Force sensor in an input device

• US 10,007,343 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2016
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Kim, Sora, Grunthaner, Martin P., Jin, Rui, Wittenberg, Michael B., McCord, MIchael K., Larsson, Henric, Gozzini, Giovanni, Browning, Lucy, Myers, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lin, Chun-Nan
• Application Number:
  US15/087,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20170285746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0447 Position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9625 using a force resistance transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/964 Piezoelectric touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/975 using a capacitive movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960755 Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches

Abstract

An input device can be integrated within an electronic device and/or operably connected to an electronic device through a wired or wireless connection. The input device can include one or more force sensors positioned below a cover element of the input device or an input surface of the electronic device. The input device can include other components and/or functionality, such as a biometric sensor and/or a switch element.

Claims

1. An input device for use with an electronic device, the input device comprising:

a cover element;

a compliant layer having a center opening, the compliant layer positioned adjacent and below the cover element;

a fingerprint sensor positioned below the cover element and at least partially in the center opening, the fingerprint sensor configured to capture a fingerprint of a finger as the finger approaches or contacts the cover element; and

a force sensor positioned below the fingerprint sensor and over a support element, the force sensor configured to detect a force input applied to the cover element;

wherein

the compliant layer comprises a first layer, a second layer, and a compliant material positioned between the first layer and the second layer.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor is operably connected to a first circuit layer and the fingerprint sensor and the first circuit layer are positioned below the cover element.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the force sensor comprises:

a second circuit layer comprising a first set of one or more electrodes; and

a third circuit layer spaced apart from the second circuit layer and comprising a second set of one or more electrodes, wherein each electrode in the first set is aligned in at least one direction with a respective electrode in the second set to produce one or more capacitors.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein:

the first layer comprises a first circuit layer comprising a first set of one or more electrodes;

the second layer comprises a second circuit layer comprising a second set of one or more electrodes; and

each electrode in the first set is aligned in at least one direction with a respective electrode in the second set to produce one or more capacitors.

5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the compliant layer comprises one or more discrete compliant layers.

6. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a trim at least partially surrounding the cover element.

7. The input device of claim 6, wherein the support element is attached to the trim.

8. The input device of claim 6, wherein the support element comprises a bottom surface of the trim.

9. The input device of claim 8, wherein the cover element, the fingerprint sensor, and the force sensor reside within the trim.

10. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a switch element positioned below the support element and configured to detect a user input when the force input exceeds a given amount of force.

11. An input device for use with an electronic device, the input device comprising:

a cover element;

one or more first force sensors on a layer having a center opening, the one or more first force sensors positioned adjacent and below the cover element, each first force sensor configured to detect a first force input applied to the cover element; and

a second force sensor positioned below the cover element and at least partially in the center opening, the second force sensor configured to detect a second force input applied to the cover element;

wherein

at least one of the one or more first force sensors or the second force sensor comprises;

a first circuit layer comprising a first set of one or more electrodes;

a second circuit layer spaced apart from the first circuit layer and comprising a second set of one or more electrodes, wherein each electrode in the first set is aligned in at least one direction with a respective electrode in the second set to produce one or more capacitors; and

a compliant layer positioned between the first circuit layer and the second circuit layer.

12. The input device of claim 11, further comprising a biometric sensor positioned between the cover element and the second force sensor.

13. The input device of claim 11, further comprising a switch element positioned below the second force sensor and configured to detect a user input when the first or the second force input exceeds a given amount of force.

14. The input device of claim 11, wherein the one or more first force sensors and the second force sensor detect both the first force input and the second force input.

15. The input device of claim 11, further comprising a trim at least partially surrounding the cover element.

16. The input device of claim 15, wherein a support element is attached to the trim.

17. The input device of claim 15, wherein the support element comprises a bottom surface of the trim.

18. The input device of claim 17, wherein the cover element, the one or more first force sensor, and the second force sensor reside within the trim.

19. An input device for use with an electronic device, the input device comprising:

a cover element;

a compliant layer having a center opening, the compliant layer positioned adjacent and below the cover element;

a fingerprint sensor positioned below the cover element and at least partially in the center opening, the fingerprint sensor configured to capture a fingerprint of a finger as the finger approaches or contacts the cover element; and

a force sensor positioned below the fingerprint sensor and over a support element, the force sensor configured to detect a force input applied to the cover element;

wherein

the compliant layer comprises one or more discrete compliant layers.