Patents by Inventor John Weinerth

John Weinerth 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: 11126311
    Abstract: An input device including a sensing region is disclosed. The input device includes: sensor circuitry configured to: operate, during a first timeslot, electrodes as a first cluster; and operate, during a second timeslot, the electrodes as a second cluster, where the electrodes are aligned with an axis, and where at least one of the electrodes operates as a transmitter in the first cluster and as a receiver in the second cluster; and determination circuitry configured to: determine a first set of signal values associated with a first set of electrodes in the first cluster; determine a second set of signal values associated with a second set of electrodes in the second cluster; and generate a profile for the sensing region based on the first set of signal values and the second set of signal values, where the profile reflects an input object in the sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Katayoun Goudarzi, John Weinerth, Derek Solven, David Hoch
  • Patent number: 11093093
    Abstract: A processing system includes a sensor module configured to receive first and second signals from first and second sensor electrodes, respectively, and generate a combination signal. The processing system further includes a determination module configured to determine, using the first sensor electrode, an absolute capacitive coupling to an input object; determine, using the first and second sensor electrodes, a transcapacitive coupling; determine a ratio of the absolute to transcapacitive coupling; determine, using the combination signal, in absence of a predetermined low ground mass state, and when the ratio fails to exceed a predetermined threshold, first positional information regarding a location of the input object; and determine, when the ratio fails to exceed the predetermined threshold and in presence of the predetermined low ground mass state, second positional information regarding the location of the input object in the sensing region using an absolute capacitive scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: John Weinerth, David Sobel, Derek Solven, Adam Schwartz, Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Tracy Scott Dattalo, David Hoch
  • Patent number: 11010006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a processing system. The processing system includes a sensor module performing a first measurement to obtain a combination signal using a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode. The first electrode is driven using a first modulated signal with a first driving voltage amplitude and simultaneously the second electrode is driven using a second modulated signal with a second driving voltage amplitude greater than the first driving voltage amplitude, while simultaneously first and second resulting signals are received from the first and second electrodes, respectively. The sensor module is further performs a second measurement to obtain a transcapacitance signal using the first and second sensor electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: David Hoch, John Weinerth
  • Publication number: 20200379590
    Abstract: An input device including a sensing region is disclosed. The input device includes: sensor circuitry configured to: operate, during a first timeslot, electrodes as a first cluster; and operate, during a second timeslot, the electrodes as a second cluster, where the electrodes are aligned with an axis, and where at least one of the electrodes operates as a transmitter in the first cluster and as a receiver in the second cluster; and determination circuitry configured to: determine a first set of signal values associated with a first set of electrodes in the first cluster; determine a second set of signal values associated with a second set of electrodes in the second cluster; and generate a profile for the sensing region based on the first set of signal values and the second set of signal values, where the profile reflects an input object in the sensing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Katayoun Goudarzi, John Weinerth, Derek Solven, David Hoch
  • Publication number: 20200363951
    Abstract: The invention relates to a processing system. The processing system includes a sensor module performing a first measurement to obtain a combination signal using a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode. The first electrode is driven using a first modulated signal with a first driving voltage amplitude and simultaneously the second electrode is driven using a second modulated signal with a second driving voltage amplitude greater than the first driving voltage amplitude, while simultaneously first and second resulting signals are received from the first and second electrodes, respectively. The sensor module is further performs a second measurement to obtain a transcapacitance signal using the first and second sensor electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: David Hoch, John Weinerth
  • Patent number: 10788939
    Abstract: An input device including a sensing region is disclosed. The input device includes: sensor circuitry configured to: operate, during a first timeslot, electrodes as a first cluster; and operate, during a second timeslot, the electrodes as a second cluster, where the electrodes are aligned with an axis, and where at least one of the electrodes operates as a transmitter in the first cluster and as a receiver in the second cluster; and determination circuitry configured to: determine a first set of signal values associated with a first set of electrodes in the first cluster; determine a second set of signal values associated with a second set of electrodes in the second cluster; and generate a profile for the sensing region based on the first set of signal values and the second set of signal values, where the profile reflects an input object in the sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Katayoun Goudarzi, John Weinerth, Derek Solven, David Hoch
  • Patent number: 10732765
    Abstract: The invention relates to a processing system. The processing system includes a sensor module performing a first measurement to obtain a combination signal using a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode. The first electrode is driven using a first modulated signal with a first driving voltage amplitude and simultaneously the second electrode is driven using a second modulated signal with a second driving voltage amplitude greater than the first driving voltage amplitude, while simultaneously first and second resulting signals are received from the first and second electrodes, respectively. The sensor module is further performs a second measurement to obtain a transcapacitance signal using the first and second sensor electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: David Hoch, John Weinerth
  • Publication number: 20200233531
    Abstract: A processing system includes a sensor module configured to receive first and second signals from first and second sensor electrodes, respectively, and generate a combination signal. The processing system further includes a determination module configured to determine, using the first sensor electrode, an absolute capacitive coupling to an input object; determine, using the first and second sensor electrodes, a transcapacitive coupling; determine a ratio of the absolute to transcapacitive coupling; determine, using the combination signal, in absence of a predetermined low ground mass state, and when the ratio fails to exceed a predetermined threshold, first positional information regarding a location of the input object; and determine, when the ratio fails to exceed the predetermined threshold and in presence of the predetermined low ground mass state, second positional information regarding the location of the input object in the sensing region using an absolute capacitive scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: John Weinerth, David Sobel, Derek Solven, Adam Schwartz, Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Tracy Scott Dattalo, David Hoch
  • Publication number: 20200201458
    Abstract: An input device including a sensing region is disclosed. The input device includes: sensor circuitry configured to: operate, during a first timeslot, electrodes as a first cluster; and operate, during a second timeslot, the electrodes as a second cluster, where the electrodes are aligned with an axis, and where at least one of the electrodes operates as a transmitter in the first cluster and as a receiver in the second cluster; and determination circuitry configured to: determine a first set of signal values associated with a first set of electrodes in the first cluster; determine a second set of signal values associated with a second set of electrodes in the second cluster; and generate a profile for the sensing region based on the first set of signal values and the second set of signal values, where the profile reflects an input object in the sensing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Katayoun Goudarzi, John Weinerth, Derek Solven, David Hoch
  • Patent number: 10402027
    Abstract: Transmitter axis projection for capacitive sensing is disclosed. Transmitter axis projection includes having processing system. The processing system includes sensor circuitry configured to be coupled to transmitter electrodes and receiver electrodes. The sensor circuitry is configured to drive the transmitter electrodes with first transmitter signals and receive first resulting signals from the receiver electrodes, and drive only a first subset of the receiver electrodes with second transmitter signals and receive second resulting signals with the transmitter electrodes. The processing system further includes processing circuitry connected to the sensor circuitry and configured to partition the receiver electrodes into the first subset of receiver electrodes and a second subset of receiver electrodes, and generate a transmitter axis projection from the second resulting signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew Stevenson, John Weinerth, Jonathan Losh, Derek Solven
  • Patent number: 10338740
    Abstract: A processing system for reducing background capacitance associated with a touch surface. The processing system includes: transmitter circuitry that drives a transmitter electrode of the touch surface with a waveform; receiver circuitry that detects input in a sensing region of the touch surface based on a resulting signal from a receiver electrode of the touch surface; and offset reduction circuitry connected to the receiver circuitry that: subtracts, prior to completion of an integration period of the waveform, a first plurality of charge associated with background capacitance from the resulting signal using a capacitor; executes a first reload of the capacitor prior to completion of the integration period of the waveform; and subtracts, prior to completion of the integration period of the waveform, a second plurality of charge associated with background capacitance from the resulting signal using the capacitor after the first reload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jonathan Losh, John Weinerth, Derek Solven
  • Publication number: 20190056820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a processing system. The processing system includes a sensor module performing a first measurement to obtain a combination signal using a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode. The first electrode is driven using a first modulated signal with a first driving voltage amplitude and simultaneously the second electrode is driven using a second modulated signal with a second driving voltage amplitude greater than the first driving voltage amplitude, while simultaneously first and second resulting signals are received from the first and second electrodes, respectively. The sensor module is further performs a second measurement to obtain a transcapacitance signal using the first and second sensor electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: David Hoch, John Weinerth
  • Publication number: 20190056817
    Abstract: Transmitter axis projection for capacitive sensing is disclosed. Transmitter axis projection includes having processing system. The processing system includes sensor circuitry configured to be coupled to transmitter electrodes and receiver electrodes. The sensor circuitry is configured to drive the transmitter electrodes with first transmitter signals and receive first resulting signals from the receiver electrodes, and drive only a first subset of the receiver electrodes with second transmitter signals and receive second resulting signals with the transmitter electrodes. The processing system further includes processing circuitry connected to the sensor circuitry and configured to partition the receiver electrodes into the first subset of receiver electrodes and a second subset of receiver electrodes, and generate a transmitter axis projection from the second resulting signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Stevenson, John Weinerth, Jonathan Losh, Derek Solven
  • Publication number: 20180143736
    Abstract: A processing system for reducing background capacitance associated with a touch surface. The processing system includes: transmitter circuitry that drives a transmitter electrode of the touch surface with a waveform; receiver circuitry that detects input in a sensing region of the touch surface based on a resulting signal from a receiver electrode of the touch surface; and offset reduction circuitry connected to the receiver circuitry that: subtracts, prior to completion of an integration period of the waveform, a first plurality of charge associated with background capacitance from the resulting signal using a capacitor; executes a first reload of the capacitor prior to completion of the integration period of the waveform; and subtracts, prior to completion of the integration period of the waveform, a second plurality of charge associated with background capacitance from the resulting signal using the capacitor after the first reload.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan Losh, John Weinerth, Derek Solven
  • Publication number: 20170364184
    Abstract: A method of capacitive sensing may include driving a first modulated signal onto a first sensor electrode in an input device and a second modulated signal onto a second sensor electrode in the input device. The method may further include receiving, simultaneously, a first resulting signal from the first sensor electrode and a second resulting signal from the second sensor electrode. The method may further include generating, based at least in part on the first resulting signal and the second resulting signal, a combination signal. The method may further include determining, using the combination signal, when the input device is not disposed in a predetermined low ground mass state, and when a ratio of capacitive coupling exceeds a predetermined threshold, first positional information regarding a location of the input object in the sensing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: John Weinerth, David Sobel, Derek Solven, Adam Schwartz, Tracy Scott Dattalo, David Hoch, Joseph Kurth Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9823787
    Abstract: A processing system comprises a sensor module and a determination module. The sensor module is configured to drive a modulated signal on to a sensor electrode to achieve a target voltage on the sensor electrode during a first portion of a sensing cycle, wherein the modulated signal comprises a first voltage that is beyond a level of the target voltage and which is driven for a first period of time and a second voltage that is at the target voltage and which is driven for a second period of time that follows the first period of time. The determination module is configured to determine an absolute capacitance of the sensor electrode during the first portion of the sensing cycle after driving the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: John Weinerth, Adam Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9645633
    Abstract: An input device, including: a plurality of sensor electrodes configured to receive a first plurality of capacitive signals and a second plurality of capacitive signals; and a processing system operatively connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to: operate in a superdoze mode by receiving the first plurality of capacitive signals from a single receive channel connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes; execute an analysis of the first plurality of capacitive signals; and operate, based on the analysis, in an active mode by: driving a plurality of transmitter electrodes with a first drive pattern of a sensing signal; and receiving the second plurality of capacitive signals associated with the first drive pattern from a plurality of receive channels connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes. The superdoze mode requires less power than the active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Joel Jordan, John Weinerth
  • Publication number: 20160291679
    Abstract: An input device, including: a plurality of sensor electrodes configured to receive a first plurality of capacitive signals and a second plurality of capacitive signals; and a processing system operatively connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to: operate in a superdoze mode by receiving the first plurality of capacitive signals from a single receive channel connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes; execute an analysis of the first plurality of capacitive signals; and operate, based on the analysis, in an active mode by: driving a plurality of transmitter electrodes with a first drive pattern of a sensing signal; and receiving the second plurality of capacitive signals associated with the first drive pattern from a plurality of receive channels connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes. The superdoze mode requires less power than the active mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Joel Jordan, John Weinerth
  • Patent number: 9367181
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved performance. In one embodiment, an input device comprises a processing system, a transmitter sensor electrode, and a receiver sensor electrode, where the transmitter sensor electrode and the receiver sensor electrode are capacitively coupled. The processing system is configured to receive a resulting signal from the receiver sensor electrode, where the resulting signal includes responses that correspond to the transmitter signal. The processing system is further configured to separately accumulate, for each cycle of the transmitter waveform, a first portion and a second portion of the resulting signal to respectively produce a first accumulation and a second accumulation, wherein the first accumulation is used for determining user input to the input device and the second accumulation is used for determining interference, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are non-coterminous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Adam Schwartz, Joseph Kurth Reynolds, John Weinerth, Joel C. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20150261341
    Abstract: A processing system comprises a sensor module and a determination module. The sensor module is configured to drive a modulated signal on to a sensor electrode to achieve a target voltage on the sensor electrode during a first portion of a sensing cycle, wherein the modulated signal comprises a first voltage that is beyond a level of the target voltage and which is driven for a first period of time and a second voltage that is at the target voltage and which is driven for a second period of time that follows the first period of time. The determination module is configured to determine an absolute capacitance of the sensor electrode during the first portion of the sensing cycle after driving the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: John WEINERTH, Adam SCHWARTZ