Patent Application
20180081441
Embodiments described herein relate generally to electronic devices having a haptic output system integrated with a touch input system.
An electronic device can incorporate a haptic output system and a touch input system. A haptic output system uses the sense of touch to convey information to a user and a touch input system receives input from that user. Conventionally, a haptic output system and a touch input are separate systems, each requiring a dedicated volume within a housing of the electronic device that incorporates them.
Certain embodiments described herein relate to an electronic device that is configured to provide localized haptic feedback to a user on one or more surfaces of the electronic device. The localized haptic feedback is provided by an array of piezoelectric haptic actuators, which are controlled by a flexible circuit assembly. In some embodiments, an electronic device includes a cover sheet, a display below the cover sheet, a chassis below the display, and array of piezoelectric actuators below the chassis. Typically, the array of piezoelectric actuators is attached to the chassis.
In certain embodiments, a flexible circuit assembly is electrically connected to each of the array of piezoelectric actuators. The flexible circuit assembly includes a master flexible circuit, a first slave flexible circuit, and a second slave flexible circuit. The master flexible circuit is positioned along a row of piezoelectric actuators and connected to the first and second slave flexible circuits. The master flexible circuit may be connected to each slave flexible circuit along the row. The first slave flexible circuit is electrically connected to a first piezoelectric actuator and the second slave flexible circuit is electrically connected to a second piezoelectric actuator.
In some examples, the flexible circuit assembly is also connected to control circuitry configured to generate control signals. The control signals induce a voltage across a piezoelectric substrate in each piezoelectric actuator, causing the piezoelectric actuator to compress and/or deflect to produce haptic output at the cover sheet.
Further embodiments described herein relate to a method for connecting an array of piezoelectric haptic actuators to control circuitry. Such methods include the operations of applying an electrically conductive bonding agent to a master flex member and, thereafter, aligning a first and a second slave flex member with the master flex member. The first and second slave flex members are bonded to the master flex member.
In some embodiments, the electrically conductive bonding agent is a solder paste, and the bonding operation includes heating the first slave flex member, the second slave flex member, and the master flex member in a reflow oven. In some embodiments, the method further includes the operations of applying an electrically conductive bonding agent to the first slave flex member, and bonding the first piezoelectric haptic actuator to the first slave flex member. The first piezoelectric haptic actuator may be bonded to the first slave flex member by an anisotropic conductive film or an isotropic conductive film.
Further embodiments described herein relate to an electronic device having a unified piezoelectric-based sensor for detecting force and touch inputs. The electronic device includes an enclosure, a display positioned within the enclosure, an input region positioned within the enclosure, and a sensor structure positioned below the input region. The sensor structure includes a piezoelectric substrate and a sensing layer comprising a plurality of electrodes. The sensor structure is configured to detect a location of a touch within the user input region and to estimate an amount of force corresponding to the touch.
Another example embodiment may be a method of detecting a touch and estimating an amount of force of the touch. The method includes the steps of detecting the touch with a sensor structure comprising a piezoelectric substrate, detecting an electrical response caused by compression of the piezoelectric substrate with the sensor structure, estimating the amount of force using the electrical response, and outputting a signal indicating the estimated amount of force.
Still another embodiment may be a user input device. The user input device includes a cover sheet comprising a user input surface and a sensor structure positioned below the cover sheet. The sensor structure includes a piezoelectric substrate and a sensing layer comprising a plurality of electrodes. The sensor structure is configured to detect a location of a touch on the user input surface and to estimate an amount of force corresponding to the touch.
The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements.
The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures.
Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto.
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, they are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
The following disclosure relates to an electronic device that is configured to provide localized haptic feedback to a user on one or more surfaces of the electronic device. The surface that transmits the haptic output can be a surface of an input device, a cover sheet disposed over a component of the input device, a cover sheet disposed over a component of the electronic device, and/or at least a portion of the enclosure of the electronic device. Haptic output is generated through the production of mechanical movement, vibrations, and/or force. In some embodiments, the haptic output can be created based on an input command (e.g., one or more touch and/or force inputs), a simulation, an application, or a system state. When the haptic output is applied to a surface (or surfaces), a user can detect or feel the haptic output and perceive the haptic output as localized haptic feedback.
The localized haptic output can be produced based on a user interacting with one or more regions of a surface of an electronic device. For example, a user can provide touch and/or force inputs on a cover layer positioned over a display in an electronic device. A user can provide the touch and/or force inputs based on an application or a user interface rendered on the display. In response to at least one touch and/or force input, localized haptic output may be provided to a region of the cover layer.
Additionally or alternatively, localized haptic feedback can be applied to one or more regions of a surface of an electronic device that the user is touching. For example, localized haptic output may be applied to one or more regions of an enclosure of the electronic device when the user is touching the region and/or touching the enclosure.
In a particular embodiment, localized haptic output is provided by an array of piezoelectric haptic actuators. A piezoelectric haptic actuator includes a piezoelectric substrate. The piezoelectric haptic actuator is positioned below a haptic surface of the electronic device (e.g., below a cover sheet) such that a top surface of the piezoelectric substrate is oriented substantially parallel to the haptic surface. A first electrode is affixed to the top surface of the piezoelectric substrate, and a second electrode is affixed to a bottom surface of the piezoelectric substrate opposite the first electrode. The top surface of the piezoelectric substrate is further coupled to a stiffener, which stiffener may impose a mechanical constraint on the movement of the piezoelectric substrate.
Generally, the piezoelectric haptic actuator is actuated by applying a sufficient voltage (e.g., 90 VDC-150 VDC) between the first electrode and the second electrode. This induces a voltage across the piezoelectric substrate, causing the piezoelectric substrate to compress along a plane orthogonal to the induced voltage (hereinafter, the x-y plane). Due to the mechanical constraint imposed on the piezoelectric substrate by the stiffener, the compression along the x-y plane causes the piezoelectric substrate to deflect in a direction orthogonal to the substrate compression (hereinafter, the z-direction). The deflection of the piezoelectric substrate along the z-direction may be transferred through the stiffener and any intervening layers of the electronic device to cause localized deflection at the haptic surface, providing localized haptic output.
As noted above, embodiments of the present invention provide localized haptic output across the haptic surface of the electronic device. Accordingly, an array of piezoelectric haptic actuators is provided below the haptic surface. Localized haptic output may be provided by controllably actuating piezoelectric haptic actuators within the array, either individually or in groups.
In a conventional array of piezoelectric haptic actuators, the piezoelectric haptic actuators may be controlled via a pair of signal control layers, a first layer coupled to the top electrode and a second layer coupled to the bottom electrodes. In a conventional array of piezoelectric haptic actuators, both signal control layers cover substantially the area of the haptic surface. However, given the relatively high voltage levels of the control signals and the large size of each layer, the control signal layers may be costly to manufacture.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention relate to low-cost systems and methods for providing control signals to separately controllable piezoelectric haptic actuators. Some embodiments provide a flexible circuit assembly, which includes a master flexible circuit board (hereinafter, master control flex) and a slave flexible circuit board (hereinafter, slave control flex) in a single layer. The master control flex may span substantially a length of the cover sheet between rows of piezoelectric haptic actuators. The slave control flex is coupled to the master control flex, and additionally coupled to a piezoelectric haptic actuator in order to provide control signals to the piezoelectric haptic actuator from the master control flex.
In some embodiments, the electronic device further includes control circuitry to generate control signals for selectively actuating piezoelectric haptic actuators within the array. One or more master control flexes may be coupled to the control circuitry, either directly or through an additional flexible circuit board. The control circuitry may generate a control signal to actuate a given piezoelectric haptic actuator according to an appropriate control scheme (e.g., in response to a detected user touch input). The control signal may be transmitted through the master control flex, through the slave control flex, and to the electrodes disposed on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate of the selected actuator. The control signal may induce a voltage across the piezoelectric substrate, causing the piezoelectric haptic actuator to deflect, which in turn causes a localized deflection at a surface of the electronic device.
These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to
The electronic device 100 includes an enclosure 102 at least partially surrounding a display 104 and one or more input/output (I/O) devices 106. The enclosure 102 can form an outer surface or partial outer surface for the internal components of the electronic device 100. The enclosure 102 can be formed of one or more components operably connected together, such as a front piece and a back piece. Alternatively, the enclosure 102 can be formed of a single piece operably connected to the display 104.
The display 104 can provide a visual output to the user. The display 104 can be implemented with any suitable technology, including, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD) element, a light emitting diode (LED) element, an organic light-emitting display (OLED) element, an organic electroluminescence (OEL) element, and the like. In some embodiments, the display 104 can function as an input device that allows the user to interact with the electronic device 100. For example, the display can be a multi-touch and/or multi-force sensing touchscreen LED display.
In some embodiments, the I/O device 106 can take the form of a home button, which may be a mechanical button, a soft button (e.g., a button that does not physically move but still accepts inputs), an icon or image on a display, and so on. Further, in some embodiments, the I/O device 106 can be integrated as part of a cover sheet 108 and/or the enclosure 102 of the electronic device. Although not shown in
A cover sheet 108 may be positioned over the front surface (or a portion of the front surface) of the electronic device 100. At least a portion of the cover sheet 108 can function as an input surface that receives touch and/or force inputs. The cover sheet 108 can be formed with any suitable material, such as glass, plastic, sapphire, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the cover sheet 108 covers the display 104 and the I/O device 106. Touch and force inputs can be received by the portion of the cover sheet 108 that covers the display 104 and by the portion of the cover sheet 108 that covers the I/O device 106.
In another embodiment, the cover sheet 108 covers the display 104 but not the I/O device 106. Touch and force inputs can be received by the portion of the cover sheet 108 that covers the display 104. In some embodiments, touch and force inputs can be received on other portions of the cover sheet 108, or on the entire cover sheet 108. The I/O device 106 may be disposed in an opening or aperture formed in the cover sheet 108. In some embodiments, the aperture extends through the enclosure 102 and one or more components of the I/O device 106 are positioned in the enclosure.
As illustrated in
In many embodiments, the haptic actuators 110 may be piezoelectric haptic actuators. The array of haptic actuators 110 may be controllably actuated by application of control signals across opposing surfaces of a piezoelectric substrate. In a conventional device, a first control circuit layer is coupled to a first surface of the piezoelectric substrate, and a second control circuit layer is coupled to a second surface of the piezoelectric substrate. However, such a dual layer control system may be costly, as each circuit layer may extend across an area below the cover sheet.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide control signals from control circuitry 116 to the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators through a flexible circuit assembly. The flexible circuit assembly includes one or more master flexible circuits (e.g., master control flexes 114) and one or more slave flexible circuits (e.g., slave control flexes 112). A master control flex 114 may be positioned adjacent a row of piezoelectric haptic actuators 110, and may carry control signals to piezoelectric haptic actuators 110 within the row. In many embodiments, a master control flex 114 may be positioned between adjacent rows of piezoelectric haptic actuators 110. The master control flex 114 may further be coupled to the control circuitry 116, either directly or through another flexible circuit.
Each piezoelectric haptic actuator 110 in the array may be coupled to a slave control flex 112. The slave control flex may in turn be coupled to an adjacent master control flex 114 in order to provide control signals from the control circuitry 116, through the master control flex 114, through the slave control flex 114, and to the piezoelectric haptic actuator 110. In this manner, the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators 110 may be selectively controlled to provide localized haptic output to the cover sheet 108 of the electronic device 100.
In some embodiments, a backlight unit 218 is positioned below the display layer 204. The display layer 204, along with the backlight unit 218, is used to output images on the display. In some implementations, the backlight unit 218 may be omitted.
The electronic device 200 can also include a support structure 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 220 is made from a substantially rigid material (e.g., a metal). In other embodiments, the support structure 220 may be formed with a different material (e.g., a plastic) or with a combination of materials (e.g., metal and an elastomer material). In the illustrated embodiments, the support structure 220 may extend around a perimeter of the display layer 204, although this is not required. In this manner, the support structure 220 may form a chassis supporting the layers of the display, including the display layer 204, the backlight unit 218, force sensing components 222, 224, and so on. The support structure 220 can have any shape and/or dimensions in other embodiments.
In some embodiments, the support structure 220 can be attached to the cover sheet 208 such that the support structure 220 is suspended from the cover sheet 208. In other embodiments, the support structure 220 may be connected to a component other than the cover sheet 208. For example, the support structure 220 can be attached to the enclosure 202 of the electronic device 200, or to a frame or other support component in the electronic device 200. For example, the support structure 220 can be attached to a support component positioned below the support structure 220. In such embodiments, the support structure 220 can include one or more legs that contact the support component and position the support structure 220 at a given location within the electronic device 200 (e.g., below the display layer 204 or below the backlight unit 218 when the backlight unit 218 is present).
An array of piezoelectric haptic actuators 210 may be affixed or coupled, through a circuit layer (e.g., a slave flexible circuit or slave control flex 212), to a surface of the support structure 220. Although the array is depicted with two piezoelectric haptic actuators 210, other embodiments are not limited to this configuration. The array can include one or more piezoelectric haptic actuators 210. Further, in some embodiments the support structure 220 may be omitted, and the piezoelectric haptic actuators 210 may be coupled to another layer below the cover sheet 208, such as the backlight unit 218.
In the illustrated embodiment, each piezoelectric haptic actuator 210 is attached and electrically connected to a slave control flex 212. Any suitable circuit configuration can be used for the slave control flex 212. For example, in one embodiment the slave control flex 212 may be a flexible printed circuit board. The slave control flex 212 includes signal lines that are electrically connected to a corresponding piezoelectric haptic actuator 210.
Each slave control flex 212 is further electrically connected to an additional circuit (e.g., a master flexible circuit or master control flex 214). In many embodiments, a master control flex 214 may span along a row of piezoelectric haptic actuators 210 (as further illustrated below with respect to
The master control flex 214 can be electrically connected to control circuitry (for example, control circuitry 316 as depicted in
Accordingly, the master control flex 214 and slave control flex 212 are each formed with a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate may be formed from an appropriate material, such as, but not limited to: polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyetherimide, fluropolymer, copolymer, plastic, ceramic, glass, or any combination thereof. The master control flex 314 further includes conductive paths (e.g., traces or wires) disposed on or within the flexible substrate, which conductive paths may include materials such as, but not limited to: copper, silver, gold, constantan, karma, isoelastic, indium tin oxide, or any combination thereof. The conductive paths may be formed or deposited using a suitable disposition technique such as, but not limited to: vapor deposition, sputtering, printing, roll-to-roll processing, gravure, pick and place, adhesive, mask-and-etch, and so on.
In the illustrated embodiment, the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators 210 is coupled to a bottom surface of the support structure 220. However, in other implementations, one or more piezoelectric haptic actuators 210 may be coupled to a top surface and/or a side of the support structure 220. In yet other implementations, one or more piezoelectric haptic actuators 210 may be coupled to the top surface and/or the bottom surface of the support structure 220.
In many embodiments, each piezoelectric haptic actuator 210 is a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer may be formed from an appropriate piezoelectric material, such as sodium potassium niobate, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), quartz, and other ceramic or non-ceramic materials. A piezoelectric transducer is actuated with an electrical signal. When activated, the piezoelectric transducer converts the electrical signal into mechanical movement, vibrations, and/or force(s). The mechanical movement, vibrations, and/or force(s) generated by the actuated haptic actuator(s) is known as haptic output. When the haptic output is applied to a surface, a user can detect or feel the haptic output and perceive the haptic output as haptic feedback.
Each piezoelectric haptic actuator 210 can be selectively activated in the embodiment shown in
The layer or layers between the cover sheet 208 and the support structure 220 are referred to herein as intermediate layer(s). In the illustrated embodiment, the display layer 204 and the backlight unit 218 are intermediate layers. The support structure 220 is constructed and attached to the cover sheet 208 to define a gap 226 between the support structure 220 and an intermediate layer (e.g., the backlight unit 218). In some embodiments, a first force-sensing component 222 and a second force-sensing component 224 may be positioned within the gap 226. For example, the first force-sensing component 222 can be affixed to the bottom surface of the backlight unit 218 and the second force-sensing component 224 to the top surface of the support structure 220. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second force-sensing components 222, 224 are also intermediate layers.
Together, the first and second force-sensing components 222, 224 form a force-sensing device. The force-sensing device can be used to detect an amount of force that is applied to the cover sheet 208. In some implementations, the first force-sensing component 222 represents a first array of electrodes and the second force-sensing component 224 a second array of electrodes. The first and second arrays of electrodes can each include one or more electrodes. Each electrode in the first array of electrodes is aligned in at least one direction (e.g., vertically) with a respective electrode in the second array of electrodes to form an array of capacitive sensors. The capacitive sensors are used to detect a force applied to the cover sheet 208 through measured capacitances or measured changes in capacitances. For example, as the cover sheet 208 deflects in response to an applied amount of force, a distance between the electrodes in at least one capacitive sensor changes, which varies the capacitance of that capacitive sensor. Drive and sense circuitry can be operatively (e.g., electrically) connected to each capacitive sensor and configured to sense or measure the capacitance of each capacitive sensor. A processing unit may be operatively (e.g., electrically) connected to the drive and sense circuitry and configured to receive signals representing the measured capacitance of each capacitive sensor. The processing unit can be configured to correlate the measured capacitances into an amount or magnitude of force.
In other embodiments, the first and second force-sensing components 222, 224 can employ a different type of sensor to detect force or the deflection of the first force-sensing component 222 relative to the second force-sensing component 224. In some representative examples, the first and second force-sensing components 222, 224 can each represent an array of optical displacement sensors, magnetic displacement sensors, or inductive displacement sensors.
In other embodiments, the first-force sensing component 222 and/or the second force-sensing component 224 can be positioned at a different location within the electronic device 200. For example, the first force-sensing component 222 may be positioned between the display layer 204 and the backlight unit 218. Additionally or alternatively, one of the force-sensing components 222, 224 can be omitted. For example, in some embodiments, the first force-sensing component 222 may be omitted. The second force-sensing component 224 can detect the amount or magnitude of an applied force based on an amount of displacement between the backlight unit 218 or the display layer 204.
In some embodiments, one or both force-sensing components 222, 224 can be used to detect one or more touches on the cover sheet 208. In such embodiments, the force-sensing component(s) has a dual function in that it is used to detect both touch and force inputs. Other embodiments can include a separate touch-sensing device in the electronic device. As one example, a touch-sensing device may be positioned between the cover sheet 208 and the display layer 204.
In some embodiments, the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators 210, the first force-sensing component 222, and/or the second force-sensing component 224 may work together to enhance a user's experience. In one non-limiting example, at least one piezoelectric haptic actuator 210 may provide haptic or tactile output in response to a force input (e.g., a force applied to the cover sheet 208). Alternatively, at least one piezoelectric haptic actuator 210 can provide haptic or tactile output in response to a force input having an amount of force that exceeds a given threshold. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, at least one piezoelectric haptic actuator 210 may provide a first type of haptic output or a haptic output at a first location in response to a first amount of detected force, and may provide a second type of haptic output or a haptic output at a second location in response to a second amount of detected force.
In addition to the above, the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators 210, the first force-sensing component 222, and/or the second force-sensing component 224 may also work in conjunction to determine a location of a received touch input and/or force input. When such a location is determined, actuation of at least one piezoelectric haptic actuator 210 and any associated haptic output may be localized at the determined position.
In another implementation, at least one piezoelectric haptic actuator 210 may provide haptic output in an area surrounding or adjacent the determined location. To achieve this, one or more piezoelectric haptic actuators 210, or portions of the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators 210, may be actuated at different times and at different locations to effectively cancel out (or alternatively enhance) the haptic output.
In the embodiments shown in
The piezoelectric haptic actuators 310 are attached and electrically connected to the circuit layer. Each of the piezoelectric haptic actuators 310 is attached and electrically connected to a slave flexible circuit (e.g., a slave control flex 312). Each slave control flex 312 is, in turn, attached and electrically connected to an adjacent master flexible circuit (e.g., a master control flex 314). The master control flex 314 and slave control flex 312 are configured to provide electrical signals to each individual piezoelectric haptic actuator 310 to selectively actuate one or more piezoelectric haptic actuators 310 concurrently, with some overlap in time, or sequentially.
Any suitable attachment method can be used to affix each piezoelectric haptic actuator 310 to a corresponding slave control flex 312. For example, in one embodiment an isotropic conductive film or anisotropic conductive film is used to attach a piezoelectric haptic actuator 310 to a slave control flex 312 (see
The master control flex 314 may be operatively (e.g., electrically) connected to control circuitry 316 through an additional flexible circuit 334. In some embodiments, the additional flexible circuit 334 may be a separate circuit coupled to each master control flex 314 by an appropriate method (e.g., a conductive film). In other embodiments, the additional flexible circuit 334 and one or more master control flexes 314 are formed as a single component. The additional flexible circuit 334 transmits electrical signals from the control circuitry 316 to respective conductors or traces in the master control flex 314. The signal lines or electrical traces in the master control flex 314 transmit one or more electrical signals to at least one slave control flex 312, which may actuate a corresponding piezoelectric haptic actuator 310.
In some embodiments, the master control flex 314 and slave control flex 312 carry both a control signal and a reference voltage (e.g., a ground reference) to each piezoelectric haptic actuator 310. In other embodiments, a support structure (such as the support structure 220 in
The control circuitry 316 is configured to control the generation of electrical control signals for the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators 310. The control circuitry 316 can be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the control circuitry 316 can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or combinations of multiple such devices. As described herein, the term “control circuitry” is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computing element or elements.
In some embodiments, a memory (such as memory 1162 depicted in
The memory can store electronic data that can be used by the control circuitry 316. For example, the memory can store electrical data or content, such as timing signals, algorithms, and one or more different electrical signal characteristics that the control circuitry 316 can use to produce one or more electrical signals. The electrical signal characteristics include, but are not limited to, an amplitude, a phase, a frequency, and/or a timing of an electrical signal. The control circuitry 316 can cause the one or more electrical signal characteristics to be transmitted through the master control flexes 314 and slave control flexes 312 to one or more of the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators 310.
In some embodiments, each piezoelectric haptic actuator 310 can produce different types of haptic output based on the signal characteristic(s) of the electrical signal that is used to actuate the piezoelectric haptic actuator 310. For example, a piezoelectric haptic actuator 310 can generate haptic output that varies in magnitude and/or frequency based on the particular signal characteristics of the electrical signal used to activate the piezoelectric haptic actuator 310.
The piezoelectric haptic actuators 310 are attached and electrically connected to the circuit layer. Each of the piezoelectric haptic actuators 310 is attached and electrically connected to a slave flexible circuit (e.g., a slave control flex 312). Each slave control flex 312 is, in turn, attached and electrically connected to the central master flexible circuit (e.g., a master control flex 314). The master control flex 314 and slave control flex 312 are configured to provide electrical signals to each individual piezoelectric haptic actuator 310 to selectively actuate one or more piezoelectric haptic actuators 310 concurrently, with some overlap in time, or sequentially.
Any suitable attachment method can be used to affix each piezoelectric haptic actuator 310 to a corresponding slave control flex 312 and each slave control flex 312 to the central master control flex 314, such as discussed above with respect to
The control circuitry 316 is configured to control the generation of electrical control signals for the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators 310. The control circuitry 316 can be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions, such as discussed above with respect to
A voltage may be applied across the piezoelectric substrate 410 via electrodes 436, 438 formed on opposing surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate 410. A first electrode 436 (e.g., a top electrode) is formed on a top surface of the piezoelectric substrate 410, while a second electrode 438 (e.g., a bottom electrode) is formed on a bottom surface of the piezoelectric substrate 410. In many embodiments, the second electrode 438 wraps around the piezoelectric substrate 410 such that a portion of the second electrode is disposed on the top surface of the piezoelectric substrate 410. In this manner, a reference voltage and control voltage may be provided at a same interface (e.g., between the top surface of the piezoelectric substrate 410 and a slave control flex 412).
The electrodes 436, 438 may be formed from a suitable conductive material, such as metal (e.g., silver, nickel, copper, aluminum, gold), polyethyleneioxythiophene (PEDOT), indium tin oxide (ITO), graphene, piezoresistive semiconductor materials, piezoresistive metal materials, and the like. The first electrode 436 may be formed from the same material as the second electrode 438, while in other embodiments the electrodes 436, 438 may be formed from different materials. The electrodes 436, 438 may be formed or deposited using a suitable disposition technique such as, but not limited to: vapor deposition, sputtering, plating, printing, roll-to-roll processing, gravure, pick and place, adhesive, mask-and-etch, and so on. A mask or similar technique may be applied to form a patterned top surface of the piezoelectric substrate 410 and/or a wraparound second electrode 438.
The top surface of the piezoelectric substrate is coupled to a support structure 420 via a slave control flex 412. The support structure 420 may be substantially similar to the support structure 220 depicted in
Due to the mechanical constraint imposed by the support structure 420, the piezoelectric substrate 410 instead deflects along the z-direction (see
Returning to
The piezoelectric substrate 410 may be coupled to the slave control flex 412 by an adhesive layer 440, which may be an anisotropic conductive film. The anisotropic conductive film of the adhesive layer 440 may facilitate conduction from the first conductor 442 in the slave control flex 412 to the first electrode 436 on the piezoelectric substrate 410 and from the second conductor 444 to the second electrode 438. The anisotropic conductive film may further isolate these conduction paths to prevent an undesired short between the conductors 442, 444 or electrodes 436, 438.
In this manner, the piezoelectric substrate 410 may be coupled and electrically connected to the slave control flex 412, providing conduction paths from control circuitry to the top surface and bottom surface of the piezoelectric substrate. In other embodiments, the piezoelectric substrate 410 may be coupled and electrically connected to the slave control flex 412 by isolated segments of isotropic conductive film, an anisotropic or isotropic conductive paste, or another appropriate method.
The slave control flex 412 is further coupled to the support structure 420 through an additional adhesive layer 446. The additional adhesive layer 446 may be any adhesive or bonding agent suitable for promoting adhesion between the slave control flex 412 and the support structure 420. In some embodiments, the additional adhesive layer 446 may be formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
As with the example embodiment of
A voltage may be applied across the piezoelectric substrate 410 via electrodes 436, 438 formed on opposing surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate 410. A first electrode 436 (e.g., a top electrode) is formed on a top surface of the piezoelectric substrate 410, while a second electrode 438 (e.g., a bottom electrode) is formed on a bottom surface of the piezoelectric substrate 410.
The electrodes 436, 438 may be formed from a suitable conductive material, such as metal (e.g., silver, nickel, copper, aluminum, gold), polyethyleneioxythiophene (PEDOT), indium tin oxide (ITO), graphene, piezoresistive semiconductor materials, piezoresistive metal materials, and the like. The first electrode 436 may be formed from the same material as the second electrode 438, while in other embodiments the electrodes 436, 438 may be formed from different materials. The electrodes 436, 438 may be formed or deposited using a suitable disposition technique such as, but not limited to: vapor deposition, sputtering, plating, printing, roll-to-roll processing, gravure, pick and place, adhesive, mask-and-etch, and so on.
The top surface of the piezoelectric substrate 410 is coupled to a support structure 420 by an adhesive layer 446. The support structure 420 may be substantially similar to the support structure 220 depicted in
The piezoelectric substrate 410 is further coupled to a slave control flex 412. The slave control flex 412 includes a conductor 442 configured to conduct an electrical control signal to the second electrode 438. The piezoelectric substrate 410 may be coupled to the slave control flex 412 by an additional adhesive layer 440, which may be an isotropic conductive film. The isotropic conductive film of the additional adhesive layer 440 may facilitate conduction from the conductor 442 in the slave control flex 412 to the second electrode 438 on the piezoelectric substrate 410.
In this manner, the piezoelectric substrate 410 may be coupled and electrically connected to the support structure 420 and the slave control flex 412, providing conduction paths from control circuitry to the top surface and bottom surface of the piezoelectric substrate 410. In other embodiments, the piezoelectric substrate 410 may be coupled and electrically connected to the support structure 420 and the slave control flex 412 by anisotropic conductive film, anisotropic or isotropic conductive paste, or another appropriate method.
The slave control flex 512 includes a first conductor 542, which is configured to provide a control signal from the control signal conductor 550 in the master control flex 514 to a first electrode 536 on the top surface of a piezoelectric haptic actuator, such as the piezoelectric haptic actuator 510 depicted in
The slave control flex 512 and master control flex 514 may be formed substantially as described with respect to
The slave control flex 512 includes a first conductor 542, which is configured to provide a control signal from the control signal conductor 550 in the master control flex 514 to a first electrode 536 on the top surface of a piezoelectric haptic actuator, such as the piezoelectric haptic actuator 510 depicted in
The first conductor 542 and second conductor 544 depicted in
The slave control flex 512 and master control flex 514 may be formed substantially as described with respect to
In the examples depicted in
The slave control flex 512 includes a conductor 542, which is configured to provide a control signal from the control signal conductor 550 in the master control flex 514 to a second electrode 538 on the bottom surface of the piezoelectric haptic actuator 510. The slave control flex 512 and master control flex 514 may be formed substantially as described with respect to
As depicted in
The slave control flex 612 depicted in
In this embodiment, the first electrode 636 may be disposed across a substantial majority or the entirety of the top surface of the piezoelectric haptic actuator 610, and the second electrode 638 may be similarly disposed across a substantial majority or the entirety of the bottom surface of the piezoelectric haptic actuator 610.
The top surface of the piezoelectric substrate 610 may be coupled to a first portion of the slave control flex 612 having the first conductor 642. The piezoelectric substrate 610 is bonded to the first portion by an adhesive layer 646, which may be an isotropic conductive film. The isotropic conductive film of the adhesive layer 646 may facilitate conduction from the first conductor 642 in the slave control flex 612 to the first electrode 636 on the piezoelectric substrate 610.
The bottom surface of the piezoelectric substrate 610 is further coupled to a second portion of the slave control flex 612 having the second conductor 644. The piezoelectric substrate is bonded to the second portion by an additional adhesive layer 640, which may be an isotropic conductive film. The isotropic conductive film of the additional adhesive layer 640 may facilitate conduction from the second conductor 644 in the slave control flex 612 to the second electrode 638 on the piezoelectric substrate 610.
In this manner, the piezoelectric substrate 610 may be coupled and electrically connected to the slave control flex 612, providing conduction paths from control circuitry to the top surface and bottom surface of the piezoelectric substrate. In other embodiments, the piezoelectric substrate 610 may be coupled and electrically connected to the slave control flex 612 by anisotropic conductive film, anisotropic or isotropic conductive paste, or another appropriate method.
The slave control flex 612 is further coupled to a support structure 620 through an additional adhesive layer 654. The additional adhesive layer 654 may be any adhesive or bonding agent suitable for promoting adhesion between the slave control flex 612 and the support structure 620. In some embodiments, the additional adhesive layer 654 may be formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
The slave control flex 712 may be formed as described above with respect to
Similarly, the master control flex 714 may be formed as described above with respect to
Any suitable method can be used to attach the master control flex 714 to the slave control flex 312. For example, the conducting pads 748, 750 of the master control flex 714 may be attached to the conducting pads 742, 744 of the slave control flex 712 by reflow soldering to electrically connect the first conducting pad 742 to the control signal conducting pad 750, as well as to connect the second conducting pad 744 to the reference voltage conducting pad 748. In other embodiments, another attachment technique may be used, such as anisotropic conductive film, isotropic conductive film, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, and so on (see
The slave control flex 712 may be formed as described above with respect to
The master control flex 714 may be formed as described above with respect to
Any suitable method can be used to attach the master control flex 714 to the slave control flex 712. For example, the portion of the slave control flex 712 with the first conducting pad 742 may be coupled to the top surface of the master control flex 714 by reflow soldering to electrically connect the first conducting pad 742 to the control signal conducting pad 750. The portion of the slave control flex 712 with the second conducting pad 742 may be coupled to the bottom surface of the master control flex 714 by reflow soldering to electrically connect the second conducting pad 744 to the reference voltage conducting pad 748. In other embodiments, another attachment technique may be used, such as anisotropic conductive film, isotropic conductive film, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, and so on (see
In some embodiments, the slave control flex 712 and master control flex 714 may be attached and electrically connected by a removable connection. For example, the slave control flex 712 may be formed with a pin connector (e.g., a surface-mounted or edge-mounted pin connector) at a connection end, which may be electrically connected to a first conductor and second conductor in the slave control flex 712 (such as the first conductor 542 and second conductor 544 depicted in
As illustrated in
At operation 1004, the master flex member is prepared for bonding. For example, a solder paste may be applied to conducting pads on the master flex member. In other embodiments, an adhesive, such as an isotropic or anisotropic conductive film, may be applied to a surface of the master flex member and/or conducting pads on the master flex member.
At operation 1006, a determination is made whether any additional master flex members are to be prepared for bonding. If additional master flex members are to be prepared for bonding, the process 1000 returns to operation 1002. If no additional master flex members are to be prepared, the process 1000 continues to operation 1008. In some embodiments, multiple master flex members can be selected at operation 1002, including all master flex members to be bonded, and operation 1006 may be omitted.
At operation 1008, a slave flexible member is selected for bonding to a prepared master flexible member. At operation 1010, the slave flexible member is aligned with the master flexible member. In some examples, the slave flexible member may be aligned by a surface mount component placement system (i.e., a pick and place machine) by aligning conducting pads on the slave flexible member with corresponding conducting pads on the master flexible member. The conducting pads may be held together by the solder paste or a similar bonding agent, which may form a temporary bond.
At operation 1012, a determination is made whether any additional slave flex members are to be bonded to a master flex member. If additional slave flex members are to be bonded, the process 1000 returns to operation 1008. If no additional master flex members are to be bonded, the process 1000 continues to operation 1014.
At operation 1014, the slave flex member(s) are coupled to the master flex member(s). For example, the temporary bond formed by the solder paste or similar bonding agent may be strengthened and/or made permanent by heat. The slave flex member(s) and master flex member(s) may be placed in a reflow oven or similar device to heat the solder paste and form a permanent solder bond. In other embodiments, an adhesive may be placed under pressure and/or heat to form a permanent bond.
At operation 1016, one or more piezoelectric modules may be selected for bonding to corresponding slave flex member(s). The piezoelectric module(s) may be a piezoelectric substrate with electrodes formed on one or more surfaces, such as described above with respect to
At operation 1018, the slave flex member(s) are prepared for bonding to the piezoelectric module(s). For example, an anisotropic conductive film may be applied across a surface of the slave flex member(s), over conducting pad(s) on the slave flex member(s). In other embodiments, a solder paste or another adhesive, such as an isotropic conductive film, may be applied to a surface of the slave flex member and/or conducting pads on the slave flex member.
At operation 1020, the slave flex member(s) are coupled to the piezoelectric module(s). For example, the slave flex member(s) with anisotropic conductive film may be placed on a surface of the piezoelectric module(s), forming a bond between the piezoelectric module(s) and the slave flex member(s) and electrically connecting the conducting pad(s) on the slave flex member(s) with one or more electrodes on the surface of the piezoelectric module(s). In some embodiments, the piezoelectric module(s) are aligned by a surface mount component placement system (i.e., a pick and place machine) by aligning the electrode(s) on the surface of the piezoelectric module(s) with the conducting pad(s) on the slave flexible member. In some embodiments, the bond of the anisotropic conductive film may be strengthened by heat and/or pressure, though this is not required.
One may appreciate that although many embodiments are disclosed above, that the operations and steps presented with respect to methods and techniques described herein are meant as exemplary and accordingly are not exhaustive. One may further appreciate that alternate step order or fewer or additional operations may be required or desired for particular embodiments.
As shown in
The memory 1162 may include a variety of types of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, including, for example, read access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM), or flash memory. The memory 1162 is configured to store computer-readable instructions, sensor values, and other persistent software elements. In some embodiments, the memory 1162 is additionally connected to control circuitry 1116.
In this example, the processing unit 1160 is operable to read computer-readable instructions stored on the memory 1162. The computer-readable instructions may adapt the processing unit 1160 and/or control circuitry 1116 to perform the operations or functions described above with respect to
The device 1100 may also include a battery 1166 that is configured to provide electrical power to the components of the device 1100. The battery 1166 may include one or more power storage cells that are linked together to provide an internal supply of electrical power. The battery 1166 may be operatively coupled to power management circuitry that is configured to provide appropriate voltage and power levels for individual components or groups of components within the device 1100. The battery 1166, via power management circuitry, may be configured to receive power from an external source, such as an alternating current power outlet. The battery 1166 may store received power so that the device 1100 may operate without connection to an external power source for an extended period of time, which may range from several hours to several days.
In some embodiments, the device 1100 includes one or more input devices 1168. The input device 1168 is a device that is configured to receive user input. The input device 1168 may include, for example, a push button, a touch-activated button, or the like. In some embodiments, the input devices 1168 may provide a dedicated or primary function, including, for example, a power button, volume buttons, home buttons, scroll wheels, and camera buttons. Generally, a touch sensor and a force sensor may also be classified as input components. However, for purposes of this illustrative example, the touch sensor 1170 and force sensor 1122, 1124 are depicted as distinct components within the device 1100.
The device 1100 may also include a touch sensor 1170 that is configured to determine a location of a finger or touch over the adaptable input surface of the device 1100. The touch sensor 1170 may be implemented in a touch sensor layer, and may include a capacitive array of electrodes or nodes that operate in accordance with a mutual-capacitance or self-capacitance scheme.
The device 1100 may also include a force sensor 1122, 1124 in accordance with the embodiments described herein. As previously described, the force sensor 1122, 1124 may be configured to receive force touch input over the adaptable input surface of the device 1100. The force sensor 1122, 1124 may also be implemented in a touch-sensing layer, and may include one or more force-sensitive structures that are responsive to a force or pressure applied to an external surface of the device. In accordance with the embodiments described herein, the force sensor 1122, 1124 may be configured to operate using a dynamic or adjustable force threshold. The dynamic or adjustable force threshold may be implemented using the processing unit 1160 and/or circuitry associated with or dedicated to the operation of the force sensor 1122, 1124.
The device 1100 may also include a haptic actuator 1110. The haptic actuator 1110 may be implemented as described above, and may be a ceramic piezoelectric transducer. The haptic actuator 1110 may be controlled by control circuitry 1116, and may be configured to provide localized haptic feedback to a user interacting with the device 1100.
The control circuitry 1116 is configured to control the generation of electrical control signals for the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators 1110. The control circuitry 1116 can be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the control circuitry 1116 can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or combinations of multiple such devices. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 1116 can be formed as part of the processing unit 1160.
The memory 1162 can store electronic data that can be used by the control circuitry 1116. For example, the memory 1162 can store electrical data or content, such as timing signals, algorithms, and one or more different electrical signal characteristics that the control circuitry 1116 can use to produce one or more electrical signals. The electrical signal characteristics include, but are not limited to, an amplitude, a phase, a frequency, and/or a timing of an electrical signal.
The device 1100 may also include a communication port 1164 that is configured to transmit and/or receive signals or electrical communication from an external or separate device. The communication port 1164 may be configured to couple to an external device via a cable, adaptor, or other type of electrical connector. In some embodiments, the communication port 1164 may be used to couple the device 1100 to a host computer.
The foregoing embodiments relate to an electronic device that is configured to provide localized haptic feedback to a user on one or more surfaces of the electronic device. In further embodiments, the haptic feedback surface can also include one or more user input regions (e.g., user input surface) which receives user touch and force inputs. More specifically, a user may interact with the input device by touching within the user input region. The user may further interact with the input device by applying varying amounts of force at the touch location. In these examples, a sensor structure positioned below the user input region may detect both the location of the touch and estimate the amount of force applied to the user input region in a unified structure.
The sensor structure may incorporate a ground electrode and sensing electrodes separated by a piezoelectric substrate. With regard to touch detection, the piezoelectric substrate may operate as a dielectric layer and the sensor structure may detect a location of a touch by capacitive touch sensing using the ground electrode and/or sensing electrodes. With regard to force detection, the application of force on the user input region may cause the piezoelectric substrate to compress, which in turn may create a charge on a sensing electrode and/or ground electrode. The charge on the sensing electrode and/or ground electrode may be measured and an amount of force may be estimated.
In a particular embodiment the input device may be in the form of a trackpad. The trackpad may form part of a laptop computing device. The trackpad may include a user input region with a cover sheet for receiving user inputs. The sensor structure may be positioned below the cover sheet. The sensor structure includes a piezoelectric substrate and a ground electrode may be attached below the piezoelectric substrate. A sensing layer is attached above the piezoelectric substrate.
The sensing layer includes a patterned array of electrodes disposed within a flexible substrate. The patterned array of electrodes includes rows of drive electrodes and columns of sense electrodes. The drive electrodes and sense electrodes are in a coplanar arrangement. The pattern of drive and sense electrodes operate in a capacitive touch scheme to detect a location of a touch on the input surface, and may detect multiple locations corresponding to multiple touches at a time. The drive and sense electrodes also operate with the piezoelectric substrate to form force sensors that are configured to estimate an amount of force of the touch on the input surface.
In another embodiment, the sensor structure may additionally provide haptic feedback at the user input region. To cause haptic feedback, a signal is applied to the sense layer to create a potential across the piezoelectric substrate. The potential causes an expansion of the piezoelectric substrate, causing a tensile force within the sensor structure. The tensile force is translated to the user input region, causing haptic feedback at the cover sheet (e.g., user input surface).
These and related embodiments are discussed below with reference to
The electronic device 1200 includes an enclosure 1202 at least partially surrounding a display 1208 and an array of keys 1206. One or more user input regions (e.g., user input surface) 1204 are disposed adjacent the array of keys 1206. The enclosure 1202 can form an outer surface or partial outer surface for the internal components of the electronic device 1200. The enclosure 1202 can be formed of one or more components operably connected together, such as a front piece and a back piece. Alternatively, the enclosure 1202 can be formed of a single piece operably connected to the display 1208 with one or more openings for the array of keys 1206.
The display 1208 can provide a visual output to the user. The display 1208 can be implemented with any suitable technology, including, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD) element, a light emitting diode (LED) element, an organic light-emitting display (OLED) element, an organic electroluminescence (OEL) element, and the like. In some embodiments, the display 1208 can function as an input device that allows the user to interact with the electronic device 1200. For example, the display can be a multi-touch and/or multi-force sensing touchscreen LED display.
In some embodiments, the user input region 1204 can take the form of a trackpad which may accept user inputs and/or provide haptic output to a user. Further, in some embodiments, the user input region 1204 can include a cover sheet defining a user input surface. The user input region 1204 can be integrated with the enclosure 1202 of the electronic device 1200, or it may be attached to the enclosure 1202.
A sensor structure may be positioned below the user input region 1204, and may detect both touch and force input (see
For example, the user input region 1204 may be a trackpad with a sensor structure configured to detect both touch and force input. The sensor structure may be a combined touch and force sensor using a piezoelectric substrate, which may further provide pixelated force and touch sensing across the input surface of the user input region 1204.
In some cases, the user input region 1204 may be configurable (e.g., by a user or software application) to provide force and/or touch sensing at distinct portions of the user input region 1204. The pixelated force and touch sensing may be provided by a set of sense and drive electrodes disposed on a piezoelectric substrate and coupled to touch sensing circuitry and force sensing circuitry. The touch sensing circuitry and force sensing circuitry may be configurable to provide separate touch sensing portions, force sensing portions, and combined touch and force sensing portions of the user input region 1204. Force sensing may also be configurable such that varying levels of force provide varying inputs to the device.
For example, a user or application may define a virtual joystick, gamepad, or other controller over a configurable user input region 1204. This may include a touch-sensitive portion of the user input region 1204 to simulate axial motion of a joystick, and a force-sensitive portion of the user input region 1204 to simulate one or more button inputs. In other examples, the configurable user input region 1204 may define a remote control, musical keyboard, keypad, and so on through configurable touch- and force-sensitive portions of the user input region 1204.
In other embodiments, the user input region 1204 may form a touch- and force-sensitive keyboard, a touch- and force-sensitive mouse, or other electronic devices as described above. In these embodiments, the user input region 1204 may similarly provide distinct touch-sensitive portions, force-sensitive portions, and touch- and force-sensitive portions. These portions may further be configurable by a user or software application.
Although not shown in
The cover sheet 1310 may be attached to the sensor structure 1305 by an adhesive layer 1312. The sensor structure 1305 may include further layers, such as a piezoelectric substrate 1320 between a ground electrode 1322 and a sensing layer 1313. The sensing layer 1313 may include electrodes 1316 coupled to conducting elements 1315. As shown in
The cover sheet 1310 can function as an input surface that receives touch and/or force inputs. The cover sheet 1310 can be formed with any suitable material, such as plastic, polymer, glass, sapphire, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the cover sheet 1310 may also provide haptic feedback to a user in contact with the cover sheet 1310 (see
The cover sheet 1310 may be attached to the sensor structure 1305 (e.g., via the sensing layer 1313) through a first adhesive layer 1312. The first adhesive layer 1312 may be any adhesive or bonding agent suitable for promoting adhesion between the cover sheet 1310 and the sensor structure 1305. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 1312 may be formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
The sensor structure 1305 may include a sensing layer 1313. The sensing layer 1313 may be the portion of the sensor structure 1305 which attaches to the cover sheet 1310. In other embodiments, there may be additional layers between the cover sheet 1310 and the sensing layer 1313. The sensing layer 1313 may include a flexible substrate 1314. The flexible substrate 1314 may be formed from a suitable material, for example polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or cyclo-olefin polymer (COP).
An array of electrodes 1316 may be positioned at a surface of the sensing layer 1313. The array of electrodes 1316 may be a patterned array of drive electrodes and sense electrodes, as further illustrated below with respect to
The array of electrodes 1316 and conducting elements 1315 may be formed by depositing or otherwise affixing a conductive material to the flexible substrate 1314. In some embodiments, the electrodes 1316 and conducting elements 1315 may be conductive pads, traces and/or vias formed integral with the flexible substrate 1314. The electrodes 1316 and conducting elements 1315 may be formed from a suitable material, such as metals (e.g., copper, gold, silver, aluminum), polyethyleneioxythiophene (PEDOT), indium tin oxide (ITO), carbon nanotubes, graphene, piezoresistive semiconductor materials, piezoresistive metal materials, silver nanowire, other metallic nanowires, and the like.
The array of electrodes 1316 may be placed on a surface of the sensing layer 1313 adjacent a piezoelectric substrate 1320. The sensing layer 1313 may be bonded to the piezoelectric substrate 1320 by a second adhesive layer 1318. The second adhesive layer 1318 may be any adhesive or bonding agent suitable for promoting adhesion between the sensing layer 1313 and the piezoelectric substrate 1320. The second adhesive layer 1318 may be formed from a similar adhesive to the first adhesive layer 1312, while in other embodiments the two adhesive layers 1312, 1318 may be formed from distinct materials. In still other embodiments, the sensing layer 1313, or a portion thereof, may be formed directly on the piezoelectric substrate 1320 (e.g., by depositing the array of electrodes 1316 on the piezoelectric substrate 1320).
The piezoelectric substrate 1320 may also be attached to a ground electrode 1322. The ground electrode 1322 may attach to a side of the piezoelectric substrate 1320 opposite the sensing layer 1313. A third adhesive layer 1323 may attach the piezoelectric substrate 1320 and the ground electrode 1322. The third adhesive layer 1323 may be formed from a suitable adhesive or bonding agent (e.g., the same or a different material as the first adhesive layer 1312 or second adhesive layer 1318). In some embodiments, the ground electrode 1322 may be deposited directly on the piezoelectric substrate 1320.
The ground electrode 1322 may be formed from a suitable material, such as metals (e.g., copper, gold, silver, aluminum), polyethyleneioxythiophene (PEDOT), indium tin oxide (ITO), carbon nanotubes, graphene, piezoresistive semiconductor materials, piezoresistive metal materials, silver nanowire, other metallic nanowires, and the like. The ground electrode 1322 may be formed from the same or a different material from the array of electrodes 1316 in the sensing layer 1313. In some embodiments, the ground electrode 1322 is formed as a single large electrode (e.g., an electrode spanning concurrent with the user input region 1304), while in other embodiments the ground electrode 1322 is formed from multiple coplanar electrodes.
The piezoelectric substrate 1320 may be formed from a suitable material, such as a ceramic piezoelectric material. Example materials include lead zirconate titanate (PZT), lead titanate, quartz, sodium potassium niobate, bismuth ferrite, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and other suitable piezoelectric materials. The piezoelectric substrate 1320 may be a dielectric material suitable for forming a capacitor, such as a capacitive touch sensor (see
The piezoelectric substrate 1320 may also be a crystalline material having an electrical response upon alteration of its physical structure. For example, a charge may accumulate on or near a surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1320 when it is compressed, which may cause production of an electrical signal that may correspond linearly to the amount of force causing the compression (see
In some embodiments, the piezoelectric substrate 1320 may additionally or alternatively alter its physical structure in response to application of an electrical potential across the piezoelectric substrate 1320. For example, when a voltage is applied across the piezoelectric substrate 1320, the voltage may induce the piezoelectric substrate 1320 to expand or contract (see
Turning in more detail to the sensing layer 1413,
The sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 are substantially coplanar. The sense electrodes 1417 extend the length of a column, which may substantially correspond with a length of the input region shown in
In some embodiments, the drive electrodes 1416 and sense electrodes 1417 may be non-coplanar or otherwise differently arranged. For example, the drive electrodes 1416 and sense electrodes 1417 may be disposed in separate layers. In some cases sense electrodes 1417 may extend the length of a column and drive electrodes 1416 may extend the length of a row in overlapping layers. In some examples, the sense electrodes 1417 may be arranged in rows while the drive electrodes are arranged in columns. In other examples, the drive electrodes 1416 and sense electrodes 1417 may be formed in other grid patterns, such as rectangular, square, circular, triangular, and other geometric patterns, including non-regular geometric patterns.
The sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 are configured to detect the location of a finger or object on or near the cover sheet of the input region. The sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 may further be configured to detect the location of multiple fingers or objects concurrently. The sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 may operate in accordance with a number of different sensing schemes. In some implementations, the sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 may operate in accordance with a mutual-capacitance sensing scheme. Under this scheme, the sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 may operate in conjunction with another electrode (e.g., the ground electrode 1322 of
Under a mutual capacitance sensing scheme, the sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 are configured to detect the location of a touch by monitoring a change in capacitive or charge coupling between the ground electrode and an intersecting sense electrode 1417 and row of drive electrodes 1416. This is further illustrated below with respect to
In another implementation, the sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 may operate in accordance with a self-capacitive sensing scheme. Under this scheme, the sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 may be configured to detect the location of a touch by monitoring a change in self-capacitance of a small field generated by each electrode. In other implementations, a resistive, inductive, or other sensing scheme could also be used.
The sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 of the sensing layer 1413 may be operably coupled (e.g., electrically connected) to touch sensing circuitry to form touch sensors. The touch sensing circuitry may be configured to detect and estimate the location of a touch on or near the user input region (e.g., user input surface). The touch sensing circuitry may further output signals or other indicia indicating the detected location of a touch. The touch sensing circuitry may be operably coupled to a processing unit as depicted below with respect to
The sense electrodes 1417 and drive electrodes 1416 may also be coupled with a piezoelectric substrate (e.g., the piezoelectric substrate 1320 of
Each force node may be formed from pairing a sense electrode 1417 and/or drive electrode 1416 with a ground electrode on an opposite side of a block of piezoelectric substrate. Alternatively, each force node may be formed from an individual block of piezoelectric material that is electrically coupled to sensing circuitry. The operation of the sensor structure for force sensing is further illustrated below with respect to
The arrangement and density of the force nodes may vary depending on the implementation. For example, if not necessary to resolve the force for each of multiple touches on the cover sheet, the force nodes may comprise a single force node. However, in order to estimate the magnitude of force of each of multiple touches on the cover sheet, multiple force nodes may be used. The density and size of the force nodes will depend on the desired force-sensing resolution. Additionally or alternatively, the force nodes may be used to determine both the location and the force applied to the cover sheet. The force sensors may further be configured to send a signal or otherwise respond to the detection of an amount of force exceeding a defined threshold.
The force nodes may be operably coupled to force sensing circuitry to form force sensors. The force sensing circuitry may be configured to detect and estimate an amount of force applied to the cover sheet. In some embodiments, the force sensing circuitry may further detect a location of an applied force. The force sensing circuitry may further output signals or other indicia indicating an estimated amount of applied force. In some embodiments, the force sensing circuitry may include one or more thresholds, and may only output signals in accordance with an applied force exceeding a threshold. The force sensing circuitry may be operably coupled to a processing unit as depicted below with respect to
The force sensing circuitry and/or touch sensing circuitry may further be configurable to provide distinct touch-sensitive regions, force-sensitive regions, and/or force- and touch-sensitive regions at the cover sheet. For example, a touch-sensitive region may be defined over a particular set of drive electrodes 1416 and sense electrodes 1417, while a force-sensitive region may be defined over another set of drive electrodes 1416 and sense electrodes 1417.
For example, a user or application may define a virtual joystick, gamepad, or other controller over the cover sheet. This may include a touch-sensitive region to simulate axial motion of a joystick, and a force-sensitive region to simulate one or more button inputs. In other examples, a keyboard may be defined over the cover sheet having separate touch- and force-sensitive regions. The keyboard may further define keys over distinct regions of the cover sheet, with varying force input thresholds. These varying force input thresholds may allow a same region (or virtual key) to input different alphanumeric symbols in response to different amounts of force on that region.
The operation of the sensing layer 1513 for detecting touch is further illustrated in
The sense electrodes 1517 and drive electrodes 1516 are configured to detect the location of a finger 1526 or object on or near the cover sheet of the input region. The sense electrodes 1517 and drive electrodes 1516 may operate in accordance with a mutual-capacitance sensing scheme. Under this scheme, the sense electrodes 1517 and drive electrodes 1516 may operate in conjunction with another electrode (e.g., the ground electrode 1322 of
For example, the sense electrodes 1517 and drive electrodes 1516 may normally be biased with a voltage. Touch sensing circuitry (such as shown below with respect to
An object may approach or make contact with the cover sheet of the user input region at a particular location 1526. In response to the contact, sense electrodes 1517 and drive electrodes 1516 within the touch region 1526 may have an electrical response. For example, where the sense electrodes 1517 and drive electrodes 1516 are biased with a voltage, the voltage may change in response to the touch (e.g., a charge may be discharged into the finger).
As depicted in
Returning to the stack-up of the sensor structure,
The user input region 1604 includes a cover sheet 1610 positioned above a sensor structure 1605. The sensor structure 1605 may be substantially as described above with respect to
One or more electrodes 1616 in the sensing layer 1613, the piezoelectric substrate 1620, and the ground electrode 1622 may form a force sensor. The force sensor may be used to estimate the magnitude of force applied by a touch on the cover sheet 1610. The piezoelectric substrate 1620 may have an electrical response to an alteration of its physical structure.
For example, when the piezoelectric substrate 1620 is compressed, a charge may be formed on or near a surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1620. The charge may in turn cause an electrical response on the electrodes 1616 in the sensing layer 1613 and/or ground electrode 1622 (e.g., an increase in electrical potential or voltage between the electrodes 1616 in the sensing layer 1613 and the ground electrode 1622). The electrodes 1616 in the sensing layer 1613 and/or ground electrode 1622 may be operably coupled (e.g., electrically connected) to force sensing circuitry (such as shown below with respect to
An object, such as a finger, may apply a force F to the cover sheet 1610 of the user input region 1604 at a particular location 1634. The force F may cause a deflection in the cover sheet 1610 at the location 1634 of the applied force F. This deflection may cause the force F to propagate through the cover sheet 1610, the first adhesive layer 1612, the sensing layer 1613, and the second adhesive layer 1618 to the piezoelectric substrate 1620.
In response to the propagated force, the piezoelectric substrate 1620 may be placed under a corresponding compression C at a location corresponding to the location 1634 of the applied force F. The compression C may cause an electrical response (e.g., an increased voltage across the piezoelectric substrate 1620) which can be detected at the electrodes 1616 in the sensing layer 1613 and/or the ground electrode 1622.
The electrical response in the piezoelectric substrate 1620 to the compression C may be proportional to the applied force F, and force sensing circuitry may estimate an amount of the applied force F based on the electrical response. The electrical response may further be localized to electrodes 1616 corresponding to the location 1634 of the applied force F. This may allow force sensing circuitry to additionally determine the location of the applied force, and may additionally allow for the detection of multiple force inputs concurrently. In other embodiments, the electrical response may be diffused across the piezoelectric substrate. In such embodiments, force sensing circuitry and touch sensing circuitry may be operated in conjunction to determine the location of one or multiple force inputs.
In some embodiments, the piezoelectric substrate 1620 and ground electrode 1622 may span the user input region 1604. In other embodiments, the piezoelectric substrate 1620 and ground electrode 1622 may be larger or smaller. For example, in certain embodiments the piezoelectric substrate 1620 and/or ground electrode 1622 may be an array of piezoelectric substrates 1620 and/or ground electrodes 1622.
For example, in order to better estimate the magnitude of force of each of multiple touches on the cover sheet 1610, the piezoelectric substrate 1620 may be divided into multiple coplanar substrates. The ground electrode 1622 may be similarly divided into multiple electrodes. However, a single piezoelectric substrate 1620 and single ground electrode 1622 are sufficient to achieve a unified multi-touch and multi-force sensor according to the present disclosure.
As depicted in
The user input region 1704 includes a cover sheet 1710 positioned above a sensor structure 1705. The sensor structure 1705 may be substantially as described above with respect to
In the embodiment depicted in
As a haptic element, the piezoelectric substrate 1720 coupled to the electrodes 1716 in the sensing layer 1713 and the ground electrode 1722 together may operate as a piezoelectric transducer. A piezoelectric transducer is actuated with an electrical signal. When activated, the piezoelectric transducer converts the electrical signal into mechanical movement, vibrations, and/or force. The mechanical movement, vibrations, and/or force generated by the actuated piezoelectric transducer is known as haptic output. When the haptic output is applied to a surface, a user can detect or feel the haptic output and perceive the haptic output as haptic feedback.
In some embodiments, portions of the piezoelectric substrate 1720 can be selectively activated. In particular, portions of the piezoelectric substrate 1720 may form individual piezoelectric transducers which can receive an electrical signal via the sensing layer 1713 independent of other portions of the piezoelectric substrate 1720 to produce localized haptic feedback.
The haptic output produced by a portion of the piezoelectric substrate 1720 can cause the layers surrounding the piezoelectric substrate 1720 to deflect or otherwise move. The deflection can transmit through the second adhesive layer 1718, the sensing layer 1713, and through the first adhesive layer 1712 to the cover sheet 1710. The transmitted deflection causes one or more sections of the cover sheet 1710 to deflect or move to provide localized haptic feedback to the user. In particular, the cover sheet 1710 bends or deflects at a location 1730 that substantially corresponds to the location of the activated portion of the piezoelectric substrate 1720.
For example, as depicted in
The support structure 1732 may be made from a rigid material, such as a metal or metal alloy (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, and so on), plastic, silicone, glass, ceramic, fiber composite, or other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. The support structure 1732 may extend along a length and a width of the user input region 1704, although this is not required. The support structure 1732 can have any shape and/or dimensions in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the support structure may be a single structure, while in other embodiments the support structure may be an array of support structures.
Returning to the actuation of the piezoelectric substrate 1720, the tension T caused by the expansion of the piezoelectric substrate 1720 can cause transmission of a corresponding force/deflection through the second adhesive layer 1718, the sensing layer 1713, and the first adhesive layer 1712 to the cover sheet 1710. In response to the transmitted deflection, the cover sheet 1710 bends or deflects at a location 1730 that substantially corresponds to the location of the activated portion of the piezoelectric substrate 1720. The cover sheet 1710 around the deflected location 1730 may be substantially unaffected by the haptic output produced by the actuated region 1728 of the sensor structure 1705. A user can detect the local deflection of the cover sheet 1710 and perceive the deflection as localized haptic feedback.
While
As shown in
The memory 1882 may include a variety of types of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, including, for example, read access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM), or flash memory. The memory 1882 is configured to store computer-readable instructions, sensor values, and other persistent software elements.
In this example, the processing unit 1880 is operable to read computer-readable instructions stored on the memory 1882. The computer-readable instructions may adapt the processing unit 1880 to perform the operations or functions described above with respect to
The device 1800 may also include a battery 1884 that is configured to provide electrical power to the components of the device 1800. The battery 1884 may include one or more power storage cells that are linked together to provide an internal supply of electrical power. The battery 1884 may be operatively coupled to power management circuitry that is configured to provide appropriate voltage and power levels for individual components or groups of components within the device 1800. The battery 1884, via power management circuitry, may be configured to receive power from an external source, such as an AC power outlet. The battery 1884 may store received power so that the device 1800 may operate without connection to an external power source for an extended period of time, which may range from several hours to several days.
The device 1800 may also include a display 1808. The display 1808 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, electroluminescent (EL) display, electrophoretic ink (e-ink) display, or the like. If the display 1808 is an LCD or e-ink type display, the display 1808 may also include a backlight component that can be controlled to provide variable levels of display brightness. If the display 1808 is an OLED or EL type display, the brightness of the display 1808 may be controlled by modifying the electrical signals that are provided to display elements.
In some embodiments, the device 1800 includes one or more input devices 1886. The input device 1886 is a device that is configured to receive user input. The input device 1886 may include, for example, a push button, a touch-activated button, or the like. In some embodiments, the input device 1886 may provide a dedicated or primary function, including, for example, a power button, volume buttons, home buttons, scroll wheels, and camera buttons. Generally, a touch sensor and a force sensor may also be classified as input devices. However, for purposes of this illustrative example, the touch sensor and force sensor components are depicted as distinct components within the device 1800.
The device 1800 may also include a sense electrode 1817 and drive electrode 1816. The sense electrode 1817 and drive electrode 1816 may form an array of electrodes disposed in a sensing layer of a sensor structure. The sense electrodes 1817 may form columns while the drive electrodes 1816 may form rows (see
The sense electrodes 1817 and drive electrodes 1816 are configured to detect the location of a finger or object on or near an input region of the device 1800. The sense electrodes 1817 and drive electrodes may further be configured to detect the location of multiple fingers or objects concurrently.
The sense electrodes 1817 and drive electrodes 1816 may be operably coupled (e.g., electrically connected) to touch sensing circuitry 1888 to form touch sensors. The touch sensing circuitry 1888 may be configured to detect and estimate the location of a touch on or near the user input region based on inputs from the sense electrodes 1817 and drive electrodes 1816. The touch sensing circuitry may further output signals or other indicia indicating the detected location of a touch. The touch sensing circuitry 1888 may also be operably coupled to the processing unit 1880. In some embodiments the touch sensing circuitry 1888 may be integrated with the processing unit 1880.
The sense electrodes 1817 and drive electrodes 1816 may also be coupled with a piezoelectric substrate (e.g., the piezoelectric substrate 1320 of
The device 1800 may also include force sensing circuitry 1890, which may be operably coupled to the sense electrodes 1817 and drive electrodes 1816 to form a force sensor. The force sensing circuitry 1890 may be configured to detect and estimate an amount of force applied to the user input region as measured by the sense electrodes 1817 and drive electrodes 1816. In some embodiments, the force sensing circuitry 1890 may further detect a location of an applied force. The force sensing circuitry 1890 may further output signals or other indicia indicating an estimated amount of applied force. In some embodiments, the force sensing circuitry 1890 may be configured to operate using a dynamic or adjustable force threshold. The force sensing circuitry 1890 may only output signals in accordance with an applied force exceeding the force threshold. The force sensing circuitry 1890 may further be operably coupled to the processing unit 1880.
The device 1800 may also include control circuitry 1892, which may be operably connected to the sense electrodes 1817 and drive electrodes 1816 and provide control for haptic feedback using the sensor structure. The control circuitry 1892 may provide control of individual and/or groups of sense electrodes 1817 and/or drive electrodes 1816 in order to cause localized deflections in the cover sheet of the user input region. The control circuitry 1892 may provide energizing electrical signals to the sense electrodes 1817 and drive electrodes 1816, and may control the voltage, frequency, waveform, and other features of the electrical signal to provide varying feedback to a user. The control circuitry 1892 may further be operably coupled to the processing unit 1880.
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/397,299, filed on Sep. 20, 2016, and entitled “Design and Process For Low Cost Haptic Actuator Assembly,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/397,171, filed on Sep. 20, 2016, and entitled, “A Piezoelectric-Based Unified Method For Force And Touch Sensing,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62397299 | Sep 2016 | US | |
| 62397171 | Sep 2016 | US |
