Patents by Inventor Brian Land

Brian Land 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: 9325253
    Abstract: An AC-to-DC adapter may be provided in order to increase the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface. Such an AC-to-DC adapter may include a rectifying circuit to rectify incoming AC signals. The rectifying circuit may take the form of a diode bridge network that includes four diode branches. Stabilization circuits may be provided in parallel with each diode branch in order to decrease the impedance of the diode bridge network during particular periods of operation. The stabilization circuits may be configured such that the impedance of the diode bridge network is substantially constant during all periods of operation. As a result, the impedance of the AC-to-DC adapter may be relatively constant during all periods of operation. In turn, the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface of a device being powered by such an AC-to-DC adapter may increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Land, Steve P. Hotelling, Gus Pabon, Benjamin B. Lyon
  • Patent number: 9268429
    Abstract: Liquid crystal display (LCD) touch screens integrate touch sensing elements with display circuitry and may include in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. A method of operating the integrated touch sensing elements with the display circuitry includes dividing touch-sensing circuitry of the touch screen into a plurality of drive segments, each drive segment overlapping one or more display rows; updating the display at a predetermined refresh rate; stimulating the plurality of drive segments at a predetermined scan rate; and changing the sequence of stimulating the plurality of drive segments as required to prevent simultaneously stimulating a drive segment that overlaps a display row currently being updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Land, Willem den Boer
  • Publication number: 20130250640
    Abstract: a An AC-to-DC adapter may be provided in order to increase the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface. Such an AC-to-DC adapter may include a rectifying circuit to rectify incoming AC signals. The rectifying circuit may take the form of a diode bridge network that includes four diode branches. Stabilization circuits may be provided in parallel with each diode branch in order to decrease the impedance of the diode bridge network during particular periods of operation. The stabilization circuits may be configured such that the impedance of the diode bridge network is substantially constant during all periods of operation. As a result, the impedance of the AC-to-DC adapter may be relatively constant during all periods of operation. In turn, the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface of a device being powered by such an AC-to-DC adapter may increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Land, Steve P. Hotelling, Gus Pabon, Benjamin B. Lyon
  • Patent number: 8456450
    Abstract: An AC-to-DC adapter may be provided in order to increase the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface. Such an AC-to-DC adapter may include a rectifying circuit to rectify incoming AC signals. The rectifying circuit may take the form of a diode bridge network that includes four diode branches. Stabilization circuits may be provided in parallel with each diode branch in order to decrease the impedance of the diode bridge network during particular periods of operation. The stabilization circuits may be configured such that the impedance of the diode bridge network is substantially constant during all periods of operation. As a result, the impedance of the AC-to-DC adapter may be relatively constant during all periods of operation. In turn, the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface of a device being powered by such an AC-to-DC adapter may increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Land, Steven P. Hotelling, Gus Pabon, Benjamin B. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20090002343
    Abstract: An AC-to-DC adapter may be provided in order to increase the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface. Such an AC-to-DC adapter may include a rectifying circuit to rectify incoming AC signals. The rectifying circuit may take the form of a diode bridge network that includes four diode branches. Stabilization circuits may be provided in parallel with each diode branch in order to decrease the impedance of the diode bridge network during particular periods of operation. The stabilization circuits may be configured such that the impedance of the diode bridge network is substantially constant during all periods of operation. As a result, the impedance of the AC-to-DC adapter may be relatively constant during all periods of operation. In turn, the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface of a device being powered by such an AC-to-DC adapter may increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Land, Steve Hotelling, Gus Pabon, Benjamin B. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20080062140
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Krah, John Elias, Wei Yao, John Zhong, Andrew Hodge, Brian Land, Willem Den Boer
  • Publication number: 20080062139
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Krah, John Elias, Wei Yao, John Zhong, Andrew Hodge, Brian Land, Willem Boer
  • Publication number: 20080062147
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: STEVE HOTELLING, Wei Chen, Christoph Krah, John Elias, Wei Yao, John Zhong, Andrew Hodge, Brian Land, Willem Boer
  • Publication number: 20080062148
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Steve Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Krah, John Elias, Wei Yao, John Zhong, Andrew Hodge, Brian Land, Willem Boer
  • Publication number: 20070194842
    Abstract: A synchronous signal processing circuit for a dual-axis vibratory rotation-rate sensor uses a hybrid analog/digital design to provide correction for parasitic quadrature errors by the addition of synthesized correction signals in the analog domain prior to digitization. Error correction, signal demodulation and data conversions are synchronized with a signal phase-locked to the measured motion of the vibratory mass. Similarly, cross-axis error correction signals are synthesized directly from the cross axis signals. Use of these precise phase references provides for various benefits in signal noise and error matching (tracking) over wide operation conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Hotelling, Lex Bayer, Brian Land
  • Publication number: 20070186652
    Abstract: A vibratory rotational rate gyroscope has a suspended assembly isolated from external vibrations by an arrangement of helical springs. This isolated assembly includes both the active components of the rotational rate gyroscope and a digital processing circuit. The digital processing circuit includes digital storage for both externally determined and internally determined unit-specific calibration values. These values provide seed values for startup processes, which improves loop startup time, and values for unit-specific electronic calibration. The digital processing circuit further converts all data to digital form. A digital communications protocol is used to transmit the calibration information and the outgoing data to and from the isolated assembly on only two conductors. Two additional conductors used for power. Four of the helical springs used in the suspension arrangement are used for these conductors such that no additional wiring is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Hotelling, Lex Bayer, Brian Land
  • Publication number: 20070177316
    Abstract: A dual-axis rotational rate sensor having two vibratory masses coupled to a restoring element and driven in a resonant counter-phase motion, wherein the two masses vibrate with equal but opposite amplitudes along a single axis. The vibratory structure also accommodates motion of the masses in a plane orthogonal to the vibratory axis. Measurement of the motion of the masses in two axes in this plane provides signals directly responsive to rotation of the sensor about two orthogonal axes. Measurement and drive is facilitated by the use of magnetic masses and electromagnetic drive and sense transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Hotelling, Lex Bayer, Brian Land