TOUCH-SENSITIVE DISPLAY INCLUDING A FORCE-SENSOR AND PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING SAME

• US 20100220065A1
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: MA, ZhongMing
• Application Number:
  US12/394,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20100220065A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer

Abstract

A touch screen display includes a display, a touch-sensitive overlay disposed on the display, and a controller operably coupled to the overlay. At least one force sensor is disposed between the display and the overlay and is arranged and constructed to determine a value of an applied force to the overlay.

Claims

1. A touch screen display comprising:

a display;

a touch-sensitive overlay disposed on the display and a controller operably coupled to the overlay; and

a force sensor disposed between the display and the overlay and arranged and constructed to determine a value of an applied force to the overlay.

2. The touch screen display according to claim 1, wherein the force sensor comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

3. The touch screen display according to claim 2, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive material disposed between substrate layers and adhered to the overlay and the display.

4. The touch screen display according to claim 3, wherein the substrate layers comprise layers of polyethylene terephthalate.

5. The touch screen display according to claim 4, wherein the pressure-sensitive material comprises a pressure-sensitive ink.

6. The touch screen display according to claim 1, wherein the force sensor comprises a pressure-sensitive composite elastomer.

7. The touch screen display according to claim 1, wherein the force sensor is disposed around a periphery of the touch-sensitive overlay.

8. The touch screen display according to claim 7, wherein the force sensor provides a seal between the overlay and the display.

9. The touch screen display according to claim 1, further comprises additional force sensors such that each force sensor is disposed near each edge of the touch-sensitive overlay.

10. The touch screen display according to claim 1, further comprising an analog-to-digital converter operably coupled to the force sensor.

11. A portable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a touch screen display comprising a display;

a touch-sensitive overlay disposed on the display and exposed by the housing and a controller connected to the overlay, and a force sensor disposed between the display and the overlay and arranged and constructed to determine a value of an applied force to the overlay;

functional components in the housing comprising a memory and a processor operably coupled to the memory, and the touch screen display.

12. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the force sensor comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

13. The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive material disposed between substrate layers and adhered to the overlay and the display.

14. The portable electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the substrate layers comprise layers of polyethylene terephthalate.

15. The portable electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the pressure-sensitive material comprises a pressure-sensitive ink.

16. The portable electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the force sensor provides a seal between the overlay and the display.

17. The touch screen display according to claim 11, wherein the force sensor comprises a pressure-sensitive composite elastomer.

18. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the force sensor is disposed around a periphery of the touch-sensitive overlay.

19. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, comprising a plurality of force sensors, wherein each force sensor is disposed near an edge of the touch-sensitive overlay.

20. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, further comprising an analog-to-digital converter operably coupled to the force sensor.

21. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, further comprising a piezo actuator disposed between the touch screen display and a base of the portable electronic device for applying a force to the touch screen display in response to an external applied force on the touch screen display that exceeds a threshold force.