Touch-sensitive display assembly with three-dimensional display cover

Abstract

A touch-sensitive display assembly is provided. The touch-sensitive display assembly includes a three-dimensional display cover defining an interior volume. The three-dimensional display cover includes a central portion and a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion extends around the periphery of the interior volume. The touch-sensitive display assembly includes a display panel disposed within the interior volume defined by the three-dimensional display cover having a central portion and a peripheral portion extending around the periphery of the interior volume. The touch-sensitive display further includes a first plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided to the central portion of the three-dimensional display cover and a second plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided to the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to touch-sensitive displays, and more particularly to touch-sensitive display assemblies having three-dimensional display covers. [Background technology]

[0002] Touch-sensitive displays can be included in various types of electronic devices (e.g., smartwatches, smartphones, thermostats). Electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays can include a display cover to protect the touch-sensitive display from being damaged (e.g., scratched or cracked). The display cover can be formed from a transparent material (e.g., glass). In this way, a user can view the touch-sensitive display through the display cover. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description that follows, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments.

[0004] In one aspect, a touch-sensitive display assembly is provided. The touch-sensitive display assembly includes a three-dimensional cover defining an interior volume. The three-dimensional cover includes a central portion and a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion extends around a periphery of the interior volume. The touch-sensitive display assembly further includes a first plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided to the central portion of the three-dimensional display cover and a second plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided to the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0005] In some embodiments, each of the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on a peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0006] In some embodiments, the second plurality of touch sensors are spaced apart from one another along a circumference of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0007] In some embodiments, each of the first plurality of touch sensors is included in a first layer of the plurality of layers of the display panel.

[0008] In some embodiments, each of the first plurality of touch sensors is disposed in a central portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0009] In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive display assembly further includes a controller, a first plurality of conductors, and a second plurality of conductors, each of the first plurality of conductors electrically coupling the controller to a corresponding touch sensor of the first plurality of touch sensors, and each of the second plurality of touch sensors electrically coupling the controller to a corresponding touch sensor of the second plurality of touch sensors.

[0010] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors are arranged on a perimeter portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least one of the first plurality of touch sensors or the second plurality of touch sensors is attached to a surface of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0012] In another aspect, a wearable computing device is provided. The wearable computing device includes a housing and a touch-sensitive display assembly. The touch-sensitive display includes a three-dimensional display cover. The three-dimensional display cover is disposed on the housing and defines an interior volume. The three-dimensional display cover includes a central portion and a peripheral portion extending around a periphery of the interior volume. The wearable computing device further includes a display panel at least partially disposed within the interior volume defined by the three-dimensional display cover. The touch-sensitive display assembly further includes a first plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided to the central portion of the three-dimensional display cover and a second plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided to the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0013] In some embodiments, each of the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on a peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0014] In some embodiments, each of the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on a peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0015] In some embodiments, each of the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on an area of the interior surface of the three-dimensional display cover that corresponds to a peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0016] In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive display assembly further includes a controller, a first plurality of conductors, and a second plurality of conductors, each of the first plurality of conductors electrically coupling the controller to a corresponding touch sensor of the first plurality of touch sensors, and each of the second plurality of touch sensors electrically coupling the controller to a corresponding touch sensor of the second plurality of touch sensors.

[0017] In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive display assembly further includes a plurality of conductors, each of the plurality of conductors coupling a corresponding touch sensor of the second plurality of touch sensors to a flexible printed circuit board arranged within a cavity defined by a housing of the wearable computing device.

[0018] In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive display assembly includes an opaque material disposed between the inner surface of the three-dimensional display cover and the plurality of conductors.

[0019] In some embodiments, the three-dimensional display cover defines a circumferential direction, and the second plurality of touch sensors are spaced apart from one another along the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the three-dimensional display cover comprises a glass material. In some embodiments, a central portion of the three-dimensional display cover is flat and a peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover is arcuate.

[0020] In some embodiments, the total number of touch sensors included in the first plurality of touch sensors is different from the total number of touch sensors included in the second plurality of touch sensors.

[0021] In some embodiments, at least one of the first plurality of touch sensors or the second plurality of touch sensors includes a capacitive sensor.

[0022] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain associated principles.

[0023] Detailed descriptions of embodiments directed to those skilled in the art are set forth herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a wearable computing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a wearable computing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an exploded view of a wearable computing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional display cover for a display of a wearable computing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of components of a touch-sensitive display assembly according to one embodiment of the disclosure. [Figure 6A] 6 illustrates the touch-sensitive display assembly of FIG. 5 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] 6 illustrates the touch-sensitive display assembly of FIG. 5 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6C] 6 illustrates the touch-sensitive display assembly of FIG. 5 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates the placement of touch sensors of a touch-sensitive display on a three-dimensional display cover, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates a touch sensor of a touch-sensitive display attached to a surface of a three-dimensional display cover, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates connections between a printed circuit board and conductors of a touch-sensitive display assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of components of a computing system of a wearable computing device, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the disclosure, and not as a limitation thereof. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. It is therefore intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0026] The present disclosure is directed to an electronic device having a three-dimensional display cover for a touch-sensitive display panel. The three-dimensional display cover defines an interior volume in which the touch-sensitive display panel is at least partially disposed to prevent the touch-sensitive display panel from being damaged (e.g., scratched or cracked). Furthermore, the three-dimensional display cover includes a central portion and a peripheral portion. The central portion is disposed above the touch-sensitive display. More specifically, the central portion is disposed directly above the touch-sensitive display panel. In some embodiments, the central portion disposed directly above the touch-sensitive display panel is flat.

[0027] The peripheral portion extends around the periphery of the interior volume. However, because the touch-sensitive display panel is either an on-cell display or an in-cell display, a user must touch the three-dimensional display cover at a specific location to provide touch input to the touch-sensitive display panel. More specifically, a user must touch a central portion of the three-dimensional display cover to provide touch input to the touch-sensitive display panel. In other words, a user cannot provide touch input by touching a peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0028] An exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a touch-sensitive display assembly. The touch-sensitive display assembly includes a three-dimensional display cover. The touch-sensitive display assembly further includes a display panel at least partially disposed within an interior volume of the three-dimensional cover. The display panel includes multiple layers (e.g., a display layer, a glass layer). The touch-sensitive display assembly further includes a first plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided to a central portion of the three-dimensional display cover and a second plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided to a peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover. Details of the first plurality of touch sensors and the second plurality of touch sensors are now described.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first plurality of touch sensors is included in a touch-sensitive display panel. For example, the first plurality of touch sensors can be included in a first layer (e.g., a touch layer) of multiple layers of the display panel. In some embodiments, the first layer can be the top layer of the display panel. In alternative embodiments, the first layer can be disposed below one or more other layers of the display panel (e.g., a polarizer layer, a glass layer, etc.).

[0030] In some embodiments, the first plurality of touch sensors are disposed on the three-dimensional display cover. For example, in some embodiments, the first plurality of touch sensors can be disposed on the inner surface of the three-dimensional display cover. As used herein, the "inner surface" of the three-dimensional display cover refers to the surface facing the interior volume of the three-dimensional display cover. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the first plurality of touch sensors are disposed on the inner surface of the three-dimensional display cover, it should be understood that the first plurality of touch sensors are disposed on an area of the inner surface corresponding to the central portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first plurality of touch sensors are disposed on the outer surface of the three-dimensional display cover. As used herein, the "outer surface" of the three-dimensional display cover refers to the surface that does not face the interior volume of the three-dimensional display cover. In embodiments in which the first plurality of touch sensors are disposed on the outer surface of the three-dimensional display cover, it should be understood that the first plurality of touch sensors are disposed on an area of the outer surface that corresponds to the central portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0032] The second plurality of sensors is disposed on a peripheral portion (e.g., a bezel) of the three-dimensional display cover. In this manner, the touch-sensitive display assembly of the present disclosure can detect touch input provided by a user touching the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover. In some embodiments, the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on an inner surface of the three-dimensional display cover. It should be understood that in such embodiments, the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on an area of the inner surface corresponding to the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover. In alternative embodiments, the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on an outer surface of the three-dimensional display cover. In such embodiments, the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on an area of the outer surface corresponding to the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0033] It should be understood that the first plurality of touch sensors and the second plurality of touch sensors can be attached to the three-dimensional display cover, particularly to its interior or exterior surface, in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the first plurality of touch sensors, the second plurality of touch sensors, or both can be attached to a surface (e.g., interior, exterior) of the three-dimensional display cover via a sputtering process.

[0034] The touch-sensitive display assembly includes a controller (e.g., one or more processors) electrically coupled to a plurality of touch sensors (e.g., a first plurality of touch sensors and a second plurality of touch sensors). For example, the touch-sensitive display can include a first plurality of conductors electrically coupling the controller to the first plurality of touch sensors and a second plurality of conductors electrically coupling the controller to the second plurality of touch sensors.

[0035] In some embodiments, each of the first plurality of conductors electrically couples the controller to a corresponding touch sensor of the first plurality of touch sensors. Further, each of the second plurality of conductors electrically couples the controller to a corresponding touch sensor of the second plurality of touch sensors. In alternative embodiments, each of the first plurality of first conductors electrically couples the controller to more than one of the first plurality of touch sensors. Further, each of the second plurality of conductors electrically couples the controller to more than one of the second plurality of touch sensors. In such embodiments, the total number of conductors required to electrically couple the controller to the first plurality of touch sensors may be less than the total number of conductors of the first plurality. Similarly, the total number of conductors required to electrically couple the controller to the second plurality of touch sensors may be less than the total number of touch sensors of the second plurality.

[0036] In some embodiments, a portion of the second plurality of conductors is arranged on an area of the inner surface of the three-dimensional display cover that corresponds to the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover. Furthermore, in such embodiments, the inner surface of the three-dimensional display cover may be covered with an opaque material (e.g., black ink). In this way, the portion of the conductors arranged on the area of the inner surface that corresponds to the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover can be hidden from the user's view.

[0037] In some embodiments, one or more of the first plurality of conductors can be sputtered onto a corresponding touch sensor of the first plurality of touch sensors. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the second plurality of conductors can be sputtered onto a corresponding touch sensor of the second plurality of touch sensors. It should be understood that the conductors can be attached to the touch sensors in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the conductors are deposited onto the touch sensors via silver paste. In some embodiments, the silver paste may be transparent. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the silver paste can be used to couple the conductors to a printed circuit on which a controller of the touch-sensitive display assembly is located.

[0038] In some embodiments, the second plurality of touch sensors are spaced apart along the circumference of the three-dimensional display cover. Further, in some embodiments, the second plurality of touch sensors may be evenly spaced apart from one another along the circumference. In this way, touch signals indicative of one or more of the second plurality of touch sensors detecting a user touching a peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover may be more uniform.

[0039] In some embodiments, the total number of touch sensors in the first plurality of touch sensors may be different from the total number of touch sensors in the second plurality of touch sensors. In alternative embodiments, the total number of touch sensors in the first plurality of touch sensors may be equal to the total number of touch sensors in the second plurality of touch sensors.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first plurality of touch sensors can be aligned in a central portion of the three-dimensional cover according to a first pattern (e.g., a rectangle). Further, the second plurality of touch sensors can be aligned in a peripheral portion of the three-dimensional cover according to a second pattern (e.g., a ring) that is different from the first pattern. It should be understood that the patterns (e.g., first pattern, second pattern) can correspond to the shapes of the corresponding portions (center, periphery) of the three-dimensional display cover. In this way, the touch sensors can be attached on the three-dimensional display cover so that they can detect touch input regardless of where the user touches the three-dimensional display cover.

[0041] An electronic device having a touch-sensitive display assembly according to the present disclosure can provide numerous technical effects and advantages. For example, a touch-sensitive display in which touch sensors are located on a peripheral portion (e.g., a bezel) of a three-dimensional display cover allows a user to provide touch input at a location other than a central portion of the three-dimensional display cover. Furthermore, a touch-sensitive display according to the present disclosure can eliminate the need for an electronic device to have a separate input device (e.g., a mechanical button) because functionality associated with the separate input device can be supported by touch input provided on the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

[0042] 1-3 illustrate a wearable computing device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the wearable computing device 100 can be worn, for example, on a user's arm 102 (e.g., wrist). The wearable computing device 100 can include a housing 110 defining a cavity 111 in which one or more electronic components (e.g., arranged on a printed circuit board) are arranged. For example, the wearable computing device 100 can include a printed circuit board 120 (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board) arranged within the cavity 111. Further, the one or more electronic components can be arranged on the printed circuit board 120. The wearable computing device 100 can further include a battery (not shown) arranged within the cavity 111 defined by the housing 110.

[0043] The wearable computing device 100 may include a first band 130 and a second band 132. As shown, the first band 130 may be coupled to the housing 110 at a first position thereon. Conversely, the second band 132 may be coupled to the housing 110 at a second position thereon. Additionally, the first band 130 and the second band 132 may be coupled to each other to secure the housing 110 to the user's arm 102.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first band 130 can include a buckle or clasp (not shown). Additionally, the second band 132 can include a plurality of openings (not shown) spaced apart from one another along the length of the second band 132. In such embodiments, a protrusion of a buckle associated with the first band 130 can extend through one of the plurality of openings defined by the second band 132 to couple the first band 130 to the second band 132.

[0045] It should be appreciated that any suitable type of fastener can be used to couple the first band 130 to the second band 132. For example, in some embodiments, the first band 130 and the second band 132 can include magnets. In such embodiments, the first band 130 and the second band 132 can be magnetically coupled to one another to secure the housing 110 to the user's arm 102.

[0046] As shown, wearable computing device 100 includes a display 140. Display 140 may display content for a user to view (e.g., time, date, biometrics, notifications, etc.). It should be understood that display 140 may include any suitable type of display. For example, in some embodiments, display 140 may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

[0047] Wearable computing device 100 may include a cover 150 disposed over display 140. In this manner, cover 150 may protect display 140 from damage (e.g., scraping or cracking). In some embodiments, wearable computing device 100 may include a seal (not shown) disposed between housing 110 and cover 150. For example, a first surface of the seal may contact housing 110 and a second surface of the seal may contact cover 150. In this manner, the seal between housing 110 and cover 150 may prevent liquid (e.g., water) from entering cavity 111 defined by housing 110.

[0048] It should be appreciated that cover 150 may be optically transparent so that a user can view information displayed on display 140. For example, in some embodiments, cover 150 may comprise a glass material. However, it should be appreciated that cover 150 may comprise any suitable optically transparent material.

[0049] 4, a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional display cover 200 is provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the three-dimensional display cover 200 can be used to protect the display 140 of the wearable computing device 100 (FIG. 1). More specifically, the three-dimensional display cover 200 can be used in place of the cover 150 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Details of the three-dimensional display cover 20 are described in further detail herein.

[0050] The three-dimensional display cover 200 can include an exterior surface 202 and an interior surface 204. Additionally, the three-dimensional display cover 200 can define an interior volume 210 in which the display 140 is disposed. As shown, the interior surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 can be molded to cover the interior volume 210. For example, the interior surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 can define a recess (e.g., the interior volume 210) in which the display 140 is at least partially disposed.

[0051] The three-dimensional display cover 200 may include a central portion 220. The central portion 220 includes an area of the three-dimensional display cover 200 that is disposed above the display 140. More specifically, the central portion 220 may be disposed directly above the touch-sensitive display 140. Furthermore, the periphery 221 of the central portion 220 of the three-dimensional display cover corresponds to (e.g., is the same as) the periphery of the display 140. In this manner, touch input provided by the user's finger 104 touching the central portion 220 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 may be detected by the display 140.

[0052] The three-dimensional display cover 200 further includes a peripheral portion 230. The peripheral portion 230 extends around the periphery 212 of the interior volume 210 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. Stated differently, the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 includes any area of the three-dimensional display cover 200 that is disposed outside the periphery of the display 140. Thus, touch input provided by the user's finger 104 touching the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 cannot be detected by the display 140.

[0053] As shown, the three-dimensional display cover 200 may have a shape corresponding to a dome. However, it should be understood that the three-dimensional display cover may have any suitable shape. For example, in some embodiments, the central portion 220 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 may be flat. Alternatively or additionally, the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 may be arcuate.

[0054] 5, a block diagram of components of a touch-sensitive display assembly 300 for use with a three-dimensional display cover is provided, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, touch-sensitive display assembly 300 may include three-dimensional display cover 200 described above with reference to FIG. 4. However, it should be understood that touch-sensitive display assembly 300 may include any suitable three-dimensional display cover for a display of an electronic device.

[0055] The touch-sensitive display assembly 300 can include a display panel 310. The display panel 310 can be at least partially disposed within the interior volume 210 ( FIG. 4 ) of the three-dimensional display cover 200. In this manner, the three-dimensional display cover 200 can protect the display panel 310 from damage (e.g., scratches or cracks). The display panel 310 can include multiple different layers. It should be understood that multiple different layers can be stacked together to form the display panel 310. It should also be understood that the layers may include different materials and / or components. For example, the display layer of the display panel 310 can include multiple pixels that can be controlled to display content for a user to view.

[0056] The touch-sensitive display assembly 300 includes a plurality of touch sensors 320 for detecting touch input provided by a user touching the three-dimensional display cover 200 ( FIG. 4 ). For example, the plurality of touch sensors 320 includes a first plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided by a user touching a central portion 220 ( FIG. 4 ) of the three-dimensional display cover 200, and a second plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided by a user touching a peripheral portion 230 ( FIG. 4 ) of the three-dimensional display cover 200.

[0057] In some embodiments, one or more of the touch sensors 320 may include a capacitive sensor whose capacitance changes when a touch input is provided at a location on the three-dimensional display cover 200 that corresponds to the capacitive sensor. However, it should be understood that the touch sensors 320 may include any suitable type of sensor configured to detect touch input provided by a user touching the three-dimensional display cover 200.

[0058] The touch-sensitive display assembly 300 includes a controller 330. The controller 330 may include one or more processors 332 and a memory 334. The processor(s) 332 may be communicatively coupled to multiple touch sensors 320. In this manner, the processor(s) may receive signals from multiple touch sensors 320. Additionally, the memory 334 may store instructions 336 that, when executed by the processor(s) 332, cause the processor(s) 332 to process signals received from the touch sensors 320 and perform one or more actions based on the location at which the touch input is provided. For example, in some embodiments, the processor(s) 332 may be configured to update the content displayed by the display panel 310, and specifically, its display layer.

[0059] 6A , a first embodiment of a touch-sensitive display assembly 300 ( FIG. 5 ) according to the present disclosure is provided. As shown, a plurality of touch sensors 320 may be disposed on the exterior surface 202 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. For example, a first plurality of touch sensors 320 may be disposed on a region of the exterior surface 202 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 corresponding to the central portion 220 of the three-dimensional display cover. Additionally, a second plurality of touch sensors 320 may be disposed on a region of the exterior surface 202 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 corresponding to the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover. In this manner, touch input provided by a user touching any portion of the three-dimensional display cover 200 (e.g., the central portion 220 and the peripheral portion 230) can be detected by the touch-sensitive display assembly 300.

[0060] As shown, touch-sensitive display assembly 300 can include multiple conductors 340 (only one is shown for simplicity). It should be understood that each of conductors 340 can electrically couple touch sensor 320 to controller 330 ( FIG. 5 ) of touch-sensitive display assembly 300. For example, in some embodiments, controller 330 can be arranged on printed circuit board 120 of wearable computing device 100 ( FIG. 1 ). In alternative embodiments, the touch controller can be arranged on a separate printed circuit board.

[0061] It should be understood that a portion of the conductors 340 can be disposed on the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. In some embodiments, an opaque material can be disposed on an area of the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 that corresponds to the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. Additionally, the portion of the conductors 340 disposed on the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 can be disposed on the opaque material. In this manner, the conductors 340 can be hidden from the user's view.

[0062] 6B , a second embodiment of a touch-sensitive display assembly 300 ( FIG. 5 ) according to the present disclosure is provided. As shown, a plurality of touch sensors 320 may be disposed on the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. For example, a first plurality of touch sensors 320 may be disposed on a region of the inner surface 204 corresponding to the central portion 220 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. Additionally, a second plurality of touch sensors 320 may be disposed on a region of the inner surface 204 corresponding to the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover. In this manner, touch input provided by a user touching any portion of the three-dimensional display cover 200 (e.g., the central portion 220 and the peripheral portion 230) can be detected by the touch-sensitive display assembly 300.

[0063] It should be understood that a portion of the conductors 340 can be disposed on the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. In some embodiments, an opaque material can be disposed on an area of the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 that corresponds to the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. Additionally, the portion of the conductors 340 disposed on the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 can be disposed on the opaque material. In this manner, the conductors 340 can be hidden from the user's view.

[0064] 6C , a third embodiment of a touch-sensitive display assembly 300 ( FIG. 5 ) according to the present disclosure is provided. As shown, the plurality of touch sensors 320 ( FIG. 5 ) may include a first plurality of touch sensors 322 arranged within a layer of the display panel 310. For example, the first plurality of touch sensors 322 may be arranged within a touch layer of the display panel 310. In this manner, the first plurality of touch sensors 322 may detect touch input provided by a user touching an area of the exterior surface 202 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 that corresponds to the center portion 220 of the three-dimensional display cover 200.

[0065] The plurality of touch sensors 320 (FIG. 5) further includes a second plurality of touch sensors 324 disposed on the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. More specifically, the second plurality of touch sensors 324 are disposed on an area of the inner surface 204 that corresponds to the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover. In this manner, the second plurality of touch sensors 324 can detect touch input provided by a user touching an area of the outer surface 202 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 that corresponds to the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200.

[0066] It should be appreciated that the conductors 340 electrically coupling the second plurality of touch sensors 324 to the controller 330 ( FIG. 5 ) of the touch-sensitive display assembly 300 can be arranged on a region of the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 that corresponds to the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. In some embodiments, an opaque material can be disposed on the region of the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 that corresponds to the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. Furthermore, the portions of the conductors 340 disposed on the inner surface 204 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 can be disposed on the opaque material. In this manner, the conductors 340 can be hidden from the user's view.

[0067] In some embodiments, the second plurality of touch sensors 324 may include sputtered touch sensors to facilitate coupling of each of the conductors 340 between the printed circuit board 120 and a corresponding touch sensor of the second plurality of touch sensors 324. In an alternative implementation, silver paste may be used to couple each of the conductors 340 to the printed circuit board 120. Additionally, in some embodiments, the printed circuit board 120 may be a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of copper electrodes. In such an embodiment, an end of each of the conductors 340 may be coupled to a corresponding copper electrode of the flexible printed circuit board via silver paste.

[0068] 7 , a plurality of touch sensors 320 are shown arranged on a three-dimensional display cover 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, a first plurality of touch sensors 320 may be disposed on a central portion 220 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. Additionally, a second plurality of touch sensors 320 may be disposed on a peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. In some embodiments, the total number of touch sensors 320 disposed on the central portion 220 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 may differ from the total number of touch sensors 320 disposed on the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. For example, the total number of touch sensors 320 disposed on the central portion 220 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 may exceed the total number of touch sensors 320 disposed on the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. In an alternative embodiment, the total number of touch sensors 320 disposed on the central portion 220 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 may be the same as the total number of touch sensors 320 disposed on the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200.

[0069] As shown, the second plurality of touch sensors 320 disposed on the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 may be spaced apart from one another along the circumferential direction. Alternatively or additionally, the second plurality of touch sensors 320 may, in some embodiments, occupy less than the entire peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200. For example, in some embodiments, there may be areas of the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 that do not have touch sensors 320 attached to the three-dimensional display cover 200. In this manner, these areas of the peripheral portion 230 of the three-dimensional display cover 200 may be referred to as "dead zone areas."

[0070] 8, a cross-sectional view of a touch sensor 320 deposited on a surface of a three-dimensional display cover is provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the touch sensor 320 can be bonded to the surface (e.g., exterior surface 202, interior surface 204) by a deposition process. In some embodiments, the deposition process may include sputtering. However, it should be understood that the touch sensor 320 can be bonded to the surface via any suitable chemical process.

[0071] Although touch-sensitive display assembly 300 ( FIG. 5 ) is described with reference to three-dimensional display cover 200 ( FIG. 4 ) for the display of wearable computing device 100 ( FIG. 1 ), it should be understood that touch-sensitive display assembly 300 is not intended to be so limited. For example, touch-sensitive display assembly 300 according to the present disclosure can be used with any electronic device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, thermostat) that can accommodate a three-dimensional display cover.

[0072] 9 , a connection between the printed circuit board 120 and each of the plurality of conductors 340 is shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In some implementations, an end 342 of each of the conductors 340 may be attached to the printed circuit board 120. For example, in some implementations, the printed circuit board 120 may include a plurality of connection points 122, and each end 342 of the conductors 340 may be attached to a corresponding one of the connection points 122. In some implementations, each of the plurality of connection points 122 may include a copper material. Furthermore, in some implementations, the end 342 of each of the plurality of conductors 340 may be attached to a corresponding one of the connection points 122 via silver paste.

[0073] 10 , components of an exemplary computing system 400 of the wearable computing device 100 that can be utilized in accordance with various embodiments are illustrated. Notably, as shown, the computing system 400 may also include at least one controller 402. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the controller(s) 402 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU) for executing instructions that may be stored in a memory device 404, such as flash memory or DRAM, among other options. For example, in one embodiment, the memory device 404 may include RAM, ROM, FLASH memory, or other non-transitory digital data storage, and may include a control program that includes sequences of instructions that, when loaded from the memory device 404 and executed using the controller(s) 402, cause the controller(s) 402 to perform the functions described herein.

[0074] Computing system 400 can include many types of memory, data storage, or computer-readable media, such as data storage for program instructions for execution by a controller or any suitable processor. The same or separate storage can be used for images or data, removable memory can be available for sharing information with other devices, and any number of communication approaches can be utilized for sharing with other devices. Additionally, as shown, computing system 400 includes display 140, which can be a touchscreen, organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or liquid crystal display (LCD). However, the device could communicate information through other means, such as through audio speakers, a projector, or by casting the display or streaming data to another device, such as a mobile phone, where an application on the mobile phone displays the data.

[0075] The computing system 400 may include one or more wireless network components 412 operable to communicate with one or more electronic devices within communication range of a particular wireless channel. The wireless channel may be any suitable channel used to allow devices to communicate wirelessly, such as a Bluetooth, cellular, NFC, ultra-wideband (UWB), or Wi-Fi channel. It should be understood that the computing system 400 may have one or more conventional wired communication connections known in the art.

[0076] Computing system 400 also includes one or more power supply components 408 operable to be recharged via a conventional plug-in approach. In some embodiments, computing system 400 also includes at least one additional input / output device 410 capable of receiving conventional input from a user. This conventional input may include, for example, push buttons, a touchpad, a touchscreen, a wheel, a joystick, a keyboard, a mouse, a keypad, or any other such device or element, by which a user can enter commands into computing system 400. In some embodiments, input / output device(s) 410 may also be connected by a wireless infrared or Bluetooth or other link. In some embodiments, computing system 400 may include a microphone or other audio capture element that accepts voice or other audio commands. In some embodiments, input / output device(s) 410 may include one or more electrodes, light sensors, barometric pressure sensors (e.g., altimeters, etc.), etc.

[0077] The computing system 400 may include a driver 414 and at least some combination of one or more emitters 416 and multiple detectors 418 for measuring data of one or more metrics of a human body, such as a person wearing one or more wearable computing devices 100. In some embodiments, this may include at least one imaging element, such as one or more cameras capable of capturing images of the surrounding environment and imaging a user, people, or objects in the vicinity of the device. The image capture element may include any suitable technology, such as a CCD image capture element having sufficient resolution, focusing range, and viewing area to capture images of a user as the user operates the device. Additional image capture elements may also include depth sensors. Methods for capturing images using camera elements with computing devices are well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein. It should be understood that image capture may be performed using a single image, multiple images, periodic imaging, continuous image capture, image streaming, etc. Additionally, the computing system 400 may include the ability to start and / or stop image capture, for example, upon receiving a command from a user, an application, or another device.

[0078] The emitter 416 and detector 418 may also be used to obtain optical photoplethysmogram (PPG) measurements, in one example. Some PPG techniques rely on detecting light at a single spatial location or adding signals obtained from two or more spatial locations. Both of these approaches result in a single spatial measurement from which a heart rate (HR) estimate (or other physiological metric) can be determined. In some embodiments, the PPG device uses a single light source (i.e., a single optical path) coupled to a single detector. Alternatively, the PPG device may use multiple light sources coupled to a single detector or multiple detectors (i.e., two or more optical paths). In other embodiments, the PPG device uses multiple detectors coupled to a single light source or multiple light sources (i.e., two or more optical paths). In some cases, the light source(s) may be configured to emit one or more of green, red, infrared (IR) light, and any other suitable wavelengths in the spectrum (e.g., long IR for metabolic monitoring). For example, the PPG device may use a single light source and two or more photodetectors, each configured to detect a specific wavelength or range of wavelengths. In some cases, each detector is configured to detect a different wavelength or wavelength range from the others. In other cases, two or more detectors are configured to detect the same wavelength or wavelength range. In yet other cases, one or more detectors are configured to detect a particular wavelength or wavelength range from one or more other detectors. In embodiments using multiple optical paths, the PPG device may determine an average of signals resulting from the multiple optical paths before determining an HR estimate or other physiological metric.

[0079] Additionally, in one embodiment, the emitter 416 and the detector 418 may be coupled to the controller 402 directly or indirectly using driver circuits that enable the controller 402 to drive the emitter 416 and obtain signals from the detector 418. The host computer 422 may communicate with the wireless network component 412 via one or more networks 420, which may include one or more local area networks, wide area networks, UWB, and / or internetworks using either terrestrial or satellite links. In some embodiments, the host computer 422 executes control and / or application programs configured to perform some of the functions described herein.

[0080] While the subject matter of the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to various specific exemplary embodiments thereof, each example is provided for purposes of explanation and not limitation of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art, once they arrive at the foregoing understanding, will be able to readily create modifications, variations, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure does not exclude the inclusion of such modifications, variations, and / or additions to the subject matter as would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to cover such modifications, variations, and equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A touch-sensitive display assembly, comprising: a three-dimensional display cover defining an interior volume, the three-dimensional display cover including a central portion and a peripheral portion, the peripheral portion extending around a periphery of the interior volume; and the touch-sensitive display assembly further comprising: a display panel disposed within the interior volume; and a first plurality of touch sensors, each of the first plurality of touch sensors operable to detect a touch input provided to a central portion of the three-dimensional display cover, the touch-sensitive display assembly further comprising: A touch-sensitive display assembly comprising a second plurality of touch sensors, each of the second plurality of touch sensors operable to detect a touch input provided to the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

2. The touch-sensitive display assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

3. The touch-sensitive display assembly of claim 2 , wherein the second plurality of touch sensors are circumferentially spaced apart from one another.

4. The touch-sensitive display assembly of claim 2 , wherein each of the first plurality of touch sensors is included in a first layer of the plurality of layers of the display panel.

5. The touch-sensitive display assembly of claim 2 , wherein each of the first plurality of touch sensors is disposed in the central portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

6. A controller; a first plurality of conductors, each of the first plurality of conductors electrically coupling the controller to a corresponding touch sensor of the first plurality of touch sensors, the touch-sensitive display assembly further comprising: further comprising a second plurality of conductors, each of the second plurality of conductors electrically coupling the controller to a corresponding touch sensor of the second plurality of touch sensors. The touch-sensitive display assembly of claim 5 .

7. The touch-sensitive display assembly of claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors are arranged in the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

8. The touch-sensitive display assembly of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first plurality of touch sensors or the second plurality of touch sensors is attached to a surface of the three-dimensional display cover.

9. 1. A wearable computing device, comprising: The housing and a three-dimensional display cover disposed on the housing and defining an interior volume, the three-dimensional display cover including a central portion and a peripheral portion extending around a periphery of the interior volume, the wearable computing device further comprising: a touch-sensitive display assembly, the touch-sensitive display assembly comprising: a three-dimensional display cover disposed on the housing and defining an interior volume, the three-dimensional display cover having a central portion and a peripheral portion, the peripheral portion extending around a periphery of the interior volume; and the touch-sensitive display assembly further comprising: a display panel disposed within the interior volume; and a first plurality of touch sensors, each of the first plurality of touch sensors operable to detect a touch input provided to a central portion of the three-dimensional display cover, the touch-sensitive display assembly further comprising: a second plurality of touch sensors, each of the second plurality of touch sensors operable to detect touch input provided to the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover;

10. The wearable computing device of claim 9 , wherein each of the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

11. The wearable computing device of claim 10 , wherein each of the first plurality of touch sensors is located in the central portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

12. 11. The wearable computing device of claim 10, wherein each of the first plurality of touch sensors is included in a first layer of a plurality of layers of the display panel.

13. The wearable computing device of claim 10 , wherein each of the second plurality of touch sensors is disposed on an area of an inner surface of the three-dimensional display cover that corresponds to the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover.

14. The touch-sensitive display assembly includes:

14. The wearable computing device of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of conductors, each of the plurality of conductors coupling a corresponding touch sensor of the second plurality of touch sensors to a flexible printed circuit board arranged within a cavity defined by the housing of the wearable computing device.

15. The touch-sensitive display assembly includes: an opaque material disposed between the inner surface of the three-dimensional display cover and the plurality of conductors; 15. The wearable computing device of claim 14, further comprising:

16. the three-dimensional display cover defines a circumferential direction; the second plurality of touch sensors are spaced apart from one another along the circumferential direction; The wearable computing device of claim 9 .

17. The wearable computing device of claim 9 , wherein the three-dimensional display cover comprises a glass material.

18. The wearable computing device of claim 9 , wherein the central portion of the three-dimensional display cover is flat and the peripheral portion of the three-dimensional display cover is arcuate.

19. The wearable computing device of claim 9 , wherein a total number of touch sensors included in the first plurality of touch sensors is different from a total number of touch sensors included in the second plurality of touch sensors.

20. The wearable computing device of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first plurality of touch sensors or the second plurality of touch sensors includes a capacitive sensor.

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