INPUT DEVICE WITH TRANSMISSION ELEMENT ACTUATED SWITCH

• US 20120075199A1
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Hsieh, Lin-Hsiang
• Granted Patent: US 9,927,886 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

An input device, and a method for providing an input device, are provided. The input device includes a touch sensor substrate having a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side. At least one sensor electrode is disposed on the sensor substrate, and the at least one sensor electrode is configured to sense input objects in a sensing region on the first side. A switch is disposed on the second side of the touch sensor substrate. The input device also includes a transmission element having first and second portions. The transmission element is configured such that sufficient depression of the first portion causes the second portion to actuate the switch.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a touch sensor substrate having a first side and a second side, the second side opposite the first side;

at least one sensor electrode disposed on the touch sensor substrate, the at least one sensor electrode configured to sense input objects in a sensing region on the first side;

a switch disposed on the second side of the touch sensor substrate; and

a transmission element not integral with the touch sensor substrate, the transmission element configured such that sufficient depression of a first portion of the transmission element causes a second portion of the transmission element to actuate the switch.

2. The input device of claim 1, further comprising:

a button element configured to be contacted by a user, wherein the button element is configured to depress the first portion of the transmission element in response to being pushed.

3. The input device of claim 2, wherein the transmission element and the button element are portions of one integral component.

4. The input device of claim 2, wherein the button element is integral with a casing of an electronic system.

5. The input device of claim 1, further comprising:

a support member affixed to the touch sensor substrate, wherein the transmission element is moveably coupled to the support member.

6. The input device of claim 5, wherein the transmission element and the support member are portions of one integral component.

7. The input device of claim 5, wherein the support member is integral with a casing of an electronic system.

8. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a pivot, wherein the transmission element is coupled to the pivot.

9. The input device of claim 1, further comprising

an input surface, wherein the touch sensor substrate is configured to move to actuate the switch in response to a force applied to the input surface.

10. The input device of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a snap dome.

11. An input device comprising:

a touch sensor substrate;

at least one sensor electrode disposed on the touch sensor substrate, the at least one sensor electrode configured to sense input objects in a sensing region located on a first side of the touch sensor substrate;

a switch physically coupled to a second side of the touch sensor substrate, wherein the second side is opposite the first side;

a button element located such that it does not overlap the switch; and

a transmission element having a first portion coupled to the button element, wherein depression of the button element causes a second portion of the transmission element to actuate the switch.

12. The input device of claim 11, further comprising:

a support member affixed to the touch sensor substrate, wherein the transmission element is moveably coupled to the support member.

13. The input device of claim 12, wherein the transmission element and the support member are portions of one integral component.

14. The input device of claim 12, wherein the transmission element and the button element are portions of one integral component.

15. The input device of claim 14, further comprising a pivot, wherein the transmission element is coupled to the pivot.

16. The input device of claim 12, further comprising:

an input surface coupled to the touch sensor substrate, wherein the touch sensor substrate is configured to move to actuate the switch in response to a force applied to the input surface.

17. The input device of claim 12, wherein the support member is a portion of a casing of an electronic system.

18. A method for constructing an input device comprising a support member, a touch sensor substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, at least one sensor electrode configured to sense input objects in a sensing region on the first side of the touch sensor substrate, a switch disposed on the second side of the touch sensor substrate, and a transmission element physically distinct from the touch sensor substrate, the method comprising:

placing the touch sensor substrate and the transmission element with respect to each other such that a first portion of the transmission element does not overlap the switch, and such that sufficient depression of the first portion of the transmission element causes a second portion of the transmission element to actuate the switch; and

affixing the touch sensor substrate to the support member.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

physically coupling the transmission element to the support member.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the input device further comprises a button element, the method further comprising:

affixing the button element to the transmission element.