Patents by Inventor Christophe Blondin

Christophe Blondin 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: 11941214
    Abstract: Touch sensor panels/screens can include metal mesh touch electrodes and routing in the active area. In some examples, the touch sensor panel/screen can include row electrodes and column electrodes disposed over the active area of the display. In some examples, the routing traces for the row electrodes and/or column electrodes can be disposed in a border region and some of the routing traces for the row electrodes and/or column electrodes can be disposed in the active area. In some examples, some row electrodes can be shaved down to create an offset from the edge of the active area to accommodate routing traces in the active area. In some examples, the row electrodes can be formed in a first metal mesh layer and some routing traces in the active area can be formed in a second metal mesh layer, different from the first metal mesh layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashray Vinayak Gogte, Christophe Blondin
  • Publication number: 20240077981
    Abstract: In some examples, a touch screen includes a first region corresponding to a region of the touch screen without touch electrodes; a second region corresponding to a region of the touch screen with a first conductive material (e.g., solid metal) with a first density in a first conductive layer; and a third region corresponding to a region of the touch screen with a second conductive material (e.g., metal mesh) with a second density, lower than the first density, in the first conductive layer. In some examples, the second region circumscribes the first region, and the third region circumscribes the second region. Some touch electrodes include a portion of the first conductive material in the second region and a portion of the second conductive material in the third region. Such touch electrodes can be routed using the first conductive material in the first conductive layer around the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Ashray Vinayak GOGTE, Yufei ZHAO, Christophe BLONDIN, Yoann J. LANET
  • Patent number: 11836297
    Abstract: An input device includes a keycap, a first electrode disposed to move in response to movement of the keycap, a planar array of electrodes extending at least partially under the keycap, and a sensor. The planar array of electrodes includes a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode extending between the second electrode and the third electrode. The sensor is coupled to at least one of the second electrode or the third electrode and configured to generate a signal indicative of a change in capacitive coupling between the second electrode and the third electrode. The change in the capacitive coupling may result from movement of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Stephen Smith, David S. Graff, Nicolas M. Golzio, Shahrzad Pouryayevali, Wayne C. Westerman, Christophe Blondin
  • Publication number: 20230297199
    Abstract: Touch electrode architecture techniques can be used to reduce or eliminate metal mesh within the one or more high-transmittance regions of a touch screen including one or more high-transmittance regions. In some examples, one or more optical devices can be integrated with a touch screen such that light associated with the one or more optical devices passes through one or more layers of the touch screen. In some such examples, to avoid degrading performance of the optical devices, one or more high-transmittance regions can be used. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the high-transmittance can be achieved using touch electrode architecture techniques that use transparent or semi-transparent materials instead of opaque metal mesh within the high-transmittance regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Christophe BLONDIN, Ashray Vinayak GOGTE, Ricardo A. PETERSON, Warren S. RIEUTORT-LOUIS, Yuchi CHE
  • Publication number: 20230284503
    Abstract: A display may have both a full pixel density region and a pixel removal region with a plurality of high-transmittance areas that overlap an optical sensor. Each high-transmittance area may be devoid of thin-film transistors and other display components. To improve transmission while maintaining satisfactory touch sensing performance, one or more segments of the touch sensor metal in the pixel removal region may have a reduced width relative to the touch sensor metal in the full pixel density region and/or one or more segments of the touch sensor metal in the pixel removal region may be omitted relative to the touch sensor metal in the full pixel density region. To mitigate a different appearance between the pixel removal region and the full pixel density region at off-axis viewing angles, the position of the touch sensor metal in the pixel removal region may be tuned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Ricardo A Peterson, Abbas Jamshidi Roudbari, Ashray Vinayak Gogte, Christophe Blondin, Sebastian Knitter, Warren S Rieutort-Louis, Yuchi Che, Yurii Morozov, Matthew D Hollands, Chuang Qian, Michael H Lim, Matthew J Schwendeman, Kenny Kim, Tsung-Ting Tsai, Yue Qu
  • Patent number: 11751462
    Abstract: A display may have both a full pixel density region and a pixel removal region with a plurality of high-transmittance areas that overlap an optical sensor. Each high-transmittance area may be devoid of thin-film transistors and other display components. To improve transmission while maintaining satisfactory touch sensing performance, one or more segments of the touch sensor metal in the pixel removal region may have a reduced width relative to the touch sensor metal in the full pixel density region and/or one or more segments of the touch sensor metal in the pixel removal region may be omitted relative to the touch sensor metal in the full pixel density region. To mitigate a different appearance between the pixel removal region and the full pixel density region at off-axis viewing angles, the position of the touch sensor metal in the pixel removal region may be tuned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo A Peterson, Abbas Jamshidi Roudbari, Ashray Vinayak Gogte, Christophe Blondin, Sebastian Knitter, Warren S Rieutort-Louis, Yuchi Che, Yurii Morozov, Matthew D Hollands, Chuang Qian, Michael H Lim, Matthew J Schwendeman, Kenny Kim, Tsung-Ting Tsai, Yue Qu
  • Publication number: 20230168783
    Abstract: This relates to touch sensor panels/touch screens including touch electrodes in a bar-and-stripe pattern. The bar-and-stripe pattern can improve touch signal levels for touch detection and improve uniformity of touch signal as objects move across the touch sensor panel/touch screen. Touch electrodes in a bar-and-stripe pattern can be formed from metal mesh in one or more layers of metal mesh. In some examples, “stripes” can be formed from groups of touch electrode segments in a first layer of metal mesh and can be interconnected by bridges formed in a second layer of metal mesh, different from the first layer of metal mesh, in the active area of the touch screen. Multiple stripes can be interconnected in the border area and/or in the active area to form a row touch electrode. In some examples, “bars” may also include bridges in the second layer of metal mesh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Christophe BLONDIN, Xiaoqi ZHOU
  • Patent number: 11556216
    Abstract: This relates to touch sensor panels/touch screens including touch electrodes in a bar-and-stripe pattern. The bar-and-stripe pattern can improve touch signal levels for touch detection and improve uniformity of touch signal as objects move across the touch sensor panel/touch screen. Touch electrodes in a bar-and-stripe pattern can be formed from metal mesh in one or more layers of metal mesh. In some examples, “stripes” can be formed from groups of touch electrode segments in a first layer of metal mesh and can be interconnected by bridges formed in a second layer of metal mesh, different from the first layer of metal mesh, in the active area of the touch screen. Multiple stripes can be interconnected in the border area and/or in the active area to form a row touch electrode. In some examples, “bars” may also include bridges in the second layer of metal mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Xiaoqi Zhou
  • Publication number: 20230011279
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel includes a first set of touch electrodes configured to operate as drive lines and that are disposed in a first layer of the touch sensor panel. The touch sensor panel also includes a second set of touch electrodes configured to operate as sense lines and that are disposed in a second layer of the touch sensor panel, different than the first layer of the touch sensor panel, such that one or more mutual capacitance touch nodes are formed by the first set of touch electrodes and the second set of touch electrodes. The touch sensor panel also includes a third set of touch electrodes configured to operate as self-capacitance electrodes and that are disposed in the first layer or the second layer of the touch sensor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Christophe BLONDIN, Jean-Marie BUSSAT, Robert Leo SHERIDAN, Sagar Rajiv VAZE
  • Publication number: 20220382416
    Abstract: Touch sensor panels/screens can include metal mesh touch electrodes and routing in the active area. In some examples, the touch sensor panel/screen can include row electrodes and column electrodes disposed over the active area of the display. In some examples, the routing traces for the row electrodes and/or column electrodes can be disposed in a border region and some of the routing traces for the row electrodes and/or column electrodes can be disposed in the active area. In some examples, some row electrodes can be shaved down to create an offset from the edge of the active area to accommodate routing traces in the active area. In some examples, the row electrodes can be formed in a first metal mesh layer and some routing traces in the active area can be formed in a second metal mesh layer, different from the first metal mesh layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Ashray Vinayak GOGTE, Christophe BLONDIN
  • Patent number: 11449182
    Abstract: Touch sensor panels/screens can include metal mesh touch electrodes and routing in the active area. In some examples, the touch sensor panel/screen can include row electrodes and column electrodes disposed over the active area of the display. In some examples, the routing traces for the row electrodes and/or column electrodes can be disposed in a border region and some of the routing traces for the row electrodes and/or column electrodes can be disposed in the active area. In some examples, some row electrodes can be shaved down to create an offset from the edge of the active area to accommodate routing traces in the active area. In some examples, the row electrodes can be formed in a first metal mesh layer and some routing traces in the active area can be formed in a second metal mesh layer, different from the first metal mesh layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashray Vinayak Gogte, Christophe Blondin
  • Patent number: 11347366
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel includes a first set of touch electrodes configured to operate as drive lines and that are disposed in a first layer of the touch sensor panel. The touch sensor panel also includes a second set of touch electrodes configured to operate as sense lines and that are disposed in a second layer of the touch sensor panel, different than the first layer of the touch sensor panel, such that one or more mutual capacitance touch nodes are formed by the first set of touch electrodes and the second set of touch electrodes. The touch sensor panel also includes a third set of touch electrodes configured to operate as self-capacitance electrodes and that are disposed in the first layer or the second layer of the touch sensor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Jean-Marie Bussat, Robert Leo Sheridan, Sagar Rajiv Vaze
  • Publication number: 20210294430
    Abstract: An input device includes a keycap, a first electrode disposed to move in response to movement of the keycap, a planar array of electrodes extending at least partially under the keycap, and a sensor. The planar array of electrodes includes a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode extending between the second electrode and the third electrode. The sensor is coupled to at least one of the second electrode or the third electrode and configured to generate a signal indicative of a change in capacitive coupling between the second electrode and the third electrode. The change in the capacitive coupling may result from movement of the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: John Stephen Smith, David S. Graff, Nicolas M. Golzio, Shahrzad Pouryayevali, Wayne C. Westerman, Christophe Blondin
  • Publication number: 20210240303
    Abstract: This relates to touch sensor panels/touch screens including touch electrodes in a bar-and-stripe pattern. The bar-and-stripe pattern can improve touch signal levels for touch detection and improve uniformity of touch signal as objects move across the touch sensor panel/touch screen. Touch electrodes in a bar-and-stripe pattern can be formed from metal mesh in one or more layers of metal mesh. In some examples, “stripes” can be formed from groups of touch electrode segments in a first layer of metal mesh and can be interconnected by bridges formed in a second layer of metal mesh, different from the first layer of metal mesh, in the active area of the touch screen. Multiple stripes can be interconnected in the border area and/or in the active area to form a row touch electrode. In some examples, “bars” may also include bridges in the second layer of metal mesh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Christophe BLONDIN, Xiaoqi ZHOU
  • Patent number: 11036341
    Abstract: A plurality of metallic components (e.g., conductive rods) can be included within an insulator layer of a touch sensor panel. The metallic components included within the insulator layer can be electrically floating. The metallic components can increase a signal coupling strength across the thickness of the insulator layer. In some examples, the metallic components can have a uniform spacing and uniform physical dimensions. In some examples, the metallic components can provide increased signal coupling in areas directly above touch sensitive regions of underlying touch sensor electrodes. In some examples, the metallic components can pass through the insulator in a straight line that is normal to opposing surfaces of the insulator layer. In some examples, the metallic components can be flared or otherwise pass through the insulator along a path that is not straight and/or not orthogonal to opposing surfaces of the insulator layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Apple inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Gourevitch, Christophe Blondin, Christopher J. Butler
  • Publication number: 20210141491
    Abstract: Touch sensor panels/screens can include metal mesh touch electrodes and routing in the active area. In some examples, the touch sensor panel/screen can include row electrodes and column electrodes disposed over the active area of the display. In some examples, the routing traces for the row electrodes and/or column electrodes can be disposed in a border region and some of the routing traces for the row electrodes and/or column electrodes can be disposed in the active area. In some examples, some row electrodes can be shaved down to create an offset from the edge of the active area to accommodate routing traces in the active area. In some examples, the row electrodes can be formed in a first metal mesh layer and some routing traces in the active area can be formed in a second metal mesh layer, different from the first metal mesh layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Ashray Vinayak GOGTE, Christophe BLONDIN
  • Patent number: 10990229
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel is disclosed. In some examples, the touch sensor panel includes drive electrodes and sense electrodes, wherein the drive electrodes and sense electrodes form touch nodes. In some examples, touch nodes include differently-sized drive and/or sense electrodes, and changes to the size or quantity of reference or floating electrodes disposed within the drive and/or sense electrodes are used to substantially balance the areas of the drive and/or sense electrodes in a given touch node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashray Vinayak Gogte, Warren S. A. Rieutort-Louis, Alexandre Gourevitch, Christophe Blondin
  • Patent number: 10936135
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel is disclosed. In some examples, the touch sensor panel comprises a first layer including a plurality of drive lines including drive electrodes, wherein the drive lines are configured to be coupled to drive circuitry during touch sensing on the touch sensor panel. In some examples, the first layer includes a plurality of sense lines including sense electrodes, wherein the sense lines are configured to be coupled to sense circuitry during the touch sensing on the touch sensor panel. In some examples, the first layer includes a plurality of first shielding electrodes, wherein the first shielding electrodes are disposed between the drive electrodes and the sense electrodes. In some examples, the touch sensor panel comprises a second layer, different than the first layer, including one or more bridges electrically coupling at least two of the first shielding electrodes together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Gourevitch, Christophe Blondin, Ashray Vinayak Gogte, Xiaoqi Zhou, Vipul Chawla, Robert Leo Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20200371636
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel is disclosed. The touch sensor panel includes a first set of touch electrodes configured to operate as drive lines and that are disposed in a first layer of the touch sensor panel. The touch sensor panel also includes a second set of touch electrodes configured to operate as sense lines and that are disposed in a second layer of the touch sensor panel, different than the first layer of the touch sensor panel, such that one or more mutual capacitance touch nodes are formed by the first set of touch electrodes and the second set of touch electrodes. The touch sensor panel also includes a third set of touch electrodes configured to operate as self-capacitance electrodes and that are disposed in the first layer or the second layer of the touch sensor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Christophe BLONDIN, Jean-Marie BUSSAT, Robert Leo SHERIDAN, Sagar Rajiv VAZE
  • Patent number: 10809841
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for interacting with an electronic and/or computer device comprising a command interface provided with capacitive sensors disposed in order to detect command objects, where said process comprises steps of: (i) searching (40) for objects described as contact in contact with the command interface surface; (ii) searching (41) for objects described as hovering at a distance from said command interface; and (iii) executing a command described as combined (43) when at least one contact object is present in at least one predefined contact area and at least one hovering object is present in at least one predefined hovering area, where said combined command (43) takes into consideration at least some information concerning said at least one hovering object. The invention also relates to a command interface and a device implementing the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: QuickStep Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Didier Roziere