Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using x-axis gyroscopes, y-axis gyroscopes, z-axis gyroscopes, two-axis accelerometers and three-axis accelerometers. Combining fabrication processes for such devices can enable the monolithic integration of six inertial sensing axes on a single substrate, such as a single glass substrate. Such devices may be included in a mobile device, such as a mobile display device.

Abstract: A touch sensor may include a digital resistive touch (DRT) sensor architecture that is substantially free of air gaps. The DRT touch sensor may include a layer of force-sensitive resistor (FSR) material on an array of row and column electrodes. The electrodes may be formed on a substantially transparent substrate. Near the intersection of each row and column, one or more thin transparent patterned conductive bridges may be situated above the FSR. The conductive bridges may be configured for electrical connection with row and column electrodes when force is applied to the conductive bridge or surface of the touch sensor. Some touch sensors may include both DRT and projected capacitive touch (PCT) functionality.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a touch screens configured to determine a position of a touch event by selectively redirecting light to correlated locations on a light sensor. In one aspect, the touch screen apparatus can include a light guide forming a touch interface, a light source for injecting light into the light guide, a light sensor for detecting the injected light, and a pixilated light-turning layer. The pixilated light-turning layer can include a plurality of light-turning features forming pixels. The pixels can receive incident light corresponding to the emitted light scattered by an object contacting the light guide. The pixels can redirect the incident scattered light towards the light sensor such that light selectively propagates to one or more correlated light receiving locations. A processor can map the light receiving location to an area contacted by the object, thereby determining a position of a touch event.

Abstract: An authentication process may involve presenting an image on a display device, such as an icon associated with an application, indicating an area for a user to touch. At least partial fingerprint data may be obtained during one or more finger taps or touches in the area. Based on a comparison of the partial fingerprint data and master fingerprint data of the rightful user, a control system may determine whether to invoke a function. Invoking the function may involve authorizing a commercial transaction or unlocking the display device. In some implementations, determining whether to invoke the function may be based on a level of security.

Abstract: Various techniques and apparatuses are disclosed that provide for pixelated display modules that integrate an ultrasonic fingerprint or biometric sensing capability. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and the display components of the display module may share a common backplane. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may share a flex cable with other components in the display module. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may leverage conductive traces on a cover glass used to provide for touch input to the display module.

Abstract: A method is disclosed, including detecting a signal representative of an object with a piezoelectric device. A display is powered up from a sleep mode based upon the detected signal. The display can be powered up based upon a comparison of the signal to a threshold value. The threshold value can be a predetermined value or based upon a previous signal detected by the piezoelectric device or a previous signal detected by the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus related to an ultrasonic sensor for detecting ultrasonic energy. In some implementations, the ultrasonic sensor includes a piezoelectric receiver layer bonded with an adhesive to an array of pixel circuits disposed on a substrate, each pixel circuit in the array including at least one thin film transistor (TFT) element and having a pixel input electrode electrically coupled to the pixel circuit. Methods of forming ultrasonic sensors include bonding piezoelectric receiver layers to TFT arrays.

Abstract: A multifunctional pixel is disclosed. The multifunctional pixel may include a display pixel, a photoelectric sensor, and a second sensor. The second sensor may include one of the following: an ultrasonic sensor and an infrared sensor. The display pixel, the photoelectric sensor, and the second sensor may be located in the multifunctional pixel.

Abstract: A display device has a visual display capable of providing an image and an ultrasonic sensor array attached to a backside component of the visual display. The ultrasonic sensor array may be an ultrasonic area array sensor. For example, the backside component may be a backlight, an optical waveguide, or a display TFT.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for microspeaker devices. In one aspect, a microspeaker element may include a deformable dielectric membrane that spans a speaker cavity. The deformable dielectric membrane can include a piezoactuator and a dielectric layer. Upon application of a driving signal to the piezoactuator, the dielectric layer can deflect, producing sound. In some implementations, an array of microspeaker elements can be encapsulated between a glass substrate and a cover glass. Sound generated by the microspeaker elements can be emitted through a speaker grill formed in the cover glass.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for glass-encapsulated microphones. In one aspect, a glass-encapsulated microphone may include a glass substrate, an electromechanical microphone device, an integrated circuit device, and a cover glass. The cover glass may be bonded to the glass substrate with an adhesive, such as epoxy, or a metal bond ring. The cover glass may have any of a number of configurations. In some configurations, the cover glass may define an aperture for the electromechanical microphone device at an edge of the glass-encapsulated microphone. In some configurations, the cover glass may define a cavity to accommodate the integrated circuit device that is separate from a cavity that accommodates the electromechanical microphone device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for microspeaker devices. In one aspect, a microspeaker element may include a deformable dielectric membrane that spans a speaker cavity. The deformable dielectric membrane can include a piezoactuator and a dielectric layer. Upon application of a driving signal to the piezoactuator, the dielectric layer can deflect, producing sound. In some implementations, an array of microspeaker elements can be encapsulated between a glass substrate and a cover glass. Sound generated by the microspeaker elements can be emitted through a speaker grill formed in the cover glass.

Abstract: A separate control system may be configured for a combined sensor device. Alternatively, at least part of the control system may be included in another device, such as a processor of a mobile device. Software for handwriting, touch and fingerprint detection may be included in the control system. Low, medium and high resolution may be obtained with a single combined sensor device by scanning a subset of the sensels, or by aggregating lines or columns. Power consumption may be reduced by aggregating sensor pixels (or rows or columns) electrically using the controller, so that they perform as a low power small array until higher resolution with a larger array is needed. Power consumption may be reduced by turning off portions or all of the sensor device, turning off parts of the control system, and/or employing first-level screening at a reduced frame rate.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for sense elements in an electromechanical microphone device. In one aspect, a piezoelectric sense element may include a glass substrate, electrode layers, piezoelectric layers, and elastic layers. The elastic layers may serve to modify the neutral plane of the piezoelectric sense element. Including an elastic layer or layers to modify the neutral plane of the piezoelectric sense element may serve to configure the sense element such that the piezoelectric layer generates a voltage in response to a sound wave or may serve to increase the sensitivity of the sense element.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a display device with at least one transparent antenna. In one aspect, a transparent antenna is formed on the surface of a transparent substrate and is cooperatively coupled with a second antenna. The transparent antenna can avoid substantial interference with images produced by the display device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a display device with at least one transparent antenna. In one aspect, the transparent antenna is formed on a surface of a transparent substrate and may be electrically reinforced with one or more electrically conductive traces. The transparent antenna can avoid substantial interference with images produced by the display device.

Abstract: A mobile device may include a sensor array. The sensor array may be a touch sensor array, such as a projected capacitive touch (PCT) sensor array. The mobile device may be configured to determine whether one or more sensor signals from the sensor array indicate an ear gesture and/or the presence of an ear. One or more device operations may be invoked according to the determination.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing a transparent multilayer structure having electrical connections between conductive components disposed throughout the structure. In one aspect, a thin transparent conductive adhesive is used to provide electrical connections between layers. These electrical connections can be made throughout the multilayer structure, even in portions of the structure that overlie a display in a display device, reducing the overall footprint of a display device including such a multilayer structure.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for optical touch detection systems. In one aspect, the optical touch detection systems include a light detector and a light guide including a plurality of angled slots. The angled slots can be configured to reflect light towards the light detector. A processor can be utilized to correlate the light, or the change in light, detected by the light detector with the touch event or a gesture.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for an optical system including a light guide and a plurality of angled slots. The angled slots are defined by undercuts in the light guide and are filled with a filler material having a refractive index that is mismatched with the refractive index of the light guide material by about 0.3 or less. The angled slots are configured to eject light out of the light guide principally by Fresnel reflections. Layers formed of the filler material can be disposed along each of the bottom and top major surfaces of the light guide. In some implementations, the light guide is attached to a light source. The light source emits light that is injected into the light guide and the angled slots redirect the light out of the light guide toward a desired target. In some implementations, the target is a display.