COMBINED FORCE AND PROXIMITY SENSING
First Claim
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1. A combined force and proximity sensing device comprising:
- a first sensor configured to detect a proximity of an object to the device;
a second sensor configured to detect a force applied by the object to the device; and
a flexible circuit including the first sensor therein and proximate to the second sensor,wherein the first and second sensors detect the respective proximity and force concurrently.
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Abstract
Combined force and proximity sensing is disclosed. One or more sensors can concurrently sense a force applied by an object on a device surface and a proximity of the object to the surface. In an example, a single sensor can sense both force and proximity via a resistance change and a capacitance change, respectively, at the sensor. In another example, multiple sensors can be used, where one sensor can sense force via either a resistance change or a capacitance change and another sensor can sense proximity via a capacitance change.
126 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A combined force and proximity sensing device comprising:
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a first sensor configured to detect a proximity of an object to the device; a second sensor configured to detect a force applied by the object to the device; and a flexible circuit including the first sensor therein and proximate to the second sensor, wherein the first and second sensors detect the respective proximity and force concurrently. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A combined force and proximity sensing device comprising:
a sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a proximity of an object to the device and a second signal indicative of a force applied by the object to the device, the sensor generating the first and second signals together. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for combined force and proximity sensing comprising:
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a substrate having a touchable surface; a sensing device proximate to the substrate including a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a proximity of an object to the touchable surface, the first sensor disposed within a flexible circuit, and at least one second sensor configured to concurrently generate a second signal indicative of a force applied by the object to the touchable surface; and a processor configured to process the first and second signals and to perform an action based thereon. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An apparatus for combined force and proximity sensing comprising:
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a substrate having a touchable surface; a sensing device proximate to the substrate including a sensor configured to detect together a proximity of an object to the touchable surface and a force applied by the object to the touchable surface; and a processor configured to process a first signal indicative of the detected proximity and a second signal indicative of the detected force and to perform an action based thereon. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for combined force and proximity sensing at a substantially rigid substrate, the method comprising:
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sensing a force applied by an object to a surface of the substrate, the substrate slightly deforming in response to the applied force; concurrently sensing a proximity of the object to the surface; and performing an action based on the sensed force and the sensed proximity. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification