Method and Apparatus For Sensing the Force With Which a Button is Pressed
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Accused Products
Abstract
An example method includes measuring a capacitance of an actuator and a conductive element when, responsive to a force applied to the actuator, the actuator is coupled to a reference voltage and deformed such that surface area of the actuator proximate to the conductive element increases. The example method includes determining the force applied to the actuator based on the measured capacitance.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A method comprising:
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measuring a capacitance of an actuator and a conductive element when, responsive to a force applied to the actuator, the actuator; couples to a reference voltage; and deforms such that a surface area of the actuator in proximity to the conductive element increases; and determining the force applied to the actuator based on the measured capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A device comprising:
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a first conductive element coupled with a reference voltage; a second conductive element covered by an insulator; an actuator having a conductive surface, wherein responsive to a force applied to the actuator, the actuator configured to; couple with the reference voltage through the first conductive element; and deform in contact with the insulator, wherein the deformation of the actuator increases a surface area of the actuator in proximity to the second conductive element; and a circuit configured to measure a capacitance of the second conductive element and the actuator, the circuit including a processing element configured to determine the force applied to the actuator, based on the measured capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A system comprising:
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a printed circuit board comprising; a conductive layer covered by an insulating layer; a contact coupled to a ground; a conductive actuator, wherein responsive to a force applied to the conductive actuator, the conductive actuator configured to; couple to the ground through the contact; and deform into the insulating layer, wherein the deformation of the conductive actuator increases a surface area of the conductive actuator over the insulating layer and the conductive layer; a measurement device configured to measure a capacitance of the conductive layer and the electrically grounded conductive actuator; and one or more processors configured to determine the force applied to the electrically grounded conductive actuator, based on the measured capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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Specification