Force sensor for use in an input device and methods for constructing and using the sensor

• US 9,128,540 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2013
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Baskett, Lawrence J., Amm, David T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boddie, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Carolyn R
• Application Number:
  US13/897,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20130249799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-178, 178/18.03, 178/18.06, 702/41, 702/190, 738/626.32
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/165 using variations in capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/223 to joystick controls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

The disclosure addresses a force sensor that is scalable in size and adaptable to a variety of form factors, including those suitable for use in an input device for a computer or other processing system, and in some cases including those of the configuration normally referred to as a computer mouse. The force sensor will include at least two structural members that are cooperatively attached one another as to be displaced from one another in response to a force acting upon one of the structural members. In some examples, the engagement between the two structural members will be specifically configured to allow such displacement in response to forces acting laterally on the force sensor. The force sensor will also include one or more sensing mechanisms to provide a measurement of the sensed deflection.

Claims

1. An input device for a processing system, comprising:

a first support member;

a second support member;

a deflection member coupling the first support member and the second support member in movable relation, thereby permitting movement of the first and second support members in a direction perpendicular to the coupling;

a first sensor coupled at least in part to the deflection member and arranged to provide a signal representative of a magnitude of movement of the second support member relative to the first support member in a first area;

a second sensor coupled at least in part to the deflection member and arranged to provide a signal representative of the magnitude of the movement of the second support member relative to the first support member in a second area; and

a resistance member that resists movement of the second support member permitted by the deflection member without moveably coupling the first support member and the second support member.

2. The input device for a processing system of claim 1, further comprising a reference member, and wherein the second support member is further coupled in movable relation to the reference member.

3. The input device for a processing system of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second force sensors is further coupled in part to at least one of the reference member and the second support member.

4. The input device for a processing system of claim 1, further comprising a resilient component coupled proximate the first support member.

5. The input device for a processing system of claim 1, further comprising an upper support element, and wherein the deflection member is suspended from the upper support element.

6. The input device for a processing system of claim 1, wherein the deflection member includes at least one of a flexible elastomer, a flexible metal, or a flexible plastic.

7. The input device for a processing system of claim 6, wherein the deflection member includes the flexible elastomer and the flexible elastomer comprises a silicon-based elastomer.

8. The input device for a processing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first support member or the second support member comprises at least one of a rigid glass-filled plastic or a rigid metal.

9. The input device for a processing system of claim 1, wherein the resistance member comprises silicon rubber.

10. The input device for a processing system of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises at least one of a computer mouse or a hand-operated input device.

11. A method of constructing an input device for a processing system, comprising the acts of:

securing a first support member and a second support member in deflectable engagement with one another, where such deflectable engagement allows relative movement between the first support member and the second support member in a direction perpendicular to the deflectable engagement;

placing a resistance member that resists movement of the second support member allowed by the deflectable engagement without moveably coupling the first support member and the second support member;

arranging at least a first distance sensor proximate the first and second support members, the first distance sensor configured to provide a signal representative of a magnitude of any deflection between the first and second support members in a first area;

arranging the first and second support members and the first distance sensor within an outer housing of the input device, the housing comprising at least two component parts; and

arranging at least a second distance sensor proximate the first and second support members, the second distance sensor configured to provide a signal representative of the magnitude of any deflection between the first and second support members in a second area.

12. The method of constructing an input device for a processing system of claim 11, wherein the act of securing the first support member and the second support member in deflectable engagement with one another comprises coupling the first and second support members to one another through a first metallic flex band at a first location and a second metallic flex band at a second location.

13. The method of constructing an input device for a processing system of claim 11, wherein the act of securing the first support member and the second support member in deflectable engagement with one another comprises coupling a deformable member between the first and second support members.

14. The method of constructing an input device for a processing system of claim 11, wherein the resistance to such relative movement is provided by a resistance member comprising silicon rubber.

15. The method of constructing an input device for a processing system of claim 11, wherein once the housing is assembled from the at least two component parts, the housing does not have any openings through which mechanical or optical communication is established to the environment outside the input device.

16. The method of constructing an input device for a processing system of claim 11, further comprising the acts of:

securing in the input device a speed sensor configured to provide a signal representative of speed of movement of the input device;

securing in the input device at least one processor and at least one machine-readable storage media bearing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor, perform operations comprising;

processing signals from the first and second distance sensors,

processing the signal from the speed sensor; and

generating a signal representative of movement of the input device within a plane in response to the signals.

17. The method of constructing an input device for a processing system of claim 11, wherein the input device comprises at least one of a computer mouse or a hand-operated input device.

18. The method of constructing an input device for a processing system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first support member or the second support member comprises at least one of a rigid glass-filled plastic or a rigid metal.

19. The method of constructing an input device for a processing system of claim 11, wherein said operation of securing a first support member and a second support member in deflectable engagement with one another comprises securing the first support member and the second support member utilizing at least one of a flexible elastomer, a flexible metal, or a flexible plastic.