Touch pad with force sensors and actuator feedback
US8633916B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04105
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Electronic devices may use touch pads that have touch sensor arrays, force sensors, and actuators for providing tactile feedback. A touch pad may be mounted in a computer housing. The touch pad may have a rectangular planar touch pad member that has a glass layer covered with ink and contains a capacitive touch sensor array. Force sensors may be mounted under each of the four corners of the rectangular planar touch pad member. The force sensors may be used to measure how much force is applied to the surface of the planar touch pad member by a user. Processed force sensor signals may indicate the presence of button activity such as press and release events. In response to detected button activity or other activity in the device, actuator drive signals may be generated for controlling the actuator. The user may supply settings to adjust signal processing and tactile feedback parameters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.