TOUCH SENSORS WITH TACTILE FEEDBACK
First Claim
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1. A touch sensor comprising:
- a dielectric layer having discrete locations that each correspond to a distinct key;
a piezoelectric element; and
a PCB on which top and bottom conductive layers are disposed on opposing surfaces, the PCB disposed between the dielectric layer and the piezoelectric element and connected to the dielectric layer and the piezoelectric element such that no layer other than bonding layers that bond the dielectric layer and the PCB and the piezoelectric element and the PCB is present between the dielectric layer and the PCB and the piezoelectric element and the PCB, at least one of the top and bottom conductive layers containing circuitry formed therein and components disposed thereon, the touch sensor configured to sense when contact with one of the discrete locations of the dielectric layer is made and in response actuate the piezoelectric element to provide individualized tactile feedback dependent on the contacted discrete location.
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Abstract
Touch sensors with one or more piezoelectric elements and devices containing such touch sensors are presented. The touch sensor contains keys that are independently actuated. Contact with a key provides tactile feedback through the piezoelectric element to the user. Each key provides an individual tactile feedback pattern that is dependent on the particular key contacted as well as the function of the key at the time of contact. Actuation of the key provides a different tactile feedback pattern. The piezoelectric element is bonded directly to a printed circuit board, on which electronic components are also mounted.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A touch sensor comprising:
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a dielectric layer having discrete locations that each correspond to a distinct key; a piezoelectric element; and a PCB on which top and bottom conductive layers are disposed on opposing surfaces, the PCB disposed between the dielectric layer and the piezoelectric element and connected to the dielectric layer and the piezoelectric element such that no layer other than bonding layers that bond the dielectric layer and the PCB and the piezoelectric element and the PCB is present between the dielectric layer and the PCB and the piezoelectric element and the PCB, at least one of the top and bottom conductive layers containing circuitry formed therein and components disposed thereon, the touch sensor configured to sense when contact with one of the discrete locations of the dielectric layer is made and in response actuate the piezoelectric element to provide individualized tactile feedback dependent on the contacted discrete location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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- 14. A device comprising an invisible keypad having keys configured to be physically touchable by a user and a piezoelectric element disposed within the keypad, the keypad configured to sense when contact with one of the keys is made and in response actuate the piezoelectric element to provide individualized tactile feedback dependent on the contacted key.
Specification