Electronic device housing with integrated user input capability

• US 8,400,402 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2009
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wisetouch Co, Ltd
• Original Assignee: Pressure Profile Systems Inc. (PPS U.K. Limited)
• Inventors: Son, Jae S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sniezek, Andrew L
• Application Number:
  US12/566,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20100013775A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0447 Position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells

Abstract

An electronic device housing with a seemless user input zone that measures the level of force applied by the user is described. It is particularly advantageous when used with small hand-held consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, game—and media players. A housing for an electronic device includes a seamless user input zone defining a contact force-sensitive deformable area. A capacitance sensor is formed between the conductive inside surface of the housing and the electrode of the rigid base facing that inside surface. Linear support elements such as columns support the housing away from the rigid base defining an air gap. Capacitance measurement circuit is deployed to detect the location and progressively increasing levels of force applied by the user onto the housing and send a user input signal to the electronic device.

Claims

1. A housing for an electronic device with integrated dual user input capability comprising:

a non-conductive rigid housing enclosure including a deformable user input zone having a conductive inside surface as a first conductive layer, said first conductive layer is non-continuous defining areas of its presence and absense,

a rigid base inside said housing enclosure spaced apart from said inside surface of the user input zone at a predetermined gap distance, said base having a second conductive layer facing said first conductive layer,

a capacitance measuring circuit connected to both said first and second conductive layers and forming a capacitance sensor therebetween, said sensor is responsive to deformation of said deformable user input zone towards said rigid base but without touching thereof caused by applying force onto said input zone, said deformation causing a change in capacitance between said first and said second conductive layers, said change in capacitance being detected by said capacitance measuring circuit and transmitted as a first user input signal to said electronic device, wherein said input zone configured for operating as a proportional force measurement device,

said capacitance measuring circuit is further adapted to provide a second user input signal by detecting a location and change in capacitance of said second conductive layer when a ground electrode object is placed in the vicinity thereof but without deforming of said deformable user input zone, wherein said input zone is configured for operating as a proximity sensor,

whereby said housing of said electronic device is providing a dual user input capability of a proportional force-sensing capacitance sensor responsive to housing deformation and the proximal presence of a ground electrode object without housing deformation.

2. The device as in claim 1 further comprising a support means separating said first and second conductive layers and defining the shape of the user input zone.

3. The device as in claim 2, wherein said support means are made integral with the housing and protruding therefrom towards said rigid base.

4. The device as in claim 2, wherein said support means are made integral with said rigid base and protruding therefrom towards said inside surface of said housing.

5. The device as in claim 2, wherein said support means are made from a compressible material.

6. The device as in claim 1 further comprising a compressible dielectric layer filling the space between said first and said second conductive layers.

7. The device as in claim 1, wherein said user input zone of said housing is made from a conductive material.

8. The device as in claim 1, wherein said housing is made from a non-conductive material and said first conductive layer is made by applying a conductive material onto said inside surface or embedded into the housing.

9. The device as in claim 8, wherein said applying of the conductive material is achieved using a process selected from a group consisting of spraying, coating, painting, etching, vacuum-depositing, printing, co-molding, and co-lamination.

10. The device as in claim 1, wherein said second conductive layer having a plurality of buttons, said capacitance measuring circuitry adapted to detect a location of the user input in addition to said change in capacitance measured at the same location and use both as input signals to said electronic device.