Patents by Inventor Michael Astley

Michael Astley 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: 20210141507
    Abstract: A method includes receiving (S1), from a touch panel (1), force values (23) corresponding to a plurality of piezoelectric sensors (5,6, 7), Each piezoelectric sensor corresponds to a physical location (xm, yn) on the touch panel. The method also includes receiving (S2) one or more user touch locations corresponding to user touches, The method also includes excluding (S5) all force values (23) corresponding to physical locations within a distance of a user touch location, and setting the remaining force values (23) as valid force values (S5). The method also includes interpolating and/or extrapolating (S6), based on the valid force values, one or more reconstructed force values (25) corresponding to same physical locations (xm, yn) as the respective excluded force values (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Riccardo Micci, Babak Bastani, Matteo Vit, Arokia Nathan, Paul Routley, Michael Astley
  • Publication number: 20210124458
    Abstract: A device (1) includes a body (2) and a touch panel (3) supported by, integrated with, or underlying the body (2). The touch panel (3) includes a layer of piezoelectric material (5) disposed between a plurality of first electrodes (6) and at least one second electrode (7). The device (1) also includes at least one second piezoelectric input region (8) supported by, integrated with, or underlying a portion of the body (2) which does not correspond to the touch panel (3). The device (1) is configured to receive user input using the touch panel (3) and/or at least one piezoelectric input region (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Afonso Marques, Arokia Nathan, Michael Astley, Jiahao Li, Xiang Cheng, Paridhi Sharma, Constantinos Tsangarides
  • Patent number: 10944928
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the apparatus at least to: based on a predetermined dark current component for each photodetector in an array of photodetectors, identify a plurality of subsets of photodetectors from the array for signal readout and amplification by a readout circuit, each photodetector of the array configured to provide a photodetector output signal comprising the dark current component and an image component on exposure to incident electromagnetic radiation from a target scene, wherein each subset of photodetectors is identified such that the combined dark current component of the constituent photodetector output signals for each subset is substantially the same; and provide the identified plurality of subsets for use in signal readout and amplification by the readout circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Mark Allen, Pekka Korpinen, Michael Astley, Sami Seppo Kallioinen, Aqib Ejaz
  • Patent number: 10775340
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising first and second electrodes (201, 202) separated by an electrolyte (203), the first and second electrodes (201, 202) configured to exhibit a potential difference therebetween on interaction of the first electrode (201) with an analyte, wherein the first electrode (201) is configured such that its electrical conductance and electrochemical potential are dependent upon the amount of analyte present, the electrical conductance and electrochemical potential of the first electrode (201) affecting the potential difference between the first and second electrodes (201, 202), and wherein the apparatus comprises respective first and second terminals (204, 205) configured for electrical connection to a readout circuit to enable determination of the presence and/or amount of analyte based on the potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Di Wei, Michael Astley, Stefano Borini, Jani Kivioja
  • Patent number: 10768018
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a passive array (202) of resistive elements (250); a row selector switch (204) and a column selector switch (206) configured to respectively connect a particular row and a particular column of resistive elements to ground; and a feedback column selector switch (208) configured to connect all columns of resistive elements to a voltage source, except for the particular column connected to ground by the column selector switch; the voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the columns of resistive elements, the voltage matching a voltage dropped over the resistive element connected in circuit by the row and column selector switches; and further comprising: a row selector switch compensation circuit (220), a column selector switch compensation circuit (240) and/or a feedback column selector switch compensation circuit (260) each configured to apply a voltage across a corresponding dummy element equal and opposite to a voltage dropped over the corresponding selector switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Michael Astley
  • Patent number: 10722157
    Abstract: An apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising; a light collector configured to collect ambient light and provide the collected light to a portion of skin of a user; a photodetector configured to enable a biometric parameter to be monitored by detecting changes in the light absorbed by the portion of skin; and an amplifier configured to amplify an output signal provided by the photodetector; wherein the light collector is configured to filter the collected ambient light to increase the proportion of light within a selected range of wavelengths which is provided to the portion of skin of the user relative to the collected ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Chris Bower, Michael Astley, Piers Andrew
  • Patent number: 10459090
    Abstract: An apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of layers of scintillator material configured to generate photons in response to incident radiation; and a plurality of layers of spacer material wherein the scintillator material and spacer material are arranged in alternate layers so that a plurality of interfaces are provided between layers of scintillator material and layers of spacer material; wherein the scintillator material has a different refractive index to the spacer material and the thickness of layers within the plurality of layers is arranged to enable constructive interference of photons emitted by the scintillator material and reflected by the interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Zoran Radivojevic, Michael Astley, Piers Andrew
  • Patent number: 10429310
    Abstract: An apparatus and method comprising: a plurality of sensor elements wherein the sensor elements are configured to be actuated in response to exposure to a parameter and the apparatus is configured to record when each of the sensor elements are actuated wherein: the plurality of sensor elements comprises at least a first subset of sensor elements and at least a second subset of sensor elements where the first subset of sensor elements are actuated in response to a first level of exposure to a parameter and the second subset of sensor elements are actuated in response to a second level of exposure to a parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Chris Bower, Darryl Cotton, Mark Allen, Michael Astley, Joseph Bottomley
  • Publication number: 20190182444
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the apparatus at least to: based on a predetermined dark current component for each photodetector in an array of photodetectors, identify a plurality of subsets of photodetectors from the array for signal readout and amplification by a readout circuit, each photodetector of the array configured to provide a photodetector output signal comprising the dark current component and an image component on exposure to incident electromagnetic radiation from a target scene, wherein each subset of photodetectors is identified such that the combined dark current component of the constituent photodetector output signals for each subset is substantially the same; and provide the identified plurality of subsets for use in signal readout and amplification by the readout circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Mark ALLEN, Pekka KORPINEN, Michael ASTLEY, Sami Seppo KALLIOINEN, Aqib EJAZ
  • Patent number: 10317341
    Abstract: An apparatus (517) comprising first and second plasmonic nanoparticles (502a, 502b) connected to one another by a deformable member (518), the first and second plasmonic nanoparticles each configured to exhibit a respective plasmon resonance when exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation (203), wherein, in a first configuration, the first and second plasmonic nanoparticles are in sufficient proximity to one another that their respective plasmon resonances can interact to produce a resulting plasmon resonance, and wherein mechanical deformation of the deformable member causes a variation in the relative position of the plasmonic nanoparticles to a second configuration to produce a detectable change in the resulting plasmon resonance of the first configuration which can be used to determine said mechanical deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: LYTEN, INC.
    Inventors: Nadine Harris, Richard White, Michael Astley
  • Patent number: 10203303
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of first elongate electrodes (101) separated from a plurality of second transversely oriented elongate electrodes (102) by an electrolyte (103), the plurality of transversely oriented first (101) and second (102) electrodes forming an array of respective electrochemical sensor nodes at the spaced crossings thereof, wherein the first electrodes (101) are configured such that the interaction of an analyte with the first electrode (101) at a sensor node affects an electrical property of the sensor node, and wherein the apparatus comprises respective terminals connected to each electrode (101, 102) for electrical connection to a measurement circuit to enable determination of the presence and/or amount of analyte at a particular sensor node based on a measurement of the electrical property of that sensor node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Michael Astley, Di Wei, Stefano Borini, Jani Kivioja
  • Patent number: 10204988
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a fermion source nanolayer (90); a first insulating nanolayer (92); a fermion transport nanolayer (94); a second insulating nanolayer (96); a fermion sink nanolayer (98); a first contact for applying a first voltage to the fermion source nanolayer; a second contact for applying a second voltage to the fermion sink nanolayer; and a transport contact for enabling an electric current via the fermion transport nanolayer. In a particular example, the apparatus comprises three graphene sheets (90, 94, 98) interleaved with two-dimensional Boron-Nitride (hBN) layers (92, 96).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Michael Astley
  • Publication number: 20190025441
    Abstract: An apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of layers of scintillator material configured to generate photons in response to incident radiation; and a plurality of layers of spacer material wherein the scintillator material and spacer material are arranged in alternate layers so that a plurality of interfaces are provided between layers of scintillator material and layers of spacer material; wherein the scintillator material has a different refractive index to the spacer material and the thickness of layers within the plurality of layers is arranged to enable constructive interference of photons emitted by the scintillator material and reflected by the interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Zoran RADIVOJEVIC, Michael ASTLEY, Piers ANDREW
  • Publication number: 20180348014
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a passive array (202) of resistive elements (250); a row selector switch (204) and a column selector switch (206) configured to respectively connect a particular row and a particular column of resistive elements to ground; and a feedback column selector switch (208) configured to connect all columns of resistive elements to a voltage source, except for the particular column connected to ground by the column selector switch; the voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the columns of resistive elements, the voltage matching a voltage dropped over the resistive element connected in circuit by the row and column selector switches; and further comprising: a row selector switch compensation circuit (220), a column selector switch compensation circuit (240) and/or a feedback column selector switch compensation circuit (260) each configured to apply a voltage across a corresponding dummy element equal and opposite to a voltage dropped over the corresponding selector switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Michael ASTLEY
  • Patent number: 9886143
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a capacitance touch sensor arrangement configured to have a variable capacitance that varies when a conductive object approaches; and at least one variable impedance sensor configured to have a variable impedance that varies with a sensed parameter; an output node; and at least one switch configured to provide, in a first configuration, an output impedance at the output node that depends upon the variable capacitance and configured to provide, in a second configuration, an output impedance at the output node that depends upon the variable impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Michael Astley, Darryl Cotton, Jani Kivioja
  • Publication number: 20180017489
    Abstract: An apparatus (517) comprising first and second plasmonic nanoparticles (502a, 502b) connected to one another by a deformable member (518), the first and second plasmonic nanoparticles each configured to exhibit a respective plasmon resonance when exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation (203), wherein, in a first configuration, the first and second plasmonic nanoparticles are in sufficient proximity to one another that their respective plasmon resonances can interact to produce a resulting plasmon resonance, and wherein mechanical deformation of the deformable member causes a variation in the relative position of the plasmonic nanoparticles to a second configuration to produce a detectable change in the resulting plasmon resonance of the first configuration which can be used to determine said mechanical deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Nadine HARRIS, Richard WHITE, Michael ASTLEY
  • Publication number: 20170350822
    Abstract: An apparatus and method comprising: a plurality of sensor elements wherein the sensor elements are configured to be actuated in response to exposure to a parameter and the apparatus is configured to record when each of the sensor elements are actuated wherein: the plurality of sensor elements comprises at least a first subset of sensor elements and at least a second subset of sensor elements where the first subset of sensor elements are actuated in response to a first level of exposure to a parameter and the second subset of sensor elements are actuated in response to a second level of exposure to a parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Chris BOWER, Darryl COTTON, Mark ALLEN, Michael ASTLEY, Joseph BOTTOMLEY
  • Publication number: 20170345898
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a fermion source nanolayer (90); a first insulating nanolayer (92); a fermion transport nanolayer (94); a second insulating nanolayer (96); a fermion sink nanolayer (98); a first contact for applying a first voltage to the fermion source nanolayer; a second contact for applying a second voltage to the fermion sink nanolayer; and a transport contact for enabling an electric current via the fermion transport nanolayer. In a particular example, the apparatus comprises three graphene sheets (90, 94, 98) interleaved with two-dimensional Boron-Nitride (hBN) layers (92, 96).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Michael ASTLEY
  • Publication number: 20170323929
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a resistive memory component including an active material and two or more electrodes in electrical contact with the active material of the resistive memory component; and a selector component providing control over the resistive memory component, the selector component including an active material and two or more electrodes in electrical contact with the active material of the selector component. The resistive memory component and the selector component share one or more electrodes, and the resistive memory component and the selector component share at least part of the active material. A method and apparatus for producing the apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander Alexandrovich BESSONOV, Michael ASTLEY
  • Publication number: 20170156650
    Abstract: An apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising; a light collector configured to collect ambient light and provide the collected light to a portion of skin of a user; a photodetector configured to enable a biometric parameter to be monitored by detecting changes in the light absorbed by the portion of skin; and an amplifier configured to amplify an output signal provided by the photodetector; wherein the light collector is configured to filter the collected ambient light to increase the proportion of light within a selected range of wavelengths which is provided to the portion of skin of the user relative to the collected ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Chris Bower, Michael Astley, Piers Andrew