Patent · US Active

Sensor stack having a graphical element formed by physical vapor deposition

US9871897B1 · kind B1 · utility

1Cited by
12References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 8, 2014
Grant dateJan 16, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 8, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2203/04103
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for creating a sensor stack or element for use in an electronic device. In one example, a method may include providing a substrate made of sapphire; affixing, by physical vapor deposition, a decorative feature on the substrate; providing a silicon layer including a capacitive sensor; and bonding the sensor to the substrate. In one example, the affixing operation may include an icon, logo, symbol or other graphic as the decorative feature. The method may also include reducing the substrate or silicon layer from an initial thickness to a second thickness, the second thickness being thinner that the initiation thickness. The sensor stack may be used or configured as an input button for the electronic device such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, or other computing device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.