A system includes a piezoelectric capacitor assembly and signal processing circuitry coupled to the piezoelectric capacitor assembly. The piezoelectric capacitor assembly includes a piezoelectric member and piezoelectric capacitors located at respective lateral positions along the piezoelectric member. Each piezoelectric capacitor includes: (1) a respective portion of the piezoelectric member, (2) a first electrode, and (3) a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are positioned on opposite side of the piezoelectric member. The piezoelectric capacitors include piezoelectric force-measuring elements (PFEs). The PFEs are configured to output voltage signals between the respective first electrode and the respective second electrode in accordance with a time-varying strain at the respective portion of the piezoelectric member between the respective first electrode and the respective second electrode resulting from a low-frequency mechanical deformation. The signal processing circuitry is configured to read at least some of the PFE voltage signals.
A multi-virtual button finger-touch input system includes a cover layer, force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuits (FMTSICs), each coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer corresponding to one of the virtual buttons, an elongate flexible circuit, and a host controller. The FMTSICs are mounted to the elongate flexible circuit. The host controller is in communication with each of the FMTSICs via digital bus wiring. The host controller is configured to: (1) obtain force-localization features and ultrasound-localization features of the FMTSICs and (2) determine whether an event is a finger-touch event or a false-trigger event and if the event is determined to be finger-touch event, identify one of the virtual buttons as a touched virtual button, using at least in part a model that has the force-localization features and the ultrasound-localization features as inputs. The force-localization features and ultrasound-localization features are derived from the PMFE digital data and the PMUT digital data respectively.
In some embodiments, an integrated virtual button module includes a first transducer, a microcontroller, and a first driver circuit. The first transducer includes a transient strain-sensing element and is configured to generate first signals. The microcontroller is configured to obtain first data from the first signals and determine user inputs in accordance with at least the first data. The first driver circuit is configured to receive user feedback data and to generate a first user feedback signal in accordance with the user feedback data. The first driver circuit is electronically couplable to a first actuator. The user feedback data are determined in accordance with at least the user inputs. The first actuator emits a haptic signal and/or a first audio signal when driven by the first user feedback signal. Embodiments of an integrated virtual button system and a method of determining user input and providing user feedback are also disclosed.
A method of distinguishing between a first-type touch event and a second-type touch event is disclosed. A force-measuring and touch-sensing system includes piezoelectric force-measuring elements (PFEs) and piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers (PUTs), wherein each PUT can be configured as a transmitter (PUT transmitter) and/or a receiver (PUT receiver). The force-measuring and touch-sensing system is configured at a sense region. Each PUT transmitter transmits ultrasound signals towards the sense region and voltage signals are generated at the PUT receivers in response to ultrasound signals arriving from the sense region. Voltage signals are generated at PFEs in response to a low-frequency mechanical deformation of the respective piezoelectric capacitors. An event is determined to be a first-type touch event or a second-type touch event depending on a PUT data decrease and a magnitude of PFE data.
G01L 1/16 - Measuring force or stress, in general using properties of piezoelectric devices
G01L 1/14 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in capacitance or inductance of electrical elements, e.g. by measuring variations of frequency of electrical oscillators
G01N 29/44 - Processing the detected response signal
5.
FORCE-MEASURING AND TOUCH-SENSING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE
A force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the semiconductor substrate, piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs), and piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs and PMUTs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack, such that each of the PMFEs and PMUTs includes a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. Each PMUT has a cavity, the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMUT electrodes. Each PMFE has the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMFE electrodes. Each PMFE is configured to output voltage signals between the PMFE electrodes in accordance with a time-varying strain at the respective portion of the piezoelectric layer resulting from a low-frequency mechanical deformation.
G01L 1/16 - Measuring force or stress, in general using properties of piezoelectric devices
G01H 11/08 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means using piezoelectric devices
H10N 30/50 - Piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices having a stacked or multilayer structure
H10N 30/30 - Piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors
H10N 30/87 - Electrodes or interconnections, e.g. leads or terminals
H10N 30/00 - Piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
User interface sensors and associated downloadable software for use in touch and pressure sensitive surfaces and buttons for operation of consumer electronics, home appliances, medical devices, wearable electronic devices, smart glasses, mobile electronic devices, and automotive door entry and trunk control systems; Touch and pressure sensitive sensor controls and components in the nature of human machine interface boards used alone or in conjunction with semiconductors; downloadable computer software for development of touch and pressure sensitive sensor integrated circuits.
7.
Integrated virtual button module, integrated virtual button system, and method of determining user input and providing user feedback
In some embodiments, an integrated virtual button module includes a first transducer, a microcontroller, and a first driver circuit. The first transducer includes a transient strain-sensing element and is configured to generate first signals. The microcontroller is configured to obtain first data from the first signals and determine user inputs in accordance with at least the first data. The first driver circuit is configured to receive user feedback data and to generate a first user feedback signal in accordance with the user feedback data. The first driver circuit is electronically couplable to a first actuator. The user feedback data are determined in accordance with at least the user inputs. The first actuator emits a haptic signal and/or a first audio signal when driven by the first user feedback signal. Embodiments of an integrated virtual button system and a method of determining user input and providing user feedback are also disclosed.
A user-input system includes a force-measuring device, a cover member, and an elastic circuit board substrate interposed between the force-measuring device and the cover member and mechanically coupled to the cover member and to the force-measuring device. The force-measuring device includes a strain-sensing element. The force-measuring device is mounted to and electrically connected to the elastic circuit board substrate. The cover member undergoes a primary mechanical deformation in response to forces imparted at the cover member. The elastic circuit board substrate transmits a portion of the primary mechanical deformation to the force-measuring device resulting in a concurrent secondary mechanical deformation of the force-measuring device. The strain-sensing element is configured to output voltage signals in accordance with a time-varying strain at the strain-sensing element resulting from the secondary mechanical deformation.
A solid-state switch for an external system includes a cover member, a first solid-state transducer, a second transducer, a microcontroller, a user feedback device, and a switching circuit. The first transducer is mechanically coupled to the cover member and configured to generate first signals in response to a perturbation at the cover member. The second transducer is configured to generate second signals in response to the perturbation. The microcontroller is configured to obtain first data from the first signals, second data from the second signals, and determine user inputs in accordance with at least the first data, the second data, and an operational state of the solid-state switch. The user feedback device is configured to provide feedback to a user of the switch in accordance with a switching behavior of the switching circuit.
A system for delineating a location of a virtual button by haptic feedback includes a cover layer, a touch-input sub-system, a haptic transducer, and a haptic controller. The touch-input sub-system includes force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuits (FMTSICs), each coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer corresponding to one of the virtual buttons. The touch-input sub-system is configured to determine: (1) supplemental haptic feedback commands if “PMUT Triggered” Boolean data is True for at least one of the FMTSICs (Touched FMTSICs) and light-force conditions are satisfied for all of the Touched FMTSICs, and (2) primary touch inputs if “PMUT Triggered” Boolean data is True for at least one of the FMTSICs (Touched FMTSICs) and light-force conditions are not satisfied for at least one of the Touched FMTSICs. The haptic controller is configured to drive the haptic transducer to generate haptic feedback in accordance with the supplemental haptic feedback commands.
A solid-state switch for an external system includes a cover member, a first solid-state transducer, a second transducer, a microcontroller, a user feedback device, and a switching circuit. The first transducer is mechanically coupled to the cover member and configured to generate first signals in response to a perturbation at the cover member. The second transducer is configured to generate second signals in response to the perturbation. The microcontroller is configured to obtain first data from the first signals, second data from the second signals, and determine user inputs in accordance with at least the first data, the second data, and an operational state of the solid-state switch. The user feedback device is configured to provide feedback to a user of the switch in accordance with a switching behavior of the switching circuit. The second transducer is configured as a proximity sensor for detecting proximity of an object to the cover member.
A method of assessing a user input at a virtual button of a user-input system includes: (A) configuring at least one force-measuring device including a plurality of piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs); (B) configuring a cover layer of the user-input system including coupling the force-measuring device(s) to the cover layer at respective positions that are laterally displaced from a center point of the virtual button; (C) receiving, by each respective signal processor, the voltage signals from the PMFEs (PMFE voltage signals); (D) obtaining force-trend data from the PMFE voltage signals; and (E) assessing a user input in accordance with the force-trend data. Each of the PMFEs is configured to output voltage signals to the respective signal processor in accordance with a time-varying strain at the respective PMFE.
An ultrasound time-of-flight (TOF) sensor module includes an ultrasonic transducer device, a cover layer, an elastic member, and a signal processor electronically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer device includes at least one ultrasonic transducer, which is configured as an ultrasonic transmitter and/or an ultrasonic receiver. The elastic member is interposed between the ultrasonic transducer device and the cover layer. The elastic member undergoes reversible compression in response to an external object impacting and/or contacting the cover layer. An ultrasound propagation distance between the ultrasonic transducer and the cover layer varies in accordance with the compression. The ultrasonic transmitter(s) transmit ultrasound signals. The cover layer reflects a fraction f of the ultrasound signals incident thereon. The signal processor obtains TOF data which indicate time differences between times of transmission of transmitted ultrasound signals by the ultrasonic transmitter(s) and times of receipt of reflected ultrasound signals by the ultrasonic receiver(s). The time differences vary in accordance with the ultrasound propagation distance.
A user-input system includes a force-measuring device, a cover member, and an elastic circuit board substrate interposed between the force-measuring device and the cover member and mechanically coupled to the cover member and to the force-measuring device. The force-measuring device includes a strain-sensing element. The force-measuring device is mounted to and electrically connected to the elastic circuit board substrate. The cover member undergoes a primary mechanical deformation in response to forces imparted at the cover member. The elastic circuit board substrate transmits a portion of the primary mechanical deformation to the force-measuring device resulting in a concurrent secondary mechanical deformation of the force-measuring device. The strain-sensing element is configured to output voltage signals in accordance with a time-varying strain at the strain-sensing element resulting from the secondary mechanical deformation.
G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
15.
Force-measuring device assembly for a portable electronic apparatus, a portable electronic apparatus, and a method of modifying a span of a sense region in a force-measuring device assembly
A force-measuring device (FMD) assembly for a portable electronic apparatus includes a mid-frame including a base portion, a sidewall portion, and a transition region between the base portion and the sidewall portion, and force-measuring devices coupled to the inner surface of the sidewall portion. The sidewall portion and the transition region are elongate along a longitudinal axis. FMDs are coupled to the inner surface at respective contact regions of the sidewall portion and are separated from each other along the longitudinal axis. Each of the FMDs includes strain-sensing element(s). Each of the FMDs corresponds to a respective sense region of the sidewall portion. The transition region includes a respective elongate slit or trough for each of the sense regions. The respective elongate slit or trough is elongate along the longitudinal axis. Adjacent elongate slits or troughs are separated by a respective rib.
A solid-state switch for an external system includes a cover member, a first solid-state transducer, a microcontroller, a user feedback device, and a switching circuit. The first transducer is mechanically coupled to the cover member and configured to generate first signals in response to a perturbation at the cover member. The microcontroller is configured to obtain first data from the first signals and determine user inputs in accordance with at least the first data and an operational state of the solid-state switch. The user feedback device is configured to provide feedback to a user of the solid-state switch in accordance with a switching behavior of the switching circuit. The microcontroller is couplable to a master controller of the external system. The switching behavior of the switching circuit is determined in accordance with: (a) the commands from the master controller to the microcontroller, and/or (b) user inputs as determined by the microcontroller.
A system for delineating a location of a virtual button by haptic feedback includes a cover layer, a touch-input sub-system, a haptic transducer, and a haptic controller. The touch-input sub-system includes force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuits (FMTSICs), each coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer corresponding to one of the virtual buttons. The touch-input sub-system is configured to determine: (1) supplemental haptic feedback commands if “PMUT Triggered” Boolean data is True for at least one of the FMTSICs (Touched FMTSICs) and light-force conditions are satisfied for all of the Touched FMTSICs, and (2) primary touch inputs if “PMUT Triggered” Boolean data is True for at least one of the FMTSICs (Touched FMTSICs) and light-force conditions are not satisfied for at least one of the Touched FMTSICs. The haptic controller is configured to drive the haptic transducer to generate haptic feedback in accordance with the supplemental haptic feedback commands.
A multi-virtual button finger-touch input system includes a cover layer, force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuits (FMTSICs), each coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer corresponding to one of the virtual buttons, an elongate flexible circuit, and a host controller. The FMTSICs are mounted to the elongate flexible circuit. The host controller is in communication with each of the FMTSICs via digital bus wiring. The host controller is configured to: (1) obtain force-localization features and ultrasound-localization features of the FMTSICs and (2) determine whether an event is a finger-touch event or a false-trigger event and if the event is determined to be finger-touch event, identify one of the virtual buttons as a touched virtual button, using at least in part a model that has the force-localization features and the ultrasound-localization features as inputs. The force-localization features and ultrasound-localization features are derived from the PMFE digital data and the PMUT digital data respectively.
A method of distinguishing between a first-type touch event and a second-type touch event is disclosed. A force-measuring and touch-sensing system includes piezoelectric force-measuring elements (PFEs) and piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers (PUTs), wherein each PUT can be configured as a transmitter (PUT transmitter) and/or a receiver (PUT receiver). The force-measuring and touch-sensing system is configured at a sense region. Each PUT transmitter transmits ultrasound signals towards the sense region and voltage signals are generated at the PUT receivers in response to ultrasound signals arriving from the sense region. Voltage signals are generated at PFEs in response to a low-frequency mechanical deformation of the respective piezoelectric capacitors. An event is determined to be a first-type touch event or a second-type touch event depending on a PUT data decrease and a magnitude of PFE data.
G01L 1/16 - Measuring force or stress, in general using properties of piezoelectric devices
G01L 1/14 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in capacitance or inductance of electrical elements, e.g. by measuring variations of frequency of electrical oscillators
G01N 29/44 - Processing the detected response signal
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Touch and pressure sensitive sensor controls and components in the nature of human interface display controllers consisting of interactive touchscreen terminals and displays, used alone; touch and pressure sensitive sensor controls and components in the nature of human interface display controllers consisting of interactive touchscreen terminals and displays, used in conjunction with semiconductors; downloadable computer software for development of touch and pressure sensitive sensor integrated circuits; user interface sensors for use in touch and pressure sensitive surfaces and buttons for operation of consumer electronics, home appliances, medical devices, wearable electronic devices, smart glasses, mobile electronic devices, and automotive door entry and trunk control systems
21.
System for mapping force transmission from a plurality of force-imparting points to each force-measuring device and related method
A system for mapping data of force transmission from a plurality of force-imparting points to each force-measuring device is disclosed. A linear actuator assembly includes a Z-axis actuator and a slider. A load cell is secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider. A sample stage includes a sample stage positioner and is configured to retain a sample including at least one force-measuring device. The load cell is configured to impart a time-varying applied force to the sample. The controller is configured to control actuation of the sample positioner to position the load cell at each one of a plurality of force-imparting points on the sample and, for each respective force-imparting point, control the actuation of the Z-axis actuator. A computer is configured to generate a map of data of force transmission from the plurality of force-imparting points to the force-measuring device in accordance with digital transducer data obtained from the force-measuring device upon the imparting of the time-varying applied force at each force-imparting point.
G01L 5/167 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring several components of force using piezoelectric means
G01L 1/16 - Measuring force or stress, in general using properties of piezoelectric devices
G01L 25/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring force, torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency
G01L 27/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure
G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
22.
Force-measuring device testing system, force-measuring device calibration system, and a method of calibrating a force-measuring device
A force-measuring device testing system is disclosed. A linear actuator assembly includes a Z-axis actuator and a slider. A load cell is secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider. The load cell is configured to impart a time-varying applied force to the sample which includes a force-measuring device. A load cell signal processing circuitry is configured to measure force signals at the load cell and output amplified force signals to the controller. The controller is configured to repeatedly carry out the following until a desired force trajectory has been executed: (1) calculate digital force signals in accordance with the amplified force signals, (2) calculate a next actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with a desired force trajectory and an elastic parameter, and (3) control the actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with its next calculated actuation.
G01L 5/167 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring several components of force using piezoelectric means
G01L 25/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring force, torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency
G01L 1/16 - Measuring force or stress, in general using properties of piezoelectric devices
G01L 27/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
A method includes receiving energy data associated with an ultrasound input device coupled to a material layer. The energy data comprises a current energy value and past energy values associated with reflected ultrasound signals received at the ultrasound input device in response to the ultrasound input device transmitting emitted signals through the material layer towards an external surface of the material layer. The method can then include comparing the energy data with threshold data to generate a current trigger value for trigger data. The trigger data is indicative of an occurrence of a touch event when the current energy value exceeds a current threshold value of the threshold data. Then the method can include updating the threshold data based on the energy data, the trigger data, and the threshold data. Updating the threshold data comprises generating a subsequent threshold value.
A system includes a piezoelectric capacitor assembly and signal processing circuitry coupled to the piezoelectric capacitor assembly. The piezoelectric capacitor assembly includes a piezoelectric member and piezoelectric capacitors located at respective lateral positions along the piezoelectric member. Each piezoelectric capacitor includes: (1) a respective portion of the piezoelectric member, (2) a first electrode, and (3) a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are positioned on opposite side of the piezoelectric member. The piezoelectric capacitors include piezoelectric force-measuring elements (PFEs). The PFEs are configured to output voltage signals between the respective first electrode and the respective second electrode in accordance with a time-varying strain at the respective portion of the piezoelectric member between the respective first electrode and the respective second electrode resulting from a low-frequency mechanical deformation. The signal processing circuitry is configured to read at least some of the PFE voltage signals.
A force-measuring device includes a first substrate, signal processing circuitry, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the first substrate, and piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack.
A force-measuring device includes a first substrate, signal processing circuitry, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the first substrate, and piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack.
Each PMFE has: (1) a first electrode, (2) a second electrode, and (3) a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. The first electrode and the second electrode are positioned on opposite sides of the piezoelectric layer to constitute a piezoelectric capacitor. Each of the PMFEs is configured to output voltage signals (PMFE voltage signals) between the respective first and second electrodes in accordance with a time-varying strain at the respective portion of the piezoelectric layer between the respective first and second electrodes resulting from a low-frequency mechanical deformation. The signal processing circuitry is configured to read at least some of the PMFE voltage signals.
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
H01L 41/04 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Details thereof - Details of piezo-electric or electrostrictive elements
H01L 41/053 - Mounts, supports, enclosures or casings
H01L 41/113 - Piezo-electric or electrostrictive elements with mechanical input and electrical output
B06B 1/02 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
G01L 9/08 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means by making use of piezoelectric devices
26.
Force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device
A force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the semiconductor substrate, piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs), and piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs and PMUTs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack, such that each of the PMFEs and PMUTs includes a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. Each PMUT has a cavity, the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMUT electrodes. Each PMFE has the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMFE electrodes. Each PMFE is configured to output voltage signals between the PMFE electrodes in accordance with a time-varying strain at the respective portion of the piezoelectric layer resulting from a low-frequency mechanical deformation.
H01L 41/113 - Piezo-electric or electrostrictive elements with mechanical input and electrical output
G01L 1/16 - Measuring force or stress, in general using properties of piezoelectric devices
G01H 11/08 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means using piezoelectric devices
H10N 30/50 - Piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices having a stacked or multilayer structure
H10N 30/30 - Piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors
H10N 30/87 - Electrodes or interconnections, e.g. leads or terminals
H10N 30/00 - Piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices
Touch events can be detected using an ultrasound input device coupled to a surface, such as a surface of a piece of furniture or electronic device. The ultrasound input device can generate ultrasonic waves in the surface, the reflections of which can be measured by the ultrasound input device. When a touch is made to the surface (e.g., opposite the ultrasound input device), the physical contact can absorb some of the energy of the outgoing ultrasonic waves (e.g., the originally transmitted wave and any subsequent outgoing reflections). Energy measurements associated with the measured reflections can thus be used to identify touch events. Various techniques can be used to make the energy measurements and reduce identification of false touch events.
A system includes an ultrasound input device coupled to a material layer having an external surface and one or more data processors. The ultrasound input device can emit signals through the material layer towards the external surface and receive a set of reflected ultrasound signals associated with a touch event between an object and the external surface. The system can determine an energy signal associated with the set of reflected ultrasound signals and then extract feature information associated with the energy signal. The system can then determine an inference associated with the object based on the extracted feature information and generate an output signal.
G06F 3/043 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using propagating acoustic waves
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
An ultrasound input device can be coupled to a material layer having an external surface located opposite the material layer from the ultrasound input device. The ultrasound input device can transmit an emitted signal through the material layer towards the external surface and receive a set of reflected ultrasound signals associated with the emitted signal. The set of reflected ultrasound signals comprises at least one reflected ultrasound signal, and the set of reflected ultrasound signals can be associated with a touch event between an object and the external surface. A system can comprise one or more data processors configured for performing operations including determining an energy signal associated with the set of reflected ultrasound signals, extracting feature information associated with the energy signal, determining an inference associated with the object based on the extracted feature information, and generating an output signal associated with the determined inference.
Touch events can be detected using an ultrasound input device coupled to a surface, such as a surface of a piece of furniture or electronic device. The ultrasound input device can generate ultrasonic waves in the surface, the reflections of which can be measured by the ultrasound input device. When a touch is made to the surface (e.g., opposite the ultrasound input device), the physical contact can absorb some of the energy of the outgoing ultrasonic waves (e.g., the originally transmitted wave and any subsequent outgoing reflections). Energy measurements associated with the measured reflections can thus be used to identify touch events. Various techniques can be used to make the energy measurements and reduce identification of false touch events.
