Patents by Inventor Mihai M. Bulea

Mihai M. Bulea 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).

  • Patent number: 11790544
    Abstract: A time-of-flight camera includes a light emitter, a photo detector, and a controller. The time-of-flight camera may determine depth motion of an object by emitting light pulses, receiving reflected light pulses from the object, and accumulating a plurality of charges based on the reflected light pulses. The depth motion may be determined by the controller through analysis of the accumulated charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Mihai M. Bulea
  • Patent number: 11237266
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of an input object is provided. The apparatus may include one or more capacitive sensor electrodes, a speaker, a microphone, and a processor. The one or more capacitive sensor electrodes may detect a change in capacitance. The processor may cause the speaker to generate a first audio signal. The microphone may receive a first audio signal having the first frequency and a reflected first audio signal. The processor may determine a first phase difference between the first audio signal and the reflected first audio signal. The apparatus may detect the presence of the input object based on the determined first phase difference and the determined change in capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Mihai M. Bulea
  • Publication number: 20210396872
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of an input object is provided. The apparatus may include one or more capacitive sensor electrodes, a speaker, a microphone, and a processor. The one or more capacitive sensor electrodes may detect a change in capacitance. The processor may cause the speaker to generate a first audio signal. The microphone may receive a first audio signal having the first frequency and a reflected first audio signal. The processor may determine a first phase difference between the first audio signal and the reflected first audio signal. The apparatus may detect the presence of the input object based on the determined first phase difference and the determined change in capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventor: Mihai M. BULEA
  • Patent number: 10976432
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing operations based on acoustic locationing are described. An example device includes one or more microphones configured to sense sound waves propagating in an environment. The example device also includes one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more memories store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to recover sound wave information from the sensed sound waves, detect a presence of one or more persons in the environment based on the received sound wave information, determine an operation to be performed by one or more smart devices based on the detected presence of one or more persons, and instruct the one or more smart devices to perform the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard R. Schediwy, Patrick A. Worfolk, Kirk Hargreaves, Mihai M. Bulea
  • Publication number: 20200408906
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing operations based on acoustic locationing are described. An example device includes one or more microphones configured to sense sound waves propagating in an environment. The example device also includes one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more memories store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to recover sound wave information from the sensed sound waves, detect a presence of one or more persons in the environment based on the received sound wave information, determine an operation to be performed by one or more smart devices based on the detected presence of one or more persons, and instruct the one or more smart devices to perform the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Richard R. SCHEDIWY, Patrick A. WORFOLK, Kirk HARGREAVES, Mihai M. BULEA
  • Patent number: 9933906
    Abstract: An example processing system for a capacitive input device includes a first interface coupled to at least one first electrode of at least one lighting element and a second interface coupled to at least one second electrode of the at least one lighting element spaced apart from the at least one first electrode. A controller is configured to: forward-bias the at least one lighting element during first time periods to provide illumination; drive the at least one first and the at least one second electrodes with substantially the same voltage during second time periods; and drive the at least one first electrode with a modulated voltage relative to a reference voltage while guarding the at least one second electrode during third time periods to measure capacitance. A determination module is configured to determine presence of at least one input object in a sensing region based on changes in the capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Torbjorn Hovden, Mihai M. Bulea, Joel C. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20170277295
    Abstract: An example processing system for a capacitive input device includes a first interface coupled to at least one first electrode of at least one lighting element and a second interface coupled to at least one second electrode of the at least one lighting element spaced apart from the at least one first electrode. A controller is configured to: forward-bias the at least one lighting element during first time periods to provide illumination; drive the at least one first and the at least one second electrodes with substantially the same voltage during second time periods; and drive the at least one first electrode with a modulated voltage relative to a reference voltage while guarding the at least one second electrode during third time periods to measure capacitance. A determination module is configured to determine presence of at least one input object in a sensing region based on changes in the capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth REYNOLDS, Torbjorn HOVDEN, Mihai M. BULEA, Joel C. JORDAN
  • Patent number: 9377888
    Abstract: An input device is provided that facilitates improved user interface functionality by determining force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region. The input device includes a processing system, a sensor configured to sense objects in a sensing region proximate a surface, and a plurality of force sensors. The plurality of force sensors are coupled to the surface to provide a plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. The processing system is configured to determine positional information for each the multiple objects sensed by the sensor in the sensing region. Furthermore, the processing system is configured to determine force information for each of the multiple objects from the positional information and the plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. Thus, device and method provides the ability to determine both positional information and force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Mihai M. Bulea
  • Patent number: 9195339
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved performance. Specifically, the devices and methods provide the ability to determine object information for objects causing rigid motion on a capacitive sensor device. In one embodiment, the device and method is configured to determine an estimated rigid motion response associated with a substantially rigid motion of the at least one sensing electrode using a set of sensor values, where the substantially rigid motion was caused by one or more objects in contact with the input surface. The estimated rigid motion response at least partially accounts for effects of capacitive coupling with the object(s) in contact with the input surface. The device and method may determine object information using the estimated rigid motion response. Where the input device is used to direct an electronic system, the object information may be used to facilitate a variety of interface actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Mihai M. Bulea
  • Publication number: 20140240288
    Abstract: An input device is provided that facilitates improved user interface functionality by determining force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region. The input device includes a processing system, a sensor configured to sense objects in a sensing region proximate a surface, and a plurality of force sensors. The plurality of force sensors are coupled to the surface to provide a plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. The processing system is configured to determine positional information for each the multiple objects sensed by the sensor in the sensing region. Furthermore, the processing system is configured to determine force information for each of the multiple objects from the positional information and the plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. Thus, device and method provides the ability to determine both positional information and force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Mihai M. Bulea
  • Patent number: 8754873
    Abstract: An input device is provided that facilitates improved user interface functionality by determining force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region. The input device includes a processing system, a sensor configured to sense objects in a sensing region proximate a surface, and a plurality of force sensors. The plurality of force sensors are coupled to the surface to provide a plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. The processing system is configured to determine positional information for each the multiple objects sensed by the sensor in the sensing region. Furthermore, the processing system is configured to determine force information for each of the multiple objects from the positional information and the plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. Thus, device and method provides the ability to determine both positional information and force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Mihai M. Bulea
  • Publication number: 20140078107
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved performance. Specifically, the devices and methods provide the ability to determine object information for objects causing rigid motion on a capacitive sensor device. In one embodiment, the device and method is configured to determine an estimated rigid motion response associated with a substantially rigid motion of the at least one sensing electrode using a set of sensor values, where the substantially rigid motion was caused by one or more objects in contact with the input surface. The estimated rigid motion response at least partially accounts for effects of capacitive coupling with the object(s) in contact with the input surface. The device and method may determine object information using the estimated rigid motion response. Where the input device is used to direct an electronic system, the object information may be used to facilitate a variety of interface actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Mihai M. Bulea
  • Publication number: 20140022215
    Abstract: An input device is provided that facilitates improved user interface functionality by determining force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region. The input device includes a processing system, a sensor configured to sense objects in a sensing region proximate a surface, and a plurality of force sensors. The plurality of force sensors are coupled to the surface to provide a plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. The processing system is configured to determine positional information for each the multiple objects sensed by the sensor in the sensing region. Furthermore, the processing system is configured to determine force information for each of the multiple objects from the positional information and the plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. Thus, device and method provides the ability to determine both positional information and force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Mihai M. BULEA
  • Patent number: 8618428
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved performance. Specifically, the devices and methods provide the ability to determine object information for objects causing rigid motion on a capacitive sensor device. In one embodiment, the device and method is configured to determine an estimated rigid motion response associated with a substantially rigid motion of the at least one sensing electrode using a set of sensor values, where the substantially rigid motion was caused by one or more objects in contact with the input surface. The estimated rigid motion response at least partially accounts for effects of capacitive coupling with the object(s) in contact with the input surface. The device and method may determine object information using the estimated rigid motion response. Where the input device is used to direct an electronic system, the object information may be used to facilitate a variety of interface actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Mihai M. Bulea
  • Patent number: 8570297
    Abstract: An input device is provided that facilitates improved user interface functionality by determining force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region. The input device includes a processing system, a sensor configured to sense objects in a sensing region proximate a surface, and a plurality of force sensors. The plurality of force sensors are coupled to the surface to provide a plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. The processing system is configured to determine positional information for each the multiple objects sensed by the sensor in the sensing region. Furthermore, the processing system is configured to determine force information for each of the multiple objects from the positional information and the plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. Thus, device and method provides the ability to determine both positional information and force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Mihai M. Bulea, Thomas E. Shortledge
  • Patent number: 8531433
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing capacitive images of a sensing region of a sensor electrode are disclosed. The sensor electrode comprises a plurality of connection sections and a non-connection section. The sensor electrode is connected to sensor circuitry at a plurality of connection locations located in the plurality of connection sections and not the non-connection section. The apparatus is operated by transmitting a transmitter signal into the sensor electrode at a connection location of the plurality of connection locations, receiving a plurality of resulting signals from the sensor electrode at multiple connection locations of the plurality of connection locations, and producing a capacitive image using the plurality of resulting signals. The plurality of resulting signals includes effects of the transmitter signal propagating through the sensor electrode to the multiple connection locations. The capacitive image comprising a non-connection value associated with the non-connection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Mihai M. Bulea
  • Patent number: 8456443
    Abstract: A two-dimensional capacitive sensor device comprises first, second, and third sensor electrodes. The first sensor electrode has a varying width along a first direction, a maximum width at a first edge along the first direction, and a minimum width at a second edge along the first direction. The second sensor electrode has a varying width along the first direction and substantially identical widths at the first edge and second edge. The third sensor electrode has a varying width along the first direction, a minimum width at the first edge, and a maximum width at the second edge. The first, second, and third sensor electrodes have substantially equal surface area and are arranged in a first sensor cell with the second disposed between the first and third sensor electrodes. The two-dimensional capacitive sensor device comprises a plurality of sensor cells disposed in a repeated fashion in a single layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Mihai M. Bulea, Patrick Worfolk
  • Patent number: 8440920
    Abstract: A two-dimensional capacitive sensor device comprises a sensor substrate with a plurality of wedge shaped sensor cells arranged in a single-layer circular pattern proximal to the substrate. The plurality of wedge shaped sensor cells are arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern about a center of the single-layer circular pattern. A sensor cell of the plurality of wedge shaped sensor cells comprises a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode separated by a border. The first and second sensor electrodes are configured for detecting changes in capacitance caused by one or more input objects. The first and second sensor electrodes become substantially thinner in width approaching the center of the single-layer circular pattern than at a distance further from the center. A sensor circuitry is communicatively coupled with the sensor electrodes of the sensor cell and the sensor circuitry is configured to interpret the changes in capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Mihai M. Bulea, Patrick Worfolk
  • Patent number: 8415958
    Abstract: A capacitive imaging sensor device includes a sensor substrate. A first set of sensor electrodes is disposed on a first surface of the sensor substrate, substantially in parallel with a first axis, and with at least two of its sensor electrodes extending for different lengths along the first axis. A second set of sensor electrodes is disposed on the first surface, substantially in parallel with the first axis, and in a common single layer with the first set. A processing system is coupled with the first and second sets and configured for: measuring a first capacitive coupling between a first sensor electrode of the first set and a sensor electrode of the second set; measuring a second capacitive coupling between a second sensor electrode of the first set and the sensor electrode of the second set; and determining a capacitance image using the first and second measurements of capacitive coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Kirk Hargreaves, Mihai M Bulea
  • Publication number: 20120146935
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved performance. Specifically, the devices and methods provide the ability to determine object information for objects causing rigid motion on a capacitive sensor device. In one embodiment, the device and method is configured to determine an estimated rigid motion response associated with a substantially rigid motion of the at least one sensing electrode using a set of sensor values, where the substantially rigid motion was caused by one or more objects in contact with the input surface. The estimated rigid motion response at least partially accounts for effects of capacitive coupling with the object(s) in contact with the input surface. The device and method may determine object information using the estimated rigid motion response. Where the input device is used to direct an electronic system, the object information may be used to facilitate a variety of interface actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Mihai M. Bulea