# US 10,768,749 B2 · Electronic controller haptic display with simultaneous sensing and actuation

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- Number: US 10,768,749 B2
- Document ID: US10768749B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/240,330
- Filed: 2019-01-04
- Published: 2019-05-09
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2012-05-10
- Assignees: Northwestern University; Tanvas Corporation
- Applicants: Tanvas, Inc.; Northwestern University
- Inventors: Michael F. D. Olley; Michael A. Peshkin; James E. Colgate
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768749B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/0445: {using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer}
- G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user}
- G06F 3/0412: {Digitisers structurally integrated in a display}
- G06F 3/04186: {Touch location disambiguation}
- G06F 3/0446: {using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes}
- G06F 3/0448: {Details of the electrode shape, e.g. for enhancing the detection of touches, for generating specific electric field shapes, for enhancing display quality}
- G06F 2203/04104: Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger
- G06F 2203/04111: Cross over in capacitive digitiser, i.e. details of structures for connecting electrodes of the sensing pattern where the connections cross each other, e.g. bridge structures comprising an insulating layer, or vias through substrate
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

A haptic touch interface having simultaneous sensing and actuation including an insulating substrate having a front surface and a rear surface and one or more front surface electrodes connected to the front surface of the substrate, wherein the front surface electrodes are arranged in a first pattern. The touch interface further includes one or more rear surface electrodes connected to the rear surface of the substrate, wherein the rear surface electrodes are arranged in a second pattern and the front surface electrodes have a substantial mutual capacitance with the rear surface electrodes. Flying logic is used to control voltages applied to at least one of the front and rear surface electrodes.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A haptic touch interface having simultaneous sensing and actuation comprising:
an insulating substrate comprising a front surface and a rear surface;
an array of front surface electrodes connected to and disposed on the front surface of the substrate,
wherein the array of front surface electrodes making up a haptic layer of the haptic touch interface are arranged in a first aligned pattern; and
an array of rear surface electrodes connected to and disposed on the rear surface of the substrate,
wherein the array of rear surface electrodes making up a sensing layer of the haptic touch interface are arranged in a second aligned pattern that is substantially identically configured to and substantially mirrors the first pattern,
wherein the front surface electrodes have a substantial mutual capacitance with the rear surface electrodes; and
wherein flying logic operating with a non-zero reference voltage offset from main digital control and processing is used to control voltages applied to at least one of the front and rear surface electrodes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The haptic touch interface of claim 1 wherein serial communication is used, via level shifters, to coordinate the flying logic with a main processor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The haptic touch interface of claim 2 wherein timing of voltages applied to at least one of the front and rear surface electrodes is synchronized by a level shifted logic signal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The haptic touch interface of claim 2 wherein the timing of voltages applied to at least one of the front and rear surface electrodes is synchronized by a time of arrival of a serial communication signal.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The haptic touch interface of claim 1 further comprising an electronic controller, wherein the electronic controller uses flying logic to control voltages applied to at least one of the front and rear surface electrodes.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The haptic touch interface of claim 5 wherein the electronic controller comprises a high voltage switching circuitry in electrical communication with the rear surface electrodes and a main processor, wherein the main processor is configured to control the high voltage switching circuitry.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The haptic touch interface of claim 6 wherein the electronic controller further comprises at least one flying integrated circuit, wherein the flying integrated circuit is configured to receive an input from the main processor to control the high voltage switching circuitry.

### Claim 8

A haptic touch device comprising:
an insulating substrate comprising a front surface and a rear surface;
an array of front surface electrodes connected to and disposed on the front surface of the substrate,
wherein the array of front surface electrodes making up a haptic layer of the haptic touch device are arranged in a first aligned pattern; and
an array of rear surface electrodes connected to and disposed on the rear surface of the substrate,
wherein the array of rear surface electrodes making up a sensing layer of the haptic touch device are arranged in a second aligned pattern that is substantially identically configured and substantially mirrors the first aligned pattern,
wherein the front surface electrodes have a substantial mutual capacitance with the rear surface electrodes; and
an electronic controller, the electronic controller comprising a high voltage switching circuitry in electrical communication with the array of front surface electrodes, the array of rear surface electrodes, and a main processor,
wherein the main processor is configured to control the high voltage switching circuitry through a flying integrated circuit operating with a non-zero reference voltage offset from main digital control and processing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The haptic touch interface of claim 8 wherein the flying integrated circuit is configured to receive an input from the main processor to control the high voltage switching circuitry.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The haptic touch interface of claim 8 wherein the flying integrated circuit has a reference voltage that is not 0 volts.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The haptic touch interface of claim 8 wherein the main processor is further configured to control application of a voltage to at least one of the front and rear surface electrodes.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The haptic touch interface of claim 8 wherein the flying integrated circuit comprises a first flying integrated circuit and a second flying integrated circuit, wherein the first flying integrated circuit controls positive output voltages applied to the rear surface electrodes and the second flying integrated circuit controls negative output voltages applied to the rear surface electrodes.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The haptic touch interface of claim 8 wherein the main processor communicates with the flying integrated circuit via a serial communication link.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The haptic touch interface of claim 13 wherein the serial communication link comprises magnetically linked inductors.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The haptic touch interface of claim 8 wherein the main processor communicates with the flying integrated circuit using serial communication via level shifters.

### Claim 16 (depends on 8)

The haptic touch interface of claim 8 wherein the flying integrated circuit receives a power supply voltage that is offset in potential from ground.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The haptic touch interface of claim 16 wherein the power supply voltage received by the flying integrated circuit is offset from the power supply voltage received by the main processor.