Capacitive sensor packaging
First Claim
1. A button assembly in an electronic device, comprising:
- a capacitive fingerprint sensor disposed between a button surface layer and a first rigid substrate;
a flexible circuit element disposed below the first rigid substrate and electrically connected to the capacitive fingerprint sensor;
a stiffener disposed below the flexible circuit element; and
a switch element disposed below the stiffener, wherein the switch element and the capacitive fingerprint sensor are positioned with respect to the button surface layer such that the electronic device receives fingerprint information when a finger contacts the button surface layer and the electronic device receives button-push information when the button surface layer is pressed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor having a set of capacitive elements configured for capacitively coupling to a user fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed under a control button or display element of an electronic device, for example one or more of a control button and a display component. A responsive element is responsive to proximity of the user fingerprint, for example one or both of a first circuit responsive to motion of the control button, and a second circuit responsive to a coupling between the fingerprint and a surface of the display element. The fingerprint sensor is disposed closer to the fingerprint than the responsive element. The control button or display component may include an anisotropic dielectric material, for example sapphire.
104 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A button assembly in an electronic device, comprising:
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a capacitive fingerprint sensor disposed between a button surface layer and a first rigid substrate; a flexible circuit element disposed below the first rigid substrate and electrically connected to the capacitive fingerprint sensor; a stiffener disposed below the flexible circuit element; and a switch element disposed below the stiffener, wherein the switch element and the capacitive fingerprint sensor are positioned with respect to the button surface layer such that the electronic device receives fingerprint information when a finger contacts the button surface layer and the electronic device receives button-push information when the button surface layer is pressed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electronic device, comprising:
a button stack comprising; a capacitive fingerprint sensor; a stiffener disposed below the capacitive fingerprint sensor; a flexible circuit element wrapped around one side of the stiffener and disposed over a top surface of the stiffener and a bottom surface of the stiffener, wherein the capacitive fingerprint sensor is electrically connected to the flexible circuit element; and a switch element disposed below the stiffener, wherein the capacitive fingerprint sensor and the switch element are positioned such that the electronic device receives fingerprint information when a finger is near the button stack and receives button-push information when the finger presses the button stack. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification