DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LOCALIZED FORCE AND PROXIMITY SENSING
First Claim
1. An input device comprising:
- a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a first layer and configured to detect input objects at an input surface of the input device, the first plurality of sensor electrodes including a first subset of transmitter electrodes;
a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect a force imparted to the input surface and configured for capacitive coupling with the first subset of transmitter electrodes; and
a compressible dielectric configured to compress in response to force applied to the input surface;
wherein the capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrodes and the second plurality of sensor electrodes varies in response to the applied force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems and devices are described for operating an electronic system which includes a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a first layer and configured to detect input objects at an input surface of the input device, the first plurality of sensor electrodes including a first subset of transmitter electrodes; a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect a force imparted to the input surface and configured for capacitive coupling with the first subset of transmitter electrodes; and a compressible dielectric configured to compress in response to force applied to the input surface. The capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrodes and the second plurality of sensor electrodes is configured to vary in response to the applied force.
92 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An input device comprising:
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a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a first layer and configured to detect input objects at an input surface of the input device, the first plurality of sensor electrodes including a first subset of transmitter electrodes; a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect a force imparted to the input surface and configured for capacitive coupling with the first subset of transmitter electrodes; and a compressible dielectric configured to compress in response to force applied to the input surface; wherein the capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrodes and the second plurality of sensor electrodes varies in response to the applied force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13)
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11. An input device comprising:
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a first plurality of sensing electrodes disposed in a first layer and configured to detect input objects in a sensing region of the input device, the first plurality of sensor electrodes including a first subset of transmitter electrodes; a second plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a second layer such that the first layer is disposed between the input surface and the second layer, the second plurality of sensor electrodes being configured to detect a force imparted to the input surface and configured for capacitive coupling with the first subset of transmitter electrodes; a compressible dielectric configured to compress in response to force applied to the input surface such that the capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrodes and the second plurality of sensor electrodes varies in response to the applied force; and a processing system communicatively coupled to the first and second plurality of electrodes and configured to; drive a sensing signal onto the first subset of transmitter electrodes; receive a first type of resulting signal, including effects of the force imparted on the input surface, from the second plurality of sensing electrodes; receive a second type of resulting signal, including effects of an input object in proximity to the input surface, from a second subset of the first plurality of electrodes; and determine positional and force information for an input object based on the first and second type of resulting signals.
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14. An input device comprising:
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a first plurality of sensor electrodes, a second plurality of sensor electrodes, and a third plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a single layer of a sensor substrate; a compressible dielectric disposed between the sensor substrate and a conductor; and a processing system communicatively coupled to the first, second, and third pluralities of sensor electrodes and configured to; drive a sensing signal onto the first plurality of sensor electrodes; receive a first type of resulting signal from the second plurality of electrodes, the first type of resulting signal comprising effects of a capacitive coupling between the first plurality and the second plurality of electrodes; and receive a second type of resulting signal from the third plurality of electrodes, the second type of resulting signal comprising effects of a capacitive coupling between the first plurality and the third plurality of electrodes; wherein the processing system is configured to determine positional and force information from the first and second type of resulting signals.
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- 16. The input device of claim 16, wherein the processing system is configured to adjust one of the received first and second type of resulting signals using the other of one of the received first and second type of resulting signal.
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19. A processing system for use with an input device of the type including a plurality of transmitter electrodes, a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect input objects at an input surface, a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect a force imparted to the input surface, and a compressible dielectric configured to compress in response to force applied to the input surface, wherein a capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrodes and the second plurality of sensor electrodes varies in response to the applied force, the processing system communicatively coupled to the transmitter electrodes and the first and second plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to:
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drive a sensing signal onto the transmitter electrodes; receive a first type of resulting signal from the first plurality of sensor electrodes; and receive a second type of resulting signal from a second plurality of sensor electrodes; wherein the processing system is configured to determine positional and force information for an input object based on the first and second type of resulting signals. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification