The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 07, 2007
Filed:
Oct. 03, 2001
Bernard O. Geaghan, Salem, MA (US);
Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Oakdale, MN (US);
Craig A. Cordeiro, Westford, MA (US);
Edward S. Hagermoser, Lancaster, MA (US);
James J. Hart, Georgetown, MA (US);
Paul M. Hatin, Londonderry, NH (US);
Karl P. Hauck, Somerville, MA (US);
Richard A. Peterson, Jr., Chelmsford, MA (US);
Stephen C. Schulz, Lee, NH (US);
Gordon F. Taylor, Bolton, MA (US);
Bernard O. Geaghan, Salem, MA (US);
Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Oakdale, MN (US);
Craig A. Cordeiro, Westford, MA (US);
Edward S. Hagermoser, Lancaster, MA (US);
James J. Hart, Georgetown, MA (US);
Paul M. Hatin, Londonderry, NH (US);
Karl P. Hauck, Somerville, MA (US);
Richard A. Peterson, Jr., Chelmsford, MA (US);
Stephen C. Schulz, Lee, NH (US);
Gordon F. Taylor, Bolton, MA (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
Touch panel systems and methods are disclosed that can distinguish temporally overlapping touch inputs from single touch inputs so that valid touch position coordinates can be determined. Touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can distinguish overlapping touches by comparing signal magnitudes to specified thresholds, by comparing the rates of change of signal magnitudes or measured positions to determined parameters, by locating the proximity a calculated location to icons or other such active areas, and the like. Because touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can discriminate single touches from double touches, they can be used in multiple user applications such as multiplayer games as well as in applications that may be subject to rapidly successive or overlapping touch inputs.