公开(公告)号：US09891759B2

公开(公告)日：2018-02-13

申请号：US13631226

申请日：2012-09-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Martin P. Grunthaner ,  Peter W. Richards ,  Romain A. Teil ,  Steven P. Hotelling

IPC: G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/042

CPC classification number: G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/0421 ,  G06F2203/04105 ,  G06F2203/04106 ,  G06F2203/04109

Abstract: Detecting force and touch using FTIR and capacitive location. FTIR determines applied force by the user's finger within infrared transmit lines on a touch device. A pattern of such lines determine optical coupling with the touch device. Capacitive sensing can determine (A) where the finger actually touches, so the touch device more accurately infers applied force; (B) whether finger touches shadow each other; (C) as a baseline for applied force; or (D) whether attenuated reflection is due to a current optical coupling, or is due to an earlier optical coupling, such as a smudge on the cover glass. If there is attenuated reflection without actual touching, the touch device can reset a baseline for applied force for the area in which that smudge remains. Infrared transmitters and receivers are positioned where they are not visible to a user, such as below a frame or mask for the cover glass.

公开(公告)号：US09851828B2

公开(公告)日：2017-12-26

申请号：US14776610

申请日：2013-03-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Peter W. Richards ,  Sinan Filiz

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/045 ,  G01L1/20 ,  G01L1/14 ,  G01L1/22 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06T15/04

CPC classification number: G06F3/0414 ,  G01L1/14 ,  G01L1/205 ,  G01L1/2287 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/045 ,  G06F2203/04106 ,  G06T15/04

Abstract: A touch sensitive input system for an electronic device includes a deflection sensor configured to generate a deflection signal based on deflection of a control or sensing surface, and a processor in signal communication with the deflection sensor. The processor is operable to generate a deflection or displacement map characterizing displacement of the surface based on the deflection signal, and a force map characterizing force on the surface based on a transformation of the displacement map. The transformation may be based on a generalized inverse of a compliance operator, where the compliance operator relates the displacement map to the force map. The compliance operator is not necessarily square, and does not necessarily have a traditional inverse.

公开(公告)号：US20160378255A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-29

申请号：US15038972

申请日：2013-11-26

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Christopher J. Butler ,  Martin P. Grunthaner ,  Peter W. Richards ,  Romain A. Teil ,  Sinan Filiz

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/0346 ,  G01L25/00 ,  G01L1/14

CPC classification number: G06F3/0418 ,  G01L1/14 ,  G01L1/146 ,  G01L25/00 ,  G06F1/1694 ,  G06F3/0346 ,  G06F3/0412 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/044

Abstract: A method of calibrating a force sensor that includes an input surface and an array of sensing elements. The input has a number of test locations and is deformable under applied force. The force sensor is mounted in a predetermined test orientation. For each test location of the plurality of test locations on the input surface of the force sensor a predetermined test force to the test location. An element calibration value is measured for each sensing element of the array of sensing elements of the force sensor. An (x, y) deformation map of the input surface of the force sensor corresponding to the application of the predetermined test force to the test location is determined based on the measured element calibration values.

Abstract translation: 一种校准包含输入表面和感测元件阵列的力传感器的方法。 输入具有多个测试位置，并且在施加的力下可变形。 力传感器以预定的测试方向安装。 对于力传感器的输入表面上的多个测试位置的每个测试位置，到测试位置的预定测试力。 测量力传感器的感测元件阵列的每个感测元件的元素校准值。 基于测量的元件校准值来确定对应于预定试验力施加到测试位置的力传感器的输入表面的（x，y）变形图。

公开(公告)号：US20160103542A1

公开(公告)日：2016-04-14

申请号：US14972041

申请日：2015-12-16

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Charley T. Ogata ,  Martin P. Grunthaner ,  Michael B. Wittenberg ,  Peter W. Richards ,  Romain A. Teil ,  Steven P. Hotelling

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044

CPC classification number: G06F3/0414 ,  G06F1/1643 ,  G06F3/03547 ,  G06F3/0412 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04105

Abstract: A force-sensitive device for electronic device. The force inputs may be detected by measuring changes in capacitance, as measured by surface flex of a device having a flexible touchable surface, causing flex at a compressible gap within the device. A capacitive sensor responsive to changes in distance across the compressible gap. The sensor can be positioned above or below, or within, a display element, and above or below, or within, a backlight unit. The device can respond to bending, twisting, or other deformation, to adjust those zero force measurements. The device can use measure of surface flux that appear at positions on the surface not directly the subject of applied force, such as when the user presses on a part of the frame or a surface without capacitive sensors.

公开(公告)号：US20160098131A1

公开(公告)日：2016-04-07

申请号：US14616059

申请日：2015-02-06

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Charley T. Ogata ,  Martin P. Grunthaner ,  Michael B. Wittenberg ,  Peter W. Richards ,  Romain A. Teil ,  Steven P. Hotelling

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F1/16

Abstract: A force-sensitive device for electronic device. The force inputs may be detected by measuring changes in capacitance, as measured by surface flex of a device having a flexible touchable surface, causing flex at a compressible gap within the device. A capacitive sensor responsive to changes in distance across the compressible gap. The sensor can be positioned above or below, or within, a display element, and above or below, or within, a backlight unit. The device can respond to bending, twisting, or other deformation, to adjust those zero force measurements. The device can use measure of surface flux that appear at positions on the surface not directly the subject of applied force, such as when the user presses on a part of the frame or a surface without capacitive sensors.

Abstract translation: 电子装置的力敏装置。 力输入可以通过测量电容的变化来检测，如通过具有柔性可触摸表面的装置的表面弯曲所测量的，导致在装置内的可压缩间隙处的挠曲。 响应于可压缩间隙的距离变化的电容式传感器。 传感器可以位于显示元件的上方或下方，或者位于背光单元的上方或下方或之内。 该装置可以响应弯曲，扭曲或其他变形，以调整这些零力测量。 该装置可以使用出现在表面上的位置处的测量，而不是直接施加力的对象，例如当用户按压在框架的一部分上或没有电容传感器的表面时。

公开(公告)号：US20150370396A1

公开(公告)日：2015-12-24

申请号：US14651214

申请日：2013-03-15

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Steven P. Hotelling ,  Martin P. Grunthaner ,  Peter W. Richards ,  Romain A. Teil ,  Charley T. Ogata ,  Michael E. Wittenberg

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044

CPC classification number: G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04106 ,  G06F2203/04107

Abstract: A force sensing device for electronic device. The force inputs may be detected by measuring changes in capacitance, as measured by surface flex of a device having a flexible touchable surface, causing flex at a compressible gap within the device. A capacitive sensor responsive to changes in distance across the compressible gap. The sensor can be positioned above or below, or within, a display element, and above or below, or within, a backlight unit. The device can respond to bending, twisting, or other deformation, to adjust those zero force measurements. The device can use measure of surface flux that appear at positions on the surface not directly the subject of applied force, such as when the user presses on a part of the frame or a surface without capacitive sensors.

Abstract translation: 一种用于电子设备的力传感装置。 力输入可以通过测量电容的变化来检测，如通过具有柔性可触摸表面的装置的表面弯曲所测量的，导致在装置内的可压缩间隙处的挠曲。 响应于可压缩间隙的距离变化的电容式传感器。 传感器可以位于显示元件的上方或下方，或者位于背光单元的上方或下方或之内。 该装置可以响应弯曲，扭曲或其他变形，以调整这些零力测量。 该装置可以使用出现在表面上的位置处的测量，而不是直接施加力的对象，例如当用户按压在框架的一部分上或没有电容传感器的表面时。