Touch-Based Input Device with Boundary Defining a Void
First Claim
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1. A touch-based input device comprising:
- a first structural element supported in a fixed position;
a second structural element operable with said first structural element and configured to define a touch-sensing element;
at least one sensor operable to measure an external stimulus applied to said touch-sensing element, the at least one sensor being configured to output a signal corresponding to said external stimulus to be used to determine a location of said external stimulus applied to said touch-sensing element; and
wherein at least a portion of the touch-sensing element comprises a boundary defining a void present in the touch-sensing element.
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Abstract
A touch-based input device comprising a first structural element supported in a fixed position, a second structural element operable with said first structural element and configured to define a touch-sensing element. The touch-based input device further comprising at least one sensor operable to measure an external stimulus applied to said touch-sensing element, the at least one sensor being configured to output a signal corresponding to said external stimulus to be used to determine a location of said external stimulus applied to said touch-sensing element, wherein at least a portion of the touch-sensing element comprises a boundary defining a void present in the touch-sensing element.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A touch-based input device comprising:
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a first structural element supported in a fixed position; a second structural element operable with said first structural element and configured to define a touch-sensing element; at least one sensor operable to measure an external stimulus applied to said touch-sensing element, the at least one sensor being configured to output a signal corresponding to said external stimulus to be used to determine a location of said external stimulus applied to said touch-sensing element; and wherein at least a portion of the touch-sensing element comprises a boundary defining a void present in the touch-sensing element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A touch-based input device comprising:
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a first structural element supported in a fixed position; a second structural element operable with said first structural element and configured to define a touch-sensing element; at least one sensor operable to measure an external stimulus applied to said touch-sensing element, the at least one sensor being configured to output a signal corresponding to said external stimulus to be used to determine a location of said external stimulus applied to said touch-sensing element; and a void present within the touch-sensing element, said void configured such that operation of the touch sensing element is unaffected by the presence of said void. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A force-based input device comprising:
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a first structural element supported in a fixed position; a second structural element operable with said first structural element, and dynamically supported to be movable with respect to said first structural element to define a force-sensing element configured to displace under an applied force; at least one sensor operable to measure a force resulting from said displacement of said force-sensing element, the at least one sensor being configured to output a signal corresponding to said measured force, to be used to determine a location of said applied force on said force-sensing element; and at least one void present within the force-sensing element, said void configured such that operation of the touch sensing element is unaffected by the presence of said void. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A force-based input device comprising:
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a first structural element supported in a fixed position; a second structural element operable with said first structural element, and dynamically supported to be movable with respect to said first structural element to define a force-sensing element configured to displace under an applied force; a plurality of isolated beam segments joining said first and second structural elements, said isolated beam segments being operable to transfer forces between the first and second structural elements resulting from displacement of said force-sensing element; at least one sensor operable to measure strain within each of said isolated beam segments resulting from said transfer of forces and said displacement of said force-sensing element, each of said sensors being configured to output a signal, corresponding to said applied force and said measured strain, to be used to determine a location of said applied force on said force-sensing element; at least one void present within the force-sensing element; and a functional attachment disposed within the at least one void.
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29. A method for fabricating a force-based input device, comprising:
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obtaining a substrate usable as a force-sensing element within said force-based input device; forming one or more voids within said substrate to provide a finished force-sensing element, wherein the formation of said voids does not affect the operation of said substrate as a force-sensing element; and configuring said substrate for placement of one or more sensors operable with said force-based input device. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification