Patents by Inventor Joel C. Kent
Joel C. Kent 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).
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Patent number: 10001883Abstract: A location of contact with a touch sensitive device is determined. Output signals associated with a plurality of electrodes such as formed on a single layer of the touch sensitive device are measured to identify a first electrode positioned at an approximate location of contact with the touch sensor. An output signal associated with a different electrode that is separated from the first electrode is measured to determine an undesired signal amount, such as due to deflection. An undesired single amount associated with the first electrode may be estimated based on the undesired signal amount measured at the other electrode. The signal amount measured at the first electrode is then compensated by the estimated undesired signal amount. The location of contact with the touch sensor is then determined based on the compensated signal amount.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Joel C. Kent, Selina Li
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Publication number: 20180011566Abstract: System, method, and computer program products are provided that can support touch interaction from multiple users on a large scale projective capacitive (PCAP) display system, such as a gaming table. According to some embodiments, a system includes a touchscreen coupled to a controller. The controller adjusts performance of the touchscreen through dynamically setting a controller parameter to support altered touch reporting in a first area of the touchscreen compared to a second area of the touchscreen. The controller enables touch detection for the first area according to performance characteristics needed for an application operating in the second area. Some embodiments include the controller identifying a user associated with the first area, where the controller receives and analyzes a watermarked touch signal from the first area that includes a touch signal and a unique signal, detects an associated touch location, and detects the unique signal associated with the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Agha AHSAN, Gazi ALI, Khalid AZIM, Joel C. KENT, Kyu Tak SON, Robert WILLIAMS, Yansun XU
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Patent number: 9760215Abstract: Methods for determining a touch-and-hold touch event on a touch sensitive interaction surface of a touch sensing device are provided and comprise the steps of: a) determining a touch location of the touch event based on vibrations, such as bending waves, propagating through the interaction surface and b) determining whether the touch event comprises a hold touch event based on a sensed airborne signal. A device configured to carry out such methods is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Simon Esteve, Olivier Schevin, Joel C. Kent
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Patent number: 9740352Abstract: System, method, and computer program products are provided that can support touch interaction from multiple users on a large scale projective capacitive (PCAP) display system, such as a gaming table. According to an embodiment, a system includes a touchscreen coupled to a controller. The controller adjusts performance of the touchscreen through dynamically setting a controller parameter to support altered touch reporting in a first area of the touchscreen compared to a second area of the touchscreen. The controller enables touch detection for the first area according to performance characteristics needed for an application operating in the second area. An altered touch reporting area may be a fast scan area or a slow scan area. In addition, enrichment data areas may include at least one of a fast scan area, a slow scan area, or an area of a touchscreen during a full scan.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: ELO TOUCH SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Agha Ahsan, Gazi Ali, Khalid Azim, Joel C. Kent, Kyu Tak Son, Robert Williams, Yansun Xu
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Publication number: 20170235393Abstract: A capacitive touch sensitive device includes a matrix of pads patterned in a first electrically conductive material on a substrate. Horizontally adjacent pads within each even row of the matrix are electrically coupled to one another via channels to form a plurality of horizontally arranged electrodes. Insulators are positioned over respective channels. Conductive links are formed over respective insulators and are configured to electrically couple vertically adjacent pads between odd rows of the matrix to form a plurality of vertically arranged electrodes. The dimensions of the channels and the conductive links are configured such that an RC time-constant (RCtc) of each of the vertically arranged electrodes substantially matches an RCtc of each of the horizontally arranged electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Kyu-Tak SON, Joel C. Kent
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Patent number: 9671904Abstract: An improved acoustic touch apparatus that has a logo or application icon applied on the back surface of a propagating substrate which can be viewed through the substrate and an acoustic element situated adjacent the logo or application icon that can compensate for phase velocity shifts of surface acoustic waves in propagating over the logo or application icon.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Daniel H. Scharff, Joel C. Kent
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Publication number: 20170115827Abstract: Systems and related methods providing for touch sensors using high sensitivity Lamb waves are disclosed herein. A touch controller may comprise circuitry having operating frequency characteristics, including an operating frequency f and a frequency spread ?f; and circuitry configured to minimize effects of dispersion based upon at least one of selected operating frequency characteristics relative to a frequency dependence of a group velocity of propagating waves and a frequency dependent phase error, wherein the touch controller generates an excitation signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: David S. Hecht, Daniel H. Scharff, Joel C. Kent, Kyu-Tak Son, Masao Takeuchi
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Publication number: 20170090616Abstract: System, method, and computer program products are provided that can support touch interaction from multiple users on a large scale projective capacitive (PCAP) display system, such as a gaming table. According to an embodiment, a system includes a touchscreen coupled to a controller. The controller adjusts performance of the touchscreen through dynamically setting a controller parameter to support altered touch reporting in a first area of the touchscreen compared to a second area of the touchscreen. The controller enables touch detection for the first area according to performance characteristics needed for an application operating in the second area. An altered touch reporting area may be a fast scan area or a slow scan area. In addition, enrichment data areas may include at least one of a fast scan area, a slow scan area, or an area of a touchscreen during a full scan.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Agha AHSAN, Gazi ALI, Khalid AZIM, Joel C. KENT, Kyu Tak SON, Robert WILLIAMS, Yansun XU
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Patent number: 9582125Abstract: A capacitive touch sensitive device includes a matrix of pads patterned in a first electrically conductive material on a substrate. Horizontally adjacent pads within each even row of the matrix are electrically coupled to one another via channels to form a plurality of horizontally arranged electrodes. Insulators are positioned over respective channels. Conductive links are formed over respective insulators and are configured to electrically couple vertically adjacent pads between odd rows of the matrix to form a plurality of vertically arranged electrodes. The dimensions of the channels and the conductive links are configured such that an RC time-constant (RCtc) of each of the vertically arranged electrodes substantially matches an RCtc of each of the horizontally arranged electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: ELO TOUCH SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Kyu-Tak Son, Joel C. Kent
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Publication number: 20170052646Abstract: A touchscreen system comprises a touch area. At least one transmitter is positioned proximate to outer edges of the touch area for transmitting first beams in a first direction. At least one beam splitter is positioned proximate to the outer edges of the touch area for splitting the first beams into at least second and third beams that travel through the touch area in at least second and third directions, respectively. The at least one beam splitter comprises a plurality of deflecting elements. Receivers are positioned proximate to the outer edges of the touch area for receiving the at least second and third beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Joel C. KENT, James L. AROYAN, Ting GAO, Yoshikazu TANAKA, Daniel H. SCHARFF
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Patent number: 9552106Abstract: An acoustic touch apparatus is provided that includes a substrate capable of propagating surface acoustic waves, such as Rayleigh-type or Love-type waves. The substrate has a front surface, a back surface, and a curved connecting surface formed between the front surface and the back surface. The apparatus also includes at least one acoustic wave transducer and at least one reflective array, the acoustic wave transducer and the reflective array behind the back surface of the substrate. The acoustic wave transducer is capable of transmitting or receiving surface acoustic waves to or from the reflective array. The reflective array is capable of acoustically coupling the surface acoustic waves to propagate from the back surface and across the front surface via the curved connecting surface. Various types of acoustic touch apparatus with edge sensitive touch functions can be provided, according to specific embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Yoshikazu Tanaka, Ting Gao, Joel C. Kent, Jeffrey T. Haller, Daniel H. Scharff, Timothy O. Avery
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Publication number: 20170010755Abstract: An acoustic touch apparatus is provided that includes a substrate capable of propagating surface acoustic waves, such as Rayleigh-type or Love-type waves. The substrate has a front surface, a back surface, and a curved connecting surface formed between the front surface and the back surface. The apparatus also includes at least one acoustic wave transducer and at least one reflective array, the acoustic wave transducer and the reflective array behind the back surface of the substrate. The acoustic wave transducer is capable of transmitting or receiving surface acoustic waves to or from the reflective array. The reflective array is capable of acoustically coupling the surface acoustic waves to propagate from the back surface and across the front surface via the curved connecting surface. Various types of acoustic touch apparatus with edge sensitive touch functions can be provided, according to specific embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Yoshikazu TANAKA, Ting GAO, Joel C. Kent, Jeffrey T. HALLER, Daniel H. Scharff, Timothy O. Avery
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Patent number: 9507464Abstract: Systems and related methods providing for touch sensors using high sensitivity Lamb waves are disclosed herein. A touch apparatus may include a substrate having a front surface and a back surface, where the touch region is on the front surface. The touch apparatus may be configured to propagate surface acoustic waves on at least a portion of the back surface and high sensitivity lamb waves, such as near-longitudinal-resonance Lamb waves, in at least a portion of the touch region of the substrate. The touch system may further include circuitry configured to determine a location of a touch on the front surface based on received attenuations in the high sensitivity Lamb waves. Some embodiments may provide for bezel-less touch sensor designs and anti-dispersion techniques that enhance touch sensor reliability.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David S. Hecht, Daniel H. Scharff, Joel C. Kent, Kyu-Tak Son, Masao Takeuchi
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Patent number: 9454266Abstract: A touchscreen system comprises a touch area. At least one transmitter is positioned proximate to outer edges of the touch area for transmitting first beams in a first direction. At least one beam splitter is positioned proximate to the outer edges of the touch area for splitting the first beams into at least second and third beams that travel through the touch area in at least second and third directions, respectively. The at least one beam splitter comprises a plurality of deflecting elements. Receivers are positioned proximate to the outer edges of the touch area for receiving the at least second and third beams.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Joel C. Kent, James L. Aroyan, Ting Gao, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Daniel H. Scharff
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Patent number: 9430100Abstract: An acoustic touch apparatus that utilizes the transfer of surface acoustic waves from one surface, through the touch substrate, to another surface to enable multi-touch capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Kyu-Tak Son, Joel C. Kent
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Publication number: 20160162122Abstract: An acoustic touch apparatus that utilizes the transfer of surface acoustic waves from one surface, through the touch substrate, to another surface to enable multi-touch capabilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Kyu-Tak Son, Joel C. Kent
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Patent number: 9348467Abstract: Surface acoustic waves in a radial pattern are used to detect touch. Different radial transducer arrangements may allow for locating multiple simultaneous touches without ambiguity. Instead of transmitting along a line to be reflected at multiple points, the surface acoustic waves are transmitted radially. The surface acoustic waves are transmitted along different angles in an angular span spread out over at least part of the touch region. Using acoustic waves traveling along intersecting paths, a point location of a touch may be determined by detection, in part, of at least one angle.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: ELO TOUCH SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Daniel H. Scharff, Joel C. Kent, Kyu-Tak Son
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Patent number: 9310939Abstract: A touch sensor comprises a substrate capable of propagating acoustic waves. The substrate includes a first surface having a touch sensitive region. A transducer is formed on the substrate. The transducer comprises a piezoelectric element which is thermally cured after being formed on the substrate. The transducer is configured for at least one of generating acoustic waves and detecting acoustic waves. Alternatively, the transducer may include a strip comprising the piezoelectric element.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Joel C. Kent, Paulo I. Gomes
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Patent number: 9304629Abstract: Radial transducers are provided for acoustic touch sensors. Different radial transducer arrangements may allow for locating multiple simultaneous touches without ambiguity, in some embodiments without a bezel. Instead of transmitting acoustic waves along a line to be reflected at multiple points, surface acoustic waves are transmitted in a radial wave pattern. Surface acoustic waves are transmitted along different angles spread out over at least part of the touch region. Various techniques may be used to generate the radial wave pattern, such as a convex wedge of a wedge transducer, interference patterns, a curved piezoelectric element, a curved reflector, a curved edge of the substrate, a curved grating, or one or more lenses. These devices for controlling the spread of the surface acoustic waves may alternatively be used for control of the surface acoustic rays for transmission along a single line or just along two lines (e.g., X and Y axes).Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: ELO TOUCH SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Yoshikazu Tanaka, Daniel H. Scharff, Ting Gao, Joel C. Kent, James L. Aroyan
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Patent number: 9256327Abstract: A projected capacitive touch sensor system includes a substrate that defines a plurality of non-overlapping areas. Each non-overlapping area includes a plurality of detection electrodes arranged in non-overlapping columns. The columns include a horizontal detection electrode that extends along substantially an entire height of a first column, and at least a second column of at least two vertical detection electrodes that are electrically isolated from one another. The system further includes a measuring circuit configured to measure a mutual capacitance between the horizontal detection electrode and each of the at least two vertical detection electrodes in a given area. A processing logic circuit of the system is configured to determine horizontal detection electrode and vertical detection electrode combinations that have a changed mutual capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Ricardo R. Salaverry, James G. Quaderer, Francis Lau, Joel C. Kent