Patents by Inventor Clifton Forlines

Clifton Forlines 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).

  • Publication number: 20180292931
    Abstract: A low-latency touch sensitive device provides a method for determining a location of a touch event thereon. The touch sensitive device row conductors and column conductors, the path of each of the row conductors crossing the path of each of the column conductors. Each of a set of orthogonal row signals are simultaneously transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the row conductors and an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors is detected. A set of orthogonal column signals are simultaneously transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the column conductors. An amount of each of the orthogonal column signals present on each of the plurality of row conductors is detected. The detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals and the detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal column signals is used to determine the location of a touch event on the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Clifton Forlines, Darren Leigh, Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders
  • Patent number: 10088952
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using a touch sensing system capable of sensing location of a finger or object above a touch surface to inform a touch response system in an electronic device of a predicted future user input event or motion data in advance of an actual touch event. Current user input is sensed via the touch sensing system and data reflecting hover information is created. A model of user interaction with a touch surface is applied to the data representative of the user input to create data reflecting a prediction of a future user input event. In an embodiment, prior to occurrence of the predicted user input event, a predicted location and a predicted time at which the predicted future user input event will occur are provided to a touch response system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: TACTUAL LABS CO.
    Inventors: Clifton Forlines, Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Daniel Wigdor, Karan Singh, Haijun Xia
  • Publication number: 20180260074
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for decreasing latency between an acquisition of touch data and processing of an associated rendering task in a touch sensitive device having a touch sensing system capable of producing touch data at a touch sampling rate and having a display system that displays frames at a refresh rate. In an embodiment, the system estimates at least one of (a) a period of time for sampling touch data from the touch sensing system, (b) a period of time for computing touch event data from sampled touch data, and (c) a period of time for rendering of a frame to a frame buffer. The system determines a period of time Tc for (a) sampling touch data from the touch sensing system, (b) computing touch event data from sampled touch data, and (c) rendering of a frame to a frame buffer, based at least in part on the estimate. The system determines a point in time Tr at which the display system will be refreshed from the frame buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Bruno Rodrigues De Araujo, Clifton Forlines, Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa
  • Patent number: 10019125
    Abstract: A low-latency touch sensitive device provides a method for determining a location of a touch event thereon. The touch sensitive device row conductors and column conductors, the path of each of the row conductors crossing the path of each of the column conductors. Each of a set of orthogonal row signals are simultaneously transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the row conductors and an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors is detected. A set of orthogonal column signals are simultaneously transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the column conductors. An amount of each of the orthogonal column signals present on each of the plurality of row conductors is detected. The detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals and the detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal column signals is used to determine the location of a touch event on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TACTUAL LABS CO.
    Inventors: Clifton Forlines, Darren Leigh, Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders
  • Publication number: 20180173341
    Abstract: An infusion system including two infusors is operatively connected to a source of infusion signals. In an embodiment, the infusors being adapted for attachment to different parts of the same hand of a user. In an embodiment, the infusors are embedded in a glove or other wearable component. In an embodiment, a choke is used to mitigate infusion signals in other parts of a body. The infusion signal source is configured to transmit differing, orthogonal signals to the two infusors. In an embodiment, each of the differing signals is made up of at least a high frequency signal and a low frequency signal. In an embodiment, the high frequency signal and the low frequency signal are at least one octave apart and orthogonal to each other. In an embodiment, the infusion system includes a steering wheel sensor made from a plurality of conductors attached to a receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Darren Leigh, Clifton Forlines, Braon Moseley, Robert Alack, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180164921
    Abstract: A plurality of sensors for application to a steering wheel or other generally toroidal objects is disclosed. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises interleaving transmit and receive conductors. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises crossing transmit and receive conductors. In an embodiment, sensor conductors are first provided on a flat substrate, which sensors placed on the flat substrate in a configuration that will permit expansion application of the substrate to the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Darren Leigh, Braon Moseley, Robert Alack, JR., Clifton Forlines, Adam Landa
  • Patent number: 9990696
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a touch sensitive device includes a touch interface having conductors and a signal generator for generating signals on the conductors. A touch processor identifies touch on the touch interface by processing touch signals present on the conductors, and outputting a stream of touch events. A decimator receives the stream of touch events and outputs a modified stream of touch events for use by the touch sensitive device, the modified stream of touch events may include predicted or estimated usable touch events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Clifton Forlines, Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders
  • Patent number: 9971443
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for decreasing latency between an acquisition of touch data and processing of an associated rendering task in a touch sensitive device having a touch sensing system capable of producing touch data at a touch sampling rate and having a display system that displays frames at a refresh rate. In an embodiment, the system estimates at least one of (a) a period of time for sampling touch data from the touch sensing system, (b) a period of time for computing touch event data from sampled touch data, and (c) a period of time for rendering of a frame to a frame buffer. The system determines a period of time Tc for (a) sampling touch data from the touch sensing system, (b) computing touch event data from sampled touch data, and (c) rendering of a frame to a frame buffer, based at least in part on the estimate. The system determines a point in time Tr at which the display system will be refreshed from the frame buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TACTUAL LABS CO.
    Inventors: Bruno Rodrigues De Araujo, Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Clifton Forlines
  • Patent number: 9946398
    Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods relate in general to the field of user input to a touch sensitive device, and in particular to user input systems and methods which can reduce the latency between a most recent input event and the displaying of a rendered frame reflecting such input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Bruno Rodrigues De Araujo, Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Clifton Forlines
  • Publication number: 20180095592
    Abstract: Differential transmission is provided in a capacitive sensor for reducing cross-talk between rows and columns. A capacitive touch sensitive device as disclosed herein includes row conductors and column conductors, a first row signal generator for transmitting a first row signal on a first row conductor, a second row signal generator for transmitting a second row signal on a second row conductor, and a touch processor for identifying a touch event on the touch interface by processing signals present on at least one of the column conductors. The first and second row signals together form a differential row group of signals that cancel each other out or at least substantially mitigate each other so as to reduce cross-talk interference in the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Darren Leigh, Clifton Forlines
  • Patent number: 9933880
    Abstract: A system and method for distinguishing between sources of simultaneous touch events on a touch sensitive device are disclosed. The touch sensitive device includes row conductors and column conductors, the path of each of the row conductors crossing the path of each of the column conductors. Orthogonal row signals are generated on the row conductors and orthogonal column signals are generated on the column conductors. In an embodiment, an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on each of the plurality of row conductors is detected, an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal column signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors is detected, and at least one of such amounts is used to associate each of the plurality of simultaneous touch events with a discrete source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TACTUAL LABS CO.
    Inventors: Darren Leigh, Clifton Forlines, Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders
  • Patent number: 9927959
    Abstract: A system for processing user input includes an input device, an input processing unit, a high-latency subsystem, a low-latency subsystem, input processing unit software for generating signals in response to user inputs, and an output device. The low-latency subsystem receives the signals and generates low-latency output and the high-latency subsystem processes the signals and generates high-latency output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders, Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Clifton Forlines
  • Publication number: 20180081489
    Abstract: A system and method for distinguishing between sources of simultaneous touch events on a touch sensitive device are disclosed. The touch sensitive device includes row conductors and column conductors, the path of each of the row conductors crossing the path of each of the column conductors. Orthogonal row signals are generated on the row conductors and orthogonal column signals are generated on the column conductors. In an embodiment, an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on each of the plurality of row conductors is detected, an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal column signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors is detected, and at least one of such amounts is used to associate each of the plurality of simultaneous touch events with a discrete source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Darren Leigh, Clifton Forlines, Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders
  • Publication number: 20180067756
    Abstract: A method for providing a visual response to input with reduced latency in a computing device includes computing alternative sets of intermediate data for a first graphical user interface element, each alternative set of intermediate data comprising data useful to produce a visual representation of the graphical user interface element. The plurality of alternative sets of intermediate data and a set of intermediate data for a second graphical user interface element are stored in memory. The method creates an index identifying a first one of the plurality of alternative sets of intermediate data for the first graphical user interface element to use in forming a final pixel image. The index, the first set of alternative intermediate data for the graphical user interface element, and the intermediate data for the second graphical user interface element are used to create a first final pixel image for display to a user, the first final pixel image including the first and second graphical user interface elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders, Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Clifton Forlines
  • Publication number: 20180061005
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a touch sensitive device includes a touch interface having conductors and a signal generator for generating signals on the conductors. A touch processor identifies touch on the touch interface by processing touch signals present on the conductors, and outputting a stream of touch events. A decimator receives the stream of touch events and outputs a modified stream of touch events for use by the touch sensitive device, the modified stream of touch events may include predicted or estimated usable touch events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Clifton Forlines, Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders
  • Publication number: 20180059819
    Abstract: Disclosed is a touch-sensitive object, comprising an object with a digital skin covering at least a portion thereof. The digital skin has a plurality of embedded row conductors. A plurality of column conductors are positioned in proximity to the row conductors, such that the path of each row conductor crosses the path of each of the column conductor. A plurality of signal emitters are connected to each of the plurality of embedded row conductors and are adapted to simultaneously emit one of a set of source signals. A plurality of signal receivers are connected to separate ones of the plurality of embedded column conductors. Each of the plurality of signal receivers are adapted to receive a frame corresponding to signals present on the column conductor to which it is connected while the frame is acquired. Each of the signal receivers is adapted to receive its frames simultaneously with each other signal receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Braon Moseley, David Clark Wilkinson, Clifton Forlines, Steven Leonard Sanders
  • Publication number: 20180032179
    Abstract: A low-latency touch sensitive device provides a method for determining a location of a touch event thereon. The touch sensitive device row conductors and column conductors, the path of each of the row conductors crossing the path of each of the column conductors. Each of a set of orthogonal row signals are simultaneously transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the row conductors and an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors is detected. A set of orthogonal column signals are simultaneously transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the column conductors. An amount of each of the orthogonal column signals present on each of the plurality of row conductors is detected. The detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals and the detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal column signals is used to determine the location of a touch event on the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: TACTUAL LABS CO.
    Inventors: Clifton Forlines, Darren Leigh, Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders
  • Patent number: 9870112
    Abstract: A touch sensitive device includes a touch interface having rows and columns, a signal generator for generating a plurality of unique orthogonal signals in a first range and having a first frequency spacing on at least a plurality of the rows, respectively, and a heterodyning frequency converter. The heterodyning frequency converter receives a signal present on a column, the signal comprising signals within the first range and having the first frequency spacing. The heterodyning frequency converter converts the signal to a heterodyned signal comprising signals in a second range and having the first frequency spacing, and outputs the heterodyned signal. A touch processor identifies touch on the touch interface at least in part by processing the heterodyned signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Darren Leigh, Clifton Forlines, Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders
  • Patent number: 9846920
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a touch sensitive device includes a touch interface having rows and columns and a signal generator for generating unique orthogonal signals on a plurality of the rows, respectively. A touch processor is identifies touch on the touch interface by processing touch signals present on the columns, and outputting a stream of touch events. A decimator receives the stream of touch events, selectively identifies one or more of the touch events in the stream, and outputs a modified stream of touch events for use by the touch sensitive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Clifton Forlines, Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders
  • Patent number: 9841839
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for measuring latency in a device which includes a user interface that receives user input and provides output in response. In an embodiment, a body separate from the device under test is provided. A first sensor operatively attached to the body detects a touch event input to the device at a first time and a second sensor detects a response output from the device at a second time. A computational engine computes a time differential between the first time and the second time and an output outputs an indication of a measurement of latency in the device, the measurement being reflective of the time differential between the first time and the second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Darren Leigh, Clifton Forlines, Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders