Abstract: An electronic device with a force sensing device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a user input surface defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, a first capacitive sensing element, and a second capacitive sensing element capacitively coupled to the first capacitive sensing element. The electronic device also comprises a first spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements, and a second spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements. The first and second spacing layers have different compositions. The electronic device also comprises sensing circuitry coupled to the first and second capacitive sensing elements configured to determine an amount of applied force on the user input surface. The first spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is below a force threshold, and the second spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is above the force threshold.

Abstract: An electronic device with a force sensing device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a user input surface defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, a first capacitive sensing element, and a second capacitive sensing element capacitively coupled to the first capacitive sensing element. The electronic device also comprises a first spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements, and a second spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements. The first and second spacing layers have different compositions. The electronic device also comprises sensing circuitry coupled to the first and second capacitive sensing elements configured to determine an amount of applied force on the user input surface. The first spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is below a force threshold, and the second spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is above the force threshold.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a device with a display may have a force sensor. The force sensor may include capacitive electrodes separated by a deformable layer such as a layer of an elastomeric polymer. The display or other layers in the electronic device may deform inwardly under applied force from a finger of a user or other external object. As the deformed layers contact the deformable layer, the deformable layer is compressed and the spacing between the capacitive electrodes of the force sensor decreases. This causes a measurable rise in the capacitance signal and therefore the force signal output of the force sensor. To prevent the deformable layer from sticking to the inner surface of the display layers, air flow promotion structures may be interposed between the deformable layer and the inner surface of the display. The air flow promotion structures may include spacer pads with anti-stick surfaces.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a device with a display may have a force sensor. The force sensor may include capacitive electrodes separated by a deformable layer such as a layer of an elastomeric polymer. The display or other layers in the electronic device may deform inwardly under applied force from a finger of a user or other external object. As the deformed layers contact the deformable layer, the deformable layer is compressed and the spacing between the capacitive electrodes of the force sensor decreases. This causes a measurable rise in the capacitance signal and therefore the force signal output of the force sensor. To prevent the deformable layer from sticking to the inner surface of the display layers, air flow promotion structures may be interposed between the deformable layer and the inner surface of the display. The air flow promotion structures may include spacer pads with anti-stick surfaces.

Abstract: An electronic device is configured to provide localized haptic feedback to a user on one or more regions or sections of a surface of the electronic device. The localized haptic feedback is provided by an array of piezoelectric haptic actuators below the surface of the electronic device. Actuators within the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators are separately controllable by a control circuit layer. The control circuit layer includes control circuitry, a master flexible circuit which passes between rows of actuators, and an array of slave flexible circuits. Each slave flexible circuit is connected to the master flexible circuit and an actuator. In further examples, the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators provides a unified structure for detecting touch and force inputs.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a haptic actuator includes piezoelectric material and a pattern of voltage electrodes coupled to a surface of the piezoelectric material. The voltage electrodes are individually controllable to supply voltage to different portions of the piezoelectric material. Different sections of the piezoelectric material are operable to deflect, producing haptic output at those locations, in response to the application of the voltage. Differing voltages may be provided to one or more of the voltage electrodes to affect the location of the deflection, and thus the haptic output. In various embodiments, a haptic output system incorporates a sealed haptic element. The sealed haptic element includes a piezoelectric component that is coupled to one or more flexes and is sealed and/or enclosed by the flex(es) and an encapsulation or sealing material.

Abstract: An electronic device with a force sensing device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a user input surface defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, a first capacitive sensing element, and a second capacitive sensing element capacitively coupled to the first capacitive sensing element. The electronic device also comprises a first spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements, and a second spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements. The first and second spacing layers have different compositions. The electronic device also comprises sensing circuitry coupled to the first and second capacitive sensing elements configured to determine an amount of applied force on the user input surface. The first spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is below a force threshold, and the second spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is above the force threshold.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a device with a display may have a force sensor. The force sensor may include capacitive electrodes separated by a deformable layer such as a layer of an elastomeric polymer. The display or other layers in the electronic device may deform inwardly under applied force from a finger of a user or other external object. As the deformed layers contact the deformable layer, the deformable layer is compressed and the spacing between the capacitive electrodes of the force sensor decreases. This causes a measurable rise in the capacitance signal and therefore the force signal output of the force sensor. To prevent the deformable layer from sticking to the inner surface of the display layers, air flow promotion structures may be interposed between the deformable layer and the inner surface of the display. The air flow promotion structures may include spacer pads with anti-stick surfaces.

Abstract: A print media feed system in a inkjet printer, the system has a media feed roll, a star wheel mounted opposing the roll, an adjustable biaser coupled to the star wheel, and a controller coupled to the biaser. The controller varies a magnitude, a direction or a magnitude and direction of a biasing force applied to the star wheel by the biaser. In one form, the biaser comprises a motor driven cam that varies the angular position of a pivotable lever having a star wheel rotatably attached on one end. In another form, a rack and pinion gear assembly is used to vary the biasing force with a star wheel rotatably attached to the rack. In a further form, a solenoid is used to vary the basing force applied to the lever or applied to a star wheel rotatably attached to the end of the shaft of a solenoid.

Abstract: A method of printing with an inkjet printer including a printhead, a star wheel located downstream from the printhead, and an adjustable biaser coupled to the star wheel. The method comprises analyzing print data to identify an area of printing to be printed on a sheet of print media that aligns with the star wheel; calculating the density of the printing in the identified area of printing; printing the identified area of printing; determining whether the calculated density exceeds a density criteria, and if so then using the adjustable biaser to lift the star wheel off of the sheet before the printed area of printing reaches the star wheel; advancing the printed area of printing past the star wheel; and using the adjustable biaser lowering the star wheel onto the sheet after the printed area of printing has advanced past the star wheel.

Abstract: A method of printing with an inkjet printer including a printhead, a star wheel located downstream from the printhead, and an adjustable biaser coupled to the star wheel. The method comprises analyzing print data to identify an area of printing to be printed on a sheet of print media that aligns with the star wheel; calculating the density of the printing in the identified area of printing; printing the identified area of printing; determining whether the calculated density exceeds a density criteria, and if so then using the adjustable biaser to lift the star wheel off of the sheet before the printed area of printing reaches the star wheel; advancing the printed area of printing past the star wheel; and using the adjustable biaser lowering the star wheel onto the sheet after the printed area of printing has advanced past the star wheel.

Abstract: A print media feed system in a inkjet printer, the system has a media feed roll, a star wheel mounted opposing the roll, an adjustable biaser coupled to the star wheel, and a controller coupled to the biaser. The controller varies a magnitude, a direction or a magnitude and direction of a biasing force applied to the star wheel by the biaser. In one form, the biaser comprises a motor driven cam that varies the angular position of a pivotable lever having a star wheel rotatably attached on one end. In another form, a rack and pinion gear assembly is used to vary the biasing force with a star wheel rotatably attached to the rack. In a further form, a solenoid is used to vary the basing force applied to the lever or applied to a star wheel rotatably attached to the end of the shaft of a solenoid.

Abstract: A method for scanning a media sheet with a scanning apparatus includes feeding the media sheet through the first set of rollers into a scanning area, such that a first portion of the media sheet is available for scanning. A first partial media sheet image of the first portion is scanned. The media sheet is fed into the second set of rollers, then out of the first set of rollers, such that a second portion of the media sheet is available for scanning. A second partial media sheet image of the second portion of the media sheet is scanned. At least the first partial media sheet image is combined with the second partial media sheet image to generate a full image of the media sheet. In a further embodiment, the number of partial scans may be increased as necessary to provide a complete image of the scanned object, e.g., the media sheet. For example, one or more intermediate scans may be performed in accordance with the present invention in addition to the scans occurring at the ends of media sheet.

Abstract: An auto-compensating mechanism lifter comprises an auto-compensating mechanism (ACM) and a lifter for moving a sheet of print media from a media feed tray in a document feeding device for printer, multifunction device or similar device. The auto-compensating mechanism includes a housing having a pick tire and drive train therein. The housing is pivotally mounted for movement in a first direction and a second direction. The pick tire is mounted to the housing and operably engaging the drive train and the print media. The auto-compensating lifter comprises a spring clutch coupling a drive shaft and the housing for rotating the ACM onto or away from the print media in the media feed tray depending upon the direction of rotation of the drive shaft. The pick roller is mounted distal to the pivotal connection of the auto-compensating mechanism to the drive shaft.