Force Imaging Input Device and System
First Claim
1. A force imaging system comprising:
- a substantially rigid member that receives a force input on a first surface and that includes a first conductive element disposed at a second surface;
a rigid member including a second conductive element spatially separated from the first conductive element through a mechanism by which the first and second conductive elements are brought into closer proximity when the force input is received by the first surface, such that the first and second conductive elements form first and second plates, respectively, of a plurality of capacitors with capacitances indicative of an intensity of the force input; and
a controller operatively coupled to the first and second conductive elements, wherein the controller measures the capacitances to obtain an image of the intensity of the force input.
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Abstract
A force imaging touch pad includes first and second sets of conductive traces separated by a spring membrane. When a force is applied, the spring membrane deforms moving the two sets of traces closer together. The resulting change in mutual capacitance is used to generate an image indicative of the amount or intensity of the applied force. A combined location and force imaging touch pad includes two sets of drive traces, one set of sense traces and a spring membrane. In operation, one of the drive traces is used in combination with the set of sense traces to generate an image of where one or more objects touch the touch pad. The second set of drive traces is used in combination with the sense traces and spring membrane to generate an image of the applied force'"'"'s strength or intensity.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A force imaging system comprising:
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a substantially rigid member that receives a force input on a first surface and that includes a first conductive element disposed at a second surface; a rigid member including a second conductive element spatially separated from the first conductive element through a mechanism by which the first and second conductive elements are brought into closer proximity when the force input is received by the first surface, such that the first and second conductive elements form first and second plates, respectively, of a plurality of capacitors with capacitances indicative of an intensity of the force input; and a controller operatively coupled to the first and second conductive elements, wherein the controller measures the capacitances to obtain an image of the intensity of the force input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification