公开(公告)号：EP4089512A1

公开(公告)日：2022-11-16

申请号：EP22171177.3

申请日：2022-05-02

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： HIEMSTRA, Daniel J. ,  MAK, George Ho Yin ,  KHAJEH, Ehsan ,  EVERHART, Camille L. ,  LI, Hoishun ,  KWOK, Wai Man Raymund ,  POSTAK, Sonja R.

IPC: G06F3/043 ,  G06V40/13

Abstract: Improving the accuracy of ultrasonic touch sensing and fingerprint imaging using acoustic impedance matching is disclosed. Acoustic impedance mismatches between an ultrasonic transducer array and a sensing plate can be reduced to maximize energy transfer and minimize parasitic reflections. A reduction in acoustic impedance mismatches can be accomplished using (i) a composite epoxy having a higher acoustic impedance than epoxy alone, (ii) one or more matching layers having an acoustic impedance that is approximately the geometric mean of the acoustic impedance of the sensing plate and the acoustic impedance of the transducer array, (iii) pores or perforations in the sensing plate, or (iv) geometric structures formed in the sensing plate. In addition, parasitic reflections can be suppressed using an absorbent layer.

公开(公告)号：EP4089513A1

公开(公告)日：2022-11-16

申请号：EP22171238.3

申请日：2022-05-03

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： HIEMSTRA, Daniel J. ,  MAK, George Ho Yin ,  KHAJEH, Ehsan ,  LI, Hoishun ,  EVERHART, Camille L. ,  KWOK, Wai Man Raymund

IPC: G06F3/043 ,  G06V40/13

Abstract: Improving the accuracy of ultrasonic touch sensing and fingerprint imaging using acoustic impedance matching is disclosed. Acoustic impedance mismatches between an ultrasonic transducer array and a sensing plate can be reduced to maximize energy transfer and minimize parasitic reflections. A reduction in acoustic impedance mismatches can be accomplished using (i) a composite epoxy having a higher acoustic impedance than epoxy alone, (ii) one or more matching layers having an acoustic impedance that is approximately the geometric mean of the acoustic impedance of the sensing plate and the acoustic impedance of the transducer array, (iii) pores or perforations in the sensing plate, or (iv) geometric structures formed in the sensing plate. In addition, parasitic reflections can be suppressed using an absorbent layer.

公开(公告)号：WO2018023080A2

公开(公告)日：2018-02-01

申请号：PCT/US2017/044533

申请日：2017-07-28

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： KING, Brian, Michael ,  YEKE YAZDANDOOST, Mohammad ,  KHAJEH, Ehsan ,  TUCKER, Aaron, Scott ,  GOZZINI, Giovanni ,  YIP, Marcus ,  YOUSEFPOR, Marduke ,  JADHAV, Digvijay, A. ,  SEN, Indranil ,  NARANG, Mohit ,  JIANG, Yi ,  MAJIDZADEH BAFAR, Vahid ,  KERAMAT, Mansour ,  XU, Hao

IPC: G06F3/043

Abstract: Acoustic touch detection (touch sensing) system architectures and methods can be used to detect an object touching a surface. Position of an object touching a surface can be determined using time-of-flight (TOF) bounding box techniques, or acoustic image reconstruction techniques, for example. Acoustic touch sensing can utilize transducers, such as piezoelectric transducers, to transmit ultrasonic waves along a surface and/or through the thickness of an electronic device. Location of the object can be determined, for example, based on the amount of time elapsing between the transmission of the wave and the detection of the reflected wave. An object in contact with the surface can interact with the transmitted wave causing attenuation, redirection and/or reflection of at least a portion of the transmitted wave. Portions of the transmitted wave energy after interaction with the object can be measured to determine the touch location of the object on the surface of the device.

Abstract translation: 可以使用声触摸检测（触摸感测）系统体系结构和方法来检测接触表面的物体。 例如，可以使用飞行时间（TOF）边界框技术或声学图像重建技术来确定接触表面的物体的位置。 声学触摸感测可以利用换能器（例如压电换能器）沿着表面和/或通过电子设备的厚度来发射超声波。 对象的位置可以例如基于波的传输和反射波的检测之间流逝的时间量来确定。 与表面接触的物体可与发射波相互作用，导致至少一部分发射波的衰减，重定向和/或反射。 可以测量与对象相互作用后的传输波能的部分，以确定对象在设备表面上的触摸位置。

公开(公告)号：WO2018218080A1

公开(公告)日：2018-11-29

申请号：PCT/US2018/034484

申请日：2018-05-24

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： KHAJEH, Ehsan ,  KING, Brian Michael ,  YEKE YAZDANDOOST, Mohammad ,  YIP, Marcus ,  TUCKER, Aaron Scott ,  YOUSEFPOR, Marduke ,  KARDASSAKIS, Peter Jon ,  GOZZINI, Giovanni ,  DATTA, Supratik ,  HUSSAIN, Asif

IPC: G06F3/043

CPC classification number: G06F3/0414 ,  G06F1/1605 ,  G06F1/1656 ,  G06F3/03545 ,  G06F3/0436 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04105

Abstract: Acoustic touch and/or force sensing system architectures and methods for acoustic touch and/or force sensing can be used to detect a position of an object touching a surface and an amount of force applied to the surface by the object. The position and/or an applied force can be determined using time-of-flight (TOF) techniques, for example. Acoustic touch sensing can utilize transducers (e.g., piezoelectric) to simultaneously transmit ultrasonic waves along a surface and through a thickness of a deformable material. The location of the object and the applied force can be determined based on the amount of time elapsing between the transmission of the waves and receipt of the reflected waves. In some examples, an acoustic touch sensing system can be insensitive to water contact on the device surface, and thus acoustic touch sensing can be used for touch sensing in devices that may become wet or fully submerged in water.

公开(公告)号：EP4102220A1

公开(公告)日：2022-12-14

申请号：EP22177825.1

申请日：2022-06-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： MCCORD, Michael K. ,  KHAJEH, Ehsan ,  KING, Brian M. ,  CHEN, Tong ,  SHANJANI, Yaser

IPC: G01N29/04 ,  G01N29/44

Abstract: Acoustic optical integrity detection system architectures and methods can be used to detect optical integrity of an optical component by detecting a discontinuity on and/or in the optical component (e.g., on the optical surface and/or within the bulk of the optical component). In some examples, integrity detection can be used to ensure safety compliance of an optical system, optionally including a laser. Acoustic integrity detection can utilize transducers (e.g., piezoelectric transducers) to transmit ultrasonic waves along an optical surface and/or through the thickness of an optical component. A discontinuity of the optical surface can interact with the transmitted wave causing attenuation, redirection and/or reflection of at least a portion of the transmitted wave. Portions of the transmitted wave energy after interaction with the discontinuity can be measured to determine discontinuity location, type, and/or severity.

公开(公告)号：EP4089514A1

公开(公告)日：2022-11-16

申请号：EP22171965.1

申请日：2022-05-06

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： KHAJEH, Ehsan ,  HIEMSTRA, Daniel J. ,  MAK, George Ho Yin ,  KWOK, Wai Man Raymund ,  POSTAK, Sonja R. ,  EVERHART, Camille L. ,  LI, Hoishun

IPC: G06F3/043 ,  G06V40/13

Abstract: Improving the accuracy of ultrasonic touch sensing and fingerprint imaging using acoustic impedance matching is disclosed. Acoustic impedance mismatches between an ultrasonic transducer array and a sensing plate can be reduced to maximize energy transfer and minimize parasitic reflections. A reduction in acoustic impedance mismatches can be accomplished using (i) a composite epoxy having a higher acoustic impedance than epoxy alone, (ii) one or more matching layers having an acoustic impedance that is approximately the geometric mean of the acoustic impedance of the sensing plate and the acoustic impedance of the transducer array, (iii) pores or perforations in the sensing plate, or (iv) geometric structures formed in the sensing plate. In addition, parasitic reflections can be suppressed using an absorbent layer.