Mark A Jennings

US Patent:

7382360, Jun 3, 2008

Filed:

Apr 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/417786

Inventors:

Bob Lee Mackey - San Jose CA, US
Shawn P. Day - San Jose CA, US
Alfred Woo - Milpitas CA, US
Mark Jennings - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Synaptics Incorporated - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 3/041
G06F 3/045
G06F 3/042
G02F 1/1335
G02F 1/13

US Classification:

345173, 345174, 345175, 345176, 349 62, 349 63, 349201

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for producing a light effect on a touchpad or other position sensor. In one aspect, a position sensor for detecting a position of an object suitably includes a sensor, a light source, and a light conductor at least partially located between the sensor and the object. The light conductor is configured to transmit light from the light source to produce a light effect that alters the appearance of the position sensor. Because the light conductor is located between the sensor and the object, the sensor need not be made from transparent or translucent material, thereby significantly reducing the cost of the sensor. In a further aspect, the position sensor includes at least one marking or pattern in proximity to the light conductor such that the marking can be made visible by at least a component of the light to produce an image of a soft control, logo, ornamental design, status indicator or the like.

US Patent:

8243044, Aug 14, 2012

Filed:

Apr 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/100978

Inventors:

Bob Lee Mackey - San Jose CA, US
Shawn P. Day - San Jose CA, US
Alfred Woo - Milpitas CA, US
Mark Jennings - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Synaptics Incorporated - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 3/045
G06F 3/041
G06F 3/042
G02F 1/1335
G02F 1/13

US Classification:

345174, 345173, 345176, 349 62, 349 63, 349201

Abstract:

Systems and methods for detecting a position of an object in a sensing region are disclosed. One system includes a position sensor having an opaque capacitive proximity sensor, a light source, and a light conductor coupled to the light source and at least partially disposed over the opaque sensor, the light conductor configured to transmit at least a portion of the light from the light source to generate driven light effects in the sensing region. The system further includes a processor configured to control production of the light, and a display configured to illustrate a digital representation based on the position. A method includes the steps of sensing a position of an object in the sensing region based on a conductive property of the object, controlling light produced by a light source, and generating driven light effects in the sensing region using at least a portion of the light.

US Patent:

20100300772, Dec 2, 2010

Filed:

Mar 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/729969

Inventors:

Robert Lee - San Ramon CA, US
Mark Jennings - San Jose CA, US
Daniel Shar Wen Yang - Millbrae CA, US
Jesus Beltran - Sunnyvale CA, US
Heather Lynn Klaubert - Palo Alto CA, US
Sung Kim - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 3/044
H01H 3/00

US Classification:

178 1806, 200329

Abstract:

An input device and a method for providing an input device are provided. The input device assembly includes a base, a sensor support, and a guide mechanism attached to the base and the sensor support. The guide mechanism allows for only substantially uniform translation of the sensor support towards the base in response to a force biasing the sensor support substantially towards the base.