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US 2013/0187742 A1Published application
Inductive touch sensor using a flexible coil
AssigneeMicrochip Technology Incorporated
InventorsStephen B. Porter, Dan Termer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inductive touch sensor comprises an inductors disposed in or on a deformable substrate. When a force is applied to the deformable substrate the physical shape of the inductor will change and thereby change its inductance value. The change in the inductance value can be detected and used to indicate actuation of an associated touch key of the inductive touch sensor. A plurality of inductive touch sensors may be used to form a touch panel.
Claims20
An inductive touch sensor, comprising:
- a flexible substrate;
- an inductor in mechanical communication with the flexible substrate, the inductor and the flexible substrate having a first position and a second position, wherein the flexible substrate and the inductor assume the second position when a force is applied thereto;
- and
- wherein the inductor has a first inductance value when in the first position and a second inductance value when in the second position.
1 more element
An inductive touch sensor panel, comprising:
- a flexible substrate divided into a plurality of touch key areas arranged in a matrix;
- a plurality of inductors in mechanical communication with the flexible substrate, each of the plurality of inductors associated with a respective one of the plurality of touch key areas, each of the plurality of inductors and the plurality of touch key areas having a first position and a second position, wherein each touch key area and inductor assume the second position when a force is applied thereto;
- wherein the inductor has a first inductance value when in the first position and a second inductance value when in the second position;
- a support substrate;
- and
- ridge spacers between the support substrate and each of plurality of touch key areas, wherein the support substrate, ridge spacers and the plurality of touch key areas form a plurality of cavities.
3 more elements
An inductive touch sensor, comprising:
- a flexible substrate;
- a support substrate;
- ridge spacers between the support substrate and the flexible substrate, wherein the support substrate, ridge spacers and flexible substrate form a cavity;
- an inductor comprising a coiled spring, a first end of the inductor is in mechanical and electrical communications with the flexible substrate and a second end of the inductor is in mechanical and electrical communications with the support substrate;
- the inductor has a first inductance value when in a first position and a second inductance value when in a second position;
- and
- the inductor assumes the second position when a force is applied to the flexible substrate.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.