Unified Input Output Interface Reducing Device Thickness

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices with separate touch input sensors, force input sensors, and haptic actuators result in increased thickness, weight, power consumption, and manufacturing complexity due to independent control and operation of these components.

Innovation Solution

A unified input/output interface is implemented using a transducer substrate with a dielectric material that induces an electrically-measurable response when compressed, combined with a shared ground electrode and a haptic actuator, allowing for touch and force sensing as well as haptic output through a single substrate, controlled by a processor to transition between different operational modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate touch input sensors, force input sensors, and haptic actuators are used, then each component can be independently controlled and operated, but device thickness, weight, power consumption, and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent control of sensors and actuatorsVSAvoidManufacturing complexity and component quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate touch input sensors, force input sensors, and haptic actuators into a single integrated sensor/actuator assembly. This merging eliminates the need for multiple independent components, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to independently control different functions through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sensor/actuator assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - it can detect touch input, detect force input, and provide haptic output. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace three separate components, reducing device thickness and weight while maintaining operational independence through software control of different modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If separate touch input sensors, force input sensors, and haptic actuators are used, then each component can be independently controlled and operated, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent control of sensors and actuatorsVSAvoidDevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate touch input sensors, force input sensors, and haptic actuators into a single integrated sensor/actuator assembly. This merging eliminates the need for multiple independent components, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to independently control different functions through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sensor/actuator assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - it can detect touch input, detect force input, and provide haptic output. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace three separate components, reducing device thickness and weight while maintaining operational independence through software control of different modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If separate touch input sensors, force input sensors, and haptic actuators are used, then each component can be independently controlled and operated, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent control of sensors and actuatorsVSAvoidDevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate touch input sensors, force input sensors, and haptic actuators into a single integrated sensor/actuator assembly. This merging eliminates the need for multiple independent components, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to independently control different functions through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sensor/actuator assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - it can detect touch input, detect force input, and provide haptic output. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace three separate components, reducing device thickness and weight while maintaining operational independence through software control of different modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The unified interface reduces device thickness and complexity while enabling efficient detection of touch and force inputs and provision of haptic outputs, thereby improving user interaction and device performance.

Implementation Method 1

a transducer substrate including a body formed from a dielectric material that induces an electrically-measurable response when compressed, such as a piezoelectric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

A haptic actuator, such as a stack actuator, is disposed below—and coupled to—the shared ground electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10936107B2Unified input/output interface for electronic device

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 APPLE INC

AI summary

Components associated with receiving user touch input, receiving user force input, and providing haptic output interface are integrated into a unified input/output interface that includes a transducer substrate formed with a monolithic or multi-layer body having a number of electrodes disposed on surfaces thereof. Electrodes are selected by a controller to provide touch input sensing, force input sensing, and haptic output.