Sensor stack having a graphical element formed by physical vapor deposition

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for creating a sensor stack or element for use in an electronic device. In one example, a method may include providing a substrate made of sapphire; affixing, by physical vapor deposition, a decorative feature on the substrate; providing a silicon layer including a capacitive sensor; and bonding the sensor to the substrate. In one example, the affixing operation may include an icon, logo, symbol or other graphic as the decorative feature. The method may also include reducing the substrate or silicon layer from an initial thickness to a second thickness, the second thickness being thinner that the initiation thickness. The sensor stack may be used or configured as an input button for the electronic device such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, or other computing device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.