Synaptics Corporation

Mohamed Ashraf Sheik-Nainar

Justin Mockler

Eric Faggin

Daniel L Odell

Anna Ostberg

Andrew C Hsu

Kipling Inscore

Matt Camilleri

Stephen L Morein

Adam L Schwartz

Erik Jonathon Thompson

Mark A Huie

Yi-Hsun E Cheng

Raja Bose

Harshali Wadge

Bjorn Hovden

Jochen Huber

Daniel Jamison

A voice-interaction device includes a plurality of input and output components configured to facilitate interaction between the voice-interaction device and a target user. The plurality of input and output components may include a microphone configured to sense sound and generate an audio input signal, a speaker configured to output an audio signal to the target user, and an input component configured to sense at least one non-audible interaction from the target user. A context controller monitors the plurality of input and output components and determines a current use context. A virtual assistant module facilitates voice communications between the voice-interaction device and the target user and configures one or more of the input and output components in response to the current use context. The current use context may include whisper detection, target user proximity, gaze direction tracking and other use contexts.

Context-aware control for smart devices

A method and system for fingerprint imaging in an electronic device having a display, a touch sensor with a touch interface and an optical fingerprint sensor with a sensing region is described. The method and system include placing the electronic device in a hover detect mode, the hover detect mode scanning for a hovering finger; detecting the hovering finger; initiating illumination in the sensing region to image a fingerprint of the finger; capturing an image of the fingerprint in the sensing region; and disabling the illumination in the sensing region.

Biometric imaging with hover detection

A method, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium for in-display fingerprint enrollment that may include receiving an indication to begin a fingerprint enrollment process on an electronic device with an in-display fingerprint sensor; displaying a first fingerprint enrollment shape over the in-display fingerprint sensor; and receiving, in response to displaying the first fingerprint enrollment shape and via a first user interaction, a first portion of fingerprint data. Embodiments may also include generating, in part, a fingerprint coverage map corresponding to the fingerprint using the first portion of the fingerprint data; displaying a second fingerprint enrollment shape over the in-display fingerprint sensor; receiving, in response to displaying the second fingerprint enrollment shape and via a second user interaction, a second portion of fingerprint data; and updating the fingerprint coverage map corresponding to the fingerprint using the second portion of the fingerprint data.

Biometric enrollment using a display

An input device includes a plurality of keys, where at least one key of the plurality of keys may include a first surface configured to contact a plurality of input objects, a sensing region of the first surface configured to sense the plurality of input objects, a capacitive sensor configured to determine positional information of the plurality of input objects on the first surface of the key, and a lighting element configured to provide visual feedback to a user interacting with the at least one key.

Electronic device keyboard spacebar with visual feedback associated with location sensing

A method for controlling a user interface using an indirect input device includes determining a first touchdown location of an input object, determining a first subsequent location of the input object, calculating a first direction and a first distance between the first touchdown location and the first subsequent location, and moving a cursor representation on a display in a second direction and at a velocity. The method further includes detecting a touchdown event of at least two input objects, determining a second touchdown location of the at least two input objects, determining a second subsequent location of the at least two input objects, calculating a third direction and a second distance from the second touchdown location and the second subsequent location, and modulating a user interface action in a fourth direction at a magnitude.

Method, system, and device for controlling a cursor or user interface action as a function of touch and force input

A method and device are provided for measuring force on a force enabled input device having a touch surface. The method includes detecting force information associated with an input object contacting the touch surface, and determining a push event if the force information is either greater than a predetermined static push threshold value, or a substantially monotonic increase of at least a dynamic push threshold value above a low baseline value. The method thereafter determines a release event if the force information either decreases below a predetermined static release threshold value, or decreases from a maximum baseline value by an amount greater than a dynamic release threshold value. The method initiates a first type of user interface action associated with the input object based on a determination of the push event and the release event, wherein the first type of user interface action may comprise determining a virtual button click.

Methods and apparatus for click detection on a force pad using dynamic thresholds

Methods and devices are provided that employ multi-function keys to present a preview of potential actions to be taken by user key presses. The input device includes a plurality of key assemblies having a touch sensitive surface. The processing system can sense when one or more respective key assemblies have been contacted or pressed by the object. When the one or more respective key assemblies has been contacted by the object, an indication of a potential action taken in the program is provided to the user. The method determines whether the one or more respective key assemblies have been contacted or pressed by an object. A potential action to be taken is determined and an indication of the potential action is provided.

Multi-function keys providing additional functions and previews of functions

A method. The method may include obtaining force information regarding an input force applied by an input object to a sensing region of an input device. The method may include determining, using the force information, that the input force exceeds a first force threshold. The method may include determining, using the force information, whether the input force exceeds a second force threshold. The method may include obtaining positional information for an input object in the sensing region of the input device. The method may include determining, using the positional information, that a change in position of the input object is less than a distance threshold when the input force exceeds the second force threshold. The method may include performing an interface action within a graphical user interface in response to determining that the input force decreases below at least the second force threshold.

Press and move gesture

Press hard and move gesture

Methods and devices are disclosed for providing additional functionality using multi-function keys. The device includes key assemblies for receiving a contact input or a press input. A processing system is coupled to the key assemblies and configured to determine a number of objects contacting a key assembly. The processing system provides a first response when the key assembly has received the press input from a first number of objects and provides a second response when key assembly has received the press input from a second number of objects. The method includes determining a number of objects contacting a key assembly and whether the key assembly has received a contact input or a press input. A first response is provided when the key assembly has received the press input from a first number of objects and a second function is provided when key assembly has received the press input from a second number of objects.

The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved input device performance. Specifically, the devices and methods provide an input device configured to determine positional and force information for input objects interacting with a sensing region. The system is configured to detect a variable force imparted to an input surface of the sensing region by at least one input object. The variable force dynamically modulates, within a modulation range, a user interface parameter. The dynamic modulation of the interface parameter is modified in response to an additional input object contacting the input surface.

Growing community of inventors

Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Mohamed Ashraf Sheik-Nainar