SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING INDIVIDUAL FORCE IN MULTI-OBJECT SENSING
First Claim
1. An input device comprising:
- a surface;
a sensor configured to sense objects in a sensing region proximate the surface;
a plurality force sensors, each of the plurality of force sensors coupled to the surface such that the plurality of force sensors provide a plurality of measures of force applied to the surface;
a processing system coupled to the sensor and to the plurality of force sensors, the processing system configured to;
determine positional information for each of multiple objects sensed by the sensor in the sensing region; and
determine force information for the each of the multiple objects from;
the positional information for each of the multiple objects; and
the plurality of measures of force applied to the surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input device is provided that facilitates improved user interface functionality by determining force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region. The input device includes a processing system, a sensor configured to sense objects in a sensing region proximate a surface, and a plurality of force sensors. The plurality of force sensors are coupled to the surface to provide a plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. The processing system is configured to determine positional information for each the multiple objects sensed by the sensor in the sensing region. Furthermore, the processing system is configured to determine force information for each of the multiple objects from the positional information and the plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. Thus, device and method provides the ability to determine both positional information and force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An input device comprising:
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a surface; a sensor configured to sense objects in a sensing region proximate the surface; a plurality force sensors, each of the plurality of force sensors coupled to the surface such that the plurality of force sensors provide a plurality of measures of force applied to the surface; a processing system coupled to the sensor and to the plurality of force sensors, the processing system configured to; determine positional information for each of multiple objects sensed by the sensor in the sensing region; and determine force information for the each of the multiple objects from; the positional information for each of the multiple objects; and the plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An input device comprising:
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a surface; a capacitive sensor configured to capacitively sense at least two objects simultaneously in a sensing region proximate the surface; at least three force sensors, each of the at least three force sensors coupled to the surface such that the at least three force sensors provide at least three measures of force applied to the surface, where at least two of the at least three force sensors are positioned near a perimeter of the sensing region; a processing system coupled to the capacitive sensor and to the at least three force sensors, the processing system configured to; determine positional information for each of the at least two objects simultaneously sensed by the sensor in the sensing region; and determine individual force information for the each of the at least two objects from; the positional information for the each of the at least two objects; and the at least three measures of force applied to the surface.
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14. A method comprising the steps of:
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sensing multiple objects with a sensor; determining positional information for each of the multiple objects sensed by the sensor; determining a plurality of measures of force applied to a surface of the sensor; and determining force information for the each of the multiple objects from; the positional information for each of the multiple objects; and the plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification