Device and method for proximity sensing with force imaging
First Claim
1. An input device for an electronic system, comprising:
- a pliable component having an input surface and a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to sense input objects proximate the input surface, wherein the first plurality of sensor electrodes comprises at least a first subset all driven with;
a sensing signal and at least a second subset configured to receive a first type of resulting signal;
a support substrate spaced apart from the pliable component and having a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect a force imparted to the input surface, wherein the second plurality of sensor electrodes comprises at least one electrode configured to receive a second type of resulting signal; and
a spacing layer disposed between the pliable component and the support substrate, the spacing layer including an elastomeric sub-layer and a plurality of rigid dots.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems and devices are described for operating an electronic system which includes a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a first layer and configured to detect input objects at an input surface of the input device, the first plurality of sensor electrodes including a first subset of transmitter electrodes; a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect a force imparted to the input surface and configured for capacitive coupling with the first subset of transmitter electrodes; and a compressible dielectric configured to compress in response to force applied to the input surface. The capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrodes and the second plurality of sensor electrodes is configured to vary in response to the applied force.
43 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An input device for an electronic system, comprising:
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a pliable component having an input surface and a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to sense input objects proximate the input surface, wherein the first plurality of sensor electrodes comprises at least a first subset all driven with; a sensing signal and at least a second subset configured to receive a first type of resulting signal; a support substrate spaced apart from the pliable component and having a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect a force imparted to the input surface, wherein the second plurality of sensor electrodes comprises at least one electrode configured to receive a second type of resulting signal; and a spacing layer disposed between the pliable component and the support substrate, the spacing layer including an elastomeric sub-layer and a plurality of rigid dots. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An input device comprising:
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a pliable layer including a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect input objects in a sensing region of the input device, the first plurality of sensor electrodes including a subset of transmitter electrodes; a support substrate including a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect a force imparted to an input surface and configured for capacitive coupling with the subset of transmitter electrodes; a spacing layer including an elastomeric dielectric sub-layer and a microstructure sub-layer having a plurality of microstructures surrounded by a gas, the spacing layer disposed between the pliable layer and the support substrate and configured to compress in response to force applied to the input surface; and a processing system communicatively coupled to the first plurality of sensor electrodes and the second plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to; drive a sensing signal onto all of the subset of transmitter electrodes; and receive, using the second plurality of sensing electrodes, a resulting signal, which includes effects of the sensing signal and applied force on the input surface; wherein the resulting signal represents a change in capacitive coupling between the subset of transmitter electrodes and the second plurality of sensor electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A processing system for use with an input device of a type including a plurality of transmitter electrodes, a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to receive a first type of resulting signal to detect input objects at an input surface, a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to receive a second type of resulting signal to detect a force imparted to the input surface, and a spacing layer including a flat elastomeric sub-layer and a rigid dot sub-layer surrounded by a gas, the spacing layer disposed between a pliable layer and a support substrate and configured to deflect in response to force applied to the input surface, the processing system communicatively coupled to the plurality of transmitter electrodes and the first plurality of sensor electrodes and second plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to:
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drive a sensing signal onto the plurality of transmitter electrodes; receive, using the second plurality of electrodes, a resulting signal; and measure a change in capacitive coupling between the plurality of transmitter electrodes and the second plurality of sensor electrodes resulting from a change in an effective electrical permittivity of the spacing layer during deflection.
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Specification