PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING TACTILE TOUCH-SENSITIVE INPUT DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROTECTING SAME
First Claim
1. A portable electronic device comprising:
- a housing including a base;
a touch-sensitive input assembly spaced from and moveable relative to the base;
a stopping arrangement to limit movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly in the direction of the base;
an actuating arrangement comprising a piezoelectric actuator disposed between the touch-sensitive input assembly and the base to selectively receive an applied voltage to thereby apply a force to the touch-sensitive input assembly;
an accelerometer housed within the housing; and
functional components in the housing comprising a memory and a processor operably connected to the memory, the touch-sensitive input assembly, the piezoelectric actuator, and the accelerometer to execute a program stored in the memory to apply a negative voltage to the piezoelectric actuator, if a fall is detected based on signals from the accelerometer, cause reverse bending of the piezoelectric actuator to permit the stopping arrangement to limit movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly and thereby limit force exerted on the piezoelectric actuator between the touch-sensitive input assembly and the base.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable electronic device includes a housing with a base. A touch-sensitive input assembly is spaced from and moveable relative to the base and a stopping arrangement limits movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly in the direction of the base. An actuating arrangement including a piezoelectric actuator is disposed between the touch-sensitive input assembly and the base for selectively receiving an applied voltage to thereby apply a force to the touch-sensitive input assembly. An accelerometer and functional components are housed within the housing. The functional components include a memory and a processor operably connected to the memory, the touch-sensitive input assembly, the piezoelectric actuator, and the accelerometer to execute a program stored in the memory to monitor signals from the accelerometer and, if a fall is detected based on the signals from the accelerometer, apply a negative voltage to the piezoelectric actuator causing reverse bending of the piezoelectric actuator to permit the stopping arrangement to limit movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly and thereby limit force exerted on the piezoelectric actuator between the touch-sensitive input assembly and the base.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A portable electronic device comprising:
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a housing including a base; a touch-sensitive input assembly spaced from and moveable relative to the base; a stopping arrangement to limit movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly in the direction of the base; an actuating arrangement comprising a piezoelectric actuator disposed between the touch-sensitive input assembly and the base to selectively receive an applied voltage to thereby apply a force to the touch-sensitive input assembly; an accelerometer housed within the housing; and functional components in the housing comprising a memory and a processor operably connected to the memory, the touch-sensitive input assembly, the piezoelectric actuator, and the accelerometer to execute a program stored in the memory to apply a negative voltage to the piezoelectric actuator, if a fall is detected based on signals from the accelerometer, cause reverse bending of the piezoelectric actuator to permit the stopping arrangement to limit movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly and thereby limit force exerted on the piezoelectric actuator between the touch-sensitive input assembly and the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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16. A method of protecting components of a portable electronic device comprising a housing including a base, a touch-sensitive input assembly spaced from and moveable relative to the base, a stopping arrangement to limit movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly in the direction of the base, an actuating arrangement comprising a piezoelectric actuator disposed between the touch-sensitive input assembly and the base to selectively receive an applied voltage to thereby apply a force to the touch-sensitive input assembly, an accelerometer housed within the housing, and functional components in the housing comprising a memory and a processor operably connected to the memory, the touch-sensitive input assembly, the piezoelectric actuator, and the accelerometer, the method comprising:
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executing a program stored in the memory to monitor signals from the accelerometer; and if a fall is detected based on the signals from the accelerometer, apply a negative voltage to the piezelectric actuator causing reverse bending of the piezoelectric actuator to permit the stopping arrangement to limit movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly and thereby limit force exerted on the piezoelectric actuator between the touch-sensitive input assembly and the base.
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Specification