Patents by Inventor Eric Belford

Eric Belford 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).

  • Systems using variable resistance zones and stops for generating inputs to an electronic device
    Patent number: 7684953
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to variable resistance zones for sensing input to an electronic device, as well as ministops for controlling deformation of the input components to ensure the accuracy of the inputs sensed. In one embodiment, a system in accordance with the present invention includes multiple variable resistors, an actuator, and a converter. The actuator overlies the multiple pressure-sensitive variable resistors and is configured to generate a pressure at a contact location on the multiple variable resistors. The converter is coupled to the multiple variable resistors and is programmed to map a pressure at the contact location to a pressure, location, or both along the surface of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Authentec, Inc.
    Inventors: David Feist, Brian St. Jacques, Michael Rogers, Archimedes Mandap, Timothy Martin, Eric Belford
  • Systems using variable resistance zones and stops for generating inputs to an electronic device
    Publication number: 20070271048
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to variable resistance zones for sensing input to an electronic device, as well as ministops for controlling deformation of the input components to ensure the accuracy of the inputs sensed. In one embodiment, a system in accordance with the present invention includes multiple variable resistors, an actuator, and a converter. The actuator overlies the multiple pressure-sensitive variable resistors and is configured to generate a pressure at a contact location on the multiple variable resistors. The converter is coupled to the multiple variable resistors and is programmed to map a pressure at the contact location to a pressure, location, or both along the surface of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: David Feist, Brian Jacques, Michael Rogers, Archimedes Mandap, Timothy Martin, Eric Belford