Force sensing of inputs through strain analysis
First Claim
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1. A smart phone, comprising:
- a frame at least partially enclosing an interior of the smart phone;
a display mounted within the interior of the smart phone and at least partially surrounded by the frame;
an input surface movably connected to the frame;
a force-sensing device comprising a set of strain sensors, the set of strain sensors coupled to the input surface and configured to output a set of strain signals; and
a processor configured to determine an amount of force applied to the input surface using the set of strain signals.
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Abstract
Although embodiments have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims. The foregoing description has broad application. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be an example and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples.
243 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A smart phone, comprising:
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a frame at least partially enclosing an interior of the smart phone; a display mounted within the interior of the smart phone and at least partially surrounded by the frame; an input surface movably connected to the frame; a force-sensing device comprising a set of strain sensors, the set of strain sensors coupled to the input surface and configured to output a set of strain signals; and a processor configured to determine an amount of force applied to the input surface using the set of strain signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A smart phone, comprising:
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a frame at least partially enclosing an interior of the smart phone and having an open end; a cover glass covering the open end of the frame; a plurality of strain probes configured to output a plurality of strain signals in response to a force input applied to the smart phone; and a processor configured to determine an amount of force applied to the smart phone by the force input, the amount of force determined using the plurality of strain signals. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A smart phone, comprising:
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an input surface; a first member coupled to the input surface and having a pedestal extending inward from the first member toward an interior of the smart phone; a beam having a surface contacted by the pedestal; a second member that supports the beam and defines a space on a side of the beam opposite the pedestal; and a strain sensor disposed on the beam;
wherein;an input force applied to the input surface pushes the pedestal toward the space and causes the beam to bend; and the strain sensor is configured to generate a strain signal in response to bending of the beam. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification