Patents Assigned to TACTOTEK OY
  • Patent number: 10251278
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer structure for an electronic device includes obtaining a flexible substrate film; printing a number of conductor traces on the flexible substrate film; providing a number of electronic components on a first surface area of the flexible substrate film, wherein the flexible substrate film further includes a second surface area adjacent to the first surface area; molding first thermoplastic material on the number of electronic components and the related first surface area of the flexible substrate film accommodating the components; and molding second thermoplastic material on the adjacent second surface area and on at least part of the first surface area, wherein the first thermoplastic material exhibits a first elasticity and the second thermoplastic material exhibits a second, different elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Mikko Heikkinen, Jarmo Saaski
  • Patent number: 10248277
    Abstract: An integrated multilayer assembly for an electronic device includes a first substrate film configured to accommodate electrical features on at least first side thereof, said first substrate film having the first side and a substantially opposing second side, a second substrate film configured to accommodate electrical features on at least first side thereof, said second substrate film having the first side and a substantially opposing second side, the first sides of the first and second substrate films being configured to face each other, at least one electrical feature on the first side of the first substrate film, at least one other electrical feature on the first side of the second substrate film, and a molded plastic layer between the first and second substrate films at least partially embedding the electrical features on the first sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Jarmo Sääski, Jarkko Torvinen, Pasi Raappana, Mikko Heikkinen
  • Patent number: 10234340
    Abstract: A multilayer structure for a garment, optionally footwear, includes a flexible substrate film for accommodating electronics, a number of flexible sensor pads provided on the film utilizing printed electronics technology, optionally screen printing or ink jetting, at least one electronic circuit, preferably integrated circuit, further provided on the film for controlling capacitive measurements via the number of sensor pads for obtaining an indication of pressure subjected to the multilayer structure, a number of conductor traces further printed on the film for electrically connecting the at least one electronic circuit and the number of capacitive sensor pads, a power supply element for powering electricity-driven components including the at least one electronic circuit, and at least one plastic layer molded upon the film substantially embedding the number of sensor pads, conductor traces and the at least one electronic circuit therewithin. A related method of manufacture is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Kari Severinkangas, Mikko Heikkinen, Jarmo Saaski
  • Patent number: 10225932
    Abstract: Interface arrangement comprising an electrical node type component for providing electrical or electromagnetic connection between an external system and a host structure of the interface arrangement. The interface arrangement comprising a first substrate film defining a cavity. A first material layer arranged to at least partly fill the cavity and to embed or at least partly cover at least one electrical element at least partly arranged into the cavity. The at least one electrical element comprises at least a converter element configured for adapting signals to be transferred between the external system and electronics of the host structure. A first connection element arranged at least partly into the cavity and configured for connecting to the external system. The first connection element is further at least functionally connected to the converter element. Related multilayer structures and methods of manufacture are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Tomi Simula, Vinski Bräysy, Mikko Heikkinen, Juha-Matti Hintikka, Minna Pirkonen, Pasi Raappana, Tuomas Heikkilä, Jarmo Sääski, Juhani Harvela
  • Patent number: 10194526
    Abstract: An electrical node, a method, an electrical assembly such as a node strip or sheet, a related multilayer structure, and a method of manufacture are presented. The electrical node comprises a first substrate film defining a cavity and a first material layer arranged to at least partly fill the cavity and to embed or at least partly cover at least one electrical element arranged into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Tomi Simula, Vinski Bräysy, Mikko Heikkinen, Juha-Matti Hintikka, Juhani Harvela, Minna Pirkonen, Pasi Raappana, Tuomas Heikkilä, Jarmo Sääski
  • Publication number: 20190029118
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electromechanical structure, includes producing conductors and/or graphics on a substantially flat film, attaching electronic elements on the said film in relation to the desired three-dimensional shape of the film, forming the said film housing the electronic elements into a substantially three-dimensional shape, and using the substantially three-dimensional film as an insert in an injection molding process by molding substantially on said film, wherein a preferred layer of material is attached on the surface of the film. A corresponding arrangement for carrying out the method is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: TactoTek Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Heikkinen, Jarmo Sääski, Jarkko Torvinen, Paavo Niskala, Mikko Sippari, Pasi Raappana, Antti Keränen
  • Patent number: 10119869
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a strain gauge device and a strain gauge device are presented. The method includes obtaining a first substrate, preferably a first formable substrate film for accommodating electronic components, printing by a printed electronics method, such as by screen printing or inkjet printing, a strain gauge on the first substrate, and molding, preferably by utilizing injection molding, a molded material layer embedding the strain gauge. The strain gauge device may comprise two, preferably formable, substrate films between which the strain gauge and the molded material layer may be arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Antti Keränen, Mikko Heikkinen, Vinski Bräysy
  • Patent number: 10091887
    Abstract: A multilayer structure for an electronic device, includes a flexible substrate film (202, 502) for accommodating electronics, a number of electronic components (308, 508) provided on a first surface area (401A, 501A) of the film, the film also including a second surface area adjacent (401B, 501B) to the first surface area, and a number of conductive traces (412, 512) printed on the substrate film for electrically connecting electronic components together, wherein the number of electronic components and the related first surface area of the substrate accommodating the components have been overmolded with first thermoplastic material (306, 506), the adjacent second surface area and at least part of the first area being overmolded with second thermoplastic material so that at least part of the electronic components and the first thermoplastic material thereon are substantially embedded between the substrate film and second thermoplastic material. A corresponding method of manufacture is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Mikko Heikkinen, Jarmo Saaski
  • Patent number: 10061732
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, or a ‘cover’, the housing material molded into a desired target shape and to at least partially embed a plurality of functional elements and an enabling arrangement, optionally at least partially embedded in the housing, the enabling arrangement including: a first connector with a first plurality of connecting elements to establish a connection between the plurality of functional elements and the enabling arrangement, a second connector with one or more second connecting elements to be connected a host device utilizing the functionalities associated with the functional elements, a memory for storing and retrieval of instructions, and processing elements capable of transforming signals from a one known format to another predetermined format according to stored instructions. A corresponding method is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Antti Keranen, Juhani Harvela
  • Patent number: 10064282
    Abstract: A multilayer structure for an electronic device having a flexible substrate film (202) for accommodating electronics (204); at least one electronic component (204) provided on said substrate film (202); and a number of conductive traces (206) provided on said substrate film (202) for electrically powering and/or connecting electronics including said at least one electronic component (204), wherein at least one preferably thermoformed cover (210) is attached to said substrate film (202) on top of said at least one electronic component (204), the at least one thermoformed cover (210) and the substrate film (202) accommodating the electronics (204) being overmolded with thermoplastic material (208). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a multilayer structure for an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Mikko Heikkinen, Jarmo Sääski, Jarkko Torvinen
  • Patent number: 10055530
    Abstract: An electronic arrangement for facilitating circuit layout design in connection with three-dimensional (3D) target designs, the arrangement including at least one communication interface for transferring data, at least one processor for processing instructions and other data, and a memory for storing the instructions and other data. The at least one processor being configured, in accordance with the stored instructions, to cause: obtaining and storing information in a data repository hosted by the memory, receiving design input characterizing 3D target design to be produced from a substrate, determining a mapping between locations of the 3D target design and the substrate, and establishing and providing digital output comprising human and/or machine readable instructions indicative of the mapping to a receiving entity, such as a manufacturing equipment, e.g. printing, electronics assembly and/or forming equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Hasse Sinivaara, Tuomas Heikkilä, Antti Keränen
  • Patent number: 10057989
    Abstract: Multilayer structure, including a substrate film having a first and second opposite side, said substrate film including electrically insulating material, conductive traces on the first side of the substrate film for establishing a predetermined circuit design, a connector element laid upon the first side of, said substrate film, one side of the connector element facing the structure internals and the other, opposite side facing the environment on the second side of the substrate film including a number of electrically conductive contact members electrically connected to the circuit on the first side of the substrate film and configured to contact one or more electrical contact members of an external element responsive to mating the external element with the connector element, and a plastic layer molded onto the substrate film and the connector element so as to cover said one side of the connector element and the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Mikko Heikkinen, Antti Keränen, Jarmo Sääski, Ronald H. Haag
  • Patent number: 9990455
    Abstract: An electronic arrangement for facilitating circuit layout design in connection with three-dimensional (3D) target designs, the arrangement including at least one communication interface for transferring data, at least one processor for processing instructions and other data, and a memory for storing the instructions and other data. The at least one processor being configured, in accordance with the stored instructions, to cause: obtaining and storing information in a data repository hosted by the memory, receiving design input characterizing 3D target design to be produced from a substrate, determining a mapping between locations of the 3D target design and the substrate, and establishing and providing digital output comprising human and/or machine readable instructions indicative of the mapping to a receiving entity, such as a manufacturing equipment, e.g. printing, electronics assembly and/or forming equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Hasse Sinivaara, Tuomas Heikkilä, Antti Keränen
  • Publication number: 20180110126
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing an electromechanical structure, comprising: producing conductors and/or graphics on a substantially flat film 106, attaching electronic elements on the said film 108 in relation to the desired three-dimensional shape of the film, forming the said film housing the electronic elements into a substantially three-dimensional shape 110, using the substantially three-dimensional film as an insert in an injection molding process by molding substantially on said film 112, wherein a preferred layer of material is attached on the surface of the film, creating an electromechanical structure. A corresponding arrangement for carrying out said method is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: TactoTek Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Heikkinen, Jarmo Sääski, Jarkko Torvinen, Paavo Niskala, Mikko Sippari, Pasi Raappana, Antti Keränen
  • Patent number: 9945700
    Abstract: A composite laminate assembly for an electronic device provides integrated backlighting for one or more indicator shapes defined by the assembly. The assembly includes a substantially opaque cover member to obscure at least parts of the electronic device. Translucent indicator structures in the cover member define respective indicator shapes to allow backlighting to pass through the cover member. An optical matrix layer of an optically conductive material is attached to an inner face of the cover member, with a plurality of lighting devices embedded in the optical matrix layer and laterally offset from associated indicator structures. The plurality of lighting devices may be connected to an electric circuit carried on the inner face of the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TactoTek Oy
    Inventors: Antti Keränen, Mikko Heikkinen
  • Patent number: 9915556
    Abstract: A composite laminate assembly for an electronic device provides integrated backlighting for one or more indicator shapes defined by the assembly. The assembly includes a substantially opaque cover member to obscure at least parts of the electronic device. Translucent indicator structures in the cover member define respective indicator shapes to allow backlighting to pass through the cover member. An optical matrix layer of an optically conductive material is attached to an inner face of the cover member, with a plurality of lighting devices embedded in the optical matrix layer and laterally offset from associated indicator structures. The plurality of lighting devices may be connected to an electric circuit carried on the inner face of the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TactoTek Oy
    Inventors: Antti Keränen, Mikko Heikkinen
  • Patent number: 9869810
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic product, includes: obtaining a flexible, optically substantially transparent or translucent, substrate sheet; printing a number of electrical conductors on the substrate sheet in accordance with a predefined schematic; printing or disposing a number of electronic components including optoelectronic light emissive, preferably LED (light-emitting diode), components on the substrate sheet in accordance with the schematic, wherein at least some of the printed conductors are configured to provide electrical current thereto; and attaching a flexible, optically substantially transparent, lightguide sheet to the substrate so as to establish a functional multi-layer structure, where the light emitted by the light emissive components is incoupled to the lightguide, propagates therewithin, and is at least partly outcoupled to the environment through the substrate sheet. Related arrangement and electronic device are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Antti Keranen, Jarmo Saaski, Tuomas Heikkila, Paavo Niskala, Kari Severinkangas, Sami Torvinen
  • Patent number: 9864127
    Abstract: Arrangement for use with a touchscreen, includes a substrate, such as an optically substantially transparent film or a film defining a through hole, the substrate including support electronics, such as printed electronics including a number of printed conductors, for providing power, control and/or communications connection to further electronic components, a number of emitters and detectors arranged on the substrate into contact with the support electronics, for emitting and detecting light, respectively, and a lightguide arranged onto the substrate such that the emitters and detectors, and optionally at least part of the support electronics, are substantially immersed in the lightguide material, the properties of the lightguide including the refractive index of the lightguide material being selected and the emitters and detectors being configured so as to enable, when in use, total internal reflection (TIR)-type propagation of light within the lightguide between the emitters and detectors and recognition of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: TACTOTEK OY
    Inventors: Janne Aikio, Antti Keranen
  • Patent number: 9801273
    Abstract: A multilayer structure (200) including a preferably flexible substrate film (102) capable of accommodating electronics (106, 108), such as conductive traces and optionally electronic components such as SMDs (surface-mount device), on a first side thereof, the film having the first side and a second side, and a plastic layer (204) molded onto the first side of the substrate and protruding at one or more locations (114, 114B) through the substrate onto the second side, forming one or more protrusions (218) on the second side having a predetermined function. A corresponding method of manufacture is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TactoTek Oy
    Inventors: Antti Keranen, Jarmo Saaski, Mikko Heikkinen
  • Patent number: 9801286
    Abstract: A multilayer structure, includes a flexible substrate film having a first side and opposite second side, a number of conductive traces, optionally defining contact pads and/or conductors, preferably printed on the first side for establishing a desired predetermined circuit design, plastic layer molded onto the first side so as to enclose the circuit between the plastic layer and the first side, and a preferably flexible connector for providing external electrical connection to the embedded circuit on the first side from the second, opposite side, one end of the connector being attached to a predetermined contact area on the first side, the other end being located on the second side for coupling with an external element, the intermediate portion connecting the two ends being fed through an opening in the substrate, wherein the opening extending through the thickness of the film is dimensioned to accommodate the connector without substantial additional clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TactoTek Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Heikkinen, Pasi Raappana, Jarmo Saaski