Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice search. A voice search system for a voice-enabled device captures one or more images of a scene, detects a user in the one or more images, determines whether the position of the user satisfies an attention-based trigger condition for initiating a voice search operation, and selectively transmits a voice query to a network resource based at least in part on the determination. The voice query may include audio recorded from the scene and/or the one or more images captured of the scene. The voice search system may further determine whether the trigger condition is satisfied as a result of a false trigger and disable the voice-enabled device from transmitting the voice query to the network resource based at least in part on the trigger condition being satisfied as the result of a false trigger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device comprising: a light guide configured to receive incident light from one or more light sources; a cover layer with a sensing surface configured to receive an input object to be sensed; and a set of photodetectors. The light guide includes diffraction gratings configured to diffract the incident light as diffracted light, wherein the diffracted light exits the light guide and travels towards the sensing surface. The diffracted light is reflected from the sensing surface as reflected light. The reflected light is sensed by the set of photodetectors to form an image of the input object.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for imaging an object. For example, an optical sensor for imaging an input object, comprises: a sensor substrate comprising detector pixels; a scattering layer; a cover layer including a sensing surface, wherein the scattering layer is disposed between the sensor substrate and the cover layer; and, a light source. The optical sensor is configured to: illuminate the light source causing light beams to emanate from the light source to produce an effect of a point light source at the scattering layer; and acquire image data, from one or more detector pixels, of an input object in contact with the sensing surface, wherein the image data corresponds to light from the light source that is reflected at the sensing surface of the cover layer.

Abstract: An integrated sensing device comprising a force sensor and fingerprint sensor disposed on different portions of a flexible circuit. The fingerprint sensor is disposed on a first side of a first portion of the flexible circuit and the force sensor is disposed on a second portion of the flexible circuit. The flexible circuit is configured such that the first portion is over the second portion. The fingerprint sensor includes fingerprint sensor electrodes disposed on the first side of the first portion. The force sensor comprises a compressible layer disposed between a second side of the first portion and a first side of the second portion, and one or more one force electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device comprising: a light guide configured to receive incident light from one or more light sources; a cover layer with a sensing surface configured to receive an input object to be sensed; and a set of photodetectors. The light guide includes diffraction gratings configured to diffract the incident light as diffracted light, wherein the diffracted light exits the light guide and travels towards the sensing surface. The diffracted light is reflected from the sensing surface as reflected light. The reflected light is sensed by the set of photodetectors to form an image of the input object.

Abstract: An input device includes a transparent layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and an inner layer positioned below and directly contacting the bottom surface of the transparent layer, wherein the inner layer has a second index of refraction (n2) that is lower than a first index of refraction (n1) of the transparent layer, and wherein a first region of the transparent layer extends past an end of the inner layer. The device also includes a light source positioned below the bottom surface of the transparent layer, and a reflector arrangement configured to reflect light emitted by the light source into the transparent layer in or proximal to the first region of the transparent layer, wherein at least a portion of the light reflected into the transparent layer propagates within the transparent layer by total internal reflection.

Abstract: A force sensing apparatus includes a first layer having a first electrode disposed thereon, a second layer having a second electrode disposed thereon, and a spacer layer configured to transfer an input force exerted on the first layer to the second layer. The spacer layer causes a change in a separation distance between the first electrode and the second electrode in response to the input force. The force sensing apparatus further includes processing circuitry to detect a change in capacitive coupling between the first electrode and the second electrode based on the change in separation distance, and to determine force information about the input force based at least in part on the detected change in capacitive coupling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice search. A voice search system for a voice-enabled device captures one or more images of a scene, detects a user in the one or more images, determines whether the position of the user satisfies an attention-based trigger condition for initiating a voice search operation, and selectively transmits a voice query to a network resource based at least in part on the determination. The voice query may include audio recorded from the scene and/or the one or more images captured of the scene. The voice search system may further determine whether the trigger condition is satisfied as a result of a false trigger and disable the voice-enabled device from transmitting the voice query to the network resource based at least in part on the trigger condition being satisfied as the result of a false trigger.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a display device that includes a display substrate coupled to a frame. A stiffener substrate is also coupled to the frame. A first force sensing element is disposed on the stiffener substrate, and the stiffener substrate is disposed between the first force sensing element and the display substrate. The display device also includes a second force sensing element, where a distance between the first force sensing element and the second force sensing element decreases when the display substrate is deflected.

Abstract: A force sensing apparatus includes a first layer having a first electrode disposed thereon, a second layer having a second electrode disposed thereon, and a spacer layer configured to transfer an input force exerted on the first layer to the second layer. The spacer layer causes a change in a separation distance between the first electrode and the second electrode in response to the input force. The force sensing apparatus further includes processing circuitry to detect a change in capacitive coupling between the first electrode and the second electrode based on the change in separation distance, and to determine force information about the input force based at least in part on the detected change in capacitive coupling.

Abstract: An input device includes a transparent layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and an inner layer positioned below and directly contacting the bottom surface of the transparent layer, wherein the inner layer has a second index of refraction (n2) that is lower than a first index of refraction (n1) of the transparent layer, and wherein a first region of the transparent layer extends past an end of the inner layer. The device also includes a light source positioned below the bottom surface of the transparent layer, and a reflector arrangement configured to reflect light emitted by the light source into the transparent layer in or proximal to the first region of the transparent layer, wherein at least a portion of the light reflected into the transparent layer propagates within the transparent layer by total internal reflection.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for imaging an object. For example, an optical sensor for imaging an input object, comprises: a sensor substrate comprising detector pixels; a scattering layer; a cover layer including a sensing surface, wherein the scattering layer is disposed between the sensor substrate and the cover layer; and, a light source. The optical sensor is configured to: illuminate the light source causing light beams to emanate from the light source to produce an effect of a point light source at the scattering layer; and acquire image data, from one or more detector pixels, of an input object in contact with the sensing surface, wherein the image data corresponds to light from the light source that is reflected at the sensing surface of the cover layer.

Abstract: An optical fingerprint sensor includes: cover glass for receiving a finger; a transparent electrode layer below a bottom surface of the cover glass; an organic light emitting diode layer (OLED) below the transparent electrode layer; and a metal electrode layer below the OLED layer. Multiple openings extend through each of the transparent electrode layer, OLED layer, and metal electrode layer, and transmit reflected light reflected from a top surface of the cover glass when a finger is positioned over the top surface of the cover glass. A collimator or pinhole filter is below the metal electrode layer, and includes multiple apertures for transmitting the reflected light after the reflected light is transmitted through the multiple openings. An imager is below the bottom surface of the collimator or pinhole filter, and includes an array of pixels that detects the reflected light after the reflected light is transmitted through the multiple apertures.

Abstract: An electronic device including an optical sensor for optically sensing an image of an input object such as a user's fingerprint is provided. The electronic device includes a display layer, a detector, a pinhole layer, a cover layer and an illuminator. The display layer is configured to generate light within a visible light spectrum. The detector is configured to be sensitive to a wavelength of light. The pinhole layer is located above both the display layer and the detector. The cover layer is located above the pinhole layer, and the illuminator is configured to illuminate a sensing region of the cover layer with the wavelength of light. Further, the pinhole layer has an array of pinhole apertures formed in a material substantially transparent to the light generated by the display layer and substantially opaque to the wavelength of light from the illuminator.

Abstract: An integrated sensing device comprising a force sensor and fingerprint sensor disposed on different portions of a flexible circuit. The fingerprint sensor is disposed on a first portion of the flexible circuit and the force sensor is disposed on a second portion and the flexible circuit is configured such that the first portion is over the second portion. The force sensor comprises a compressible layer and one or more one force electrodes, where the compressible layer is disposed between the first and second portions.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described for operating an electronic system which includes a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a first layer and configured to detect input objects at an input surface of the input device, the first plurality of sensor electrodes including a first subset of transmitter electrodes; a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect a force imparted to the input surface and configured for capacitive coupling with the first subset of transmitter electrodes; and a compressible dielectric configured to compress in response to force applied to the input surface. The capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrodes and the second plurality of sensor electrodes is configured to vary in response to the applied force.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a display device that includes a display substrate coupled to a frame. A stiffener substrate is also coupled to the frame. A first force sensing element is disposed on the stiffener substrate, and the stiffener substrate is disposed between the first force sensing element and the display substrate. The display device also includes a second force sensing element, where a distance between the first force sensing element and the second force sensing element decreases when the display substrate is deflected.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described for operating an electronic system which includes a pliable component having an input surface, a first array of sensor electrodes, a second array of sensor electrodes, and a third array of sensor electrodes. The input device also includes a conductive substrate spaced apart from the pliable component and a compliant component disposed between the pliable component and the conductive substrate. In response to pressure applied by an input object to the input surface, the pliable component and the first, second, and third arrays of sensor electrodes locally deform and the compliant component locally compresses such that a spacing between the conductive substrate and at least one electrode from each of the first, second, and third arrays decreases.

Abstract: An electronic device including an optical sensor for optically sensing an image of an input object such as a user's fingerprint is provided. The electronic device includes a display layer, a detector, a pinhole layer, a cover layer and an illuminator. The display layer is configured to generate light within a visible light spectrum. The detector is configured to be sensitive to a wavelength of light. The pinhole layer is located above both the display layer and the detector. The cover layer is located above the pinhole layer, and the illuminator is configured to illuminate a sensing region of the cover layer with the wavelength of light. Further, the pinhole layer has an array of pinhole apertures formed in a material substantially transparent to the light generated by the display layer and substantially opaque to the wavelength of light from the illuminator.

Abstract: An optical fingerprint sensor includes: cover glass for receiving a finger; a transparent electrode layer below a bottom surface of the cover glass; an organic light emitting diode layer (OLED) below the transparent electrode layer; and a metal electrode layer below the OLED layer. Multiple openings extend through each of the transparent electrode layer, OLED layer, and metal electrode layer, and transmit reflected light reflected from a top surface of the cover glass when a finger is positioned over the top surface of the cover glass. A collimator or pinhole filter is below the metal electrode layer, and includes multiple apertures for transmitting the reflected light after the reflected light is transmitted through the multiple openings. An imager is below the bottom surface of the collimator or pinhole filter, and includes an array of pixels that detects the reflected light after the reflected light is transmitted through the multiple apertures.