Abstract: Embroidered sensor assemblies are described that are formed on a flexible substrate, such as a suitable fabric material. The embroidered sensors can be configured as a pattern of wires that enable measurement of strain based on positional relationships between nodes formed by the pattern of wires. As a pipe or other object flexes, the positional relationships are altered and can be detected to facilitate computation of strain. Strain can be deduced at each individual node, which can then be used to create a strain profile or map for the object.

Abstract: Input device haptics and pressure sensing techniques are described. An input device includes an outer surface, a pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism, and a pressure sensing and haptic feedback module. The outer surface is configured to receive an application of pressure by an object. The pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism has one or more piezos configured to detect and quantify an amount of the application of the pressure to the outer surface by the object, the one or more piezos configured to output a signal indicating the quantified amount of the pressure. The pressure sensing and haptic feedback module is configured to receive the signal from the one or more piezos indicating the quantified amount of the pressure and control the haptic feedback of the pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism.

Abstract: Input device configurations are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors and a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate. The flexible contact layer is configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input of a computing device. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a capacitive sensor assembly arranged in an array that is configured to detect a location of an object that is proximal to a respective capacitive sensor of the capacitive sensor assembly and a pressure sensitive sensor assembly including a plurality of pressure sensitive sensor nodes that are configured to detect an amount of pressure applied by the object against a respective pressure sensitive sensor node of the pressure sensitive sensor assembly.

Abstract: Embroidered sensor assemblies are described that are formed on a flexible substrate, such as a suitable fabric material. The embroidered sensors can be configured as a pattern of wires that enable measurement of strain based on positional relationships between nodes formed by the pattern of wires. As a pipe or other object flexes, the positional relationships are altered and can be detected to facilitate computation of strain. Strain can be deduced at each individual node, which can then be used to create a strain profile or map for the object.

Abstract: Embroidered sensor assemblies are described that are formed on a flexible substrate, such as a suitable fabric material. Conductive patterns are embroidered into the flexible substrate to form an array of sensors that can be configured in various ways and used in many different applications. A sensor assembly can implement touch sensitive sensors arranged to recognize input by measuring capacitance. The sensor assembly can also implement pressure and/or force sensitive controls for an input device, such as a keyboard. Other types of sensing are also contemplated such as detection of proximity, motion, flow, gestures, and/or strain. A conductive pattern can be formed in a single layer of material and/or via a single continuous run of conductive material. The embroidered sensor assembly is flexible and therefore can be shaped to conform to various different kinds of objects and form “smart” surfaces for those objects.

Abstract: Techniques for haptic feedback for a touch input device are described. Generally, haptic feedback is provided for different user interactions with a touch input device, such as interactions with applications, services, and so forth. According to various embodiments, how haptic feedback is initiated depends on whether different functionalities directly support haptic feedback. For instance, techniques described herein enable haptic feedback to be provided whether or not a particular functionality directly supports haptic feedback.

Abstract: The described technology provides an input apparatus for a computing device, the input apparatus including a touchpad configured to receive a force input, a hinge mechanism along a front edge of the touchpad, and one or more force sensitive elements along a rear edge of the touchpad. In one implementation, the force sensitive elements are piezo discs that also functions as haptic elements for providing a haptic feedback.

Abstract: Input device configurations are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors and a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate. The flexible contact layer is configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input of a computing device. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a capacitive sensor assembly arranged in an array that is configured to detect a location of an object that is proximal to a respective capacitive sensor of the capacitive sensor assembly and a pressure sensitive sensor assembly including a plurality of pressure sensitive sensor nodes that are configured to detect an amount of pressure applied by the object against a respective pressure sensitive sensor node of the pressure sensitive sensor assembly.

Abstract: Techniques for haptic feedback for a touch input device are described. Generally, haptic feedback is provided for different user interactions with a touch input device, such as interactions with applications, services, and so forth. According to various embodiments, how haptic feedback is initiated depends on whether different functionalities directly support haptic feedback. For instance, techniques described herein enable haptic feedback to be provided whether or not a particular functionality directly supports haptic feedback.

Abstract: Input device configurations are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors and a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate. The flexible contact layer is configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input of a computing device. The flexible contact layer includes a force concentrator pad that is configured to cause pressure to be channeled through the force concentrator pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input.

Abstract: Input device haptics and pressure sensing techniques are described. An input device includes an outer surface, a pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism, and a pressure sensing and haptic feedback module. The outer surface is configured to receive an application of pressure by an object. The pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism has one or more piezos configured to detect and quantify an amount of the application of the pressure to the outer surface by the object, the one or more piezos configured to output a signal indicating the quantified amount of the pressure. The pressure sensing and haptic feedback module is configured to receive the signal from the one or more piezos indicating the quantified amount of the pressure and control the haptic feedback of the pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism.

Abstract: Embroidered sensor assemblies are described that are formed on a flexible substrate, such as a suitable fabric material. Conductive patterns are embroidered into the flexible substrate to form an array of sensors that can be configured in various ways and used in many different applications. A sensor assembly can implement touch sensitive sensors arranged to recognize input by measuring capacitance. The sensor assembly can also implement pressure and/or force sensitive controls for an input device, such as a keyboard. Other types of sensing are also contemplated such as detection of proximity, motion, flow, gestures, and/or strain. A conductive pattern can be formed in a single layer of material and/or via a single continuous run of conductive material. The embroidered sensor assembly is flexible and therefore can be shaped to conform to various different kinds of objects and form “smart” surfaces for those objects.

Abstract: Input device haptics and pressure sensing techniques are described. An input device includes an outer surface, a pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism, and a pressure sensing and haptic feedback module. The outer surface is configured to receive an application of pressure by an object. The pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism has one or more piezos configured to detect and quantify an amount of the application of the pressure to the outer surface by the object, the one or more piezos configured to output a signal indicating the quantified amount of the pressure. The pressure sensing and haptic feedback module is configured to receive the signal from the one or more piezos indicating the quantified amount of the pressure and control the haptic feedback of the pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism.

Abstract: Input device haptics and pressure sensing techniques are described. An input device includes an outer surface, a pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism, and a pressure sensing and haptic feedback module. The outer surface is configured to receive an application of pressure by an object. The pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism has one or more piezos configured to detect and quantify an amount of the application of the pressure to the outer surface by the object, the one or more piezos configured to output a signal indicating the quantified amount of the pressure. The pressure sensing and haptic feedback module is configured to receive the signal from the one or more piezos indicating the quantified amount of the pressure and control the haptic feedback of the pressure sensor and haptic feedback mechanism.

Abstract: Input device configurations are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors and a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate. The flexible contact layer is configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input of a computing device. The flexible contact layer includes a force concentrator pad that is configured to cause pressure to be channeled through the force concentrator pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input.