Piezo-actuated virtual buttons for touch surfaces
First Claim
1. A piezo-actuated structure, the piezo-actuated structure comprising:
- a deformable layer formed from a glass material;
a piezo layer, the piezo layer mechanically mated to the deformable layer and capable of transmitting a haptic response to the deformable layer causing the glass material of the deformable layer to bend and simulate an actuated dome switch;
an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer mechanically mated to the deformable layer and further the intermediate layer capable of providing mechanical communication between the deformable layer and said piezo layer; and
a capacitive sensing layer, the capacitive sensing layer capable of triggering varying levels of haptic response transmitted by the piezo layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods of creating a touch sensitive surface structure comprising a piezo structure in communication with a deformable surface such that the piezo structure, or any suitable pressure sensing device, is capable of sensing pressure from a touch upon the deformable surface and communicating that pressure signal to an actuating circuit. The actuating circuit, upon receiving a suitable pressure signal, sends a piezo actuating signal to the piezo structure. The piezo structure, upon receiving the piezo actuating signal, is capable of communicating a mechanical signal to the deformable surface, sufficient for a person'"'"'s finger to feel a “click” and/or haptic sensation. In one embodiment, the piezo actuating signal comprises a first slow charging portion and a second fast discharging portion, sufficient for the piezo structure to communicate the click and/or haptic sensation.
736 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A piezo-actuated structure, the piezo-actuated structure comprising:
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a deformable layer formed from a glass material; a piezo layer, the piezo layer mechanically mated to the deformable layer and capable of transmitting a haptic response to the deformable layer causing the glass material of the deformable layer to bend and simulate an actuated dome switch; an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer mechanically mated to the deformable layer and further the intermediate layer capable of providing mechanical communication between the deformable layer and said piezo layer; and a capacitive sensing layer, the capacitive sensing layer capable of triggering varying levels of haptic response transmitted by the piezo layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for actuating a piezo-actuated structure, the piezo-actuated structure comprising:
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a piezo layer; a deformable layer formed from a glass material; an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer mechanically mated to the deformable layer and further the intermediate layer being capable of providing mechanical communication between the deformable layer and the piezo layer; a capacitive sensing layer, the capacitive sensing layer capable of triggering varying levels of haptic response transmitted by the piezo layer; and the piezo layer mechanically mated to the deformable layer, the method being; receiving a first pressure applied to the deformable layer and transmitted through the intermediate layer to the piezo layer; in response to the receiving of the first pressure applied to the deformable layer, sending a piezo actuating signal from an actuation circuit to the piezo layer; and communicating a mechanical signal to the deformable layer by movement of the piezo layer in response to the piezo actuating signal causing the glass material of the deformable layer to bend and simulate an actuated dome switch. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A touch sensitive surface structure comprising:
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a touch sensitive surface, the touch sensitive surface further being a deformable layer formed from a glass material; a piezo layer, the piezo layer in mechanical communication with the deformable layer and capable of sensing pressure and transmitting a haptic response to the deformable layer causing the glass material of the deformable layer to bend and simulate an actuated dome switch; an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer mechanically mated to the deformable layer and further the intermediate layer capable of providing mechanical communication between the deformable layer and the piezo layer; a capacitive sensing layer, the capacitive sensing layer capable of triggering varying levels of haptic response transmitted by the piezo layer; and a piezo actuating circuit, the piezo actuating circuit in electrical communication with the piezo layer and further wherein the piezo actuating circuit is capable of sending a piezo actuating signal to the piezo layer in response to sensing a pressure applied by a finger. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification