Patents by Inventor Nigel Hinson

Nigel Hinson 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: 20240062972
    Abstract: Annular knob-on-display (KoD) devices and related apparatuses. An apparatus includes a frame having substantially annular shape, a dome switch, a plurality of actuator members, and a plurality of pivot members. Respective pivot members of the plurality of pivot members secures an actuator member of the plurality of actuator members to the frame and transfers force applied to the actuator member to the dome switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Publication number: 20230195185
    Abstract: One or more examples relate to a knob-on-display. An apparatus of such a knob-on-display includes a touch surface, a dome switch pad, a dome switch, a rotation electrode pad, and an electrically conductive structure. The touch surface may include an electrically conductive material, the touch surface movable to a released position and to a depressed position. The dome switch may include an electrically conductive material. The dome switch may be physically mounted to and electrically connected to the dome switch pad. The rotation electrode pad may be in engagement proximity to a touch sensor of a touch screen device in both the released position and the depressed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Nigel Hinson, Gareth Michael Jones
  • Patent number: 11579665
    Abstract: Knob on display (KoD) devices and related systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. A KoD device includes a touch surface including a conductive material. The touch surface is configured to be positioned in a released position and in a depressed position. The touch surface is configured to be positioned in the depressed position responsive to pressure applied to the touch surface. The KoD device also includes a push electrode pad configured to be positioned in engagement proximity to a touch sensor of a touch screen device in both the released position and the depressed position. The push electrode pad is electrically connected to the conductive material of the touch surface responsive to the depressed position and electrically isolated from the conductive material of the touch surface in the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel Hinson, Gareth Michael Jones
  • Publication number: 20210173542
    Abstract: Base assemblies for knob on display (KoD) devices and related systems and devices are disclosed. A base assembly for a KoD device includes a base portion for positioning between one or more electrode pads and a touch screen of a touch screen device. The base portion includes electrically insulating material. The base portion further includes an exterior surface to face the touch screen, an interior surface to face the one or more electrode pads, and extender pads including electrically conductive material. The extender pads extend through the base portion from the interior surface to the exterior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Nigel Hinson, Samuel Daniel Brunet
  • Publication number: 20210048845
    Abstract: Knob on display (KoD) devices and related systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. A KoD device includes a touch surface including a conductive material. The touch surface is configured to be positioned in a released position and in a depressed position. The touch surface is configured to be positioned in the depressed position responsive to pressure applied to the touch surface. The KoD device also includes a push electrode pad configured to be positioned in engagement proximity to a touch sensor of a touch screen device in both the released position and the depressed position. The push electrode pad is electrically connected to the conductive material of the touch surface responsive to the depressed position and electrically isolated from the conductive material of the touch surface in the released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Nigel Hinson, Gareth Michael Jones
  • Publication number: 20210048846
    Abstract: Knob on display (KoD) devices and related systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. A KoD device includes at least one electrode including an electrically conductive material. The KoD device also includes a base assembly configured to be positioned between a touch screen of a touch screen device and the at least one electrode. The at least one electrode is configured to be positioned in engagement proximity to a touch sensor of the touch screen device through the base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Patent number: 10678366
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a force sensor circuit and a controller. The force sensor circuit includes first, second, third, and fourth electrodes disposed on a substrate. The first and second electrodes extend through first and second cells of a row of cells. The third and fourth electrodes extend through third and fourth cells of a column of cells. The first electrode occupies more area in the first cell than in the second cell. The second electrode occupies more area in the second cell than in the first cell. The third electrode occupies more area in the third cell than in the fourth cell. The fourth electrode occupies more area in the fourth cell than in the third cell. The controller detects a force and a position of the force based on signals communicated by the force sensor circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NeodrĂ³n Limited
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Patent number: 10635248
    Abstract: Assemblies include a chassis having a first side configured to receive a force-sensitive surface, a support structure including first electrode portions, and resilient mounting elements attached to the chassis and to the support structure. The mounting elements include second electrode portions positioned adjacent to the first electrode portions. Force-sensitive systems include force sensors including portions of a support structure and portions of a mounting element that are adapted to relatively move responsive to one or more applied forces, and a controller configured to identify the one or more applied forces by determining movement between the support structure and the mounting element. Methods include detecting changes in capacitances of respective capacitors formed by first electrode portions on a support structure and second electrode portions defined by mounting elements coupling a chassis to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Amtel Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel Hinson, Paul Clements
  • Publication number: 20190369793
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a force sensor circuit and a controller. The force sensor circuit includes first, second, third, and fourth electrodes disposed on a substrate. The first and second electrodes extend through first and second cells of a row of cells. The third and fourth electrodes extend through third and fourth cells of a column of cells. The first electrode occupies more area in the first cell than in the second cell. The second electrode occupies more area in the second cell than in the first cell. The third electrode occupies more area in the third cell than in the fourth cell. The fourth electrode occupies more area in the fourth cell than in the third cell. The controller detects a force and a position of the force based on signals communicated by the force sensor circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: NeodrĂ³n Limited
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Patent number: 10372255
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a force sensor circuit and a controller. The force sensor circuit includes first, second, third, and fourth electrodes disposed on a substrate. The first and second electrodes extend through first and second cells of a row of cells. The third and fourth electrodes extend through third and fourth cells of a column of cells. The first electrode occupies more area in the first cell than in the second cell. The second electrode occupies more area in the second cell than in the first cell. The third electrode occupies more area in the third cell than in the fourth cell. The fourth electrode occupies more area in the fourth cell than in the third cell. The controller detects a force and a position of the force based on signals communicated by the force sensor circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Nedron Limited
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Publication number: 20190212842
    Abstract: Assemblies include a chassis having a first side configured to receive a force-sensitive surface, a support structure including first electrode portions, and resilient mounting elements attached to the chassis and to the support structure. The mounting elements include second electrode portions positioned adjacent to the first electrode portions. Force-sensitive systems include force sensors including portions of a support structure and portions of a mounting element that are adapted to relatively move responsive to one or more applied forces, and a controller configured to identify the one or more applied forces by determining movement between the support structure and the mounting element. Methods include detecting changes in capacitances of respective capacitors formed by first electrode portions on a support structure and second electrode portions defined by mounting elements coupling a chassis to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Nigel Hinson, Paul Clements
  • Publication number: 20180196570
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a force sensor circuit and a controller. The force sensor circuit includes first, second, third, and fourth electrodes disposed on a substrate. The first and second electrodes extend through first and second cells of a row of cells. The third and fourth electrodes extend through third and fourth cells of a column of cells. The first electrode occupies more area in the first cell than in the second cell. The second electrode occupies more area in the second cell than in the first cell. The third electrode occupies more area in the third cell than in the fourth cell. The fourth electrode occupies more area in the fourth cell than in the third cell. The controller detects a force and a position of the force based on signals communicated by the force sensor circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Patent number: 9927901
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a force sensor circuit and a controller. The force sensor circuit includes first, second, third, and fourth electrodes disposed on a substrate. The first and second electrodes extend through first and second cells of a row of cells. The third and fourth electrodes extend through third and fourth cells of a column of cells. The first electrode occupies more area in the first cell than in the second cell. The second electrode occupies more area in the second cell than in the first cell. The third electrode occupies more area in the third cell than in the fourth cell. The fourth electrode occupies more area in the fourth cell than in the third cell. The controller detects a force and a position of the force based on signals communicated by the force sensor circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Publication number: 20170357357
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a force sensor circuit and a controller. The force sensor circuit includes first, second, third, and fourth electrodes disposed on a substrate. The first and second electrodes extend through first and second cells of a row of cells. The third and fourth electrodes extend through third and fourth cells of a column of cells. The first electrode occupies more area in the first cell than in the second cell. The second electrode occupies more area in the second cell than in the first cell. The third electrode occupies more area in the third cell than in the fourth cell. The fourth electrode occupies more area in the fourth cell than in the third cell. The controller detects a force and a position of the force based on signals communicated by the force sensor circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Patent number: 9465490
    Abstract: A touch sensor includes a flexible substrate, a plurality of sense electrodes and a plurality of drive electrodes disposed on the flexible substrate, a plurality of electrode branches, and a central spine. Each of the plurality of sense and drive electrodes includes electrode teeth, and electrode teeth of the sense electrodes are interdigitated with electrode teeth of the drive electrodes. Each particular electrode branch includes a portion of at least one of the drive electrodes and a portion of at least one of the sense electrodes. The central spine includes tracks that are coupled to the sense and drive electrodes. When the touch sensor is not formed into a three-dimensional shape, at least a portion of one of the electrode branches is separated from an adjacent electrode branch by a gap. When the touch sensor is formed into a three-dimensional shape, the gap is substantially eliminated, thereby forming a substantially continuous touch-sensitive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Patent number: 9389708
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an active stylus includes one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly communicating with a device through a touch sensor of the device. The active stylus also includes a tip configured to receive an applied force and a force sensor configured to receive an inverse transferred force from a force-transfer element. The force-transfer element is mechanically coupled to the tip and configured to apply the inverse transferred force to the force sensor. The inverse transferred force is inversely correlated with the applied force when the applied force is less than a threshold force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Publication number: 20150324018
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an active stylus includes one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly communicating with a device through a touch sensor of the device. The active stylus also includes a tip configured to receive an applied force and a force sensor configured to receive an inverse transferred force from a force-transfer element. The force-transfer element is mechanically coupled to the tip and configured to apply the inverse transferred force to the force sensor. The inverse transferred force is inversely correlated with the applied force when the applied force is less than a threshold force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Patent number: 9152254
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an active stylus includes one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly communicating with a device through a touch sensor of the device. The active stylus also includes an electrode for wirelessly receiving or transmitting signals through the touch sensor of the device to enable the communication, wherein the electrode is disposed at or near a tip of the active stylus. The active stylus further includes a conductive element providing at least a portion of a connection between the electrode and the media. The conductive element is made of a single piece of conductive material and includes a first end connected to a circuit board of the active stylus that the media is disposed on. The conductive element also includes a second end that includes a deformable ring configured to fit within an interior portion of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Publication number: 20150138165
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an active-stylus tip includes a collar that includes substantially flexible material configured to secure the active-stylus tip to an end of an active stylus. The collar enables the active-stylus tip to be readily removed from the end of the active stylus. The active stylus includes one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly transmitting signals to a device through a touch sensor of the device. The active-stylus tip includes a nib having a tapered end opposite the collar. The nib further includes an element opposite the tapered end of the nib, where the element is configured to engage a force sensor disposed in the active stylus and communicate a force applied to the nib to the force sensor. The active-stylus tip also includes a neck mechanically connecting the nib to the collar and enabling the active-stylus tip to flex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson
  • Publication number: 20150138164
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an active stylus includes one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for wirelessly communicating with a device through a touch sensor of the device. The active stylus also includes an electrode for wirelessly receiving or transmitting signals through the touch sensor of the device to enable the communication, wherein the electrode is disposed at or near a tip of the active stylus. The active stylus further includes a conductive element providing at least a portion of a connection between the electrode and the media. The conductive element is made of a single piece of conductive material and includes a first end connected to a circuit board of the active stylus that the media is disposed on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Nigel Hinson