Unitary sensor and haptic actuator

Abstract

A bi-functional apparatus for sensing touch and delivering a haptic signal. The bi-functional apparatus comprises first and second electrodes. The first electrode provides a haptic interface for delivering an electrostatic force and has a top surface and a bottom surface. A dielectric insulator covers the top surface of the first electrode. A sensor is positioned between the bottom surface of the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensor selectively provides electrical conductivity between the first and second electrodes in response to at least a threshold amount of pressure exerted against the dielectric insulator. A method of sensing touch and delivering a haptic signal with a single device. The method comprises receiving an input at a touch surface of a dielectric insulator layered over a first electrode; in response to receiving the input at the touch surface, increasing the electrical conductivity of a sensor positioned between the first electrode and a second electrode; in response to increasing electrical conductivity of the sensor, conducting an electrical current between the first and second electrodes; and in response to conducting an electrical current between the first and second electrodes, applying a haptic drive signal to the first electrode, the haptic drive signal creating an electrostatic force in the dielectric insulator.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of rendering a haptic effect on a display, the method comprising:
 receiving an input on the display, a touch surface of the display including a protective layer on a first electrode;   increasing electrical conductivity of a sensor positioned between the first electrode and a second electrode;   conducting an electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode; and   applying a haptic drive signal to the first electrode to render the haptic effect on the display, the haptic drive signal generating the haptic effect in response to the input.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the display comprises a flexible display configured to be applied to a non-flat surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the protective layer and the first electrode are flexible and configured to bend in response to a first pressure applied by the input and to exert a second pressure on the sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the display comprises a curved glass. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first electrode is a haptic output device configured to render an electrostatic force or transcutaneous electrical stimulation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the protective layer is a dielectric insulator layer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the display is applied to a tablet, a laptop, a smartphone or wearable device. 
     
     
         9 . A device comprising:
 a processor;   a display; and   a memory storing a program for execution by the processor, the program including instructions for:   receiving an input on the display, a touch surface of the display including a protective layer on a first electrode;   increasing electrical conductivity of a sensor positioned between the first electrode and a second electrode;   conducting an electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode; and   applying a haptic drive signal to the first electrode to render a haptic effect on the display, the haptic drive signal generating the haptic effect in response to the input.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the display comprises a flexible display configured to be applied to a non-flat surface. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the protective layer and the first electrode are flexible and configured to bend in response to a first pressure applied by the input and to exert a second pressure on the sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the display comprises a curved glass. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the first electrode is a haptic output device configured to render an electrostatic force or transcutaneous electrical stimulation. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the protective layer is a dielectric insulator layer. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the display is applied to a tablet, a laptop, a smartphone or wearable device. 
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program configured to be executed by a processor, the program comprising instructions for:
 receiving an input on the display, a touch surface of the display including a protective layer on a first electrode;   increasing electrical conductivity of a sensor positioned between the first electrode and a second electrode;   conducting an electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode; and   applying a haptic drive signal to the first electrode to render a haptic effect on the display, the haptic drive signal generating the haptic effect in response to the input.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the display comprises a flexible display that is configured to be applied to a non-flat surface. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the protective layer and the first electrode are flexible and configured to bend in response to a first pressure applied by the input and to exert a second pressure on the sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the display comprises a curved glass. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the first electrode is a haptic output device configured to render an electrostatic force or transcutaneous electrical stimulation. 
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the display is applied to a tablet, a laptop, a smartphone or wearable device.