Patents Assigned to Atmel Corporation
  • Patent number: 10394392
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes determining a position of an input within a touch-sensitive area of a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first number of electrodes having a first orientation and a second number of electrodes having a second orientation. The second orientation is different from the first orientation. The method also includes selecting a first set of the first number of electrodes and a first set of the second number of electrodes such that the determined position of the input is within an overlap of the first set of the first number of electrodes with the first set of the second number of electrodes. An area of the overlap is smaller than the touch-sensitive area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Patent number: 10394350
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a flexible substrate, a touch sensor made of flexible conductive material disposed on the flexible substrate, and conductive tracks made of flexible conductive material disposed on the flexible substrate. The device also includes an electrical component bonded to the conductive tracks. The conductive tracks electrically couple the electrical component to the touch sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: David Guard, Simon Gillmore, Steven Emm, Adam O'Callaghan
  • Patent number: 10394402
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch position-sensing panel includes a sensing area. The sensing area includes a substrate and a plurality of first electrodes in a first layer. A first electrode of the plurality of first electrodes includes a first center region and a second electrode of the plurality of first electrodes comprises a second center region. The second electrode of the plurality of first electrodes does not include material of the first electrode of the plurality of first electrodes. A width of the second center region is less than a width of the first center region. The sensing area also includes a plurality of second electrodes in a second layer. The sensing area further includes a plurality of capacitive nodes formed by a capacitive coupling of the plurality of first electrodes in the first layer and the plurality of second electrodes in the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Esat Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 10396861
    Abstract: A method for testing a circuit for a transponder, and transponder circuit, is provided, in which the circuit is operated in a passive mode in that the circuit is supplied with energy from a field, in which, during the passive mode, the circuit receives a command via the field to activate a test routine, in which memory content is stored by the test routine as test data in a memory area of a memory of the circuit predetermined by the test routine, in which, during the passive mode, the test data are transmitted via the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Lepek, Detlef Dieball
  • Patent number: 10387361
    Abstract: Systems, methods, circuits, devices and computer-readable mediums for configuring serial devices are disclosed. In some implementations, a device comprises: an input for receiving first and second requests from a serial bus; a decoder coupled to the input and configured to determine if either of the first and second requests is a configuration mode request; a controller coupled to the decoder and configured to: in response to a determination that the first request is a configuration mode request, program a configuration block with configuration data obtained from the serial bus and alter a device behavior according to the configuration data; and in response to a determination that the second request is not a configuration mode request, perform one or more actions on the device according to the second request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Harfert, Richard V. De Caro
  • Patent number: 10387646
    Abstract: A device comprises a detector configured to detect an event, and a selector coupled to the detector and configured to generate a signal in response to a detection of an event by the detector. The signal is operable to select a set of input/output (I/O) parameters from among first and second stored sets of parameters. The device also includes a configuration module coupled to the selector. The configuration module is configured to output the selected set of I/O parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Samat, Alain Vergnes, Michel Douguet
  • Patent number: 10353845
    Abstract: Systems, methods, circuits and computer-readable mediums for adaptive speed single-wire communications. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a sensing signal from a device through a single-wire bus, analyzing one or more properties of the received sensing signal, the one or more properties including at least one of a pulse width of the sensing signal and a duration between sequential pulses in the sensing signal, adjusting one or more communication parameters for single-wire communications with the device based on the analyzed one or more properties, and transmitting a specific signal to the device through the single-wire bus at an adjusted transmission speed based on the adjusted one or more communication parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Kerry David Maletsky, Randy Melton, Jeffrey S. Hapke
  • Patent number: 10353502
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a display stack and a controller. The display stack includes a display and a ground layer. The ground layer includes a plurality of columns. Each column of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of nodes. The controller provides voltages to a first plurality of nodes of a first column of the plurality of columns of the ground layer such that a sum of the voltages of the first plurality of nodes of the first column is less than or equal to two millivolts. The controller also measures values at a second plurality of nodes of a second column of the plurality of columns. The values at the second plurality of nodes indicates an amount of charge transferred from the first plurality of nodes to the second plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Steinar Myren, Rune Watn
  • Patent number: 10338666
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a touch sensor, measurement circuits, and a monitoring circuit. The monitoring circuit is coupled to each measurement circuit. The monitoring circuit is configured to perform operations in a first power mode. The operations include receiving signals from the measurement circuits and generating an output signal that is proportional to a sum of the signals received from the measurement circuits. A value of the generated output signal indicates whether activity has occurred on the touch sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Brillant, Trond Jarle Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10331255
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a display component, a touch sensor component, and a touch-screen controller. The display component includes pixel-drive electrodes configured to display an image and the touch sensor component is configured to detect a touch input. The touch-screen controller, which is coupled to the touch sensor component, the display component, and the pixel-drive electrodes, is configured to generate a drive signal for the touch sensor component using the pixel-drive electrodes. The touch-screen controller is further configured to generate a pixel-drive signal for the display component using the pixel-drive electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Esat Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 10318050
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes performing a first positive integration by sensing a first rising edge of a charging signal of a touch sensor during a first synchronization period, performing a first negative integration by sensing a first falling edge of the charging signal during a second synchronization period, and performing a first phase shift by skipping integration during a third synchronization period. The method further includes performing a second positive integration by sensing a second rising edge of the charging signal during a fourth synchronization period, performing a second negative integration by sensing a second falling edge of the charging signal during a fifth synchronization period, and performing a second phase shift by skipping integration during a sixth synchronization period. The first integrations are associated with a first sample measurement and the second integrations are associated with a second sample measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Grahame Reynolds, Hammad Syed
  • Patent number: 10317978
    Abstract: A microcontroller is operable in a low-power mode and includes one or more I/O connectors, as well as an I/O controller operable to provide control signals for controlling a state of a particular one of the I/O connectors. The I/O controller is powered off or deactivated during the low-power mode. The microcontroller also includes I/O connector state control logic operable to control the state of the particular one of the I/O connectors in accordance with the control signals from the I/O controller. The I/O connector state control logic includes I/O connector state retention logic that retains states of the control signals and maintains the particular I/O connector in a corresponding state in accordance with the retained control signals while the microcontroller is in the low-power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastien Jouin, Romain Oddoart, Patrice Menard, Mickael Le Dily, Thierry Gourbilleau
  • Patent number: 10311005
    Abstract: Systems, methods, circuits and computer-readable mediums for a network message translator are disclosed. In an embodiment, a device includes a host processor and a translator. The host processor is configured to process messages and the translator is operable to: receive a first message from the host processor, the first message having a first frame format that is associated with a data time window; translate the first message into a first translated message having a second frame format such that the first translated message includes additional bits based on the second frame format; and sending the first translated message on a bus based on the second frame format such that the first translated message is sent on the bus during the data time window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Kerry Maletsky, Nicolas Schieli, Timothy Grai
  • Patent number: 10306758
    Abstract: Disclosed examples of electrode structures and methods of manufacture thereof may provide one or more advantages relating to enhanced conductivity, for example, while providing optically clear conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Harald Philipp
  • Patent number: 10296077
    Abstract: A microcontroller system is organized into power domains. A power manager of the microcontroller system can change the power configuration of a power domain based on whether the microcontroller system has asserted a power trigger for any module in the power domain or if any module in the power domain has asserted a power keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastien Jouin, Patrice Menard, Thierry Gourbilleau
  • Patent number: 10284196
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes applying voltage to a sensor that includes first and second electrode tracks, the sensor proximate to a conductor depressible relative to the sensor and located between a button and the sensor. The conductor can capacitively couple with a capacitive node formed by the tracks, and the button can capacitively couple with an object. A value of a capacitance at the node is measured, the capacitance reflecting an amount of capacitive coupling between the conductor and the node. In response to the value meeting a first condition, a first button state is detected, indicating the object is within a detectable distance of and not in contact with the button. In response to the value meeting a second condition, a second button state is detected, indicating the object is in contact with the button and the conductor is not in contact with the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Ingar Hanssen, Arild Rødland, Rian Whelan
  • Patent number: 10234974
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a display stack and a controller. The display stack includes a display and a ground layer for generating an image for the display. The ground layer includes a plurality of columns. Each column of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of nodes. The controller provides voltages to a first plurality of nodes, respectively, of a first column of the plurality of columns of the ground layer such that a sum of the respective voltages of the first plurality of nodes of the first column is substantially zero. The controller also measures, to determine whether a touch event occurred, respective values at a second plurality of nodes of a second column of the plurality of columns. The respective values at the second plurality of nodes indicate an amount of charge transferred from the first plurality of nodes to the second plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Steinar Myren, Rune Watn
  • Patent number: 10228752
    Abstract: A voltage scaling system can scale a supply voltage while preventing processor access of system components that are rendered unstable from the scaling. A processor receives an instruction to scale a system supply voltage to a target supply voltage. The processor executes the instruction and enters into a sleep mode. The processor can send, to a controller that saves power, an indication that the processor is in the sleep mode. When the processor is in the sleep mode, the processor becomes inactive and cannot access any components, e.g., Flash memory data, of the voltage scaling system. The controller can configure a voltage regulator to scale the system supply voltage to the target supply voltage. Once the target supply voltage is reached, the voltage regulator sends an interrupt to the processor, thereby waking up the processor from the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastien Jouin, Romain Oddoart, Patrice Menard, Mickael Le Dily, Thierry Gourbilleau
  • Patent number: 10222912
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes conducting a first signal to a first source electrode external to a touch sensor. The first source electrode is capacitively coupled to the touch sensor through a touch object. The method further includes measuring a mutual capacitance between the first source electrode and the first measuring electrode. The method further includes identifying, based at least in part on the measured mutual capacitance and using a controller of the touch sensor, the touch object touching the touch sensor at a detected touch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Luben Hristov Hristov, Stephan Thaler
  • Patent number: 10203743
    Abstract: A microcontroller system includes a higher power reference voltage circuit and a lower power reference voltage circuit configured to draw less power than the higher power reference voltage circuit when enabled. The system includes a power state logic controller configured to enable the lower power reference voltage circuit to provide a first regulated voltage during a power saving mode, and, on exiting the power saving mode, enable the higher power reference voltage circuit to provide a second regulated voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Patrice Menard, Olivier Husson, Mickael Le Dily, Thierry Gourbilleau, Marc Laurent, Stefan Schabel, Ronan Barzic