Texas Instruments Corporation

James R Catt

Evgeny Fomin

Paul R Smith

Christopher Alan Oberhauser

Benjamin Soheyl Kasemsadeh

Dave Hermiller

A device such as a portable computing/communications device is configured with slotted touch-on-metal buttons integrated into an edge panel. A ToM button structure includes a structural fascia integrated into the edge panel, defining a touch-button area including a touch-button length. The structural fascia is slotted, with alternating sections that are respectively relatively-thinner and relatively-thicker. The ToM button can be integrated into curved for flat edge panels. Button-press detection can be based on, for example, either inductive and capacitive deformation sensing. The ToM button structure can be configured for a predetermined button-press deformation based on a defined touch-button length, defined slotting difference between the relatively-thinner sections and the relatively-thicker sections and a defined deformation pressure.

Touch button structure integrated into an edge panel of a portable computing/communications device

A touch sensor mounting assembly includes a carrier with a front-side surface for attaching a touch sensor circuit (such as a flex circuit board), and a back-side spring structure. The touch sensor mounting assembly can be used for mounting at least one touch sensor in a device case with at least on touch button area defined on a surface of the device case. The touch sensor mounting assembly can include a carrier including a front-side sensor-attach surface, and a back-side spring structure including at least two spring arms integral with the carrier. Touch sensor circuitry can be mounted on the front-side sensor-attach surface of the carrier, such that when, the touch sensor mounting assembly is installed in the device case adjacent the at least one touch button area, the back-side spring arms are flexed to urge the carrier with front-side mounted touch sensor circuitry toward an interior side of the touch button area of the device case. In one implementation, the devices case includes first and second adjacent touch button areas (such as up/dn), and the carrier includes a front-side sensor-attach surface dimensioned for respective first and second touch sensor circuits, and can include a back-side spring structure with dual crossed spring arms for each of the first and second touch sensor circuits.

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Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

James R Catt