Patents by Inventor Bob Lee Mackey

Bob Lee Mackey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20190034689
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. The systems and methods include a display for imaging an input object. The display includes a sensing surface; a plurality of display pixels; a plurality of detector pixels; and a processing system. The processing system is configured to determine a location of the input object relative to the sensing surface; illuminate one or more display pixels of the plurality of display pixels according to a pattern depending on the location of the input object; and acquire image data of the input object from one or more detector pixels of the plurality of detector pixels, wherein the image data corresponds to light from the one or more display pixels that is reflected at the sensing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Bob Lee Mackey, Arash Akhavan Fomani, Francis Lau
  • Publication number: 20190026523
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for optical sensing, comprising: a display comprising a transparent substrate and a plurality of light emitters disposed above the transparent substrate; a transparent cover layer disposed above the display, wherein a top surface of the transparent cover layer provides an input surface for sensing an input object; and, an angled filter disposed below the transparent substrate of the display, wherein the angled filter is configured to allow light within a tolerance angle of an acceptance angle to pass through the angled filter, wherein the acceptance angle is centered around a non-zero angle relative to a normal of the input surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Guozhong SHEN, Richard KLENKLER, Paul WICKBOLDT, Young Seen LEE, Patrick SMITH, Bob Lee MACKEY, Marek MIENKO, Arash Akhavan FOMANI, Alvin JEE, Erik Jonathon THOMPSON, Bjoren DAVIS
  • Patent number: 10185866
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical sensors, optical fingerprint sensor packages, and methods for forming same. An optical sensor comprises: a substrate; an image sensor disposed over the substrate; a light source disposed over the substrate; a light guide disposed over the image sensor; and, an encapsulant disposed over the light source, wherein the encapsulant is coupled to the light guide and comprises a surface positioned to reflect light emitted from the light source and direct the reflected light into the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason Goodelle, Paul Wickboldt, Young Seen Lee, Chien Lam, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Publication number: 20180357460
    Abstract: Optical sensing systems and methods for imaging objects include under-display optical sensors with one or multiple discrete light sources positioned on, in or under the display. The optical sensors may include an array of optical sensing elements, e.g., photodetectors, arranged in or under the display. The displays include OLED or LCD displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick Smith, Arash Akhavan Fomani, Marek Mienko, Bob Lee Mackey, Guozhong Shen
  • Publication number: 20180357462
    Abstract: An optical sensor system includes a display substrate, display pixel circuitry including a plurality of light emitting display elements or pixels disposed over the display substrate, a first circular polarizer disposed over the display substrate and the display pixel circuitry, and a transparent cover sheet disposed over the first circular polarizer. A top surface of the transparent cover sheet provides a sensing surface for an object such as a finger. The optical sensor system also includes a sensor layer disposed below the display substrate, the sensor layer having a plurality of photosensors, and a second circular polarizer disposed between the sensor layer and the display substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Bob Lee Mackey, Patrick Smith, Erik Jonathon Thompson, Arash Akhavan Fomani, Marek Mienko
  • Patent number: 10115000
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. An electronic device for imaging an input object includes a display comprising a sensing surface and an array of display pixels. The electronic device also includes a processing system communicatively coupled to the display, the processing system configured to: selectively illuminate one or more of the display pixels according to a pattern; acquire image data, from one or more detector pixels of the display, of the input object in contact with the sensing surface, wherein the image data corresponds to light from the illuminated display pixels that is reflected at the sensing surface of the display; and process an image of the input object from the image data based upon the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Bob Lee Mackey, Arash Akhavan Fomani, Francis Lau
  • Patent number: 10108841
    Abstract: An optical biometric sensor includes an array of light sensing elements, an array of diverging optical elements, and an array of apertures disposed between the array of light sensing elements and the array of diverging optical elements. Light incident on the diverging optical elements within a limited acceptance angle passes through the apertures and towards the light sensing elements and light incident on the diverging optical elements outside of the limited acceptance angle diverges away from the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Young Seen Lee, Paul Wickboldt, Robert John Gove, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Publication number: 20180239941
    Abstract: A system and method for an electronic device for imaging a biometric object having structural features of interest is disclosed. The electronic device includes a display including rows of pixel elements, the rows of pixel elements being parallel a first primary direction along a first axis and an optical sensor mounted underneath the display, the optical sensor being parallel to a second primary direction along a second axis. The second axis is rotated at an angle relative the first axis to adjust a moiré pattern outside of a frequency range of the features of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Bob Lee MACKEY, Robert John GOVE
  • Patent number: 9946917
    Abstract: A biometric input system includes: a biometric sensor, configured to generate a biometric image comprising features of an input biometric object; and a processing system, configured to receive the biometric image, generate a feature map from the biometric image, perform a distance transform on the feature map, and determine an attribute of the biometric image from the distance transform. The processing system is further configured to compare the determined attribute of the biometric image with corresponding attributes of enrolled biometric images, and, based on the comparison, to eliminate enrolled biometric images from a matching process for the biometric image, wherein the matching process is performed after the elimination and comprises comparison of the biometric image to remaining enrolled biometric images based on one or more attributes of the biometric image other than the determined attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Kinh Tieu, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Patent number: 9798429
    Abstract: This disclosure generally provides an input device that includes a multi-layered capacitive sensor which includes a first layer disposed over a second layer that contains a plurality of sensor electrodes coupled to respective traces. The first and second layers form a capacitive sensing stack where the first layer is between the second layer and a touch surface for interacting with the input object. The first and second layers may be disposed on either the same substrate or different substrates in the stack. In one embodiment, the first layer includes electrically floating electrodes and at least one guard electrode. These components may align with respective components in the second layer. For example, the electrically floating electrodes in the first layer may at least partially cover the sensor electrodes in the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Adam Schwartz, Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Bob Lee Mackey, Petr Shepelev
  • Publication number: 20170286743
    Abstract: An optical biometric sensor includes an array of light sensing elements, an array of diverging optical elements, and an array of apertures disposed between the array of light sensing elements and the array of diverging optical elements. Light incident on the diverging optical elements within a limited acceptance angle passes through the apertures and towards the light sensing elements and light incident on the diverging optical elements outside of the limited acceptance angle diverges away from the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Young Seen Lee, Paul Wickboldt, Robert John Gove, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Publication number: 20170286742
    Abstract: An optical sensor for imaging a biometric object includes: a cover layer transparent to light reflected off the biometric object; an optical layer, disposed below the cover layer, having a plurality of diffractive optical elements; and a sensing layer, having a plurality of sensing elements disposed below the optical layer, each of the sensing elements being configured to detect light from the biometric object. The plurality of diffractive optical elements of the optical layer are configured to direct light from the biometric object to the plurality of sensing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Bob Lee Mackey, Richard Andrew Klenkler
  • Publication number: 20170286746
    Abstract: A biometric input system includes: a biometric sensor, configured to generate a biometric image comprising features of an input biometric object; and a processing system, configured to receive the biometric image, generate a feature map from the biometric image, perform a distance transform on the feature map, and determine an attribute of the biometric image from the distance transform. The processing system is further configured to compare the determined attribute of the biometric image with corresponding attributes of enrolled biometric images, and, based on the comparison, to eliminate enrolled biometric images from a matching process for the biometric image, wherein the matching process is performed after the elimination and comprises comparison of the biometric image to remaining enrolled biometric images based on one or more attributes of the biometric image other than the determined attribute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Kinh Tieu, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Patent number: 9760758
    Abstract: A method for using a fingerprint sensor on a mobile device to determine which hand is being used to operate the mobile device includes: acquiring, by a processor, sensing data from the fingerprint sensor corresponding to a finger sensed by the fingerprint sensor; determining, by the processor, an orientation of the finger based on the acquired sensing data; and generating, by the processor, a signal for indicating which hand is being used to operate the mobile device based on the determined orientation of the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Adam L Schwartz, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Publication number: 20170228573
    Abstract: A transparent sensor pattern suitable for sensing fingerprint information in a display area is disclosed. The sensor pattern includes a receiver electrode extending in a first direction and a transmitter electrode extending in a second direction different from the first direction. The receiver electrode includes a conductive trace made from an opaque metal material and the receiver electrode is substantially free of transparent conductive material. The transmitter electrode includes a conductive segment made from a transparent conductive material. A dielectric material is disposed between the receiver electrode and the transmitter electrode, and the dielectric material electrically insulates the receiver electrode from the transmitter electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Guozhong Shen, Patrick Smith, Yongqian Tang, Jim Aroyan, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Publication number: 20170220844
    Abstract: An optical sensor system includes: an input surface providing a sensing region for a biometric object; a plurality of display elements, disposed beneath the input surface, configured to emit light to provide a display; an aperture layer, disposed beneath the plurality of display elements; a collimator layer, disposed beneath the aperture layer; and a plurality of light sensing elements, disposed beneath the collimator layer, wherein the plurality of light sensing elements are configured to detect light from the sensing region that has passed through the aperture layer and the collimator layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Eric Jones, Paul Wickboldt, Patrick Smith, Young Seen Lee, Alvin Jee, Richard Andrew Klenkler, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Publication number: 20170193261
    Abstract: A method for using a fingerprint sensor on a mobile device to determine which hand is being used to operate the mobile device includes: acquiring, by a processor, sensing data from the fingerprint sensor corresponding to a finger sensed by the fingerprint sensor; determining, by the processor, an orientation of the finger based on the acquired sensing data; and generating, by the processor, a signal for indicating which hand is being used to operate the mobile device based on the determined orientation of the finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Adam L. Schwartz, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Publication number: 20170169275
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. An electronic device for imaging an input object includes a display comprising a sensing surface and an array of display pixels. The electronic device also includes a processing system communicatively coupled to the display, the processing system configured to: selectively illuminate one or more of the display pixels according to a pattern; acquire image data, from one or more detector pixels of the display, of the input object in contact with the sensing surface, wherein the image data corresponds to light from the illuminated display pixels that is reflected at the sensing surface of the display; and process an image of the input object from the image data based upon the pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Bob Lee Mackey, Arash Akhavan Fomani, Francis Lau
  • Publication number: 20170083745
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical sensors, optical fingerprint sensor packages, and methods for forming same. An optical sensor comprises: a substrate; an image sensor disposed over the substrate; a light source disposed over the substrate; a light guide disposed over the image sensor; and, an encapsulant disposed over the light source, wherein the encapsulant is coupled to the light guide and comprises a surface positioned to reflect light emitted from the light source and direct the reflected light into the light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Jason Goodelle, Paul Wickboldt, Young Seen Lee, Chien Lam, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Patent number: 9557860
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an input device having a plurality of sensor electrodes that can be configured to be scanned in a first direction or a second direction. The input device includes a set of sensor electrodes and first and second sets of buses. The first buses are oriented in a first direction and the second buses are oriented in a second direction. The input device also includes a set of switching elements that are each configured to couple one of the sensor electrodes to either a bus in the first set of buses or a bus in the second set of buses. These embodiments allow the sensor electrodes to be scanned in a variety of patterns for flexible sensing functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Bob Lee Mackey