Patents by Inventor Mark Andrew Huie
Mark Andrew Huie 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: 9746952Abstract: An input device includes a first substrate including a force sensor electrode and several proximity sensor electrodes, which are configured to detect one or more input objects in a sensing region. The input device also includes a second substrate mechanically coupled to the first substrate, the second substrate including a first conductive portion. The force sensor electrode and the first conductive portion are configured to form a first variable capacitance for a determination of a first force applied by the one or more input objects to an input surface of the input device. The input device also includes a compensation sensor including a compensation sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate, a second conductive portion of the second substrate, and a compensation spring feature formed on the second substrate. The compensation spring feature is configured to facilitate a deflection of the second conductive portion relative to the compensation sensor electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventor: Mark Andrew Huie
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Publication number: 20160291761Abstract: An input device includes a first substrate including a force sensor electrode and several proximity sensor electrodes, which are configured to detect one or more input objects in a sensing region. The input device also includes a second substrate mechanically coupled to the first substrate, the second substrate including a first conductive portion. The force sensor electrode and the first conductive portion are configured to form a first variable capacitance for a determination of a first force applied by the one or more input objects to an input surface of the input device. The input device also includes a compensation sensor including a compensation sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate, a second conductive portion of the second substrate, and a compensation spring feature formed on the second substrate. The compensation spring feature is configured to facilitate a deflection of the second conductive portion relative to the compensation sensor electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2015Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventor: Mark Andrew Huie
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Patent number: 9063575Abstract: A method for detecting a gesture includes detecting a first input object, a second input object, and a movement of the first input object, a movement of the second input object in a sensing region during a first time period. The method further includes detecting a third input object and movement for the third input object in the sensing region during a second time period, the second time period occurring after the first time period, and the third input object only detected after the first time period. The method further includes identifying a first gesture based on the movement of the first input object, the movement of the second input object, and the movement of the third input object, and outputting gesture information identifying the first gesture.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventor: Mark Andrew Huie
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Patent number: 8947364Abstract: A touch sensor device and method is provided that facilitates improved device usability. Specifically, the touch screen device and method provide user interface functionality while reducing the possibility of inadvertent activation of certain functions. The touch screen device comprises a proximity sensor adapted to detect object presence in a sensing region, a display screen overlapping the sensing region, and a processor. The touch screen device is adapted to provide user interface functionality by facilitating the display of user interface elements and the selection and activation of corresponding functions. For certain functions, the touch screen device and method uses the presence of a second object to confirm selection of a function before that function will be performed. So configured, the touch device screen is able to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent activation for certain functions on the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: John Morgan Feland, III, Thuy Thanh Bich Le, Mark Andrew Huie, Torbjorn Hovden, Phillip Frank Acker, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140176448Abstract: A method for detecting a gesture includes detecting a first input object, a second input object, and a movement of the first input object, a movement of the second input object in a sensing region during a first time period. The method further includes detecting a third input object and movement for the third input object in the sensing region during a second time period, the second time period occurring after the first time period, and the third input object only detected after the first time period. The method further includes identifying a first gesture based on the movement of the first input object, the movement of the second input object, and the movement of the third input object, and outputting gesture information identifying the first gesture.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventor: Mark Andrew Huie
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Patent number: 7884807Abstract: A proximity sensor device and method is provided that facilitates orientation changes in displays. The proximity sensor device and method provide a user with the ability to indicate an orientation change in a display using the sensing region of a proximity sensor device as a user interface. In one specific embodiment, proximity sensor device is implemented to indicate an orientation change in a first way responsive to detected object motion along the sensing region in a first direction, and is further implemented to indicate an orientation change in a second way responsive to detected object motion along the sensing region in a second direction. Thus, a user can cause orientation changes of different ways through the use of object motions in different directions along the sensing region.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Torbjorn Hovden, Mark Andrew Huie, Thuy Thanh Bich Le, Phillip Frank Acker, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090051660Abstract: A touch sensor device and method is provided that facilitates improved device usability. Specifically, the touch screen device and method provide user interface functionality while reducing the possibility of inadvertent activation of certain functions. The touch screen device comprises a proximity sensor adapted to detect object presence in a sensing region, a display screen overlapping the sensing region, and a processor. The touch screen device is adapted to provide user interface functionality by facilitating the display of user interface elements and the selection and activation of corresponding functions. For certain functions, the touch screen device and method uses the presence of a second object to confirm selection of a function before that function will be performed. So configured, the touch device screen is able to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent activation for certain functions on the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: John Morgan Feland, III, Thuy Thanh Bich LE, Mark Andrew HUIE, Torbjorn HOVDEN, Phillip Frank ACKER, JR.
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Publication number: 20080284738Abstract: A proximity sensor device and method is provided that facilitates orientation changes in displays. The proximity sensor device and method provide a user with the ability to indicate an orientation change in a display using the sensing region of a proximity sensor device as a user interface. In one specific embodiment, proximity sensor device is implemented to indicate an orientation change in a first way responsive to detected object motion along the sensing region in a first direction, and is further implemented to indicate an orientation change in a second way responsive to detected object motion along the sensing region in a second direction. Thus, a user can cause orientation changes of different ways through the use of object motions in different directions along the sensing region.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2007Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Torbjorn HOVDEN, Mark Andrew HUIE, Thuy Thanh Bich LE, Phillip Frank ACKER, JR.