Patents by Inventor John Greer Elias

John Greer Elias 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: 20170351314
    Abstract: This relates to an event sensing device that includes an event sensing panel and is able to dynamically change the granularity of the panel according to present needs. Thus, the granularity of the panel can differ at different times of operation. Furthermore, the granularity of specific areas of the panel can also be dynamically changed, so that different areas feature different granularities at a given time. This also relates to panels that feature different inherent granularities in different portions thereof. These panels can be designed, for example, by placing more stimulus and/or data lines in different portions of the panel, thus ensuring different densities of pixels in the different portions. Optionally, these embodiments can also include the dynamic granularity changing features noted above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Wayne Carl WESTERMAN, John Greer ELIAS, Steven P. HOTELLING, Duncan Robert KERR
  • Patent number: 9772667
    Abstract: This relates to an event sensing device that includes an event sensing panel and is able to dynamically change the granularity of the panel according to present needs. Thus, the granularity of the panel can differ at different times of operation. Furthermore, the granularity of specific areas of the panel can also be dynamically changed, so that different areas feature different granularities at a given time. This also relates to panels that feature different inherent granularities in different portions thereof. These panels can be designed, for example, by placing more stimulus and/or data lines in different portions of the panel, thus ensuring different densities of pixels in the different portions. Optionally, these embodiments can also include the dynamic granularity changing features noted above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Carl Westerman, John Greer Elias, Steve Porter Hotelling, Duncan Kerr
  • Publication number: 20170147109
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel configured to detect objects touching the panel as well as objects that are at a varying proximity to the touch sensor panel. The touch sensor panel includes circuitry that can configure the panel in a mutual capacitance (near field) architecture or a self-capacitance (far field and super far field) architecture. The touch sensor panel can also include circuitry that works to minimize an effect that a parasitic capacitance can have on the ability of the touch sensor panel to reliably detect touch and proximity events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: John Greer ELIAS, Steven P. HOTELLING
  • Publication number: 20170147119
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Steve Porter HOTELLING, Wei CHEN, Christoph H. KRAH, John Greer ELIAS, Wei Hsin YAO, John Z. ZHONG, Andrew Bert HODGE, Brian R. LAND, Willem den BOER
  • Publication number: 20170097728
    Abstract: Multi-touch touch-sensing devices and methods are described herein. The touch sensing devices can include multiple sense points, each located at a crossing of a drive line and a sense line. In some embodiments, multiple drive lines may be simultaneously or nearly simultaneously stimulated with drive signals having unique characteristics, such as phase or frequency. A sense signal can occur on each sense line that can be related to the drive signals by an amount of touch present at sense points corresponding to the stimulated drive lines and the sense line. By using processing techniques based on the unique drive signals, an amount of touch corresponding to each sense point can be extracted from the sense signal. The touch sensing methods and devices can be incorporated into interfaces for a variety of electronic devices such as a desktop, tablet, notebook, and handheld computers, personal digital assistants, media players, and mobile telephones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Steven P. HOTELLING, John Greer ELIAS, Kapil Vinod SAKARIYA
  • Patent number: 9582131
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel including a plurality of drive lines crossing a plurality of sense lines, forming an array, is disclosed. The plurality of drive lines and the plurality of sense lines are formed by interconnecting a plurality of substantially transparent conductive sections having a first resistivity. A substantially transparent conductive material, with a second resistivity that is lower than the first resistivity, is deposited over at least part of at least one of the plurality of substantially transparent conductive sections of at least one of the plurality of drive lines and the plurality of sense lines. A second layer of the substantially transparent conductive material, with the second resistivity, can be deposited thereafter. At least one dummy section is disposed in an area of the touch sensor panel around the conductive sections of at least one of the plurality of drive lines and the plurality of sense lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: John Greer Elias
  • Patent number: 9575610
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Richards Land, Willem Den Boer
  • Patent number: 9569053
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel configured to detect objects touching the panel as well as objects that are at a varying proximity to the touch sensor panel. The touch sensor panel includes circuitry that can configure the panel in a mutual capacitance (near field) architecture or a self-capacitance (far field and super far field) architecture. The touch sensor panel can also include circuitry that works to minimize an effect that a parasitic capacitance can have on the ability of the touch sensor panel to reliably detect touch and proximity events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Greer Elias, Steven P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 9552115
    Abstract: Multi-touch touch-sensing devices and methods are described herein. The touch sensing devices can include multiple sense points, each located at a crossing of a drive line and a sense line. In some embodiments, multiple drive lines may be simultaneously or nearly simultaneously stimulated with drive signals having unique characteristics, such as phase or frequency. A sense signal can occur on each sense line that can be related to the drive signals by an amount of touch present at sense points corresponding to the stimulated drive lines and the sense line. By using processing techniques based on the unique drive signals, an amount of touch corresponding to each sense point can be extracted from the sense signal. The touch sensing methods and devices can be incorporated into interfaces for a variety of electronic devices such as a desktop, tablet, notebook, and handheld computers, personal digital assistants, media players, and mobile telephones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Hotelling, John Greer Elias, Kapil Vinod Sakariya
  • Patent number: 9552100
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Carl Westerman, John Greer Elias
  • Patent number: 9465456
    Abstract: Algorithms can be used to reduce stylus tip wobble for a stylus translating on a surface over and between electrodes of a touch sensor panel. In some examples, a first position estimate can be calculated using a first position calculation method and a second position estimate can be calculated using a second position calculation method. The position of the stylus can be determined based on a weighted combination of the first and second position estimates. In some examples, the first position estimate can be calculated using an even-point centroid of signal contributions from an even number of electrodes of a touch sensor panel and the second position estimate can be calculated using an odd-point centroid of signal contributions from an odd number of electrodes. In some examples, the weighting can be assigned based on a ratio of the two largest amplitude signals and based on a ratio of the second and third largest amplitude signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Pant, Shahrooz Shahparnia, John Greer Elias
  • Patent number: 9454239
    Abstract: Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and processes for detecting touch events and key depressions on the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard are provided. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can include a set of individually depressible mechanical keys having a touch sensitive area located on their surface. A touch sensor can be included to detect touch events on the surface of the mechanical keys. A keypad can also be included to detect a depression of the mechanical keys. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can further include a processor for distinguishing detected touch events from detected key depressions. The processor can generate either a key depression command or a touch event command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: John Greer Elias
  • Publication number: 20160246441
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Wayne Carl WESTERMAN, John Greer ELIAS
  • Publication number: 20160117023
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Steve Porte HOTELLING, Wei CHEN, Christoph Horst KRAH, John Greer ELIAS, Wei Hsin YAO, John Z. ZHONG, Andrew Bert HODGE, Brian Richards LAND, Willem DEN BOER
  • Patent number: 9298310
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Carl Westerman, John Greer Elias
  • Patent number: 9268429
    Abstract: Liquid crystal display (LCD) touch screens integrate touch sensing elements with display circuitry and may include in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. A method of operating the integrated touch sensing elements with the display circuitry includes dividing touch-sensing circuitry of the touch screen into a plurality of drive segments, each drive segment overlapping one or more display rows; updating the display at a predetermined refresh rate; stimulating the plurality of drive segments at a predetermined scan rate; and changing the sequence of stimulating the plurality of drive segments as required to prevent simultaneously stimulating a drive segment that overlaps a display row currently being updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Land, Willem den Boer
  • Patent number: 9244561
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Richards Land, Willem den Boer
  • Patent number: 9201547
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel configured to detect objects touching the panel as well as objects that are at a varying proximity to the touch sensor panel. The touch sensor panel includes circuitry that can configure the panel in a mutual capacitance (near field) architecture or a self-capacitance (far field and super far field) architecture. The touch sensor panel can also include circuitry that works to minimize an effect that a parasitic capacitance can have on the ability of the touch sensor panel to reliably detect touch and proximity events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Greer Elias, Steven Porter Hotelling
  • Publication number: 20150338932
    Abstract: An algorithm for reducing stylus tip wobble for a stylus translating on a surface over and between electrodes of a touch sensor panel is disclosed. In some examples, a first position estimate can be calculated using a first position calculation method and a second position estimate can be calculated using a second position calculation method. The position of the stylus can be determined based on a weighted combination of the first and second position estimates. In some examples, the first position estimate can be calculated using an even-point centroid of signal contributions from an even number of electrodes of a touch sensor panel and the second position estimate can be calculated using an odd-point centroid of signal contributions from an odd number of electrodes. In some examples, the weighting can be assigned based on a ratio of the two largest amplitude signals and based on a ratio of the second and third largest amplitude signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Pant, Shahrooz Shahparnia, John Greer Elias
  • Publication number: 20150324062
    Abstract: A touch sensor panel configured to detect objects touching the panel as well as objects that are at a varying proximity to the touch sensor panel. The touch sensor panel includes circuitry that can configure the panel in a mutual capacitance (near field) architecture or a self-capacitance (far field and super far field) architecture. The touch sensor panel can also include circuitry that works to minimize an effect that a parasitic capacitance can have on the ability of the touch sensor panel to reliably detect touch and proximity events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: John Greer ELIAS, Steven P. HOTELLING