Input device with force sensing
First Claim
1. An input device comprising:
- a first substrate;
a plurality of proximity sensor electrodes disposed on a first surface of the first substrate, the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes configured to detect objects in a sensing region of the input device;
a plurality of force sensor electrodes disposed on a second surface of the first substrate and at least partially overlapping the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes; and
a second substrate physically coupled to the first substrate, the second substrate comprising a plurality of attachment features, a spring feature and an electrode component,wherein the electrode component at least partially overlaps the plurality of the force sensor electrodes and defines a variable capacitance between at least one force sensor electrode of the plurality of the force sensor electrodes and the electrode component, andwherein, in response to a force applied by an input object positioned over the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes, the plurality of the attachment features facilitates deflection of the electrode component relative to the at least one force sensor electrode to change the variable capacitance.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a first substrate with proximity sensor electrodes and at least a first force sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate. A second substrate is physically coupled to the first substrate, where the second substrate comprises a spring feature and an electrode component. The electrode component at least partially overlaps the first force sensor electrode to define a variable capacitance between the first force sensor electrode and the electrode component. The spring feature is configured to facilitate deflection of the electrode component relative to the first force sensor electrode to change the variable capacitance. A measure of the variable capacitance may be calculated and used to determine force information regarding the force biasing the input device.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An input device comprising:
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a first substrate; a plurality of proximity sensor electrodes disposed on a first surface of the first substrate, the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes configured to detect objects in a sensing region of the input device; a plurality of force sensor electrodes disposed on a second surface of the first substrate and at least partially overlapping the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes; and a second substrate physically coupled to the first substrate, the second substrate comprising a plurality of attachment features, a spring feature and an electrode component, wherein the electrode component at least partially overlaps the plurality of the force sensor electrodes and defines a variable capacitance between at least one force sensor electrode of the plurality of the force sensor electrodes and the electrode component, and wherein, in response to a force applied by an input object positioned over the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes, the plurality of the attachment features facilitates deflection of the electrode component relative to the at least one force sensor electrode to change the variable capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of forming an input device comprising:
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providing a first substrate comprising; a plurality of proximity sensor electrodes disposed on a first surface of the first substrate, the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes configured to detect objects in a sensing region; and a plurality of force sensor electrodes disposed on a second surface of the first substrate and at least partially overlapping the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes; providing a second substrate having a pattern that defines an attachment feature, a spring feature, and an electrode component in the second substrate, the spring feature configured to facilitate deflection of the electrode component; and physically coupling the second substrate to the first substrate such that the electrode component at least partially overlaps at least one force sensor electrode of the plurality of the force sensor electrodes to define a variable capacitance between the at least one force sensor electrode and the electrode component, and wherein, in response to a force applied by an input object positioned over the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes, such that the deflection of the electrode component relative to the at least one force sensor electrode changes the variable capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An input device comprising:
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a substrate; a plurality of proximity sensor electrodes disposed on the substrate, the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes configured to detect objects in a sensing region of the input device; a transmitter force sensor electrode and a receiver force sensor electrode disposed on the substrate and at least partially overlapping the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes; a conductive layer physically coupled to the substrate, the conductive layer patterned to define at least one attachment feature in the conductive layer, at least one spring feature in the conductive layer and at least one electrode component in the conductive layer, wherein the electrode component at least partially overlaps the transmitter force sensor electrode and the receiver sensor electrode to define a variable capacitance, and wherein the spring feature is configured to facilitates deflection of the electrode component relative to the transmitter force sensor electrode and the receiver sensor electrode to change the variable capacitance; and a casing, the casing comprising a mating element configured to be coupled to the attachment feature of the conductive layer, wherein the mating element, the attachment feature, the electrode component and the spring feature are dimensioned such that an input object applying a force onto the substrate, at a location overlapping the plurality of the proximity sensor electrodes, deflects the electrode component relative to the transmitter and receiver force sensor electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification