Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Small

Jeffrey Small 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: 20150091846
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an input device comprising a display device having an integrated capacitive sensing device, a processing system, and a method for detecting presence of an input object. In each of these embodiments, a modulation source provides modulation signals between a back plate and a system ground of the input device. Other embodiments include a display device having a capacitive sensing device, a processing system and a method for detecting presence of an input object using a capacitive sensing device, wherein the capacitive sensing device includes a matrix of discrete sensor electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. SMALL
  • Publication number: 20150062150
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a method for processing an image. The method includes receiving a plurality of input pixel values associated with a video frame and determining that a first portion of pixel values included in the plurality of input pixel values is within a first set of excluded values. The method further includes dithering the first portion of pixel values to generate a first plurality of dithered values. Each dithered value included in the first plurality of dithered values is not within the first set of excluded values. Additionally, a first average pixel value associated with the plurality of input pixel values is substantially similar to a second average pixel value associated with both the first plurality of dithered values and a plurality of pixel values that are spatially proximate to the first plurality of dithered values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. SMALL
  • Publication number: 20150049060
    Abstract: A processing system for an input device includes a receiver module and a charge distributor. The receiver module includes a first charge integrator coupled to a first sensor electrode and configured to integrate a charge on the first sensor electrode. The charge distributor includes a current conveyor and a plurality of output stages coupled to the current conveyor, wherein a first output stage of the plurality of output stages comprises a plurality of current mirrors and is configured to output a first scaled mirrored charge to offset the charge integrated by the first charge integrator, wherein the first scaled mirrored charge is based on a charge signal provided via the current conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Marshall J BELL, Jeffrey SMALL
  • Patent number: 8928359
    Abstract: A charge distributor comprises a charge generator configured to output a charge, a current conveyor, and a plurality of output stages. The current conveyor is configured to receive the charge from the charge generator as an input and to couple this charge to a plurality of output stages. A first output stage, of the plurality of output stages, comprises a plurality of current mirrors. The plurality of current mirrors is configured to mirror and scale the charge received from the current conveyor into a scaled mirrored charge. The first output stage is configured to provide the scaled mirrored charge as an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Marshall J Bell, Jeffrey Small
  • Publication number: 20150002406
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a touch screen controller coupled to a touch sensor, a display, and a central processing unit. The touch screen controller is configured to detect first touch input received by the touch sensor and change a visual characteristic of the display upon detecting the first touch input. Detecting the first touch input and changing the visual characteristic are performed while the central processing unit is in a sleep state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey SMALL
  • Publication number: 20140368531
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a processing system for a display device. The processing system includes a histogram circuit configured to process a first plurality of pixel values associated with a first image to generate a first histogram. The processing system further includes a boost circuit configured to analyze the first histogram to determine a first boost level. Additionally, the processing system includes an interpolation circuit configured to interpolate, based on the first boost level, between a first boost mapping and a second boost mapping to generate a first intermediate boost mapping. The interpolation circuit is further configured to determine a first plurality of boosted pixel values based on the first intermediate boost mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. SMALL
  • Patent number: 8902202
    Abstract: A subsystem, system and method for sensing an input object relative to a sensing region of an ultrasound sensor device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a subsystem for sensing an input object relative to a sensing region of an ultrasound sensor device includes a circuit, a switch coupled to an output of the circuit, and an integrating capacitor coupled to the output of the circuit. The circuit has an input for receiving a resulting signal comprising positive and negative polarities, the resulting signal having effects indicative of the input object relative to the sensing region. The integrating capacitor is also coupled to a substantially constant voltage source and to the switch. The circuit is operable to output a rectified signal to the first integrating capacitor indicative of the input object relative to a sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Synaptics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Small, Clyde Washburn
  • Publication number: 20140333368
    Abstract: A charge distributor comprises a charge generator configured to output a charge, a current conveyor, and a plurality of output stages. The current conveyor is configured to receive the charge from the charge generator as an input and to couple this charge to a plurality of output stages. A first output stage, of the plurality of output stages, comprises a plurality of current mirrors. The plurality of current mirrors is configured to mirror and scale the charge received from the current conveyor into a scaled mirrored charge. The first output stage is configured to provide the scaled mirrored charge as an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Marshall J. BELL, Jeffrey Small
  • Publication number: 20140225873
    Abstract: A subsystem, system and method for sensing an input object relative to a sensing region of an ultrasound sensor device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a subsystem for sensing an input object relative to a sensing region of an ultrasound sensor device includes a circuit, a switch coupled to an output of the circuit, and an integrating capacitor coupled to the output of the circuit. The circuit has an input for receiving a resulting signal comprising positive and negative polarities, the resulting signal having effects indicative of the input object relative to the sensing region. The integrating capacitor is also coupled to a substantially constant voltage source and to the switch. The circuit is operable to output a rectified signal to the first integrating capacitor indicative of the input object relative to a sensing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. SMALL, Clyde WASHBURN
  • Patent number: 8711128
    Abstract: A subsystem, system and method for sensing an input object relative to a sensing region of an ultrasound sensor device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a subsystem for sensing an input object relative to a sensing region of an ultrasound sensor device includes a circuit, a switch coupled to an output of the circuit, and an integrating capacitor coupled to the output of the circuit. The circuit has an input for receiving a resulting signal comprising positive and negative polarities, the resulting signal having effects indicative of the input object relative to the sensing region. The integrating capacitor is also coupled to a substantially constant voltage source and to the switch. The circuit is operable to output a rectified signal to the first integrating capacitor indicative of the input object relative to a sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Small, Clyde Washburn
  • Publication number: 20140092031
    Abstract: In a method of operating a touch screen, an object interaction is detected with the touch screen while in a first doze mode. It is determined if a detected object interaction with the touch screen is a valid input object interaction with the touch screen. In response to determining the object interaction is a valid input object interaction, the touch screen is transitioned from the first doze mode to a gesture recognition mode. The touch screen is transitioned from the gesture recognition mode to an active mode in response to a determination of a valid gesture interaction with the touch screen by the input object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Adam SCHWARTZ, Joel JORDAN, Joseph Kurth REYNOLDS, Jeffrey SMALL, Stepan STARCHENKO, Petr SHEPELEV
  • Publication number: 20130342481
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a processing system for a display device having an integrated sensing device. The processing system includes a driver module coupled to a plurality of transmitter electrodes. Each transmitter electrode includes one or more common electrodes configured for display updating and input sensing. The driver module is configured for selecting a first display line set for display updating during a first display update period and driving the first display line set for display updating during the first display update period. The driver module is further configured for driving one or more transmitter electrodes of the plurality of transmitter electrodes for input sensing during a non-display update period and selecting a second display line set for display updating during a restart period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. SMALL, Petr SHEPELEV, Christopher LUDDEN, Thomas MACKIN, Stephen MOREIN
  • Publication number: 20130257784
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved sensor devices. In one embodiment, a capacitive input device is provided that includes a processing system, a plurality of sensing electrodes configured to sense objects in a sensing region, a conductor, and a shield layer comprising at least one shield electrode, where the at least one shield electrode is disposed between the plurality of sensing electrodes and the conductor. The processing system is configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. When operating in the first mode the processing system is configured to determine position information for objects in the sensing region using the plurality of sensing electrodes. When operating in a second mode the processing system is configured to electrically float the at least one shield electrode and to determine force information for objects in the sensing region using the plurality of sensing electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tom R. Vandermeijden, Jeffrey A. Small
  • Publication number: 20130169581
    Abstract: A processing system for an input device includes a transmitter module, a receiver module, and a determination module. The transmitter module is configured to simultaneously drive a first end of a transmitter electrode with a first drive signal and drive a second end of the transmitter electrode with a second drive signal to produce a voltage gradient across the transmitter electrode, wherein the first drive signal and the second drive signal are mathematically independent. The receiver module is configured to receive a resulting signal with a receiver electrode, the resulting signal comprising effects of the voltage gradient. The determination module is configured to determine positional information for an input object based on the resulting signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Small
  • Publication number: 20130027386
    Abstract: A touch screen controller is configured for use in an electronic system. The electronic system comprises: the touch screen controller, a host processing system physically distinct from the touch screen controller, a display screen, and a proximity sensor element. The touch screen controller comprises proximity sensor control circuitry, a rendering module, and display refresh circuitry. The proximity sensor control circuitry is configured to operate the proximity sensor element to sense input objects in a sensing region of the electronic system. The rendering module is configured to render three-dimensional object representations for display on the display screen. The display refresh circuitry is configured to update the display screen with an image received from and processed by the host processing system and with the three-dimensional object representation rendered by the rendering module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey Small
  • Publication number: 20120320096
    Abstract: A gamma curve voltage generator circuit comprises a first linear resistor string and a second linear resistor string. The first linear resistor string comprises resistors of a first resistor value and corresponds to a first portion of a gamma curve. A first end of the first linear resistor string is ohmically coupled to a first end of the second linear resistor string. The second linear resistor string comprises resistors of a second resistor value and corresponds to a second portion of the gamma curve. The first resistor value is different from the second resistor value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey Small
  • Publication number: 20120111119
    Abstract: A subsystem, system and method for sensing an input object relative to a sensing region of an ultrasound sensor device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a subsystem for sensing an input object relative to a sensing region of an ultrasound sensor device includes a circuit, a switch coupled to an output of the circuit, and an integrating capacitor coupled to the output of the circuit. The circuit has an input for receiving a resulting signal comprising positive and negative polarities, the resulting signal having effects indicative of the input object relative to the sensing region. The integrating capacitor is also coupled to a substantially constant voltage source and to the switch. The circuit is operable to output a rectified signal to the first integrating capacitor indicative of the input object relative to a sensing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Small, Clyde Washburn
  • Patent number: 8018176
    Abstract: A chip-on-glass (COG) display driver comprises a direct current to direct current converter (DC-DC) converter that uses “off-glass” and/or “off-chip” inductive/capacitive (LC) components. The DC-DC converter can be configured to use either an internal or external switch (such as a power FET) in response to a mode signal. Selection of an internal or external mode allows a single converter chip design to be optimized for various applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Small, Anirudh Oberoi
  • Patent number: 7978200
    Abstract: Stochastic dithering may be used to reduce the size of the frame buffer and the complexity of the D/A Converters (DACs) in the drive circuitry that are used in a video display system. Hardware for stochastic dithering can be simplified when pixel data is presented in raster order. The hardware adds algebraic noise to the image to be dithered, and thresholds the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Small, John S. Childs, Jeffrey Lillie, Vladimir Misic
  • Patent number: 7755662
    Abstract: A digital imaging system is provided that includes a digital camera and a color printer. The digital camera comprises: a housing; an image sensor adapted to capture analog image data; an analog-to-digital converter adapted to convert the analog image data; an image processor adapted to perform first processing and compression of the digital image data to create a first-processed digital image file; a digital memory in the camera housing having a plurality of the first-processed digital image files stored in the digital memory; and a color printer interface to which a digital image file, which is selected from the digital memory, is applied. The color printer comprises: a color-marking apparatus, and a digital camera interface, wherein the image processor in the digital camera is adapted to perform second processing on the selected digital image file before the selected digital image file is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Parulski, Jeffrey A. Small, Douglas W. Couwenhoven, Jason C. VanBlargan, Raymond E. Wess