Patents by Inventor Doug Krumpelman

Doug Krumpelman 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: 11054908
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining, using a first set of resulting signals from various proximity sensor electrodes, positional information regarding a location of an input object in a sensing region. The method may include obtaining, using a second set of resulting signals from various force sensor electrodes, force information regarding an input force that is applied to an input surface. The method may include loading, using a loading actuator and in response to the positional information or the force information, energy in a spring element coupled to a buckling element. The spring element may apply a compression force to the buckling element based on the energy in the spring element. The method may include generating, using a buckling actuator and in response to the positional information or the force information, a haptic event by applying a force to the buckling element to trigger the haptic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Doug Krumpelman
  • Publication number: 20200319712
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining, using a first set of resulting signals from various proximity sensor electrodes, positional information regarding a location of an input object in a sensing region. The method may include obtaining, using a second set of resulting signals from various force sensor electrodes, force information regarding an input force that is applied to an input surface. The method may include loading, using a loading actuator and in response to the positional information or the force information, energy in a spring element coupled to a buckling element. The spring element may apply a compression force to the buckling element based on the energy in the spring element. The method may include generating, using a buckling actuator and in response to the positional information or the force information, a haptic event by applying a force to the buckling element to trigger the haptic event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Doug Krumpelman
  • Patent number: 10698486
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining, using a first set of resulting signals from various proximity sensor electrodes, positional information regarding a location of an input object in a sensing region. The method may include obtaining, using a second set of resulting signals from various force sensor electrodes, force information regarding an input force that is applied to an input surface. The method may include loading, using a loading actuator and in response to the positional information or the force information, energy in a spring element coupled to a buckling element. The spring element may apply a compression force to the buckling element based on the energy in the spring element. The method may include generating, using a buckling actuator and in response to the positional information or the force information, a haptic event by applying a force to the buckling element to trigger the haptic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Doug Krumpelman
  • Publication number: 20190033971
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining, using a first set of resulting signals from various proximity sensor electrodes, positional information regarding a location of an input object in a sensing region. The method may include obtaining, using a second set of resulting signals from various force sensor electrodes, force information regarding an input force that is applied to an input surface. The method may include loading, using a loading actuator and in response to the positional information or the force information, energy in a spring element coupled to a buckling element. The spring element may apply a compression force to the buckling element based on the energy in the spring element. The method may include generating, using a buckling actuator and in response to the positional information or the force information, a haptic event by applying a force to the buckling element to trigger the haptic event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Doug Krumpelman
  • Patent number: 10180736
    Abstract: A processing system includes a sensor module and a determination module. The sensor module is coupled to sensor electrodes and is the sensor module configured to drive the sensor electrodes with sensing signals at a first resonance frequency of the pen. The determination module is configured to obtain, concurrently with the driving of the sensor electrodes, a measurements that are based on effects of the sensing signals, and a resonance of the pen in a sensing region. The determination module is further configured to determine positional information of the pen in the sensing region based on the measurements, and report the positional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Doug Krumpelman, Tom Vandermeijden, Kirk Hargreaves
  • Patent number: 9582093
    Abstract: A passive pen includes a pen body, and a tip disposed at a first end of the pen body. The tip capacitively couples to the pen body, and the capacitive coupling is configured to change the tip from a first ground mass state to a second ground mass state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Tom Vandermeijden, Christopher Weber, Doug Krumpelman, Jeffrey Small
  • Patent number: 9543090
    Abstract: Keyboards with planar translation effecting mechanisms formed by laminated key guides are disclosed. A key assembly for a keyboard includes a keycap having a touch surface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position, the unpressed position and pressed position separated in a press direction and a second direction orthogonal to the press direction. A base is included having a laminated key guide contacting a portion of the keycap to provide a planar translation effecting mechanism to guide the keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Doug Krumpelman
  • Patent number: 9490087
    Abstract: A laptop computer comprising a keyboard including a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel. The laptop computer also includes a plurality of keycaps having a touch surface for receiving a press force, each keycap positioned within a respective one of the plurality of key openings. The laptop computer also includes a chassis having a plurality of planar-translation effecting mechanisms each supporting a respective one of the plurality of keycaps such that, in response to receiving the press force, the respective keycap moves in a press direction and a second direction orthogonal to the press direction from an unpressed position toward a pressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Doug Krumpelman, Chris Weber, Yeh-Cheng Tan
  • Patent number: 9449768
    Abstract: Key stabilization techniques for a key assembly or keyboard are provided. In one embodiment, a key assembly includes a keycap having a touch surface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a base having a planar-translation effecting mechanism supporting the keycap to guide the keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. A key stabilization mechanism positioned in the keycap, the base or both the keycap and the base configured to the stabilize the keycap so that the touch surface remains substantially planar while the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the press position to resist tilt of the keycap and rotation of the keycap about an axis in the press direction as keycap moves toward the pressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Doug Krumpelman, Peter Bokma
  • Publication number: 20160266682
    Abstract: An input device may include various sensor electrodes that detect positional information of an input object in a sensing region of the input device. The input device may include a first sensor electrode that detects a first change in a first variable capacitance in response to a deflection of a conductive layer by the input object. The input device may include a second sensor electrode that detects a second change in a second variable capacitance in response to the deflection of the conductive layer by the input object. The first change in the first variable capacitance and the second change in the second variable capacitance may determine an acquired force image of the input force. An adjusted force image may be determined from the acquired force image using the positional information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Chih-Yin Fu, Xuming Zeng, Richard Schediwy, Doug Krumpelman, Hsiao-Lan Hsu, Chieh-Feng Tu
  • Publication number: 20160147320
    Abstract: A processing system includes a sensor module and a determination module. The sensor module is coupled to sensor electrodes and is the sensor module configured to drive the sensor electrodes with sensing signals at a first resonance frequency of the pen. The determination module is configured to obtain, concurrently with the driving of the sensor electrodes, a measurements that are based on effects of the sensing signals, and a resonance of the pen in a sensing region. The determination module is further configured to determine positional information of the pen in the sensing region based on the measurements, and report the positional information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Doug Krumpelman, Tom Vandermeijden, Kirk Hargreaves
  • Publication number: 20160055990
    Abstract: A laptop computer comprising a keyboard including a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel. The laptop computer also includes a plurality of keycaps having a touch surface for receiving a press force, each keycap positioned within a respective one of the plurality of key openings. The laptop computer also includes a chassis having a plurality of planar-translation effecting mechanisms each supporting a respective one of the plurality of keycaps such that, in response to receiving the press force, the respective keycap moves in a press direction and a second direction orthogonal to the press direction from an unpressed position toward a pressed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Doug Krumpelman, Christopher Weber, Yeh-Cheng Tan
  • Patent number: 9224554
    Abstract: The key assembly comprises a keycap having a touchsurface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position. The keycap has first and second ramp contacting features comprising first and second angular protrusions. The first and second angular protrusions have first and second protrusion angles relative to first and second side portions of the keycap (respectively). The key assembly also has a base having first and second ramps that contact the first and second ramp contacting features and guide the keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. The base has first and second angular features configured to contact the first and second angular protrusions of the first and second ramp contacting features (respectively) to resist rotation of the keycap as the keycap moves toward the pressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Doug Krumpelman
  • Patent number: 9213372
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel. A plurality of keycaps are positioned within the plurality of key openings. A chassis is included that has a plurality of planar-translation effecting mechanisms each supporting a respective one of the plurality of keycaps to guide the respective keycap in a press direction and a second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. The keypad or keyboard includes a key retraction mechanism configured to move the chassis relative to the bezel wherein the key holding features of the bezel limit movement of the keycaps in the second direction during movement of the chassis relative to the bezel, while the planar-translation effecting mechanisms move the plurality of keycaps toward a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Doug Krumpelman, Chris Weber, Yeh-Cheng Tan
  • Publication number: 20150331506
    Abstract: A passive pen includes a pen body, and a tip disposed at a first end of the pen body. The tip capacitively couples to the pen body, and the capacitive coupling is configured to change the tip from a first ground mass state to a second ground mass state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Tom Vandermeijden, Christopher Weber, Doug Krumpelman, Jeffrey Small
  • Publication number: 20140311880
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel. A plurality of keycaps are positioned within the plurality of key openings. A chassis is included that has a plurality of planar-translation effecting mechanisms each supporting a respective one of the plurality of keycaps to guide the respective keycap in a press direction and a second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. The keypad or keyboard includes a key retraction mechanism configured to move the chassis relative to the bezel wherein the key holding features of the bezel limit movement of the keycaps in the second direction during movement of the chassis relative to the bezel, while the planar-translation effecting mechanisms move the plurality of keycaps toward a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Doug Krumpelman, Chris Weber, Yeh-Cheng Tan
  • Publication number: 20140311881
    Abstract: Keyboards with planar translation effecting mechanisms formed by laminated key guides are disclosed. A key assembly for a keyboard includes a keycap having a touch surface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position, the unpressed position and pressed position separated in a press direction and a second direction orthogonal to the press direction. A base is included having a laminated key guide contacting a portion of the keycap to provide a planar translation effecting mechanism to guide the keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Doug Krumpelman
  • Publication number: 20140262717
    Abstract: The key assembly comprises a keycap having a touchsurface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position. The keycap has first and second ramp contacting features comprising first and second angular protrusions. The first and second angular protrusions have first and second protrusion angles relative to first and second side portions of the keycap (respectively). The key assembly also comprises a base having first and second ramps that contact the first and second ramp contacting features and guide the keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. The base has first and second angular features configured to contact the first and second angular protrusions of the first and second ramp contacting features (respectively) to resist rotation of the keycap as the keycap moves toward the pressed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Doug Krumpelman
  • Publication number: 20140190810
    Abstract: Key stabilization techniques for a key assembly or keyboard are provided. In one embodiment, a key assembly includes a keycap having a touch surface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a base having a planar-translation effecting mechanism supporting the keycap to guide the keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. A key stabilization mechanism positioned in the keycap, the base or both the keycap and the base configured to the stabilize the keycap so that the touch surface remains substantially planar while the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the press position to resist tilt of the keycap and rotation of the keycap about an axis in the press direction as keycap moves toward the pressed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Doug Krumpelman, Peter Bokma
  • Patent number: 8410383
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a switch assembly including a lens having a hollow interior, a display at least partially received within the hollow interior of the lens, an actuator moveably engageable by the lens, and an elastomeric switch activatable by the actuator in response to movement of the lens. The elastomeric switch may include a circuit assembly, a sealing switch layer disposed over the circuit assembly, and an elastomeric switch member formed within the sealing switch layer that is actuatable by the movement of the lens for engagement with the circuit assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Input Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Clark, Peter R. Bokma, Chris Weber, Doug Krumpelman