Pressure-sensitive multi-touch device

• US 8,736,574 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2011
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Dietz, Paul, Lutian, John
• Primary Examiner(s): LAMB, CHRISTOPHER RAY
• Application Number:
  US13/111,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20120293450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04144 using an array of force sensing means position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells G06F3/0447

Abstract

A pressure-sensitive multi-touch device is provided. The multi-touch device includes a matrix of pressure-sensitive cells, each pressure-sensitive cell configured to change a resistance of the cell inversely proportional to an amount of force applied to that cell. The multi-touch device further includes a spacer assembly between pressure-sensitive cells.

Claims

1. A pressure-sensitive multi-touch device configured to detect one or more touch inputs, the multi-touch device comprising:

a first layer comprising a plurality of columns;

a second layer comprising a plurality of rows, the second layer opposing the first layer;

a pressure-sensitive cell at each intersection of a column and a row, each pressure-sensitive cell configured to change a resistance of the cell inversely proportional to an amount of force applied to that cell; and

a spacer assembly between pressure-sensitive cells, the spacer assembly comprising an island having approximately a same height as each of the plurality of columns, a land having approximately a same height as each of the plurality of rows, and a spacer between the island and the land, the spacer sized to span a distance between the island and the land in the absence of an external applied force and to separate the column from the row at adjacent pressure-sensitive cells in the absence of an external applied force.

2. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of columns includes a column conductor and a force-sensitive resistive material.

3. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 2, wherein the island includes a conductor and the force-sensitive resistive material.

4. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of rows includes a row conductor and a force-sensitive resistive material.

5. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 4, wherein the land includes a conductor and the force-sensitive resistive material.

6. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the spacer is silicone.

7. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the spacer is connected to the island.

8. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein the spacer is connected to the land.

9. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 1, wherein there is one spacer assembly between each pair of adjacent pressure-sensitive cells.

10. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 1, further comprising a force-spreading layer configured to diffuse a force of a touch input at a contact area to two or more pressure-sensitive cells.

11. A pressure-sensitive multi-touch device configured to detect one or more touch inputs, the multi-touch device comprising:

a matrix of pressure-sensitive cells, each pressure-sensitive cell configured to change a resistance of the cell inversely proportional to an amount of force applied to that cell and each pressure-sensitive cell comprising;

a first side having a first height; and

a second side opposing the first side and having a second height; and

a matrix of spacer assemblies, each spacer assembly positioned between adjacent pressure-sensitive cells and comprising;

an island having a third height substantially equal to the first height;

a land opposing the island and having a fourth height substantially equal to the second height; and

a spacer between the island and the land.

12. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 11, wherein the first side includes a pair of conductors and the second side includes force-sensitive resistive material aligned to form an electrical connection between the pair of conductors when an external force is applied.

13. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 12, wherein each island includes a conductor that is approximately the same height as each of the pair of conductors.

14. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 13, wherein each land includes force-sensitive resistive material that is approximately the same height as the force-sensitive resistive material of the second side.

15. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 12, wherein the first side includes a column including a column conductor and force-sensitive resistive material, and the second side includes a row including a row conductor and force-sensitive resistive material.

16. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 11, further comprising a force-spreading layer configured to diffuse a force of a touch input at a contact area to two or more pressure-sensitive cells.

17. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 11, wherein there is one spacer assembly between each pair of adjacent pressure-sensitive cells.

18. A pressure-sensitive multi-touch device configured to detect one or more touch inputs, the multi-touch device comprising:

a first layer comprising a plurality of columns;

a second layer comprising a plurality of rows, the second layer opposing the first layer;

a pressure-sensitive cell at each intersection of a column and a row, each pressure-sensitive cell configured to change a resistance of the cell inversely proportional to an amount of force applied to that cell;

a spacer assembly between pressure-sensitive cells, the spacer assembly comprising an island having approximately a same height as each of the plurality of columns, a land having approximately a same height as each of the plurality of rows, and a spacer between the island and the land, the spacer sized to span a distance between the island and the land in the absence of an external applied force and to separate the column from the row at adjacent pressure-sensitive cells in the absence of an external applied force;

a logic subsystem in communication with each pressure-sensitive cell; and

a data-holding subsystem holding instructions executable by the logic subsystem to interpolate a location of a touch contact area from a resistance measured at two or more pressure-sensitive cells.

19. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 18, further comprising a force-spreading layer configured to diffuse a force of a touch input at a contact area to two or more pressure-sensitive cells.

20. The pressure-sensitive multi-touch device of claim 18, wherein there is one spacer assembly between each pair of adjacent pressure-sensitive cells.