Abstract: A touch sensor panel having co-planar single-layer touch sensors fabricated on a single side of a substrate is disclosed. The drive and sense lines can be fabricated as column-like patterns in a first orientation and patches in a second orientation, where each column-like pattern in the first orientation is connected to a separate metal trace in the border area of the touch sensor panel, and all patches in each of multiple rows in the second orientation are connected together using a separate metal trace in the border area of the touch sensor panel. The metal traces in the border areas can be formed on the same side of the substrate as the patches and columns, but separated from the patches and column-like patterns by a dielectric layer.

Abstract: A fastener assembly including a hollow and structurally collapsible stem over an intermediate extending range, a solid end most extending portion being structurally rigid. A receiving portion is constructed of a deformable material having a surface, within which is configured an inner rim defined edge of a deformable material. The inner rim edge can include either of a flat profile or a chamfered shape with a narrowed profile, a diameter of an aperture bounded by the chamfered edge being less than a diameter of the solid end portion so that, upon insertion and passage of the solid portion through the narrowed rim profile, initial deformation of the chamfered rim edge shape preceding alignment of the interiorly hollowed portion, which is subsequently caused to exhibit a controlled collapse by the rim edge in order to secure the stem within the receiving portion.

Abstract: A method for producing and installing a fastener, including the steps of forming an engaging portion having a projecting stem which is interiorly hollowed over at least an intermediate extending range, the stem including a solid end most extending portion, and forming a receiving portion having a surface, within which is configured an inner rim defined edge, a diameter of an aperture between said rim edge being less than a diameter of the stem. Additional steps include pressing the solid end most extending portion of the engaging portion through the inner rim edge of the receiving portion and aligning with the inner rim edge a location of the interiorly hollowed portion of the stem, causing inward collapsing of the aligned location by the rim edge to secure the engaging portion to the receiving portion.

Abstract: An invert-able feature in a first layer for securing a second layer. A profile projects from an interior recess defining perimeter of the first layer, the profile including angled sides and a central interconnecting and actuating face. Beams extend from the sides and, upon positioning the second layer, are in communication with an aperture of the second layer. A tool having an actuating profile is applied to an exterior facing sided of the pyramidal profile and is exerted to cause the pyramidal shape to compress together and subsequently invert through a reduced area represented by the recessed interior to travel past an underside of the first layer, with the beams caused to displace to engage the second layer to the first layer.

Abstract: A touch surface device having improved sensitivity and dynamic range is disclosed. In one embodiment, the touch surface device includes a touch-sensitive panel having at least one sense node for providing an output signal indicative of a touch or no-touch condition on the panel; a compensation circuit, coupled to the at least one sense node, for generating a compensation signal that when summed with the output signal removes an undesired portion of the output signal so as to generated a compensated output signal; and an amplifier having an inverting input coupled to the output of the compensation circuit and a non-inverting input coupled to a known reference voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A touch sensor panel having co-planar single-layer touch sensors fabricated on a single side of a substrate is disclosed. The drive and sense lines can be fabricated as column-like patterns in a first orientation and patches in a second orientation, where each column-like pattern in the first orientation is connected to a separate metal trace in the border area of the touch sensor panel, and all patches in each of multiple rows in the second orientation are connected together using a separate metal trace in the border area of the touch sensor panel. The metal traces in the border areas can be formed on the same side of the substrate as the patches and columns, but separated from the patches and column-like patterns by a dielectric layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A touch surface device having improved sensitivity and dynamic range is disclosed. In one embodiment, the touch surface device includes a touch-sensitive panel having at least one sense node for providing an output signal indicative of a touch or no-touch condition on the panel; a compensation circuit, coupled to the at least one sense node, for generating a compensation signal that when summed with the output signal removes an undesired portion of the output signal so as to generated a compensated output signal; and an amplifier having an inverting input coupled to the output of the compensation circuit and a non-inverting input coupled to a known reference voltage.

Abstract: A closure assembly incorporating a crush barb which is molded into a recess cavity defining surface of a first piece. The crush barb is engaged by an inserting portion projecting from a second piece, the inserting portion being subsequently actuated into a collapsing and retention forming undercut with the crush barb in order to secure the pieces together. A variety of closure assemblies are provided with variations of inserting portions associated with the second piece, such including the use of an action/installation inducing tool for creating an undercut within the crush barb. Alternatively, the inserting portion may be configured with an over-center pivoting hinge which, upon being actuated, creates the crush barb undercut in order to engage the pieces together.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and assembly for reshaping an elongated plasticized article including a pair of first and second spaced apart fixtures adapted to supporting extending ends of an elongated article. The fixtures each exhibit a contoured upper surface upon which the elongated article is adapted to being supported in adhering fashion. A heated airflow is delivered in communication with at least one surface of the article and, upon cooling, the article exhibits an extending profile matching the contoured upper surface. A pre-heat station pre-softens at least an extending subset portion of the article prior to transfer to the fixture. Pluralities of gripping fingers communicate with an underside of the contoured upper surface and are adapted to engage at least underside accessible cross sectional profile locations of the article.

Abstract: An assembly for reshaping an elongated plasticized article includes a heated fixture upon which the elongated article is supported in adhering fashion to a contoured upper surface. Following heating, the article is transferred to a cooling fixture exhibiting a further contoured upper surface and, upon subsequent cooling, the article exhibits a final multi-dimensional extending profile matching the contoured upper surface of the cooling fixture. A further variation of the assembly includes an elongated and bowed track supporting a fixed jig at an end thereof. A slidable jig is traversable along the track and actuated by a ram in directions towards and away from the first jig.

Abstract: An assembly and process for forming a two stage extruded pipe having a central inner sleeve and a pair of outer attached lobes. The central sleeve shaped (also termed a grout receiving tube) is produced in an initial extrusion operation, following which it enters a cross head operation where a pair of outer lobes are attached to cross sectional exterior surface locations according to a second stage extrusion operation so as to be integrally formed therewith. Other steps include cooling of the dual stage extruded pipe, as well as sectioning and stacking the pipe. Additional steps include forming elongated slots or apertures into the central sleeve portion of the finished extrusion, such in non-interfering fashion with the individual passageway defining and lobes.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an assembly and corresponding method for producing a plastic part having a sandwich mold including an upper half and a lower half. Each of the halves exhibit an opposing inner face which, upon assembling, collectively define an interior cavity corresponding to a configuration of the part to be produced. An insert sheet of a polymer material (typically a thermoplastic at room temperature) is placed upon a lower of the mold halves and prior to assembling the upper mold half. A heat source is communicated to the closed mold to cause the insert sheet to melt into the cavity. A cool source is subsequently communicated to the closed mold to cause the thermoplastic to harden within the cavity and prior to opening of the mold and removal of the finished part.

Abstract: A retaining feature incorporated into a mounting surface of a plasticized article which is adapted to receive and retain a fastener prior to final assembly. The retaining feature exhibits an irregular and three dimensional shaped closed profile defined along an interior perimeter configured within the mounting surface and which establishes a degree of flex or bend upon insertion of the fastener with minimal loss of material. The insertion force can be any of lesser, equal to or greater than the extraction force, in combination with providing a rated side load breaking/shearing strength of the bolt from the material defined retaining feature.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fastener assembly having an engaging portion with a projecting stem which is interiorly hollowed over at least an intermediate extending range. The stem includes a solid end most extending portion. A receiving portion is provided with an inner rim defined edge, a diameter of an aperture between the rim edge being less than a diameter of an inserting portion of the stem. Upon forcible passage of the solid end of the fastener past the narrowed rim edge, an intermediate hollowed interior portion of the stem aligning with the narrowed rim edge and exhibiting a controlled collapse against said rim edge in order to anchor the portions together.

Abstract: This relates to an event sensing device that includes an event sensing panel and is able to dynamically change the granularity of the panel according to present needs. Thus, the granularity of the panel can differ at different times of operation. Furthermore, the granularity of specific areas of the panel can also be dynamically changed, so that different areas feature different granularities at a given time. This also relates to panels that feature different inherent granularities in different portions thereof. These panels can be designed, for example, by placing more stimulus and/or data lines in different portions of the panel, thus ensuring different densities of pixels in the different portions. Optionally, these embodiments can also include the dynamic granularity changing features noted above.

Abstract: An assembly and process for forming a two stage extruded pipe having a central inner sleeve and a pair of outer attached lobes. The central sleeve shaped (also termed a grout receiving tube) is produced in an initial extrusion operation, following which it enters a cross head operation where a pair of outer lobes are attached to cross sectional exterior surface locations according to a second stage extrusion operation so as to be integrally formed therewith. Other steps include cooling of the dual stage extruded pipe, as well as sectioning and stacking the pipe. Additional steps include forming elongated slots or apertures into the central sleeve portion of the finished extrusion, such in non-interfering fashion with the individual passageway defining and lobes.

Abstract: A multi-touch sensor panel is disclosed that can include a glass subassembly having a plurality of column traces of substantially transparent conductive material that can be formed on the back side, wherein the glass subassembly can also act as a cover that can be touched on the front side. Row traces of the same or different substantially transparent conductive material can then be located near the column traces, and a layer of dielectric material can be coupled between the column traces and the row traces. The row and column traces can be oriented to cross over each other at crossover locations separated by the dielectric material, and the crossover locations can form mutual capacitance sensors for detecting one or more touches on the front side of the glass subassembly.