Force detection in touch devices using piezoelectric sensors
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- an input surface configured to deform in response to a force exerted on the input surface;
a display positioned below the input surface;
a touch sensor disposed below and coupled to the input surface; and
a piezoelectric element array disposed below the display such that the piezoelectric element array deforms with the input surface in response to the force exerted, whereinthe piezoelectric element array generates a signal in response to the deformation, the signal corresponding to a magnitude of the force exerted and configured to be multiplexed with an inactive state of both the touch sensor and the display.
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Abstract
Systems and methods related to piezoelectric based force sensing in touch devices are presented. One embodiment, for example, may take the form of an apparatus including a touch device having a deformable device stack and a piezoelectric element positioned relative to the deformable device stack such that the piezoelectric element deforms with the deformable stack. Deformation of the piezoelectric element generates a signal having a magnitude discernable as representative of an amount of force applied to the touch device.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an input surface configured to deform in response to a force exerted on the input surface; a display positioned below the input surface; a touch sensor disposed below and coupled to the input surface; and a piezoelectric element array disposed below the display such that the piezoelectric element array deforms with the input surface in response to the force exerted, wherein the piezoelectric element array generates a signal in response to the deformation, the signal corresponding to a magnitude of the force exerted and configured to be multiplexed with an inactive state of both the touch sensor and the display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A touch device comprising:
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an outer protective layer comprising a dielectric material; a display positioned below the outer protective layer; a piezoelectric structure below the display, wherein the piezoelectric structure comprises; piezoelectric material, wherein the piezoelectric material is a dielectric material; a first set of electrodes, comprising at least two electrodes, on a first surface of the piezoelectric material; and a second set of electrodes, comprising at least two electrodes, on a second surface of the piezoelectric material and located between the piezoelectric material and the outer protective layer, the second set of electrodes configured to sense both an electrical charge generated by the piezoelectric material and a capacitance when a conductive material is brought into proximity with the outer protective layer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus comprising:
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an input surface to receive an exerted downward force; a touch sensor disposed below the input surface; a display disposed below the touch sensor; a piezoelectric element array disposed below and extending across the display, the piezoelectric element array configured to generate a signal corresponding to the exerted downward force and configured to be multiplexed with an inactive state of both the touch sensor and the display. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification