Mattel, Inc.

Charles H DeVoe

Chiu Wah Wong

James P Zielinski

Lu Jian Xu

Lu Jiao Xu

Capacitive touchpad assemblies, toys including capacitive touchpad assemblies and integral card readers, and methods for detecting contact with a capacitive touch surface are provided. A capacitive touch surface may have a capacity that varies depending on whether it is being contacted by an object such as a human finger. A voltage of the capacitive touch surface may be altered during each of a predetermined number of recurring time intervals. The capacitance of the capacitive touch surface will determine the amount of time required to alter its voltage to a threshold voltage within each time interval. The sum amount of time required for the voltage of the capacitive touch surface to reach the threshold voltage in a predetermined number of time intervals may be used to determine whether the capacitive touch surface is being touched.

Capacitive touchpad and toy incorporating the same

A packaged item including one or more packaging tie-downs configured to retain objects secured with a retention strap in association with packaging material.

Packaged item including a packaging tie-down

Packaging tie-downs configured to retain objects secured with a retention strap in association with packaging material.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Charles H DeVoe