Piezo based force sensing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a cover;
a piezoelectric layer disposed below the cover;
a first electrode layer disposed in a grid and coupled to a lower surface of the piezoelectric layer;
a second electrode layer disposed in a first pattern coupled to an upper surface of the piezoelectric layer;
a third electrode layer disposed in a second pattern oriented perpendicular to the first pattern and positioned between the cover and the piezoelectric layer;
a touch sensor coupled to the third electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the touch sensor operable to detect a change in capacitance between the third electrode layer and the second electrode layer corresponding to a touch or proximity input event provided to the cover; and
a sense circuitry coupled to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the sense circuitry operable to;
detect an electric charge generated by the piezoelectric layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and
estimate a magnitude of force exerted on the cover based on the electric charge.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems for detecting an amount and/or location of a force applied to a device using a piezoelectric film are provided. One example system can include a transparent piezoelectric film for generating an electric charge in response to a deformation of the film. Electrodes positioned on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric film can be used to detect the generated electric charge and determine an amount and/or location of force applied to the film based on the generated electric charge. In another embodiment, the system can include a capacitive touch sensor for determining a location of a touch event on the device.
213 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A system comprising:
-
a cover; a piezoelectric layer disposed below the cover; a first electrode layer disposed in a grid and coupled to a lower surface of the piezoelectric layer; a second electrode layer disposed in a first pattern coupled to an upper surface of the piezoelectric layer; a third electrode layer disposed in a second pattern oriented perpendicular to the first pattern and positioned between the cover and the piezoelectric layer; a touch sensor coupled to the third electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the touch sensor operable to detect a change in capacitance between the third electrode layer and the second electrode layer corresponding to a touch or proximity input event provided to the cover; and a sense circuitry coupled to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the sense circuitry operable to; detect an electric charge generated by the piezoelectric layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and estimate a magnitude of force exerted on the cover based on the electric charge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A system comprising:
-
a first piezoelectric layer; a second piezoelectric layer coupled to the first piezoelectric layer; a cover coupled to the second piezoelectric layer by a first layer of adhesive; a first electrode layer coupled to the first piezoelectric layer and disposed in a first linear pattern; a second electrode layer coupled between the first and second piezoelectric layers disposed in a grid pattern; a third electrode layer coupled between the second piezoelectric layer and the cover, and disposed in a second linear pattern oriented perpendicular to the first linear pattern; and a sense circuitry operable to detect an electric charge generated by the first and second piezoelectric layers in response to a deformation of the first and second piezoelectric layers and determine a magnitude and a location of an exerted force based on the electric charge. - View Dependent Claims (13)
-
-
14. A system comprising:
-
a piezoelectric layer; a touch sensor coupled to the piezoelectric layer by a first layer of adhesive; a cover coupled to the piezoelectric layer by a second layer of adhesive; a first electrode layer coupled to the piezoelectric layer and disposed in a first linear pattern; a second electrode layer coupled between the piezoelectric layer and the touch sensor and disposed in a second linear pattern perpendicular to the first linear pattern; and sense circuitry operable to detect an electric charge generated by the piezoelectric layer in response to a deformation of the piezoelectric layer and output an estimated magnitude of force exerted on the cover based on the electric charge. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification