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US 10,649,595 B2Granted
Touch sensor with force sensor response normalization, and related method and apparatus
AssigneeAtmel Corporation
InventorsCarl Carley, Paul Clements, Karl Attrill, Thomas Matthew Bell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, a touch screen device includes a controller, a force sensing layer, a cushion layer, and a reference layer. The controller includes a processor to determine a distance between the force sensing layer and the reference layer. The cushion layer is between the force sensing layer and the reference layer. The cushion layer may include a plurality of holes at selected locations devoid of material of which the cushion layer is made. The reference layer may include a plurality of raised areas at selected locations.
Claims18
A touch screen device comprising:
- a controller comprising a processor, the processor configured to detect a capacitance between locations of a force sensing layer and corresponding locations of a reference layer spaced from the force sensing layer responsive to an initiated voltage;
- and
- a cushion layer between the force sensing layer and the reference layer, the cushion layer comprising a foam material that is configured to compress to a different extent under a same force applied to different locations and provide a different dielectric constant at the different locations.
A touch screen device comprising:
- a controller comprising a processor, the processor configured to detect a capacitance between locations of a force sensing layer and corresponding locations of a reference layer spaced from the force sensing layer responsive to an initiated voltage;
- and
- a cushion layer between the force sensing layer and the reference layer, the cushion layer comprising a foam material that is configured to compress to a different extent under a same force applied to different locations and provide a different dielectric constant at the different locations;
- wherein the reference layer comprises an outer perimeter region and a center region, wherein the reference layer comprises discrete, laterally spaced raised areas, wherein:
- each of the raised areas has a height;
- and
- one or more of a density of raised areas and the height of raised areas being different proximate the outer perimeter region of the reference layer than proximate the center region of the reference layer.
4 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a force sensing layer;
- a reference layer spaced from and aligned with the force sensing layer;
- electrode locations within an area between the force sensing layer and the reference layer;
- a cushion layer between the force sensing layer and the reference layer, the cushion layer comprising a foam material that is configured to compress to a different extent under a same force applied to different locations and provide a different dielectric constant at the different locations;
- and
- a controller comprising a processor;
- wherein at least one of the reference layer and the cushion layer is configured to substantially normalize capacitance between the force sensing layer and the reference layer at electrode locations within the area responsive to a given applied virtual or physical force when a voltage is applied at the electrode locations;
- and
- wherein the processor is configured to detect the capacitance between the force sensing layer and the reference layer at the electrode locations responsive to an initiated voltage.
6 more elements
A method of operating a touch screen assembly, the method comprising:
- applying a force to different locations on a force sensing layer of a touch screen;
- compressing a cushion layer comprising a foam material between the force sensing layer and a reference layer responsive to the force, the cushion layer configured to compress to a different extent under a same force applied to the different locations and provide a different dielectric constant at the different locations;
- substantially linearizing a capacitive response to the applied force at the different locations;
- and
- detecting, using a processor of a controller, a capacitance between locations of the force sensing layer and corresponding locations of the reference layer spaced from the force sensing layer responsive to an initiated voltages.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.