Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides structures, devices, and methods for environmental compensation of temperature and humidity impacts on resistive force or touch sensor devices. Accordingly, various disclosed embodiments can be configured to determine sheet resistance of a device comprising force-sensing membrane and to apply an environmental compensation factor based on the sheet resistance. Further disclosed embodiments are directed to devices, systems and methods associated with disclosed environmental compensating elements and methods related thereto.

Abstract: One variation of a system for a touch sensor includes: a substrate; a cover layer; a spacer element; a second electrode; and a controller. The substrate includes: a support location arranged on the substrate; and a first electrode arranged proximal the support location. The cover layer defines a touch sensor surface arranged over the substrate. The spacer element: is coupled to the substrate at the support location; and yields to displacement of the substrate downward responsive to forces applied to the touch sensor surface. The second electrode: is arranged opposite the first electrode to define a nominal gap; and is configured to effect electrical values of the first electrode responsive to displacement of the substrate. The controller is configured to: read a set of electrical values from the first sense electrode; and interpret a first force magnitude of a first touch input based on the set of electrical values.

Abstract: One variation of a system for a human-computer interface includes: a substrate; a post; and a controller. The substrate includes: a first region including a drive electrode concentric with a normal axis; and a second region arranged opposite the first region. The second region includes a set of sense electrodes arranged: radially about the normal axis; along a first axis orthogonal to the normal axis; and along a second axis orthogonal to the normal axis and the first axis. The post is arranged over the first region. The controller is configured to: read a set of electrical values from the set of sense electrodes; and based on the set of electrical values, interpret a first displacement of the drive electrode relative the set of sense electrodes along the first axis, and interpret a second displacement of the drive electrode relative to the set of sense electrodes along the second axis.

Abstract: Simulation of a physical interface utilizing touch tracking, force sensing, and haptic feedback is presented herein. A system tracks, via a touch sensing device of a tactile sensor of the system, a movement of a finger across the tactile sensor; in response to a location of the movement being determined to correspond to an interactive surface of the tactile sensor, the system generates, at the location, a first haptic feedback representing a defined type of simulated physical interface; based on the defined type of simulated physical interface, the system detects a force that has been applied to the tactile sensor; and in response to the force being determined to satisfy a defined force condition representing that an action is to be initiated, the system generates, via the interactive surface, a second haptic feedback representing that the action has been initiated by the system.

Abstract: Simulation of a physical interface utilizing touch tracking, force sensing, haptic feedback, and machine learning is presented herein. A system tracks, via a touch sensing device of a tactile sensor of the system, a movement of a finger across the tactile sensor; in response to a location of the movement being determined to correspond to an interactive surface of the tactile sensor, the system predicts a first haptic feedback representing a defined type of simulated physical interface; based on the defined type of simulated physical interface, the system detects a force that has been applied to the tactile sensor; and in response to the force being determined to satisfy a defined force condition representing that an action is to be initiated, the system predicts, via the interactive surface, a second haptic feedback representing that the action has been initiated by the system.

Abstract: A touch assembly includes: an outer tip; an inner tip; a circuit board; a vibration sensor; and a spring element. The outer tip includes a distal end defining an outer contact surface. The inner tip: is arranged concentrically within the outer tip; extends from the distal end of the outer tip; and defines an inner contact surface. The circuit board is arranged over a proximal end of the outer tip. The spring element: is interposed between the circuit board and the inner tip; couples the inner tip to a reference potential; and is configured to, during a haptic feedback cycle at a touch sensor in response to application of the inner tip toward the touch sensor, yield to locate the inner contact surface coplanar with the outer contact surface. The vibration sensor is arranged on the circuit board and configured to output vibration signals during the haptic feedback cycle.

Abstract: A system includes: a substrate including an edge supported by a chassis; a first electrode spanning a first area of the substrate and arranged proximal a center of the substrate; and a second electrode spanning a second area, greater than the first area, on the substrate and interposed between the first electrode and the edge of the substrate. The system further includes a first coupling region: facing the first electrode; and electrically coupling to the first electrode to yield a first electrical value at the first electrode responsive to application of a first force magnitude proximal the center of the substrate. The system also includes a second coupling region: facing the second electrode; and electrically coupling to the second electrode to yield a second electrical value, approximating the first electrical value, at the second electrode responsive to application of the first force magnitude proximal the center of the substrate.

Abstract: One variation of a system for a touch sensor includes: a substrate; a baseplate; and spacer elements. The substrate defines support locations. The baseplate spans a bottom layer of the substrate and defines spring elements: aligned to the support locations of the substrate; and configured to yield to displacement of the substrate toward the baseplate responsive to forces applied over the substrate. The spacer elements: are interposed between the support locations and the spring elements; and are configured to compress responsive to forces applied over the substrate. Each spacer element, in the spacer elements, includes: an elastomer element; a first adhesive layer; and a second adhesive layer. The first adhesive layer: is arranged over the elastomer element; and coupled to the bottom substrate layer at a support location. The second adhesive layer: is arranged below the elastomer element; and coupled to the baseplate at a spring element.

Abstract: Interpolation electrode patterning for capacitive-grid touch sensor is provided herein. Provided is a device that includes multiple column electrodes that include a first column electrode divided into a plurality of first column sub-electrodes and at least a second column electrode divided into a plurality of second column sub-electrodes. The first column electrode and the second column electrode are adjacent column electrodes. Further, first column sub-electrodes of the plurality of first column sub-electrodes are interleaved with second column sub-electrodes of the plurality of second column sub-electrodes in a first direction. A first layer of the device comprises the multiple column electrodes and a second layer of the device comprises the multiple row electrodes.

Abstract: One variation of a system for a human-computer interface includes: a substrate; a post; and a controller. The substrate includes: a first region including a drive electrode concentric with a normal axis; and a second region arranged opposite the first region. The second region includes a set of sense electrodes arranged: radially about the normal axis; along a first axis orthogonal to the normal axis; and along a second axis orthogonal to the normal axis and the first axis. The post is arranged over the first region. The controller is configured to: read a set of electrical values from the set of sense electrodes; and based on the set of electrical values, interpret a first displacement of the drive electrode relative the set of sense electrodes along the first axis, and interpret a second displacement of the drive electrode relative to the set of sense electrodes along the second axis.

Abstract: Interpolation electrode patterning for capacitive-grid touch sensor is provided herein. Provided is a device that includes multiple column electrodes that include a first column electrode divided into a plurality of first column sub-electrodes and at least a second column electrode divided into a plurality of second column sub-electrodes. The first column electrode and the second column electrode are adjacent column electrodes. Further, first column sub-electrodes of the plurality of first column sub-electrodes are interleaved with second column sub-electrodes of the plurality of second column sub-electrodes in a first direction. A first layer of the device comprises the multiple column electrodes and a second layer of the device comprises the multiple row electrodes.

Abstract: Touch sensor technologies are provided. In some embodiments, a touch sensor device includes an array of conductive members. The touch sensor device also includes a first routing trace electrically coupled to a first conductive member of the array of conductive members. The touch sensor device also includes a second routing trace electrically coupled to a second conductive member of the array of conductive member. The first and second routing traces extend to a connector integrated into the touch sensor device. The touch sensor device further includes a resistor that electrically couples the first routing trace and the second routing trace. A third conductive member of the array of conductive members is placed between the first and second conductive members. By incorporating a resistor, density of conductive members (sense lines and/or drive lines) can be increased without increasing density of routing traces to the connector.

Abstract: One variation of a system for a touch sensor includes: a substrate; a cover layer; a spacer element; a second electrode; and a controller. The substrate includes: a support location arranged on the substrate; and a first electrode arranged proximal the support location. The cover layer defines a touch sensor surface arranged over the substrate. The spacer element: is coupled to the substrate at the support location; and yields to displacement of the substrate downward responsive to forces applied to the touch sensor surface. The second electrode: is arranged opposite the first electrode to define a nominal gap; and is configured to effect electrical values of the first electrode responsive to displacement of the substrate. The controller is configured to: read a set of electrical values from the first sense electrode; and interpret a first force magnitude of a first touch input based on the set of electrical values.

Abstract: One variation of a touch sensor system includes a set of touch layers: spanning a first area; and including a set of electrodes. The system further includes a set of inductor layers: arranged below the set of touch layers; spanning a second area less than the first area; and including a set of spiral traces defining an inductor. The system also includes a magnetic element arranged below the set of inductor layers and defining a first polarity facing the inductor. The system further includes a controller configured to: read a set of electrical values from the set of electrodes; interpret a force magnitude of a touch input based on the set of electrical values; and in response to the force magnitude exceeding a force magnitude, drive an oscillating voltage across the inductor to induce alternating magnetic coupling between the inductor and the magnetic element.

Abstract: One variation of a system for a haptic actuator includes: a substrate; a baseplate; a magnetic element; and a set of spacer elements. The substrate includes: a first layer including a first spiral trace coiled in a first direction; and a second layer. The second layer is arranged below the first layer and includes a second spiral trace: coiled in a second direction opposite the first direction; and coupled to the first spiral trace to form an inductor. The substrate further includes terminals arranged about a periphery of the substrate and coupled to the inductor. The baseplate is arranged opposite the substrate. The magnetic element is: arranged on the baseplate; and defines a first polarity facing the inductor. The first set of spacer elements are: interposed between the baseplate and the substrate; arranged proximal edges of the baseplate; and defines a nominal gap between the magnetic element and the inductor.

Abstract: Touch sensor technologies are provided. In some embodiments, a touch sensor device includes an array of conductive members assembled on a first solid surface. The array includes a first conductive member and a second conductive member adjacent to the first conductive member. The touch sensor device also includes a conductive island contiguous to the first conductive member and the second conductive member. The conductive island overlays, at a defined distance from, a third conductive member assembled on a second solid surface opposite the first solid surface. In some cases, the touch sensor device can further include a conductive coupling member coupled to the conductive island at a first end and further coupled to the third conductive member at a second end opposite the first end. The conductive coupling member can be formed from a conductive material.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes: a frame; a sensor module; and a controller. The frame includes: a base structure that locates a display defining a front face of a device; and a lateral frame structure extending along and adjacent an edge of the display and supported on a side of the base structure. The base structure and the lateral frame structure cooperate to define a channel arranged behind the display and extending longitudinally between the lateral frame structure and the side of the base structure. The sensor module is arranged in the channel and includes: a substrate; and a linear array of sensors arranged on the substrate and outputting sense signals representing local deflections of the lateral frame structure. The controller detects locations and force magnitudes of side inputs on the device, proximal the edge of the display, based on sense signals output by the linear array of sensors.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes: a frame; a sensor module; and a controller. The frame includes: a base structure that locates a display defining a front face of a device; and a lateral frame structure extending along and adjacent an edge of the display and supported on a side of the base structure. The base structure and the lateral frame structure cooperate to define a channel arranged behind the display and extending longitudinally between the lateral frame structure and the side of the base structure. The sensor module is arranged in the channel and includes: a substrate; and a linear array of sensors arranged on the substrate and outputting sense signals representing local deflections of the lateral frame structure. The controller detects locations and force magnitudes of side inputs on the device, proximal the edge of the display, based on sense signals output by the linear array of sensors.

Abstract: Touch sensor technologies are provided. In some embodiments, a touch sensor device includes an array of conductive members. The touch sensor device also includes a first routing trace electrically coupled to a first conductive member of the array of conductive members. The touch sensor device also includes a second routing trace electrically coupled to a second conductive member of the array of conductive member. The first and second routing traces extend to a connector integrated into the touch sensor device. The touch sensor device further includes a resistor that electrically couples the first routing trace and the second routing trace. A third conductive member of the array of conductive members is placed between the first and second conductive members. By incorporating a resistor, density of conductive members (sense lines and/or drive lines) can be increased without increasing density of routing traces to the connector.

Abstract: Interpolation electrode patterning for capacitive-grid touch sensor is provided herein. Provided is a device that includes multiple column electrodes that include a first column electrode divided into a plurality of first column sub-electrodes and at least a second column electrode divided into a plurality of second column sub-electrodes. The first column electrode and the second column electrode are adjacent column electrodes. Further, first column sub-electrodes of the plurality of first column sub-electrodes are interleaved with second column sub-electrodes of the plurality of second column sub-electrodes in a first direction. A first layer of the device comprises the multiple column electrodes and a second layer of the device comprises the multiple row electrodes.