PTO/S B/80 ( 11-08)
`Approved for use through 11/30/2011. 0MB 0651-0035
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid 0MB control number.
`
`POWER OF ATTORNEY TO PROSECUTE APPLICATIONS BEFORE THE USPTO
`
`I hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney given in the application identified in the attached statement under
`37 CFR 3.73(b).
`I hereby appoint:
`
`OR
`
`12323
`
`0 Practitioners associated with the Customer Number: I
`I
`(cid:143) Practitioner(s) named below (if more than ten patent practitioners are to be named, then a customer number must be used):
`
`Name
`
`Registration
`Number
`
`Name
`
`Registration
`Number
`
`as attorney(s) or agent(s) to represent the undersigned before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in connection with
`any and all patent applications assigned ill!!Y to the undersigned according to the USPTO assignment records or assignment documents
`attached to this form in accordance with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
`
`Please change the correspondence address for the application identified in the attached statement under 37 CFR 3.73(b) to:
`
`[Z]
`The address associated with Customer Number: I
`OR LJ Firm or
`
`Individual Name
`Address
`
`12323
`
`I
`
`City
`
`Country
`
`Telephone
`
`Assignee Name and Address:
`Atmel Corporation
`2325 Orchard Parkway
`San Jose, CA 95131
`
`[ State
`
`I Email
`
`I Zip
`
`A copy of this form, together with a statement under 37 CFR 3.73(b) (Form PTO/SB/96 or equivalent} is required to be
`filed in each application in which this form is used. The statement under 37 CFR 3.73(b) may be completed by one of
`the practitioners appointed in this form if the appointed practitioner is authorized to act on behalf of the assignee,
`and must identify the application in which this Power of Attorney is to be filed.
`·
`
`The indivt
`
`t~ #GNATURE of Assignee of Record
`. ti tji(/is supplied below is authorized to act on behalf of the a1si~ee
`:,.,who;~ signa re
`
`Q
`y /1/c:/Y~ ~ Date
`/ /
`( /
`
`Signature
`
`Name
`
`-...
`
`Scott Wornow
`Teleph9/4
`Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
`Title
`This collection of information Is required by 37 CFR 1.31, 1.32 and 1.33. The 1nformabon 1s required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which Is to file (and
`by the USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 3 minutes
`to complete, including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the US PTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any
`comments on the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer,
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria. VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED
`FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`
`/1.J/d
`I 408-436-4229
`
`If you need assistance in completing the form, ca/11-800-PTO-9199 and select option 2.
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page1
`
`

`

`Privacy Act Statement
`
`The Privacy Act of 1974 {P.L. 93-579) requires that you be given certain information in connection
`with your submission of the attached form related to a patent application or patent. Accordingly,
`pursuant to the requirements of the Act, please be advised that: (1) the general authority for the
`collection of this information is 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2); (2) furnishing of the information solicited is voluntary;
`and (3) the principal purpose for which the information is used by the U.S. Patent and Trademark
`Office is to process and/or examine your submission related to a patent application or patent. If you do
`not furnish the requested information, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office may not be able to
`process and/or examine your submission, which may result in termination of proceedings or
`abandonment of the application or expiration of the patent.
`
`The information provided by you in this form will be subject to the following routine uses:
`
`1. The information on this form will be treated confidentially to the extent allowed under the
`Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C 552a). Records from
`this system of records may be disclosed to the Department of Justice to determine whether
`disclosure of these records is required by the Freedom of Information Act.
`2. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, in the course of
`presenting evidence to a court, magistrate, or administrative tribunal, including disclosures to
`opposing counsel in the course of settlement negotiations.
`3. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Member of
`Congress submitting a request involving an individual, to whom the record pertains, when the
`individual has requested assistance from the Member with respect to the subject matter of the
`record.
`4. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a contractor of the
`Agency having need for the information in order to perform a contract. Recipients of
`information shall be required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as
`amended, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(m).
`5. A record related to an International Application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in
`this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the International Bureau of the
`World Intellectual Property Organization, pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
`6. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to another federal
`agency for purposes of National Security review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review pursuant to
`the Atomic Energy Act (42 U.S.C. 218(c)).
`7. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the Administrator,
`General Services, or his/her designee, during an inspection of records conducted by GSA as
`part of that agency's responsibility to recommend improvements in records management
`practices and programs, under authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906. Such disclosure shall
`be made in accordance with the GSA regulations governing inspection of records for this
`purpose, and any other relevant (i.e., GSA or Commerce) directive. Such disclosure shall not
`be used to make determinations about individuals.
`8. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the public after
`either publication of the application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b) or issuance of a patent
`pursuant to 35 U .S.C. 151. Further, a record may be disclosed, subject to the limitations of 37
`CFR 1.14, as a routine use, to the public if the record was filed in an application which
`became abandoned or in which the proceedings were terminated and which application is
`referenced by either a published application, an application open to public inspection or an
`issued patent.
`9. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Federal, State,
`or local law enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential
`violation of law or regulation.
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page2
`
`

`

`PTO/SB/96 (07-09)
`Approved for use through 07/31/2012. 0MB 0651-0031
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid 0MB control number.
`
`STATEMENT UNDER 37 CFR 3.73(b)
`
`ApplicanUPatent Owner:
`
`080900.1118
`Harald Philipp
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`Filed/Issue Date: Herewith
`App Ii cation No./Patent No.: Unknown
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`Tit I e d:
`
`Capacitive Position Sensor
`
`
`
`Atmel Corporation ______________________ ,a Delaware corporation
`(Name of Assignee)
`(Type of Assignee, e.g., corporation, partnership, university, government agency, etc.
`
`states that it is:
`
`1. ~ the assignee of the entire right, title, and interest in;
`
`2.
`
`(cid:143)
`3. D the assignee of an undivided interest in the entirety of (a complete assignment from one of the joint inventors was made)
`
`an assignee of less than the entire right, title, and interest in
`(The extent (by percentage) of its ownership interest is ____ %);or
`
`the patent application/patent identified above, by virtue of either:
`
`A. D An assignment from the inventor(s) of the patent application/patent identified above. The assignment was recorded in
`
`the United States Patent and Trademark Office at Reel _______ ,Frame _______ , or for which a
`copy therefore is attached.
`
`OR
`B. ~ A chain of title from the inventor(s), of the patent application/patent identified above, to the current assignee as follows:
`
`1. From: Harald Philipp
`
`To: QRG Limited
`
`The document was recorded in the United States Patent and Trademark Office at
`Reel 021791
`Frame 0040
`or for which a copy thereof is attached.
`
`2. From: QRG Limted
`
`To: Atmel Corporation
`
`The document was recorded in the United States Patent and Trademark Office at
`Reel 022608
`Frame 0130
`
`or for which a copy thereof is attached.
`
`3. From:
`
`To:
`
`The document was recorded in the United States Patent and Trademark Office at
`Frame ________ _
`
`Reel
`
`or for which a copy thereof is attached.
`
`Additional documents in the chain of title are listed on a supplemental sheet(s).
`
`D
`D As required by 37 CFR 3.73(b)(1 )(i), the documentary evidence of the chain of title from the original owner to the assignee was,
`
`or concurrently is being, submitted for recordation pursuant to 37 CFR 3.11.
`
`[NOTE: A separate copy (i.e., a true copy of the original assignment document(s)) must be submitted to Assignment Division in
`accordance with 37 CFR Part 3, to record the assignment in the records of the USPTO. See MPEP 302.08]
`
`The undersigned (whose title is supplied below) is authorized to act on behalf of the assignee.
`
`/travis w. thomas/ REG. NO. 48667
`
`Signature
`
`Travis W. Thomas
`
`27 May 2011
`Date
`
`Attorney of Record
`
`Title
`Printed or Typed Name
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 3.73(b). The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the USPTO to
`process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U .S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 12 minutes to complete, including
`gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on the amount of time
`you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S.
`Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner
`for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`
`If you need assistance in completing the form, ca/11-800-PTO-9199 and select option 2.
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page3
`
`

`

`Privacy Act Statement
`
`The Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579) requires that you be given certain information in connection
`with your submission of the attached form related to a patent application or patent. Accordingly,
`pursuant to the requirements of the Act, please be advised that: (1) the general authority for the
`collection of this information is 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2); (2) furnishing of the information solicited is voluntary;
`and (3) the principal purpose for which the information is used by the U.S. Patent and Trademark
`Office is to process and/or examine your submission related to a patent application or patent. If you do
`not furnish the requested information, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office may not be able to
`process and/or examine your submission, which may result in termination of proceedings or
`abandonment of the application or expiration of the patent.
`
`The information provided by you in this form will be subject to the following routine uses:
`
`1. The information on this form will be treated confidentially to the extent allowed under the
`Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C 552a). Records from
`this system of records may be disclosed to the Department of Justice to determine whether
`disclosure of these records is required by the Freedom of Information Act.
`2. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, in the course of
`presenting evidence to a court, magistrate, or administrative tribunal, including disclosures to
`opposing counsel in the course of settlement negotiations.
`3. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Member of
`Congress submitting a request involving an individual, to whom the record pertains, when the
`individual has requested assistance from the Member with respect to the subject matter of the
`record.
`4. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a contractor of the
`Agency having need for the information in order to perform a contract. Recipients of
`information shall be required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as
`amended, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(m).
`5. A record related to an International Application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in
`this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the International Bureau of the
`World Intellectual Property Organization, pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
`6. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to another federal
`agency for purposes of National Security review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review pursuant to
`the Atomic Energy Act (42 U.S.C. 218(c)).
`7. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the Administrator,
`General Services, or his/her designee, during an inspection of records conducted by GSA as
`part of that agency's responsibility to recommend improvements in records management
`practices and programs, under authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906. Such disclosure shall
`be made in accordance with the GSA regulations governing inspection of records for this
`purpose, and any other relevant (i.e., GSA or Commerce) directive. Such disclosure shall not
`be used to make determinations about individuals.
`8. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the public after
`either publication of the application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b) or issuance of a patent
`pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 151. Further, a record may be disclosed, subject to the limitations of 37
`CFR 1.14, as a routine use, to the public if the record was filed in an application which
`became abandoned or in which the proceedings were terminated and which application is
`referenced by either a published application, an application open to public inspection or an
`issued patent.
`9. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Federal, State,
`or local law enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential
`violation of law or regulation.
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page4
`
`

`

`ATTORNEY DOCKET
`080900.1118
`P027102QRG-COA
`
`1
`
`PATENT APPLICATION
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`First Named Inventor:
`
`Harald Philipp
`
`Application No.:
`
`Filing Date:
`
`Unassigned
`
`Herewith
`
`Confirmation No.:
`
`Unassigned
`
`Title:
`
`Capacitive Position Sensor
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`Applicant submits this Information Disclosure Statement under 37 C.F.R. §
`1.97(b)(3). Applicant respectfully requests the Examiner to consider and cite in the
`examination of this Application the documents listed in the attached Form PTO/SB/08. This
`Application is a continuing application under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. Patent Application No.
`12/703614, filed 10 February 2010. Under 37 C.F.R. § 1.98(d), Applicant has not provided
`copies of references previously submitted to or cited by the Office in U.S. Patent Application
`No. 12/703614. Moreover, under 37 C.F.R. § 1.98(a)(2)(ii), Applicant has not provided
`copies of U.S. patents and U.S. patent application publications.
`
`Under 37 C.F.R. § 1.97(g), the filing of this IDS shall not be construed as a
`representation that a search has been made. Moreover, under 37 C.F.R. § 1.97(h), the filing
`of this IDS shall not be construed to be an admission that the information cited in this IDS is
`or is considered to be material to patentability as defined by 37 C.F.R. §1.56(b).
`Furthermore, the filing of this IDS shall not be construed to be an admission that any
`information cited in this IDS is or is considered to be prior art under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102-103.
`
`The Commissioner may charge any fee due and credit any overpayment in this
`Application to Deposit Account No. 02-0384 of Baker Botts L.L.P.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
`Attorneys for Applicant
`
`.,,...,. .... ,
`
`............ ,, ... , ....... '<--'"'
`
`i
`
`~~-....9,..~ .... ,..,.,
`
`~,~"<--''''x--..,,,....,._,~ .... ,,,
`I ,
`I ~ ........... ,,,'X-.,_,,,,,,,,,, .... , .........
`
`Travis Thomas
`Reg. No. 48,667
`
`Date: 27 May 2011
`
`DALOl:1163997
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page5
`
`

`

`DOCUMENT
`NUMBER
`4,121,204
`4,264,903
`2003/0043174
`2004/0027395
`2004/0196267
`2004/0207605
`2005/0052429
`2005/0078027
`2006/0016800
`2008/0094077
`2009/0051660
`2009/0115431
`
`10-17-1978
`04-28-1981
`03-06-2003
`02-12-2004
`10-07-2004
`10-21-2004
`03-10-2005
`04-14-2005
`01-26-2006
`04-24-2008
`02-26-2009
`05-07-2009
`
`Welch et al.
`Bigelow
`Hinckley et al.
`Lection et al.
`Kawai et al.
`Mackey
`Philipp
`Philipp
`Paradiso et al.
`Philipp
`F eland et al.
`Philipp
`
`TRANSLATION
`(YES ORNO)
`
`PTO/SB/08
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`
`Application Number:
`Unassigned
`
`I First Named Inventor:
`Harald Philipp
`
`Attorney Docket No: Art Unit:
`080900.1118
`Unassigned
`
`Filing Date:
`Herewith
`
`ISSUED U.S. PATENTS AND PUBLISHED U.S. APPLICATIONS
`
`PUBLICATION OR ISSUE DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`A
`B
`C
`D
`E
`F
`G
`H
`I
`J
`K
`L
`
`M
`N
`0
`p
`
`Q
`R
`s
`T
`u
`V
`w
`X
`y
`z
`AA
`BB
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DOCUMENT
`NUMBER
`19645907 Al
`19903300 Al
`10133135 Al
`10313401 Al
`212004000044 Ul
`102005002952 Al
`102005018298 Al
`1273851 A2
`1602882 Al
`2443296 A
`2003088176 Al
`2006133976 Al
`2007006624 Al
`2007023067 Al
`2007072294 Al
`2010075463 A4
`
`PUBLICATION OR ISSUE
`DATE
`05-20-1998
`08-05-1999
`01-30-2003
`10-07-2004
`06/07/2006
`07-27-2006
`10-19-2006
`01-08-2003
`12/07/2005
`04-30-2008
`10-23-2003
`12-21-2006
`01-18-2007
`03-01-2007
`06-28-2007
`09-02-2010
`
`COUNTRY
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`EP
`EP
`GB
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`EXAMINER
`
`DATE CONSIDERED
`
`I
`
`EXAMINER: Initial if citation considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP § 609. Draw line through citation if not in conformance and not
`considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to the applicant.
`
`U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`DAL0l:1164000
`
`Page 1 of 2
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page6
`
`

`

`PTO/SB/08
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`
`Application Number:
`Unassigned
`
`I First Named Inventor:
`Harald Philipp
`
`Attorney Docket No: Art Unit:
`080900.1118
`Unassigned
`
`Filing Date:
`Herewith
`
`ISSUED U.S. PATENTS AND PUBLISHED U.S. APPLICATIONS
`
`DOCUMENT
`NUMBER
`
`PUBLICATION OR ISSUE DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`A
`B
`C
`D
`
`E
`F
`G
`H
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DOCUMENT
`NUMBER
`
`PUBLICATION OR ISSUE
`DATE
`
`COUNTRY
`
`TRANSLATION
`(YES ORNO)
`
`NON-PATENT LITERATURE (NPL)
`
`DATE
`February 22,
`2008
`
`October 1, 2009
`
`October 1, 2009
`
`I
`
`J
`
`K
`
`L
`
`N
`
`0
`
`p
`
`Q
`
`DOCUMENT (Including Author, Title, Source, and Pertinent Pages)
`UK Intellectual Property Office, Combined Search and Examination Report in
`Corresponding UK application.
`Application Serial No. 11/868566, Non-Final Office Action mailed 10-01-09, 19
`pages.
`Application Serial No. 12/317305, Non-Final Office Action mailed 10-01-09, 15
`pages.
`Application Serial No. 12/317305, Interview Summary and Supplemental Office
`Action mailed 02-09-10, 12 pages.
`Application Serial No. 12/317305, Response filed 03-01-10 to Non-Final Office
`M Action mailed 10-01-09 and the Supplemental Office Action mailed 02-09-10, 14 March 1, 2010
`pages.
`Application Serial No. 12/317305, Notice of Allowance mailed 04-12-10, 7
`pages.
`International Application Serial No. PCT/US2009/069322, International Search
`Report mailed 05-07-10, 3 pages.
`International Application Serial No. PCT/US2009/069322, Written Opinion
`mailed 05/07 /10, 5 pages.
`German Application Serial No. 102007049559.7, Office Action mailed 01-04-11,
`10 pages.
`
`February 9, 2010
`
`April 4, 2010
`
`May 7, 2010
`
`May 7, 2010
`
`January 4, 2011
`
`EXAMINER
`
`DATE CONSIDERED
`
`EXAMINER: Initial if citation considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP § 609. Draw line through citation if not in conformance and not
`considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to the applicant.
`
`U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`DAL0l:1164000
`
`Page 2 of2
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page7
`
`

`

`ATTORNEY DOCKET
`080900.1118
`P027102QRG-COB
`
`PATENT APPLICATION
`
`1 of22
`
`CAPACITIVE POSITION SENSOR
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[l]
`
`This application 1s a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. Patent
`
`Application No. 12/703614, filed 10 February 2010, which is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. §
`
`120 of U.S. Patent Application No. 11/868566, filed 8 October 2007, which claims the benefit
`
`under 35 U.S.C. § 119( e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/862358, filed 20 October
`
`2006.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[2]
`
`This disclosure generally relates to touch sensors.
`
`DAL0l:1163950.1
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page8
`
`

`

`ATTORNEY DOCKET
`080900.1118
`P027102QRG-COB
`
`2 of22
`
`PATENT APPLICATION
`
`BACKGROUND
`[3]
`embodiments relate more particularly to capacitive position sensors for detecting the position of
`
`Particular
`
`Particular embodiments relate
`
`to capacitive position sensors.
`
`an object around a curved path.
`
`[4]
`
`Capacitive position sensors are applicable to human interfaces as well as material
`
`displacement sensing in conjunction with controls and appliances, mechanisms and machinery,
`
`and computing.
`
`[5]
`
`Capacitive position sensors m general have recently become increasingly
`
`common and accepted in human interfaces and for machine control.
`
`In the field of home
`
`appliances, it is now quite common to find capacitive touch controls operable through glass or
`
`plastic panels. These sensors are increasingly typified by U.S. Patent No. 6,452,514 which
`
`describes a matrix sensor approach employing charge-transfer principles. Electrical appliances,
`
`such as TVs, washing machines, and cooking ovens increasingly have capacitive sensor controls
`
`for adjusting various parameters, for example volume, time and temperature.
`
`[ 6]
`
`Due to increasing market demand for capacitive touch controls, there is an
`
`increased need for lower cost-per-function as well as greater flexibility in usage and
`
`configuration. There exists a substantial demand for new human interface technologies which
`
`can, at the right price, overcome the technical deficits of electromechanical controls on the one
`
`hand, and the cost of touch screens or other exotica on the other.
`
`[7]
`
`EP1273851A2 discloses a device for adjusting temperature settings, power
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`settings or other parameters of a cooking apparatus. The device comprises a strip sensor which
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`may be linear, curved or circular and may be a capacitive touch sensor or some other form of
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`touch sensor. A linear display is arranged in parallel to the sensor. The capacitive touch sensor
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`is sensitive to the touch of a finger and the display strip is made up of multiple display segments
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`which illuminate to show the current touch setting as defined by a finger touch on the capacitive
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`touch sensor. A predetermined calibration curve relating to a parameter to be adjusted is mapped
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`onto the strip, the range extending from a minimum value to a maximum value. The minimum
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`value may correspond to an off condition of the domestic appliance. Additional operational
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`modes may be associated with the adjustment strip to ascribe new functions to the sensor strip.
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`DAL0l:1163950.1
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`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page9
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`

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`ATTORNEY DOCKET
`080900.1118
`P027102QRG-COB
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`3 of22
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`PATENT APPLICATION
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`These can be selected by touching the display for a certain time. For example, a first additional
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`mode can be entered by touching for 5 seconds, and a second additional mode by touching for 10
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`seconds. One of the additional operational modes is a zoom mode which provides for fine
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`adjustment of the parameter value. The zoom operational mode can be activated by a contact
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`time of, for example, 10 seconds. In the zoom mode an additional digital display is activated to
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`show the current numerical value of the parameter being adjusted. In the zoom mode, only a
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`fraction ( e.g. 10%) of the original adjustment range is mapped onto the adjustment strip so that
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`moving a finger across the full length of the sensor strip from left to right ( or right to left) will
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`only increase (decrease) the current setting of the parameter value, thereby providing a finer
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`adjustment. During this fine adjustment, the display strip keeps its original function as a relative
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`indicator of the full range between the minimum and maximum values.
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`[8]
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`More generally, linear, curved and circular sensor strips for adjusting cooker
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`settings have been known for many years, for example see U.S. Patent No. 4,121,204 (resistive
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`or capacitive sensor), DE19645907Al (capacitive sensor), DE19903300Al (resistive sensor),
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`and EP1602882Al (optical sensor).
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`[9] WO2006/133976Al, WO2007/006624Al and WO2007/023067Al are more
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`recent examples of work on touch-sensitive control strips for domestic appliances usmg
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`capacitive sensors. These three patent applications were filed before the priority date of the
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`present application, but first published after the priority date of the present application.
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`In
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`particular, WO2006/133976Al and WO2007 /023067 Al disclose sensors with a zoom function
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`similar to the abovedescribed EP1273851A2 which is used for setting a timer.
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`[10] WO2006/133976Al provides an adjustment strip with two operational modes. In
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`the first mode the full parameter value range is mapped across the sensor strip. For example Oto
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`99 minutes in a timer function. If a user wishes to set the timer to 30 minutes, he touches the
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`strip approximately one third way along. A parameter value of say 34 minutes is sensed by the
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`capacitive sensor, and displayed to the user on a numeric display. Once the initial value has been
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`set, the effect of touching the sensor field is automatically changed to a second mode in which
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`the parameter value is decreased ( or increased) finely from the initially selected value by an
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`amount that depends on the distance moved by the finger along the sensor strip. In the example,
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`DAL0l:1163950.1
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`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page10
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`ATTORNEY DOCKET
`080900.1118
`P027102QRG-COB
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`4 of22
`
`PATENT APPLICATION
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`the user can then slide his finger from right to left to reduce the time from 34 minutes to the
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`desired 30 minutes, using the display for visual feedback. In this way, the user can initially make
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`a rough selection of the desired parameter value with a point and touch action, and then refine it
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`to the exact value desired by a finger sliding action.
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`[11] WO2007 /023067 Al provides an adjustment strip with two operational modes that
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`switch between mapping the full parameter value range across the sensor strip and a partial range
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`selected to show the sub-range of parameter values between which the parameter is most often
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`set by a user. The example of setting the timer on a cooker is given.
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`[12] While a zoom function is useful, prior art implementations of the zoom function
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`have limitations regarding the manner in which the transition is effected from the full range
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`mode to the zoom mode.
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`In EP1273851A2, the user is made to wait for a certain time, 10
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`seconds in the specific example, until the transition occurs. On the other hand, m
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`WO2006/133976Al the transition automatically occurs as soon as a value from the full range is
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`selected.
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`DAL0l:1163950.1
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`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page11
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`

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`ATTORNEY DOCKET
`080900.1118
`P027102QRG-COB
`
`SUMMARY
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`PATENT APPLICATION
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`5 of22
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`[13]
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`Particular embodiments provide an improved capacitive position sensor for an
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`electrical appliance in which a desired parameter value can be more efficiently and accurately
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`selected.
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`[14]
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`Particular embodiments provide a capacitive position sensor for detecting a
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`position of an object comprising: a sensing element comprising a sensing path; at least one
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`terminal connected to the sensing element; at least one sensing channel connected to the at least
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`one terminal in which the sensing channel is operable to generate a signal indicative of
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`capacitance between the terminal and a system ground; means to determine a position of an
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`object on the sensing element; and means to further refine the position of the object
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`corresponding to a value in a parameter range of values.
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`[15]
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`Particular embodiments provide a capacitive position sensor for setting a
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`parameter or function to a desired value in a range of parameter or function values by
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`determining the position of an object on a capacitive position sensor, the capacitive position
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`sensor comprising: a sensing element comprising a sensing path; at least one terminal connected
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`to the sensing element; at least one sensing channel connected to the at least one terminal in
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`which the sensing channel is operable to generate a signal indicative of capacitance between the
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`terminal and a system ground; means to determine a position of an object on the sensing element;
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`means to further refine the position of the object corresponding to a value in the range of
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`parameter or function values; and a processor operable to interpret and process the signal to
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`determine the approximate position of an object on the sensing path, the processor being
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`configured to provide a first mode of the capacitive position sensor in which the range of
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`parameter or function values is mapped onto the sensing path and in which the parameter or
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`function can be set to approximately the desired value by a touch of the sensing path at a first
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`point, and a second mode in which displacement of an object on the sensing element adjusts the
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`parameter or function from the value initially set in the first mode, wherein the processor is
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`configured to switch from the first mode to the second mode responsive to capacitive coupling
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`caused by moving displacement of an object along the sensing path in relation to the first point
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`of touch.
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`DAL0l:1163950.1
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`Petitioner Exhibit 1004, Page12
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`

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`ATTORNEY DOCKET
`080900.1118
`P027102QRG-COB
`
`6 of22
`
`PATENT APPLICATION
`
`[16]
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`Particular embodiments provide a method for determining the position of an
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`object on a capacitive position sensor as hereinbefore defined, the method comprising bringing
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`an object into proximity with the sensing element so as to determine a position of the object,
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`initiating a change in mode of the sensor to respond to capacitive coupling caused by moving
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`displacement of an object on the sensor element, displacing an object on the sensing element to
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`select a value in a parameter range of values, and processing the signal to determine the selected
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`parameter value.
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`[17]
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`Particular embodiments provide a method for setting a parameter or function to a
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`desired value in a range of parameter or function values by determining the position of an object
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`on a capacitive position sensor, the capacitive position sensor comprising: a sensing element
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`comprising a sensing path; at least one terminal connected to the sensing element; at least one
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`sensing channel connected to the at least one terminal in which the sensing channel is operable to
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`generate a signal indicative of capacitance between the terminal and a system ground; means to
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`determine a position of an object on the sensing element; and means to further refine the position
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`of the object corresponding to a val