Patent Application
20110193791
The present disclosure relates to portable electronic devices, including portable electronic devices having touch screen displays.
Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, have gained widespread use and may provide a variety of functions including, for example, telephonic, electronic messaging and other personal information manager (PIM) application functions. Portable electronic devices include, for example, several types of mobile stations such as simple cellular telephones, smart telephones, wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs), and laptop computers with wireless 802.11 or Bluetooth capabilities.
Portable electronic devices such as PDAs or smart telephones are generally intended for handheld use and ease of portability. Smaller devices are generally desirable for portability. A touch-sensitive display, also known as a touchscreen display, is particularly useful on handheld devices, which are small and have limited space for user input and output. The information displayed on the touch-sensitive displays may be modified depending on the functions and operations being performed. With continued demand for decreased size of portable electronic devices, touch-sensitive displays continue to decrease in size.
Improvements in devices with touch-sensitive displays are desirable.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the embodiments described herein. The embodiments may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments described. The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.
The disclosure generally relates to an electronic device, which is a portable electronic device in the embodiments described herein. Examples of portable electronic devices include mobile, or handheld, wireless communication devices such as pagers, cellular phones, cellular smart-phones, wireless organizers, personal digital assistants, wirelessly enabled notebook computers, and so forth. The portable electronic device may also be a portable electronic device without wireless communication capabilities, such as a handheld electronic game device, digital photograph album, digital camera, or other device.
A block diagram of an example of a portable electronic device 100 is shown in
The processor 102 interacts with other components, such as Random Access Memory (RAM) 108, memory 110, a display 112 with a touch-sensitive overlay 114 operably connected to an electronic controller 116 that together comprise a touch-sensitive display 118, one or more actuators 120, one or more force sensors 122, an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem 124, a data port 126, a speaker 128, a microphone 130, short-range communications 132, and other device subsystems 134. User-interaction with a graphical user interface is performed through the touch-sensitive overlay 114. The processor 102 interacts with the touch-sensitive overlay 114 via the electronic controller 116. Information, such as text, characters, symbols, images, icons, and other items that may be displayed or rendered on a portable electronic device, is displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118 via the processor 102. The processor 102 may interact with an accelerometer 136 that may be utilized to detect direction of gravitational forces or gravity-induced reaction forces.
To identify a subscriber for network access, the portable electronic device 100 uses a Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module (SIM/RUIM) card 138 for communication with a network, such as the wireless network 150. Alternatively, user identification information may be programmed into memory 110.
The portable electronic device 100 includes an operating system 146 and software programs or components 148 that are executed by the processor 102 and are typically stored in a persistent, updatable store such as the memory 110. Additional applications or programs may be loaded onto the portable electronic device 100 through the wireless network 150, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 124, the data port 126, the short-range communications subsystem 132, or any other suitable subsystem 134.
A received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, or web page download is processed by the communication subsystem 104 and input to the processor 102. The processor 102 processes the received signal for output to the display 112 and/or to the auxiliary I/O subsystem 124. A subscriber may generate data items, for example e-mail messages, which may be transmitted over the wireless network 150 through the communication subsystem 104. For voice communications, the overall operation of the portable electronic device 100 is similar. The speaker 128 outputs audible information converted from electrical signals, and the microphone 130 converts audible information into electrical signals for processing.
One or more touches, also known as touch contacts or touch events, may be detected by the touch-sensitive display 118. The processor 102 may determine attributes of the touch, including a location of a touch. A signal is provided to the controller 116 in response to detection of a touch.
The actuator(s) 120 may be depressed by applying sufficient force to the touch-sensitive display 118 to overcome the actuation force of the actuator 120. The actuator 120 may be actuated by pressing anywhere on the touch-sensitive display 118. The actuator 120 may provide input to the processor 102 when actuated. Actuation of the actuator 120 may result in provision of tactile feedback.
A mechanical dome switch actuator may be utilized. In this example, tactile feedback is provided when the dome collapses due to imparted force and when the dome returns to the rest position after release of the switch.
Alternatively, the actuator 120 may comprise one or more piezoelectric (piezo) devices that provide tactile feedback for the touch-sensitive display 118. Contraction of the piezo actuator(s) applies a spring-like force, for example, opposing a force externally applied to the touch-sensitive display 118. Each piezo actuator includes a piezoelectric device, such as a piezoelectric (PZT) ceramic disk adhered to a substrate that may be comprised of metal. The substrate bends when the piezo device contracts due to build up of charge/voltage at the piezo device or in response to a force, such as an external force applied to the touch-sensitive display 118. The charge/voltage may be adjusted by varying the applied voltage or current, thereby controlling the force applied by the piezo devices. The charge/voltage on the piezo actuator may be removed by a controlled discharge current that causes the piezo device to expand, releasing the force thereby decreasing the force applied by the piezo devices. The charge/voltage may advantageously be reduced over a relatively short period of time to provide tactile feedback to the user. Absent an external force and absent a charge/voltage on the piezo device, the piezo device may be slightly bent due to a mechanical preload.
A front view of a portable electronic device 100 is shown in
The touch-sensitive overlay 114 is shown as a capacitive touch-sensitive overlay 114. The capacitive touch-sensitive overlay 114 comprises, for example, a number of layers in a stack and may be fixed to the display 112 via a suitable optically clear adhesive such as Optically Clear Laminating Adhesive available from 3M Company. A sectional side view of an example of the touch-sensitive display 118 (not to scale) is shown in
The substrate 300 is a transparent plate, for example, comprised of polyethylene terephthalate (polyester), glass, or other suitable dielectric sheet. The shield 302 may be comprised of suitable material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) applied to the substrate 300, for example, by sputter coating onto the substrate 300. The shield 302 may be connected to a ground or voltage supply or active drive circuit for shielding the capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306 from the display 112. The barrier 304 may be a thin film deposited non-conductive material, such as silicon dioxide or other material that electrically isolates the shield 302 from the display 112. The barrier 304 may be deposited on the shield 302, for example, by physical vapor deposition. The capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306 may be disposed in a single layer or plane, without jumpers or bridges, i.e., conductors to the controller 116 are electrically isolated from each other, and no conductor crosses under or over any other conductor. The capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306 may comprise, for example, ITO. The transparent cover 308 provides a protective covering and may comprise, for example, a transparent polymer disposed on the surface of the capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306, for example, with a suitable optically clear adhesive 310. Alternatively, the transparent cover 308 may comprise a coating on the capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306, for example, a spray coating.
The capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306 generates and provides signals to the controller 116 as a result of capacitive coupling with a suitable object, which coupling results in a change in the electric field of the touch sensors of the capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306 as known in the art. The suitable object may be, for example, a finger, thumb, appendage, or other items, for example, a stylus, pen, or other pointer. Coordinate values, such as x and y coordinates that represent a location of one or more aspects of a touch event, are determined from these signals.
One example of a capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306 is shown in
The sensors 404, 406 are shown with varying widths of fingers and gaps. The width of the fingers is wider and one end of a sensor and are progressively narrower toward the opposite end of the sensor until the center of the sensor, while the gaps between the fingers are the same size. From the center of the sensor to the opposite end, the fingers have the same width, while the gaps between the fingers are progressively wider. For example, the lower touch sensor 404 has wider fingers 408 near the bottom of
Capacitive coupling with each of the touch sensors 404, 406 is relative to the area of the touch sensor 404, 406 that detects the touch. For example, capacitive coupling increases with area of the touch sensor 404, 406 at which the touch is detected. The signal from each touch sensor 404, 406 to the controller 116 varies based on the area of the touch sensor 404, 406 at which the touch is detected.
A touch close to the bottom of a region 402 is detected by a larger area of the lower touch sensor 404 than the upper touch sensor 406. Similarly, a touch close to the top of a region 402 is detected by a larger area of the upper touch sensor 406 than the lower sensor 404. Further, the ratio of the area of the lower touch sensor 404 to the area of the upper touch sensor 406 that detects a touch decreases with distance from the bottom of a region. Based on the signals received at the controller 116, the ratio of the area of the lower touch sensor 404 to the upper touch sensor 406 that detects a touch may be determined, and the distance of the touch from the first end 412 may be established. The x and y coordinates of the touch on the touch-sensitive display 118 may be determined based on signals from the touch sensors 404, 406. One coordinate is determined based on which of the touch sensors 404, 406 register the touch and the ratio of touch sensors in adjacent parallel regions 402. The other coordinate is determined based on the ratio of the area of the one touch sensor 404 to the area of the other touch sensor 406 that detects the touch. Relations other than ratios may be utilized.
For example, when a touch is detected only by the touch sensors 404, 406 from only one region 402 of the touch-sensitive display 118, such as the region 402 on the far left side of
A touch may be registered by more than two touch sensors 404, 406, for example, when the touch overlaps two adjacent regions 402. The coordinates of such a touch are determined based on signals from each of the touch sensors 404, 406 in the two adjacent regions 402. The coordinates of each touch on the touch-sensitive display 118 may be determined when multiple touches occur simultaneously in different regions 402.
The sensor fingers 408, 412 may be any suitable shape. For example, the fingers 408, 412 may be rounded at the ends rather than rectangular in shape, i.e., with square corners, or the fingers 408, 412 may be triangular in shape. The fingers 508, 510 may have curved or other non-linear edges.
Another example of a capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306 is shown in
Capacitive coupling with each of the touch sensors 504, 506 is relative to the area of the touch sensor 504, 506 that detects the touch. For example, capacitive coupling increases with area of the touch sensor 504, 506 at which the touch is detected. The signal from each touch sensor 504, 506 to the controller 116 varies based on the area of the touch sensor 504, 506 at which the touch is detected.
A touch close to the bottom of a region 502 is detected by a larger area of the lower touch sensor 504 than the upper touch sensor 506. Similarly, a touch close to the top of a region 502 is detected by a larger area of the upper touch sensor 506 than the lower touch sensor 504. Further, the ratio of the area of the lower touch sensor 504 to the area of the upper touch sensor 506 that detects a touch decreases with distance from the bottom of a region. Based on the signals received at the controller 116, the ratio of the area of the lower touch sensor 504 to the area of the upper touch sensor 506 that detects a touch may be determined, and the distance of the touch from the first end 510 may be established. The x and y coordinates of the touch on the touch-sensitive display 118 may be determined based on signals from the touch sensors 504, 506. One coordinate is determined based on which of the touch sensors 504, 506 register the touch and the ratio of touch sensors in adjacent parallel regions 502. The other coordinate is determined based on the ratio of the area of the one touch sensor 504 to the area of the other touch sensor 506 that detects the touch. Relations other than ratios may be utilized.
A touch may be registered by more than two touch sensors 504, 506, for example, when the touch overlaps two adjacent regions 502. The coordinates of such a touch are determined based on signals from each of the touch sensors 504, 506 in the two adjacent regions 502. The coordinates of each touch on the touch-sensitive display 118 may be determined when multiple touches occur simultaneously in different regions 502.
The sensor fingers 508, 510 may be any suitable shape. For example, the fingers 508, 510 may be rounded or squared at the ends rather than ending at a point. The fingers 508, 510 may have curved or other non-linear edges.
Another example of a capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306 is shown in
An electrical conductor 616 connects each touch sensor 604, 606, 608, 610 to the controller 116. Conductors 616 also connect the lower touch sensor 606 of each of region 602 with the lower touch sensor 604 of the adjacent region 602. Fewer conductors extend from the capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306 by connecting the lower touch sensor 606 with the lower touch sensor 604 of the adjacent region. The lower touch sensor 606 is not connected to the lower touch sensor 604 of the same region in the example shown in
A touch on the touch-sensitive display 118 may be detected by more than one of the touch sensors 604, 606, 608, 610 and based on the signals received at the controller 116 from each of the touch sensors 604, 606, 608, 610, the x and y coordinates of the touch on the touch-sensitive display 118 may be determined. One coordinate is determined based on which of the touch sensors 610 register the touch and the relation of signals from the sensors 610 in adjacent parallel regions 602. The other coordinate is determined based on the areas of each of the touch sensors 604, 606, 608, 610 that detect the touch.
Another example of a capacitive touch sensor arrangement 306 is shown in
Two touch sensors 704, 706 are shown comprising a single finger. One touch sensor 704 extends from one end of the region 702 with an end of the touch sensor 704 at or near the end of the region 702, and another touch sensor 706 extends from the opposite end of the region 702 with an end of the touch sensor 706 at or near the opposite end of the region 702. The touch sensors 704, 706 have the same shape and are oriented vertically as mirror images. Each of the touch sensors 704, 706 includes a first area with substantially parallel sides and a second area in which the width varies, narrowing with distance from the first area. The touch sensors 704, 706 as shown extend less than half way along the length of the region 702. The first area of each of the fingers 706 may extend, for example, about 2 to about 3 millimeters in length and the second area may extend, for example, about 5 to about 6 millimeters in length. The narrowest end of the touch sensor 704 may be spaced from the narrowest end of the touch sensor 706, for example, by a distance of about 12 to about 15 millimeters.
An additional touch sensor 708 includes a central area that extends across the width of the region 702 and fingers 712 that extend from the central area to the end of the region and between each vertical side of the touch sensor 706 and the outer edge of the region 702. A finger 714 extends from the central area in the opposite direction of the fingers 712. The width of the finger 714 is wider at the central area and narrows with distance from the central area. A narrow trace 718 extends along one side of the region 702 from the central area to the bottom of the region.
The touch sensor 710 includes a generally central, or common, area and four fingers 722, 724 extending from the central area. Two fingers 722 extend upwardly along but not touching the finger 714 of the other sensor 708 and two fingers 724 extend downwardly along but not touching the finger 704 of the other sensor 708. The fingers of the touch sensors 704, 706, 708, 710 are thus interleaved.
An electrical conductor connects each touch sensor 704, 706, 708, 710 to the controller 116. The touch sensors 706 of all the regions 702 are connected together. Each of the touch sensors 704, 708, 710 are not connected to any other touch sensor, electrically isolating each of the touch sensors 704, 708, 710. Few electrical conductors or traces are utilized for routing along edges of the touch-sensitive overlay, reducing the space occupied by such traces and providing space for wider traces that reduce electrostatic discharge susceptibility.
Capacitive coupling with each of the touch sensors 704, 706, 708, 710 is related to the area of the touch sensor 704, 706, 708, 710 that detects the touch. The signal from each touch sensor 704, 706, 708, 710 to the controller varies based on the area of the touch sensor 704, 706, 708, 710 that detects the touch. A touch may be registered by more than two touch sensors 704, 706, 708, 710 and, based on the signals received at the controller 116 from each of the touch sensors 604, 606, 608, 610, the x and y coordinates of the touch on the touch-sensitive display 118 may be determined. One coordinate is determined based on which of the touch sensors 704, 708, 710 register the touch and the relation of signals from the sensors 704, 708, 710 in adjacent parallel regions 702. The other coordinate is determined based on the areas of each of the touch sensors 704, 706, 708, 710 that detect the touch.
The terms “bottom” and “top” and “upper” and “lower” and “vertical” are utilized in the disclosure for reference in the drawings only and are not otherwise limiting. The shapes of features, including the touch sensors, are described herein for the purpose of providing examples. Other shapes of touch sensors may fall within the scope of the present disclosure. The touch sensors may be implemented to provide a portrait or landscape orientation for a display, a square display, or any other shape of display with appropriate modifications to the size/shape of the touch sensors.
While transmission of light is generally good with capacitive touch-sensitive displays a desire for increased resolution of such displays drives further improvements in touch-sensitive displays. Functionality of such overlays and accuracy of detection of location of touch remains important. The touch-sensitive overlay, according to the present disclosure, includes a single capacitive touch sensor layer for determination of both x and y touch location. A single layer does not require jumpers or bridges, i.e., conductors to the controller 116 are electrically isolated from each other, and no conductor crosses under or over any other conductor. This arrangement reduces the number of layers for determination of touch location, thereby facilitating improved optical performance of a touch-sensitive display as fewer layers on the display are utilized for touch sensing. Furthermore, fewer conductors or traces are utilized for routing along edges of the touch-sensitive overlay, reducing the space occupied by such traces and providing space for wider traces that reduce electrostatic discharge susceptibility. The absence of crossing traces leads to higher manufacturing yield, and higher reliability.
A touch-sensitive overlay includes a substrate, and a capacitive touch sensor arrangement comprising a first touch sensor and a second touch sensor disposed on the substrate in a region and arranged and constructed such that a coordinate of the touch is determined based on a relation of signals from at least the first and the second touch sensors, wherein the first touch sensor is electrically isolated from the second touch sensor.
An electronic device includes a housing, a display exposed by the housing, a touch-sensitive overlay disposed on the display, the touch-sensitive overlay comprising a substrate, and a capacitive touch sensor arrangement comprising a first touch sensor and a second touch sensor disposed on the substrate in a region and arranged and constructed such that a coordinate of the touch is determined based on a relation of signals from at least the first and the second touch sensors, wherein the first touch sensor is electrically isolated from the second touch sensor, and a processor operably coupled to the display and the overlay.
While the embodiments described herein are directed to particular implementations of the portable electronic device and the method of controlling the portable electronic device, modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art. For example, other arrangements of sensor fingers may be possible. All such modifications and variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the present disclosure. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
