Multi-sensing control button and process

Abstract

Multi-sensing control buttons and processes are provided. In embodiments of the technology presented herein, a control button includes a body, a touch sensor proximate a first surface of the body, a force sensor, and a multi-sensing controller, the multi-sensing controller is connected to the touch sensor and the force sensor and is configured to identify a touch event based on a simulated response of the touch sensor and identify a force event based on a simulated response of the force sensor.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 703,616, filed October 4, 2024, entitled “Multi-sensor control button and processing”, and U.S. Non-Provisional Application Serial No. 19 / 187,838, filed April 23, 2025, entitled “Multi-sensor control button and processing”, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to multi-sensor control buttons and processing. Background Technology

[0004] Computing devices include user interface devices, control buttons, touch sensor sliders, touch sensor buttons, etc. Capacitive sensing devices are sometimes used to replace mechanical buttons, knobs, and other similar mechanical user interface controls in user interface devices. Capacitive sensing devices have relatively fewer complex mechanical parts, springs, etc., and can generally operate reliably under harsh conditions. In addition, capacitive sensing devices are widely used in modern customer applications, making it relatively easy to develop new user interface options in existing products. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, some concepts further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key elements or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] In an embodiment of the technology proposed herein, a control button includes a body, a touch sensor, a force sensor, and a multi-sensor controller located near a first surface of the body. The multi-sensor controller is connected to the touch sensor and the force sensor and is configured to identify touch events based on analog responses from the touch sensor and force events based on analog responses from the force sensor.

[0007] In an embodiment of the technology proposed herein, a multi-sensor controller includes a sensor interface and a processor configured to receive analog touch data through the sensor interface, identify touch events based on the touch data, receive analog force data through the sensor interface, identify force events based on the force data, and transmit the touch events and force events to a device.

[0008] In an implementation of the technology proposed herein, a method includes receiving analog touch data via a sensor interface, identifying touch events based on the touch data, receiving analog force data via a sensor interface, identifying force events based on the force data, and transmitting the touch events and force events to a device.

[0009] In an embodiment of the technology proposed herein, a system includes: means for receiving analog touch data via a sensor interface, means for identifying touch events based on the touch data, means for receiving analog force data via a sensor interface, means for identifying force events based on the force data, and means for transmitting touch events and force events to the means.

[0010] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, the following description and accompanying drawings illustrate certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These merely indicate a few of the various methods in which one or more aspects may be adopted. Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1A and Figure 1B This is a view of the control buttons according to some implementation methods.

[0012] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a view of the control buttons according to some implementation methods.

[0013] Figure 3A and Figure 3B This is a view of the control buttons according to some implementation methods.

[0014] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a view of the control buttons according to some implementation methods.

[0015] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is a view of the control buttons according to some implementation methods.

[0016] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a view of the control buttons according to some implementation methods.

[0017] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is a view of the control buttons according to some implementation methods.

[0018] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a view of the control buttons according to some implementation methods.

[0019] Figure 9A and Figure 9B This is a view of the control buttons according to some implementation methods.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a multi-sensor controller according to some implementation methods. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The claimed subject matter will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used throughout to refer to the same elements. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth for illustrative purposes to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it may be apparent that the claimed subject matter can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate the description of the claimed subject matter.

[0022] It should be understood that the following description of the embodiments should not be considered limiting. The scope of this disclosure is not intended to be limited by the embodiments or drawings described below, which are to be regarded as illustrative only. The drawings should be regarded as schematic representations, and the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Rather, various elements are shown such that their function and general purpose will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0023] All numerical values ​​in the specific embodiments and claims herein are indicated values ​​modified by “about” or “approximately”, and take into account experimental errors and variations that would be expected by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0024] Figure 1A and Figure 1B This is a diagram of a control button 100 supported within a housing 102 of a device 104, according to some embodiments. Figure 1A A view along the width of the control button 100 is shown, and Figure 1B A view along the length of the control button 100 is shown. In some embodiments, the control button 100 includes a multi-sensor controller 106 mounted to a printed circuit board 108 and connected to at least one touch sensor 110 and at least one force sensor 112. Figure 1A and Figure 1BIn some embodiments, the printed circuit board 108 and the multi-sensor controller 106 are mounted horizontally (e.g., parallel to the upper surface of the control button 100). The number of touch sensors 110 and force sensors 112 can vary. In some embodiments, the control button 100 includes a body 114, which may include molding material encapsulating the multi-sensor controller 106, touch sensors 110, and force sensors 112. In some embodiments, the touch sensor 110 includes a capacitive sensor that enables the multi-sensor controller 106 to identify touch events from a user's finger 116, such as a single tap, double tap, finger swipe, or other touch events, based on the response of the touch sensor 110. In some embodiments, one or more mechanical switches 118 may be provided near the control button 100 to generate a digital displacement indication of the control button 100 being pressed down. The output of the mechanical switches 118 may be recorded by the device 104 instead of the multi-sensor controller 106. In some implementations, one or more springs 120 (e.g., leaf springs, coil springs, cantilever springs, spring contacts, or some other type of spring) are positioned below the control button 100 to provide resistance to the force applied to the control button 100 by the user's finger 116.

[0025] A portion of force sensor 112 may extend below housing 102 and enable the measurement of displacement relative to housing 102 representing the force applied from user's finger 116 to control button 100. Force sensor 112 may be a capacitive or inductive sensor that generates an analog signal indicating displacement of control button 100 relative to housing 102 based on the force applied by user's finger 116. The relative displacement between force sensor 112 and housing 102 causes a change in the capacitive or inductive characteristics of force sensor 112, which is read by multi-sensor controller 106 to identify a force event based on the magnitude and direction of the force (e.g., force or displacement). The type of force event associated with displacement of control button 100 can be determined based on the direction of the force or displacement measured according to the response of force sensor 112. For example, if the magnitude of the force measured by two force sensors 112 has the same direction, a downward force event (i.e., a click event) is indicated for control button 100. However, if the magnitude of the force measured by two force sensors 112 has different directions, a tilt event is indicated for control button 100. like Figure 1B As shown, the touch sensor 110 can be positioned along the upper surface of the extension 114E of the control button 100 to detect different touch events, such as left-side touch events, middle-side touch events, right-side touch events, left-to-right finger swipe events, or right-to-left finger swipe events. In some embodiments, force events include displacement measurements generated based on the response of the force sensor 112.

[0026] The multi-sensor controller 106 can transmit touch events detected using the touch sensor 110 or force events detected using the force sensor 112 to the device 104 to generate user interface input that can be processed by the device 104. The action taken by the device 104 can depend on the type of touch or force event detected. For example, different actions can be associated with a single tap, double tap, or finger swipe recorded by the touch sensor 110, or with a single click, double click, sustained press, or tilt event recorded by the force sensor 112. In embodiments where the force event is a displacement measurement result, the device 104 can identify a click event based on distance and a sustained press if the displacement remains within a predetermined range over a predetermined time interval.

[0027] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a top view of the control buttons 100 according to some implementation methods. Figure 2A In one embodiment, three touch sensors 110 are disposed on the surface of the extension 114E of the main body 114, and three segmentable capacitive force sensors 112 are disposed in the base 114B. Figure 2B In one embodiment, three touch sensors 110 are disposed on the surface of the extension 114E of the main body 114, and three inductive force sensors 112 are disposed in the base 114B.

[0028] Figure 3A and Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram of a control button 300 supported within a housing 302 of a device 304, according to some embodiments. Figure 3A A view along the width of the control button 300 is shown, and Figure 3B A view along the length of the control button 300 is shown. In some embodiments, the control button 300 includes a multi-sensor controller 306 mounted to a printed circuit board 308 and connected to at least one touch sensor 310 and at least one force sensor 312. Figure 3A and Figure 3BIn some embodiments, the printed circuit board 308 and the multi-sensor controller 306 are mounted vertically (e.g., perpendicular to the upper surface of the control button 300). This vertical orientation reduces the width of the control button 300, allowing the device 304 to have a thinner form factor. The touch sensor 310 can be exposed through an opening 302O in the housing 302. The number of touch sensors 310 and force sensors 312 can vary. In some embodiments, the control button 300 includes a body 314, which may include a molding material encapsulating the multi-sensor controller 306, touch sensors 310, and force sensors 312. In some embodiments, the touch sensor 310 includes a capacitive sensor that allows the multi-sensor controller 306 to sense touch events from a user's finger 316, such as a single tap, double tap, swipe, or other touch events. In some embodiments, one or more mechanical switches 318 may be positioned near the control button 300 to generate a digital displacement indication that the control button 300 has been pressed down. The output of the mechanical switch 318 can be recorded by device 304 instead of multi-sensor controller 306. In some embodiments, one or more springs 320 (e.g., leaf springs, coil springs, cantilever springs, or some other type of spring) are positioned below the control button 300 to provide resistance to the force applied to the control button 300 by the user's finger 316.

[0029] A portion of the force sensor 312 may extend below the housing 302, enabling the measurement of displacement relative to the housing 302. In some embodiments, the housing has a thicker portion 302T to facilitate greater overlap with the force sensor 312. Figure 3A and Figure 3B In this embodiment, the force sensor 312 is shown as an inductive sensor, but a capacitive sensor can be used. In the case of an inductive sensor, the printed circuit board 308 may have multiple layers to increase the sensitivity of the force sensor 312.

[0030] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of a control button 300 according to some implementation methods. (and) Figure 3A and Figure 3B In contrast to the previous implementation, the multi-sensor controller 306 is mounted on a second printed circuit board 322, which is separate from the main body 314 and connected to a circuit board 308 on which the touch sensor 310 and force sensor 312 are mounted via a flexible cable 324.

[0031] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is a schematic diagram of a control button 100 according to some implementation methods. Figure 1A and Figure 1BIn contrast to the previous implementation, the multi-sensor controller 106 is mounted on the top surface of the printed circuit board 108, and the force sensor 112 is located on the bottom side of the printed circuit board near the support member 140. This arrangement can be used when the housing 102 is non-conductive (e.g., plastic). The force sensor 112 measures displacement relative to the support member 140. The force sensor 112 can be a capacitive or inductive sensor. However, in embodiments where the support member 140 is not grounded and / or the control button 100 is used in an environment exposed to moisture, water droplets, etc., an inductive force sensor may be used.

[0032] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram of a control button 100 according to some implementation methods. Figure 1A and Figure 1B Compared to other implementations, in this embodiment, the multi-sensor controller 106 is mounted to the second printed circuit board 144 and connected to the printed circuit board 108. The touch sensor 110 is connected to the printed circuit board 108, and the first component 112A of the force sensor 112 is mounted to the printed circuit board 108. The second component 112B of the force sensor 112 is mounted to the printed circuit board 144. A flexible cable 146 connects the printed circuit board 108 to the printed circuit board 144. The force sensor 112 measures the capacitance or inductance between components 112A and 112B. In some embodiments, the printed circuit board 108 is omitted, the first component 112A is positioned near the bottom surface of the body 114, and the touch sensor 110 and the first component 112A are connected to the multi-sensor controller 106 via the flexible cable 146.

[0033] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is a diagram of a control button 700 supported within a housing 702 of a device 704, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the control button 700 includes a multi-sensor controller 706 connected to at least one touch sensor 710 and at least one force sensor 712. The force sensor 712 includes a strain gauge mounted to a spring 718 (e.g., a leaf spring) and connected to the multi-sensor controller 706 via a flexible cable 730. Figure 7A In this implementation, the multi-sensor controller 706 and the touch sensor 710 are connected to a printed circuit board 708 and are encapsulated by the body 714 of the control button 700. Figure 7BIn one embodiment, touch sensor 710 is connected to printed circuit board 708 and encapsulated by body 714. Printed circuit board 708 is connected to second printed circuit board 732 via flexible cable 734, and flexible cable 730 connects force sensor 712 to multi-sensor controller 706 via printed circuit board 732. In some embodiments, control button 100 includes a support 736 that applies force to spring 718 when a corresponding force is applied to the top surface of the control button. The number of touch sensors 710 and force sensors 712 can vary.

[0034] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a diagram of a control button 800 supported within a housing 802 of a device 804, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the control button 800 includes a multi-sensor controller 806 connected to at least one touch sensor 810 and at least one force sensor 812. The force sensor 812 includes a piezoelectric thin-film sensor disposed on a support surface 820 and connected to the multi-sensor controller 806 via a flexible cable 830. Figure 8A In this implementation, the multi-sensor controller 806 and the touch sensor 810 are connected to the printed circuit board 808 and are encapsulated by the body 814 of the control button 800. Figure 8B In one embodiment, the touch sensor 810 is connected to a printed circuit board 808 and is encapsulated by a body 814. The printed circuit board 808 is connected to a second printed circuit board 832 via a flexible cable 834, and the flexible cable 830 connects the force sensor 812 to the multi-sensor controller 806 via the printed circuit board 832.

[0035] Figure 9A and Figure 9B This is a diagram of a control button 900 supported within a housing 902 of a device 904, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the control button 900 includes a multi-sensor controller 906 connected to at least one touch sensor 910 and at least one force sensor 912. The force sensor 912 includes a capacitive micromechanical ultrasonic transducer connected to a gel pad 913 to facilitate pressure detection. The gel pad 913 is disposed on a support surface 919 and connected to the multi-sensor controller 906 via a flexible cable 930. Figure 9A In this embodiment, the multi-sensor controller 906 and the touch sensor 910 are connected to a printed circuit board 908 and are encapsulated by the body 914 of the control button 900. A mechanical switch 918 and a spring 920 can contact a support surface 919. Figure 9BIn one embodiment, the touch sensor 910 is connected to a printed circuit board 908 and is encapsulated by a body 914. The printed circuit board 908 is connected to a second printed circuit board 932 via a flexible cable 934, and the force sensor 912 is connected to a multi-sensor controller 906 via the printed circuit board 932.

[0036] Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 8A , Figure 8B , Figure 9A , Figure 9B The implementation methods can be combined in any way. For example, the description of touch event and force event handling applies to all implementation methods. Even if not shown herein, elements such as mechanical switches, springs, and support surfaces can be incorporated into any implementation method. Sensor fusion methods that utilize sensor signals from different physical sources (e.g., capacitive, inductive, force, or other types) provide enhanced performance and improved system reliability under harsh conditions.

[0037] Figure 10 This is a diagram of a multi-sensor controller 1000 according to some embodiments. The multi-sensor controller 1000 may implement one or more of the multi-sensor sensors 106, 306 described herein. In some embodiments, the multi-sensor controller 1000 includes a bus 1002, a processor 1004, a memory 1006 storing software instructions or operations, an input device 1008, an output device 1010, a communication interface 1012, and one or more sensor interfaces 1014. The touch sensor 110 or force sensor 112 described herein may interface with the multi-sensor controller 1000 via at least one sensor interface 1014. The sensor interface 1014 may include multiple channels, wherein multiple sensors 110, 112 may be connected and processed in parallel, or one or more channels may be shared by multiple sensors 110, 112 and processed sequentially using time-interleaved methods. Sensor interface 1014 may be an analog interface, which may be programmable or configurable to support different types of sensors 110, 112, and may include analog circuitry, such as amplifiers, comparators, analog-to-digital converters, or other circuitry that converts analog inputs into digital outputs for processing by processor 1004. Multi-sensor controller 1000 may include... Figure 10The components shown include fewer components, additional components, different components, and / or different arrangements of components.

[0038] According to some implementations, bus 1002 includes paths enabling communication between components of the multi-sensor controller 1000. For example, bus 1002 may include a system bus, address bus, data bus, and / or control bus. Bus 1002 may also include bus drivers, bus arbitrators, bus interfaces, clocks, etc. Processor 1004 includes one or more processors, microprocessors, data processors, coprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), controllers, programmable logic devices, chipsets, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific instruction set processors (ASIPs), system-on-a-chip (SoCs), central processing units (CPUs) (e.g., one or more cores), microcontrollers, and / or other types of components that interpret and / or execute instructions and / or data. Processor 1004 may be implemented as hardware (e.g., microprocessors, etc.), a combination of hardware and software (e.g., SoCs, ASICs, etc.), and may include one or more memories (e.g., caches, etc.).

[0039] Processor 1004 performs one or more operations based on an operating system and / or various applications or computer programs (e.g., software). Processor 1004 accesses instructions from memory 1006, other components of the multi-sensor controller 1000, and / or sources outside the multi-sensor measurement controller 1000 (e.g., a network, another device, etc.). Processor 1004 may perform operations and / or processing based on various techniques including, for example, multithreading, parallel processing, pipelined, cross-access, etc.

[0040] In some embodiments, memory 1006 includes one or more memories and / or one or more other types of storage media. For example, memory 1006 may include one or more types of memory, such as random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), static random access memory (SRAM), single in-line memory module (SIMM), dual in-line memory module (DIMM), flash memory, and / or some other suitable types of memory. Memory 1006 may include hard disks, magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, solid-state drives, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based storage media, nanotechnology-based storage media, and / or some other suitable disks. Memory 1006 may include drives for reading from and writing to the storage media. The memory 1006 may be external to the multi-sensor controller 1000 and / or removable from the multi-sensor 1000, for example, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick, dongle, hard disk, mass storage device, offline storage device, or some other type of storage medium (e.g., CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, etc.). The memory 1006 may store data, software, and / or instructions related to the operation of the control button 100.

[0041] Communication interface 1012 enables the multi-sensor controller 1000 to communicate with other devices, networks, systems, sensors, etc., on the network. Communication interface 1012 may include one or more wireless interfaces and / or wired interfaces. For example, communication interface 1012 may include one or more transmitters and receivers or transceivers. Communication interface 1012 can operate according to protocol stacks and communication standards. In some embodiments, communication interface 1012 includes an antenna. Communication interface 1012 may include various processing logic or circuitry (e.g., multiplexing / demultiplexing, filtering, amplification, conversion, error correction, etc.). In some embodiments, communication interface 1012 operates using one or more of long-range wireless protocols, short-range wireless protocols, or wired protocols.

[0042] In some implementations, input device 1008 allows input to the multi-sensor controller 1000. For example, input device 1008 may include a keyboard, mouse, display, touchscreen, non-touchscreen, button, switch, input port, voice recognition logic, and / or other suitable visual, auditory, or tactile input components. Touch sensor array 202 may be incorporated into input device 1008. Output device 1010 allows output from the multi-sensor controller 1000. For example, output device 1010 may include a speaker, display, touchscreen, non-touchscreen, projection display, lamp, output port, and / or other suitable visual, auditory, or tactile output components.

[0043] In an embodiment of the technology proposed herein, a control button includes a body, a touch sensor, a force sensor, and a multi-sensor controller located near a first surface of the body. The multi-sensor controller is connected to the touch sensor and the force sensor and is configured to identify touch events based on analog responses from the touch sensor and force events based on analog responses from the force sensor.

[0044] In an embodiment of the technology proposed herein, the control button includes a printed circuit board, wherein a multi-sensor controller is mounted on the printed circuit board, the multi-sensor controller is connected to a touch sensor via the printed circuit board, and the multi-sensor controller is connected to a force sensor via the printed circuit board.

[0045] In the implementation of the technology proposed herein, the printed circuit board is perpendicular to the first surface.

[0046] In the implementation of the technology proposed in this paper, the main body encapsulates a touch sensor, a force sensor, a printed circuit board, and a multi-sensor controller.

[0047] In an embodiment of the technology proposed herein, the control button includes a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board connected to the first printed circuit board, wherein a touch sensor is connected to the first printed circuit board, a force sensor is connected to the first printed circuit board, and a multi-sensor controller is mounted to the second printed circuit board.

[0048] In an embodiment of the technology proposed herein, the control button includes a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board connected to the first printed circuit board, wherein a touch sensor is connected to the first printed circuit board, a force sensor is connected to the second printed circuit board, and a multi-sensor controller is mounted on the second printed circuit board.

[0049] In an embodiment of the technology proposed herein, the control button includes a support member, wherein the analog response of the force sensor is based on displacement relative to the support member.

[0050] In the implementation of the technology proposed herein, the analog response of the force sensor is based on the displacement relative to the housing of the device associated with the control button.

[0051] In an embodiment of the technology proposed herein, the main body includes a base supporting a touch sensor and an extension extending from the base and supporting a force sensor.

[0052] In the embodiments of the technology proposed herein, the force sensor includes at least one of a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a strain gauge, a piezoelectric thin-film sensor, or a capacitive micromechanical ultrasonic transducer.

[0053] In an embodiment of the technology proposed herein, the control button includes a mechanical switch configured to generate a digital signal indicating the displacement of the subject.

[0054] In an implementation of the technology proposed herein, a multi-sensor controller includes a sensor interface and a processor. The processor is configured to receive analog touch data through the sensor interface, identify touch events based on the analog touch data, receive analog force data through the sensor interface, identify force events based on the analog force data, and transmit the touch events and force events to a device.

[0055] In the implementation of the technology proposed in this paper, the simulated touch data includes capacitance data.

[0056] In the implementation of the technology proposed herein, the simulated force data includes displacement data, which indicates the displacement associated with the control button.

[0057] In the implementation of the technology proposed herein, a touch event includes at least one of a touch or a swipe.

[0058] In the implementation of the technology proposed herein, the force event includes at least one of clicking the control button or tilting the control button.

[0059] In an implementation of the technology proposed herein, a method includes receiving analog touch data via a sensor interface, identifying touch events based on the analog touch data, receiving analog force data via a sensor interface, identifying force events based on the analog force data, and transmitting the touch events and force events to a device.

[0060] In the implementation of the technology proposed herein, receiving analog touch data includes receiving capacitance data.

[0061] In the implementation of the technology proposed herein, receiving analog force data includes receiving at least one of capacitance data, inductance data, force data, or displacement data.

[0062] In an implementation of the technology proposed herein, receiving analog force data includes receiving displacement data, which indicates the displacement relative to the housing of the device associated with the control button.

[0063] The term "computer-readable medium" can include communication media. Communication media typically implement computer-readable instructions or other data in a "modulated data signal" such as a carrier chip or other transmission mechanism, and include any information delivery medium. The term "modulated data signal" can include a signal whose characteristics are set or altered in a manner that encodes information in the signal.

[0064] Any aspect or design described herein as an “example” or similar is not necessarily to be construed as superior to other aspects or designs. Rather, the use of the word “example” is intended to illustrate one possible aspect and / or implementation that may relate to the technology presented herein. Such examples are not necessary for such technology or are intended to be limiting. Various implementations of such technology may include such examples, alone or in combination with other features, and / or the examples shown may be modified and / or omitted.

[0065] Various operations are provided in this document for various embodiments. In the embodiments, one or more of the described operations may constitute computer-readable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable media, which, if executed by a computing device, will cause the computing device to perform the described operations. The order in which some or all of the operations are described should not be construed as implying that these operations must be sequentially related. Alternative orderings may be implemented without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, it should be understood that not all operations are required to be present in every embodiment provided herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that in some embodiments, not all operations are necessary.

[0066] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as examples of implementing at least some of the claims.

[0067] As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless otherwise stated or clearly indicated from the context, "X adopts A or B" is intended to mean any natural inclusive arrangement. That is, if X adopts A; X adopts B; or X adopts both A and B, then "X adopts A or B" is satisfied in any of the foregoing cases. Additionally, unless otherwise stated or clearly indicated from the context, the articles "a" and "an" used in this application and the appended claims can generally be interpreted as meaning "one or more". Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, "first", "second", etc., are not intended to imply temporal, spatial, or sequential aspects. Rather, such terms are used only as identifiers, names, etc., for features, elements, items, etc. For example, a first element and a second element generally correspond to element A and element B, or two different or two identical elements, or the same element.

[0068] Furthermore, although this disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding of this specification and the accompanying drawings. This disclosure includes all such modifications and variations and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims. In particular, with respect to the various functions performed by the aforementioned components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), unless otherwise indicated, the terminology used to describe such components is intended to correspond to any component that performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., is functionally equivalent), even if it is not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure that performs the function in the example implementations of this disclosure shown herein. Additionally, although specific features of this disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such features may be combined with one or more other features of other implementations, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variations thereof are used in the Detailed Description or claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive rather than encompassing, similar to the term “comprising.”

Claims

1. A control button, comprising: main body; A touch sensor located near the first surface of the body; Force sensor; as well as A multi-sensor controller, connected to the touch sensor and the force sensor, is configured to: Touch events are identified based on the simulated response of the touch sensor; as well as Force events are identified based on the simulated response of the force sensor.

2. The control button according to claim 1, comprising: Printed circuit board, wherein: The multi-sensor controller is mounted on the printed circuit board; The multi-sensor controller is connected to the touch sensor via the printed circuit board; and The multi-sensor controller is connected to the force sensor via the printed circuit board.

3. The control button according to claim 2, wherein: The printed circuit board is perpendicular to the first surface.

4. The control button according to claim 2, wherein: The main body encapsulates the touch sensor, the force sensor, the printed circuit board, and the multi-sensor controller.

5. The control button according to claim 1, comprising: First printed circuit board; as well as A second printed circuit board connected to the first printed circuit board, wherein: The touch sensor is connected to the first printed circuit board; The force sensor is connected to the first printed circuit board; and The multi-sensor controller is mounted on the second printed circuit board.

6. The control button according to claim 1, comprising: first printed circuit board; as well as A second printed circuit board connected to the first printed circuit board, wherein: The touch sensor is connected to the first printed circuit board; The force sensor is connected to the second printed circuit board; and The multi-sensor controller is mounted on the second printed circuit board.

7. The control button according to claim 1, comprising: A support member, wherein the simulated response of the force sensor is based on displacement relative to the support member.

8. The control button according to claim 1, wherein: The simulated response of the force sensor is based on the displacement relative to the housing of the device associated with the control button.

9. The control button according to claim 1, wherein: The subject includes: The base supporting the touch sensor; and An extension that extends from the base and supports the force sensor.

10. The control button according to claim 1, wherein: The force sensor includes at least one of a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a strain gauge, a piezoelectric thin film sensor, or a capacitive micromechanical ultrasonic transducer.

11. The control button according to claim 1, comprising: A mechanical switch configured to generate a digital signal indicating the displacement of the body.

12. A multi-sensor controller, comprising: Sensor interface; as well as The processor is configured to: Receive simulated touch data through the sensor interface; Touch events are identified based on the simulated touch data; Receive analog force data through the sensor interface; Force events are identified based on the simulated force data; as well as The touch event and the force event are transmitted to the device.

13. The multi-sensor controller according to claim 12, wherein: The simulated touch data includes capacitance data.

14. The multi-sensor controller according to claim 12, wherein: The simulated force data includes displacement data, which indicates the displacement associated with the control button.

15. The multi-sensor controller according to claim 12, wherein: The touch event includes at least one of a touch or a swipe.

16. The multi-sensor controller according to claim 12, wherein: The force event includes at least one of clicking a control button or tilting a control button.

17. A control method, comprising: Receives analog touch data via a sensor interface; Touch events are identified based on the simulated touch data; Receive analog force data through the sensor interface; Force events are identified based on the simulated force data; as well as The touch event and the force event are transmitted to the device.

18. The control method according to claim 17, wherein: Receiving the simulated touch data includes receiving capacitance data.

19. The control method according to claim 17, wherein: Receiving the simulated force data includes receiving at least one of capacitance data, inductance data, force data, or displacement data.

20. The control method according to claim 17, wherein: Receiving the simulated force data includes receiving displacement data, which indicates the displacement relative to the housing of the device associated with the control button.

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