Synaptics Corporation

First International Computer, Inc.

Lin-Hsiang Hsieh

Richard Robert Schediwy

Joseph Kurth Reynolds

Yeh-Cheng Tan

Oscar Ayzenberg

Raymond Chin

Chris Rehn

Tzeng-Fu Kao

Wei-Lung Lee

Chih-Chien Chou

Robert Kin Hung Lee

Bob Lee Mackey

Robert J Bolender

Pascale El Kallassi

Chao-Wei Lee

Ming-Wang Lin

Wen-Hsing Chen

Shwetank Kumar

Wen-Hsiang Chen

Hung-Wen Hsu

Chun-Hung Shen

Hui-Chu Chiu

Jia-Hua Lu

Narain Kumar Vijayashanker

Chuan-Yu Hsu

Wei-Te Huang

A pointing stick assembly includes: a head having a top surface configured to interface with a finger; a shaft connected to the head, wherein the shaft configured to be moved downward based on a finger pressing down on the head and to be tilted based on a finger tilting the head; a first sensor layer comprising a receiver electrode and a transmitter electrode; a second sensor layer comprising a transmitter electrode; and a third sensor layer comprising a plurality of receiver electrodes. The first sensor layer is configured for detection of presence of a finger based on a change in capacitance between the receiver electrode and the transmitter electrode of the first sensor layer caused by the presence of the finger on the top surface of the head.

Capacitive pointing stick assembly with presence detection

A device and method for operating a capacitive input device configured to sense input objects and their applied force in a sensing region includes a pliable component having an input surface and a first substrate including a first plurality of sensor electrodes. The device also includes a support substrate spaced apart from the pliable component; a second substrate having a second plurality of sensor electrodes and a plurality of apertures; and a spacing layer disposed between the pliable component and the support substrate and having a plurality of raised features aligned with and facing away from the apertures of the second substrate.

Device and method for localized force sensing

Methods and devices are described for operating an input device for an electronic system which includes a housing. The input device includes an input surface and a first substrate having a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to sense input objects proximate the input surface, and a pair of force sensing electrodes on the bottom of the first substrate. The input device includes a second substrate having a planar spring plate including a perimeter region surrounding an interior region, the perimeter region including a leaf spring coupled to the housing, and a spacing layer configured to physically couple the interior region of the second substrate to the first substrate. A force applied to the input surface deflects the first substrate and the interior region relative to the perimeter region, changing a variable capacitance formed between the force sensing electrodes.

Force enhanced input device

An input device, and a method for providing an input device, are provided. The input device includes a touch sensor substrate having a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side. At least one sensor electrode is disposed on the sensor substrate, and the at least one sensor electrode is configured to sense input objects in a sensing region on the first side. A switch is disposed on the second side of the touch sensor substrate. The input device also includes a transmission element having first and second portions. The transmission element is configured such that sufficient depression of the first portion causes the second portion to actuate the switch.

Input device with transmission element actuated switch

In an example, an isometric input device configured to control a user interface indicator of an electronic device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed on a sensor substrate. The input device further includes a control member mechanically coupled to the sensor substrate over at least a portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes. The input device further includes a conductive support substrate and a compliant member disposed between the sensor substrate and the conductive support substrate. The input device further includes a securing component extending through the conductive support substrate and the compliant member and engaging with the control member, the securing component defining a gap between the sensor substrate and the conductive support substrate.

Low-profile capacitive pointing stick

Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on a first substrate and a deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure overlaps the first electrode and the second electrode to define a variable capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode that changes with the deformation of the deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure comprises a spacing component configured to provide spacing between the deformable electrode structure and the first electrode and the second electrode. Finally, a transmission component is configured such that biasing the transmission component causes the deformable electrode structure to deform and change the variable capacitance. A measurement of the variable capacitance can be used to determine force information regarding the force biasing the transmission component.

Input device with integrated deformable electrode structure for force sensing

Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a first substrate with proximity sensor electrodes and at least a first force sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate. A second substrate is physically coupled to the first substrate, where the second substrate comprises a spring feature and an electrode component. The electrode component at least partially overlaps the first force sensor electrode to define a variable capacitance between the first force sensor electrode and the electrode component. The spring feature is configured to facilitate deflection of the electrode component relative to the first force sensor electrode to change the variable capacitance. A measure of the variable capacitance may be calculated and used to determine force information regarding the force biasing the input device.

Input device with force sensing

In an example, an isometric input device configured to control a user interface indicator of an electronic device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes, a control member, a conductive support substrate, and a compliant member. The plurality of sensor electrodes is disposed on a sensor substrate. The control member is mechanically coupled to the sensor substrate over at least a portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes. The compliant member is disposed between the sensor substrate and the conductive support substrate. The compliant member defines a gap between the sensor substrate and the conductive support substrate.

A device and method for operating a capacitive input device configured to sense input objects and their applied force in a sensing region, the device including a pliable component having an input surface and characterized by a bending stiffness, and first and second arrays of sensor electrodes. The input device further includes a third array of sensor electrodes and a spacing layer disposed between the third array. The pliable component is characterized by a compressive stiffness and configured to deform in response to a force applied to the input surface and to deflect the second array of sensor electrodes towards the third array of sensor electrodes, wherein the deformation of the input surface and the deflection of the second array of sensor electrodes is a function of the ratio of the bending stiffness of the pliable component and the compressive stiffness of the spacing layer.

A notebook computer includes a housing, a CPU, a memory, a display, a storage device, a detachable battery pack and a keyboard module. The notebook computer is characterized in that the housing includes a predefined space and a connection interface disposed in the predefined space. The connection interface is electrically connected to the CPU. The notebook computer includes a plurality of electronic device modules. Each electronic device module includes a casing portion and a main body portion, and the main body portion includes a transmission interface. The size of each electronic device module may correspond to the size of the predefined space. Each electronic device module may be secured in the predefined space for combination with the housing, and the transmission interface is electrically connected to the connection interface for power or data transmission. The plurality of electronic device modules are capable of combining individually with the housing for replacing different functions.

Growing community of inventors

Taoyuan, Taiwan

Lin-Hsiang Hsieh