Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a cover layer and a first sensor apparatus. The cover layer is molded from a first material to have a planar surface and non-uniform thickness, where a thickness of the first material at a first region of the cover layer is less than a thickness of the first material surrounding the first region. The first sensor apparatus is disposed beneath the planar surface of the cover layer, within the first region. The first sensor apparatus is configured to transmit and receive first capacitive sensing signals through a portion of the planar surface coinciding with the first region. For example, the first sensor apparatus may be a fingerprint sensor configured to detect a fingerprint on the portion of the planar surface coinciding with the first region based on changes in the first capacitive sensing signals.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a cover layer and a first sensor apparatus. The cover layer is molded from a first material to have a planar surface and non-uniform thickness, where a thickness of the first material at a first region of the cover layer is less than a thickness of the first material surrounding the first region. The first sensor apparatus is disposed beneath the planar surface of the cover layer, within the first region. The first sensor apparatus is configured to transmit and receive first capacitive sensing signals through a portion of the planar surface coinciding with the first region. For example, the first sensor apparatus may be a fingerprint sensor configured to detect a fingerprint on the portion of the planar surface coinciding with the first region based on changes in the first capacitive sensing signals.

Abstract: The present implementations relate to a support structure for an input device that supports deflection of an input surface responsive to input forces exerted thereon and vibration of the input surface responsive to haptic feedback generated by a haptic actuator. The support structure includes one or more fixed structures mounted to a housing and a dynamic surface mounted to a sensor layer of the input device. A number of first deformable segments cantilever from the one or more fixed surfaces and deflect in a vertical direction when an input force is exerted on the sensor layer, where the input force is orthogonal to the input surface. A number of second deformable segments connect the plurality of first deformable segments to the dynamic surface and deflect in a horizontal direction when shear forces are exerted on the dynamic surface, where the shear forces are parallel to the input surface.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a cover layer and a first sensor apparatus. The cover layer is molded from a first material to have a planar surface and non-uniform thickness, where a thickness of the first material at a first region of the cover layer is less than a thickness of the first material surrounding the first region. The first sensor apparatus is disposed beneath the planar surface of the cover layer, within the first region. The first sensor apparatus is configured to transmit and receive first capacitive sensing signals through a portion of the planar surface coinciding with the first region. For example, the first sensor apparatus may be a fingerprint sensor configured to detect a fingerprint on the portion of the planar surface coinciding with the first region based on changes in the first capacitive sensing signals.

Abstract: An input device configured for multi-factor authentication. The input device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes, one or more light sources, and an authentication component. The plurality of sensor electrodes is configured for capacitive sensing in a sensing region of the input device. The one or more light sources are configured to illuminate at least a portion of the sensing region of the input device. The authentication component is configured to receive a first authentication input via a first authentication device, determine whether the first authentication input matches a first credential of an authorized user, and selectively activate the one or more light sources based at least in part on whether the first authentication input matches the first credential of an authorized user.

Abstract: The present implementations relate to a support structure for an input device that supports deflection of an input surface responsive to input forces exerted thereon and vibration of the input surface responsive to haptic feedback generated by a haptic actuator. The support structure includes one or more fixed structures mounted to a housing and a dynamic surface mounted to a sensor layer of the input device. A number of first deformable segments cantilever from the one or more fixed surfaces and deflect in a vertical direction when an input force is exerted on the sensor layer, where the input force is orthogonal to the input surface. A number of second deformable segments connect the plurality of first deformable segments to the dynamic surface and deflect in a horizontal direction when shear forces are exerted on the dynamic surface, where the shear forces are parallel to the input surface.

Abstract: An input device configured for multi-factor authentication. The input device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes, one or more light sources, and an authentication component. The plurality of sensor electrodes is configured for capacitive sensing in a sensing region of the input device. The one or more light sources are configured to illuminate at least a portion of the sensing region of the input device. The authentication component is configured to receive a first authentication input via a first authentication device, determine whether the first authentication input matches a first credential of an authorized user, and selectively activate the one or more light sources based at least in part on whether the first authentication input matches the first credential of an authorized user.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a cover layer and a first sensor apparatus. The cover layer is molded from a first material to have a planar surface and non-uniform thickness, where a thickness of the first material at a first region of the cover layer is less than a thickness of the first material surrounding the first region. The first sensor apparatus is disposed beneath the planar surface of the cover layer, within the first region. The first sensor apparatus is configured to transmit and receive first capacitive sensing signals through a portion of the planar surface coinciding with the first region. For example, the first sensor apparatus may be a fingerprint sensor configured to detect a fingerprint on the portion of the planar surface coinciding with the first region based on changes in the first capacitive sensing signals.

Abstract: An input device sensor includes proximity receiver electrodes on a first single layer, force receiver electrodes on a second single layer, and transmitter electrodes configured to transmit a transmitter signal. Each transmitter electrode includes proximity transmitter segments linearly arranged on the first single layer and separated by the proximity receiver electrodes. The transmitter electrodes further each include force transmitter segments linearly arranged on the second single layer and separated by the force receiver electrodes, the force transmitter segments connecting adjacent proximity transmitter segments in the proximity transmitter segments. The input device sensor further includes a first ground shield on the first single layer, the first ground shield shielding the force receiver electrodes from the proximity transmitter segments. The input device sensor further includes a ground plane, and a compressible layer interposed between the second single layer and the ground plane.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for operating an input device for an electronic system which includes a housing. The input device includes an input surface and a first substrate having a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to sense input objects proximate the input surface, and a pair of force sensing electrodes on the bottom of the first substrate. The input device includes a second substrate having a planar spring plate including a perimeter region surrounding an interior region, the perimeter region including a leaf spring coupled to the housing, and a spacing layer configured to physically couple the interior region of the second substrate to the first substrate. A force applied to the input surface deflects the first substrate and the interior region relative to the perimeter region, changing a variable capacitance formed between the force sensing electrodes.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide improved sensor devices and methods that facilitate improved sensor devices. Specifically, the devices and methods provide capacitive image sensors that require only two layers of conductive elements formed on a single substrate. The ability to provide an image sensor using only a single substrate with two layers of conductive elements may substantially reduce the cost and complexity of the capacitive image sensor. In one embodiment, an input device is provided that comprises a first substrate having a first and second side. Each of the second array of second sensor electrodes comprises a plurality of isolated components disposed on the first side and a plurality of connectors disposed on the second side. The connectors and isolated components of the second sensor electrodes are arranged such that adjacent pairs of connectors along the first direction are separated by a distance substantially greater than the first pitch.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein are related to capacitive input device, including a substrate, first sensor electrodes deposited on the substrate and arranged in a first direction, an insulating layer, connecting elements deposited on the insulating layer, and second sensor electrodes. The second sensor electrodes includes sensor electrode elements deposited on the substrate ohmically isolated from the first sensor electrodes. Each of the sensor electrode elements are connected to at least one other sensor electrode element. The capacitive input device may further include a routing elements deposited on the insulating layer, where each of the routing elements are coupled to one of the second sensor electrodes and is substantially disposed in the first direction.

Abstract: An input device for use with an electronic system includes a deflectable component having an input surface configured to be touched by input objects and a capacitive sensor layer configured to sense positional information of the input objects. A hinge pivotably mounts a first edge of the deflectable component to the electronic system and facilitates deflection of the deflectable component in response to force applied by an input object to the input surface. A spring mechanism is spaced apart from the hinge and configured to resiliently couple a second edge of the deflectable component to the electronic system and to provide a restoring force responsive to the applied force.

Abstract: An input device for use with an electronic system. The input device includes: a substantially planar input surface comprising a capacitive sensor layer configured to sense positional information for an input object, the input surface having a first zone and a second zone, wherein the second zone is configured to deflect in response to force applied to the second zone by the input object; a stiffener substrate having a first portion affixed to a bottom surface of the first zone, and at least one finger extending parallel to and spaced apart from the second zone; and an actuation mechanism disposed between the finger and the second zone.

Abstract: An input device for use with an electronic system of the type including a substantially planar deck having a basin extending downwardly from the deck and comprising at least one slot. The input device includes: a downwardly deflectable component including an input surface configured to be touched by input objects and a capacitive sensor layer configured to sense positional information of the input objects; a hinge having a first hinged component comprising at least one pad coupled to a bottom surface of the deflectable component, a second hinged component configured to be secured to the basin, and at least one tab configured to be inserted into the at least one slot; and an actuation element disposed between the first and second hinged components and configured to detect deflection of the deflectable component in response to force applied to the input surface by an input object.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for operating an input device for an electronic system which includes a housing. The input device includes an input surface and a first substrate having a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to sense input objects proximate the input surface, and a pair of force sensing electrodes on the bottom of the first substrate. The input device includes a second substrate having a planar spring plate including a perimeter region surrounding an interior region, the perimeter region including a leaf spring coupled to the housing, and a spacing layer configured to physically couple the interior region of the second substrate to the first substrate. A force applied to the input surface deflects the first substrate and the interior region relative to the perimeter region, changing a variable capacitance formed between the force sensing electrodes.

Abstract: A laptop computer comprising a keyboard including a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel. The laptop computer also includes a plurality of keycaps having a touch surface for receiving a press force, each keycap positioned within a respective one of the plurality of key openings. The laptop computer also includes a chassis having a plurality of planar-translation effecting mechanisms each supporting a respective one of the plurality of keycaps such that, in response to receiving the press force, the respective keycap moves in a press direction and a second direction orthogonal to the press direction from an unpressed position toward a pressed position.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for operating an input device for an electronic system which includes a housing. The input device includes an input surface and a first substrate having a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to sense input objects proximate the input surface, and a pair of force sensing electrodes on the bottom of the first substrate. The input device includes a second substrate having a planar spring plate including a perimeter region surrounding an interior region, the perimeter region including a leaf spring coupled to the housing, and a spacing layer configured to physically couple the interior region of the second substrate to the first substrate. A force applied to the input surface deflects the first substrate and the interior region relative to the perimeter region, changing a variable capacitance formed between the force sensing electrodes.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide improved sensor devices and methods that facilitate improved sensor devices. Specifically, the devices and methods provide capacitive image sensors that require only two layers of conductive elements formed on a single substrate. The ability to provide an image sensor using only a single substrate with two layers of conductive elements may substantially reduce the cost and complexity of the capacitive image sensor. In one embodiment, an input device is provided that comprises a first substrate having a first and second side. Each of the second array of second sensor electrodes comprises a plurality of isolated components disposed on the first side and a plurality of connectors disposed on the second side. The connectors and isolated components of the second sensor electrodes are arranged such that adjacent pairs of connectors along the first direction are separated by a distance substantially greater than the first pitch.

Abstract: An input device for use with an electronic system. The input device includes: a substantially planar input surface comprising a capacitive sensor layer configured to sense positional information for an input object, the input surface having a first zone and a second zone, wherein the second zone is configured to deflect in response to force applied to the second zone by the input object; a stiffener substrate having a first portion affixed to a bottom surface of the first zone, and at least one finger extending parallel to and spaced apart from the second zone; and an actuation mechanism disposed between the finger and the second zone.