Los Altos Hills, CA, United States of America

Martin Paul Grunthaner

This inventor holds 66 USPTO granted patents and 11 published patent applications, plus 1 CIPO patent and 20 EPO patents, primarily in Capacitive Sensing (CPC class G06F). Top assignee: Apple Inc.. Active years: 2012-2023.

IDiyas Innovation Intelligence. (2026). Inventor Profile: Martin Paul Grunthaner. Retrieved from https://idiyas.com/inventor/martin-paul-grunthaner

Data source: USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) public patent records. Weekly synchronization. How IDiyas builds this profile

USPTO Granted Patents = 66 (Patent Applications = 11)

% Patents Active = 72.7

CIPO Patents = 1

EPO Patents = 20 (Patent Applications = 23)

Average Co-Inventor Count = 3.8

ph-index = 16

Forward Citations = 784(Granted Patents)

Forward Citations (Not Self Cited) = 706(Dec 10, 2025)

Inventors with similar research interests:

Location History:

San Francisco, CA (US) (2012 - 2015)
Mountain View, CA (US) (2013 - 2019)
Los Altos, CA (US) (2018 - 2019)
Cupertino, CA (US) (2017 - 2020)
Los Altos Hills, CA (US) (2015 - 2023)

Company Filing History:

66 out of 43,632

Apple Inc.

patents

Years Active: 2012-2023

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Areas of Expertise:

Capacitive Sensing

Touch Sensor

Force Determination

Biometric Data

Temperature Compensation

Noise Mitigation

Self-Calibration

Electronic Devices

Multi-Domain Sensing

Ultrasound Sensing

Pixelated Self-Capacitance

Stylus Applications

66 patents (USPTO):Sort by Forward CitationsExplore Patents

1. 11747950 - Force determination based on capacitive sensing (2023-09-05),

2. 11733801 - Touch sensor panel architecture with multiple sensing mode capabilities (2023-08-22),

3. 11561647 - Pixelated self-capacitance water rejection (2023-01-24),

4. 11460964 - Opaque thin film passivation (2022-10-04),

5. 11275475 - Compliant material for protecting capacitive force sensors and increasing capacitive sensitivity (2022-03-15),

6. 11163399 - Split sense lines for negative pixel conpensation (2021-11-02),

7. 11016616 - Multi-domain touch sensing with touch and display circuitry operable in guarded power domain (2021-05-25),

8. 10921943 - Compliant material for protecting capacitive force sensors and increasing capacitive sensitivity (2021-02-16),

9. 10817096 - Force sensor incorporated into display (2020-10-27),

10. 10739899 - Force determination employing sheet sensor (2020-08-11),

11. 10739855 - Electronic device configured to collect biometric and amount of force data when a user touches a displayed image (2020-08-11),

12. 10712867 - Pixelated self-capacitance water rejection (2020-07-14),

13. 10635217 - Ultrasound-based force sensing of inputs (2020-04-28),

14. 10466829 - Temperature compensating sensor having a compliant layer separating independent force sensing substrates and sense circuitry to obtain a relative measure between the force sensing substrates (2019-11-05),

15. 10423265 - Temperature compensating force sensor (2019-09-24),

Title: Innovations by Martin Paul Grunthaner: A Pioneer in Touch Sensing Technology

Introduction

Martin Paul Grunthaner is an accomplished inventor based in Los Altos Hills, California. With an impressive portfolio of 66 patents, he has significantly contributed to the field of touch sensing technology, showcasing a remarkable blend of creativity and technical expertise.

Latest Patents

Among his latest innovations is a patent titled "Force determination based on capacitive sensing." This device is designed to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on its surface. It features a transparent touch sensor capable of detecting the location of a touch, alongside a force-sensing structure that includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element. This innovative setup enhances the user experience by providing accurate touch feedback.

Another notable patent by Grunthaner is "Touch sensor panel architecture with multiple sensing mode capabilities." This invention presents a touch sensor panel that incorporates a two-layer system. The first layer comprises touch sensing electrodes, while the second layer features guard electrodes that can switch roles between guarding and sensing, depending on the time period. This dual functionality is a significant advancement in touch sensitivity and usability.

Career Highlights

Grunthaner's impressive career is characterized by his role at Apple Inc., where he has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of touch sensing technologies. His dedication to innovation has allowed him to continually develop patents that enhance user interaction with electronic devices.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Martin Paul Grunthaner has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Steven Porter Hotelling and Sinan Filiz. Their collective efforts have fostered an environment of innovation, resulting in groundbreaking technologies that push the frontier of touch sensing capabilities.

Conclusion

Martin Paul Grunthaner's contributions to the field of touch sensing technology, as evidenced by his numerous patents, mark him as a leading inventor in the industry. His work not only enhances user experiences but also propels technological advancements in touch sensing interfaces. Through his collaborations and innovative spirit, Grunthaner continues to influence the future of device interaction.

Profile summary based on public USPTO records.