Synaptics Corporation

Synaptics Incorpoated

Raymond Alexander Trent, Jr

David W Gillespie

Scott Shaw

Mark A Huie

Christopher Heiny

Shawn P Day

Andrew M Errington

Joseph Kurth Reynolds

Tracy Scott Dattalo

John Morgan Feland, Iii

Izhak Baharav

Carmen Palsan

John P Maloney, Jr

Theodore A Theocheung

A method and processing system for validating an audio signal is disclosed. A valid audio signal is an audio signal that has been determined to originate from a microphone and has not been provided by a digital audio source. In some implementations, one or more speakers may generate a sequence of one or more subaudible tones. Simultaneously, a microphone near the one or more speakers captures an audio signal. If the captured audio signal includes the one or more subaudible tones from the speakers, then the audio signal is a validated.

Subaudible tones to validate audio signals

Methods and apparatuses for implementing gesture command recognition functionality is disclosed. The apparatuses may operate in a pointing mode and operate in an enhanced gesturing mode. While in the enhanced gesturing mode, the apparatuses may cause associated actions in response to recognizing sliding inputs as gesture commands. The gesture commands may be selectively associated with actions based on localities. The apparatuses may present overlays with information content independent of gesture command recognition. The apparatuses may change appearances of visual representations of sliding inputs in response to recognizing the sliding inputs as gesture commands.

Method and apparatus for operating in pointing and enhanced gesturing modes

The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved sensor device usability. Specifically, the devices and methods provide the ability to determine more reliably that sensed object positions correspond to a single input object or multiple input objects. For example, the devices and methods may be used to determine if a first sensed object position and a second sensed object position correspond to a single input object. The determination of a single input object or multiple input objects may be used to facilitate the reliable activation of user interface actions, such as cursor control and the use of virtual button zones, and thus can improve sensor device usability.

System and method for distinguishing input objects

The present disclosure discloses an object position detector. The object position detector comprises a touch sensor formed as a closed loop and having a physical constraint formed on an upper surface of the touch sensor and coextensive with the closed loop. The touch sensor is configured to sense motion of an object proximate to the closed loop. The object position detector also comprises a processor coupled to the touch sensor and is programmed to generate an action in response to the motion on the touch sensor.

Closed-loop sensor on a solid-state object position detector

In a method for determining actuation of a first capacitive button having a first set of at least three sensor electrode elements associated with at least three distinct sensor electrodes, and wherein a sensor electrode element of the first set of sensor electrode elements and a sensor electrode element of a second set of at least three sensor electrode elements of a second capacitive button share at least one sensor electrode in common, indicia is received from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes comprising the first capacitive button. At least three electrode values are generated from the indicia. The at least three electrode values are utilized to determine actuation of the capacitive button.

Determining actuation of multi-sensor-electrode capacitive buttons

Systems and methods are provided for authenticating an input device subsystem for operation with a host. One method includes storing a table comprising challenges and a plurality of values indicative of authentic responses to the plurality of challenges. A selected challenge is then communicated between the input device subsystem and the host. A challenge response is derived based on the selected challenge and a hashing algorithm, and the challenge response is communicated between the input device subsystem and the host. The challenge response and one or more of the values is used to determine whether the challenge response is authentic. Functionality of the input device subsystem with the host is selectively enabled if the challenge response is authentic.

System and method for authentication of input devices

Methods for determining actuation of a capacitive button are described. In some embodiments, indicia from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button are received, the indicia indicative of interaction of an input object with the at least three distinct sensor electrodes. The actuation of the capacitive button is then determined, based at least in part on satisfying a set of criteria comprising: a location condition concerning a location of the input object relative to a center of the capacitive button, and a coupling condition concerning a change in capacitive coupling of the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with the at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button.

A pointing device some or all of whose elements are made from capacitive sensors. Such elements may include a rotary motion detector which includes a rotating member and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; a rolling ball with patterned conductive surface and a plurality of fixed capacitive detecting members; capacitive touch sensors or capacitive switches to serve as mouse buttons; and a scrolling wheel, knob, or touch surface built from capacitive sensors. The pointing device further includes a capacitance measuring circuit and processor to measure variations of capacitance on the various capacitive elements and to determine the movement of and other activations of the mouse.

Capacitive mouse

A proximity sensor device and method is provided that facilitates improved device usability by providing a at least one control function prior to the specialized host software loading, and then switch to provide full range of functionality when the specialized host software has been loaded. In one embodiment, the proximity sensor device comprises a proximity sensor adapted to detect object presence and a controller configured to output simulated keyboard information and output object positional information. For example, when operating in a first mode prior to the specialized host software loading the controller outputs the simulated keyboard information that indicates a control function to a keyboard controller. Then, when operating in a second mode after the specialized host software has been loaded, the controller outputs object positional information to the keyboard controller. The object positional information can be used to provide a full range of user interface functions.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Raymond Alexander Trent, Jr