Input device with force sensing and haptic response
First Claim
1. An input device comprising:
- a first electrode disposed on a first substrate;
a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed on the first substrate that capacitively detect objects in a sensing region;
a piezoelectric assembly (PA) comprising;
a piezoelectric material;
a second electrode physically coupled to a first side of the piezoelectric material, the second electrode overlapping the first electrode,wherein the first electrode and the second electrode define at least part of a variable capacitance;
a third electrode physically coupled to a second side of the piezoelectric material; and
a transmission element physically coupled to the third electrode;
a spacing element coupled to the first substrate and defining an opening between the first electrode and the second electrode,wherein the spacing element is static, andwherein the PA is configured to;
deflect into the opening and change the variable capacitance in response to a force applied by a user that biases the transmission element relative to the first substrate, wherein the force is measured based on the change in the variable capacitance; and
deform to generate a haptic response for the user; and
a base substrate located below the transmission element, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode,wherein the base substrate pushes, in response to the force applied by the user, the transmission element in the opposite direction of the force applied by the user causing the PA to deflect in the opposite direction of the force applied by the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a first electrode disposed on a first substrate, a second electrode coupled to a first side of a piezoelectric material and a third electrode coupled to a second side of the piezoelectric material. The second electrode and the third electrode are configured to facilitate actuation of the piezoelectric material, while the first electrode and the second electrode define at least part of a variable capacitance that facilitates force determination. A spacing element is coupled to the first substrate and defines a spacing between the first electrode and the second electrode. A transmission element is coupled to the third electrode and configured such that a force biasing the transmission element causes the second electrode to deflect relative to the first electrode, thus changing the variable capacitance.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An input device comprising:
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a first electrode disposed on a first substrate; a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed on the first substrate that capacitively detect objects in a sensing region; a piezoelectric assembly (PA) comprising; a piezoelectric material; a second electrode physically coupled to a first side of the piezoelectric material, the second electrode overlapping the first electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode define at least part of a variable capacitance; a third electrode physically coupled to a second side of the piezoelectric material; and a transmission element physically coupled to the third electrode; a spacing element coupled to the first substrate and defining an opening between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the spacing element is static, and wherein the PA is configured to; deflect into the opening and change the variable capacitance in response to a force applied by a user that biases the transmission element relative to the first substrate, wherein the force is measured based on the change in the variable capacitance; and deform to generate a haptic response for the user; and a base substrate located below the transmission element, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode, wherein the base substrate pushes, in response to the force applied by the user, the transmission element in the opposite direction of the force applied by the user causing the PA to deflect in the opposite direction of the force applied by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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providing a first electrode disposed on a first substrate; providing a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed on the first substrate that capacitively detect objects in a sensing region; providing a piezoelectric assembly (PA) comprising; a piezoelectric material; a second electrode physically coupled to a first side of the piezoelectric material, the second electrode overlapping the first electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode define at least part of a variable capacitance; a third electrode coupled to a second side of the piezoelectric material; and a transmission element coupled to the third electrode; providing a spacing element coupled to the first substrate and defining an opening between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the spacing element is static, and wherein the PA is configured to; deflect into the opening and change the variable capacitance in response to a force applied by a user that biases the transmission element relative to the first electrode, wherein the force is measured based on the change in the variable capacitance; and deform to generate a haptic response for the user; and providing a base substrate located below the transmission element, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode, wherein the base substrate pushes, in response to the force applied by the user, the transmission element in the opposite direction of the force applied by the user causing the PA to deflect in the opposite direction of the force applied by the user. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification