Search Patents
  • Infrared communications scheme
    Patent number: 5982519
    Abstract: Infrared communications scheme for an infrared transmitting device having a light emitting diode (LED) ramps up the power of a carrier frequency signal applied to the LED in a given time interval to a given value. The carrier frequency signal is then frequency modulated with a data message for transmission by the LED. The power of a DC signal applied to the LED may then be ramped up in a given time interval to a given value before the carrier frequency signal is modulated with a data message. After transmission of the data message, the power of the carrier frequency signal applied to the LED is ramped down in a given time interval to a given value. The power of the DC signal applied to the LED is then ramped down in a given time interval to a given value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Martnelli, Wendell W. Ritchey, Leslie J. Reading
  • Conductive particulate force transducer
    Patent number: 5302936
    Abstract: A pressure transducer includes a base ply, a resistance ply disposed on the base ply and at least two spaced apart contacts juxtaposed in relation to the resistance ply whereby at least one of the contacts may be pressed against the surface of the resistance ply. The resistance ply is made by spraying or silk screening a mixture of resin resistive to electrical conduction and a conductive particulate and then curing the composition to form a thin resistance ply having a surface with a multiplicity of micro-protrusions formed by the conductive particulate. The ratio of conductive particulate to resin is such that the mean distance between microprotrusions is greater than about five time the size of the conductive particles. The particles are in the range of about 0.5 to 10 microns and the resin layer is about is 0.4 to 0.8 microns thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart I. Yaniger
  • Annular potentiometric touch sensor
    Patent number: 7310089
    Abstract: The present invention determines angular position using a potentiometric touch sensor. The sensor has an annular pattern of resistive material on a bottom substrate top surface. Conductive drive lines radially traverse the resistive material so as to make electrical connection with the resistive material. A top substrate is spaced above the top surface of the bottom substrate. A conductive sense layer on a bottom surface of the top substrate is positioned above the resistive material. Pressure applied to either the top substrate or the bottom substrate, such as by the touch of a user, causes a portion of the conductive sense layer to contact a corresponding portion of the annular pattern of resistive material. The angular position of the applied pressure can be determined by measuring at least one electrical parameter between at least one of the conductive drive lines and the conductive sense layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Baker, Carlos S. Sanchez
  • Infrared communications scheme
    Patent number: 5907419
    Abstract: Infrared communications scheme for an infrared transmitting device having a light emitting diode (LED) ramps up the power of a carrier frequency signal applied to the LED in a given time interval to a given value. The carrier frequency signal is then frequency modulated with a data message for transmission by the LED. The power of a DC signal applied to the LED may then be ramped up in a given time interval to a given value before the carrier frequency signal is modulated with a data message. After transmission of the data message, the power of the carrier frequency signal applied to the LED is ramped down in a given time interval to a given value. The power of the DC signal applied to the LED is then ramped down in a given time interval to a given value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Martnelli, Wendell W. Ritchey, Leslie J. Reading
  • Pre-loaded force sensing resistor and method
    Publication number: 20090134966
    Abstract: A force sensing resistor (FSR) includes a substrate having separated electrically conductive traces and another substrate having a resistive layer in which the substrates are subjected to a biasing force such that the substrates contact one another with the resistive layer electrically connecting the traces with a resistance inversely dependent on the biasing force. Upon an external force applied towards a substrate, the substrates contact one another with a total force which is the sum of the forces with the resistive layer electrically connecting the traces with a resistance inversely dependent on the total force. An FSR output which is a function of the resistance is measured. Whether a change in magnitude of the FSR output during a time interval is greater than a threshold is determined. A touch applied on the FSR is detected during the time interval if the change is greater than the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Baker
  • Multi-modal sensing for power tool user interface
    Patent number: 11440175
    Abstract: A method may include receiving data from one or more sensing elements associated with a power tool. The method may also include measuring the detected data. The method may further include computing one or more data parameters based on the measuring. The method may include determining whether to permit operation of the power tool based on the data parameters. The method may further include permitting operation of the power tool when the data parameters satisfy an operation condition. The method may also include altering operation of the power tool when the data parameters does not satisfy the operation condition by performing at least one of: generating an alarm, or preventing operation of the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chee Wai Lu, Wai Jye Chan, Kok Keong Law, Cheng Seong Lee
  • Multifunctional scroll sensor
    Patent number: 8531392
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a scroll sensor providing a touch sensitive control input surface for a plurality of control functions is provided. The input surface is divided into a plurality of regions. Each region is assigned to one of the plurality of control functions. At least one of these control functions accepts parametric control input. A first touch is received at one of the regions on the input surface. The control function assigned to the touched region is selected. If the selected control function is one of the control functions accepting parametric control input, a second touch on the input surface is received as parametric control input during an activation period for the selected control function. The second touch may be received as parametric control input at any point of the input surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve B. Branton, Jeffrey R. Baker, David Lee Stallard, Dustin J. Luck
  • Force sensing resistor with calibration element and method of manufacturing same
    Publication number: 20060007172
    Abstract: A force sensing resistor includes two substrates. Conductive traces including first, common, and calibration fingers are on the first substrate and define a contact area. A spacer surrounds the contact area and attaches the substrates together such that a cavity separates the substrates in the contact area. A first resistive layer is on the second substrate and arranged within the cavity. In response to a force moving one substrate, the first resistive layer electrically connects the first and common fingers with a resistance dependent upon resistivity of the first resistive layer and the applied force to produce an electrical signal indicative of the applied force. A second resistive layer is arranged within the cavity and electrically connects the calibration and common fingers with a resistance dependent upon resistivity of the second resistive layer to produce an electrical signal indicative of the resistivity of the second resistive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Baker, Carlos Sanchez
  • MULTI-MODAL TOUCHPAD
    Publication number: 20220043517
    Abstract: A multi-modal touchpad can include: a touchscreen; at least one type of input sensor; a motion sensor; a haptic feedback device; and a multi-modal controller operably coupled with: the at least one type of input sensor so as to receive sensor data therefrom; the motion sensor so as to receive motion sensor data therefrom; the haptic feedback device so as to provide instructional haptic data to the haptic feedback device; a data interface that operably couples the multi-modal controller with an operating system of a device having the multi-modal touchpad; and a graphics user interface provided from the multi-modal controller to the display so as to display data from the multi-modal controller to the display. The at least one type of sensor can include a force sensor or a proximity sensor operably coupled with the physical sensing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chee Wai LU, Wai Jye CHAN, Cheng Seong LEE, Yen Ching LIM
  • Annular potentiometric touch sensor
    Patent number: 7554531
    Abstract: The present invention determines angular position using a potentiometric touch sensor. The sensor has an annular pattern of resistive material on a portion of a bottom substrate top surface. Conductive drive lines and fixed potential conductive traces radially traverse the bottom substrate top surface and are electrically coupled to the resistive material. Conductive sense traces radially traverse the bottom substrate top surface. A conductive layer on a bottom surface of a top substrate is positioned above the bottom substrate top surface. A pressure applied to the top substrate and/or the bottom substrate electrically couples a portion of a conductive sense trace to a portion of the annular pattern and/or a fixed potential conductive trace. The angular position of the applied pressure is determined by measuring at least one electrical parameter between a conductive drive line and a conductive sense line having the conductive sense traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Baker, Carlos S. Sanchez
  • Force sensing resistor with calibration element and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 7113179
    Abstract: A force sensing resistor includes two substrates. Conductive traces including first, common, and calibration fingers are on the first substrate and define a contact area. A spacer surrounds the contact area and attaches the substrates together such that a cavity separates the substrates in the contact area. A first resistive layer is on the second substrate and arranged within the cavity. In response to a force moving one substrate, the first resistive layer electrically connects the first and common fingers with a resistance dependent upon resistivity of the first resistive layer and the applied force to produce an electrical signal indicative of the applied force. A second resistive layer is arranged within the cavity and electrically connects the calibration and common fingers with a resistance dependent upon resistivity of the second resistive layer to produce an electrical signal indicative of the resistivity of the second resistive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Baker, Carlos S. Sanchez
  • Systems and Methods for Common Mode Signal Cancellation in Press Detectors
    Publication number: 20140260679
    Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems, methods, and apparatus for common mode signal cancellation in force change detectors. An example embodiment of the disclosed technology includes a press sensor element configured to reduce or eliminate thermally induced signals. The sensor element includes a piezoelectric layer that includes a first surface in communication with a first layer. The first layer includes a first conductive region. The piezoelectric layer includes a second surface in communication with a second layer. The second layer includes a second conductive region, a third conductive region, and a non-conductive void region separating the second conductive region and the third conductive region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Baker, Edwin Keshesh Yousafian, Declan Christopher Flannery
  • Systems and methods for press force detectors
    Patent number: 9846091
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments include a press sensor element that includes a piezoelectric layer having a first surface in communication with a first layer, the first layer including a first conductive region, where the first conductive region covers at least a central portion the first surface. The sensor element includes a second surface in communication with a second layer, the second layer including a second conductive region, a third conductive region, and a first non-conductive void region separating the second conductive region and the third conductive region. An area of the first conductive region is configured in size relative to an area of the third conductive region to substantially reduce a thermally-induced voltage change between two or more of the first, second, and third conductive regions responsive to a corresponding temperature change of at least a portion of the piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chee Wai Lu, Jeffrey R. Baker, Edwin Keshesh Yousafian, Declan Christopher Flannery
  • Pre-loaded force sensing resistor and method
    Patent number: 7772960
    Abstract: A force sensing resistor (FSR) includes a substrate having separated electrically conductive traces and another substrate having a resistive layer in which the substrates are subjected to a biasing force such that the substrates contact one another with the resistive layer electrically connecting the traces with a resistance inversely dependent on the biasing force. Upon an external force applied towards a substrate, the substrates contact one another with a total force which is the sum of the forces with the resistive layer electrically connecting the traces with a resistance inversely dependent on the total force. An FSR output which is a function of the resistance is measured. Whether a change in magnitude of the FSR output during a time interval is greater than a threshold is determined. A touch applied on the FSR is detected during the time interval if the change is greater than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Baker
  • Method and system for pairing a remote control transmitter and receiver
    Publication number: 20040071471
    Abstract: A method and system for pairing a remote control transmitter and receiver includes associating an identification (ID) code with the transmitter. The transmitter includes a light generator for generating a light signal in order to perform a primary function which is visually detectable by a human operator. The light generator may be a laser pointer or a status indicator LED. The light generator is modulated to encode the identification code onto the light signal while the light generator is performing the primary function. The receiver includes a light signal detector such as an LED for receiving the light signal from the light generator. The receiver associates itself with the ID code contained in the light signal in order to pair the receiver with the transmitter. By being paired with the transmitter, the receiver acts upon transmitted command signals received from the transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ross Baker, Lev Freidin, Larry Stuart Shilkoff, Kenneth E. Johnson, Carlos Solis Sanchez, James Dexter Tickle, David Lee Stallard, Michael W. Ambrose
  • Systems and methods for common mode signal cancellation in press detectors
    Patent number: 9261418
    Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems, methods, and apparatus for common mode signal cancellation in force change detectors. An example embodiment of the disclosed technology includes a press sensor element configured to reduce or eliminate thermally induced signals. The sensor element includes a piezoelectric layer that includes a first surface in communication with a first layer. The first layer includes a first conductive region. The piezoelectric layer includes a second surface in communication with a second layer. The second layer includes a second conductive region, a third conductive region, and a non-conductive void region separating the second conductive region and the third conductive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Baker, Edwin Keshesh Yousafian, Declan Christopher Flannery
  • Miniature highly manufacturable mouse pointing device
    Patent number: 7050045
    Abstract: A pointing device may be directly soldered to a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, a bottom substrate defines a sensing region with a plurality of interdigitated conductive trace regions. Each trace region includes interdigitated common and sense traces. At least one via passes through the bottom substrate for each trace. Each via supports a conductive path from one trace to at least one lead element. Each lead element is solderable to a printed circuit board. A flexible substrate is constructed from a heat resistant polymer. The flexible substrate has a resistive layer deposited on a bottom side. A raised pedestal is formed on the bottom substrate top face around at least a portion of the sensing region. The pedestal separates the interdigitated conductive traces from the flexible substrate resistive layer. A button on a keypad membrane may be used to depress the flexible substrate onto the trace region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Baker, Carlos S. Sanchez, James D. Tickle
  • Force-sensing pointing device
    Patent number: 5828363
    Abstract: A thermally stable, mass-producible pointing device (10) producing an analog signal proportional to an applied force comprises actuator (20), including an arm (22) and a force transfer member (26), a connector (44), and a sensor (50). The connector maintains the force transfer member in contact with the sensor yet allows the force transfer member to change dimensions with ambient temperature without inducing stresses detectable by the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the connector comprises an elastomeric adhesive and the sensor comprises a force-sensing resistor. The force transfer member is prevented from coming out of the assembly either by a retainer (12) comprising a shell or a potting compound retaining the force transfer member but permitting thermal expansion or contraction of the force transfer member. The force transfer member typically has a rounded or bevelled bottom surface (28) so the actuator rocks under an applied force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart I. Yaniger, Mark C. Pickett
  • Digitizer pad
    Patent number: 4810992
    Abstract: A digitizer pad includes at least two base plys, each having thereon at least three terminals, a resistor ply disposed between two of the terminals with a plurality of conductors extending from each resistor ply which are spaced apart and interleaved with a plurality of conductors extending from each third terminal. The respective base plys' conducting surfaces face each other and are sandwiched about a nonconductive ply that includes a pressure sensitive conductive layer on each side, the area of which layer covers a portion of the area encompassed by the interleaved conductors on each base ply. The resistor plys and conductors on each base ply are at predetermined angles to those on the base ply, hence the conductors of each base ply form two predefined axes. A voltage source is sequentially coupled, by suitable switching means, across a selected pair of terminals on each ply to measure the selected location along the parameter dimension defined by the terminals across which the voltage source is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin N. Eventoff
  • Method and system for performing a purchase transaction using a home entertainment device and a signature capturing sensor
    Publication number: 20020066784
    Abstract: A method and system for performing purchase transactions such as credit and charge card transactions includes a home entertainment (HE) device having a display screen. A signature capturing sensor such as a remote control having a touch pad is operable for generating touch pad signals as a function of being touched by a consumer. A controller is operable with the HE device for controlling the HE device to display on the display screen purchase transaction form such as a credit card slip having a signature entry area. The controller is further operable with the HE device and the touch pad for controlling the HE device to display on the display screen a signature of the consumer in the signature entry area of the credit card slip in response to touch pad signals being generated by the touch pad as the consumer touches the touch pad and enters the signature on the touch pad. The controller uses the credit card slip and the entered signature displayed on the display screen to effect a credit card transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: Interlink Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack A. Segal, Steven B. Branton, William Allen Yates
Narrow Results

Filter by US Classification