Capacitive Switch Patents (Class 200/600)
  • Patent number: 10318073
    Abstract: A touch apparatus includes a plurality of first sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes, and a plurality of third sensing electrodes. The first sensing electrodes extend along a first direction. The second sensing electrodes are electrically isolated from the first sensing electrodes, and extend along a second direction. The plurality of third sensing electrodes are electrically isolated from the second sensing electrodes, and extend along the first direction. At least some of the first sensing electrodes, at least some of the second sensing electrodes, and at least some of the third sensing electrodes are formed at different film layers respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Chueh-Pin Ko, Chih-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10256815
    Abstract: A finger sensing device includes a first conductive plate, wherein the area between the finger and the first conductive plate increases in response to the finger moving in a first direction proximate the first conductive plate. A second conductive plate is located proximate the first conductive plate, wherein the area between the finger and the second conductive plate decreases in response to the finger moving in the first direction proximate the second conductive plate. A first capacitance detector is coupled to the first conductive plate for measuring a first capacitance between the finger and the first conductive plate. A second capacitance detector is coupled to the second conductive plate for measuring a second capacitance between the finger and the second conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Dongtai Liu
  • Patent number: 10248237
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a touch panel, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device. The method includes forming signal transmission lines that are connected with touch electrodes on the touch panel, and forming a ground wire that is arranged at a different layer from and insulated from the signal transmission lines, a projection of the ground wire onto a plane in which the signal transmission lines are located intersecting the signal transmission lines. A plurality of capacitor structures for storing static electricity is formed by the signal transmission lines and the ground wire at intersections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zouming Xu, Ming Hu, Hongqiang Luo
  • Patent number: 10236141
    Abstract: A key structure includes a membrane switch circuit member, a rubbery elastomer, a housing, a triggering element, a metallic elastic element and a keycap. The keycap is disposed on the triggering element. The rubbery elastomer is disposed on the membrane switch circuit member. The housing is located over the rubbery elastomer. The triggering element is movable relative to the housing. The metallic elastic element is contacted with the triggering element. While the keycap is depressed, the triggering element is moved relative to the housing to press the metallic elastic element. While the metallic elastic element is pushed by the triggering element, the metallic elastic element is swung to collide with the triggering element. Consequently, a click sound is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng-An Tsai, Li-Jen Chien, Hsiang-Wen Cheng, Jia-Jui Yang, Pai-Ping Hsu
  • Patent number: 10228802
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a touch panel, a touch panel and a touch display device. The method for manufacturing a touch panel includes a step of forming connecting lines, black matrixes, an isolating film, a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes. Each of the first touch electrodes comprises a plurality of first sub-electrodes separated from each other, adjacent first sub-electrodes are bridged to each other by a corresponding connecting line, and each of the second touch electrodes is insulated from the connecting line by the isolating film. The black matrixes and the isolating film are formed by one patterning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Peng Chen
  • Patent number: 10229795
    Abstract: The operating unit (10) for an electrical appliance, in particular a vehicle component such as a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system, is provided with an operating element (16) which can be pressed down in a direction of actuation (28), and a support element (24) which is mechanically coupled to the operating element (16) and on which the operating element (16) is elastically supported so as to be movable in the direction of actuation (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Fust, Michael Steinkamp
  • Patent number: 10222915
    Abstract: First electrode layers are formed from an ITO layer on one surface of a substrate formed from a PET film. The surfaces of the first electrode layers are covered with an insulating layer formed from a dry film resist or the like. Second electrode layers are formed on the surface of the insulating layer in a printing process. The second electrode layer is formed from conductive nanowires or conductive nanotubes. After that, first wiring layers brought into conduction with the first wiring layers and second wiring layers brought into conduction with the second electrode layers are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Sato, Masayoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10198125
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a method for calibrating capacitive force sensors. The method includes measuring a force level at each of a first electrode and a second electrode. The method also includes determining an expected force level at the second electrode based on the measured force level at the first electrode and a force contribution ratio for the second electrode. The method includes determining a difference between the measured force level at the second electrode and the expected force level at the second electrode and adjusting a force weighting factor for the second electrode in response to the difference exceeding a predetermined threshold to create an adjusted force weighting factor. The method also includes adjusting the measured force level at the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ying Wang, Adam L. Schwartz, Sanjay Mani
  • Patent number: 10175783
    Abstract: A touch sensor including a substrate, a plurality of first sensing electrodes arranged on the substrate, a plurality of first split electrodes respectively adjacent to the plurality of first sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes insulated from the plurality of first sensing electrodes, and a plurality of second split electrodes respectively adjacent to the plurality of second sensing electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Young Lee
  • Patent number: 10168851
    Abstract: A touch panel includes: an transparent substrate; an X wiring line; a Y wiring line; and an inter-layer insulating film which electrically separates the X wiring line and the Y wiring line at an intersection at which the X wiring line and the Y wiring line intersect in a plan view. At the intersection, the bottom layer of one wiring line of the X wiring line and the Y wiring line continues on the lower surface side of the inter-layer insulating film, and layers of the one wiring line except the bottom layer are divided. Further, at the intersection, layers of the other wiring line of the X wiring line and the Y wiring line except the top layer of the other wiring line are divided, and the top layer of the other wiring line continues on the upper surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kazushi Yamayoshi
  • Patent number: 10164630
    Abstract: An activation device for actuation of a vehicle function includes a cover element, a light distribution device arranged under the cover element, and a light source arranged under or in the light distribution device. The light source and the light distribution device are arranged for backlighting the cover element. The cover element includes an outward directed operation area at least partially formed of an electrically-conductive metallic material with the operation area being galvanically decoupled from the remaining components. A circuit board is arranged under the light distribution device with a capacitive sensor such that the capacitive sensor is coupled to the operation area. The control and evaluation circuit is coupled to the light source and the proximity sensor to control the light source depending on an approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerd Buschmann, Peter Van Gastel, Markus Klameth, Thomas Metzner
  • Patent number: 10157709
    Abstract: An actuating element for an electronic domestic appliance has an electrically non-conductive carrier which defines at least one preferably substantially cylindrical detection portion. A plurality of electrically conductive measuring electrodes is spaced apart from one another along the detection portion of the carrier. A preferably substantially annular operating element is disposed at a first predefined distance from the measuring electrodes and is movable relative thereto. The operating element additionally has at least one sensor portion which is at least partially electrically conductive and is disposed at a second predefined distance from the measuring electrodes. The second predefined distance is different from the first predefined distance, so that a movement of the sensor portion and therefore of the operating element relative to the configuration of measuring electrodes can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Lyszus, Bruno Fuhge
  • Patent number: 10127835
    Abstract: A capacitive touch sensor is provided, The capacitive touch sensor includes a plate having an upper surface and lying in a plate plane. A generally planar, first electrode is spaced from the plate along an axis generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the plate. The first electrode movable with respect to the plate in response to a force. A plurality of second electrodes are interconnected to the plate and circumferentially spaced about the axis. Each of the plurality of the second electrodes has a corresponding differential capacitance with the first electrode. The differential capacitances between the first electrode and the plurality of second electrodes vary in the response to the movement of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Wisonsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Hongrui Jiang, Jayer A. Fernandes
  • Patent number: 10121052
    Abstract: A fingerprint identification device includes a cover, a light-shielding layer formed on the cover, an intermediate layer formed on the light-shielding layer, an adhesive layer formed on the intermediate layer, a protection layer formed on the adhesive layer, and a fingerprint identification element. The fingerprint identification element is configured to identify a fingerprint. The fingerprint identification element is embedded in the protection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignees: Interface Technology (ChengDu) Co., Ltd., INTERFACE OPTOELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Juan Wang
  • Patent number: 10108280
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a substrate, a first patterned transparent conductive layer, at least one insulating block and a second patterned transparent conductive layer. The first patterned transparent conductive layer is disposed on a substrate and includes at least one first connection electrode. The insulating block is disposed on the substrate and at least partially covers the first connection electrode. The second patterned transparent conductive layer is disposed on the insulating block and the first patterned transparent conductive layer. The second patterned transparent conductive layer includes at least one second connection electrode disposed on the insulating block. A thickness of the second patterned transparent conductive layer is smaller than a thickness of the first patterned transparent conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: HENGHAO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Lung Chiang, Masanori Yuki, Ching-Fang Wong, Shih-Chung Lu, Ming-Hung Yang, Chin-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 10095364
    Abstract: An in-vehicle input device includes a touch panel including a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a spacer, and is capable of detecting a capacitance between the lower electrode and the upper electrode. The device has an operation surface located above the upper electrode. The operation surface includes a plurality of operation areas. The spacer has a plurality of openings that coincide with the operation areas in plan view. The device further includes a suppression layer that is disposed between the operation surface and the upper electrode or disposed on an upper surface of the operation surface. The suppression layer eliminates or reduces formation of a capacitance between the upper electrode and an operator. The device detects an input operation based on a change in distance between the lower electrode and the upper electrode in response to pressing any of the operation areas by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Bannai, I Ka, Atsushi Masuda, Kazuhiko Hiratsuka, Marcello Milli
  • Patent number: 10095192
    Abstract: A portable electronic object including a case including at least a first part made of insulating materials, at least one electronic module providing at least one piece of information to a display, and a controller allowing a user to act on the at least one electronic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Montres Rado S.A.
    Inventors: Gerald Matthey, Francois Klopfenstein, Sergio Rota
  • Patent number: 10067004
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring system for monitoring a temperature status of an item from a location different than a location at which the item is located is disclosed. The temperature monitoring system includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a first unit removably engageable with the top surface of the base in at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The first unit is configured to monitor a measured temperature, to display information regarding the measured temperature, and/or to transmit temperature information to a user device. The temperature monitoring system may also include at least one thermal or temperature probe configured to measure the temperature of the item, including a probe tip, probe wire, and probe plug. The temperature monitoring system may also include one or more probe supports configured to releasably attach to the base and configured to releasably retain a thermal probe thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventor: Christopher J. Allen
  • Patent number: 10048814
    Abstract: Processes for manufacturing touch sensors with one or more guard traces to reduce the effect of moisture damage are provided. One example process can include forming one or more guard traces between an edge of the touch sensor and the metal traces that route the drive and sense lines to bond pads. The one or more guard traces can be uncoupled from the drive lines and sense lines to protect the inner metal traces from moisture damage. In some examples, ends of the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground by copper. In other examples, ends of the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground by indium tin oxide or the one or more guard traces can be coupled to ground by a strip of indium tin oxide. In yet other examples, the guard trace can be floating (e.g., not coupled to ground).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Siddharth Mohapatra, Sunggu Kang, John Z. Zhong
  • Patent number: 10048820
    Abstract: Disclosed is a touch panel. The touch panel includes a plurality of sensing electrode patterns spaced apart from each other on a substrate; and a bridge electrically connecting the sensing electrode patterns to each other, wherein an end portion of the bridge is perpendicular to a surface of the substrate or is inclined within a predetermined angle with respect to a perpendicular line of the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Keon Lee, Ja Ram Kim, Jae Hong Lee, Jong Sun Kim, Beom Sun Hong
  • Patent number: 10042498
    Abstract: A method of producing a touchscreen 12 includes a pattern forming process, a cutting process, and a three-dimensional forming process. The pattern forming process is for forming a touchscreen pattern 12P including at least electrode portions 17 and line portions on a plate surface of a base that has a sheet shape with flexibility. The cutting process is for cutting a use portion 16U out of the base 16 on which the touchscreen pattern 12 is formed. The three-dimensional shape forming process is for forming the use portion 16U out of the base 16 into a three-dimensional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kosuke Nagata, Masayuki Hata
  • Patent number: 10031599
    Abstract: A micro-light emitting diode (micro-LED) display device includes a substrate and a micro-LED. The substrate has at least one first metal layer. The micro-LED includes a light emitting structure, at least one second metal layer, at least one reflective layer, and a dielectric layer with an opening. The second metal layer forms a eutectic system or soldering contact with the first metal layer. The reflective layer is disposed between the light emitting structure and the second metal layer, and a eutectic point of the eutectic system or soldering point is lower than a melting point of the reflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventors: Yan Lin, Tsung-Ke Chiu, Yuncong Su, Zhuanyuan Zhang, Yalu Lin
  • Patent number: 10019123
    Abstract: The present application discloses a touch substrate including a first touch electrode layer having a plurality of rows of first touch electrodes; each of the plurality of rows including a plurality of first electrode segments spaced apart from each other and a plurality of second electrode segments spaced apart from each other; and a second touch electrode layer having a plurality of columns of second touch electrodes; each of the plurality of columns including a plurality of third electrode segments spaced apart from each other and a plurality of fourth electrode segments spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI ZINGSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Xie, Ming Hu, Ming Zhang, Zouming Xu
  • Patent number: 10002927
    Abstract: A transparent electrode includes a substrate; a first layer disposed on the substrate, the first layer including a graphene mesh structure, the graphene mesh structure including graphene and a plurality of holes; and a second layer disposed on the first layer, wherein the second layer includes a plurality of conductive nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun Sung Woo, Hiesang Sohn, Weonho Shin, Eun-Hyoung Cho, Chan Kwak, Hyeon Cheol Park, Youngjin Cho, Dong-Su Ko, Woong Ko, Kwanghee Kim
  • Patent number: 9989995
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a window panel having a front area and a curved area extending from the front area, a display panel disposed beneath the window panel, and a fixed part which supports a curved area of the display panel. The display panel includes a front display area, a side display area extending from the front display area so as to be curved, and a wiring area extending from the side display area, and the fixed part supports a curved shape of the side display area or the wiring area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Woon Geun Kwak, Jung Sik Park, Do Hun Cha
  • Patent number: 9981183
    Abstract: A haptic peripheral includes a housing and a haptically-enhanced user input element. The haptically-enhanced user input element is configured to receive an input from a user, and includes a mechanical key having a keycap with a user contact surface configured to contact the user and a smart material actuator integrated onto the user contact surface of the keycap. The smart material actuator is configured to receive a control signal from a processor and is configured to deform at least a portion of the user contact surface relative to the keycap of the mechanical key in response to the control signal from the processor to thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the haptic peripheral. The haptic peripheral may also include a braking actuator coupled to the mechanical key to hold the mechanical key in a depressed position to indicate an inactive status to a user. In addition, the haptic peripheral and the haptically-enhanced user input element may be modular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, William Rihn
  • Patent number: 9966952
    Abstract: A switch apparatus has a pressing section that is formed of a rubber-like elastic material and has a pressing region that is pressed in a predetermined pressing direction; and a capacitance sensor for detecting the pressing of the pressing region on the basis of capacitance. The capacitance sensor is positioned apart from the pressing section in the pressing direction, and is configured so that when the pressing region is not being pressed, a space (clearance) is maintained between the part (the lowermost surface of a protruding section of the pressing section on the side towards the capacitance sensor corresponding to the pressing region and another member (base housing disposed in the vicinity of the pressing region along the pressing direction, the space (clearance) allowing the part on the side towards the capacitance sensor to move in the pressing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Okada, Toshihiro Motoki
  • Patent number: 9950658
    Abstract: A privacy window system of a vehicle is provided herein. A light-producing assembly is operable to illuminate a window such that visibility there through becomes obscured. A proximity sensor is configured for object detection. A controller is in communication with the light-producing assembly and the proximity sensor. When the proximity sensor detects an object proximate the window, the controller activates the light-producing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Terry Lobsinger, Pietro Buttolo
  • Patent number: 9947307
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic percussion instrument that is capable of simulating a playing technique for an acoustic percussion instrument. A tubular body part is opened on an axial end surface, and a head is attached to the axial end surface to be struck on the front surface. A capacitance sensor includes an electrode that generates a capacitance with respect to a detected conductor, such as a human body, positioned on the front surface side of the head. Because the capacitance sensor detects a change of a capacitance corresponding to a distance between the electrode and the detected conductor, whether the detected conductor approaches (contacts) the head or presses the head can be determined. As a result, the playing technique for the acoustic percussion instrument is simulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Takasaki, Norihiro Yoshikuni, Takeshi Osada, Yutaka Morita
  • Patent number: 9941877
    Abstract: Provided is an electrode pattern of a touch panel, including: a plurality of conductive pattern cells which are formed to be spaced apart from each other on a substrate; and an insulating layer which is formed on the conductive pattern cells; and a plurality of metal bridge line electrodes which are formed on the insulating layer so that the conductive pattern cells are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Sun Kim, Dong Keon Lee, Chan Kyu Koo
  • Patent number: 9916052
    Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitive controller for detecting at least one detecting plate and at least one reference plate surrounding each detecting plate. All of the reference plates are electrically coupled to the same first wire, and each reference plate is electrically coupled to a second wire. When an electrical signal is provided to the first wire and each second wire, one or more detecting plates touched or approached can be detected simultaneously based on the signal difference between each second wire and the first wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Cheng-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 9910304
    Abstract: A display apparatus with a three dimensional curvature cover lens includes a curved protect layer, a shaping layer, a first adhesive layer, a liquid crystal display module and an interlayer. The first adhesive layer is disposed between the curved protect layer and the shaping layer, and used to adhere the curved protect layer and the shaping layer. The interlayer is bonded in-between the shaping layer and the liquid crystal display module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: INTERFACE OPTOELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., GENERAL INTERFACE SOLUTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Chen-Wei Kao, Chang-Hua Tsao
  • Patent number: 9905896
    Abstract: A low passive intermodulation (PIM) RF rotary switch comprises a plurality of center conductors connected to stationary pads, at least two rotatable pads being connected by a rotatable pad bridge. Depending on the switching state of the switch, at least two stationary pads are in close proximity to at least two rotatable pads, at a distance sufficient to generate/form a RF signal connection between the center conductors via the stationary and rotatable pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SPINNER GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Grassl, Georg Hupfauer
  • Patent number: 9886114
    Abstract: The present invention provides a touch panel and a display device. The touch panel comprises a plurality of touch sensing electrodes and a plurality of touch driving electrodes, wherein the touch sensing electrodes and the touch driving electrodes are arranged along different directions on different planes, with an insulating layer provided where the two cross over; and a plurality of dummy electrodes are formed on a plane where the touch sensing electrodes and/or the touch driving electrodes are located, so that electrodes on a same plane are distributed uniformly. The touch panel provided by the present invention can improve uniformity of a display frame, thereby improving a quality of the display frame of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lianjie Qu
  • Patent number: 9882561
    Abstract: An input device includes an insulation substrate, a switch element, and a detection portion. The switch element includes a fixed electrode portion that is provided on the substrate, and a movable electrode portion that is provided on a main surface side of the substrate, at least part of the movable electrode portion being elastically displaceable toward a direction approaching and leaving the fixed electrode portion. The movable electrode portion is displaceable toward a direction approaching the fixed electrode portion due to pressure from an object to be detected that is an electric conductor. The detection portion is capable of detecting a capacitance change caused by the object to be detected approaching and leaving the movable electrode portion and a capacitance change between the movable electrode portion and the fixed electrode portion produced by displacement of the movable electrode portion due to pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei Kurikawa, Wataru Kondo, Makoto Takamatsu, Yoshinori Sano, Toshimizu Tomitsuka, Yasushi Ono, Osamu Aoki, Shinsuke Aoshima, Yasuyuki Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 9841794
    Abstract: This invention puts forward a kind of mobile computer, which includes a host with a panel display on it, a screen cover and a keyboard. The keyboard is set on the screen cover. The connection between the host and the screen cover adopts staff connecting structure or slide block and sliding groove connecting structure, and the host can be folded with the screen cover and opened to stand up askew on the screen cover conveniently. The best heat transfer effect of the wall of the host shell is adopted, when the host stands up, to improve heat transfer and decrease the host thickness. The screen cover can be removed and installed from the host conveniently. Setting battery on the screen cover, users can replace the battery conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen Qin Bo Core Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Biao Qin
  • Patent number: 9819343
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a capacitive touch panel comprising a transparent panel substrate, a front surface of the substrate comprising a conductive translucent layer which, in use, is visible to a user; at least one light source associated with the back surface, wherein the light source is switchable between an ‘on’ state in which an illuminated icon is visible on the front surface of the cover panel and an ‘off’ state in which the illuminated icon is not visible on the front surface of the cover panel, wherein the light source is switchable from the off state to the on state by a change in capacitance of the conductive translucent layer; at least one switch associated with the back surface, wherein the switch is activable by a user pressing the touch panel in the vicinity of the illuminated icon to provide an output signal capable of performing a function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Shane Randell Koehne, Simon David Field, Brad Alexander Gibson, Jacob Heath Messenger
  • Patent number: 9817506
    Abstract: A sensor array for capacitive sensing includes: a plurality of sensor electrodes, the plurality of sensor electrodes comprising: a plurality of transmitter electrodes and a plurality of receiver electrodes, wherein the plurality of receiver electrodes include a plurality of imaging receiver electrodes and a reference receiver electrode, and wherein each of the plurality of receiver electrodes overlaps with the plurality of transmitter electrodes; wherein each of the plurality of transmitter electrodes is configured to be driven by sensing signals and each of the plurality of receiver electrodes is configured to receive detected signals corresponding to the sensing signals driven onto the transmitter electrodes; and conductive shielding disposed proximate to the reference receiver electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Guozhong Shen, Ozan Ersan Erdogan, Yongqian Tang
  • Patent number: 9812110
    Abstract: A new and improved Digital Musical Instrument includes a hardware segment that electronically detects the physical inputs of a musicians musical playing style or articulated intent; a Software segment that interprets and formulates the data output from the hardware segment, to be applied to any digitally modulated synthesizer or recording sampler; and an optional expanded method of sampling or digitally recording articulated sounds of acoustic instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Christopher E. Borman
  • Patent number: 9805705
    Abstract: A musical keyboard touch sensor pad having a plurality of integrated sensors disposed in an array is disclosed. The plurality of integrated sensors represents a keyboard key. A processor is electronically coupled to the plurality of integrated sensors. The processor is programmed to receive signals from several of the plurality of integrated sensors and to generate a sound signal based on input from the several of the plurality of integrated sensors. The output is variable based on the number in the plurality and the location of the plurality in the array. An audio output device is electronically coupled to the processor to generate a sound based on the sound signal. A keyboard using a plurality of the sensor pads as well as a method of generating sounds from the keyboard are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Andrew McPherson, Youngmoo Kim
  • Patent number: 9793069
    Abstract: An operating device having an optical finger navigation module for installation in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, which allows for secure operation and can be produced at low cost, is disclosed. The operating device has a mounting frame, in which a first light guiding element and the optical finger navigation module is held by a light sealing element. The light sealing element is mounted by a snap connection on the mounting frame. The mounting frame has at least one guide element with which a movement of the mounting frame can be guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Johannes Duenninger, Volker Entenmann, Joerg Reisinger, Florian Steinert, Joachim Wuest
  • Patent number: 9785298
    Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitive controller for detecting at least one detecting plate and at least one reference plate surrounding each detecting plate. All of the reference plates are electrically coupled to the same first wire, and each reference plate is electrically coupled to a second wire. When an electrical signal is provided to the first wire and each second wire, one or more detecting plates touched or approached can be detected simultaneously based on the signal difference between each second wire and the first wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Cheng-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 9762235
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive input device (2) is described. The device comprises an opaque substrate (11) having first and second opposite faces (12, 13), a first set of electrodes (14) disposed on the first face of the substrate, the electrodes generally extending in a first direction and spaced apart along a second, transverse direction, and a second set of electrodes (17) disposed on the first or second face of the substrate, the electrodes generally extending in the second direction and spaced apart along the first direction, wherein the first and second sets of electrodes overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Novalia Ltd
    Inventor: Kate Stone
  • Patent number: 9721553
    Abstract: Percussion devices are described employing sensor arrays based on piezoresistive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BeBop Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. McMillen, Maxime Stinnett, Brent Allen, Gregory Wille
  • Patent number: 9712162
    Abstract: [Object] To provide an input device, a display device, an electronic device, and a mobile terminal in which an opening of a decorative layer can be decorated while reducing a possibility of peeling off of a protective layer. [Solution] An input device X1 includes a substrate 2, a first decorative layer 6 that is disposed on the substrate 2 and includes an opening 6a, a first protective layer 7 that is disposed on the first decorative layer 6 and is partially located inside the opening 6a, and a second decorative layer 8 disposed on the first protective layer 7, wherein the second decorative layer 8 is located so as to at least partially overlap the opening 6a in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouji Tsurusaki, Katsuya Chaen, Hiroshi Tokumori
  • Patent number: 9703415
    Abstract: A touch panel, a touch positioning method thereof and a display device are provided. In the touch panel, a plurality of self-capacitive electrodes are divided into several self-capacitive electrode groups independent of each other and several independent self-capacitive electrodes; each of the self-capacitive electrode groups includes at least two self-capacitive electrodes not adjacent to each other, and the respective self-capacitive electrodes in a same self-capacitive electrode group are electrically connected with a touch chip through a same wire, and at least the self-capacitive electrodes located on the four adjacent positions of upper, lower, left and right sides of the respective self-capacitive electrodes in the respective self-capacitive electrode groups are independent self-capacitive electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haisheng Wang, Xue Dong, Hailin Xue, Shengji Yang, Xiaoliang Ding, Yingming Liu, Weijie Zhao, Hongjuan Liu, Changfeng Li, Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 9663399
    Abstract: A method produces a control element having a touch-enabled surface, in which a paste-like material is applied on a carrier plate. At least one raised structure element is formed by the paste-like material on the carrier plate. For this purpose, a stencil having inherent stiffness is arranged above the carrier plate and the paste-like material is pushed through at least one recess in the stencil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Mueller, Johann Schneider, Marcus Kuehne, Michael Wachinger
  • Patent number: 9655549
    Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor includes first and second of mutually displaceable elastic members each having a respective electrically conductive surface separated by a thin elastic dielectric. Variations in area of pressure-induced contact between the first and second members are used to vary capacitance of the sensor that allows determination of differential pressure between the two elastic members. Both of the elastic members have respective projections, the projections of the first elastic member being disposed in interlocking relationship with the projections of the second elastic member and configured so that as the elastic members are pressed toward each other their respective projections progressively engage and create increasing areas of contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: 2BREATHE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Benjamin Gavish
  • Patent number: 9615462
    Abstract: Disclosed is a capacitive touch sensor integrated with window panel, comprising: a transparent window panel substrate 311; a non-conductive opaque decorative layer 312 formed on a surface of said substrate along edges of the surface to define a transparent window area W on said substrate; a transparent conductive electrode pattern layer 313 formed over the window area of said substrate and said decorative layer; and a conductive wiring layer 314 formed at an edge of top surface of said transparent conductive electrode pattern layer 313.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Jae Bum Park
  • Patent number: 9595960
    Abstract: A capacitive touch switch is disclosed which includes a transparent insulating panel, a filtering layer having an opaque color, a transparent icon being defined in the filtering layer, a transparent substrate including a capacitive electrode, the transparent substrate being tinted to substantially match the opaque color of the filtering layer, and a light source configured to transmit light through the transparent substrate, the transparent icon, and the transparent insulating panel when energized. A user interface and a method of manufacturing a capacitive touch switch are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Howard Wilford