Patents by Inventor Richard P. Collins
Richard P. Collins 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).
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Patent number: 11675462Abstract: A process includes receiving an associated input signal via a receiver electrode of a sensor array, the associated input signal indicative of an associated mutual capacitance of the receiver electrode; adding a balancing signal to the associated input signal to generate a balanced input signal at least partially responsive to a number of sensor nodes at the receiver electrode; generating a voltage signal indicative of the associated mutual capacitance of the receiver electrode at least partially responsive to a balanced input signal; and generating a digital value representative of the voltage signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Richard P. Collins, Samuel Daniel Brunet, Paul Heslop
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Publication number: 20220155891Abstract: A process includes receiving an associated input signal via a receiver electrode of a sensor array, the associated input signal indicative of an associated mutual capacitance of the receiver electrode; adding a balancing signal to the associated input signal to generate a balanced input signal at least partially responsive to a number of sensor nodes at the receiver electrode; generating a voltage signal indicative of the associated mutual capacitance of the receiver electrode at least partially responsive to a balanced input signal; and generating a digital value representative of the voltage signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Richard P. Collins, Samuel Daniel Brunet, Paul Heslop
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Publication number: 20220100309Abstract: Some disclosed embodiments relate, generally, to shaping a waveform of a reference signal used by a driver of a touch sensor to limit electromagnetic emissions (EME) emitted by a touch sensor during a sensing operation. Some disclosed embodiments relate, generally, to a DAC referenced touch sensor driver and controlling an amount of EME emitted at a touch sensor using shapes of reference signals used by a touch detector to detect touches at the touch sensor. Some disclosed embodiments relate, generally, to compensating for effects of foreign noise at a touch sensor. And more specifically, to changing a shape of a reference signal based on a change to a sampling rate made to compensate for foreign noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Fredrik Jonsson, Richard P. Collins, Lionel Nicolas Portmann
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Patent number: 11221708Abstract: Some disclosed embodiments relate, generally, to shaping a waveform of a reference signal used by a driver of a touch sensor to limit electromagnetic emissions (EME) emitted by a touch sensor during a sensing operation. Some disclosed embodiments relate, generally, to a DAC referenced touch sensor driver and controlling an amount of EME emitted at a touch sensor using shapes of reference signals used by a touch detector to detect touches at the touch sensor. Some disclosed embodiments relate, generally, to compensating for effects of foreign noise at a touch sensor. And more specifically, to changing a shape of a reference signal based on a change to a sampling rate made to compensate for foreign noise.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Microchip Technology IncorporatedInventors: Fredrik Jonsson, Richard P. Collins, Lionel Nicolas Portmann
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Publication number: 20210026491Abstract: A device includes a touch sensor and a touch-sensor controller. The touch-sensor may receive a signal associated with an operation of the device; in response to the signal, determine that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed, and in response to the determination, increase sensitivity of a first portion, but not all, of the touch sensor. A first portion of increased sensitivity may be an area of the touch sensor associated with a button. A first portion of increased sensitivity may be the top right portion of the touch sensor. In other examples, sensitivity may be decreased when an operation is a game played by a user on the device, a voicemail operation on the device, or an operation requiring an ear or face of a user to contact the touch sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
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Patent number: 10838549Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes a storage unit and a processor unit. The processor unit is coupled to the storage unit and configured to receive a signal associated with an operation of a device that includes a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first plurality of electrodes oriented in a first direction in a first portion of the touch sensor, a second plurality of electrodes oriented in the first direction in a second portion of the touch sensor, and a third plurality of electrodes intersecting the first and second plurality of electrodes. The processor unit is further configured to determine, in response to the signal, that a detection mode of the touch sensor is to be changed and in response to the determination, couple the second plurality of electrodes to a fixed voltage source to decrease a detection range in the second portion of the touch sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: NeodrĂ³n LimitedInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
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Patent number: 10705651Abstract: A device includes a controller coupled to a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first array of capacitive nodes substantially aligned with a second array of capacitive nodes in a mechanical stack. The controller is configured, when in a self-capacitive mode of operation, to send a first drive signal to a plurality of the electrodes of the first array, send a shield signal to at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array at the same time as the first drive signal is sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array, and sense touch inputs based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes of the first array while the first drive signal is being sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array and the shield signal is being sent to the at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Martin J. Simmons, Justin A. Church
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Publication number: 20200210016Abstract: Some disclosed embodiments relate, generally, to shaping a waveform of a reference signal used by a driver of a touch sensor to limit electromagnetic emissions (EME) emitted by a touch sensor during a sensing operation. Some disclosed embodiments relate, generally, to a DAC referenced touch sensor driver and controlling an amount of EME emitted at a touch sensor using shapes of reference signals used by a touch detector to detect touches at the touch sensor. Some disclosed embodiments relate, generally, to compensating for effects of foreign noise at a touch sensor. And more specifically, to changing a shape of a reference signal based on a change to a sampling rate made to compensate for foreign noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: Fredrik Jonsson, Richard P. Collins, Lionel Nicolas Portmann
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Publication number: 20190369800Abstract: A device includes a controller coupled to a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first array of capacitive nodes substantially aligned with a second array of capacitive nodes in a mechanical stack. The controller is configured, when in a self-capacitive mode of operation, to send a first drive signal to a plurality of the electrodes of the first array, send a shield signal to at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array at the same time as the first drive signal is sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array, and sense touch inputs based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes of the first array while the first drive signal is being sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array and the shield signal is being sent to the at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Martin J. Simmons, Justin A. Church
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Patent number: 10437382Abstract: A device includes a controller coupled to a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first array of capacitive nodes substantially aligned with a second array of capacitive nodes in a mechanical stack. The controller is configured, when in a self-capacitive mode of operation, to send a first drive signal to a plurality of the electrodes of the first array, send a shield signal to at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array at the same time as the first drive signal is sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array, and sense touch inputs based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes of the first array while the first drive signal is being sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array and the shield signal is being sent to the at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Martin J. Simmons, Justin A. Church
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Publication number: 20180307372Abstract: A device includes a controller coupled to a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first array of capacitive nodes substantially aligned with a second array of capacitive nodes in a mechanical stack. The controller is configured, when in a self-capacitive mode of operation, to send a first drive signal to a plurality of the electrodes of the first array, send a shield signal to at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array at the same time as the first drive signal is sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array, and sense touch inputs based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes of the first array while the first drive signal is being sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array and the shield signal is being sent to the at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Martin J. Simmons, Justin A. Church
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Patent number: 10013101Abstract: A device includes a controller coupled to a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first array of capacitive nodes substantially aligned with a second array of capacitive nodes in a mechanical stack. The controller is configured, when in a self-capacitive mode of operation, to send a first drive signal to a plurality of the electrodes of the first array, send a shield signal to at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array at the same time as the first drive signal is sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array, and sense touch inputs based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes of the first array while the first drive signal is being sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array and the shield signal is being sent to the at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Martin J. Simmons, Justin A. Church
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Patent number: 9804722Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting a touch. The apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a first plurality of electrode lines and a second plurality of electrode lines. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch sensor controller is operable to apply a respective voltage pulse simultaneously to each of the first plurality of electrode lines, measure a respective signal at each of the second plurality of electrode lines, and detect a touch based on the measurement of the respective signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
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Publication number: 20170199611Abstract: A device includes a controller coupled to a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first array of capacitive nodes substantially aligned with a second array of capacitive nodes in a mechanical stack. The controller is configured, when in a self-capacitive mode of operation, to send a first drive signal to a plurality of the electrodes of the first array, send a shield signal to at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array at the same time as the first drive signal is sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array, and sense touch inputs based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes of the first array while the first drive signal is being sent to the plurality of electrodes of the first array and the shield signal is being sent to the at least a portion of the electrodes of the second array.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Martin J. Simmons, Justin A. Church
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Publication number: 20170097735Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes a storage unit and a processor unit. The processor unit is coupled to the storage unit and configured to receive a signal associated with an operation of a device that includes a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first plurality of electrodes oriented in a first direction in a first portion of the touch sensor, a second plurality of electrodes oriented in the first direction in a second portion of the touch sensor, and a third plurality of electrodes intersecting the first and second plurality of electrodes. The processor unit is further configured to determine, in response to the signal, that a detection mode of the touch sensor is to be changed and in response to the determination, couple the second plurality of electrodes to a fixed voltage source to decrease a detection range in the second portion of the touch sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
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Patent number: 9542046Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for changing the detection range of a touch sensor includes receiving a signal associated with an operation of a device having a touch sensor, and in response to the signal, determining that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed. In response to the determination, decreasing sensitivity of a portion, but not all, of the touch sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
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Publication number: 20160291733Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting a touch. The apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a first plurality of electrode lines and a second plurality of electrode lines. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch sensor controller is operable to apply a respective voltage pulse simultaneously to each of the first plurality of electrode lines, measure a respective signal at each of the second plurality of electrode lines, and detect a touch based on the measurement of the respective signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
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Patent number: 9274656Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting a touch. The apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a first plurality of electrode lines and a second plurality of electrode lines. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch sensor controller is operable to apply a respective voltage pulse simultaneously to each of the first plurality of electrode lines, measure a respective signal at each of the second plurality of electrode lines, and detect a touch based on the measurement of the respective signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
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Publication number: 20150002441Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for changing the detection range of a touch sensor includes receiving a signal associated with an operation of a device having a touch sensor, and in response to the signal, determining that a detection mode of the touch sensor associated with the device is to be changed. In response to the determination, decreasing sensitivity of a portion, but not all, of the touch sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely
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Publication number: 20150002444Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting a touch. The apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a first plurality of electrode lines and a second plurality of electrode lines. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch sensor controller is operable to apply a respective voltage pulse simultaneously to each of the first plurality of electrode lines, measure a respective signal at each of the second plurality of electrode lines, and detect a touch based on the measurement of the respective signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard P. Collins, Luben H. Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond J. Pedersen, Paul Stavely