Three-dimensional analog input control device
First Claim
1. A three-dimensional analog input control device for inputting analog mechanical signals into a digital processing system comprising:
- a sensor die formed within semiconductor substrate;
an elastic element within said semiconductor substrate;
a frame formed around said elastic element and coupled with at least part of the periphery of said elastic element all within the substrate;
at least three mechanical stress sensitive IC components located in the elastic element for providing electrical output signals proportional to the mechanical stress in the location of the IC components;
at least one rigid island element formed in the substrate and coupled with the elastic element;
at least one rigid force-transferring element coupled to the rigid island of a sensor die which transfers an external vector force to the elastic element and through the IC components which provide electrical output signal;
at least one spring element coupling the force-transferring element with a source of external force, andat least one electronic circuit for processing output signals from the mechanical stress sensitive IC components using the component signal and the electronic circuit logic in solving at least three equations with at least three unknown vector components.
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Abstract
A method and device for 3-dimensional input finger control of different functions in electronic consumer devices is provided. Certain versions of the Present Invention provide a 3-dimensional input finger interface control device for cell phones, portable gamers, digital cameras, and other consumer devices. Certain alternate versions of the Present Invention exhibit one or more of the qualities of smallness, low-cost, high reliability, and/or high stability. Certain still alternate versions of the Present Invention provide a 3-dimensional input finger force control device that (1.) accommodates a required ratio between X, Y and Z sensitivities, (2.) has low cross-axis sensitivity, (3.) allows process integration with other sensors and CMOS, (4.) is scalable, (5.) allows convenient solutions for applying an external force, and/or (6.) allows economic manufacturability for high volume consumer markets.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A three-dimensional analog input control device for inputting analog mechanical signals into a digital processing system comprising:
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a sensor die formed within semiconductor substrate; an elastic element within said semiconductor substrate; a frame formed around said elastic element and coupled with at least part of the periphery of said elastic element all within the substrate; at least three mechanical stress sensitive IC components located in the elastic element for providing electrical output signals proportional to the mechanical stress in the location of the IC components; at least one rigid island element formed in the substrate and coupled with the elastic element; at least one rigid force-transferring element coupled to the rigid island of a sensor die which transfers an external vector force to the elastic element and through the IC components which provide electrical output signal; at least one spring element coupling the force-transferring element with a source of external force, and at least one electronic circuit for processing output signals from the mechanical stress sensitive IC components using the component signal and the electronic circuit logic in solving at least three equations with at least three unknown vector components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification