Patent · US Active

Touch pad with force sensors and actuator feedback

US9400582B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
17References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 17, 2015
Grant dateJul 26, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 17, 2035

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.