pad disposed above one side of the bracket, the pad having a capacitance that varies as a touch is applied proximate to the device, and a sensing coil disposed below another side of the bracket that opposes the one side, with at least a portion of the sensing coil overlapping the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sol Ji Chang, Gye Won Lee, Mun Sun Jung, Hong Seok Lee, Jong Yun Kim, Chang Ju Lee, Hee Sun Oh
  • Systems and methods for providing sanitary touch interface experiences
    Patent number: 11517641
    Abstract: A sanitary method and system of providing touch interface experiences to users of public devices are disclosed. In one aspect, the system and method are configured to deploy a clean, protective barrier across a touchscreen for each user of the public device. The barrier includes a transparent membrane that permits the user to provide touch-based inputs to the touchscreen through the barrier. In cases where the touch interface is generated by a projector, the system and method are configured to deploy a membrane that serves as a disposable screen for the projected interface. Once each user completes their session, the system automatically replaces the used membrane with a fresh membrane, ensuring subsequent users are not exposed to contaminants or residue from previous user sessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Thomas Wayne Schwarz, Jr., Jeanie Graciela Lopez, Janelle Denice Dziuk, Paula Ann Whittington, Donald Nathaniel Holloway, III, Jennifer Hunt Erickson, Will Kerns Maney, Jr., Bradly Jay Billman, Noe Alberto Martinez, Jose L. Romero, Jr., Bharat Prasad
  • Touch signal processing method and related touch device
    Patent number: 11520430
    Abstract: A touch signal processing method, for a touch display integrated device including a plurality of touch display units, is provided. Each of the plurality of touch display units includes a touch microcontroller unit (MCU). The touch signal processing method includes sensing, by a sensing module of each of the plurality of touch display units, a physical area corresponding to each of the plurality of touch display units to generate a plurality of sensing raw data; passing, by an (n?1)-th touch MCU of the plurality of touch display units, a plurality of overlap sensing raw data corresponding to an overlap area of the physical area to an n-th touch MCU; and determining, by each of the touch MCU of the plurality of touch display units, a coordinate information corresponding to a touch location of a processing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Li-Lin Liu, Chun-Jen Su, Wen-Sen Su, Yen-Hsiang Lin
  • Reducing interference within a display panel while performing input sensing
    Patent number: 11513635
    Abstract: A processing system for an input device comprises sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry is configured to operate sensor electrodes for input sensing during a first sensing frame. During a first period of the first sensing frame the sensor circuitry is configured to drive a first portion of the sensor electrodes with a sensing signal, drive a second portion of the sensor electrodes with a guarding signal, and drive a third portion of the sensor electrodes with a reference signal. The guarding signal and the sensing signal have at least one characteristic in common selected from the group consisting of amplitude, phase and frequency. The third portion of the sensor electrodes overlaps a first gate line of a display panel selected for updating during the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Daisuke Ito, Hiroshi Takeyama, Jonathan Losh
  • Sensor device and input device
    Patent number: 11513649
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor device includes an electrostatic capacitive touch panel, and an input device mounted on the touch panel. The input device includes a knob rotatably disposed about a rotation axis, and a first conductor held by the knob and being in contact with the touch panel in a part of a circumference about the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: JAPAN DISPLAY INC.
    Inventors: Naoki Takada, Toshihiko Tanaka, Nobuo Tsubokura, Takuya Nishimoto
  • Hybrid multiple sensor keyboard
    Patent number: 11513612
    Abstract: An information handling system keyboard includes moveable keys that depress vertically to perform an input at a membrane, such as against a contact sensor, and fixed keys that detect an input without requiring vertical movement, such as a force against a pressure sensor integrated in the membrane. The fixed keys are disposed at opposing sides of the keyboard to align along an edge of the information handling system housing and the moveable keys are disposed between the opposing ends of fixed keys. Haptic actuators disposed under the fixed keys provides feedback to an end user when an input is sensed at a fixed key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Robert D. Hrehor, Jace W. Files, John Trevor Morrison
  • Molded body for electronic function, method for manufacturing the same, and operation device using molded body for electronic function
    Patent number: 11507229
    Abstract: A molded body for an electronic function includes a first film in which one surface thereof constitutes an external appearance surface, a second film in which an electronic component is mounted on a surface thereof facing a surface of the first film opposite to the external appearance surface, and a first resin that fills a space between the first film and the second film. The first resin has a cavity, and the cavity is filled with a second resin, and the electronic component is disposed in the cavity and surrounded by the second resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morioka, Takashi Morimoto, Hideaki Eto, Tomoya Moriura, Wahei Agemizu
  • Analog front end circuit for touch controller and operating method thereof
    Patent number: 11507221
    Abstract: An analog front-end circuit for a touch controller and an operating method thereof are provided. The analog front-end circuit includes an analog front-end, a first switch and a second switch. The analog front-end includes an input terminal and an output terminal. The first switch includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the first switch is coupled to the input terminal of the analog front-end, and the second terminal of the first switch is coupled to a panel routing. The second switch includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the second switch is coupled to the second terminal of the first switch, and the second terminal of the second switch is coupled to a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hung-Kai Chen, Yu-Huang Chen, Feng-Lin Chan
  • Multifunction touch-switch system
    Patent number: 11500488
    Abstract: A multifunction touch-switch system is provided. The multifunction touch-switch system is configured to control devices (for example LED lighting) by a touch switch. The multifunction touch-switch system may be configured to be waterproof and vibration resistant for use in a marine environment, for example aboard a marine vehicle. The multifunction touch-switch system may be configured to control multiple functions of multiple devices with a single touch sensor. In addition to a controller and a housing for the controller, the multifunction touch-switch system may also comprise an indicator light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: T-H Marine Supplies, LLC
    Inventors: John Logan Nelson, Read Hamilton Samples
  • Touch controlling mechanism capable of calibrating variations of sensor cells of touch sensor array
    Patent number: 11500504
    Abstract: A touch controlling apparatus to be coupled to a touch sensor array is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a memory circuit and a controlling circuit. The memory circuit is used for recording different calibration ratios associated with different process variations. The controlling circuit is coupled to the memory circuit, and is used for calibrating or adjusting sensitivities of a plurality of cells by respectively using the different calibration ratios to calibrate or adjust sensed capacitance changes of the plurality of cells to generate and output resultant capacitance changes of the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventor: Sung-Han Wu
  • Providing haptic feedback through touch-sensitive input devices
    Patent number: 11500467
    Abstract: A method for providing haptic feedback. Haptic feedback may be provided to a user through a touch-sensitive input device configured to provide input to a touch-sensitive computing device. The method includes determining a haptic perception factor based at least in part on one or more of a set of input device inputs received from sensors of the touch-sensitive input device and a set of computing device inputs received from sensors of the touch-sensitive computing device. A haptic response profile is determined based at least in part on the haptic perception factor. Haptic devices of the touch-sensitive input device are then actuated based at least in part on the determined haptic response profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Uri Ron, Vadim Mishalov, Shoham Dekel, Arie Yehuda Gur
  • Mouse pad
    Patent number: 11500483
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a mousepad comprises a cover layer and an integrated keypad. The cover layer has a lateral extension and an upper surface which is usable for placement (placing, putting down) of a computer mouse. The keypad covers a part of said lateral extension. In an area not covered by the keypad there is a mouse parking area. The mousepad comprises a mouse detector associated with the mouse parking area and a corresponding control unit. The control unit is configured such that the keyboard gets activated when the mouse is inside the mouse parking area and gets deactivated when the mouse is outside the mouse parking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Yong-Jae Choi
  • Touch display substrate, manufacturing method thereof, and touch display apparatus
    Patent number: 11494018
    Abstract: A touch display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, and a touch display apparatus are provided, the touch display substrate includes a base substrate, and a touch structure layer and a display structure layer disposed on the base substrate; wherein the touch structure layer is provided to implement touch control, the display structure layer is provided to implement display, the touch structure layer is located on a side, close to the base substrate, of the display structure layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: MIANYANG BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., Beijing BOE Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yunte Chen, Jin Seok Lee, Chongxi Wei
  • Capacitive touch sensor with non-crossing conductive line pattern
    Patent number: 11494073
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interactive objects including conductive lines are provided. An interactive object may comprise a capacitive touch sensor comprising two or more non-crossing conductive lines that form at least a first conductive line pattern. The first conductive line pattern may comprise a first, second, and third sequence of the two or more non-crossing conductive lines relative to a respective first, second, and third input direction. The interactive object may be configured to detect touch input to the capacitive touch sensor based on a change in capacitance associated with the two or more non-crossing conductive lines, identify at least one of the first, second, or third line sequence based on the touch input to the capacitive touch sensor, and determine a respective gesture corresponding to the first, second, or third sequence of two or more non-crossing conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Tong Wu
  • Display device and driving method thereof
    Patent number: 11495165
    Abstract: A display device is described including a display panel for displaying an image and an input sensing unit disposed on the display panel for sensing a user input. The input sensing unit includes: an electrode unit including first electrodes and second electrodes which intersect each other and a control unit for determining the proximity of an object or the shape of the object, based on capacitance change values of the first electrodes and the second electrodes. In a first mode the input sensing unit is driven using a self-capacitance method. The control unit may merge the capacitance change values, and determine the proximity of the object based on the merged value. In a second mode based on mutual capacitance, the control unit may determine the shape of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Woo Choi, Tae Joon Kim, Eun Sol Seo, Hyun Wook Cho
  • System and method for calibrating a touch sensor
    Patent number: 11494034
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a touch sensor includes: at a calibration system during a calibration routine, applying a probe, at a target selection force, to a sequence of locations on a touch sensor surface of a touch sensor; at the touch sensor, capturing a sequence of touch images representing magnitudes of forces detected on the touch sensor surface during the calibration routine; fusing the sequence of touch images into a response map representing magnitudes of forces detected on the touch sensor surface by the touch sensor responsive to application of the target selection force on the touch sensor surface by the probe during the calibration routine; generating a force compensation map defining threshold forces for detecting selections at the target selection force on the touch sensor surface based on the response map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Sensel, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomer Moscovich, Scott Isaacson, Shuangming Li, Ilya Daniel Rosenberg, John Aaron Zarraga, Samuel Palomino
  • Terminal, protective case, and sensing method
    Patent number: 11481075
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a terminal, a protective case, and a sensing method. The terminal is suitable for removable installation of a protective case that protects a touchscreen of the terminal, and includes: a capacitance detection module, configured to detect a capacitance value of a capacitor module in the touchscreen, where the capacitance value is generated according to the capacitor module and a capacitive sensing body in the protective case; and a processing module, configured to: when it is determined that a change of the capacitance value detected by the capacitance detection module conforms to a first preset rule, determine that the protective case is far away from the terminal; and when it is determined that the change of the capacitance value conforms to a second preset rule, determine that the protective case is near the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Honor Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chunjiang Zhao