SENSING CAPACITANCE CHANGES OF A HOUSING OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
First Claim
1. An input-output device, comprising:
- a metal surface; and
one or more sensors disposed adjacent the metal surface, wherein the one or more sensors is configured to detect a deflection of the metal surface and indicate an input to the input-output device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that allow measurement of a user'"'"'s interaction with the housing of an electronic device. Some embodiments may measure the electrical characteristics of a housing of an electrical device, where the housing is capable of being temporarily deformed by the user'"'"'s interaction. By measuring the electrical characteristics of the housing, such as the housing'"'"'s capacitance, the user'"'"'s interaction with the housing can be measured in a manner that is independent of the user'"'"'s electrical characteristics and/or in a manner that may allow the pressure applied to the housing to be quantified.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An input-output device, comprising:
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a metal surface; and one or more sensors disposed adjacent the metal surface, wherein the one or more sensors is configured to detect a deflection of the metal surface and indicate an input to the input-output device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An electronic device comprising:
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a housing comprising a first region having a first thickness and a second region having a second thickness; a mounting surface coupled to the housing, the mounting surface comprising a terminal that is located on the mounting surface so that the terminal is substantially aligned with the second region of the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the mounting surface; wherein the processing unit measures an electrical characteristic of the terminal with respect to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electronic device comprising:
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a housing comprising an exterior that is substantially flat and an interior comprising first and second areas with differing thicknesses; a mounting surface coupled to the housing, the mounting surface comprising an illumination source aligned with the second area; and a processing unit coupled to the mounting surface; wherein the processing unit illuminates the illumination source as the exterior of the housing is stressed. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electronic device comprising:
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a housing comprising an input mechanism integrated into the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the housing, wherein the input mechanism is activated by stressing a portion of an exterior of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification