公开(公告)号：US20230195265A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-22

申请号：US17954248

申请日：2022-09-27

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Qiliang XU ,  Ming YU ,  Xiaonan WEN ,  Ehsan KHAJEH ,  Jason S. GRIESBACH ,  Brian M. KING

IPC: G06F3/043

CPC classification number: G06F3/043

Abstract: Input devices can employ ultrasonic touch sensing capabilities that allow user inputs to be detected through conductive materials, such as metal enclosures. The ultrasonic touch sensing can include generation of ultrasound signals with a piezoelectric layer. The ultrasound signals can be reflected when a user or other object is in contact with a housing, and the reflected signal can be detected by the same piezoelectric layer that produced the ultrasound signal. Such a piezoelectric layer can include a piezoelectric polymer, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). An array of electrodes distributed on opposing sides of the use of electric layer can be operated to generate ultrasound signals and detect reflected signals. Such an input device can be operated in conjunction with a conductive (e.g., metallic) housing, conform to a variety of shapes, and be compact and lightweight