Patents by Inventor Scott Dattalo
Scott Dattalo 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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Publication number: 20140160056Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described for determining positional information for objects using an input device. The various embodiments provide improved user interface functionality by facilitating user input with input objects that are at the surface and objects that are away from the surface. The input device includes a processing system and an array of sensor electrodes adapted to capacitively sense objects in a sensing region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Vijay Venkatesh Mahalingam, Adam Schwartz, Kathy Goudarzi, Tracy Scott Dattalo
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Publication number: 20140021966Abstract: A differential amplifier has an output and differential first and second inputs. A switch disposed between a sensor electrode and the second input is opened to initiate a reset phase where the sensor electrode and the differential amplifier are decoupled. A feedback capacitance disposed between the second input and the output is reset to a first level of charge. The switch is closed to initiate a measurement phase where the second input and sensor electrode are coupled. In the measurement phase: charge is balanced between the sensor electrode and the feedback capacitance such that a sensor electrode voltage equals a voltage of the first input equals a voltage of the second input, and the sensor electrode is charged; and the differential amplifier is utilized to integrate charge on the sensor electrode, such that an absolute capacitance corresponding to a coupling between the sensor electrode and an input object is measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Farzaneh SHAHROKHI, Adam SCHWARTZ, Shahrooz SHAHPARNIA, Joseph Kurth REYNOLDS, Tracy Scott DATTALO
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Publication number: 20130271160Abstract: A capacitive image sensor for detecting an input object includes a first substrate and a second substrate. A compressible region is defined between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate is deflectable towards the second substrate. A transmitter electrode, receiver electrode, and bending effect electrode are disposed on the first substrate. The bending effect electrode is disposed between the transmitter electrode and receiver electrode and is configured to reduce a change in resulting signals detected from the receiver electrode caused by deflection of the first substrate towards the second substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Derek Solven, Tracy Scott Dattalo
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Publication number: 20130271161Abstract: A capacitive image sensor for detecting an input object includes a first substrate and a second substrate. A compressible region is defined between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate is deflectable towards the second substrate. A transmitter electrode, receiver electrode, and bending effect electrode are disposed on the first substrate. The bending effect electrode is disposed between the transmitter electrode and receiver electrode and is configured to reduce a change in resulting signals detected from the receiver electrode caused by deflection of the first substrate towards the second substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Derek Solven, Tracy Scott Dattalo
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Patent number: 8487788Abstract: In a method for determining actuation of a first capacitive button having a first set of at least three sensor electrode elements associated with at least three distinct sensor electrodes, and wherein a sensor electrode element of the first set of sensor electrode elements and a sensor electrode element of a second set of at least three sensor electrode elements of a second capacitive button share at least one sensor electrode in common, indicia is received from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes comprising the first capacitive button. At least three electrode values are generated from the indicia. The at least three electrode values are utilized to determine actuation of the capacitive button.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Tracy Scott Dattalo, Raymond A Trent, Jr., John M Feland, III
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Patent number: 8358226Abstract: Methods for determining actuation of a capacitive button are described. In some embodiments, indicia from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button are received, the indicia indicative of interaction of an input object with the at least three distinct sensor electrodes. The actuation of the capacitive button is then determined, based at least in part on satisfying a set of criteria comprising: a location condition concerning a location of the input object relative to a center of the capacitive button, and a coupling condition concerning a change in capacitive coupling of the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with the at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2008Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Tracy Scott Dattalo, Raymond A Trent, Jr., John M Feland, III, Izhak Baharav, John P Maloney, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120262222Abstract: A processing system for a capacitive input device comprises sensor circuitry and control logic. The sensor circuitry is configured to be communicatively coupled with sensor electrodes of the capacitive input device. The control logic is configured to operate the capacitive input device in a first mode comprising interference sensing at a first level and input object sensing. The control logic is also configured to operate the capacitive input device in a second mode instead of in the first mode in response to: interference measured in the first mode meeting an interference condition; and a determination that input is in a sensing region of the capacitive input device. While operating in the second mode, interference sensing with the capacitive input device is either not performed or else is performed at a second level that is lower in fidelity than the first level.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: Adam SCHWARTZ, Tracy Scott DATTALO, Robin HODGSON
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Publication number: 20120249476Abstract: A processing system for a capacitive touch screen comprises sensor circuitry and control logic. The sensor circuitry is configured to communicatively couple with sensor electrodes of the capacitive touch screen. The control logic is configured to operate the capacitive touch screen in a first mode comprising interference sensing at a first level and input object sensing. The control logic is also configured to operate the capacitive touch screen in a second mode instead of the first mode in response to: interference measured in the first mode meeting an interference condition; and a determination that input is in a sensing region of the capacitive touch screen. Operating in the first mode, interference sensing is performed during a non-display update time. Operating in the second mode, interference sensing with the capacitive touch screen is either not performed or is performed at a second level, lower in fidelity than the first level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: Adam Schwartz, Tracy Scott Dattalo, Robin Hodgson, Joseph Kurth Reynolds
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Patent number: 8232810Abstract: An input device is provided with improved electrostatic discharge protection. Specifically, the input device includes a plurality of capacitive sensing electrodes configured for object detection. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) shunt is disposed near the capacitive sensing electrodes and configured to provide ESD protection to the capacitive sensing electrodes. The input device also includes an extended-proximity capacitive sensing electrode configured to for object detection of relatively distant objects. The ESD shunt has an associated first resistance, and the extended-proximity capacitive sensing electrode has an associated second resistance.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Tracy Scott Dattalo
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Publication number: 20120182229Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved interference avoidance performance. The devices and methods determine a relative ranking for a plurality of transmitter signals based on a first class of interference for each transmitter signal of the plurality of transmitter signals. The devices and methods transmit a first transmitter signal of the plurality of transmitter signals with a sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes. The first transmitter signal is selected based on the relative ranking for the plurality of transmitter signals. The devices and methods shift from transmitting the first transmitter signal to transmitting a second transmitter signal of the plurality of transmitter signals with the sensor electrode is based on an amount of a second class of interference in the first transmitter signal. The second transmitter signal is selected based on the relative ranking for the plurality of transmitter signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Petr Shepelev, Adam Schwartz, Tracy Scott Dattalo
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Publication number: 20110148436Abstract: An input device and method are provided that facilitate improved usability. The input device comprises an array of capacitive sensing electrodes and a processing system. The processing system is configured to receive sensing signals from the capacitive sensing electrodes and generate a plurality of sensing values, each of the plurality of sensing values corresponding to a sensing electrode in the first array of capacitive sensing electrodes. The processing system is further configured to produce a plurality of positional values corresponding to a plurality of groups of electrodes in the first array of capacitive sensing electrodes; analyze the plurality of positional values to determine if one or more clusters exist in the plurality of positional values; and determine a number of objects in the sensing region from the determined one or more clusters in the plurality of positional values.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventor: Tracy Scott Dattalo
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Publication number: 20110148438Abstract: An input device and method are provided that facilitate improved usability. The input device comprises an array of capacitive sensing electrodes and a processing system. The processing system is configured to receive sensing signals from the capacitive sensing electrodes and generate a plurality of sensing values. The processing system is further configured to calculate a sensing profile from the sensing values, calculate a profile span from the sensing values, and determine a shape factor from the sensing profile and the profile span. Finally, the processing system is configured to determine a number of objects in the sensing region from the determined shape factor. Thus, the sensor device facilitates the determination of the number of objects in the sensing region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventor: Tracy Scott Dattalo
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Publication number: 20100289503Abstract: An input device is provided with improved electrostatic discharge protection. Specifically, the input device includes a plurality of capacitive sensing electrodes configured for object detection. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) shunt is disposed near the capacitive sensing electrodes and configured to provide ESD protection to the capacitive sensing electrodes. The input device also includes an extended-proximity capacitive sensing electrode configured to for object detection of relatively distant objects. The ESD shunt has an associated first resistance, and the extended-proximity capacitive sensing electrode has an associated second resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Tracy Scott Dattalo
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Patent number: 7735383Abstract: Embodiments for a capacitive sensing apparatus with attenuated electrical interference across a plurality of routing traces are provided. One embodiment forms a first sensor electrode on a substrate. In addition, a first routing trace is formed on the substrate, the first routing trace coupled with the first sensor electrode. One embodiment additionally forms a second sensor electrode on the substrate. A second routing trace differing in length from the first routing trace is also formed on the substrate, the second routing trace coupled with the second sensor electrode. To attenuate electrical interference, the second routing trace is formed having an approximately equal RC time constant characteristic as the first routing trace.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Tracy Scott Dattalo, Bob Lee Mackey, Calvin Wang, John J. Brady
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Publication number: 20090314105Abstract: Embodiments for a capacitive sensing apparatus with attenuated electrical interference across a plurality of routing traces are provided. One embodiment forms a first sensor electrode on a substrate. In addition, a first routing trace is formed on the substrate, the first routing trace coupled with the first sensor electrode. One embodiment additionally forms a second sensor electrode on the substrate. A second routing trace differing in length from the first routing trace is also formed on the substrate, the second routing trace coupled with the second sensor electrode. To attenuate electrical interference, the second routing trace is formed having an approximately equal RC time constant characteristic as the first routing trace.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Inventors: Tracy Scott Dattalo, Bob Lee Mackey, Calvin Wang, JOHN J BRADY
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Publication number: 20090174675Abstract: A system and method for locating multiple objects on a capacitive touch pad is described. The method for determining locations of a plurality of objects contemporaneously interacting with a capacitive touch pad having a sensing region includes generating a first capacitive profile associated with a first object and a second object contemporaneously in the sensing region and determining locations of the first and second objects with respect to the sensing region utilizing the first capacitive profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Dave Gillespie, Tracy Scott Dattalo
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Publication number: 20090128374Abstract: Methods for determining actuation of a capacitive button are described. In some embodiments, indicia from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button are received, the indicia indicative of interaction of an input object with the at least three distinct sensor electrodes. The actuation of the capacitive button is then determined, based at least in part on satisfying a set of criteria comprising: a location condition concerning a location of the input object relative to a center of the capacitive button, and a coupling condition concerning a change in capacitive coupling of the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with the at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Joseph Kurth REYNOLDS, Tracy Scott Dattalo, Raymond A. Trent, JR., John M. Feland, III, Izhak Baharav, John P. Maloney, JR.
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Publication number: 20090107737Abstract: Methods for determining actuation of a capacitive button having at least three sensor electrode elements associated with at least three distinct sensor electrodes are described. In one embodiment, indicia from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with the at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button are received. At least three electrode values are generated from the indicia. The at least three electrode values are then utilized to determine actuation of the capacitive button.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Joesph K Reynolds, Tracy Scott Dattalo, John C Fravel, Izhak Baharav, John M Feland, III