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US 2019/0094969 A1Published application
Electronic Device Having a Hybrid Conductive Coating for Electrostatic Haptics
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsXiaonan Wen, James E. Pedder
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Abstract
An electronic device is disclosed which includes a conductive layer for providing haptic feedback at an input surface of the electronic device. The conductive layer includes conductive particles within an organic compound, such as an epoxy. When the conductive layer is activated it may provide frictional or other tactile feedback at the input surface.
Claims20
An electronic device, comprising:
- a housing forming an external surface of the electronic device;
- a cover assembly coupled to the housing and defining an input surface, the cover assembly comprising:
- a cover sheet layer;
- a touch sensor layer coupled to the cover sheet layer and configured to detect a touch on the input surface;
- an electrostatic conductive layer coupled to the cover sheet layer;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to drive the touch sensor layer, causing at least a portion of the electrostatic conductive layer to experience an electric field;
- wherein
- in response to the electric field, the electrostatic conductive layer causes variable friction feedback at the input surface.
6 more elements
An electronic device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a display at least partially enclosed by the housing;
- a transparent cover assembly coupled to the housing and positioned over the display, comprising:
- a cover sheet layer;
- a drive touch electrode coupled to and positioned below the cover sheet layer;
- a sense touch electrode coupled to and positioned below the cover sheet layer;
- an electrostatic conductive layer coupled to and positioned above the cover sheet layer, the electrostatic conductive layer comprising conductive particles in an organic matrix;
- and
- a passivation layer coupled to and positioned above the electrostatic conductive layer, the passivation layer comprising a dielectric material and forming an external surface of the electronic device;
- wherein:
- the drive touch electrode and the sense touch electrode operate to detect a location of a touch on the external surface;
- and
- the electrostatic conductive layer is configured to increase friction between a finger and the external surface in response to the drive touch electrode receiving a drive signal.
10 more elements
A method of forming a cover assembly for an electronic device to provide electrostatic feedback on an input surface, the method comprising:
- forming an organic compound;
- distributing conductive particles within the organic compound;
- depositing the organic compound over a cover sheet formed from a rigid transparent material;
- curing the organic compound;
- depositing a dielectric layer over the organic compound;
- and
- coupling a touch sensor to the cover sheet.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.