U.S. patent application number 13/156186 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-29 for single piece top surface display layer and integrated front cover for an electronic device.
Invention is credited to Shawn R. Gettemy, William R. Hanson, Lawrence Lam, Anna P. Slothower.
Application Number | 20110234525 13/156186 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39199241 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110234525 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gettemy; Shawn R. ; et
al. |
September 29, 2011 |
SINGLE PIECE TOP SURFACE DISPLAY LAYER AND INTEGRATED FRONT COVER
FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
A single-piece top surface display and integrated front cover
for an electronic device. In one embodiment, the cover comprises a
thin, flexible, transparent layer coupled with a supporting
structure. The flexible layer is supported above a display screen
which Is coupled with pressure activated sensors located under the
display screen. The cover is dust-free, waterproof, and has a flat
outer surface that is free of any steps or indentations. Users
input data by applying pressure on the cover which causes the
display screen to deflect and activate the sensors. The pressure
exerted on the sensors is triangulated to register the position of
the user input. In another embodiment, the cover is transparent,
rigid, and directly contacts the pressure activated sensors which
are located in front of the display screen or in the housing behind
it. When pressure is applied to the cover, the cover deflects and
activates the sensors. In both embodiments, an accelerometer
identifies valid input events.
Inventors: |
Gettemy; Shawn R.; (San
Jose, CA) ; Hanson; William R.; (Mountain View,
CA) ; Lam; Lawrence; (San Jose, CA) ;
Slothower; Anna P.; (Belmont, CA) |
Family ID: |
39199241 |
Appl. No.: |
13/156186 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11758888 |
Jun 6, 2007 |
7973772 |
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13156186 |
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09863706 |
May 22, 2001 |
7348964 |
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11758888 |
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09774990 |
Jan 30, 2001 |
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09863706 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1643 20130101;
Y10S 345/905 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101; G06F 3/04142 20190501;
G06F 3/041 20130101; G06F 1/1637 20130101; G06F 3/045 20130101;
G06F 1/1684 20130101; G06F 1/1698 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041 |
Claims
1. A display assembly for an electronic device comprising: a
display mechanism; a plurality of pressure activated sensors; and a
single-piece bezel-less top cover enclosing said display mechanism
to allow mechanical transfer between said top cover and said
plurality of pressure activated sensors, wherein said pressure
activated sensors can be activated by mechanical pressure applied
to the external surface of said single-piece cover enclosure.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/758,888, filed Jun. 6, 2007, entitled
SINGLE PIECE TOP SURFACE DISPLAY LAYER AND INTEGRATED FRONT COVER
FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE; which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/863,706, filed May 22, 2001, entitled
SINGLE PIECE TOP SURFACE DISPLAY LAYER AND INTEGRATED FRONT COVER
FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,348,964, issued Mar.
25, 2008; which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/774,990, filed Jan. 30, 2001,
entitled INTEGRATED ENCLOSURE/TOUCH SCREEN ASSEMBLY; all
aforementioned priority applications are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of portable
electronic devices that contain display devices. More particularly,
the present invention relates to devices that contain a touch
screen assembly that is activated by finger touch or by stylus
pressure.
[0004] 2. Prior Art
[0005] Advances in computer technology have enabled the further
miniaturization of the components required to build computer
systems. As such, new categories of computer systems have been
created. One of the newer categories of computer systems is the
portable, hand held, or "palmtop" computer system, also referred to
as a personal digital assistant or PDA. Other examples of a
portable computer system include electronic address books,
electronic day planners, electronic schedulers and the like.
[0006] A palmtop computer system is a computer that is small enough
to be held in the user's hand and as such is "palm-sized." As a
result, palmtops are readily carried about in the user's briefcase,
purse, and in some instances, in the user's pocket. By virtue of
its size, the palmtop computer, being inherently lightweight, 10 is
therefore exceptionally portable and convenient.
[0007] Flat panel resistive touch screen displays are found in
numerous electronic products such as wrist watches, hand
calculators, cell phones and PDA's both to present information to
the user as well as to facilitate input of data such as user touch
screen commands. Such displays include a resistive digitizer
mechanism and a display mechanism. A typical resistive digitizer
mechanism consists of a digitizing element having a flexible thin
film supported slightly above the surface of another thin layer
digitizing element. A pressure applied to the outer surface of the
flexible film causes the film to deflect and contact the digitizing
element at a point which can be measured and thereby used as an
input signal to activate the digitizer mechanism.
[0008] The flexible film and the digitizing element must be mounted
in a support housing to provide and maintain the proper spacing
between the two. At the same time, additional protection against
moisture, dust, and mechanical damage must be provided for the
flexible film used in the digitizer mechanism. Thus, an additional
outer protective film mounted above the digitizer flexible film is
generally included in the touch screen display assembly. The
problem here is the reduction in the sensitivity to the external
mechanical pressure required to activate the digitizer mechanism.
In addition, the added protective film may increase overall opacity
which makes it more difficult to view any display element housed
within.
[0009] Typically, a touch screen mechanism and a display mechanism
are mounted within an enclosure in a recessed fashion. That is, the
surface of the additional protective film which actually forms the
outer surface of the digitizer mechanism is on a level below the
outer edges of the supporting enclosure which acts as a bezel. The
display is mounted beneath this digitizer mechanism. The resulting
product then has a rim or step-down edge surrounding the touch
screen which presents the typical bezel-like appearance.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of an enclosure/touch screen
assembly 100 utilized in prior art. The entire assembly is held in
place by the supporting structure 105. The outer protective film
110 provides mechanical protection for the resistive digitizer film
120. In addition, the outer protective film is coupled to the
support mechanism in order to provide a moisture and dust seal. The
digitizing element 130 is located below and close to the digitizer
film 120. An externally applied pressure that deflects the
protective film will also deflect the digitizer film.
[0011] Any applied pressure great enough to cause the digitizer
film to contact the digitizing element will then activate the
resistive digitizer mechanism. The display element 140 is located
below the digitizer mechanism. User information is displayed on the
upper surface of the display element. Together, the protective
film, the digitizer film and the digitizing element must have an
opacity small enough to allow viewing of the information displayed
on the display element. The entire touch screen assembly is located
within the support structure such that the surface of the outer
protective film is below the upper edge of the support structure.
There is therefore a step-down corner 150 from 15 the upper edge of
the support structure to the surface of the outer protective film
and the resulting assembly exhibits a bezel like appearance. These
step-down corners add thickness to the assembly, are dust and
moisture collectors, are difficult to clean, and frequently do not
seal properly. The electrical traces and electrodes 160, locate
where the digitizer film and the digitizing element come 20 into
contact with each other. The metal frame 170, physically separates
the touch screen assembly from the display element.
[0012] One problem with the bezel design is that maintaining a
moisture and dust-free environment for the touch screen mechanism
is difficult. Such an assembly often does not provide a
satisfactory moisture and dust proof enclosure. An additional
problem involves the complexity and cost of assembly. Yet another
problem involves the overall thickness of the device. The bezel
design adds unwanted thickness to the display components.
Additionally, some designers would like to eliminate the bezel to
update the appearance of the device.
[0013] Another drawback is that, because of the amount of space
between the touch surface of the touch screen and display screen,
there is what is commonly referred to as the parallax effect.
Simply stated, the parallax effect is a type of visual spatial
distortion such that the actual point of contact on the touch
screen does not correspond to the intended target area of the
display screen. This is analogous to a stick being immersed in
water, such that the stick takes on a bent or distorted
appearance.
[0014] An additional drawback is that the amount of light that
comes from the display screen through the touch screen to be viewed
by the user is only about 80% of the available light. In a
reflective display, that amount is further reduced to about 64%.
This reduces the overall contrast, clarity, and quality of the
display as seen by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It would be advantageous, then, to provide a flat bezel-free
display interface. Such an interface would reduce the possibility
of damage to electronic components from dust or water. It would
also be advantageous to provide a display interface which reduces
the parallax effect and passes more light from the display to the
viewer. The present invention provides a solution to meet the above
needs.
[0016] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention solve the
problems of parallax and reduced display quality seen in today's
touch screen displays. Embodiments of the present invention also
eliminate the need for the bezel usually seen with touch screen
displays. The optical properties of the display are improved
because the layers required for the conventional analog resistive
touch screens are eliminated. Embodiments of the present invention
enable thinner construction. They improve the optical performance
of the display including power efficiency, contrast, and
brightness. These and other advantages of the present invention and
others not specifically recited above will be described in more
detail herein.
[0017] Embodiments of the present invention include a single-piece
integrated front cover and display for an electronic device. In one
embodiment, the cover consists of a thin flexible transparent outer
layer coupled with a supporting structure. The flexible layer is
supported above a display screen which is coupled with pressure
activated sensors located behind the display. The single-piece
cover is dust-free, waterproof, and can have a flat outer surface
that is bezel-free, e.g., it is free of any steps or indentations.
Users input data by applying pressure on the cover which causes the
display screen to deflect and activate pressure sensors. The
pressure exerted on each sensor is measured to triangulate the
position of the user input.
[0018] In another embodiment, the cover is transparent, rigid, and
extends around the display to directly contact the pressure
activated sensors. The sensors may be located in front of the
display, behind it, or may be located in the housing. The display
is coupled with the cover. When pressure is applied to the cover,
the cover deflects and activates the sensors. In both embodiments,
an accelerometer can be used for thresholding to identify valid
input events. This display minimizes the problems of parallax and
reduced display brightness because the display is seen without the
intervening layer of the touch screen mechanism.
[0019] Embodiments of the present invention describe a display
assembly for an electronic device. The display assembly has a
transparent cover above a display mechanism. Users can input data
and commands by pressing on this cover. The forces from the user
inputs are mechanically transmitted to pressure activated sensors.
The sensors act in concert with an accelerometer to locate the
position of valid input events and translate them into commands. In
one embodiment of the present invention, the cover is a thin
flexible outer film co-molded to a supporting structure. When the
user presses on the cover, the display mechanism is deflected and
the force is transmitted to the sensors. In another embodiment, the
cover is rigid and in direct contact with the sensors. When the
user presses on the cover, the force is directly transmitted to the
sensors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a cross-section of an enclosure/touch screen
assembly utilized in prior art.
[0021] FIG. 2A is a cross-section of an electronic device which
utilizes a single-piece integrated front cover and display in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2B is a cross-section showing details of a thin
flexible cover coupled with a supporting structure in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an electronic device which
utilizes a single-piece integrated front cover and display upon
which embodiments of the present invention may be based.
[0024] FIGS. 4A and 4B show possible placements of pressure
activated sensors relative to the display of a Personal Digital
Assistant in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows the possible placement of pressure activated
sensors relative to the display of a Personal Digital Assistant in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIGS. 6A AND 6B show cross sections of a hand held computer
and embodiments of the present invention illustrating where in mold
decoration may be placed in the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary computer system upon which
10 embodiments of the present invention may be practiced.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] A single-piece top surface display and integrated front
cover for an electronic device is described. While numerous details
are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
present invention, it should be understood that it is not intended
to limit the invention to this particular embodiment alone. On the
contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives,
modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
art that the present invention may be practiced without these
specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in
detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 2A is a cross-section of an electronic device 200 which
utilizes a single-piece integrated front cover and display in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A back
cover assembly 210 encloses and supports a circuit board 220. In
the present embodiment of the invention, the back cover assembly is
a rigid molded plastic such as PC, PCABS, or ABS which will support
and protect the internal electronics as well as provide protection
from dust, shock, and water. It is appreciated that there may be
multiple circuit boards and that these circuit boards may be
arrayed one above the other.
[0030] Outer film 230 is a single piece of bezel-less transparent
flexible thermoplastic that covers the entire top surface of a
device such as a Personal Digital Assistant. Numerous types of
plastic exist which are suited for this purpose, one of which may
be a PET type plastic. In the present embodiment of the invention,
outer film 230 is a flat surface free of any indentations. However,
in another embodiment, outer film 230 may have holes or
indentations in some portion of the surface for buttons or to
indicate button or other like functions. Outer film 230 is flexible
in that it has sufficient deflection that a user applying 10 force
on the surface of outer film 230 will be able to apply mechanical
pressure translated upon display mechanism 250. Outer film 230 is
stretched over supporting structure 240.
[0031] Supporting structure 240 is, in the present embodiment of
the invention, a rigid molded plastic such as PC, PCABS, or ABS and
forms a perimeter frame around the top of the electrical device.
Supporting structure 240 may be co-molded with outer film 230 to
form a single-piece front cover assembly which may form the top
surface of the device. Supporting structure 240 will also provide
some method of securely attaching the front cover assembly to back
cover assembly 210, thus forming a dust-proof and waterproof
enclosure for the internal components of electronic device 200.
[0032] Electronic device 200 further includes a flat display
mechanism 250 which is disposed between outer film 230 and above
sensors 260. User display information is displayed on the top of
display mechanism 250. Display mechanism 250 may be a liquid
crystal display, E-ink, organic light emitting diode, field
emission display, or other suitable technology used to create
graphic images and alpha-numeric characters recognizable to a user.
While display mechanism 250 is shown as being in contact with
sensor 260 in FIG. 2, it may simply be in close enough proximity
that pressure applied to outer film 230 will cause it to contact
sensors 260. Sensors 260 are pressure activated sensors which, in
concert with other pressure activated sensors, will be able to
register the position where force is applied to display mechanism
250. In this sense, sensors 260 are placed around the periphery of
the display 250 Sensors 260 are fixed to circuit board 220 which is
in turn fixed to back cover assembly 210.
[0033] In one embodiment, the user will apply pressure to outer
film 230 to indicate a particular position on display mechanism 250
that will input a command to device 200. The pressure sensors 260
beneath display mechanism 250 will be able to register where that
position is by measuring the force exerted upon each sensor. At
least three sensors may be used, and a method such as triangulation
will compare the relative forces exerted and register where on
display device 250 the pressure is exerted. An accelerometer (not
shown) is coupled with the sensors to provide pressure thresholding
to differentiate a valid input from invalid inputs that may result
from, for example, dropping the device or casual contact.
[0034] FIG. 2B is a cross section, showing in greater detail, the
single-piece front cover assembly of device 200. Outer film 230 is
shown with supporting structure 240 to form a single-piece front
cover and display for device 200. Between the edge of supporting
structure 240 and display mechanism 250 is a small gap 270. This
gap allows sufficient space so that outer film 230 can come into
contact with every part of the surface of display mechanism 250. If
display mechanism 250 directly abutted supporting structure 240,
there would be a small portion of the display that the user could
not use as outer film 230 would not be able to come into contact
with it. The gap may contain the traces and electrodes that connect
with display mechanism 250 and be covered with a decorative border
of some sort, e.g. in-mold decoration, to indicate where on 15
device 200 the user should apply pressure.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an electronic device 300 which
utilizes a single-piece integrated front cover and display in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. A back
cover assembly 310 encloses and supports a circuit board 320. In
the present embodiment of the invention, the back cover assembly
310 is a rigid molded plastic such as PC, PCABS, or ABS which will
support and protect the internal electronics as well as provide
protection from dust, shock, and water. Again, it is appreciated
that there may be multiple circuit boards and that these circuit
boards may be arrayed one above the other.
[0036] Device 300 is further comprised of pressure sensors 330.
These are pressure activated sensors which are able to measure a
force applied to them. Front cover assembly 340 is shown in contact
with pressure sensor 330. Front cover assembly 340 is made of a
transparent rigid plastic that forms a single-piece top cover for
device 300. It is formed to translate around display device 350 to
contact pressure sensor 330. Front cover assembly 340 is attached
to back cover 310 to form a dust-proof, waterproof, and shock
resistant enclosure for the internal components of device 300.
While front cover assembly 340 is securely attached to back cover
310, it has sufficient range of motion to allow mechanical transfer
to pressure sensor 330. In this embodiment of the invention, front
cover assembly 340 is a single flat surface free of any
indentations, however, in another embodiment the front cover
assembly may have holes or indentations for buttons or to indicate
button or other like functions.
[0037] The user will apply pressure to front cover assembly 340 to
indicate a particular position on display mechanism 350 that will
input a command to device 300. The pressure sensor beneath 330 will
be able to register where that position is by measuring the force
exerted upon each sensor. At least three sensors may be used and a
method such as triangulation will compare the relative forces
exerted and register where on display device 350 the user is
inputting a command. An accelerometer (not shown) is coupled with
the sensors to provide pressure thresholding to differentiate a
valid input from invalid inputs that may result from, for example,
dropping the device or casual contact.
[0038] FIGS. 4A and 4B show possible placements of pressure
activated sensors relative to the display of a Personal Digital
Assistant 400 in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. PDA 400 may be comprised of sensors 410, display area
420, display menu 430, and display buttons 440. Additionally, FIG.
4B which illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in
which indentations 450 are present. It should be noted that the
sensors (410) are in both cases located beneath the front cover
assembly.
[0039] In FIG. 4A, the sensors are placed in the outermost corners
of the device. Display area 420 extends across the top surface of
the device; display menu 430 and display buttons 440 are software
generated features of display area 420 which is demarked by a
visual line, not a bezel edge. Pressing on a software generated
button will apply pressure to the display mechanism (display
mechanism, FIG. 2) which will in turn transmit that pressure to the
sensors. The pressure exerted on each of the sensors is compared
and the command that the user is indicating is triangulated. In
FIG. 4B, the display mechanism does not extend across the entire
top surface of the device.
[0040] Indentations 450 are indentations in the one piece cover
which indicate button functions to the user. Pressing on the
indentation will activate the pressure sensors as previously
described.
[0041] FIG. 5 shows the possible placement of pressure activated
sensors relative to the display of a Personal Digital Assistant 500
in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. PDA
500 is comprised of sensors 510, display area 520, display menu
530, display buttons 540, and buttons 550. Display menu 530 and
display buttons 540 are software generated features of display area
520. Again, the sensors are located beneath the front cover
assembly. Buttons 550 are buttons that extend through holes in the
one-piece cover assembly that will enable functions of the PDA but
do not activate the sensors.
[0042] FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross sections of an exemplary hand held
computer and embodiments of the present invention showing where in
mold decoration may be placed in the present invention. FIG. 6A,
illustrates an exemplary hand held computer which uses a resistive
touch screen assembly and a display mechanism. The entire assembly
is held in place by the supporting structure 605. The outer
protective film 610 provides mechanical protection for the
resistive touch screen assembly which is located above the display
element 640. The touch screen assembly is comprised of resistive
digitizer film 620, digitizer element 630, and electrical traces
650. An externally applied pressure that deflects protective film
610 will also deflect digitizer film 620. Any applied pressure
great enough to cause digitizer film 620 to contact digitizing
element 630 will then activate the resistive digitizer mechanism.
The electrical traces 650 register the user input as a set of X/Y
coordinates.
[0043] Currently, the resistive element used with touch screen
displays is Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). ITO is a relatively brittle
material which, over time, will break down. It is especially likely
to fail at the point where it is joined with the electrical traces
650. Because of this, digitizing element 630 is made rigid to
prevent excessive flexing. It also necessitates that the touch
screen assembly be as flat as possible which precludes the
insertion of any in-mold decoration between the display mechanism
640 and the digitizer mechanism.
[0044] In the present invention, the touch screen assembly is
eliminated because user input is detected by the pressure activated
sensors. In FIG. 6B, sensors 650 indicate the position of pressure
activated sensors in an embodiment of the present invention in
which a bezel-less, transparent, flexible thermoplastic is
stretched over a supporting structure. Sensors 660 show the
placement of pressure activated sensors in an embodiment of the
present invention in which the cover is a bezel-less, transparent,
rigid, molded plastic. Decoration 680 is an in-mold decoration that
may be placed between the top cover and the display mechanism 670.
Such placement is made possible because the weaknesses inherent
with the touch screen design are avoided in the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary circuitry of portable computer
system 700. Computer system 700 includes an address/data bus 701
for communicating information, a central processor 702 coupled with
the bus 701 for processing information and instructions, a volatile
memory 703 (e.g., random access memory RAM) coupled with the bus
701 for storing information and instructions for the central
processor 702 and a non-volatile memory 704 (e.g., read only memory
ROM) coupled with the bus 701 for storing static information and
instructions for the processor 702. Computer system 700 also
includes an optional data storage device 705 (e.g., thin profile
removable memory) coupled with the bus 701 for storing information
and instructions. Device 705 can be removable.
[0046] As described above, system 700 also contains a signal
communication device 706, also coupled to bus 701. Signal
communication device 706 can be a serial port (or USB port) for
communicating with a cradle (not shown). In addition to device 706,
wireless communication links can be established between the device
700 and a host computer system (or another portable computer
system) using a Bluetooth wireless device 707 or an infrared device
708. These devices are housed on a circuit board 709 which is
contained within a cover assembly.
[0047] Also included in computer system 700 of FIG. 7 is a display
device 710. Display device 710 may be a liquid crystal display,
field emission device (FED, also called flat panel CRT), organic
light emitting diode (OLED), E-ink, or any other display device
suitable for creating graphic images and alphanumeric characters
recognizable to the user. In one embodiment, the display 710 is a
fiat panel multi-mode display capable of both monochrome and color
display modes.
[0048] Device 700 also includes an alphanumeric input device 711
coupled with bus 701. In the present invention, the input device
711 comprises a plurality of pressure activated sensors and an
accelerometer. Device 711 can communicate information (spatial data
and pressure data) and command selections to the central processor
702. Device 711 is capable of registering a position on the screen
710 where contact is made and the pressure of the contact.
[0049] The preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
single-piece top surface display for a hand held computer, is thus
described. While the present invention has been described in
particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present
invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments,
but rather construed according to the below claims.
* * * * *