Abstract: A solid-state switch for an external system includes a cover member, a first solid-state transducer, a second transducer, a microcontroller, a user feedback device, and a switching circuit. The first transducer is mechanically coupled to the cover member and configured to generate first signals in response to a perturbation at the cover member. The second transducer is configured to generate second signals in response to the perturbation. The microcontroller is configured to obtain first data from the first signals, second data from the second signals, and determine user inputs in accordance with at least the first data, the second data, and an operational state of the solid-state switch. The user feedback device is configured to provide feedback to a user of the switch in accordance with a switching behavior of the switching circuit.

Abstract: A system for mapping data of force transmission from a plurality of force-imparting points to each force-measuring device is disclosed. A linear actuator assembly includes a Z-axis actuator and a slider. A load cell is secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider. A sample stage includes a sample stage positioner and is configured to retain a sample including at least one force-measuring device. The load cell is configured to impart a time-varying applied force to the sample. The controller is configured to control actuation of the sample positioner to position the load cell at each one of a plurality of force-imparting points on the sample and, for each respective force-imparting point, control the actuation of the Z-axis actuator.

Abstract: A force-measuring device testing system is disclosed. A linear actuator assembly includes a Z-axis actuator and a slider. A load cell is secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider. The load cell is configured to impart a time-varying applied force to the sample which includes a force-measuring device. A load cell signal processing circuitry is configured to measure force signals at the load cell and output amplified force signals to the controller. The controller is configured to repeatedly carry out the following until a desired force trajectory has been executed: (1) calculate digital force signals in accordance with the amplified force signals, (2) calculate a next actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with a desired force trajectory and an elastic parameter, and (3) control the actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with its next calculated actuation.

Abstract: A system for delineating a location of a virtual button by haptic feedback includes a cover layer, a touch-input sub-system, a haptic transducer, and a haptic controller. The touch-input sub-system includes force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuits (FMTSICs), each coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer corresponding to one of the virtual buttons. The touch-input sub-system is configured to determine: (1) supplemental haptic feedback commands if “PMUT Triggered” Boolean data is True for at least one of the FMTSICs (Touched FMTSICs) and light-force conditions are satisfied for all of the Touched FMTSICs, and (2) primary touch inputs if “PMUT Triggered” Boolean data is True for at least one of the FMTSICs (Touched FMTSICs) and light-force conditions are not satisfied for at least one of the Touched FMTSICs. The haptic controller is configured to drive the haptic transducer to generate haptic feedback in accordance with the supplemental haptic feedback commands.

Abstract: A multi-virtual button finger-touch input system includes a cover layer, force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuits (FMTSICs), each coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer corresponding to one of the virtual buttons, an elongate flexible circuit, and a host controller. The FMTSICs are mounted to the elongate flexible circuit. The host controller is in communication with each of the FMTSICs via digital bus wiring. The host controller is configured to: (1) obtain force-localization features and ultrasound-localization features of the FMTSICs and (2) determine whether an event is a finger-touch event or a false-trigger event and if the event is determined to be finger-touch event, identify one of the virtual buttons as a touched virtual button, using at least in part a model that has the force-localization features and the ultrasound-localization features as inputs.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an integrated virtual button module includes a first transducer, a microcontroller, and a first driver circuit. The first transducer includes a transient strain-sensing element and is configured to generate first signals. The microcontroller is configured to obtain first data from the first signals and determine user inputs in accordance with at least the first data. The first driver circuit is configured to receive user feedback data and to generate a first user feedback signal in accordance with the user feedback data. The first driver circuit is electronically couplable to a first actuator. The user feedback data are determined in accordance with at least the user inputs. The first actuator emits a haptic signal and/or a first audio signal when driven by the first user feedback signal. Embodiments of an integrated virtual button system and a method of determining user input and providing user feedback are also disclosed.

Abstract: A force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the semiconductor substrate, piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs), and piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs and PMUTs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack, such that each of the PMFEs and PMUTs includes a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. Each PMUT has a cavity, the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMUT electrodes. Each PMFE has the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMFE electrodes.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing between a first-type touch event and a second-type touch event is disclosed. A force-measuring and touch-sensing system includes piezoelectric force-measuring elements (PFEs) and piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers (PUTs), wherein each PUT can be configured as a transmitter (PUT transmitter) and/or a receiver (PUT receiver). The force-measuring and touch-sensing system is configured at a sense region. Each PUT transmitter transmits ultrasound signals towards the sense region and voltage signals are generated at the PUT receivers in response to ultrasound signals arriving from the sense region. Voltage signals are generated at PFEs in response to a low-frequency mechanical deformation of the respective piezoelectric capacitors. An event is determined to be a first-type touch event or a second-type touch event depending on a PUT data decrease and a magnitude of PFE data.

Abstract: A user-input system includes a force-measuring device, a cover member, and an elastic circuit board substrate interposed between the force-measuring device and the cover member and mechanically coupled to the cover member and to the force-measuring device. The force-measuring device includes a strain-sensing element. The force-measuring device is mounted to and electrically connected to the elastic circuit board substrate. The cover member undergoes a primary mechanical deformation in response to forces imparted at the cover member. The elastic circuit board substrate transmits a portion of the primary mechanical deformation to the force-measuring device resulting in a concurrent secondary mechanical deformation of the force-measuring device. The strain-sensing element is configured to output voltage signals in accordance with a time-varying strain at the strain-sensing element resulting from the secondary mechanical deformation.

Abstract: A solid-state switch for an external system includes a cover member, a first solid-state transducer, a second transducer, a microcontroller, a user feedback device, and a switching circuit. The first transducer is mechanically coupled to the cover member and configured to generate first signals in response to a perturbation at the cover member. The second transducer is configured to generate second signals in response to the perturbation. The microcontroller is configured to obtain first data from the first signals, second data from the second signals, and determine user inputs in accordance with at least the first data, the second data, and an operational state of the solid-state switch. The user feedback device is configured to provide feedback to a user of the switch in accordance with a switching behavior of the switching circuit. The second transducer is configured as a proximity sensor for detecting proximity of an object to the cover member.

Abstract: A system for delineating a location of a virtual button by haptic feedback includes a cover layer, a touch-input sub-system, a haptic transducer, and a haptic controller. The touch-input sub-system includes force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuits (FMTSICs), each coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer corresponding to one of the virtual buttons. The touch-input sub-system is configured to determine: (1) supplemental haptic feedback commands if “PMUT Triggered” Boolean data is True for at least one of the FMTSICs (Touched FMTSICs) and light-force conditions are satisfied for all of the Touched FMTSICs, and (2) primary touch inputs if “PMUT Triggered” Boolean data is True for at least one of the FMTSICs (Touched FMTSICs) and light-force conditions are not satisfied for at least one of the Touched FMTSICs. The haptic controller is configured to drive the haptic transducer to generate haptic feedback in accordance with the supplemental haptic feedback commands.

Abstract: A method includes receiving energy data associated with an ultrasound input device coupled to a material layer. The energy data comprises a current energy value and past energy values associated with reflected ultrasound signals received at the ultrasound input device in response to the ultrasound input device transmitting emitted signals through the material layer towards an external surface of the material layer. The method can then include comparing the energy data with threshold data to generate a current trigger value for trigger data. The trigger data is indicative of an occurrence of a touch event when the current energy value exceeds a current threshold value of the threshold data. Then the method can include updating the threshold data based on the energy data, the trigger data, and the threshold data. Updating the threshold data comprises generating a subsequent threshold value.

Abstract: A solid-state switch for an external system includes a cover member, a first solid-state transducer, a microcontroller, a user feedback device, and a switching circuit. The first transducer is mechanically coupled to the cover member and configured to generate first signals in response to a perturbation at the cover member. The microcontroller is configured to obtain first data from the first signals and determine user inputs in accordance with at least the first data and an operational state of the solid-state switch. The user feedback device is configured to provide feedback to a user of the solid-state switch in accordance with a switching behavior of the switching circuit. The microcontroller is couplable to a master controller of the external system. The switching behavior of the switching circuit is determined in accordance with: (a) the commands from the master controller to the microcontroller, and/or (b) user inputs as determined by the microcontroller.

Abstract: Touch events can be detected using an ultrasound input device coupled to a surface, such as a surface of a piece of furniture or electronic device. The ultrasound input device can generate ultrasonic waves in the surface, the reflections of which can be measured by the ultrasound input device. When a touch is made to the surface (e.g., opposite the ultrasound input device), the physical contact can absorb some of the energy of the outgoing ultrasonic waves (e.g., the originally transmitted wave and any subsequent outgoing reflections). Energy measurements associated with the measured reflections can thus be used to identify touch events. Various techniques can be used to make the energy measurements and reduce identification of false touch events.

Abstract: A touch sensor chip can comprise an ultrasound sensor layer comprising an array of ultrasonic transducers. The array of ultrasonic transducers can comprise one or more ultrasonic transducers. The touch sensor chip can also comprise an integrated circuit layer coupled to the ultrasound sensor layer. The integrated circuit layer can comprise circuitry configured for driving the array of ultrasonic transducers to generate ultrasound signals and receiving reflected ultrasound signals using the array of ultrasonic transducers. The integrated circuit layer can also comprise circuitry configured for generating an energy signal associated with received reflected ultrasound signals.

Abstract: An ultrasound input device can be coupled to a material layer having an external surface located opposite the material layer from the ultrasound input device. The ultrasound input device can transmit an emitted signal through the material layer towards the external surface and receive a set of reflected ultrasound signals associated with the emitted signal. The set of reflected ultrasound signals comprises at least one reflected ultrasound signal, and the set of reflected ultrasound signals can be associated with a touch event between an object and the external surface. A system can comprise one or more data processors configured for performing operations including determining an energy signal associated with the set of reflected ultrasound signals, extracting feature information associated with the energy signal, determining an inference associated with the object based on the extracted feature information, and generating an output signal associated with the determined inference.

Abstract: Touch events can be detected using an ultrasound input device coupled to a surface, such as a surface of a piece of furniture or electronic device. The ultrasound input device can generate ultrasonic waves in the surface, the reflections of which can be measured by the ultrasound input device. When a touch is made to the surface (e.g., opposite the ultrasound input device), the physical contact can absorb some of the energy of the outgoing ultrasonic waves (e.g., the originally transmitted wave and any subsequent outgoing reflections). Energy measurements associated with the measured reflections can thus be used to identify touch events. Various techniques can be used to make the energy measurements and reduce identification of false touch events.

Abstract: Touch events can be detected using an ultrasound input device coupled to a surface, such as a surface of a piece of furniture or electronic device. The ultrasound input device can generate ultrasonic waves in the surface, the reflections of which can be measured by the ultrasound input device. When a touch is made to the surface (e.g., opposite the ultrasound input device), the physical contact can absorb some of the energy of the outgoing ultrasonic waves (e.g., the originally transmitted wave and any subsequent outgoing reflections). Energy measurements associated with the measured reflections can thus be used to identify touch events. Various techniques can be used to make the energy measurements and reduce identification of false touch events.

Abstract: A touch sensor chip can comprise an ultrasound sensor layer comprising an array of ultrasonic transducers. The array of ultrasonic transducers can comprise one or more ultrasonic transducers. The touch sensor chip can also comprise an integrated circuit layer coupled to the ultrasound sensor layer. The integrated circuit layer can comprise circuitry configured for driving the array of ultrasonic transducers to generate ultrasound signals and receiving reflected ultrasound signals using the array of ultrasonic transducers. The integrated circuit layer can also comprise circuitry configured for generating an energy signal associated with received reflected ultrasound signals.

Abstract: An ultrasound input device can be coupled to a material layer having an external surface located opposite the material layer from the ultrasound input device. The ultrasound input device can transmit an emitted signal through the material layer towards the external surface and receive a set of reflected ultrasound signals associated with the emitted signal. The set of reflected ultrasound signals comprises at least one reflected ultrasound signal, and the set of reflected ultrasound signals can be associated with a touch event between an object and the external surface. A system can comprise one or more data processors configured for performing operations including determining an energy signal associated with the set of reflected ultrasound signals, extracting feature information associated with the energy signal, determining an inference associated with the object based on the extracted feature information, and generating an output signal associated with the determined inference.