Patents by Inventor Paul M. Hatin

Paul M. Hatin 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).

  • Touch panel system and method for distinguishing multiple touch inputs
    Patent number: 7254775
    Abstract: Touch panel systems and methods are disclosed that can distinguish temporally overlapping touch inputs from single touch inputs so that valid touch position coordinates can be determined. Touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can distinguish overlapping touches by comparing signal magnitudes to specified thresholds, by comparing the rates of change of signal magnitudes or measured positions to determined parameters, by locating the proximity a calculated location to icons or other such active areas, and the like. Because touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can discriminate single touches from double touches, they can be used in multiple user applications such as multiplayer games as well as in applications that may be subject to rapidly successive or overlapping touch inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bernard O. Geaghan, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Craig A. Cordeiro, Edward S. Hagermoser, James J. Hart, Paul M. Hatin, Karl P. Hauck, Richard A. Peterson, Jr., Stephen C. Schulz, Gordon F. Taylor
  • Touch panel system and method for distinguishing multiple touch inputs
    Publication number: 20030063073
    Abstract: Touch panel systems and methods are disclosed that can distinguish temporally overlapping touch inputs from single touch inputs so that valid touch position coordinates can be determined. Touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can distinguish overlapping touches by comparing signal magnitudes to specified thresholds, by comparing the rates of change of signal magnitudes or measured positions to determined parameters, by locating the proximity a calculated location to icons or other such active areas, and the like. Because touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can discriminate single touches from double touches, they can be used in multiple user applications such as multiplayer games as well as in applications that may be subject to rapidly successive or overlapping touch inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Bernard O. Geaghan, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Craig A. Cordeiro, Edward S. Hagermoser, James J. Hart, Paul M. Hatin, Karl P. Hauck, Richard A. Peterson, Stephen C. Schulz, Gordon F. Taylor