Patents by Inventor Raymond A. Trent, Jr.
Raymond A. Trent, Jr. 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).
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Patent number: 9465532Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for implementing gesture command recognition functionality is disclosed. The apparatuses may operate in a pointing mode and operate in an enhanced gesturing mode. While in the enhanced gesturing mode, the apparatuses may cause associated actions in response to recognizing sliding inputs as gesture commands. The gesture commands may be selectively associated with actions based on localities. The apparatuses may present overlays with information content independent of gesture command recognition. The apparatuses may change appearances of visual representations of sliding inputs in response to recognizing the sliding inputs as gesture commands.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Raymond A. Trent, Jr., Theodore A. Theocheung
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Patent number: 8669943Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an object position detector. The object position detector comprises a touch sensor formed as a closed loop and having a physical constraint formed on an upper surface of the touch sensor and coextensive with the closed loop. The touch sensor is configured to sense motion of an object proximate to the closed loop. The object position detector also comprises a processor coupled to the touch sensor and is programmed to generate an action in response to the motion on the touch sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Synaptics IncoporatedInventors: Raymond A. Trent, Jr., Scott J. Shaw, David W. Gillespie, Christopher Heiny, Mark A. Huie
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Publication number: 20140015751Abstract: A device and method include an enclosure having a top layer with an external touch surface and an oppositely disposed back surface, a flexible substrate including a first portion affixed to the back surface, a second portion separate from the first portion, and an intermediate portion between the first second portions. An array of capacitive sensors is configured to sense objects proximate the external surface. A processor mounted to the second portion is configured to obtain signals from the sensors, determine object motion proximate the external surface using the signals, cause scrolling in response the object moving along a first axis, cause continued scrolling in response to the object lifting with a substantially non-zero speed along the first axis, and to not cause continued scrolling in response the object lifting with a substantially zero speed along the first axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: David W. Gillespie, Shawn P. Day, Raymond A. Trent, JR., Scott J. Shaw, Andrew M. Errington
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Publication number: 20140009397Abstract: A capacitive sensing device and method include a touch surface, a capacitive touch sensor coupled to the touch surface and configured to measure finger motion along the touch surface, and a processor in operative communication with the capacitive touch sensor. The processor is configured to generate a scrolling command in response to finger motion along the touch surface, cease the scrolling command without substantially continuing generating the scrolling command upon the finger lifting from the touch surface when the finger is stationary prior to lifting from the touch surface, and continue generating the scrolling command for a time after the finger lifting from the touch surface to emulate coasting responsive to finger motion prior the finger lifting.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventors: David W. Gillespie, Shawn P. Day, Raymond A. Trent, JR., Scott J. Shaw, Andrew M. Errington
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Patent number: 8487788Abstract: In a method for determining actuation of a first capacitive button having a first set of at least three sensor electrode elements associated with at least three distinct sensor electrodes, and wherein a sensor electrode element of the first set of sensor electrode elements and a sensor electrode element of a second set of at least three sensor electrode elements of a second capacitive button share at least one sensor electrode in common, indicia is received from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes comprising the first capacitive button. At least three electrode values are generated from the indicia. The at least three electrode values are utilized to determine actuation of the capacitive button.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Tracy Scott Dattalo, Raymond A Trent, Jr., John M Feland, III
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Patent number: 8358226Abstract: Methods for determining actuation of a capacitive button are described. In some embodiments, indicia from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button are received, the indicia indicative of interaction of an input object with the at least three distinct sensor electrodes. The actuation of the capacitive button is then determined, based at least in part on satisfying a set of criteria comprising: a location condition concerning a location of the input object relative to a center of the capacitive button, and a coupling condition concerning a change in capacitive coupling of the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with the at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2008Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Tracy Scott Dattalo, Raymond A Trent, Jr., John M Feland, III, Izhak Baharav, John P Maloney, Jr.
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Patent number: 8259076Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an object position detector. The object position detector comprises a touch sensor formed as a closed loop and having a physical constraint formed on an upper surface of the touch sensor and coextensive with the closed loop. The touch sensor is configured to sense motion of an object proximate to the closed loop. The object position detector also comprises a processor coupled to the touch sensor and is programmed to generate an action in response to the motion on the touch sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Raymond A. Trent, Jr., Scott J. Shaw, David W. Gillespie, Christopher Heiny, Mark A. Huie
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Patent number: 8035616Abstract: A pointing device some or all of whose elements are made from capacitive sensors. Such elements may include a rotary motion detector which includes a rotating member and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; a rolling ball with patterned conductive surface and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; capacitive touch sensors or capacitive switches to serve as mouse buttons; and a scrolling wheel, knob, or touch surface built from capacitive sensors. The pointing device further includes a capacitance measuring circuit and processor to measure variations of capacitance on the various capacitive elements and to determine the movement of and other activations of the mouse.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Scott J. Shaw, Shawn P. Day, Raymond A. Trent, Jr., David W. Gillespie, Andrew M. Errington
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Publication number: 20110154268Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for implementing gesture command recognition functionality is disclosed. The apparatuses may operate in a pointing mode and operate in an enhanced gesturing mode. While in the enhanced gesturing mode, the apparatuses may cause associated actions in response to recognizing sliding inputs as gesture commands. The gesture commands may be selectively associated with actions based on localities. The apparatuses may present overlays with information content independent of gesture command recognition. The apparatuses may change appearances of visual representations of sliding inputs in response to recognizing the sliding inputs as gesture commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Raymond A. Trent, JR., Theodore A. Theocheung
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Publication number: 20110148786Abstract: An input device comprising a sensing element (and perhaps other sensing elements) and a processing system coupled to the sensing element is disclosed. The processing system is configured to operate in a first mode, to change from operating in the first mode to operating in a second mode in response to recognizing a characteristic object motion in the sensing, and to operate in the second mode. The first mode may be a pointing mode and the second mode may be an enhanced gesturing mode. The processing system recognizes a first type of sliding input in the sensing region as a pointing command while in the pointing mode, and recognizes the first type of sliding input in the sensing region as one of the plurality of gesture commands (associated with a plurality of different gesture actions) while in the enhanced gesturing mode. Methods and program products are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Shawn P. Day, Raymond A. Trent, JR., David W. Gillespie
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Publication number: 20110001704Abstract: A pointing device some or all of whose elements are made from capacitive sensors. Such elements may include a rotary motion detector which includes a rotating member and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; a rolling ball with patterned conductive surface and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; capacitive touch sensors or capacitive switches to serve as mouse buttons; and a scrolling wheel, knob, or touch surface built from capacitive sensors. The pointing device further includes a capacitance measuring circuit and processor to measure variations of capacitance on the various capacitive elements and to determine the movement of and other activations of the mouse.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Scott J. Shaw, Shawn P. Day, Raymond A. Trent, JR., David W. Gillespie, Andrew M. Errington
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Publication number: 20110001703Abstract: A pointing device some or all of whose elements are made from capacitive sensors. Such elements may include a rotary motion detector which includes a rotating member and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; a rolling ball with patterned conductive surface and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; capacitive touch sensors or capacitive switches to serve as mouse buttons; and a scrolling wheel, knob, or touch surface built from capacitive sensors. The pointing device further includes a capacitance measuring circuit and processor to measure variations of capacitance on the various capacitive elements and to determine the movement of and other activations of the mouse.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Scott J. Shaw, Shawn P. Day, Raymond A. Trent, JR., David W. Gillespie, Andrew M. Errington
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Patent number: 7817135Abstract: A pointing device some or all of whose elements are made from capacitive sensors. Such elements may include a rotary motion detector which includes a rotating member and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; a rolling ball with patterned conductive surface and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; capacitive touch sensors or capacitive switches to serve as mouse buttons; and a scrolling wheel, knob, or touch surface built from capacitive sensors. The pointing device further includes a capacitance measuring circuit and processor to measure variations of capacitance on the various capacitive elements and to determine the movement of and other activations of the mouse.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Scott J. Shaw, Shawn P. Day, Raymond A. Trent, Jr., David W. Gillespie, Andrew M. Errington
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Patent number: 7710407Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an object position detector. The object position detector comprises a touch sensor formed as a closed loop and having a physical constraint formed on an upper surface of the touch sensor and coextensive with the closed loop. The touch sensor is configured to sense motion of an object proximate to the closed loop. The object position detector also comprises a processor coupled to the touch sensor and is programmed to generate an action in response to the motion on the touch sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Raymond A. Trent, Jr., Scott J. Shaw, David W. Gillespie, Christopher Heiny, Mark A. Huie
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Patent number: 7609253Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an object position detector. The object position detector comprises a touch sensor formed as a closed loop and having a physical constraint formed on an upper surface of the touch sensor and coextensive with the closed loop. The touch sensor is configured to sense motion of an object proximate to the closed loop. The object position detector also comprises a processor coupled to the touch sensor and is programmed to generate an action in response to the motion on the touch sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Raymond A. Trent, Jr., Scott J. Shaw, David W. Gillespie, Christopher Heiny, Mark A. Huie
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Publication number: 20090128374Abstract: Methods for determining actuation of a capacitive button are described. In some embodiments, indicia from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button are received, the indicia indicative of interaction of an input object with the at least three distinct sensor electrodes. The actuation of the capacitive button is then determined, based at least in part on satisfying a set of criteria comprising: a location condition concerning a location of the input object relative to a center of the capacitive button, and a coupling condition concerning a change in capacitive coupling of the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with the at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Joseph Kurth REYNOLDS, Tracy Scott Dattalo, Raymond A. Trent, JR., John M. Feland, III, Izhak Baharav, John P. Maloney, JR.
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Patent number: 7502016Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an object position detector. The object position detector comprises a touch sensor formed as a closed loop and having a physical constraint formed on an upper surface of the touch sensor and coextensive with the closed loop. The touch sensor is configured to sense motion of an object proximate to the closed loop. The object position detector also comprises a processor coupled to the touch sensor and is programmed to generate an action in response to the motion on the touch sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Raymond A. Trent, Jr., Scott J. Shaw, David W. Gillespie, Christopher Heiny, Mark A. Huie
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Patent number: 7466307Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an object position detector. The object position detector comprises a touch sensor formed as a closed loop and having a physical constraint formed on an upper surface of the touch sensor and coextensive with the closed loop. The touch sensor is configured to sense motion of an object proximate to the closed loop. The object position detector also comprises a processor coupled to the touch sensor and is programmed to generate an action in response to the motion on the touch sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Raymond A. Trent, Jr., Scott J. Shaw, David W. Gillespie, Christopher Heiny, Mark A. Huie
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Patent number: 7212189Abstract: A pointing device some or all of whose elements are made from capacitive sensors. Such elements may include a rotary motion detector which includes a rotating member and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; a rolling ball with patterned conductive surface and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; capacitive touch sensors or capacitive switches to serve as mouse buttons; and a scrolling wheel, knob, or touch surface built from capacitive sensors. The pointing device further includes a capacitance measuring circuit and processor to measure variations of capacitance on the various capacitive elements and to determine the movement of and other activations of the mouse.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Scott J. Shaw, Shawn P. Day, Raymond A. Trent, Jr., David W. Gillespie, Andrew M. Errington
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Patent number: 6587093Abstract: A pointing device some or all of whose elements are made from capacitive sensors. Such elements may include a rotary motion detector which includes a rotating member and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; a rolling ball with patterned conductive surface and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; capacitive touch sensors or capacitive switches to serve as mouse buttons; and a scrolling wheel, knob, or touch surface built from capacitive sensors. The pointing device further includes a capacitance measuring circuit and processor to measure variations of capacitance on the various capacitive elements and to determine the movement of and other activations of the mouse.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Scott J. Shaw, Shawn P. Day, Raymond A. Trent, Jr., David W. Gillespie, Andrew M. Errington