Configurable force-sensitive input structure for electronic devices
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsJohn B. Morrell, Ron A. Hopkinson, Peter M. Arnold, Mikael M. Silvanto, William F. Leggett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A configurable, force-sensitive input structure for an electronic device is disclosed. The input structure has a metal contact layer, a sense layer positioned below the metal contact layer, and a drive layer capacitively coupled to the sense layer. The input structure may also have a compliant layer positioned between and coupled to the sense layer and the drive layer, a rigid base layer positioned below the drive layer, and a set of supports positioned between the metal contact layer and the rigid base layer.
Claims23
An input structure comprising:
- a metal contact layer defining a dimensionally-configurable input region;
- a sense layer positioned below the metal contact layer;
- a drive layer capacitively coupled to the sense layer;
- a compliant layer positioned between the sense layer and the drive layer;
- and
- a rigid base layer positioned below the drive layer;
- wherein the sense layer and drive layer cooperate to sense a force exerted on the metal contact layer.
An electronic device comprising:
- a metal casing comprising:
- a contact portion;
- and
- a base portion positioned below and coupled to the contact portion;
- a group of holes formed through the contact portion of the casing;
- an input structure positioned within the casing and below the group of holes, the input structure comprising:
- a sense layer positioned below the contact portion of the metal casing;
- a drive layer positioned beneath the sense layer;
- a compliant layer positioned between and coupled to the sense layer and the drive layer;
- and
- a set of supports positioned within the compliant layer;
- wherein
- the input structure is operative to capacitively detect a force and a location of a force exerted on the contact portion of the metal casing.
An electronic device comprising:
- a metal casing comprising a contact portion;
- and
- an input structure positioned below and secured to the contact portion of the casing, the input structure comprising:
- at least one input area formed on a portion of the contact portion;
- wherein
- the input structure is configured to provide a group of interchangeable input devices within the at least one input area formed on at least the portion of the contact portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.