Force Sensor in an Input Device

• US 20190025923A1
• Filed: 06/25/2018
• Published: 01/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Kim, Sora, Grunthaner, Martin P., Jin, Rui, Wittenberg, Michael B., McCord, Michael K., Larsson, Henric, Gozzini, Giovanni, Browning, Lucy, Myers, Scott A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,739,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0447 Position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9625 using a force resistance transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/964 Piezoelectric touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/975 using a capacitive movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960755 Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches

Abstract

An input device can be integrated within an electronic device and/or operably connected to an electronic device through a wired or wireless connection. The input device can include one or more force sensors positioned below a cover element of the input device or an input surface of the electronic device. The input device can include other components and/or functionality, such as a biometric sensor and/or a switch element.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

a cover layer attached to the housing and forming at least part of a front surface of the electronic device;

a display at least partially surrounded by the housing and disposed under the cover layer;

an input device comprising an image displayed by the display;

a set of one or more force sensors positioned around a center opening and configured to detect a force input applied to the input device; and

a fingerprint sensor positioned below the cover layer and at least partially in the center opening, the fingerprint sensor configured to capture a fingerprint when a finger presses on the cover layer above the input device.

22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the set of one or more force sensors comprises a set of one or more capacitive force sensors.

23. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the fingerprint sensor comprises a capacitive fingerprint sensor.

24. The electronic device of claim 21, further comprising:

a device stack;

wherein;

the set of one or more force sensors comprises at least one force sensor in the device stack; and

the device stack includes the display.

25. The electronic device of claim 21, further comprising:

a flexible circuit; and

a connector, electrically connected to the flexible circuit;

wherein;

the fingerprint sensor is electrically connected to the flexible circuit, and electrically connected to the connector via the flexible circuit.

26. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the display comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) element.

27. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

a display at least partially surrounded by the housing;

a cover layer configured to receive touch and force inputs applied to the display;

an input device, comprising;

an image displayed by the display;

a set of one or more force sensors disposed under the display; and

a fingerprint sensor positioned below the display and configured to capture a fingerprint when a finger presses on the cover layer above the fingerprint sensor.

28. The electronic device of claim 27, further comprising:

a device stack;

wherein;

the set of one or more force sensors comprises at least one force sensor in the device stack; and

the device stack includes the display.

29. The electronic device of claim 27, wherein the set of one or more force sensors comprises:

at least one force sensor positioned below the fingerprint sensor.

30. The electronic device of claim 27, further comprising:

a support element;

wherein;

at least one force sensor in the set of one or more force sensors is positioned between the fingerprint sensor and the support element.

31. The electronic device of claim 27, wherein the fingerprint sensor comprises a capacitive fingerprint sensor.

32. The electronic device of claim 27, further comprising:

a compliant layer having a center opening;

wherein;

the fingerprint sensor is positioned in the center opening.

33. The electronic device of claim 27, further comprising:

a flexible circuit; and

a connector, electrically connected to the flexible circuit;

wherein;

the fingerprint sensor is electrically connected to the flexible circuit, and electrically connected to the connector via the flexible circuit.

34. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

a device stack, comprising;

a display at least partially surrounded by the housing; and

a set of one or more force sensors;

an input device, comprising;

an image displayed by the display; and

a biometric sensor;

a cover layer disposed over the display and the biometric sensor;

wherein;

at least one force sensor in the set of one or more force sensors is configured to measure an amount of force applied to the input device; and

the biometric sensor is configured to capture biometric data associated with a user of the electronic device.