Proximity edge sensing
First Claim
1. An electronic device, comprising:
- a cover glass;
a first electrode;
a second electrode;
a first material positioned between the first and the second electrodes;
a third electrode positioned on a side of the second electrode opposite the first electrode; and
a second material positioned between the second electrode and the third electrode;
wherein the electronic device is operable to;
detect an applied force on the cover glass of the electronic device based on a first change in capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode while the third electrode functions as a force sensing ground shield;
detect a proximity of an object to the electronic device based on a second change in capacitance measured using the third electrode, while the first electrode functions as a proximity ground shield.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In various implementations, a sensor operates in a force sensing mode by determining an applied force based on a first change in capacitance between first and second electrodes related to compression of a compressible material positioned between while the third electrode functions as a shield and in a proximity sensing mode by sensing proximity of an object based on a second change in capacitance of the third electrode while the first and/or second electrodes function as a shield. In some implementations, a device has a cover glass including a surface having a display area, an edge surface, and a cavity; a touch sensing electrode oriented toward the surface; an electrode positioned in the cavity oriented toward the edge surface; and a processing unit operable to detect touch or proximity of an object to the edge surface based on a change in capacitance between the electrode and the object.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic device, comprising:
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a cover glass; a first electrode; a second electrode; a first material positioned between the first and the second electrodes; a third electrode positioned on a side of the second electrode opposite the first electrode; and a second material positioned between the second electrode and the third electrode; wherein the electronic device is operable to; detect an applied force on the cover glass of the electronic device based on a first change in capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode while the third electrode functions as a force sensing ground shield; detect a proximity of an object to the electronic device based on a second change in capacitance measured using the third electrode, while the first electrode functions as a proximity ground shield. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electronic device, comprising:
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a housing; a cover glass positioned adjacent to the housing, the cover glass including; a cover glass surface having a display area; a cover glass edge surface; and a cavity formed partially in the cover glass opposite the cover glass surface apart from the display area; a touch sensing electrode positioned on the cover glass, opposite the cover glass surface in the display area and oriented toward the cover glass surface; and an additional electrode positioned in the cavity, oriented toward the cover glass edge surface; wherein; the touch sensing electrode is operable at least to detect a touch of an object on the cover glass surface; and a proximity of the object to the cover glass edge may be detected by a change in capacitance measured using the additional electrode. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controlling a combined proximity and force sensor, comprising:
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operating the combined proximity and force sensor in a force sensing mode in which an applied force on a surface of an electronic device can be detected based on a first change in capacitance between a first electrode and a second electrode of the combined proximity and force sensor while a third electrode of the combined proximity and force sensor is used as a force sensing ground shield; operating the combined proximity and force sensor in a proximity sensing mode in which proximity of an object to the surface of the electronic device can be detected based on a second change in capacitance measured at the third electrode while the first electrode is used as a proximity sensing ground shield; and switching the combined proximity and force sensor between the proximity sensing mode and the force sensing mode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification