Motorola Corporation

Google Inc.

Google Technology Holdings LLC

Dodge Daverman

Michael Olley

David B Cranfill

Described are methods and devices including a touch sensor layer configured to receive touch input and a force sensor layer stacked with the touch sensor layer, the force sensor layer includes an array of force sensors configured to receive force input. The force sensor array includes individual force sensors. Specific sensors of the disclosed force sensor array are associated with specific locations of the touch screen to add information that can be used to decipher which key is actually being pressed and may avoid falsing. Both a touch signal and a force signal are utilized to determine the validity of a user touch input. In one embodiment each force sensor may operate independently of the others. Particular embodiments are described that utilize a coarse grid to determine valid touch inputs and that make a determination of a centroid location based on a plurality of force sensors to determine valid touch inputs.

Multi-touch force sensing touch-screen devices and methods

A capacitive force sensor () includes a substrate () having at least one electrode pair () defining a capacitance disposed thereon. The substrate () is fixed relative to a first plate (). A drive circuit () is configured to apply a voltage relative to a circuit ground () to the electrode pair (). The first plate () is separated from a second plate () that is coupled to circuit ground () by a compliance member (). The compliance member () is configured to oppose a compression force () while allowing the first plate () to physically move relative to the second plate (). A capacitive detection circuit () is then configured to detect a change the capacitance when the compliance member () is compressed. The compression force () is then determined from the change in capacitance and the spring constant of the compliance member ().

Single sided capacitive force sensor for electronic devices

A liquid crystal display device with a liquid crystal material layer () includes a common electrode layer () proximate the liquid crystal material layer (), a patterned metal oxide layer () arranged opposite the common electrode layer (), where the liquid crystal material layer () is arranged between the common electrode layer () and the patterned metal oxide layer (). The liquid crystal display device includes a thin, optically clear insulating coating () applied to a surface of the patterned metal oxide (), and a patterned metal oxide mask () applied to a surface of the optically clear dielectric coating (), where the patterned metal oxide mask () is electrically coupled to the common electrode layer (). The liquid crystal display device controls where the electrical field is seen by the liquid crystal material by creating intentional shorts across it where it is not intended to switch.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Dodge Daverman