Patents by Inventor Minh-Dieu Thi Vu

Minh-Dieu Thi Vu 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).

  • Patent number: 9268450
    Abstract: A sensor panel device that can generate and use a stimulus signal having multiple different waveforms for detecting events on or near the sensor panel is disclosed. Among other things, such a stimulus signal can be used to reject environmental noise present in the device. In some embodiments, the stimulus signal has multiple waveforms having different frequencies. Logic circuitry can generate representative values from output of the different waveforms applied to one or more sensing nodes in the sensor panel device. From the representative values, a final value can be generated that represents whether an event occurred at or near the one or more sensing nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Horst Krah, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu
  • Publication number: 20150268791
    Abstract: A device that can autonomously scan a sensor panel is disclosed. Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic. In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functions that a processor would normally undertake, including generating timing sequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); generating row count; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; power management control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Minh-Dieu Thi VU, Thomas James WILSON, Christoph H. KRAH
  • Patent number: 9063601
    Abstract: A device that can autonomously scan a sensor panel is disclosed. Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic. In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functions that a processor would normally undertake, including generating timing sequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); generating row count; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; power management control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Minh-Dieu Thi Vu, Thomas James Wilson, Christoph H. Krah
  • Publication number: 20150084926
    Abstract: A sensor panel device that can generate and use a stimulus signal having multiple different waveforms for detecting events on or near the sensor panel is disclosed. Among other things, such a stimulus signal can be used to reject environmental noise present in the device. In some embodiments, the stimulus signal has multiple waveforms having different frequencies. Logic circuitry can generate representative values from output of the different waveforms applied to one or more sensing nodes in the sensor panel device. From the representative values, a final value can be generated that represents whether an event occurred at or near the one or more sensing nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph Horst KRAH, Minh-Dieu Thi VU
  • Patent number: 8922519
    Abstract: A sensor panel device that can generate and use a stimulus signal having multiple different waveforms for detecting events on or near the sensor panel is disclosed. Among other things, such a stimulus signal can be used to reject environmental noise present in the device. In some embodiments, the stimulus signal has multiple waveforms having different frequencies. Logic circuitry can generate representative values from output of the different waveforms applied to one or more sensing nodes in the sensor panel device. From the representative values, a final value can be generated that represents whether an event occurred at or near the one or more sensing nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Horst Krah, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu
  • Publication number: 20140347306
    Abstract: A system and method for autonomously scanning a sensor panel device is disclosed. A sensor panel processor can be disabled after a first predetermined amount of time has elapsed without the sensor panel device sensing any events. One or more system clocks can also be disabled to conserve power. While the processor and one or more system clocks are disabled, the sensor panel device can periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel for touch activity. If one or more results from the autonomous scans exceed a threshold, the sensor panel device re-enables the processor and one or more clocks to actively scan the sensor panel. If the threshold is not exceeded, the sensor panel device continues to periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel without intervention from the processor. The sensor panel device can periodically perform calibration functions to account for any drift that may be present in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Christoph H. KRAH, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu, Thomas James Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140340345
    Abstract: A device that can autonomously scan a sensor panel is disclosed. Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic. In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functions that a processor would normally undertake, including generating timing sequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); generating row count; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; power management control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Minh-Dieu Thi VU, Thomas James Wilson, Christoph H. Krah
  • Patent number: 8836656
    Abstract: A device that can autonomously scan a sensor panel is disclosed. Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic. In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functions that a processor would normally undertake, including generating timing sequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); generating row count; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; power management control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Minh-Dieu Thi Vu, Thomas James Wilson, Christoph Horst Krah
  • Patent number: 8823660
    Abstract: A system and method for autonomously scanning a sensor panel device is disclosed. A sensor panel processor can be disabled after a first predetermined amount of time has elapsed without the sensor panel device sensing any events. One or more system clocks can also be disabled to conserve power. While the processor and one or more system clocks are disabled, the sensor panel device can periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel for touch activity. If one or more results from the autonomous scans exceed a threshold, the sensor panel device re-enables the processor and one or more clocks to actively scan the sensor panel. If the threshold is not exceeded, the sensor panel device continues to periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel without intervention from the processor. The sensor panel device can periodically perform calibration functions to account for any drift that may be present in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Horst Krah, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu, Thomas James Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140092063
    Abstract: A sensor panel device that can generate and use a stimulus signal having multiple different waveforms for detecting events on or near the sensor panel is disclosed. Among other things, such a stimulus signal can be used to reject environmental noise present in the device. In some embodiments, the stimulus signal has multiple waveforms having different frequencies. Logic circuitry can generate representative values from output of the different waveforms applied to one or more sensing nodes in the sensor panel device. From the representative values, a final value can be generated that represents whether an event occurred at or near the one or more sensing nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Horst KRAH, Minh-Dieu Thi VU
  • Patent number: 8659568
    Abstract: A sensor panel device that can generate and use a stimulus signal having multiple different waveforms for detecting events on or near the sensor panel is disclosed. Among other things, such a stimulus signal can be used to reject environmental noise present in the device. In some embodiments, the stimulus signal has multiple waveforms having different frequencies. Logic circuitry can generate representative values from output of the different waveforms applied to one or more sensing nodes in the sensor panel device. From the representative values, a final value can be generated that represents whether an event occurred at or near the one or more sensing nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Horst Krah, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu
  • Patent number: 8542208
    Abstract: A system and method for autonomously scanning a sensor panel device is disclosed. A sensor panel processor can be disabled after a first predetermined amount of time has elapsed without the sensor panel device sensing any events. One or more system clocks can also be disabled to conserve power. While the processor and one or more system clocks are disabled, the sensor panel device can periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel for touch activity. If one or more results from the autonomous scans exceed a threshold, the sensor panel device re-enables the processor and one or more clocks to actively scan the sensor panel. If the threshold is not exceeded, the sensor panel device continues to periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel without intervention from the processor. The sensor panel device can periodically perform calibration functions to account for any drift that may be present in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Horst Krah, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu, Thomas James Wilson
  • Patent number: 8471837
    Abstract: A device that can autonomously scan a sensor panel is disclosed. Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic. In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functions that a processor would normally undertake, including generating timing sequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); generating row count; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; power management control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Minh-Dieu Thi Vu, Thomas James Wilson, Christoph Horst Krah
  • Patent number: 8390588
    Abstract: A device that can autonomously scan a sensor panel is disclosed. Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic. In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functions that a processor would normally undertake, including generating timing sequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); generating row count; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; power management control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Minh-Dieu Thi Vu, Thomas James Wilson, Christoph Horst Krah
  • Patent number: 8310472
    Abstract: A device that can autonomously scan a sensor panel is disclosed. Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic. In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functions that a processor would normally undertake, including generating timing sequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); generating row count; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; power management control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Minh-Dieu Thi Vu, Thomas James Wilson, Christoph Horst Krah
  • Publication number: 20120280932
    Abstract: A sensor panel device that can generate and use a stimulus signal having multiple different waveforms for detecting events on or near the sensor panel is disclosed. Among other things, such a stimulus signal can be used to reject environmental noise present in the device. In some embodiments, the stimulus signal has multiple waveforms having different frequencies. Logic circuitry can generate representative values from output of the different waveforms applied to one or more sensing nodes in the sensor panel device. From the representative values, a final value can be generated that represents whether an event occurred at or near the one or more sensing nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Christoph Horst KRAH, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu
  • Patent number: 8232970
    Abstract: A sensor panel device that can generate and use a stimulus signal having multiple different waveforms for detecting events on or near the sensor panel is disclosed. Among other things, such a stimulus signal can be used to reject environmental noise present in the device. In some embodiments, the stimulus signal has multiple waveforms having different frequencies. Logic circuitry can generate representative values from output of the different waveforms applied to one or more sensing nodes in the sensor panel device. From the representative values, a final value can be generated that represents whether an event occurred at or near the one or more sensing nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Horst Krah, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu
  • Publication number: 20120162129
    Abstract: A system and method for autonomously scanning a sensor panel device is disclosed. A sensor panel processor can be disabled after a first predetermined amount of time has elapsed without the sensor panel device sensing any events. One or more system clocks can also be disabled to conserve power. While the processor and one or more system clocks are disabled, the sensor panel device can periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel for touch activity. If one or more results from the autonomous scans exceed a threshold, the sensor panel device re-enables the processor and one or more clocks to actively scan the sensor panel. If the threshold is not exceeded, the sensor panel device continues to periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel without intervention from the processor. The sensor panel device can periodically perform calibration functions to account for any drift that may be present in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Christoph Horst KRAH, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu, Thomas James Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120157167
    Abstract: A system and method for autonomously scanning a sensor panel device, is disclosed. A sensor panel processor can be disabled after a first predetermined amount of time has elapsed without the sensor panel device sensing any events. One or more system clocks can also be disabled to conserve power. While the processor and one or more system clocks are disabled, the sensor panel device can periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel for touch activity. If one or more results from the autonomous scans exceed a threshold, the sensor panel device re-enables the processor and one or more clocks to actively scan the sensor panel. If the threshold is not exceeded, then the sensor panel device continues to periodically autonomously scan the sensor panel without intervention from the processor. The sensor panel device can periodically perform calibration functions to account for any drift that may be present in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Christoph Horst Krah, Minh-Dieu Thi Vu, Thomas James Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120098778
    Abstract: A device that can autonomously scan a sensor panel is disclosed. Autonomous scanning can be performed by implementing channel scan logic. In one embodiment, channel scan logic carries out many of the functions that a processor would normally undertake, including generating timing sequences and obtaining result data; comparing scan result data against a threshold value (e.g., in an auto-scan mode); generating row count; selecting one or more scanning frequency bands; power management control; and performing an auto-scan routine in a low power mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Minh-Dieu Thi VU, Thomas James Wilson, Christoph Horst Krah