Patents by Inventor Jennifer S. Nyland

Jennifer S. Nyland 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: 5831597
    Abstract: A computer input device is used in conjunction with a mouse input device. The computer input device of the invention comprises a body having a resilient layer covered by a surface layer textured throughout the entirety of the surface for operation of the mouse. A printed circuit card is incorporated in the body between the resilient layer and the upper surface layer and includes a plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads. The card further includes electronic circuitry for operating the touch sensor pads to detect when a capacitive object, such as a fingertip, is in the proximity of a sensor pad. A touch need not apply force to register. The printed circuit card includes a guard ring pad surrounding the touch pads which detects the presence of the mouse over the sensor pads and indicates that any detected outputs from the sensor pads are not valid, but instead are due to the presence of the mouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Tanisys Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. West, Jennifer S. Nyland, Mitchell G. Burton