Sensor pattern for a tactile input device

• US 9,007,192 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2013
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Tenuta, Matthew Dominic
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Bhavin M
• Application Number:
  US14/046,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20140098046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 340/407.2, 738/620.41, 250/231.19, 345/156, 345/173, 345/661
• US Class Current: 340/407.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04111 Cross over in capacitive digitiser, i.e. details of structures for connecting electrodes of the sensing pattern where the connections cross each other, e.g. bridge structures comprising an insulating layer, or vias through substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• 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 3/0448 Details of the electrode shape, e.g. for enhancing the detection of touches, for generating specific electric field shapes, for enhancing display quality
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

A tactile sensor includes a plurality of first sensing elements that are arranged in a plurality of rows on a first layer and a plurality of second sensing elements that are vertically aligned in a plurality of columns on the first layer. The second sensing elements in each column are electrically connected together and each of the plurality of columns are separate conductors from one another. The plurality of second sensing elements include a plurality of vertical elements that form an interlocking pattern with the plurality of first sensing elements.

Claims

1. A tactile sensor comprising:

a plurality of first sensing elements that are arranged in a plurality of rows on a first layer; and

a plurality of second sensing elements that are vertically aligned in a plurality of columns on the first layer, with each of the second sensing elements in each column including multiple vertical elements that define rectangular-shaped projections that project vertically from horizontal elements, wherein each of the second sensing elements arranged in a column are electrically connected together and each of the plurality of columns of second sensing elements are arranged next to one another and are separate conductors from one another, wherein;

the plurality of first sensing elements each comprise a plurality of vertical elements that define rectangular-shaped projections that project vertically from horizontal elements;

at least a portion of the rectangular-shaped projections on both the first sensing elements and the second sensing elements are arranged in an alternating and offset pattern from both sides of the horizontal elements; and

the vertical elements of the first sensing elements form an interlocking pattern with the vertical elements of the second sensing elements.

2. The tactile sensor of claim 1 wherein the plurality of first sensing elements and the plurality of second sensing elements are formed using copper etching.

3. The tactile sensor of claim 1 wherein the plurality of first sensing elements are electrically isolated from the plurality of second sensing elements.

4. The tactile sensor of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of first sensing elements forms a continuous horizontal line and each column of the plurality of second sensing elements interfaces along each of the continuous horizontal sensing elements.

5. A computing device comprising:

at least one memory;

at least one processor; and

a tactile sensor, wherein the tactile sensor comprises;

a plurality of first sensing elements that are arranged in a plurality of rows on a first layer; and

a plurality of second sensing elements that are vertically aligned in a plurality of columns on the first layer, with each of the second sensing elements in each column including multiple vertical elements that define rectangular-shaped projections that project vertically from horizontal elements, wherein each of the second sensing elements arranged in a column are electrically connected together and each of the plurality of columns of second sensing elements are arranged next to one another and are separate conductors from one another, wherein;

the plurality of first sensing elements each comprise a plurality of vertical elements that define rectangular-shaped projections that project vertically from horizontal elements;

at least a portion of the rectangular-shaped projections on both the first sensing elements and the second sensing elements are arranged in an alternating and offset pattern from both sides of the horizontal elements; and

the vertical elements of the first sensing elements form an interlocking pattern with the vertical elements of the second sensing elements.

6. The computing device of claim 5 wherein each of the plurality of first sensing elements forms a continuous horizontal line and each column of the plurality of second sensing elements interfaces along each of the continuous horizontal sensing elements.

7. The computing device of claim 5 wherein the plurality of first sensing elements and the plurality of second sensing elements are formed using copper etching.

8. The computing device of claim 5 wherein the plurality of first sensing elements are electrically isolated from the plurality of second sensing elements.

9. A tactile sensor comprising:

a plurality of first sensing elements that are arranged in a plurality of rows on a first layer; and

a plurality of second sensing elements that are vertically aligned in a plurality of columns on the first layer, with each of the second sensing elements in each column including multiple vertical elements that define square-shaped projections that project vertically from horizontal elements, wherein each of the second sensing elements arranged in a column are electrically connected together and each of the plurality of columns of second sensing elements are arranged next to one another and are separate conductors from one another, wherein;

the plurality of first sensing elements each comprise a plurality of vertical elements that define square-shaped projections that project vertically from horizontal elements;

at least a portion of the square-shaped projections on both the first sensing elements and the second sensing elements are arranged in an alternating and offset pattern from both sides of the horizontal elements; and

the vertical elements of the first sensing elements form an interlocking pattern with the vertical elements of the second sensing elements.

10. The tactile sensor of claim 9 wherein the plurality of first sensing elements and the plurality of second sensing elements are formed using copper etching.

11. The tactile sensor of claim 9 wherein the plurality of first sensing elements are electrically isolated from the plurality of second sensing elements.

12. The tactile sensor of claim 9 wherein each of the plurality of first sensing elements forms a continuous horizontal line and each column of the plurality of second sensing elements interfaces along each of the continuous horizontal sensing elements.