Patents by Inventor Louis Bokma

Louis Bokma 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).

  • Capacitance measurement system and methods
    Patent number: 9500686
    Abstract: A first capacitor and a second capacitor are charged until voltage at the second capacitor settles to a settling voltage. While charging, the first capacitor is alternately switched between a current source and ground. When the settling voltage is reached, charging of the first capacitor is halted. The second capacitor continues to be charged until voltage at the second capacitor reaches a reference voltage. The amount of time it takes for the settling voltage to reach the reference voltage corresponds to a measure of capacitance on the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cole Wilson, Thomas Middleton Rutledge Fuller, Mark Lee, Louis Bokma, Andrew Best
  • Multi-dimensional scroll wheel
    Patent number: 8866780
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional scroll wheel is disclosed. Scroll wheel circuitry is provided to detect input gestures that traverse the center of the scroll wheel and to detect multi-touch input. The scroll wheel can include a first plurality of sensor elements arranged in a first closed loop and a second plurality of sensor elements arranged in a second closed loop, the first and second closed loops being concentrically arranged about the center of the scroll wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lakshman Rathnam, Louis Bokma, Fletcher Rothkopf, Andrea Mucignat, Erturk Kocalar, Benjamin Lyon, Joseph Fisher
  • Multi-dimensional scroll wheel
    Patent number: 8416198
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional scroll wheel is disclosed. Scroll wheel circuitry is provided to detect input gestures that traverse the center of the scroll wheel and to detect multi-touch input. The scroll wheel can include a first plurality of sensor elements arranged in a first closed loop and a second plurality of sensor elements arranged in a second closed loop, the first and second closed loops being concentrically arranged about the center of the scroll wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lakshman Rathnam, Louis Bokma, Fletcher Rothkopf, Andrea Mucignat, Erturk Kocalar, Benjamin Lyon, Joseph Fisher
  • Enhanced proximity sensing
    Patent number: 8076949
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for rejecting sensor information when a switch is being pressed in a system having sensors over switches. A switch in the process of being pressed may be determined based on an increase in pressure which may be determined by measuring the increase in capacitance at a plurality of capacitive sensors. The rejection of sensor information when the switch is being pressed allows the user interface to more accurately thus facilitates smooth and jitterless interface operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Best, Robert Birch, Louis Bokma, Jonathan R. Peterson
  • CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20110156724
    Abstract: A first capacitor and a second capacitor are charged until voltage at the second capacitor settles to a settling voltage. While charging, the first capacitor is alternately switched between a current source and ground. When the settling voltage is reached, charging of the first capacitor is halted. The second capacitor continues to be charged until voltage at the second capacitor reaches a reference voltage. The amount of time it takes for the settling voltage to reach the reference voltage corresponds to a measure of capacitance on the first capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Bokma, Andrew Best
  • Capacitance measurement systems and methods
    Patent number: 7804307
    Abstract: A first capacitor and a second capacitor are charged until voltage at the second capacitor settles to a settling voltage. While charging, the first capacitor is alternately switched between a current source and ground. When the settling voltage is reached, charging of the first capacitor is halted. The second capacitor continues to be charged until voltage at the second capacitor reaches a reference voltage. The amount of time it takes for the settling voltage to reach the reference voltage corresponds to a measure of capacitance on the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Bokma, Andrew Best
  • MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SCROLL WHEEL
    Publication number: 20090141046
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional scroll wheel is disclosed. Scroll wheel circuitry is provided to detect input gestures that traverse the center of the scroll wheel and to detect multi-touch input. The scroll wheel can include a first plurality of sensor elements arranged in a first closed loop and a second plurality of sensor elements arranged in a second closed loop, the first and second closed loops being concentrically arranged about the center of the scroll wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lakshman Rathnam, Louis Bokma, Fletcher Rothkopf, Andrea Mucignat, Erturk Kocalar, Benjamin Lyon, Joseph Fisher