Abstract: Various embodiments of a capacitive touchscreen or touch panel having dual finger or hand navigation and fingerprint reading capabilities. In one embodiment, fingerprints are read and processed by the same capacitive touchscreen controller that reads and processes capacitively-sensed finger or hand touches made across the touchscreen or touch panel. A small portion of the capacitive touchscreen or touch panel is dedicated to reading an authorized user's fingerprints, while a larger or main portion of the capacitive touchscreen or touch panel is dedicated to sensing a user's finger or hand navigation across the touchscreen or touch panel.

Abstract: A method of allocating a location-related order to one of a number of mobile agents, such as taxicabs, delivery or repair vehicles. The method involves the following steps: a) holding current order details which identify at least the location and time at which each agent is expected to become free to fulfill new orders; b) keeping a listing of locations, where each location in the listing is prioritised for an agent according to the availability of the agent to reach that location after the agent becomes free; c) receiving a new order and recording the location and time at which this order is to be fulfilled; d) deciding, based on the prioritised listing of locations, which agent(s) are most suitable to take the new order; and e) allocating the new order to the identified agent(s).

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a capacitive touchscreen or touch panel system comprising a controller operably connected to a first plurality of drive electrodes and a second plurality of sense electrodes. The controller includes a noise disruption detector circuit, a user noise source detector/anticipator circuit, clock control logic circuitry operably connected to the noise disruption detector circuit and to the user noise source detector/anticipator circuit, at least one static-clocked digital filter circuit operably connected to and controlled by the clock control logic circuitry, a central processing unit (CPU) operably connected to the clock control logic circuitry, firmware operably connected to the CPU; and touch position circuitry configured to deliver signals indicative of touch positions on the touchscreen to a host controller.

Abstract: Disclosed are capacitive touchscreen or touch panel systems, devices and methods which increase the dynamic range of touches that may be detected on a capacitive touch screen or touch panel. Increased dynamic range is provided by employing automatic gain control methodologies and circuitry to process signals corresponding to individual mutual capacitance cells in a touch screen or touch panel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and devices are provided for a mutual capacitance touchscreen controller comprising a first on-chip low drop out regulator (LDO) configured to receive and regulate as a first input thereto an input supply voltage (VSUPPLY), and to provide as an output therefrom a first regulated output voltage (VDDA). A first comparator in the controller is configured to receive as first and second inputs thereto VSUPPLY and VDDA and to provide as an output therefrom a signal EN, EN being provided to the first LDO as a second input thereto. The first LDO is configured to operate in a first off mode and is turned off by signal EN when the difference between VSUPPLY and VDDA is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A multilayered feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes a substrate having a first edge, a second edge, and a substrate length. A plurality of traces is formed on the substrate and extends along the substrate length. The plurality of traces extends to the first and second edges of the substrate. An insulator layer is formed on the substrate and the plurality of traces. A ground plane layer is formed on the insulator layer.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of an object is provided. The device includes a light source, a current controller coupled to the light source, a sensor and a pattern detection engine. The current controller sets to provide the light source with a drive current having a pattern. The sensor is operable to receive light, notably light reflected from an object at the detection area and subsequently generates a signal in response to the light received. The pattern detection engine receives the signal from the sensor and subsequently reports the presence of the object upon determining the presence of the pattern in the signal. The object detection system is further configured to provide a navigation operation when an object is detected at the detection area.

Abstract: Illumination spot alignment is performed by capturing an image by an image array. The image is evaluated to determine an illumination spot size and location. Coordinates identifying the illumination spot size and location are stored.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a capacitive touchscreen or touch panel system comprising a controller operably connected to a first plurality of drive electrodes and a second plurality of sense electrodes. The controller includes a noise disruption detector circuit, a user noise source detector/anticipator circuit, clock control logic circuitry operably connected to the noise disruption detector circuit and to the user noise source detector/anticipator circuit, at least one static-clocked digital filter circuit operably connected to and controlled by the clock control logic circuitry, a central processing unit (CPU) operably connected to the clock control logic circuitry, firmware operably connected to the CPU; and touch position circuitry configured to deliver signals indicative of touch positions on the touchscreen to a host controller.

Abstract: Disclosed are capacitive touchscreen or touch panel systems, devices and methods which increase the dynamic range of touches that may be detected on a capacitive touch screen or touch panel. Increased dynamic range is provided by employing automatic gain control methodologies and circuitry to process signals corresponding to individual mutual capacitance cells in a touch screen or touch panel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods of detecting the presence of at least one predetermined object held against a capacitive touchscreen by a user's finger or hand are disclosed. The predetermined object is held or placed against a touchscreen or touch panel, and sensed mutual capacitance signals are routed to a processor. The processor determines whether the sensed signals correspond to the at least one predetermined object on the basis of one or more predetermined ranges of mutual capacitances corresponding to the predetermined object, where the predetermined range of mutual capacitances does not correspond to a user's finger or hand. Other characteristics of the predetermined object may also be determined, such as the object's shape, orientation or electrical resistance.

Abstract: Various embodiments of differential cells for touchscreens or touch panels in capacitive sensing systems are disclosed. The differential circuit topologies of individual cells forming an array of such cells in a touchscreen or touch panel are configured to cancel common mode noise appearing on the multiple sense lines contained in each cell, and can result in lower power consumption, enhanced touch or near-touch sensitivity for a touchscreen or touch panel, and increased immunity from noise.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a capacitive touchscreen or touch panel having dual finger or hand navigation and fingerprint reading capabilities. In one embodiment, fingerprints are read and processed by the same capacitive touchscreen controller that reads and processes capacitively-sensed finger or hand touches made across the touchscreen or touch panel. A small portion of the capacitive touchscreen or touch panel is dedicated to reading an authorized user's fingerprints, while a larger or main portion of the capacitive touchscreen or touch panel is dedicated to sensing a user's finger or hand navigation across the touchscreen or touch panel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of means and methods for verifying or authorizing one or more verified or authorized users to operate or use an electronic device containing a capacitive or other type of touchscreen or touch panel. Images are acquired from the touchscreen or touch panel and processed to determine first characteristics corresponding to fingers, hands or hand portions placed thereon. If the first characteristics match stored second characteristics with a sufficient degree of similarity, the user is identified as an authorized or verified user and then permitted to operate or use the electronic device.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of an object is provided. The device includes a light source, a current controller coupled to the light source, a sensor and a pattern detection engine. The current controller sets to provide the light source with a drive current having a pattern. The sensor is operable to receive light, notably light reflected from an object at the detection area and subsequently generates a signal in response to the light received. The pattern detection engine receives the signal from the sensor and subsequently reports the presence of the object upon determining the presence of the pattern in the signal. The object detection system is further configured to provide a navigation operation when an object is detected at the detection area.

Abstract: A multilayered feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes a substrate having a first edge, a second edge, and a substrate length. A plurality of traces is formed on the substrate and extends along the substrate length. The plurality of traces extends to the first and second edges of the substrate. An insulator layer is formed on the substrate and the plurality of traces. A ground plane layer is formed on the insulator layer.

Abstract: A portable communications device (1) for wearing by a person and for use in conjunction with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone (3) for communicating a signal indicative of the existence of an emergency to a base station comprises a pendant shaped housing (5) within which is located a first interface circuit (12) which comprises a pair of activating switches (14) operable by panic buttons (15) for facilitating inputting a signal to the device (1) indicative of the existence of an emergency. A microprocessor (18) reads signals from the first interface circuit (12) and reads the last determined position of the device from a GPS positioning circuit (8) in the housing (5), and also reads the identity of the device (1), a phone number of the base station to which a message indicative of the emergency is to be communicated and a message indicative of the emergency from a programmable memory (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for optical navigation. The apparatus has a surface comprising an aperture, wherein the surface is configured to be moveable against an illuminated surface having a detectable texture. An optical motion detection circuit is integral to the apparatus and optically coupled to the detectable texture of the display screen. The optical motion detection circuit produces motion signals indicative of motion of the surface relative to the detectable texture of the illuminated surface, wherein the optical motion detection circuit is operable to detect the detectable texture without requiring an integral illumination source.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen, includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface with a plurality of light pulses, thereby generating reflected light pulses. A detection circuit is configured to sense light, distinguish between the reflected pulses and ambient light, and generate a low signal indication if the magnitude of the reflected pulses falls below a threshold value. An optical motion sensor generates digital images based on the reflected pulses. The motion sensor is configured to generate movement data based on the digital images. The movement data is indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the apparatus.

Abstract: A device includes a light emitter, a current sensing resistance, a current generator, and detection circuitry. The current generator is connected to the light emitter and to the current sensing resistance. During a normal operating mode of the device, the current generator regulates current flow through the light emitter. In a test mode, the current generator regulates current flow through the current sensing resistance. The detection circuitry, during the test mode, detects when current flow through the current sensing resistance is outside an expected range.