Patents by Inventor Phillip Acker

Phillip Acker 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: 11048367
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor device comprises a first sensor electrode, a second sensor electrode, and a processing system coupled to the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode. The processing system is configured to acquire a first capacitive measurement by emitting and receiving a first electrical signal with the first sensor electrode. The processing system is configured to acquire a second capacitive measurement by emitting and receiving a second electrical signal, wherein one of the first and second sensor electrodes performs the emitting and the other of the first and second sensor electrodes performs the receiving, and wherein the first and second capacitive measurements are non-degenerate. The processing system is configured to determine positional information using the first and second capacitive measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Phillip Acker, Kirk Hargreaves, Shahrooz Shahparnia
  • Publication number: 20180067155
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor device comprises a first sensor electrode, a second sensor electrode, and a processing system coupled to the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode. The processing system is configured to acquire a first capacitive measurement by emitting and receiving a first electrical signal with the first sensor electrode. The processing system is configured to acquire a second capacitive measurement by emitting and receiving a second electrical signal, wherein one of the first and second sensor electrodes performs the emitting and the other of the first and second sensor electrodes performs the receiving, and wherein the first and second capacitive measurements are non-degenerate. The processing system is configured to determine positional information using the first and second capacitive measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth REYNOLDS, Phillip Acker, JR., Kirk Hargreaves, Shahrooz Shahparnia
  • Patent number: 9804213
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor device comprises a first sensor electrode, a second sensor electrode, and a processing system coupled to the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode. The processing system is configured to acquire a first capacitive measurement by emitting and receiving a first electrical signal with the first sensor electrode. The processing system is configured to acquire a second capacitive measurement by emitting and receiving a second electrical signal, wherein one of the first and second sensor electrodes performs the emitting and the other of the first and second sensor electrodes performs the receiving, and wherein the first and second capacitive measurements are non-degenerate. The processing system is configured to determine positional information using the first and second capacitive measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Kirk Hargreaves, Shahrooz Shahparnia, Phillip Acker
  • Patent number: 8896328
    Abstract: A processing system for a capacitive sensor device comprises circuitry and logic; and the capacitive sensor device comprises a first plurality of sensor electrodes and a second plurality of sensor electrodes. The processing system is configured to acquire a first plurality of capacitive measurements by emitting and receiving first electrical signals with the first plurality of sensor electrodes of the capacitive sensor device. The processing system is also configured to select a first set of the first plurality of sensor electrodes based on the first plurality of capacitive measurements. The processing system is further configured to acquire a second plurality of capacitive measurements by emitting second electrical signals with the first set of the first plurality of sensor electrodes and receiving the second electrical signals with the second plurality of sensor electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Phillip Acker
  • Publication number: 20140132287
    Abstract: A processing system for a capacitive sensor device comprises circuitry and logic; and the capacitive sensor device comprises a first plurality of sensor electrodes and a second plurality of sensor electrodes. The processing system is configured to acquire a first plurality of capacitive measurements by emitting and receiving first electrical signals with the first plurality of sensor electrodes of the capacitive sensor device. The processing system is also configured to select a first set of the first plurality of sensor electrodes based on the first plurality of capacitive measurements. The processing system is further configured to acquire a second plurality of capacitive measurements by emitting second electrical signals with the first set of the first plurality of sensor electrodes and receiving the second electrical signals with the second plurality of sensor electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth REYNOLDS, Phillip ACKER
  • Publication number: 20100292945
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor device comprises a first sensor electrode, a second sensor electrode, and a processing system coupled to the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode. The processing system is configured to acquire a first capacitive measurement by emitting and receiving a first electrical signal with the first sensor electrode. The processing system is configured to acquire a second capacitive measurement by emitting and receiving a second electrical signal, wherein one of the first and second sensor electrodes performs the emitting and the other of the first and second sensor electrodes performs the receiving, and wherein the first and second capacitive measurements are non-degenerate. The processing system is configured to determine positional information using the first and second capacitive measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Kirk Hargreaves, Shahrooz Shahparnia, Phillip Acker
  • Publication number: 20070119314
    Abstract: A hand press includes a body, a movable handle and a hinge pivotally coupling a proximal end of the movable handle to the body. The body includes a pressing container having one or more side walls and a bottom and a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism includes a plunger shaft, a plunger coupled to a first end of the plunger shaft, a driver engaging the plunger shaft and an actuator link coupled between the movable handle and the driver. The plunger forms a top of the pressing container. A method for pressing items using the hand press is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventor: Phillip Acker
  • Publication number: 20050252983
    Abstract: A method of controlling ventilation including determining a current gradient, comparing the current gradient to a threshold and activating a device coupled to a ventilation controller if the current gradient is greater than or equal to the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventor: Phillip Acker
  • Patent number: 5785414
    Abstract: A lighting system which comprises a housing (10) contains a light emitting diode (34) that fits into a lens (30). The lens is secured to the housing (10) so that the position of the lens relative to the housing is also fixed. One or more housings are fitted into a channel (50) closed by a transparent or translucent cover (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Gradus Limited
    Inventors: Paul William Baker, Bernard Lawrence Phillip Ackers