Patent Description:
The described embodiments relate generally to electronic devices. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to input components for electronic devices.

Electronic devices can include a variety of types of input components that can allow users to interact with the device and perform operations, such input components can include buttons or keys, mice, trackballs, joysticks, touch sensitive components, touch screen displays and combinations thereof. Touch sensitive components, such as touchscreens or touch sensitive displays, in particular, are becoming increasingly popular because of their ease and versatility of operation, as well as their declining price. A touch sensitive display can include a touch sensitive layer disposed over a display layer. A touch sensitive component can allow a user to perform various functions by touching an interface surface using a finger, stylus, or other object at a desired location. In the context of a touch sensitive display, the location can be dictated by a displayed user interface (UI). In general, the touch sensitive component can recognize the occurrence and location of touch inputs, and the electronic device can perform one or more actions in response to the detected inputs.

It can be desirable for the electronic device to detect additional information associated with a touch input to allow a user a wider range of modes of interaction with the device. For example, it can be desirable for the electronic device to be able to distinguish between a "light" or relatively low force touch input and a "hard" or relatively high force touch input at a specific location, and to perform different actions based on which form of input is detected. Typically, however, components for detecting the amount of force exerted on an interface surface of a touch sensitive component can utilize complex and expensive sensor arrays to extend this desired functionality to the entire surface. These expensive arrays can also occupy a large spatial volume inside the electronic device, thereby potentially increasing the size of the device or reducing the space available for components that may provide additional desired functionalities.

<CIT> describes an electronic device including a force sensitive touch screen and a pressure sensor configured to measure internal pressure of the electronic device. The measured pressure can be used to compensate the amount of force measured by a force sensor.

<CIT> describes an input force sensor device of an electronic device having a force and touch sensing system.

According to the invention, an electronic device includes a housing, an interface component at least partially defining an interface surface, the interface component and the housing defining an internal volume, and a force sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume to detect an amount of force applied to the interface surface above a threshold, the force sensor assembly including a pressure decay sensor and a gap distance sensor disposed opposite a surface of the interface component.

In some examples, the surface of the interface component and a surface of the gap distance sensor can define a gap, and the gap distance sensor detects a change in a distance of the gap above a threshold. The gap distance sensor can detect a change in a capacitance associated with the gap to detect the change in the distance. The pressure decay sensor can detect an increase in a pressure of the internal volume above a threshold, and an exponential time constant of a rate of decay of the pressure. The amount of force is detected by a weighted combination of a first signal from the pressure decay sensor and a second signal from the gap distance sensor. A weight of the first signal and a weight of the second signal are based at least partially on the exponential time constant. The interface component can include a touch sensitive display.

According to some examples, an electronic device can include a housing, an interface component at least partially defining an interface surface, the interface component and the housing defining an internal volume, and a pressure decay sensor disposed in the internal volume to detect an amount of force applied to the interface surface above a threshold.

In some examples, the pressure decay sensor can detect an increase in a pressure of the internal volume above a threshold, and an exponential time constant of a rate of decay of the pressure. The detected amount of force can be based at least partially on the detected exponential time constant. The pressure decay sensor can include a microelectromechanical pressure sensor. The electronic device can further include a secondary sensor disposed in the internal volume, wherein the amount of force is detected by a weighted combination of a first signal from the pressure decay sensor and a second signal from the secondary sensor. A weight of the first signal and a weight of the second signal are based at least partially on the exponential time constant. The secondary sensor can be a gap distance sensor, and an internal surface of the interface component and a surface of the gap distance sensor can define a gap. The gap distance sensor can be a capacitive gap distance sensor. The electronic device can further include a seal between the interface component and the housing. The electronic device can further include an atmospheric pressure sensor. The interface component can include a touch sensing component. The interface component can include a display assembly.

According to some examples, a method for determining an amount of force applied to an interface component of an electronic device having an internal volume can include detecting an increase in a pressure of the internal volume of above a threshold, measuring a rate of decay of the pressure, and determining the amount of force based at least partially on the rate of decay.

In some examples, the method can further include detecting a change in a property of the electronic device above a threshold with a secondary sensor, wherein determining the amount of force includes combining a first weighted value based on the rate of decay with a second weighted value based on the detected change in the property. Additionally, a weight of the first weighted value and a weight of the second weighted value are based at least partially on the rate of decay. Detecting the increase in the pressure can include detecting the increase in the pressure with a pressure decay sensor disposed in the internal volume, and detecting the change in the property can include detecting a change in a capacitance associated with a gap between a surface of the interface component and a gap distance sensor disposed in the internal volume. Determining the amount of force can include comparing the measured rate of decay to a baseline rate of decay, and the method can further include calibrating the baseline rate of decay.

Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

Electronic devices can include interface components that, for example, can include touch sensitive components or touch sensitive interface surfaces. These interface components can detect a location or locations of an input on the interface surface, for example, a touch input by a user. The touch sensitive component can be a touch sensitive display that can display a user interface (UI) and the user can direct the electronic device to perform a desired action or actions by performing a touch input at a specific location on the touch sensitive display, as indicated by the UI. While this device configuration can allow a user to direct the device to perform a wide range of actions, the increasing performance capabilities and number of features of electronic devices can make it desirable to allow the user additional modes for interacting with an electronic device and directing the device to perform desired actions.

One additional manner of directing an electronic device to perform desired action can include detecting not only the location of a touch input, but also the amount of force exerted on, or applied to, the interface surface of a component by a user during the touch input, known as 3D touch detection. In this way, a user can direct a device to perform multiple different actions through a touch input at one or more locations by varying the amount of force applied to the interface surface during the touch input. For example, the UI can display an icon on the interface surface, and a touch input by a user that exerts a relatively low force on the interface surface can direct the device to perform a first action associated with the icon, while a touch input by the user that exerts a relatively high force on the interface surface can direct the device to perform a second, different action associated with the icon. Further, because an interface component, such as a touch sensitive component, can detect touch inputs over the entire interface surface of the component, it can be desirable to be able to detect the amount of force applied during these touch inputs at any location on the interface surface.

Traditional methods and components for detecting the amount of force applied to an interface surface can include disposing an array of components beneath an interface surface, with each component being able to detect the amount of force applied to a relatively small region of the interface surface. Together, however, the entire array of components can allow for force detection over the entire interface surface. This array of components, however, can be costly to manufacture and integrate into a device, and can occupy a relatively high portion of the internal volume of the device, thereby resulting in larger electronic devices, or less space in the device for components that could allow for additional functionalities or performance. Accordingly, it can be desirable to be able to detect an amount of force applied to an interface surface with as few small components as possible. For example, with a component or components that can detect a force location and magnitude without extending the component or components across the entire interface surface.

In some examples, detecting the amount of force applied to an interface surface can be achieved with a pressure decay sensor disposed in the internal volume. This pressure decay sensor can be relatively small and inexpensive, and can be disposed at almost any desired location in the internal volume. This allows for smaller devices or devices that include increased room for additional or larger components, as compared to a device that includes an array of force detecting components. The pressure decay sensor can detect an increase in the pressure of the internal volume that can be attributed to the deflection or deformation of the interface surface when a force is applied thereto, and can further detect the rate of decay of the pressure. The amount of force can be at least partially based on the detected rate of decay.

In some examples, other forms of sensors can be used to detect the amount of force applied to an interface surface, such as a gap distance sensor. A gap distance sensor can detect a change in a distance of a gap between the sensor and a component, such as an interface component, that can occur due to deflection of the interface surface when a force is applied thereto. The sensor can detect the amount of applied force based at least partially on the change in distance, and/or how the distance of the gap changes with time.

In order for the force detecting functionality to provide benefits to a user, it can be desirable to be able to accurately and reliably detect the force without the force detecting sensors producing false positives or providing signals with so much noise that the device does not respond as desired to a user's touch input. In some examples, certain force detecting sensors can perform more reliably, or with less noise, than other force detecting sensors. Accordingly, it can be desirable to include two or more force detecting sensors in an electronic device to provide redundant or complimentary force detection, thereby increasing the reliability and accuracy of the detected force. In some examples, the device can select which sensor to use based on various conditions. In some examples, the device can confirm the amount of force detected by one sensor with the signal from a second sensor. In some examples, the signals from two or more sensors can be assigned weights and combined to provide a single value for the detected amount of force. The weights assigned to each signal can be based on various conditions, including conditions detected by the sensors themselves, such as the rate of decay detected by the pressure decay sensor. Accordingly, an electronic device that can accurately and reliably detect the amount of force above a threshold applied to an interface surface can be provided without the use of potentially expensive and relatively large arrays of components.

An electronic device includes a housing and an interface component, such as a touch sensitive display, affixed to the housing. The interface component can define an interface surface that can at least partially define an exterior surface of the electronic device. Together, the housing and the interface component at least partially define an internal volume. In some examples, the device can include a seal to at least partially seal the internal volume from the ambient environment, except at one or more desired vent locations therebetween. A pressure decay sensor can be disposed in the internal volume to detect an amount of force applied to the interface surface above a threshold. The pressure decay sensor can detect an increase in a pressure of the internal volume above a threshold and detect a rate of decay of the pressure. The pressure decay sensor can detect the amount of force based at least partially on the detected rate of decay.

The device can further include a secondary sensor disposed in the internal volume to detect a change in a property of the device and/or internal volume. The secondary sensor can be a gap distance sensor that can detect a change in a distance of a gap between the secondary sensor and a component of the device above a threshold, and that can further detect an amount of force based at least partially on the change in distance. One or both of the signals from the pressure decay sensor and the secondary sensor can be selected or combined to detect the amount of force on the interface surface. In some examples, the amount of force can be detected based on a weighted combination of signals from the pressure decay sensor and the secondary sensor. The weighting of the signals can be at least partially based on the rate of decay of the pressure detected by the pressure decay sensor.

These and other examples are discussed below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows an example, of an electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device shown in <FIG> is a mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone. The smartphone of <FIG> is merely one representative example of a device that can be used in conjunction with the systems and methods disclosed herein. Electronic device <NUM> can correspond to any form of a wearable electronic device, a portable media player, a media storage device, a portable digital assistant ("PDA"), a tablet computer, a computer, a mobile communication device, a GPS unit, a remote control device, or other electronic device. The electronic device <NUM> can be referred to as an electronic device, or a consumer device. Further details of the electronic device are provided below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded view of an electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> can have a housing that includes a band <NUM> that at least partially defines an exterior portion, such as an outer perimeter, of the electronic device <NUM>. In some examples, the band <NUM> can include a single unitary or continuous component. In some other examples, however, the band <NUM> can include multiple portions or sections that can be joined together, for example, by bonding, fusing, adhesives, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the band <NUM> can include any desired material, such as a metallic material, polymeric material, ceramic material, or combinations thereof.

The housing, including the band <NUM>, can include one or more features to receive or couple to other components of the device <NUM>. For example, the band <NUM> can include any number of features such as apertures, cavities, indentations, and other mating features to receive and/or attach to one or more components of the device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> can include internal components such as processors, memory, circuit boards, batteries, and sensors. The internal components of the device <NUM> can include a circuit board <NUM> that can include a number of electronic components mounted thereon, such as system in package (SiP), including one or more integrated circuits such as a processors, sensors, and memory. The device <NUM> can also include a battery <NUM> housed in the internal volume of the device <NUM>. Additional components, such as a haptic engine, can also be included in the device <NUM>. In some examples, the device <NUM> can also include input components, such as one or more buttons <NUM>. In some examples, a button <NUM> can be disposed in an opening or aperture defined by the band <NUM>. In some examples, the opening or aperture containing the button <NUM> can be sealed, such as with an air-tight or water-tight seal, as described herein.

In some examples, the electronic device <NUM> can include a display assembly <NUM>. The display assembly <NUM> can be received by, and/or be attached to, the band <NUM> by one or more attachment features. In some examples, the display assembly <NUM> can include a display, one or more layers capable of receiving inputs, such as a touch sensitive layer that can determine a location or locations of one or more touch inputs, and a transparent cover that can at least partially define an exterior surface of the device <NUM>. In some examples, the display assembly <NUM> can be considered an interface component, as described herein. Accordingly, the portion of the display assembly <NUM> defining the exterior surface of the device can be considered an interface surface and can receive inputs, such as touch inputs from a user.

The exterior surface of the electronic device <NUM> can further be defined by a back cover <NUM> that can be coupled to one or more other components of the device <NUM>. In this regard, the back cover <NUM> can combine with the band <NUM> and the display assembly <NUM> to define an internal volume and an exterior surface of the device <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> can include a transparent material, such as glass, plastic, sapphire, or other similar transparent material. In some examples, the back cover <NUM> can include any desired material, such as metallic materials, polymeric material, ceramic materials, or combinations thereof.

In some examples, electronic device <NUM> can include a first sealing material or seal <NUM>. The sealing material <NUM> can include a compliant material that can effectively seal the band <NUM> and the back cover <NUM> together. In some examples, the sealing material <NUM> can include a polymeric material, such as a rubber material and/or any other material capable of providing an airtight and/or water tight seal between components, such as the band <NUM> and the back cover <NUM>, as described herein. In some examples, the sealing material <NUM> can include one or more portions of adhesive and/or glue. In some examples, the sealing material <NUM> can be disposed at least partially around a periphery of the back cover <NUM>, or at one or more locations where the back cover <NUM> and the band <NUM> meet or are substantially adjacent.

Electronic device <NUM> can further include a second sealing material or seal <NUM> that can be substantially similar to, and can include some or all of the features of the seal <NUM> described herein. In some examples, the seal <NUM> can seal the display assembly <NUM> to the band <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. Accordingly, the first seal <NUM> and the second seal <NUM> can at least partially seal the internal volume defined by the display assembly <NUM>, the band <NUM>, and the back cover <NUM> from the ambient or external environment. In some examples, the seal provided by the first sealing material <NUM> and the second sealing material <NUM> can provide an airtight and/or watertight seal between the internal volume and the ambient environment. Thus, in some examples, changes in the dimensions of the internal volume of electronic device <NUM> can result in changes in the air pressure, otherwise referred to herein simply as pressure, of the internal volume independent of the pressure of the ambient environment.

In some examples, electronic device <NUM> can include an opening or a vent that can control the communication between the sealed internal volume of the electronic device <NUM> and the ambient environment. For example, a vent can control the rate at which air, or any fluid, can pass between the sealed internal volume and the ambient environment, thereby allowing the pressure of the sealed internal volume and the pressure of the ambient environment to equalize on a desired timescale, as described herein.

In addition to the internal components disposed in the internal volume of the device <NUM>, the device <NUM> can further include one or more sensors disposed in the sealed internal volume. For example, the electronic device <NUM> can include a pressure sensor <NUM>, also referred to as a pressure decay sensor <NUM>, disposed in the sealed internal volume. In some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can detect, measure, and/or monitor the pressure of the internal volume over time, as described further herein. In some examples, changes in the pressure of the internal volume, such changes in pressure over time and/or the rate of change of the pressure, can be used to determine or detect an amount of force applied to an interface surface of the device <NUM>, such as the exterior surface of the display assembly <NUM>.

In some examples, electronic device <NUM> can further include a secondary sensor <NUM> disposed in the internal volume. In some examples, the secondary sensor <NUM> can detect changes in one or more properties of the internal volume and/or electronic device <NUM>. For example, the secondary sensor <NUM> can include a gap distance sensor. That is, the secondary sensor <NUM> can detect a distance or gap and/or changes in the distance of the gap between an exterior surface of the sensor <NUM> and an interior surface of a component of the device <NUM>, such as an interior surface of the display assembly <NUM>. As described further herein, signals from the secondary sensor <NUM> can be used to at least partially determine an amount of force applied to an interface surface of the device <NUM>, such as an exterior surface of the display assembly <NUM>. Further details of an electronic device <NUM> including an interface surface, an internal volume, and a pressure decay sensor disposed therein are described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows another example of an electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device shown in <FIG> is a watch, such as a smartwatch. The smartwatch <NUM> of <FIG> is merely one representative example of a wearable device that can be used in conjunction with the components and methods disclosed herein. As described with respect to electronic device <NUM>, electronic device <NUM> can correspond to any form of wearable electronic device, a portable media player, a media storage device, a portable digital assistant ("PDA"), a tablet computer, a computer, a mobile communication device, a GPS unit, a remote control device, and other devices. The electronic device <NUM> can be referred to as an electronic device, or a consumer device. Further details of the watch <NUM> are provided below with reference to <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> can include a housing <NUM>, and a cover <NUM> attached to the housing. The housing <NUM> can substantially define at least a portion of an exterior surface of the device <NUM>. The cover <NUM> can include glass, plastic, or any other substantially transparent material, component, or assembly. Although in some examples, the cover <NUM> can include a material or materials that are not transparent. The cover <NUM> can cover or otherwise overlay a display, a camera, a touch sensitive surface such as a touchscreen, or other component of the device <NUM>. Accordingly, the cover <NUM> can be, or can be a part of, an interface component. The cover <NUM> can define a front exterior surface of the device <NUM> and, as described herein, this exterior surface can be considered an interface surface. In some examples, the interface surface defined by the cover <NUM> can receive inputs, such as touch inputs, from a user. A back cover <NUM> can also be attached to the housing <NUM>, for example, opposite the cover <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> can include ceramic, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the back cover <NUM> can include an electromagnetically transparent portion <NUM>. The electromagnetically transparent portion <NUM> can be transparent to any desired wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, infrared light, radio waves, or combinations thereof. Together, the housing <NUM>, cover <NUM>, and back cover <NUM> can substantially define an internal volume and an external surface of the device <NUM>.

As with electronic device <NUM>, in some examples, electronic device <NUM> can include a first sealing material or seal <NUM>. The sealing material <NUM> can include a compliant material that can effectively seal the housing <NUM> and the back cover <NUM>. In some examples, the sealing material <NUM> can include a polymeric material, such as a rubber material and/or any other material capable of providing an airtight and/or water tight seal between desired components, such as the housing <NUM> and the back cover <NUM>. In some examples, the sealing material <NUM> can include one or more portions of adhesive and/or glue. In some examples, the sealing material <NUM> can be disposed around a periphery of the back cover <NUM>, or at one or more locations where the back cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM> meet or are substantially adjacent.

The electronic device <NUM> can further include a second sealing material or seal <NUM> that can be substantially identical to, and include some or all of the features of the seal <NUM> described herein. In some examples, the seal <NUM> can seal the cover <NUM> to the housing <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. Accordingly, the first seal <NUM> and the second seal <NUM> can serve to seal the internal volume defined by the cover <NUM>, housing <NUM>, and back cover <NUM> from the ambient or external environment. In some examples, the seal provided by at least the first sealing material <NUM> and the second sealing material <NUM> can provide an airtight and/or watertight seal between the internal volume and the ambient environment, as desired. Thus, in some examples, changes in the dimensions of the internal volume of the electronic device <NUM> can result in changes in the pressure of the internal volume independent of the pressure of the ambient environment, as described herein.

In some examples, electronic device <NUM> can include an opening or a vent <NUM> that can control the communication between the sealed internal volume of the electronic device <NUM> and the ambient environment. In some examples, the vent <NUM> can include an aperture defined by the housing <NUM>. In some examples, the vent <NUM> can include a semi-permeable membrane, valve, or component disposed at the aperture defined by the housing <NUM>. For example, the vent <NUM> can control the rate at which air or fluid can pass between the sealed internal volume and the ambient environment, thereby allowing the pressure of the sealed internal volume and the pressure of the ambient environment to equalize on a desired timescale, as described herein.

The housing <NUM> can be a substantially continuous or unitary component, and can include one or more openings <NUM>, <NUM> to receive components of the electronic device <NUM> and/or provide access to an internal portion of the electronic device <NUM>. In some examples, the device <NUM> can include input components such as one or more buttons <NUM> and/or a crown <NUM> that can be disposed in the openings <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, a material can be disposed between the buttons <NUM> and/or crown <NUM> and the housing <NUM> to provide an airtight and/or watertight seal at the locations of the openings <NUM>, <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> can further include a strap <NUM>, or other component designed to attach the device <NUM> to a user, or to provide wearable functionality. In some examples, the strap <NUM> can be a flexible material that can comfortably allow the device <NUM> to be retained on a user's body at a desired location. Further, the housing <NUM> can include a feature or features that can provide attachment locations for the strap <NUM>. In some examples, the strap <NUM> can be retained on the housing <NUM> by any desired techniques. For example, the strap <NUM> can include any combination of magnets that are attracted to magnets disposed within the housing <NUM>, and/or retention components that mechanically retain the strap <NUM> against the housing <NUM>.

The device <NUM> can also include internal components, such as a haptic engine <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, and a system in package (SiP), including one or more integrated circuits, such as processors, sensors, and memory. The SiP can also include a package. The internal components, such as one or more of components <NUM>, <NUM> can be disposed within the internal volume defined at least partially by the housing <NUM>, and can be affixed to the housing <NUM> via internal surfaces, attachment features, threaded connectors, studs, posts, or other features, that are formed into, defined by, or otherwise part of the housing <NUM> and/or the cover <NUM> and/or back cover <NUM>.

The device <NUM> can further include one or more sensors disposed in the sealed internal volume. For example, the electronic device <NUM> can include a pressure sensor <NUM>, also referred to as a pressure decay sensor <NUM> disposed in the sealed internal volume. In some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can detect, measure, and/or monitor the pressure of the internal volume over time, as described further herein. In some examples, changes in the pressure of the internal volume, such changes in pressure over time and/or the rate of change of the pressure detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can be used to determine an amount of force applied to an interface surface of the device <NUM>, such as the exterior surface of the cover <NUM>.

In some examples, electronic device <NUM> can further include a secondary sensor <NUM> disposed in the internal volume. In some examples, the secondary sensor <NUM> can detect changes in one or more properties of the internal volume and/or electronic device <NUM>. For example, the secondary sensor <NUM> can include a gap distance sensor. That is, the secondary sensor <NUM> can detect a distance of a gap and/or changes in the distance of the gap between a surface of the sensor <NUM> and an interior surface of a component of the device <NUM>, such as an interior surface of a display assembly or housing <NUM>. As described further herein, signals from the secondary sensor <NUM> can be used to detect and/or at least partially determine an amount of force applied to an interface surface of the device <NUM>, such as an exterior surface of the cover <NUM>.

Any number or variety of electronic devices defining internal volumes can include any of the sensors described herein. Processes for detecting an amount of force applied to a surface, such as an interface surface of an electronic device, can include detecting an increase in a pressure of the internal volume and detecting a rate of decay of the pressure by any form of pressure decay sensor now known or discovered in the future. The electronic device can also include any form of secondary sensor to detect a change in one or more properties of the device and/or internal volume, for example, a change in a distance of a gap between components of the device. The secondary sensor can provide a detection of the amount of force applied to the interface surface and can be combined with the detection by the pressure decay sensor in any manner desired. Various examples of components, such as sensors, and electronic devices including interface surfaces and internal volumes, as well as methods and components for detecting the amount of force exerted thereon, are described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of an electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> can be substantially similar to, and can include some or all of the features of the electronic device <NUM>, <NUM> described herein with respect to <FIG>. In some examples, the electronic device <NUM> can include a housing <NUM> that can at least partially defined the exterior surface of the electronic device. The electronic device <NUM> can include a back cover <NUM> and a transparent cover <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> can be sealed to the housing <NUM>, for example, with a first sealing material or seal <NUM> that can include a compliant material disposed between the back cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> can further include a second sealing material or seal <NUM> to seal the transparent cover <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. Thus, in some examples, the transparent cover <NUM>, housing <NUM>, and back cover <NUM> can define an internal volume of the electronic device <NUM>. In some examples, this internal volume can be a sealed internal volume and can include a desired level of sealing with respect to the ambient environment.

In some examples, the housing <NUM> can define an aperture or an opening that can form a vent <NUM> between the internal volume and the ambient environment. This vent <NUM> can allow air to pass or flow between the internal volume and the ambient environment at a desired rate. Accordingly, changes in the pressure of the internal volume can revert or decay back to a baseline ambient pressure over a desired timescale, for example, as determined by a level of sealing of the internal volume and a level of communication with the ambient environment facilitated by the vent <NUM>.

As with the electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM> described herein, the internal volume of the device <NUM> defined by the housing <NUM>, the back cover <NUM>, and the cover <NUM> can include one or more components disposed therein. For example, the device <NUM> can include one or more processors, memory, other electronic components, and/or a battery <NUM> disposed in the internal volume. In some examples, a pressure decay sensor <NUM> can be disposed in the internal volume. The pressure decay sensor <NUM> can detect changes in pressure of the internal volume above a threshold, and can further detect changes in the pressure of the internal volume over time. In some examples, and as described further with respect to <FIG>, the rate of change of the pressure of the internal volume from an increased pressure back to a baseline or ambient pressure, as detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>, can be used to determine an amount of force applied to a surface of the device, such as the exterior surface defined by the cover <NUM>. In some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can include any form of desired air pressure sensor, such as a microelectromechanical (MEMS) pressure sensor, digital pressure sensor, absolute pressure sensor, gauge pressure sensor, differential pressure sensor, capacitive pressure sensor, piezoelectric pressure sensor, electromagnetic pressure sensor, strain-gauge based pressure sensor, potentiometric pressure sensor, optical pressure sensor, resonant pressure sensor, thermal pressure sensor, or combinations thereof.

The electronic device <NUM> can further include an interface component <NUM> that can include a display assembly including a touch sensitive layer. In some examples, the interface component <NUM> and the cover <NUM> can together define an interface or input component. For example, the interface component <NUM> can be a touch sensitive display assembly, and together with the cover <NUM> overlying the touch sensitive display assembly <NUM>, can provide an interface surface whereupon a user can interact with the device <NUM>, such as through touch inputs. Accordingly, an external surface defined by the cover <NUM> can be considered an interface surface.

In some examples, the electronic device <NUM> can further include a secondary sensor <NUM> disposed in the internal volume. In some examples, the secondary sensor <NUM> can detect changes in one or more properties of the internal volume and/or electronic device <NUM> above a threshold. In some examples, the secondary sensor <NUM> can detect changes in a volume of the internal volume and/or changes in the distance between one or more components or portions of components of the device <NUM> that can correspond to changes in the volume or size of the internal volume. For example, a touch input on an interface surface of the device <NUM>, such as the exterior surface of the cover <NUM>, can cause a deflection of one or more components of the device <NUM>. In these examples, the secondary <NUM> sensor can detect or measure whether this deflection is above a desired threshold and can measure the deflection with respect to one or more components of the device <NUM>. Accordingly, in some examples, the secondary sensor <NUM> can be a gap distance sensor that can detect a change in a distance of a gap between portions of the device <NUM>, as described herein.

In some examples, the secondary sensor <NUM> can detect a change in a distance of the gap between a surface of the sensor <NUM> and an interior surface of a component of the device <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the secondary sensor or gap distance sensor <NUM> can detect a change in the distance (shown as distance H1) of the gap between a surface of the sensor <NUM> and an interior surface <NUM> of the display assembly <NUM>. In some examples, the sensor <NUM> can detect a change in a distance of a gap between a surface of the sensor <NUM> and surface defined by any component of the device <NUM>. In some examples, the gap distance sensor <NUM> can be a capacitive gap distance sensor, a time of flight gap distance sensor, or any other sensor able to detect a change in a distance between the sensor and a component of the device <NUM>, as described herein. Further details regarding the operation of the device <NUM>, including the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and the secondary sensor <NUM>, are described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> receiving an input from a user <NUM> on an interface surface <NUM>, for example, the exterior surface of the transparent cover <NUM> overlying the interface component <NUM>. In some examples, and as described herein, the exterior surface <NUM> of the cover <NUM> can be considered an interface surface configured to receive inputs from a user <NUM>. In some examples, these inputs can be touch inputs performed by a user <NUM>. For example, a user <NUM> can touch a body part, such as a finger, to a desired location on the interface surface <NUM> overlying a touch sensitive display <NUM>. This input from the user <NUM> can exert a force on the interface surface <NUM>. In some examples, and as described further herein, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and/or the secondary sensor <NUM> can detect an amount of the force exerted by the user <NUM> on the interface surface <NUM>, for example, an amount of force applied to the interface surface <NUM> above a threshold.

In some examples, the force exerted on the interface surface <NUM> by the user <NUM> can cause a deflection of components, such as the cover <NUM> and display assembly <NUM>, disposed below the interface surface <NUM>. This deflection can cause a corresponding change in the volume of the internal volume of the device <NUM>. For example, where the cover <NUM> deflects inwardly due to a force exerted by a user <NUM>, the internal volume of the device <NUM> can shrink or can be otherwise compressed. This compression or shrinkage of the internal volume due to the flexion or deformation of the cover <NUM> and the display assembly <NUM> can cause a corresponding increase in the pressure of the internal volume. Additionally, because the internal volume can be sealed by sealing components <NUM>, <NUM> and the flow of air in and out of the internal volume can be controlled by the vent <NUM>, this relatively quick or sharp increase in the pressure of the internal volume can take a relatively long or extended period of time to decay or drop back to ambient or baseline pressure. In some examples, the rate of decay of the pressure of the internal volume to a baseline pressure can be used to at least partially determine the amount of force the user <NUM> applied to the interface surface <NUM>.

Although the pressure decay sensor <NUM> is depicted at a specific location in the internal volume of the device <NUM>, in some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can be disposed at any location in the internal volume. Further, in some examples, the device <NUM> can include multiple pressure decay sensors that can be redundant or that can be used in concert to detect the amount of force applied to the interface surface <NUM> by a user <NUM>. In some examples, the device <NUM> can further include an atmospheric pressure sensor that is not disposed in a sealed portion of the internal volume, and that can be in direct communication with the ambient environment. In some examples, the atmospheric pressure sensor can be used to detect an ambient or atmospheric pressure, and can compensate for changes in the ambient pressure detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>.

Along with the increase in the pressure of the internal volume, the deflection of the cover <NUM> caused by the force exerted on the interface surface <NUM> can change the distance of the gap between the interior surface <NUM> of the interface component <NUM> and a surface of the sensor <NUM> disposed below the interior surface <NUM>. Accordingly, the secondary sensor <NUM>, for example, a gap distance sensor <NUM>, can detect that the distance between the surface <NUM> in the sensor <NUM> (H1 in <FIG>) has changed to a different, smaller distance (indicated as H2 in <FIG>). In some examples, the secondary sensor <NUM> only detects or outputs that the distance H1 has changed to a distance H2 when the difference between H1 and H2 is greater than a desired threshold amount that can be selected or chosen.

In some examples, the secondary sensor <NUM> can be a capacitive gap distance sensor <NUM> and can detect a change in a capacitance associated with the distance of the gap between the surface <NUM> and a surface of the sensor <NUM>. Thus, in some examples, the surface <NUM> and the surface of the sensor <NUM> can include conductive materials, and together can form or include a capacitor. In these examples, when the distance of the gap between the surfaces decreases, such as from a value H1 to a value H2, the capacitance associated with the gap can increase an amount corresponding to the difference in distance between H1 and H2. This change in the distance of the gap and/or the time over which the distance change occurs can be used to at least partially detect the amount of force applied to or exerted on the interface surface <NUM>.

In some examples, the secondary sensor <NUM> can detect a change in the distance of the gap between the surface <NUM> in the sensor <NUM> by emitting electromagnetic energy and measuring the time of flight as the emitted energy, such as emitted light, travels from the sensor to the surface <NUM>, and back to the sensor <NUM>. That is, in some examples, the gap distance sensor <NUM> can be a time of flight sensor. In some examples, the gap distance sensor <NUM> can emit infrared light and can measure the time of flight of the infrared light beam from the sensor <NUM> to the surface <NUM>, and back to the sensor <NUM>. In these examples, when the distance of the gap between the surfaces decreases, such as to from a value H1 to a value H2, the time of flight associated with the gap can decrease an amount corresponding to the difference in distance between H1 and H2. In some examples, this change in the distance of the gap and/or the time over which the distance change occurs can be used to at least partially detect the amount of force applied to, or exerted on, the interface surface <NUM>.

Although illustrated at a specific position in the internal volume of device <NUM>, the secondary sensor <NUM> can be disposed at any desired location in the internal volume. Further, the sensor <NUM> can measure or detect changes in the distance of a gap between the sensor <NUM> and any desired component. In some examples, it can be desirable for the secondary sensor <NUM> to be positioned near a center of an interface surface <NUM> overlying the sensor <NUM>. This can be because deflections of the interface surface <NUM> associated with a force applied thereto can be largest near the center of the surface <NUM>, thereby allowing for a more accurate detection of the force by the secondary sensor <NUM>. Further, the distance of the gap between the surface <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> can be controlled, as desired. For example, a component such as a shim or a portion of material such as foam, can be disposed on the surface <NUM>, on the sensor <NUM>, and/or below the sensor <NUM>, to control the distance of the gap, as desired.

In some examples, the device <NUM> can include multiple secondary sensors that can sense changes in the distances of gaps between the sensors and various components of the device <NUM>. In some examples, these secondary sensors can be redundant or can be used in concert or in parallel to detect the amount of force applied to the interface surface <NUM>. In some examples, two or more gap distance sensors can be disposed in line with one another, such that the gap distance sensors can provide multiple signals associated with a change in a distance of the gap between the surface <NUM> and the sensor closest thereto. In some examples, this sensor configuration can reduce an amount of noise associated with the detection of the change in the distance of the gap.

In some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and the secondary sensor <NUM> can independently detect an amount of force applied to the interface surface <NUM>, for example, an amount of force above a threshold. In some examples, the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and the amount of force detected by the secondary sensors <NUM> can be compared to confirm an accurate detection of the amount of force. In some examples, the signals provided by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and the secondary sensor <NUM> can be weighted and combined to arrive at a single detected the amount of force. In some examples, either of the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> or the amount of force detected by the secondary sensor <NUM> can be discounted, depending on one or more factors.

Further, the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and/or the secondary sensor <NUM> can be used in conjunction with additional information detected by other sensors the device <NUM>. For example, where the interface component <NUM> includes a touch sensitive display, the touch sensitive display can detect a location of a user's <NUM> touch input on the interface surface <NUM>, while the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and/or a secondary sensor <NUM> can be used to detect the amount of the force exerted by the touch input. In some examples, the ability to detect both a location and an amount of force associated with a single or multiple touch inputs can allow for additional modes of interaction with the electronic device <NUM> by the user <NUM>. For example, a touch input at a specific location on the interface surface <NUM> having a low force level, below a desired threshold, can cause the device <NUM> to perform a first action, while a touch input at the specific location on the interface surface <NUM> having a high force level, above the desired threshold, can cause the device <NUM> to perform a second, different action. Additionally, in some examples, the use of multiple secondary sensors <NUM> can allow for multiple different actions associated with multiple different force levels above the threshold. In some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and the secondary center <NUM> can include or be considered a force sensor assembly that can detect the amount of force applied to an interface surface <NUM>. Further details regarding the operation of a pressure decay sensor, a secondary sensor, and a force sensor assembly are described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> show cross-sectional views of a user <NUM> exerting or applying a force on an interface surface <NUM> of an electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> can be substantially similar to, and can include some or all of the features of the electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described herein with respect to <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and an interface component <NUM>, that may be affixed to the housing <NUM> and defines an internal volume of the device <NUM>. In some examples, the interface component <NUM> can include a touch sensitive layer or a component, and can be a touch sensitive display assembly <NUM>. In some examples, however, the interface component <NUM> can be substantially any component of the device <NUM> that partially defines an exterior surface and an interior volume of the device <NUM>. As can be seen, the interface component <NUM> can define an interface surface <NUM> that can at least partially define the exterior surface of the device <NUM>. The interface component <NUM> and/or the interface surface <NUM> can also have a baseline position or configuration <NUM> that the interface component <NUM> and/or interface surface <NUM> can reside in when no force is exerted thereon.

A pressure decay sensor <NUM> is disposed in the internal volume defined by the housing <NUM> and the interface component <NUM>. The housing <NUM> can also define an aperture or opening <NUM> that can act as a vent and allow communication between the internal volume and the ambient environment, to a desired level. In some examples, a vent component <NUM> such as a membrane, valve, or other selectively transmissive component, can be disposed at the opening <NUM> to control an amount of air flow between the internal volume and the ambient environment. In some examples, the internal volume of the device <NUM> can be a sealed volume, and the device <NUM> can include one or more seals to seal the internal volume from the ambient environment at locations other than the opening <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an initial contact by a user <NUM> on the interface surface <NUM>, for example, as can occur during a touch input event. As can be seen, the force applied by the user <NUM> to the interface surface <NUM> can cause a deflection, bending, deformation, or other movement of the interface component <NUM>, and can move, bend, deform, or deflect the interface surface <NUM> out of line with the baseline position <NUM>. This deflection of the interface component <NUM> also causes a corresponding decrease in the volume of the internal volume of the device <NUM>. As the vent component <NUM> limits the passage of air between the internal volume and the ambient environment through the opening <NUM>, the reduction in volume associated with the force causes an increase in the pressure of the internal volume, here indicated with outward facing reference arrows. Without being bound by any one theory, the relationship between the pressure of the internal volume and the size of the internal volume can be modelled by Boyle's Law, also known as the Pressure-Volume law, which states that the pressure of an amount of gas at a constant temperature varies inversely with the volume of the amount of gas. Thus, when the volume containing the gas decreases, here the internal volume of the device <NUM>, the pressure of the gas, here the air contained in the internal volume, increases.

As seen in <FIG>, the user <NUM> has fully applied the force to the interface surface <NUM>, and caused a movement or bending of the surface <NUM> relative to its baseline position <NUM>. After a duration or time, the increased pressure of the internal volume caused by the applied force can cause some air to escape through the vent <NUM>, as shown with a reference arrow, and the pressure of the internal volume can equalize or decay back to a baseline pressure, for example, an ambient environmental pressure. The internal volume can be effectively or substantially airtight except at the vent <NUM>. In some examples, the vent <NUM> can control substantially all or most of the air flow into and out of the internal volume, and thus the increased pressure of the internal volume can take a relatively long duration to decay back to a baseline pressure. That is, the pressure of the internal volume can decay back to the baseline at a relatively slow rate, as desired, compared to the rate of pressure increase associated with the applied force.

In some examples, however, the internal volume of the device <NUM> may not be substantially airtight and may not be effectively sealed at locations between the interface component <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. In these examples, airflow between the internal volume and the ambient environment can occur at locations other than through the opening <NUM>. In some examples, this relatively lower amount of sealing of the internal volume can be deliberate or can occur by degradation or breakage of sealing components of the device <NUM> over time. In these examples where the internal volume is not substantially airtight except for the opening <NUM>, the internal pressure can decay to a baseline pressure relatively quickly or at a relatively fast rate compared to a substantially sealed internal volume and/or the rate of increase of the pressure caused by the application of the force.

In <FIG>, the user <NUM> has ceased applying the force to the interface surface <NUM>, and the interface component <NUM> has begun to rebound back to its baseline position <NUM>. In some examples, the interface component <NUM> can rebound back to its baseline position <NUM> because of the elastic nature of the deformation or deflection caused by the force applied to the interface surface <NUM>. As the pressure differential between the internal volume and the ambient environment effectively equalized, or at least decreased in <FIG>, the removal of the force and subsequent rebound of the interface component <NUM> can cause an increase in the size or volume of the internal volume of the device <NUM>. In some examples, similar to the manner in which the deformation of the interface component <NUM> caused an increase in pressure of the internal volume, the rebounding of the interface component <NUM> back to the baseline position <NUM> can cause a decrease in the pressure of the internal volume, here shown with reference arrows indicating the relatively higher pressure of the ambient environment as compared to the internal volume.

At <FIG>, the interface component <NUM> has fully returned to the baseline position <NUM> and the pressure of the internal volume has equalized or decayed back to or substantially near to a baseline level, for example, through the transmission of air from the ambient environment into the internal volume through the opening <NUM> as controlled by the vent <NUM>, here indicated with a reference arrow. As with the transmission of air from the internal volume to the ambient environment described with respect to <FIG>, the level of sealing of the internal volume can correspond to an amount of time it takes for the equalization or decay of the pressure of the internal volume to occur, and can correspond to the decay rate of the pressure back to a baseline level. Further details regarding the signals produced by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> in response to the application of a force and the detection of the amount of force applied to the interface surface <NUM> by the user <NUM> are described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a plot of the pressure <NUM> (P(t)) of the internal volume of the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> as detected or measured by the pressure sensor <NUM> versus time (t). The portion of the plot illustrated in <FIG> corresponds to the state of the device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. That is, <FIG> shows the pressure of the internal volume when no force is applied to the interface surface <NUM> and no deflection of interface component <NUM> relative to the baseline <NUM> has occurred. As can be seen, the pressure <NUM> detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can be relatively constant because the internal volume of the device <NUM> remains relatively constant over time.

<FIG> shows the pressure <NUM> detected by the pressure sensor <NUM> at the time (T<NUM>) the user <NUM> begins to apply or exert a force on the interface surface <NUM> of the device <NUM>, for example, as shown in <FIG>. As can be seen, the force exerted on the interface surface <NUM> is sufficient to cause the pressure <NUM> detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> to spike or rise above a threshold pressure P<NUM>. In some examples, the threshold pressure P<NUM> can be chosen to be any desired pressure value. In some examples, the threshold pressure P<NUM> can be a set value, or can be determined based on one or more factors, such as ambient pressure, level of pressure signal noise, temperature, or combinations thereof. When the pressure decay sensor <NUM> detects that the pressure <NUM> has risen above the threshold pressure P<NUM>, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can detect and/or record the time decay rate of the increased pressure <NUM>. In some examples, when a force applied to the interface surface <NUM> by user <NUM> does not cause the pressure <NUM> to rise above the threshold pressure P<NUM>, such as when a user <NUM> applies a low level of force to the interface surface <NUM>, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> does not record and/or detect a rate of decay of the pressure <NUM>. Further, in some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can measure or detect the time it takes for the pressure to increase due to the applied force, or the rate of increase, and can filter out pressure increases that occur over a time longer than a threshold time or at a rate slower than a threshold rate.

As shown in <FIG>, after the application of the force by the user <NUM> to the interface surface <NUM> that caused the increase in pressure at time T<NUM>, the pressure <NUM> can begin to decay or equalize back to a baseline pressure, for example, as described with respect to <FIG>. In some examples, this decay, here shown as portion <NUM> of the pressure plot <NUM>, can be mathematically modeled as an exponential decay. That is, the decay or decrease of the pressure <NUM> at portion <NUM> over time can be modelled by an equation having the form: <MAT> Where P<NUM> can be a constant or function, and λ can be considered the decay rate or rate of decay of the pressure <NUM>. Thus, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can determine the rate of decay of the pressure <NUM> of the internal volume. Additionally the pressure decay sensor <NUM> detects or determines the exponential time constant (τ) associated with the rate of decay of the pressure <NUM> at the portion <NUM>. The exponential time constant (τ) can relate to the rate of decay (λ) according to an equation having the form: <MAT>.

Thus, in some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can detect an increase in a pressure <NUM> of the internal to volume of the device <NUM> above a threshold, and can also detect an exponential time constant of a rate of decay of the pressure <NUM>, for example, back to a baseline, as shown at portion <NUM>. Further, in some examples, the amount of force applied to the interface surface <NUM> can be proportional to the exponential time constant detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>. Accordingly, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can detect an amount of force applied to the interface surface <NUM> based at least partially on the decay rate (λ) and/or exponential time constant (τ) of the decay of the pressure <NUM> from an increased pressure of the internal volume caused by the application of the force. In some examples, the detected or determined value of the exponential time constant can help to filter out or disregard interactions with the interface surface <NUM> by the user <NUM> where it is not be desirable to detect amount of force based on these interactions or to cause the device <NUM> to perform an action based on such an interaction.

For example, it can be desirable to detect an amount of force applied to an interface surface <NUM> by a user <NUM> only when the user <NUM> performs a hard push or tap on the surface, and not when the user <NUM> provides a long, extended, or delayed push or press on the interface surface <NUM>. In these examples, the exponential time constant can at least partially determine whether the user <NUM> performed a relatively quick or short lived and relatively high force push or tap, as compared to a relatively long or slow press on the interface surface <NUM>, and can communicate with one or more processors of the device <NUM> to cause the device <NUM> to perform a desired action according to which manner of interaction the user <NUM> had with the interface surface <NUM>.

In some examples, the exponential time constant detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can be related to the performance of the seal between the internal volume and the ambient environment. For example, the lower the exponential time constant detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>, the more pathways exist for air to communicate with the ambient environment at locations other than through the vent <NUM>. Similarly, the higher the exponential time constant detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>, the fewer pathways exist for air to communicate with the ambient environment at locations other than through the vent <NUM>, thereby indicating a more robust or higher level of sealing of the internal volume of the device <NUM>. In some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can detect an amount of force applied to the interface surface <NUM> of the device <NUM> above a threshold by detecting an exponential time constant associated with the decay of an increased pressure of the internal volume of the device <NUM> that is above a threshold exponential time constant.

As shown in <FIG>, the user <NUM> has ceased applying a force to the interface surface <NUM> at time T<NUM>, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>. The removal of the applied force from the interface surface <NUM> can cause a rebounding of the deformed or deflected interface component <NUM> to a baseline position <NUM>, and a corresponding decrease in the pressure <NUM> detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the pressure <NUM> detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> decaying or returning to a baseline pressure, for example, at portion <NUM>. As described with respect to portion <NUM> and <FIG>, the decay of the pressure at portion <NUM> can be mathematically modeled as an exponential decay. Accordingly, in some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can detect a second rate of decay and a second exponential time constant associated with the portion <NUM>. In some examples, the detected second rate of decay and/or second exponential constant can be used to confirm the amount of force detected based on the exponential time constant associated with portion <NUM>. A weighted combination of the first exponential time constant and a second exponential time constant is used to detect an amount of force applied to the interface surface <NUM>. In some examples, the exponential time constant associated with portion <NUM> is not used to detect an amount of force applied to the interface surface <NUM>. In some examples the exponential time constant associate with the portion <NUM> can be used for detecting or determining other properties or performing other functions, such as calibrating the pressure decay sensor <NUM>. Various examples of components, such as sensors, and electronic devices including interface surfaces and internal volumes, as well as methods and components for detecting the amount of force exerted thereon are described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a plot of the noise associated with the signals corresponding to the amount of force exerted on an interface surface of an electronic device as detected by a pressure decay sensor <NUM> and a secondary sensor <NUM> versus the exponential time constant (τ) as detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>. In some examples, the interface surface can be substantially similar to, and can include some or all of the features of the interface surfaces described herein, such as interface surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> described with respect to <FIG>. In some examples, the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can be substantially similar to, and can include some or all of the features of the pressure decay sensors described herein, such as pressure decay sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, the secondary sensor <NUM> can be substantially similar to, and can include some or all of the features of the secondary sensors described herein, such as secondary sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, the secondary center <NUM> can be a gap distance sensor <NUM> as described herein, such as a capacitive gap distance sensor.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the noise level of the signal corresponding to the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> generally increases with a decreasing value of the exponential time constant detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>. Conversely, the noise level of the signal corresponding to the amount of force detected by the secondary sensor <NUM> generally decreases with decreasing values of the exponential time constant detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>. Accordingly, in some examples, the signal associated with the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can be less noisy, and thus more accurate, than the signal associated with the amount of force detected by the secondary sensor <NUM> when the exponential time constant detected by the pressure sensor <NUM> is greater than a value τ<NUM>. In some examples, when the exponential time constant detected by the pressure sensor <NUM> is less than the value τ<NUM>, the signal associated with the amount of force detected by the secondary sensor <NUM> can be less noisy and more accurate than the signal associated with the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>.

In some examples the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and/or a force sensor assembly including the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and a secondary sensor <NUM> can utilize the relationship between the noise levels of signals associated with a detected amount of force and the detected exponential time constant to provide an accurate detection of the amount of force applied to an interface surface.

In some examples, the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and/or a force sensor assembly including the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and a secondary sensor <NUM> can be based on either the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> or the amount of force detected by the secondary sensor <NUM>. In some examples, the determination of which detected amount of force is used can be based at least partially on the exponential time constant detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>. Thus, in some examples, either a signal from the pressure decay sensor <NUM> or a signal from the secondary sensor <NUM> can be used to detect the amount of force applied to the interface surface. For example, when the detected exponential time constant is greater than τ<NUM>, the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can be used, while the amount of force detected by the secondary sensor <NUM> can be used if the exponential time constant is less than τ<NUM>.

In some examples, the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and/or a force sensor assembly can be detected or determined by a weighted combination of the amount of force detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and the amount of force detected by the secondary sensor <NUM>. In some examples, the detected amount of force can be a weighted combination of a first signal or first detected force from the pressure decay sensor <NUM> and a second signal or second detected force from the secondary sensor <NUM>, and the weight of the first signal or first detected force and the weight of the second signal or second detected force can be based at least partially on the exponential time constant detected by the pressure decay sensor <NUM>. In some examples, when the exponential time constant is detected to be less than τ<NUM> the weight assigned to the signal from the pressure decay sensor <NUM>, also referred to as a first weight, can be less than the weight signed to the secondary sensor <NUM>, also referred to as a second weight. In some examples, when the exponential time constant is detected to be greater than τ<NUM>, the weight assigned to the signal from the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can be greater than the weight assigned to the signal from the secondary sensor <NUM>. In some examples τ<NUM> can be any desired value or any range of desired values, and can further be selected depending on a number of factors including a previously measured exponential time constant. In some examples, the τ<NUM> can be between about <NUM> milliseconds (ms) and about <NUM>, or between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, for example, about <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In some examples, the first weight or second weight can be assigned increasingly greater values the farther the detected exponential time constant it is from τ<NUM>. In some examples, the relationship between the first weight and/or second weight and the detected exponential time constant can be linear, logarithmic, exponential, or can be related by any function, algorithm, or combination of functions and/or algorithms.

In some examples, the first weight and the second weight can have any desired value or combination of values. For example, the first weight can be between <NUM>% and <NUM>% of the total value of the combined first weight and second weight, while the second weight can also be between <NUM>% and <NUM>% of the total value of the combined first weight and second weight. In some examples, the first weight and second weight can be based entirely on the detected exponential time constant. The first weight and or the second weight can be at least partially based on the exponential time constant and any number of additional desired factors or measurements.

In some examples, and as described herein with respect to <FIG>, the performance of the seal between the internal volume of an electronic device and the ambient environment can influence a detected exponential time constant. For example, when there is a relatively high level of sealing between the internal volume and the ambient environment, the detected exponential time constant can be relatively large, such as up to about <NUM>, or even larger. In some examples, when there is a relatively lower level of sealing between the internal volume and the ambient environment, the detected exponential time constant can be relatively small, such as less than about <NUM>, less than about <NUM>, or even smaller.

In some examples, the level of sealing between the internal volume of an electronic device in the ambient environment can change over the course of a device's lifetime. For example, high stress events, such as accidental drops of the electronic device, can create additional airflow pathways between the internal volume and the ambient environment, thereby resulting in a lower level of sealing and a lower detected exponential time constant. That is, in some examples, the first weight and the second weight can be assigned different values over the course of a device's life. For example, the signal from the pressure decay sensor <NUM> can be assigned a greater weight than the signal from the secondary sensor <NUM> when there is a high level of sealing between the internal volume and the ambient environment, but if the level of sealing decreases over the device's lifetime then at some point, such as when he detected exponential time constant is less than τ<NUM>, the weight assigned to the signal from the secondary sensor <NUM> can be greater than the weight assigned the pressure decay sensor <NUM>.

Any number or variety of electronic devices defining internal volumes can include any of the sensors described herein. Processes for detecting an amount of force applied to a surface, such as an interface surface of an electronic device, can include detecting an increase in a pressure of the internal volume and detecting a rate of decay of the pressure by any form of pressure decay sensor now known or discovered in the future. The electronic device can also include any form of secondary sensor to detect a change in one or more properties of the device and/or internal volume, for example, a change in a distance of a gap between components of the device. The secondary sensor can provide a detection of the amount of force applied to the interface surface and can be combined with the detection by the pressure decay sensor in any manner desired. Various examples of components, such as sensors, and electronic devices including interface surfaces and internal volumes, as well as methods and components for detecting the amount of force exerted thereon are described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a process flow diagram of a process or method <NUM> for determining or detecting an amount of force applied to an interface component of an electronic device defining an internal volume. According to <FIG>, the method <NUM> for determining the amount of force applied to the interface component can include detecting an increase in a pressure of the internal volume above a threshold at block <NUM>, measuring a rate of decay of the detected pressure of the internal volume at block <NUM>, and determining the amount of force based at least partially on the rate of decay at block <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, an increase in a pressure of the internal volume of electronic device above a threshold is detected. In some examples, the increase in pressure can be detected by a pressure decay sensor, as described herein. In some examples the electronic device can be substantially similar to, and include some or all of the futures of electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, while the pressure decay sensor can be substantially similar to, and include some or all of the features of the pressure decay sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described herein. In some examples, the internal volume of can be at least partially sealed from the ambient environment, such as by a sealing material, as described herein. In some examples, air can travel between the internal volume and the ambient environment in a controlled manner, such as through a vent of the electronic device, as described herein.

At block <NUM>, a rate of decay of the increased pressure can be measured or detected. For example, the rate of decay of the pressure of the internal volume from an increased value back to, or substantially near to, a baseline pressure can be detected by a pressure decay sensor, as described herein with respect to <FIG>. In some examples, measuring the rate of decay of the detected pressure at block <NUM> can further include measuring or detecting an exponential time constant associated with the detected rate of decay, as described herein.

At block <NUM>, the amount of force applied to the interface component of the device, for example, by a user exerting a force on an interface surface of the interface component, can be determined at least partially based on the rate of decay measured at block <NUM>. In some examples, the amount of force can be determined at least partially by the exponential time constant associated with the rate of decay measured at block at <NUM>. Method <NUM> can further include detecting a change in a property of the electronic device and/or internal volume above a threshold with a secondary sensor, for example, with a gap distance center, as described herein.

Thus, in some examples, determining the amount of force applied to the interface component can include determining a first amount of force with the pressure decay sensor, for example, based at least partially on a detected exponential time constant, and determining a second amount of force based at least partially on a signal or measurement from the secondary sensor, for example, by detecting a change in the distance of a gap overtime. In some examples, determining the amount of force applied to the interface component can include selecting and outputting one or the other of the first amount of force or the second amount of force. In some examples, determining the amount of force applied to the interface component can include assigning a first weight to the first detected force and a second weight to the second detected force and combining the first weighted detected force with the second weighted detected force. As described herein, for example, with respect to <FIG>, the first weight and/or second weight can be based at least partially on the rate of decay and/or exponential time constant detected by the pressure decay sensor. Further details of a method <NUM> for determining an amount of force applied to an interface component of an electronic device having an internal volume are described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a process flow diagram of a process or method <NUM> for determining or detecting an amount of force applied to an interface component of an electronic device having an internal volume. According to <FIG>, the method <NUM> for determining the amount of force applied to the interface component can include detecting an increase in a pressure of the internal volume above a threshold at block <NUM>, measuring a rate of decay of the detected pressure of the internal volume at block <NUM>, determining the amount of force at least partially by comparing the detected rate of decay to a baseline rate of decay at block <NUM>, and recalibrating the baseline rate of decay at block <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, an increase in a pressure of the internal volume of electronic device above a threshold is detected. In some examples, the increase in pressure can be detected by a pressure decay sensor as described herein. In some examples the electronic device can be substantially similar to, and include some or all of the futures of electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, while the pressure decay sensor can be substantially similar to, and can include some or all of the features of the pressure decay sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described herein. In some examples, the internal volume of can be at least partially sealed from the ambient environment, such as by a sealing material, as described herein. In some examples, air can travel between the internal volume and the ambient environment in a controlled manner such as through a vent of the electronic device, as described herein.

At block <NUM>, a rate of decay of the increased pressure can be measured or detected. For example, the rate of decay of the pressure of the internal volume from an increased value back to or substantially near to a baseline pressure can be detected by a pressure decay sensor, as described herein with respect to <FIG>. In some examples, measuring the rate of decay of the detected pressure at block <NUM> can further include measuring or detecting an exponential time constant associated with the detected rate of decay, as described herein.

At block <NUM>, the amount of force applied to the interface component of the device, for example, by a user exerting a force on an interface surface of the interface component, can be determined at least partially by comparing the rate of decay measured at block <NUM> with a baseline rate of decay. In some examples, the amount of force can be determined at least partially by comparing the exponential time constant associated with the rate of decay measured at block at <NUM> with a baseline exponential time constant. In some examples, the method <NUM> can further include detecting a change in a property of the electronic device and/or the internal volume above a threshold with a secondary sensor, for example, as described with respect to block <NUM> of <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the baseline rate of decay can be recalibrated or recalculated. In some examples, the rate of decay measured at block <NUM> can be used as a baseline rate of decay when the pressure decay sensor detects a subsequent increase in pressure above a threshold in the internal volume. In some examples, the detected exponential time constant associated with the rate of decay measured at block <NUM> can be used to recalibrate the baseline rate of decay or baseline exponential time constant. Thus, in some examples, the baseline rate of decay or baseline exponential time constant discussed with respect to block <NUM> can be a rate of decay or exponential time constant detected by the pressure decay sensor during a previous iteration of the method <NUM>.

Any of the features or aspects of the devices, components, and methods discussed herein can be combined or included in any varied combination. For example, the design and shape of the devices including a housing and interface component defining an internal volume with a pressure decay sensor disposed therein are not limited in any way and can be formed and operated by any number of processes, including those discussed herein. An electronic device including a pressure decay sensor and one or more secondary sensors, as discussed herein, can detect an amount of force applied to any surface of a device, such as an external surface of a housing or interface component of the device. The device can include any number of internal volumes including any number or type of sensors to detect amounts of forces applied to external surfaces of the components defining the volumes.

To the extent applicable to the present technology, gathering and use of data available from various sources can be used to improve the delivery to users of invitational content or any other content that can be of interest to them. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data can include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, TWITTER® ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to a user's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.

The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that is of greater interest to the user. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enables users to calculated control of the delivered content. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data can be used to provide insights into a user's general wellness or can be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals.

Such policies should be easily accessible by users and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data can be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries can be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence, different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country.

Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates examples in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of advertisement delivery services, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to "opt in" or "opt out" of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide mood-associated data for targeted content delivery services. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time mood-associated data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of a baseline mood profile. In addition to providing "opt in" and "opt out" options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user can be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app.

For example, content can be selected and delivered to users by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information available to the content delivery services, or publicly available information.

As used herein, the terms exterior, outer, interior, inner, top, and bottom are used for reference purposes only. An exterior or outer portion of a component can form a portion of an exterior surface of the component but may not necessarily form the entire exterior of outer surface thereof. Similarly, the interior or inner portion of a component can form or define an interior or inner portion of the component but can also form or define a portion of an exterior or outer surface of the component. A top portion of a component can be located above a bottom portion in some orientations of the component, but can also be located in line with, below, or in other spatial relationships with the bottom portion depending on the orientation of the component.

Various inventions have been described herein with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples. The terms "including:" and "having" come as used in the specification and claims shall have the same meaning as the term "comprising.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
an interface component (<NUM>) at least partially defining an interface surface (<NUM>), the interface component and the housing defining an internal volume; and
a force sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume to detect an amount of force applied to the interface surface, the force sensor assembly comprising:
a pressure decay sensor (<NUM>) configured to detect an exponential time constant of a rate of decay of pressure in the internal volume; and
a gap distance sensor (<NUM>) disposed opposite a surface of the interface component;
wherein:
the amount of force is detected by a weighted combination of a first signal from the pressure decay sensor and a second signal from the gap distance sensor (<NUM>); and
a weight of the first signal and a weight of the second signal are based at least partially on the exponential time constant.