Circuit and method for operating a node in a radio network
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9326260
A circuit and a method for operating a node in a radio network, whereby nodes of the same radio network have a common network ID and each node individually is assigned a node ID, wherein during the reception of a current packet by a receiving circuit of the node, an address contained in the packet is determined, wherein reception of the current packet is continued when the determined address agrees with the network ID of the node and the node ID of the node, and wherein during reception…
Generating signatures using a secure device
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9323950
An integrated circuit device comprises a processor and a secure protection zone with security properties that can be verified by a remote device communicating with the integrated circuit device. The secure protection zone includes a persistent storage that is configured for storing cryptographic keys and data. The secure protection zone also includes instructions that are configured for causing the processor to perform cryptographic operations using the cryptographic keys. In addition,…
System and methods for delaying interrupts in a microcontroller system
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9323312
A microcontroller system includes a power manager that is configured to, during a power saving mode, configure an interrupt delaying module to receive and hold an interrupt from an interrupt source. In response to receiving the interrupt from the interrupt source, the power manager causes the microcontroller system to exit the power saving mode. Upon exiting the power saving mode, the power manager configures the interrupt delaying module to release the interrupt.
Capacitive position sensor
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9322633
In one embodiment, a sensor includes a plurality of drive electrodes running generally in a first direction. The sensor also includes a plurality of sense electrodes running generally in a second direction. The sense electrodes have branches running generally in the first direction. End portions of the adjacent branches of adjacent sense electrodes extend beyond one another to define respective coextensive portions of the branches.
Low total harmonic distortion and high power factor correction power converters
Granted: April 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9318959
A controller circuit for the control of a power converter is disclosed. An example controller circuit generates a waveform that drives a switch that controls the power converter. The controller circuit includes a divider module that generates a modification factor based on a ratio of the two input signals of the module. The circuit includes a module that generates a first waveform configured for a critical conducting mode of operation of a power converter and an on-time adjuster module…
Method and device for protecting products against counterfeiting
Granted: April 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9317981
A method for protecting a product against counterfeiting is provided that has a transponder associated with the product, upon which at least one unique identifier is stored, wherein a flag in a set or cleared state is associated with the identifier, and when the flag is set, read access to the identifier by a reader is only permitted after authentication. The invention further relates to a transponder for protecting a product against counterfeiting.
Microcontroller peripheral data transfer redirection for resource sharing
Granted: April 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9317462
A system includes one or more master modules configured to execute instructions embedded in non-transitory machine-readable media and controllable by a processor. The system also includes one or more peripheral modules that are configured to execute instructions embedded in non-transitory machine-readable media and controllable by the processor. The system also includes a system bus with instructions embedded in a non-transitory machine-readable medium and configured to allow data…
Touch sensor with spacers supporting a cover panel
Granted: April 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9317161
In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes an insulating substrate comprising a first face. The touch sensor further includes a plurality of electrodes comprising one or more conductive materials formed on the insulating substrate. The touch sensor may also include a plurality of spacers extending outwardly from the first face of the first insulating substrate. Each spacer of the plurality of spacers may extend substantially the same distance from the first face of the insulating…
Voltage scaling system supporting synchronous applications
Granted: April 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9317095
A voltage scaling system can scale a supply voltage while preventing a processor from communicating with first system components that are rendered unstable from the scaling. On the other hand, the voltage scaling system allows second system components that are stable during the scaling to communicate with the processor. A processor scales a system supply voltage to a target supply voltage. The processor halts operations of the first system components and executes the instruction. When…
Touch sensor tracks
Granted: April 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9312855
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a touch sensor substrate associated with a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of connection pads. The plurality of electrodes is configured to detect a touch. The plurality of connection pads are configured to be electrically coupled with a touch controller. The method further includes laser etching a plurality of paths. The method also includes filling the plurality of paths with an electrically conductive material to form a plurality…
Oncell single-layer touch sensor
Granted: April 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9310944
In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes multiple first electrodes along a first direction. Each of the first electrodes includes multiple first conductive regions. The touch sensor also includes multiple second electrodes along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the second electrodes includes one second conductive region. The one second conductive region of each of the second electrodes are interdigitated with one of the first…
Touch sensor input tool with offset between touch icon and input icon
Granted: April 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9310941
In one embodiment, a method includes displaying an input tool comprising a first touch icon and a first input icon. The first touch icon may be visually separated from the first input icon by a predetermined distance. The first input icon may provide a graphical indication of an input associated with the first touch icon. The method may include determining an input based on a touch at or substantially near a location on a touch sensor associated with the first touch icon. The method may…
Selective scan of touch-sensitive area for passive or active touch or proximity input
Granted: April 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9310930
In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a touch-sensitive area and a touch-sensor controller. The touch-sensor controller is operable to: scan two or more electrodes within the touch-sensitive area to determine a first location associated with an object within the touch-sensitive area, predict, based on the first location and one or more metrics, two or more next locations associated with the object, select, based on a first next location of the two or…
Increasing the dynamic range of an integrator based mutual-capacitance measurement circuit
Granted: April 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9310924
In one embodiment, a method includes deactivating an integrator of a mutual-capacitive measurement circuit and configuring the mutual-capacitive measurement circuit according to a first voltage configuration. The first voltage configuration results in a charge on a sensor capacitor and a compensation capacitor when a supply voltage is applied to the mutual-capacitive measurement circuit. The method also includes adjusting a variable reference voltage input of the integrator to a first…
Self-capacitance detection using trans-conductance reference
Granted: April 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9306560
In one embodiment, a method includes modifying a voltage at a capacitance of a touch sensor to a first voltage level. The method also includes modifying the voltage at the capacitance to a second voltage level, resulting in a first current. The method also includes modifying a voltage at an integration capacitor to a charging-voltage level based on the first current. The method also includes determining whether a touch input to the touch sensor has occurred based on the charging-voltage…
Fault protection and correction of line and load faults
Granted: April 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9306446
A fault protection and correction circuit for the control of a power converter is disclosed. An example circuit generates a waveform that drives a switch on or off and controls the power converter. The controller circuit in addition to power factor correction (PFC) circuitry includes a first and a second shut down mode modules, both of them cause the switching to stop. The circuit includes a module for receiving fault events. When a fault occurs, the controller enters the second shut…
Mesh design for touch sensors
Granted: April 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9304617
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a touch sensor including a mesh of multiple first lines and second lines of conductive material extending across a display. The first lines are substantially parallel to each other. The second lines are substantially parallel to each other. The display includes multiple pixels that each include sub-pixels. Each of the pixels has a first pixel pitch along a first axis and a second pixel pitch along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first…
Touch sensor with plastic cover lens
Granted: March 29, 2016
Patent Number:
9298222
According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a substrate, a touch sensor, and a cover lens. The touch sensor is disposed on the substrate. A conductive mesh forms portions of the touch sensor, and the conductive mesh comprises fine lines of metal. The cover lens is coupled to the touch sensor and is at most 0.4 mm thick. The cover lens comprises plastic.
Integrated shielding in touch sensors
Granted: March 29, 2016
Patent Number:
9298327
In certain embodiments, a touch sensor includes a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes. The plurality of second electrodes are separated from the plurality of first electrodes by an insulator and are operable, when operated by a controller, to capacitively couple with one or more first electrodes across the insulator. The touch sensor also includes a touch panel, a plurality of proximity electrodes, and a plurality of shield electrodes. Each shield…
Voltage scaling system with sleep mode
Granted: March 29, 2016
Patent Number:
9298237
A voltage scaling system can scale a supply voltage while preventing processor access of system components that are rendered unstable from the scaling. A processor receives an instruction to scale a system supply voltage to a target supply voltage. The processor executes the instruction and enters into a sleep mode. The processor can send, to a controller that saves power, an indication that the processor is in the sleep mode. When the processor is in the sleep mode, the processor…
