This inventor holds 7 USPTO granted patents and 1 published patent application. Top assignees: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation, Parade Technologies, Ltd., Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC. Active years: 2008-2017.
Company Filing History:
3 out of 3,594 
3 out of 152 
1 out of 55,978 
Years Active: 2008-2017
Title: Michael Patrick Hills: Innovator in Touchscreen Technology
Introduction
Michael Patrick Hills is a notable inventor based in Lynnwood, WA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of touchscreen technology, holding a total of 7 patents. His innovative work focuses on enhancing the functionality and reliability of touchscreen devices.
Latest Patents
One of his latest patents is titled "Hover position calculation in a touchscreen device." This method calculates the position of a conductive object hovering above a plurality of mutual capacitance sensors. Each sensor is represented as a unit cell in an array, and the method measures the capacitance of each sensor to identify a peak unit cell. It then calculates an edge cutoff value and selects a plurality of unit cells within a defined range to determine the position of the hovering object. In some embodiments, the array includes capacitance sensing electrodes along two axes, forming a user interface device with a controller that calculates the position of the conductive object.
Another significant patent is "Self and mutual capacitance measurement in a touch screen." This invention features a water-resistant capacitance sensing apparatus with multiple capacitive sense elements and a sensing circuit. The method involves performing both self-capacitance and mutual capacitance scans to detect the presence of an object and determine its legitimacy.
Career Highlights
Michael has worked with prominent companies in the technology sector, including Cypress Semiconductor Corporation and Parade Technologies, Ltd. His experience in these organizations has contributed to his expertise in developing advanced touchscreen technologies.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Michael has collaborated with talented individuals such as Patrick N Prendergast and Volodymyr Burkovskyy. These collaborations have further enriched his innovative endeavors.
Conclusion
Michael Patrick Hills is a distinguished inventor whose work in touchscreen technology has led to several important patents. His contributions continue to shape the future of user interface devices, making them more efficient and reliable.