| INVENSENSE, INC Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120125104 | ANCHOR-TILT CANCELLING ACCELEROMETER - Described herein is an accelerometer that can be sensitive to acceleration, but not anchor motion due to sources other than acceleration. The accelerometer can employ a set of electrodes and/or transducers that can register motion of the proof mass and support structure and employ and output-cancelling mechanism so that the accelerometer can distinguish between acceleration and anchor motion due to sources other than acceleration. For example, the effects of anchor motion can be cancelled from an output signal of the accelerometer so that the accelerometer exhibits sensitivity to only acceleration. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125101 | MEMS DEVICE WITH IMPROVED SPRING SYSTEM - A system and method in accordance with an embodiment reduces the cross-axis sensitivity of a gyroscope. This is achieved by building a gyroscope using a mechanical transducer that comprises a spring system that is less sensitive to fabrication imperfection and optimized to minimize the response to the rotations other than the intended input rotation axis. The longitudinal axes of the first and second flexible elements are parallel to each other and parallel to the first direction | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120094435 | METHOD OF FABRICATION OF AI/GE BONDING IN A WAFER PACKAGING ENVIRONMENT AND A PRODUCT PRODUCED THEREFROM - A method of bonding of germanium to aluminum between two substrates to create a robust electrical and mechanical contact is disclosed. An aluminum-germanium bond has the following unique combination of attributes: (1) it can form a hermetic seal; (2) it can be used to create an electrically conductive path between two substrates; (3) it can be patterned so that this conduction path is localized; (4) the bond can be made with the aluminum that is available as standard foundry CMOS process. This has the significant advantage of allowing for wafer-level bonding or packaging without the addition of any additional process layers to the CMOS wafer. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120086446 | INTEGRATED MEMS DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - An integrated MEMS device is disclosed. The system comprises a MEMS resonator; and a MEMS device coupled to a MEMS resonator. The MEMS resonator and MEMS device are fabricated on a common substrate so that certain characteristics of the MEM resonator and MEMS device track each other as operating conditions vary. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120072166 | DEDUCED RECKONING NAVIGATION WITHOUT A CONSTRAINT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORIENTATION OF A SENSOR PLATFORM AND A DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF AN OBJECT - Systems, methods, and apparatus for performing deduced reckoning navigation without a constraint relationship between orientation of a sensor platform and a direction of travel of an object are described herein. A sensor fusion component can be configured to receive data from sensors of a sensor platform coupled to a pedestrian; and generate world coordinate information based on the data. Further, a gait recognition component can be configured to record one or more walking patterns of the pedestrian in a training database; and determine whether the world coordinate information is associated with a walking pattern of the one or more walking patterns. Furthermore, a position estimation component can be configured to estimate a position of the pedestrian based on the world coordinate information if the world coordinate information is associated with the walking pattern, regardless of an orientation of the sensor platform with respect to the position of the pedestrian. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120007713 | HANDHELD COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR CHARACTER AND COMMAND RECOGNITION RELATED TO HUMAN MOVEMENTS - Systems and methods for human hand gesture recognition through a training mode and a recognition mode are disclosed. In the training mode, a user can move a handheld device with a hand gesture intended to represent a command. Sensors within the handheld device can record raw data, which can be processed to obtain a set of values corresponding to a set of discrete features, which is stored in a database and associated with the intended command. The process is repeated for various hand gestures representing different commands. In the recognition mode, the user can move the handheld device with a hand gesture. A computer system can compare a set of values corresponding to a set of discrete features derived from the hand gesture with the sets of values stored in the database, select a command with the closest match and displays and/or executes the command. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007598 | MICROMACHINED MAGNETIC FIELD SENSORS - A micromachined magnetic field sensor integrated with electronics is disclosed. The magnetic field sensors utilize Hall-effect sensing mechanisms to achieve 3-axis sensing. A Z axis sensor can be fabricated either on a device layer or on a conventional IC substrate with the design of conventional horizontal Hall plates. An X and Y axis sensor are constructed on the device layer. In some embodiments, a magnetic flux concentrator is applied to enhance the performance of the magnetic field sensor. In some embodiments, the magnetic field sensors are placed on slope sidewalls to achieve 3-axis magnetic sensing system. In some embodiments, a stress isolation structure is incorporated to lower the sensor offset. The conventional IC substrate and device layer are connected electrically to form a 3-axis magnetic sensing system. The magnetic field sensor can also be integrated with motion sensors that are constructed in the similar technology. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007597 | MICROMACHINED OFFSET REDUCTION STRUCTURES FOR MAGNETIC FIELD SENSING - A micromachined magnetic field sensor integrated with electronics is disclosed. The magnetic field sensors utilize Hall-effect sensing mechanisms to achieve 3-axis sensing. A Z axis sensor can be fabricated either on a device layer or on a conventional IC substrate with the design of conventional horizontal Hall plates. An X and Y axis sensor are constructed on the device layer. In some embodiments, a magnetic flux concentrator is applied to enhance the performance of the magnetic field sensor. In some embodiments, the magnetic field sensors are placed on slope sidewalls to achieve 3-axis magnetic sensing system. In some embodiments, a stress isolation structure is incorporated to lower the sensor offset. The conventional IC substrate and device layer are connected electrically to form a 3-axis magnetic sensing system. The magnetic field sensor can also be integrated with motion sensors that are constructed in the similar technology. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20110316888 | MOBILE DEVICE USER INTERFACE COMBINING INPUT FROM MOTION SENSORS AND OTHER CONTROLS - Various embodiments provide user interfaces for mobile devices which combine input from motion sensors and other input controls. In one aspect, a handheld electronic device includes a display operative to display an image, an input control operative to sense a contact motion of the user with the device, a set of motion sensors sensing rotational rate of the device around at least three axes of the device and linear acceleration along at least three axes of the device, and a subsystem capable of facilitating interaction with the device based on combined sensor data. The combined sensor data includes motion data derived from at least one of the motion sensors and contact data derived from the contact motion sensed by the input control. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110254760 | Wireless Motion Processing Sensor Systems Suitable for Mobile and Battery Operation - The present invention relates to a combination of a 6-axis motion sensor having a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis linear accelerometer, a motion processor and a radio integrated circuit chip (IC), wherein the intelligence in the motion processor enables the communication between the motion sensor, the radio IC and the external network. The motion processor also enables power savings by adaptively controlling the data rate of the motion sensor, depending on the amount or speed of the motion activity. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110215952 | SELECTABLE COMMUNICATION INTERFACE CONFIGURATIONS FOR MOTION SENSING DEVICE - Selectable communication interface configurations for motion sensing devices. In one aspect, a module for a motion sensing device includes a motion processor connected to a device component and a first motion sensor, and a multiplexer having first and second positions. Only one of the multiplexer positions is selectable at a time, where the first position selectively couples the first motion sensor and the device component using a first bus, and the second position selectively couples the first motion sensor and the motion processor using a second bus, wherein communication of information over the second bus does not influence a communication bandwidth of the first bus. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110197677 | VERTICALLY INTEGRATED 3-AXIS MEMS ANGULAR ACCELEROMETER WITH INTEGRATED ELECTRONICS - Sensors for measuring angular acceleration about three mutually orthogonal axes, X, Y, Z or about the combination of these axes are disclosed. The sensor comprises a sensor subassembly. The sensor subassembly further comprises a base which is substantially parallel to the X-Y sensing plane; a proof mass disposed in the X-Y sensing plane and constrained to rotate substantially about the X, and/or Y, and/or Z, by at least one linkage and is responsive to angular accelerations about the X, and/or Y, and/or Z directions. Finally, the sensor includes at least one electrode at the base plate or perpendicular to the base plate and at least one transducer for each sensing direction of the sensor subassembly responsive to the angular acceleration. Multi-axis detection is enabled by adjusting a configuration of flexures and electrodes. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110178707 | APPARATUS AND METHODOLOGY FOR CALIBRATION OF A GYROSCOPE AND A COMPASS INCLUDED IN A HANDHELD DEVICE - Novel techniques for estimating compass and gyroscope biases for handheld devices are disclosed. The handheld devices can include wireless phones, navigational devices and video gaming systems. The compass bias can be determined by causing a small movement of the handheld device and comparing the data obtained from the compass with the data obtained from the gyroscope. The gyroscope bias can be determined by obtaining a quaternion based angular velocity term of the handheld device when the accelerometer and compass data are reliable, and then comparing the angular velocity term to with the gyro data estimate the gyro bias. When the compass and/or the accelerometer data are unreliable, a previously determined quaternion angular velocity term is used, which was determined when the compass and the accelerometer were providing reliable data. The gyroscope bias can also be determined by measuring gyroscope biases at various temperatures in a non-factory setting, and storing that data in a memory, and using the data to estimate gyro biases when the accelerometer and/or the compass data are unreliable. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110163955 | MOTION SENSING AND PROCESSING ON MOBILE DEVICES - Handheld electronic devices including motion sensing and processing. In one aspect, a handheld electronic device includes a set of motion sensors provided on a single sensor wafer, including at least one gyroscope sensing rotational rate of the device around at least three axes and at least one accelerometer sensing gravity and linear acceleration of the device along the at least three axes. Memory stores sensor data derived from the at least one gyroscope and accelerometer, where the sensor data describes movement of the device including a rotation of the device around at least one of the three axes of the device, the rotation causing interaction with the device. The memory is provided on an electronics wafer positioned vertically with respect to the sensor wafer and substantially parallel to the sensor wafer. The electronics wafer is vertically bonded to and electrically connected to the sensor wafer. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110061460 | EXTENSION -MODE ANGULAR VELOCITY SENSOR - An angular velocity sensor including a drive extension mode. In one aspect, an angular rate sensor includes a base and at least three masses disposed substantially in a plane parallel to the base, the masses having a center of mass. At least one actuator drives the masses in an extension mode, such that in the extension mode the masses move in the plane simultaneously away or simultaneously towards the center of mass. At least one transducer senses at least one Coriolis force resulting from motion of the masses and angular velocity about at least one input axis of the sensor. Additional embodiments can include a linkage that constrains the masses to move in the extension mode. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20100290769 | OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZATION IN A DIGITAL STILL CAMERA OR HANDSET - An optical image stabilization system for a camera module is disclosed. The stabilization system comprises a voice coil motor (VCM), at least one digital gyroscope for receiving signals from the VCM, and an angular velocity sensor for receiving signals from the digital gyroscope and outputting an angular position error signal. The stabilization system further comprises signal processing logic for receiving the error signal, and comparing the error signal to a reference signal and providing a stabilized image based upon that comparison, wherein the hard-coded logic, digital gyroscope and rate and position sensor resides on the same chip. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100253437 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING A MEMS STRUCTURE AS A TIMING SOURCE - A system and method is disclosed that provides a technique for generating an accurate time base for MEMS sensors and actuators which has a vibrating MEMS structure. The accurate clock is generated from the MEMS oscillations and converted to the usable range by means of a frequency translation circuit. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100252897 | PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING TWO-SIDED MEMS ANCHOR DESIGN FOR VERTICALLY INTEGRATED MICROMACHINED DEVICES - An anchoring assembly for anchoring MEMS device is disclosed. The anchoring assembly comprises: a top substrate; a bottom substrate substantially parallel to the top substrate; and a first portion of the anchor between the top substrate and the bottom substrate. The first portion of the anchor is rigidly connected to the top substrate; and the first portion of the anchor is rigidly connected to the bottom substrate. A second portion of the anchor is between the top substrate and the bottom substrate. The second portion of the anchor is rigidly connected to the top substrate; the second portion of the anchor being an anchoring point for the MEMS device. A substantially flexible mechanical element coupling the first portion of the anchor and the second portion of the anchor; the flexible element providing the electrical connection between the first portion of the anchor and the second portion of the anchor. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100214216 | MOTION SENSING AND PROCESSING ON MOBILE DEVICES - Display devices including motion sensing and processing. In one aspect, a handheld electronic device includes a subsystem providing display capability and a set of motion sensors provided on a single substrate and including at least one gyroscope sensing rotational rate of the device around three axes of the device and at least one accelerometer sensing gravity and linear acceleration of the device along these axes. A computation unit is capable of determining motion data from the sensor data stored in the memory, the motion data derived from a combination of the sensed rotational rate around at least one of the axes and the sensed gravity and linear acceleration along at least one of the axes. The motion data describes movement of the device including a rotation of the device around at least one of the axes, the rotation causing interaction with the device. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100132460 | X-Y AXIS DUAL-MASS TUNING FORK GYROSCOPE WITH VERTICALLY INTEGRATED ELECTRONICS AND WAFER-SCALE HERMETIC PACKAGING - An angular velocity sensor has two masses which are laterally disposed in an X-Y plane and indirectly connected to a frame. The two masses are linked together by a linkage such that they necessarily move in opposite directions along Z. Angular velocity of the sensor about the Y axis can be sensed by driving the two masses into Z-directed antiphase oscillation and measuring the angular oscillation amplitude thereby imparted to the frame. In a preferred embodiment, the angular velocity sensor is fabricated from a bulk MEMS gyroscope wafer, a cap wafer and a reference wafer. In a further preferred embodiment, this assembly of wafers provides a hermetic barrier between the masses and an ambient environment. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100064805 | LOW INERTIA FRAME FOR DETECTING CORIOLIS ACCELERATION - A sensing frame that moves in response to torque generated by the Coriolis acceleration on a drive subsystem is disclosed. The sensing frame include a first rail. The first rail is constrained to move along the first axis parallel to the first rail. The frame includes a second rail substantially parallel to said first rail. The second rail is constrained to move along the first axis. The frame includes a base and at least two guiding arms for ensuring that the first rail and the second rail move in anti-phase fashion along the first axis. A first guiding arm is flexibly coupled to the first rail and flexibly coupled to the second rail and a second guiding arm is flexibly coupled to the first rail and flexibly coupled to the second rail. The first guiding arm is flexibly suspended to the base at a first anchoring point for allowing rotation of the first guiding arm around the second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and normal to the plane, and the second guiding arm is suspended to the base at a second anchoring point allowing rotation of the second guiding arm around the third axis parallel to the second axis. The sensing frame includes a plurality of coupling flexures connecting said sensing frame to the drive subsystem and a transducer for sensing motion of the first and second rails responsive to said angular velocity. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20090303204 | CONTROLLING AND ACCESSING CONTENT USING MOTION PROCESSING ON MOBILE DEVICES - Various embodiments provide systems and methods capable of facilitating interaction with handheld electronics devices based on sensing rotational rate around at least three axes and linear acceleration along at least three axes. In one aspect, a handheld electronic device includes a subsystem providing display capability, a set of motion sensors sensing rotational rate around at least three axes and linear acceleration along at least three axes, and a subsystem which, based on motion data derived from at least one of the motion sensors, is capable of facilitating interaction with the device. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090262074 | CONTROLLING AND ACCESSING CONTENT USING MOTION PROCESSING ON MOBILE DEVICES - Various embodiments provide systems and methods capable of facilitating interaction with handheld electronics devices based on sensing rotational rate around at least three axes and linear acceleration along at least three axes. In one aspect, a handheld electronic device includes a subsystem providing display capability, a set of motion sensors sensing rotational rate around at least three axes and linear acceleration along at least three axes, and a subsystem which, based on motion data derived from at least one of the motion sensors, is capable of facilitating interaction with the device. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090193892 | DUAL MODE SENSING FOR VIBRATORY GYROSCOPE - An angular rate sensor is disclosed. The angular rate sensor comprises a substrate and a drive subsystem partially supported by a substrate. The drive subsystem includes at least one spring, at least one anchor, and at least one mass; the at least one mass of the drive subsystem is oscillated by at least one actuator along a first axis. Coriolis force acts on moving the drive subsystem along or around a second axis in response to angular velocity of the substrate around the third axis. The angular rate sensor also includes a sense subsystem partially supported by a substrate. The sense subsystem includes at least one spring, at least one anchor, and at least one mass. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090184849 | INTERFACING APPLICATION PROGRAMS AND MOTION SENSORS OF A DEVICE - Interfacing application programs and motion sensors of a device. In one aspect, a high-level command is received from an application program running on a motion sensing device, where the application program implements one of multiple different types of applications available for use on the device. The high-level command requests high-level information derived from the output of motion sensors of the device that include rotational motion sensors and linear motion sensors. The command is translated to cause low-level processing of motion sensor data output by the motion sensors, the low-level processing following requirements of the type of application and determining the high-level information in response to the command. The application program is ignorant of the low-level processing, and the high-level information is provided to the application program. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090145225 | Vertically integrated 3-axis MEMS angular accelerometer with integrated electronics - Sensors for measuring angular acceleration about three mutually orthogonal axes, X, Y, Z or about the combination of these axes are disclosed. The sensor comprises a sensor subassembly. The sensor subassembly further comprises a base which is substantially parallel to the X-Y sensing plane; a proof mass disposed in the X-Y sensing plane and constrained to rotate substantially about the X, and/or Y, and/or Z, by at least one linkage and is responsive to angular accelerations about the X, and/or Y, and/or Z directions. Finally, the sensor includes at least one electrode at the base plate or perpendicular to the base plate and at least one transducer for each sensing direction of the sensor subassembly responsive to the angular acceleration. Multi-axis detection is enabled by adjusting a configuration of flexures and electrodes. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090114016 | INTEGRATED MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS (MEMS) VIBRATING MASS Z-AXIS RATE SENSOR - A sensor that measures angular velocity about an axis that is normal to a sensing plane of the sensor. The sensor comprises a sensing subassembly that includes a planar frame parallel to the sensing plane, a first proof mass disposed in the sensing plane, a second proof mass disposed in the sensing plane laterally to the first proof mass, and a linkage within the frame and connected to the frame. The linkage is connected to the first proof mass and to the second proof mass. The sensor further includes actuator for driving the first proof mass and the second proof mass into oscillation along a drive axis in the sensing plane. The sensor further includes a first transducer to sense motion of the frame in response to a Coriolis force acting on the oscillating first proof mass and the oscillating second proof mass. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090007661 | Integrated Motion Processing Unit (MPU) With MEMS Inertial Sensing And Embedded Digital Electronics - A module operable to be mounted onto a surface of a board. The module includes a linear accelerometer to provide a first measurement output corresponding to a measurement of linear acceleration in at least one axis, and a first rotation sensor operable to provide a second measurement output corresponding to a measurement of rotation about at least one axis. The accelerometer and the first rotation sensor are formed on a first substrate. The module further includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to receive both the first measurement output from the linear accelerometer and the second measurement output from the first rotation sensor. The ASIC includes an analog-to-digital converter and is implemented on a second substrate. The first substrate is vertically bonded to the second substrate. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20080314147 | VERTICALLY INTEGRATED 3-AXIS MEMS ACCELEROMETER WITH ELECTRONICS - A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides for a low cost, bulk micromachined accelerometer integrated with electronics. The accelerometer can also be integrated with rate sensors that operate in a vacuum environment. The quality factor of the resonances is suppressed by adding dampers. Acceleration sensing in each axis is achieved by separate structures where the motion of the proof mass affects the value of sense capacitors differentially. Two structures are used per axis to enable full bridge measurements to further reduce the mechanical noise, immunity to power supply changes and cross axis coupling. To reduce the sensitivity to packaging and temperature changes, each mechanical structure is anchored to a single anchor pillar bonded to the top cover. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080283990 | METHOD OF FABRICATION OF AI/GE BONDING IN A WAFER PACKAGING ENVIRONMENT AND A PRODUCT PRODUCED THEREFROM - A method of bonding of germanium to aluminum between two substrates to create a robust electrical and mechanical contact is disclosed. An aluminum-germanium bond has the following unique combination of attributes: (1) it can form a hermetic seal; (2) it can be used to create an electrically conductive path between two substrates; (3) it can be patterned so that this conduction path is localized; (4) the bond can be made with the aluminum that is available as standard foundry CMOS process. This has the significant advantage of allowing for wafer-level bonding or packaging without the addition of any additional process layers to the CMOS wafer. | 11-20-2008 |
