Self-recovering bus signal detector
Granted: November 4, 2014
Patent Number:
8878569
A detector circuit is disclosed that detects bus signal conditions. To detect a START condition, asynchronous sequential logic detects a first bus signal transition (e.g., from high to low) and a second bus signal (e.g., a high signal). The outputs of the asynchronous sequential logic are combined to produce a START signal that can be latched, so that the START signal can be used to wake up a system or for other purposes. To detect a STOP condition, asynchronous sequential logic is set…
Passive transponder with a charging circuit
Granted: October 28, 2014
Patent Number:
8872629
In one embodiment, a passive transponder comprising a first circuit comprising a first attenuator, the first circuit configured to receive a first signal from at least one base station and coupled to a first node, a first rectifier coupled to the first node, the first rectifier configured in a forward direction to charge a first capacitor, and the first capacitor coupled to the first rectifier, the first capacitor configured to receive a charge from the attenuator sufficient for powering…
Active stylus with energy harvesting
Granted: October 28, 2014
Patent Number:
8872792
In one embodiment, a stylus includes one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for transmitting signals wirelessly from the stylus to a device through a touch sensor of the device. The stylus has one or more sensors for kinetic, thermal, solar or electric energy harvesting from an environment of the stylus or from the stylus itself.
Active stylus with high voltage
Granted: October 21, 2014
Patent Number:
8866767
In one embodiment, a stylus has one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for transmitting signals wirelessly to a device through a touch sensor of the device. At least some of the signals comprise substantially high voltage. The stylus has one or more electrodes in or on a tip of the stylus which transmit the high-voltage signals to the device.
Multi-touch tracking
Granted: October 21, 2014
Patent Number:
8866790
A method of tracking multiple touches over time on a touch sensor, for example a capacitive touch screen. The method analyzes first and second touch data sets from adjacent first and second time frames. First, the touch data sets are analyzed to determine the closest touch in the second time frame to each of the touches in the first time frame, and calculating the separation between each such pair of touches. Then, starting with the pair of touches having the smallest separation, each…
Software framework and development platform for multi-sensor systems
Granted: October 21, 2014
Patent Number:
8869095
The disclosed software framework and development platform facilitates software development for multi-sensor systems. In some implementations, developers can select a sensor board that includes a desired combination of sensor devices. The sensor board can be coupled to a development board that includes a target processor and other circuitry to facilitate development and testing of a system that includes the target processor and the sensors. Various software support tools are provided…
Communication protocol method and apparatus for a single wire device
Granted: October 14, 2014
Patent Number:
8861666
The present invention is a noise tolerant communication protocol device and method where a clock signal input, triggers an internal delay clock in an integrated circuit. Data is presented to an input pin and sampled prior to the next external clock pulse based on the internal delay clock. A data pulse value is distinguished by input signal voltage level and not by pulse length. Sampling of data bits is deferred until a signal level is most likely stable, thereby avoiding sampling during…
Touch sensor with capacitive nodes having a capacitance that is approximately the same
Granted: October 14, 2014
Patent Number:
8860690
According to one embodiment, a touch sensor has a first edge and a second edge approximately perpendicular to the first edge. The touch sensor includes a first plurality of electrodes approximately parallel to the first edge, and a second plurality of electrodes. Each of the second plurality of electrodes has a spine that is approximately parallel to the second edge and a plurality of conductive elements that are approximately parallel to the first edge and in physical contact with the…
Apparatus and method for increasing the quantity of discrete electronic components in an integrated circuit package
Granted: October 14, 2014
Patent Number:
8860195
An apparatus and method for incorporating discrete passive components into an integrated circuit package. A first surface of a substrate is coated with a material to mechanically protect the first surface. A first metal layer and then an insulating layer are formed on a second surface of the substrate. Selected areas are removed from the insulating and a second metal layer is formed over the insulating layer and the exposed metal layer. Selected areas of the second metal layer are…
Multi-chip touch screens
Granted: October 14, 2014
Patent Number:
8860686
The exemplary devices and processing techniques allow multiple measurement devices or chips to work together to sample a screen that is larger than one measurement device might sample, by allowing sharing X or drive lines amongst the measurements devices. Particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following optional advantages. The sharing of the drive lines may allow for a screen sized or…
Stress relief for plastic encapsulated devices
Granted: September 30, 2014
Patent Number:
8847291
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate, one or more devices in or on the semiconductor substrate, and a dielectric layer above the one or more devices, wherein the dielectric layer has openings over at least portions of the one or more devices. The semiconductor integrated circuit also includes plastic packaging material (e.g., plastic granules) on a top surface of the dielectric layer and over the openings. In some implementations, the one or more devices…
Integrated test system for a touch sensor
Granted: September 30, 2014
Patent Number:
8847612
In one embodiment, a method includes restricting current flow between a node of a touch sensor and each of a drive system of the touch sensor, a sense system of the touch sensor, and a test system of the touch sensor. The method further includes capacitively coupling the drive system to the sense system through the test system. The method further includes using at least the drive system and the test system, inducing a charge on the sense system. The method further includes measuring the…
Transponder and method for wireless data transmission
Granted: September 30, 2014
Patent Number:
8847737
A transponder and a method for wireless data transmission is provided. The transponder comprises an input circuit with input terminals for connecting an antenna coil for data transmission to a base station by means of inductive coupling, a first controllable switching means, at least one resistor, which is looped in series with the first controllable switching means between the input terminals of the input circuit, and a controller which is designed in such a way that it connects through…
Signal-to-noise ratio in touch sensors
Granted: September 30, 2014
Patent Number:
8847898
In one embodiment, a method includes driving at least two of multiple drive lines of a touch sensor at a time, each with one or more electrical pulses.
Determining a position of an object with respect to a touch screen element
Granted: September 30, 2014
Patent Number:
8847900
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more first output signals from a first area of a touch-sensitive position sensor; receiving one or more second output signals from a second area of the touch-sensitive position sensor; calculating a first touch-position estimate based on the first output signals; calculating a second touch-position estimate based on the second output signals; and determining, based at least in part on the first and second touch-position estimates, an…
Method and apparatus for scanning and device detection in a communication system
Granted: September 30, 2014
Patent Number:
8848730
In a communication system wherein a plurality of electronic devices connect and disconnect from communication over a medium and wherein the communication system has a protocol such that it is followed by the plurality of electronic devices when using the communication system, a probing device attempts to detect presence of a listening device and parameters associated with a connection to be set up between the probing device and the listening device by sending a probe request packet…
Two-dimensional touch panel
Granted: September 23, 2014
Patent Number:
8842091
A capacitive touch panel is provided capable of detecting multiple simultaneous touches. The touch panel delivers sets of capacitance signal values to a processor which computes the coordinates of single or multiple touch locations on the touch panel. The processing of each set is performed by (i) identifying the sensing element having the largest capacitance signal value; (ii) defining a region around that sensing element; and (iii) repeating the process iteratively, wherein each…
Measuring sum of squared current
Granted: September 23, 2014
Patent Number:
8843538
A modulator can be configured to sense a change in current flow in a circuit and to generate an oversampled, noise-shaped signal. A first decimation filter is coupled to the modulator and is configured to generate instantaneous current data at a first data rate. The instantaneous current data can be input into a multiplier circuit. The output of the multiplier circuit (the instantaneous current data squared) can be input to a second decimation filter. The second decimation filter can be…
Memory decoder circuit
Granted: September 16, 2014
Patent Number:
8837252
A decoder circuit includes high voltage and low voltage transistors. The decoder circuit uses the high voltage transistors during modify operations to provide a high voltage, e.g., a boosted voltage, to memory cells to change memory cell status or perform other operations. The decoder circuit uses the low voltage transistors during read operations.
Antenna amplifier, receiving system, operating method, and use of a receiving system
Granted: September 16, 2014
Patent Number:
8837647
An antenna amplifier, receiving system, operating method, and use of a receiving system, is provided. The antenna amplifier includes a first signal input and a second signal input for connecting antennas, a first amplifier circuit connected to the first signal input and having a first digital control signal input for receiving a first digital control signal for setting an amplification of the first amplifier circuit and a first signal output, a second amplifier circuit connected to the…
