Patents by Inventor Richard Paul Collins
Richard Paul 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).
-
Publication number: 20190004629Abstract: In an embodiment, a touch-sensitive device includes a controller, a shield sensor, a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes. The plurality of first electrodes spans a first direction and the plurality of second electrodes spans a second direction that is different than the first direction. The controller electrically couples the plurality of first electrodes to the shield sensor. The shield sensor charges the plurality of first electrodes to cause substantially equal voltages to be present on the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Patent number: 10042501Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of electrodes of the sensor and determine a first value associated with the first subset of electrodes. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to alter the first subset of electrodes to a second subset of electrodes and connect, in response to determining to alter the first subset of electrodes to the second subset of electrodes, each electrode of the second subset of electrodes of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Patent number: 10037119Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the plurality of electrodes of the sensor to form a first cluster pattern including a first cluster and a second cluster. The first cluster and the second cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. The logic is further operable to determine a value associated with a capacitance of a first cluster and configure, in response to determining the value, the plurality of electrodes to form a second cluster pattern. The second cluster pattern includes a third cluster and a fourth cluster. The third cluster and the fourth cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes and the third cluster is interleaved with the fourth cluster such that an electrode of the third cluster is positioned between two electrodes of the fourth cluster.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Patent number: 10031632Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a controller, first electrodes, second electrodes, a plurality of sensors, and a shield sensor. The controller is operable to cause substantially equal voltages to be present on the first and second electrodes while measuring capacitances of the plurality of first electrodes electrically coupled to the shield sensor and measuring capacitances of the plurality of second electrodes electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Publication number: 20180143713Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the plurality of electrodes of the sensor to form a first cluster pattern including a first cluster and a second cluster. The first cluster and the second cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. The logic is further operable to determine a value associated with a capacitance of a first cluster and configure, in response to determining the value, the plurality of electrodes to form a second cluster pattern. The second cluster pattern includes a third cluster and a fourth cluster. The third cluster and the fourth cluster each include two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes and the third cluster is interleaved with the fourth cluster such that an electrode of the third cluster is positioned between two electrodes of the fourth cluster.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Publication number: 20180136757Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of electrodes of the sensor and determine a first value associated with the first subset of electrodes. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to alter the first subset of electrodes to a second subset of electrodes and connect, in response to determining to alter the first subset of electrodes to the second subset of electrodes, each electrode of the second subset of electrodes of the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2018Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Patent number: 9874980Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the electrodes to form a first cluster pattern having a plurality of first clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each first cluster, and determine a plurality of first values associated with a capacitance of a first cluster. The logic is further operable to configure the electrodes to form a second cluster pattern having a plurality of second clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each second cluster, and determine a plurality of second values associated with a capacitance of a second cluster. At least one second cluster is interleaved with an adjacent second cluster. The logic is further operable to determine a position of an object based at least on the second values.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Patent number: 9870104Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of the plurality of electrodes, apply voltage to the first subset, and determine a first value associated with a capacitance of the first subset. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to connect each electrode of a second subset of the plurality of electrodes, the second subset having fewer electrodes than the first subset, apply voltage to the second subset, and determine a second value associated with a capacitance of the second subset.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Publication number: 20170205916Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch-sensitive device includes a controller, horizontal electrodes, and vertical electrodes. The touch-sensitive device further includes a first plurality of switches that couple the horizontal electrodes to a first plurality of sensors, a second plurality of switches that couple the vertical electrodes to a second plurality of sensors, and a third and fourth plurality of switches that couple the horizontal and vertical electrodes to a shield sensor. The controller is operable to perform simultaneous hovering, touch, and proximity detection by selectively controlling, the first, second, third, and fourth plurality of switches. The hovering, touch, and proximity detection includes causing substantially equal voltages to be present on the horizontal and vertical electrodes while measuring capacitances using the shield sensor and either the first or second plurality of sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Patent number: 9612677Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch-sensitive device includes a controller, horizontal electrodes, and vertical electrodes. The touch-sensitive device further includes a first plurality of switches that couple the horizontal electrodes to a first plurality of sensors, a second plurality of switches that couple the vertical electrodes to a second plurality of sensors, and a third and fourth plurality of switches that couple the horizontal and vertical electrodes to a shield sensor. The controller is operable to perform simultaneous hovering, touch, and proximity detection by selectively controlling the first, second, third, and fourth plurality of switches. The hovering, touch, and proximity detection includes causing substantially equal voltages to be present on the horizontal and vertical electrodes while measuring capacitances using the shield sensor and either the first or second plurality of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Patent number: 9535545Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes a touch screen having a plurality of electrodes and a controller. The controller is operable to detect that an object is in proximity to the touch screen by measuring capacitance values from a reference area of the touch screen, determining a reference capacitance value using the measured capacitance values from the reference area, measuring capacitance values from a main area of the touch screen, and suppressing noise from the measured capacitance values of the main area by subtracting the reference capacitance value from the measured capacitance values of the main area of the touch screen. The reference area includes two or more of the plurality of electrodes, and at least one of the electrodes of the reference area is electrically coupled to a voltage reference. The main area includes electrodes of the plurality of electrodes that are not in the reference area.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Patent number: 9329705Abstract: In one embodiment, a first device includes an electrically conductive element that is configured to capacitively couple to an electrode of a second device emitting a first electrical signal. The electrically conductive element is further configured to communicate to a circuit of the first device a second electrical signal induced in the electrically conductive element by the first electrical signal and through the capacitive coupling. The circuit of the first device is coupled to the electrically conductive element and is configured to receive the second electrical signal. The circuit is further configured to produce an electrical response to the second electrical signal, where the electrical response of the circuit is based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the first electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventor: Richard Paul Collins
-
Patent number: 9081443Abstract: An apparatus may include a controller and a capacitive sensor that includes electrodes. The controller includes a processor and a memory. When logic is executed by the processor, the logic is capable of selecting a first subset of electrodes for measurement and selecting one of the electrodes from a second subset of electrodes as a reference drive electrode. The logic is further capable of determining a difference between a capacitance measurement of the first subset and a capacitance measurement of the reference drive electrode. The logic is also capable of adjust the capacitance measurement of the first electrode based at least in part upon the difference.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins
-
Publication number: 20150123932Abstract: In one embodiment, a first device includes an electrically conductive element that is configured to capacitively couple to an electrode of a second device emitting a first electrical signal. The electrically conductive element is further configured to communicate to a circuit of the first device a second electrical signal induced in the electrically conductive element by the first electrical signal and through the capacitive coupling. The circuit of the first device is coupled to the electrically conductive element and is configured to receive the second electrical signal. The circuit is further configured to produce an electrical response to the second electrical signal, where the electrical response of the circuit is based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the first electrical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventor: Richard Paul Collins
-
Publication number: 20150035784Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable, when executed by the processor, to connect each electrode of a first subset of the plurality of electrodes, apply voltage to the first subset, and determine a first value associated with a capacitance of the first subset. Based at least on the first value, the logic is further operable to connect each electrode of a second subset of the plurality of electrodes, the second subset having fewer electrodes than the first subset, apply voltage to the second subset, and determine a second value associated with a capacitance of the second subset.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Publication number: 20150035789Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the electrodes to form a first cluster pattern having a plurality of first clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each first cluster, and determine a plurality of first values associated with a capacitance of a first cluster. The logic is further operable to configure the electrodes to form a second cluster pattern having a plurality of second clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each second cluster, and determine a plurality of second values associated with a capacitance of a second cluster. At least one second cluster is interleaved with an adjacent second cluster. The logic is further operable to determine a position of an object based at least on the second values.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Publication number: 20150002448Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch-sensitive device includes a controller, horizontal electrodes, and vertical electrodes. The touch-sensitive device further includes a first plurality of switches that couple the horizontal electrodes to a first plurality of sensors, a second plurality of switches that couple the vertical electrodes to a second plurality of sensors, and a third and fourth plurality of switches that couple the horizontal and vertical electrodes to a shield sensor. The controller is operable to perform simultaneous hovering, touch, and proximity detection by selectively controlling the first, second, third, and fourth plurality of switches. The hovering, touch, and proximity detection includes causing substantially equal voltages to be present on the horizontal and vertical electrodes while measuring capacitances using the shield sensor and either the first or second plurality of sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Publication number: 20150002443Abstract: An apparatus may include a controller and a capacitive sensor that includes electrodes. The controller includes a processor and a memory. When logic is executed by the processor, the logic is capable of selecting a first subset of electrodes for measurement and selecting one of the electrodes from a second subset of electrodes as a reference drive electrode. The logic is further capable of determining a difference between a capacitance measurement of the first subset and a capacitance measurement of the reference drive electrode. The logic is also capable of adjust the capacitance measurement of the first electrode based at least in part upon the difference.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins
-
Publication number: 20150002445Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes a touch screen having a plurality of electrodes and a controller. The controller is operable to detect that an object is in proximity to the touch screen by measuring capacitance values from a reference area of the touch screen, determining a reference capacitance value using the measured capacitance values from the reference area, measuring capacitance values from a main area of the touch screen, and suppressing noise from the measured capacitance values of the main area by subtracting the reference capacitance value from the measured capacitance values of the main area of the touch screen. The reference area includes two or more of the plurality of electrodes, and at least one of the electrodes of the reference area is electrically coupled to a voltage reference. The main area includes electrodes of the plurality of electrodes that are not in the reference area.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Samuel Brunet, Richard Paul Collins, Luben Hristov Hristov, Steinar Myren, Trond Jarle Pedersen, Paul Stavely
-
Patent number: 8860686Abstract: The exemplary devices and processing techniques allow multiple measurement devices or chips to work together to sample a screen that is larger than one measurement device might sample, by allowing sharing X or drive lines amongst the measurements devices. Particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following optional advantages. The sharing of the drive lines may allow for a screen sized or otherwise configured to have more measurement nodes than would be produced by the sum of the nodes that could be measured by the individual devices. For a screen that requires multiple measurement devices, the drive line sharing thus may allow use of a smaller number of measuring devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Martin John Simmons, Dan Thomas Edward Pickett, Richard Paul Collins