Patents by Inventor Robert J. Bolender

Robert J. Bolender 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: 11481074
    Abstract: A processing system for an input device includes an in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) receiver module including a first and second charge integrators, and first and second demodulator modules. The I/Q receiver module alternates integration of a resulting signal, received from a receiver electrode of the input device, between the first and the second charge integrators in four consecutive quarter cycles, to obtain four consecutive integration results. The four consecutive quarter cycles coincide with one cycle of a local oscillator signal for the first and second demodulator modules. The I/Q receiver module further alternates demodulation of the four consecutive integration results between the first and second demodulator modules. The first demodulator module performs an in-phase demodulation to produce an in-phase component of a sensing signal associated with the first resulting signal, and the second demodulator module performs a quadrature demodulation to produce a quadrature component of the sensing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert J. Bolender
  • Patent number: 11256376
    Abstract: A sensing system is provided. A processing system drives a first subset of sensor electrodes with a sensing signal and receives corresponding resulting signals. The processing system also drives a second subset of the sensor electrodes with a reference signal and a third subset of the sensor electrodes with a guard signal. A rotatable electronic device includes a first coupling electrode and a second coupling electrode. The second coupling electrode couples with and receives the reference signal from the second subset of the sensor electrodes. The rotatable electronic device also includes a conductive region that rotates relative to the first coupling electrode and the second coupling electrode. The resulting signals are affected based on the position of the conductive region relative to the first coupling electrode when the first coupling electrode is coupled with the first subset of the sensor electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelvin Fong, Chun-Hsi Chen, Robert J. Bolender
  • Publication number: 20210232260
    Abstract: A rotatable device has a stationary base including bottom and top surfaces. The bottom surface has a first set of coupling electrodes configured to receive a reference signal from first electrodes of an attached input device, and second and third sets of coupling electrodes each configured to receive resulting signals from a second set of input device electrodes. The top surface of the stationary base has first, second and third top regions respectively connected to the first, second and third sets of coupling electrodes. The rotatable device further includes a rotary wheel, configured to rotate relative to the stationary base, with a bottom portion provided with alternating conductive and non-conductive regions and configured to align with the top portion of the stationary base. The resulting signals of the input device are modified by the relative positions of the stationary base and the rotary wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Kelvin FONG, Chun-Hsi CHEN, Robert J. BOLENDER
  • Patent number: 11029349
    Abstract: An input device is disclosed that provides reduced electromagnetic emissions while detecting the presence of an input object. In one embodiment, a first set of sensor electrodes is driven with a first modulated signal while a second set of sensor electrodes is driven with a second set of modulated signals that is based on an inverted first modulated signal. The first set of sensor electrodes may determine a capacitance value while the second set of sensor electrodes may reduce electromagnetic emissions associated with the first set of sensor electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Robert J. Bolender
  • Patent number: 10921913
    Abstract: A rotatable device has a stationary base including bottom and top surfaces. The bottom surface has a first set of coupling electrodes configured to receive a reference signal from first electrodes of an attached input device, and second and third sets of coupling electrodes each configured to receive resulting signals from a second set of input device electrodes. The top surface of the stationary base has first, second and third top regions respectively connected to the first, second and third sets of coupling electrodes. The rotatable device further includes a rotary wheel, configured to rotate relative to the stationary base, with a bottom portion provided with alternating conductive and non-conductive regions and configured to align with the top portion of the stationary base. The resulting signals of the input device are modified by the relative positions of the stationary base and the rotary wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelvin Fong, Robert J. Bolender
  • Publication number: 20200300900
    Abstract: An input device is disclosed that provides reduced electromagnetic emissions while detecting the presence of an input object. In one embodiment, a first set of sensor electrodes is driven with a first modulated signal while a second set of sensor electrodes is driven with a second set of modulated signals that is based on an inverted first modulated signal. The first set of sensor electrodes may determine a capacitance value while the second set of sensor electrodes may reduce electromagnetic emissions associated with the first set of sensor electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: Robert J. BOLENDER
  • Patent number: 10444922
    Abstract: Sensor electrodes are coupled, in a first configuration, to input channels of a processing system. The sensor electrodes are used to acquire a measurement of current. In a second configuration that is different from the first configuration, the sensor electrodes are coupled to the input channels. The sensor electrodes in the second configuration are used to acquire a capacitive resulting signal. Positional information is determined using the current measurement and the capacitive resulting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Derek R. Solven, Matthew Stevenson, Robert J. Bolender, Jonathan Losh
  • Publication number: 20180364833
    Abstract: Sensor electrodes are coupled, in a first configuration, to input channels of a processing system. The sensor electrodes are used to acquire a measurement of current. In a second configuration that is different from the first configuration, the sensor electrodes are coupled to the input channels. The sensor electrodes in the second configuration are used to acquire a capacitive resulting signal. Positional information is determined using the current measurement and the capacitive resulting signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Derek R. Solven, Matthew Stevenson, Robert J. Bolender, Jonathan Losh
  • Patent number: 10148268
    Abstract: A keyboard including a plurality of key assemblies configured to be pressed by an input object. A subset of the plurality of key assemblies each includes a key cap and a first electrode pair underneath the key cap and configured to detect key motion in response to downward force applied by the input object. The key cap also includes a second electrode pair disposed underneath the key cap and configured to detect positional information about the input object interacting with the key cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert J. Bolender
  • Publication number: 20180181251
    Abstract: A method of operating a plurality of electrodes, and a related processing system and input device are disclosed. The method comprises driving, within a first time period, a plurality of sensor electrodes with a first signal. A first portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes defines a first sensing region within a first region, and a second portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes defines a first border region within the first region. The method further comprises driving a plurality of mitigation electrodes with a second, opposite polarity signal to mitigate electromagnetic emissions resulting from driving the plurality of sensor electrodes. The plurality of mitigation electrodes defines a second region adjacent to the first border region. The method further comprises acquiring, responsive to driving the plurality of sensor electrodes, first capacitive measurements with the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. BOLENDER, Donald R. SCHROPP, JR.
  • Patent number: 9947493
    Abstract: Magnetically biased retracting key assemblies and keyboards are provided. A key assembly includes a touch surface for receiving a press input from a user and a planar-translation-effecting (PTE) mechanism configured to guide as the keycap moves from an un-pressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a ready-return mechanism configured to magnetically biased the keycap in the un-pressed position, the ready-return mechanism including a slider mechanism positioned beneath the keycap and coupled to the PTE mechanism. When the press surface receives a press input the slider mechanism translates away from the magnet as the PTE mechanism guides the keycap from the un-pressed position toward the pressed position. In some embodiments, the PTE mechanism and the ready-return mechanism translate with respect to a chassis layer providing a key retraction feature for the key assembly or keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: VanDee Moua, Douglas Krumpelman, Peter Bokma, Robert J. Bolender, Chris Weber
  • Patent number: 9941878
    Abstract: Devices and methods for capacitively sensing key cap position during the initial and latter stages of a keystroke. A key assembly includes a stationary key guide magnet, a movable key cap magnet, and a transmitter/receiver electrode pair. One or both of the electrodes underlies the key cap. The capacitance change between the electrodes during a keystroke includes the capacitance change between the key cap and the electrode pair, and the change in capacitance between the key cap and the key guide. Key cap position may thus be accurately detected throughout the entire keystroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert J. Bolender, Joseph Kurth Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9874983
    Abstract: In a method of capacitive sensing, a first plurality of sensor electrodes of a sensor electrode pattern is coupled, in a first configuration, to input channels of a processing system. The sensor electrode pattern is associated with a sensing region. The first configuration of the first plurality sensor of electrodes is utilized to acquire a measurement of current. A noise environment is determined through analysis of the measurement of current. At least one subset of the first plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled, in a second configuration, to the input channels. The second configuration and the first configuration are different. The second configuration of the first plurality of sensor electrodes is utilized to acquire capacitive resulting signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Derek R. Solven, Matthew Stevenson, Robert J. Bolender, Jonathan Losh
  • Patent number: 9772729
    Abstract: Input devices which include a capacitive force sensor, along with methods of making and using such, are provided. The input device includes a structural component having first and second substantially opposing sides, a plurality of sensor electrodes located on the first side of the structural component, the plurality of sensor electrodes configured to capacitively sense positional information associated with user input in a sensing region, a first capacitive electrode located on the second side of the structural component, the first capacitive electrode being configured to capacitively couple to a second capacitive electrode that is separated from the first capacitive electrode by a gas and moveable relative to the first capacitive electrode, and a biasing member configured to be physically coupled to the structural component such that a force associated with the user input causes a change in a separation distance between the first and second capacitive electrodes based on the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert J. Bolender
  • Publication number: 20170149433
    Abstract: A keyboard including a plurality of key assemblies configured to be pressed by an input object. A subset of the plurality of key assemblies each includes a key cap and a first electrode pair underneath the key cap and configured to detect key motion in response to downward force applied by the input object. The key cap also includes a second electrode pair disposed underneath the key cap and configured to detect positional information about the input object interacting with the key cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: Robert J. Bolender
  • Patent number: 9618981
    Abstract: A capacitive input device has a sensor electrode pattern disposed on a first side of a substrate. The sensor electrode pattern comprises a plurality of sensor electrode elements disposed on the first side of a first substrate. A plurality of routing traces is disposed along a first edge of the sensor electrode pattern on the first side of the substrate and configured to communicatively couple at least some of the sensor electrodes with a processing system. A pair of guard traces is disposed in the same layer as and brackets the plurality of routing traces. A guard overlaps the routing traces, is disposed proximate the routing traces on the first side of the substrate, and ohmically couples the pair of guard traces with one another. A second insulator is disposed between the routing traces and the guard. The second insulator and the first insulator are disposed in the same layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Jim Dunphy, Robert J Bolender, Adam Schwartz, David Hoch
  • Patent number: 9600084
    Abstract: A keyboard including a plurality of key assemblies configured to be pressed by an input object. A subset of the plurality of key assemblies each includes a key cap and a first electrode pair underneath the key cap and configured to detect key motion in response to downward force applied by the input object. The key cap also includes a second electrode pair disposed underneath the key cap and configured to detect positional information about the input object interacting with the key cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert J. Bolender
  • Publication number: 20160378221
    Abstract: In a method of capacitive sensing, a first plurality of sensor electrodes of a sensor electrode pattern is coupled, in a first configuration, to input channels of a processing system. The sensor electrode pattern is associated with a sensing region. The first configuration of the first plurality sensor of electrodes is utilized to acquire a measurement of current. A noise environment is determined through analysis of the measurement of current. At least one subset of the first plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled, in a second configuration, to the input channels. The second configuration and the first configuration are different. The second configuration of the first plurality of sensor electrodes is utilized to acquire capacitive resulting signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Derek R. SOLVEN, Matthew STEVENSON, Robert J. BOLENDER, Jonathan LOSH
  • Publication number: 20160308531
    Abstract: Devices and methods for capacitively sensing key cap position during the initial and latter stages of a keystroke. A key assembly includes a stationary key guide magnet, a movable key cap magnet, and a transmitter/receiver electrode pair. One or both of the electrodes underlies the key cap. The capacitance change between the electrodes during a keystroke includes the capacitance change between the key cap and the electrode pair, and the change in capacitance between the key cap and the key guide. Key cap position may thus be accurately detected throughout the entire keystroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Bolender, Joesph Kurth Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9406453
    Abstract: Devices and methods for capacitively sensing key cap position during the initial and latter stages of a keystroke. A key assembly includes a stationary key guide magnet, a movable key cap magnet, and a transmitter/receiver electrode pair. One or both of the electrodes underlies the key cap. The capacitance change between the electrodes during a keystroke includes the capacitance change between the key cap and the electrode pair, and the change in capacitance between the key cap and the key guide. Key cap position may thus be accurately detected throughout the entire keystroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert J. Bolender, Joseph Kurth Reynolds