Patents by Inventor Ronald F. Cormier, Jr.

Ronald F. Cormier, Jr. 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: 11409393
    Abstract: A touch screen controller system for controlling a touch screen having row conductors and column conductors includes analog-digital circuitry coupled to the row conductors and column conductors to produce digital signals representative of self capacitance changes of one of the column conductors during an element proximity scanning mode and also representative of mutual changes of the touch screen during an element location scanning mode. The analog-digital circuitry indicates the influence of an element on the self-capacitance during the element proximity scanning. Proximity-determining circuitry operates on the digital signal changes during the element proximity scanning to determine if the element is proximate to the touch screen, and also to determine if the element is a specific kind of element by comparing the digital signal changes to a predetermined data profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald F. Cormier, Jr., Robert J. Stoddard
  • Publication number: 20200348777
    Abstract: A touch screen controller system for controlling a touch screen having row conductors and column conductors includes analog-digital circuitry coupled to the row conductors and column conductors to produce digital signals representative of self capacitance changes of one of the column conductors during an element proximity scanning mode and also representative of mutual changes of the touch screen during an element location scanning mode. The analog-digital circuitry indicates the influence of an element on the self-capacitance during the element proximity scanning. Proximity-determining circuitry operates on the digital signal changes during the element proximity scanning to determine if the element is proximate to the touch screen, and also to determine if the element is a specific kind of element by comparing the digital signal changes to a predetermined data profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Ronald F. Cormier, JR., Robert J. Stoddard
  • Patent number: 10754477
    Abstract: A touch screen controller system for controlling a touch screen having row conductors and column conductors includes analog-digital circuitry coupled to the row conductors and column conductors to produce digital signals representative of self capacitance changes of one of the column conductors during an element proximity scanning mode and also representative of mutual changes of the touch screen during an element location scanning mode. The analog-digital circuitry indicates the influence of an element on the self-capacitance during the element proximity scanning. Proximity-determining circuitry operates on the digital signal changes during the element proximity scanning to determine if the element is proximate to the touch screen, and also to determine if the element is a specific kind of element by comparing the digital signal changes to a predetermined data profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald F. Cormier, Jr., Robert J. Stoddard
  • Patent number: 9322863
    Abstract: A system for measuring a capacitor (CSENj) precharges a CDAC (23) in a SAR converter (17) to a reference voltage (VAZ) and also precharges a first terminal (3-j) of the capacitor to another reference voltage (GND). During a measurement phase, the CDAC is coupled between an output and an input of an amplifier (31) and the capacitor also is coupled to the input of the amplifier, so as to redistribute charge between the capacitor and the CDAC. The amplifier generates an output voltage (VAMP) representing the capacitance being measured. The output voltage is stored in the CDAC. The SAR converter converts the output voltage to a digital value representing the capacitance being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Ronald F. Cormier, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150054528
    Abstract: A system for measuring a capacitor (CSENj) precharges a CDAC (23) in a SAR converter (17) to a reference voltage (VAZ) and also precharges a first terminal (3-j) of the capacitor to another reference voltage (GND). During a measurement phase, the CDAC is coupled between an output and an input of an amplifier (31) and the capacitor also is coupled to the input of the amplifier, so as to redistribute charge between the capacitor and the CDAC. The amplifier generates an output voltage (VAMP) representing the capacitance being measured. The output voltage is stored in the CDAC. The SAR converter converts the output voltage to a digital value representing the capacitance being measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Ronald F. Cormier, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140333581
    Abstract: A touch screen controller system for controlling a touch screen having row conductors and column conductors includes analog-digital circuitry coupled to the row conductors and column conductors to produce digital signals representative of self capacitance changes of one of the column conductors during an element proximity scanning mode and also representative of mutual changes of the touch screen during an element location scanning mode. The analog-digital circuitry indicates the influence of an element on the self-capacitance during the element proximity scanning. Proximity-determining circuitry operates on the digital signal changes during the element proximity scanning to determine if the element is proximate to the touch screen, and also to determine if the element is a specific kind of element by comparing the digital signal changes to a predetermined data profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald F. Cormier, JR., Robert J. Stoddard
  • Patent number: 8854059
    Abstract: A system for measuring a capacitor (CSENj) precharges a CDAC (23) in a SAR converter (17) to a reference voltage (VAZ) and also precharges a first terminal (3-j) of the capacitor to another reference voltage (GND). During a measurement phase, the CDAC is coupled between an output and an input of an amplifier (31) and the capacitor also is coupled to the input of the amplifier, so as to redistribute charge between the capacitor and the CDAC. The amplifier generates an output voltage (VAMP) representing the capacitance being measured. The output voltage is stored in the CDAC. The SAR converter converts the output voltage to a digital value representing the capacitance being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald F. Cormier, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140002406
    Abstract: A touch screen controller produces a first signal (DATA) representative of a self capacitance (Cselfj) of a touch screen (13A) during a presence scanning mode and representative of mutual capacitances (Cmij) of the screen during a location scanning mode. The first signal is calibrated during the presence scanning and during the location scanning to produce a second signal (?DATA) which may represent either self-capacitance changes (?Cselfj) caused by proximity of an element (22) during presence scanning or mutual capacitance changes (?Cmij) caused the element during location scanning. The second signal is operated upon during presence scanning to determine to determine proximity of the element relative to the screen and during location scanning to produce a magnitude map of the mutual capacitance changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald F. Cormier, JR., Michael D. Snedeker
  • Patent number: 8368409
    Abstract: A capacitance measurement system precharges first terminals (21-0 . . . 21-k . . . 21-n) of a plurality of capacitors (25-0 . . . 25-k . . . 25), respectively, of a CDAC (capacitor digital-to-analog converter) (23) included in a SAR (successive approximation register) converter (17) to a first voltage (VDD) and pre-charges a first terminal (3-j) of a capacitor (CSENj) to a second voltage (GND). The first terminals are coupled to the first terminal of the capacitor to redistribute charges therebetween so as to generate a first voltage on the first terminals and the first terminal of the capacitor, the first voltage being representative of a capacitance of the first capacitor (CSENj). A SAR converter converts the first voltage to a digital representation (DATA) of the capacitor. The capacitance can be a touch screen capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Mueck, Ronald F. Cormier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8228076
    Abstract: A capacitance measuring system includes analog-digital circuitry (15) coupled to row conductors (2i) and column conductors (3i) of a touch screen panel (13A) for producing a first digital signal (DATA) representative of cross-coupling capacitances (CSENij). Row drive circuitry (45) superimposes charge transfers from cross-coupling capacitances of the row conductors to a first column conductor to cause the first digital signal to be a convoluted signal. Calibration circuitry (39,40) subtracts base line data from the first digital signal to produce a second digital signal (?DATA) representing touch-induced capacitance change values (?CSENIJ). A deconvolution circuit (44) deconvolutes the second digital signal to produce a digital output (58) representing a magnitude map of the touch-induced capacitance change values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald F. Cormier, Jr., Michael D. Snedeker
  • Publication number: 20110279170
    Abstract: A system for measuring a capacitor (CSENj) precharges a CDAC (23) in a SAR converter (17) to a reference voltage (VAZ) and also precharges a first terminal (3-j) of the capacitor to another reference voltage (GND). During a measurement phase, the CDAC is coupled between an output and an input of an amplifier (31) and the capacitor also is coupled to the input of the amplifier, so as to redistribute charge between the capacitor and the CDAC. The amplifier generates an output voltage (VAMP) representing the capacitance being measured. The output voltage is stored in the CDAC. The SAR converter converts the output voltage to a digital value representing the capacitance being measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald F. Cormier, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110234534
    Abstract: A capacitance measurement system precharges first terminals (21-0 . . . 21-k . . . 21-n) of a plurality of capacitors (25-0 . . . 25-k . . . 25), respectively, of a CDAC (capacitor digital-to-analog converter) (23) included in a SAR (successive approximation register) converter (17) to a first voltage (VDD) and pre-charges a first terminal (3-j) of a capacitor (CSENj) to a second voltage (GND). The first terminals are coupled to the first terminal of the capacitor to redistribute charges therebetween so as to generate a first voltage on the first terminals and the first terminal of the capacitor, the first voltage being representative of a capacitance of the first capacitor (CSENj). A SAR converter converts the first voltage to a digital representation (DATA) of the capacitor. The capacitance can be a touch screen capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Mueck, Ronald F. Cormier, JR.
  • Patent number: 8018238
    Abstract: A system for measuring a capacitor (CSENj) precharges a CDAC (23) in a SAR converter (17) to a reference voltage (VAZ) and also precharges a first terminal (3-j) of the capacitor to another reference voltage (GND). During a measurement phase, the CDAC is coupled between an output and an input of an amplifier (31) and the capacitor also is coupled to the input of the amplifier, so as to redistribute charge between the capacitor and the CDAC. The amplifier generates an output voltage (VAMP) representing the capacitance being measured. The output voltage is stored in the CDAC. The SAR converter converts the output voltage to a digital value representing the capacitance being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald F. Cormier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7982471
    Abstract: A capacitance measurement system precharges first terminals (21-0 . . . 21-k . . . 21-n) of a plurality of capacitors (25-0 . . . 25-k . . . 25), respectively, of a CDAC (capacitor digital-to-analog converter) (23) included in a SAR (successive approximation register) converter (17) to a first voltage (VDD) and pre-charges a first terminal (3-j) of a capacitor (CSENj) to a second voltage (GND). The first terminals are coupled to the first terminal of the capacitor to redistribute charges therebetween so as to generate a first voltage on the first terminals and the first terminal of the capacitor, the first voltage being representative of a capacitance of the first capacitor (CSENj). A SAR converter converts the first voltage to a digital representation (DATA) of the capacitor. The capacitance can be a touch screen capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Mueck, Ronald F. Cormier, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100244858
    Abstract: A system for measuring a capacitor (CSENj) precharges a CDAC (23) in a SAR converter (17) to a reference voltage (VAZ) and also precharges a first terminal (3-j) of the capacitor to another reference voltage (GND). During a measurement phase, the CDAC is coupled between an output and an input of an amplifier (31) and the capacitor also is coupled to the input of the amplifier, so as to redistribute charge between the capacitor and the CDAC. The amplifier generates an output voltage (VAMP) representing the capacitance being measured. The output voltage is stored in the CDAC. The SAR converter converts the output voltage to a digital value representing the capacitance being measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald F. Cormier, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100244859
    Abstract: A capacitance measuring system includes analog-digital circuitry (15) coupled to row conductors (2i) and column conductors (3i) of a touch screen panel (13A) for producing a first digital signal (DATA) representative of cross-coupling capacitances (CSENij). Row drive circuitry (45) superimposes charge transfers from cross-coupling capacitances of the row conductors to a first column conductor to cause the first digital signal to be a convoluted signal. Calibration circuitry (39,40) subtracts base line data from the first digital signal to produce a second digital signal (?DATA) representing touch-induced capacitance change values (?CSENIJ). A deconvolution circuit (44) deconvolutes the second digital signal to produce a digital output (58) representing a magnitude map of the touch-induced capacitance change values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald F. Cormier, JR., Michael D. Snedeker
  • Publication number: 20100231241
    Abstract: A capacitance measurement system precharges first terminals (21-0 . . . 21-k . . . 21-n) of a plurality of capacitors (25-0 . . . 25-k . . . 25), respectively, of a CDAC (capacitor digital-to-analog converter) (23) included in a SAR (successive approximation register) converter (17) to a first voltage (VDD) and pre-charges a first terminal (3-j) of a capacitor (CSENj) to a second voltage (GND). The first terminals are coupled to the first terminal of the capacitor to redistribute charges therebetween so as to generate a first voltage on the first terminals and the first terminal of the capacitor, the first voltage being representative of a capacitance of the first capacitor (CSENj). A SAR converter converts the first voltage to a digital representation (DATA) of the capacitor. The capacitance can be a touch screen capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Mueck, Ronald F. Cormier, JR.
  • Patent number: 7443331
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor system includes first and second groups of CMOS sensors each responsive to periodic first and second clock signal edges, the second clock signal edge being out-of-phase with the first clock signal edge. Output signals of the first group of CMOS sensors are coupled to a first group of sampling capacitors, respectively, by a first group of sampling switches. Then output signals of the second group of CMOS sensors are coupled to a second group of sampling capacitors, respectively, by means of a second group of sampling switches. Sampled signals on the second group of sampling capacitors to an input of an ADC, and then sampled signals on the first group of sampling capacitors are coupled to the input of the ADC by means of by multiplexing and sample/hold circuitry. A phase of at least one of the first and second clock signal edges is adjusted in response to calibration information so as to avoid circuit noise from being superimposed on sampled signals coupled to the input of the ADC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald F. Cormier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7319419
    Abstract: A switched-capacitor sample/hold circuit includes a switched-capacitor input sampling stage and a sample/hold amplifier circuit including an operational amplifier having first and second inputs coupled to first and second input sampling capacitors, respectively, and first and second feedback capacitors coupled between the first and second inputs and first and second outputs of the operational amplifier. A continuous-time offset DAC receives a digital input signal representative of an offset voltage produces first and second offset correction voltages. The first and second offset correction voltages are coupled to the switched-capacitor sample/hold circuit to adjust the amount of pre-charging of the first and second feedback capacitors, respectively, in accordance with the value of the digital input signal to compensate an offset component associated with the and second input voltages. The output of the switched-capacitor sample/hold circuit can be connected to an ADC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher P. Lash, Ronald F. Cormier, Jr., Frederick J. Highton