Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the specification concludes with claims defining features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
The present invention relates to a button assembly that includes a biometric sensor and a switch. In particular, the biometric sensor can be mounted to a first side of a flexible electronic circuit, while the switch can be disposed on, or positioned proximate to, a second side of the flexible electronic circuit. The biometric sensor can be operable between a first position and a second position to effectuate opening or closing of the switch. The button assembly can operate the biometric sensor between the first and second positions utilizing pivotal, translational, and/or rotational movement.
A stiffening member can be attached to the first side or the second side of the flexible electronic circuit to add rigidity to the flexible electronic circuit in the region where the biometric sensor is mounted. Use of the stiffening member reduces operational stresses between the biometric sensor and the flexible electronic circuit when the button is depressed, thereby improving durability of the button assembly.
In one arrangement, the button assembly can be implemented as a button of a mobile station, for example as a push-to-talk button or a power on/off button. In another arrangement, the button assembly can be implemented in a wearable electronic device, such as a headset or sunglasses that include electronic components. Still, the button can be implemented on any other electronic apparatus that may process biometric data and the invention is not limited in this regard.
The flex circuit 105 can comprise an electronic circuit disposed on, or in, a flexible substrate. Examples of suitable substrates include, but are not limited to, polymers such as polyimide, polyester, polypropylene, polystyrene, polytetraflouroethylene, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), etc. Nonetheless, any electronic circuit substrate that is flexible may be used. The flex circuit 105 can include a first side 110 and a second opposing side 115. The second side 115 can be, for instance, opposing and generally parallel to the first side 110.
The biometric sensor 100 can be mounted to the first side 110 of the flex circuit 105. For example, the flex circuit 105 can include solder pads 120 on the first side 110 to which the biometric sensor 100 attaches, for example via a flow solder process. In another arrangement, the solder pads can be disposed on the second side 115. In such an arrangement, the biometric sensor 110 can include pins that extend through vias in the flex circuit 105 to interface with the solder pads.
In the example shown, the first side 310 of the stiffening member 305 can have a shape that is generally planar, and the first side 310 of the stiffening member 305 can attach to the second side 115 of the flex circuit 105 which, as noted, also can have a shape that is generally planar. In other arrangements the flex circuit 105 and stiffening member 305 can have other shapes. For instance, the first side 310 of the stiffening member 305 can be convex or concave, and the second side 115 of the flex circuit 105 can form to the shape of the stiffening member 305.
The stiffening member 305 can be attached to the flex circuit 105 in any suitable manner. For example, the stiffening member 305 can be glued to the flex circuit 105. To facilitate positioning of the stiffening member 305 with respect to the flex circuit 105, the stiffening member 305 can include nubs 315 or pins that align with vias 320 within the flex circuit 105. Further, a hole 325 through which the switch 200 can protrude can be defined in the stiffening member 305. In an arrangement in which the stiffening member 305 attaches to the first side 110 of the flex circuit 105, a hole can be defined in the stiffening member 305 through which the biometric sensor 100 can protrude. Alternatively, in lieu of attachment to the flex circuit 105, the switch 200 or the biometric sensor 100 can be attached to the stiffening member 305.
The button assembly 300 also can include a protective cover 330 which may be disposed over the biometric sensor 100 and the flex circuit 105. An opening 335 can be defined in the protective cover 330 to allow the biometric sensor 100 to read fingerprints for appendages that are proximate to an outer surface 340 of the biometric sensor 100. In one arrangement, the protective cover 330 can include a window 338 disposed within the opening. In an arrangement in which the biometric sensor 100 includes an optic device, the window can comprise a non-opaque material, such as a clear plastic or film.
When assembled, the button assembly 300 can be positioned between a shell 345 of a device, such as mobile station, and a structure 350 or structures internal to the shell 345. Further, the protective cover 330 and the shell 345 can be suitably configured to form a water-tight seal. For example, the shell 345 can comprise rubber that is sandwiched between the shell 345 and the flex circuit 105 or the stiffening member 305. Additional water sealant compounds or structures also can be used, and the invention is not limited in this regard. Accordingly, the button assembly 300 can be utilized in a water resistant device.
The flex circuit 105 can be connected to other circuits or components within the device. For instance, a connector (not shown) can be attached to the flex circuit 105 to facilitate mating of the flex circuit 105 to a conventional printed circuit board.
In the example shown, the stiffening member 305 can be operatively attached to a fulcrum member 355, and the fulcrum member 355 can engage the internal structure 350 to define an axis 360 about which the stiffening member 305, and thus the biometric sensor 100, can pivot. The fulcrum member 355 can be secured directly to the stiffening member 305, or secured directly to another component to which the stiffening member 305 is attached. For example, the fulcrum member 355 can be secured to the protective cover 330, which can be secured to the stiffening member 305, thereby providing attachment of the stiffening member 305 to the fulcrum member 355.
The biometric sensor 100 can be depressed to pivotally operate the button sub-assembly 400 between a first position shown in
Advantageously, while the biometric sensor 100 is being depressed by a user, for example using a finger, an image of the user's fingerprint can be captured by the biometric sensor 100 and image data can be generated. The image data then can be communicated via the flex circuit 105 to other device components, for example a datastore or a processor executing user identification software. In one arrangement, depression of the switch button 205 can activate image capture, although the invention is not limited in this regard and image capture can be triggered in any other suitable manner.
Referring to
The button sub-assembly 700 also can include a rotation guide 720 which, in one arrangement, is an outer shell of the switch 200. In another arrangement, the switch 200 can be disposed within the rotation guide 720 or on an upper surface 725 of the rotation guide 720. One or more grooves 730 can be defined in the rotation guide 720. Further, the button sub-assembly 700 also can include one or more guide members 735. Each of the guide members 735 can include a first end 740 that is attached to the rotation member 710, and a second end 745 that slideably engages at least one of the grooves 730. One or more spring members 750 can resiliently bias the stiffening member 305, and the biometric sensor 100, in a first position, such as the position shown in
Referring to
The terms “a” and “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly.
This invention can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.