Patent ID: 10712876

Abstract:
A device (such as for mobile communications) including a capacitive touch-on-surface (ToS) display adapted for capacitive touch-force sensing. A ToS capacitive sensor includes a profiled capacitive sensor electrode, intermediate and spaced from parallel ground plates by elastomeric insulator/dielectric spacer elements. The profiled capacitive sensor electrode has a non-uniform density profile that is relatively lower near a center of the electrode, and relatively higher near edges of the electrode, for example, equalizing touch-force sensitivity such that sensitivity to a touch-force deflection is substantially uniform across the profiled capacitive electrode. Capacitive sensor electronics coupled to the profiled capacitive sensor electrode measures a touch-force deflection of the ToS display panel based on a resulting touch-force deflection of the profiled capacitive electrode, such that the combined distance between the profiled capacitive sensor electrode and the ground electrodes is reduced by compression of the elastomeric spacer elements.