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US 9,983,757 B2Granted
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.
Claims19
An inductive touch sensor, comprising:
- a flexible substrate configured to be touched by an object;
- an inductor attached to or embedded within the flexible substrate such that a deformation of the flexible substrate also deforms the inductor, 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 by a touch onto the flexible substrate;
- wherein the inductor has a first inductance value when in the first position and a second inductance value when in the second position, and
- an electronic circuit coupled to the inductor operable to measure inductance values thereof.
1 more element
An inductive touch sensor, comprising:
- a flexible substrate configured to be touched by an object;
- a spiral coil forming an inductor attached to or embedded within the flexible substrate such that a deformation of the flexible substrate also deforms the spiral coil, the spiral coil and the flexible substrate having a first position and a second position, wherein the flexible substrate and the spiral coil assume the second position when a force is applied thereto by a finger of a person;
- wherein the spiral coil has a first inductance value when in the first position and a second inductance value when in the second position, and
- an electronic circuit coupled to the spiral coil operable to measure inductance values thereof.
1 more element
An inductive touch sensor, comprising:
- a mechanically operable button comprising:
- a flexible substrate configured to be touched by an object;
- and
- a spiral coil forming an inductor attached to or embedded within the flexible substrate such that a deformation of the flexible substrate also deforms the spiral coil, wherein the spiral coil is the only electronic component in the mechanically operable button and wherein the spiral coil and the flexible substrate having a first position and a second position, wherein the flexible substrate and the spiral coil assume the second position when a force is applied thereto by a finger of a person;
- wherein the spiral coil has a first inductance value when in the first position and a second inductance value when in the second position, and
- an electronic circuit coupled to the spiral coil operable to measure inductance values thereof.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.