Configurable force-sensitive input structure for electronic devices
First Claim
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1. An electronic device comprising:
- a casing defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, the exterior surface defining a virtual key region;
a light source positioned within the casing;
an input stack-up comprising a plurality of layers, positioned within the casing, and configured to detect;
an input received at the virtual key region; and
a location of the input, at least one layer of the plurality of layers configured to deform in response to the input;
a transparent light guide layer distinct from and positioned above the input stack-up and below the casing, the transparent light guide layer configured to deform in response to the input and to direct light from the light source to illuminate the virtual key region and defining;
a top surface parallel with the exterior surface of the electronic device;
a bottom surface parallel with the exterior surface of the electronic device; and
a side surface extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; and
a processor configured to generate a user input signal based on the input received at the virtual key region, the user input signal corresponding to an actuation of the virtual key region;
wherein the light source is configured to direct light into the side surface of the transparent light guide layer.
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Abstract
A configurable, force-sensitive input structure for an electronic device is disclosed. The input structure has a metal contact layer, a sense layer positioned below the metal contact layer, and a drive layer capacitively coupled to the sense layer. The input structure may also have a compliant layer positioned between and coupled to the sense layer and the drive layer, a rigid base layer positioned below the drive layer, and a set of supports positioned between the metal contact layer and the rigid base layer.
164 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic device comprising:
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a casing defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, the exterior surface defining a virtual key region; a light source positioned within the casing; an input stack-up comprising a plurality of layers, positioned within the casing, and configured to detect; an input received at the virtual key region; and a location of the input, at least one layer of the plurality of layers configured to deform in response to the input; a transparent light guide layer distinct from and positioned above the input stack-up and below the casing, the transparent light guide layer configured to deform in response to the input and to direct light from the light source to illuminate the virtual key region and defining; a top surface parallel with the exterior surface of the electronic device; a bottom surface parallel with the exterior surface of the electronic device; and a side surface extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; and a processor configured to generate a user input signal based on the input received at the virtual key region, the user input signal corresponding to an actuation of the virtual key region; wherein the light source is configured to direct light into the side surface of the transparent light guide layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic device comprising:
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a casing having a dimensionally-configurable input region along an exterior surface defining a first plane; an input stack-up within an interior volume of the casing, the input stack-up configured to detect; an input force received within the dimensionally-configurable input region; and a location of the input force; the input stack-up comprising; a sense layer configured to deform in response to the input force; a compliant layer positioned below the sense layer; and a drive layer positioned below the compliant layer and opposite the sense layer; and a transparent light guide layer distinct from and positioned above the input stack-up and below the casing, the transparent light guide layer configured to deform in response to the input force and to direct light from a light source, along a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, to the dimensionally-configurable input region; wherein the input stack-up is configured to generate a signal responsive to a change in capacitance between the sense layer and the drive layer caused by the input force. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electronic device comprising:
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a casing comprising a ceramic material that forms an exterior surface of the electronic device, the exterior surface defining a dimensionally-configurable input region; an input stack-up configured to detect; a deformation of the exterior surface within the dimensionally-configurable input region; and a location of the deformation; a light source configured to illuminate the dimensionally-configurable input region and positioned outside a perimeter boundary of the dimensionally-configurable input region; a transparent light guide layer distinct from and positioned above the input stack-up and below the casing, the transparent light guide layer configured to; deform in response to the deformation of the exterior surface; and direct light from the light source to the dimensionally-configurable input region; and a processor configured to generate a user input signal based on the deformation of the exterior surface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification