Abstract:
An electronic device may be provided with a housing in which display structures are mounted. Additional input-output devices such as a track pad may also be mounted in the housing. These input-output devices may include components such as touch sensors and force sensors for gathering input from a user. The display structures may include a display such as a flexible organic light-emitting diode display or a liquid crystal display that can present visual information to the user. To provide the user with tactile output, an output device such as a display or track pad may be provided with electroactive polymer structures, electromagnetic actuators, and other tactile output devices. The tactile output devices may provide protrusions, indentations, selectively stiffened and softened areas, and other tactile output for a user.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing localized tactile output and systems and methods for obtaining localized physical characteristic information are disclosed. An electronic device can include a friction transducer configured to augment and/or detect friction between a surface of an electronic device and an object in contact with that electronic device. The electronic device may also include a force transducer configured to detect the force with which an object contacts a display. The force transducer may also provide mechanical output. The electronic device can also include a thermal transducer to augment and/or detect the temperature of various locations on a display.
Abstract:
An article includes an optically transparent substrate, an amorphous carbon layer formed on at least a portion of the optically transparent substrate, and an oleophobic layer attached to the optically transparent substrate by the amorphous carbon layer. The oleophobic coating, where present, may be attached to the substrate through the amorphous carbon layer. The article may be used as a cover for an electronic device.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing localized tactile output and systems and methods for obtaining localized physical characteristic information are disclosed. An electronic device can include a friction transducer configured to augment and/or detect friction between a surface of an electronic device and an object in contact with that electronic device. The electronic device may also include a force transducer configured to detect the force with which an object contacts a display. The force transducer may also provide mechanical output. The electronic device can also include a thermal transducer to augment and/or detect the temperature of various locations on a display.
Abstract:
A force sensor and force-sensing structure (200a, 200b, 200c, 200d) for use as input to an electronic device (100). A user touch event may be sensed on a display (104), enclosure, or other surface associated with an electronic device using a force sensor adapted to determine the magnitude of force of the touch event. The sensor output, corresponding to the magnitude of force, may be used as an input signal, input data, or other input information to the electronic device. A force sensor may include an array of upper electrodes (211) disposed on a first substrate (210) and a compliant medium (230) disposed in a gap between the first substrate and a second substrate (220). At least one lower electrode (221) may be disposed on the second substrate. The first substrate may be configured to deflect relative to the second substrate over a localized region when a force is applied to the force-receiving surface.