Patents by Inventor Marc Bidiville
Marc Bidiville 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: 9971427Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) including a processor, a housing including a top side, the housing configured to support a user's hand, and a detachable cover plate configured to attach to the top side of the housing and support a user's hand. The cover plate can include a shape memory polymer (SMP) disposed thereon, where the SMP is pliable and operable to conform to the user's hand when a temperature of the SMP is at or above a threshold value. Furthermore, the SMP can be firm and non-conforming when the temperature of the SMP falls below the threshold value. A heating unit controlled by the processor can be configured to control the temperature of the shape memory polymer. The detachable cover plate can include the shape memory polymer disposed in areas configured to contact a user's palm and thumb.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Inventors: Olivier Theytaz, Samuel Siegfried, Joseph Lu, Nicolas Ramond, Nicolas Chauvin, Marc Bidiville
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Publication number: 20170003759Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) including a processor, a housing including a top side, the housing configured to support a user's hand, and a detachable cover plate configured to attach to the top side of the housing and support a user's hand. The cover plate can include a shape memory polymer (SMP) disposed thereon, where the SMP is pliable and operable to conform to the user's hand when a temperature of the SMP is at or above a threshold value. Furthermore, the SMP can be firm and non-conforming when the temperature of the SMP falls below the threshold value. A heating unit controlled by the processor can be configured to control the temperature of the shape memory polymer. The detachable cover plate can include the shape memory polymer disposed in areas configured to contact a user's palm and thumb.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Olivier Theytaz, Samuel Siegfried, Joseph Lu, Nicolas Ramond, Nicolas Chauvin, Marc Bidiville
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Patent number: 9411439Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) including a processor, a housing including a top side, the housing configured to support a user's hand, and a detachable cover plate configured to attach to the top side of the housing and support a user's hand. The cover plate can include a shape memory polymer (SMP) disposed thereon, where the SMP is pliable and operable to conform to the user's hand when a temperature of the SMP is at or above a threshold value. Furthermore, the SMP can be firm and non-conforming when the temperature of the SMP falls below the threshold value. A heating unit controlled by the processor can be configured to control the temperature of the shape memory polymer. The detachable cover plate can include the shape memory polymer disposed in areas configured to contact a user's palm and thumb.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Olivier Theytaz, Samuel Siegfried, Joseph Lu, Nicolas Ramond, Nicolas Chauvin, Marc Bidiville
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Publication number: 20140267040Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) including a processor, a housing including a top side, the housing configured to support a user's hand, and a detachable cover plate configured to attach to the top side of the housing and support a user's hand. The cover plate can include a shape memory polymer (SMP) disposed thereon, where the SMP is pliable and operable to conform to the user's hand when a temperature of the SMP is at or above a threshold value. Furthermore, the SMP can be firm and non-conforming when the temperature of the SMP falls below the threshold value. A heating unit controlled by the processor can be configured to control the temperature of the shape memory polymer. The detachable cover plate can include the shape memory polymer disposed in areas configured to contact a user's palm and thumb.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Olivier Theytaz, Samuel Siegfried, Joseph Lu, Nicolas Ramond, Nicolas Chauvin, Marc Bidiville
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Patent number: 8633893Abstract: A solid-state roller on a pointing device with enhanced features. The solid-state design described herein allows the sensor to be placed on any shape of surface, such as one that has curvature in two directions. In one embodiment, a trench or downward curve contains sensors for detecting finger movement. The user's finger can thus bend about a knuckle in a curved motion to activate the sensor, requiring little or no movement of the finger up and down. The solid-state sensors can be of one of a number of designs. In one embodiment, multiple electrodes are contacted by a finger as it moves. Each electrode is coupled to a capacitive detection circuit, for detecting the change in capacitance as the electrode is contacted by the finger.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2013Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Florian Max Kehlstadt, Berni Joss, Julien Piot, Marc Bidiville, Laurent Plancherel, Baptiste Merminod, Jean-Luc Dupraz, Maxime Marini, Chiu Yu
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Patent number: 8446366Abstract: A roller for a mouse includes a roller wheel having an outer portion formed of metal and a corrugated surface; a pivot arm configured to pivot in a first direction to contact the corrugated surface and to pivot in a second direction to move away from the corrugated surface; and user operable device configured to be translated to pivot the pivot arm.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Christian Michel Blandin, Marc Bidiville, Darragh Luttrell, Denis O'Keeffe, Timothy O'Sullivan, Erik Charlton
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Patent number: 8373676Abstract: A solid-state roller on a pointing device with enhanced features. The solid-state design described herein allows the sensor to be placed on any shape of surface, such as one that has curvature in two directions. In one embodiment, a trench or downward curve contains sensors for detecting finger movement. The user's finger can thus bend about a knuckle in a curved motion to activate the sensor, requiring little or no movement of the finger up and down. The solid-state sensors can be of one of a number of designs. In one embodiment, multiple electrodes are contacted by a finger as it moves. Each electrode is coupled to a capacitive detection circuit, for detecting the change in capacitance as the electrode is contacted by the finger.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Florian Max Kehlstadt, Berni Joss, Julien Piot, Marc Bidiville, Laurent Plancherel, Baptiste Merminod, Jean-Luc Dupraz, Maxime Marini, Chiu Yu
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Publication number: 20120206359Abstract: A solid-state roller on a pointing device with enhanced features. The solid-state design described herein allows the sensor to be placed on any shape of surface, such as one that has curvature in two directions. In one embodiment, a trench or downward curve contains sensors for detecting finger movement. The user's finger can thus bend about a knuckle in a curved motion to activate the sensor, requiring little or no movement of the finger up and down. The solid-state sensors can be of one of a number of designs. In one embodiment, multiple electrodes are contacted by a finger as it moves. Each electrode is coupled to a capacitive detection circuit, for detecting the change in capacitance as the electrode is contacted by the finger.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Florian Max Kehlstadt, Berni Joss, Julien Piot, Marc Bidiville, Laurent Plancherel, Baptiste Merminod, Jean-Luc Dupraz, Maxime Marini, Chiu Yu
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Patent number: 8194039Abstract: A solid-state roller on a pointing device with enhanced features. The solid-state design described herein allows the sensor to be placed on any shape of surface, such as one that has curvature in two directions. In one embodiment, a trench or downward curve contains sensors for detecting finger movement. The user's finger can thus bend about a knuckle in a curved motion to activate the sensor, requiring little or no movement of the finger up and down. The solid-state sensors can be of one of a number of designs. In one embodiment, multiple electrodes are contacted by a finger as it moves. Each electrode is coupled to a capacitive detection circuit, for detecting the change in capacitance as the electrode is contacted by the finger.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Florian Max Kehlstadt, Berni Joss, Julien Piot, Marc Bidiville, Laurent Plancherel, Baptiste Merminod, Jean-Luc Dupraz, Maxime Marini, Chiu Yu
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Patent number: 8188974Abstract: A system and method for controlling friction between a mouse and the surface upon which it is placed. Reduction of friction can be accomplished in several ways, including: making the feet of the mouse from various different materials, creating layers of air between the mouse and the surface, creating beveled edges for the feet of mouse, etc. In one embodiment, the feet of the mouse are made of a piezo-electric layer bonded to another layer made of a different material. Exciting the piezo-electric layer at certain frequencies makes the two layers shrink and expand differently, thus creating oscillations of the feet. In yet another embodiment, portions of the mouse feet are made of different materials with different coefficients of friction. These different portions of the feet can be pressed down onto the surface with varying amounts of pressure, thus altering the friction.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Marc Bidiville, Tim O'Sullivan, Denis O'Keeffe, Darragh Luttrell, Martin Gleeson, Neil O'Connell, Jacques Antoine Dayer, Antoine Merminod
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Publication number: 20110227828Abstract: A roller for a mouse includes a roller wheel having an outer portion formed of metal and a corrugated surface; a pivot arm configured to pivot in a first direction to contact the corrugated surface and to pivot in a second direction to move away from the corrugated surface; and user operable device configured to be translated to pivot the pivot arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2006Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicants: Logitech, Inc.Inventors: Christian Michel Blandin, Marc Bidiville, Darragh Luttrell, Denis O'Keeffe, Timothy O'Sullivan, Erik Charlton
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Patent number: 7733328Abstract: A roller for a control device includes a roller wheel having an outer portion formed of metal and a corrugated surface; a pivot arm configured to pivot in a first direction to contact the corrugated surface and to pivot in a second direction to move away from the corrugated surface; and energy driven means configured to pivot the pivot arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Christian Michel Blandin, Marc Bidiville, Darragh Luttrell, Denis O'Keeffe, Timothy O'Sullivan, Erik Charlton
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Patent number: 7623116Abstract: A roller device including a roller wheel configured to control scrolling of a graphical object along a first axis if the roller wheel is rotated by a user; a first sensor adjacent to a first side of the roller wheel; and a second sensor adjacent to a second side of the roller wheel; wherein the first and second sensors are configured to control a scrolling rate of the graphical object along a second axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventor: Marc Bidiville
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Patent number: 7616188Abstract: A number of embodiments of a rotatable member or wheel that can be mounted in a mouse or other input device that allows both rotation and response to lateral pressure for horizontal or other scrolling.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2004Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Christian M. Blandin, Neil G. O'Connell, Philippe Junod, Marc Bidiville
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Publication number: 20090135140Abstract: Various systems and methods are employed for lift-detection. Beam triangulation can be used, and in one embodiment, an optical lift detection module is separate from the optical tracking module. In one embodiment, a capacitive lift detection technique is used. A capacitor is built into the bottom case of the mouse. When the mouse is resting on a surface, the surface material serves as a dielectric for the capacitor, while air serves as the dielectric when the mouse is lifted. This dielectric change leads to a change in the capacitance value, leading to detection of lift. In one embodiment, a capacitor with an easily compressable material inserted between the two electrodes is used. In another embodiment, a mechanical plunger with an elastic membrane is used for lift detection. Lift detection can be tunable and/or customizable. The actual height of the life can be detected, rather than simple on-off notifications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: LOGITECH EUROPE S.A.Inventors: Christophe Constantin, Marc Bidiville, Olivier Theytaz, Olivier Mathis, Boris Karamata, Nicolas Chauvin, Jacques Robert
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Publication number: 20090079711Abstract: A control device includes a case having a bottom surface that has a front portion and a back portion; and a first friction pad and a second friction pad disposed on the front portion of the bottom surface. The first and second friction pads are configured to detect pressure from a user hand to power-up the control device. The first and second friction pads are also configured to detect the absence of the user hand and place the control device in a sleep mode based on the detection of the absence of the user hand.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Patrick Monney, Marc Bidiville, Philippe Junod, Baptiste Merminod, Antoine Merminod, Rolf Ambuehl, Guy Tiphane, Rene Sommer, Florian Kehlstadt, Laurent Plancherel
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Publication number: 20090079693Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling scrolling of a graphical object displayed on a computer monitor. The control device includes a housing; and a slider device disposed at a front portion of the housing configured to control scrolling of the graphical object on the monitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Patrick Monney, Marc Bidiville, Philippe Junod, Baptiste Merminod, Antoine Merminod, Rolf Ambuehl, Guy Tiphane, Rene Sommer, Florian Kehlstadt, Laurent Plancherel
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Publication number: 20070188454Abstract: A reduced power magnetic or electromagnetic ratchet for a roller on an input device. In one embodiment, opposing rings of permanent magnets are mounted in the roller, or are attached to the roller by a gearing arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Timothy O'Sullivan, Marc Bidiville
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Publication number: 20070146324Abstract: A roller for a control device includes a roller wheel having an outer portion formed of metal and a corrugated surface; a pivot arm configured to pivot in a first direction to contact the corrugated surface and to pivot in a second direction to move away from the corrugated surface; and energy driven means configured to pivot the pivot arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2005Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Christian Blandin, Marc Bidiville, Darragh Luttrell, Denis O'Keeffe, Timothy O'Sullivan, Erik Charlton
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Publication number: 20070139379Abstract: A solid-state roller on a pointing device with enhanced features. The solid-state design described herein allows the sensor to be placed on any shape of surface, such as one that has curvature in two directions. In one embodiment, a trench or downward curve contains sensors for detecting finger movement. The user's finger can thus bend about a knuckle in a curved motion to activate the sensor, requiring little or no movement of the finger up and down. The solid-state sensors can be of one of a number of designs. In one embodiment, multiple electrodes are contacted by a finger as it moves. Each electrode is coupled to a capacitive detection circuit, for detecting the change in capacitance as the electrode is contacted by the finger.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: June 21, 2007Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Florian Kehlstadt, Berni Joss, Julien Piot, Marc Bidiville, Laurent Plancherel, Baptiste Merminod, Jean-Luc Dupraz, Maxime Marini, Chiu Yu