PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11157115-B2
Application Number: US-201715476244-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Composite cover material for sensitivity improvement of ultrasonic touch screens

Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to one or more intermediate layers located on a surface of a cover material of an acoustic touch screen. In some examples, the one or more layers can include one or more intermediate layers. The one or more intermediate layers can include a first layer including a plurality of features and a second layer located between the first layer and the cover material. In a touch condition, the touch object can apply a force to the top surface of the acoustic touch sensor. The applied force can create one or more local bends causing the plurality of features to move closer to the cover material and causing one or more surface discontinuities in the cover material. The acoustic waves can undergo reflections (e.g., causing the signal to be attenuated) due to the discontinuities located in the path of the wave propagation.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An acoustic touch sensor comprising:
 a cover material; 
 a transducer coupled to the cover material; 
 an intermediate material having a first surface configured to receive a force applied by an object contacting the first surface of the intermediate material; and a plurality of predetermined protruding features disposed on a second surface of the intermediate material, opposite the first surface, wherein the plurality of predetermined protruding features includes a plurality of prisms, wherein a first set of the plurality of predetermined protruding features located at a first region of the second surface of the intermediate material has a first density, and wherein a second set of the plurality of predetermined protruding features located at a second region of the second surface of the intermediate material has a second density, different than the first density; 
 a gap between the plurality of predetermined protruding features disposed on the second surface of the intermediate material and the cover material; and 
 sensing circuitry configured to determine whether the object is contacting the first surface of the intermediate material based on acoustic energy transmitted by the transducer into the cover material and a contact between the protruding features on the second surface of the intermediate material and the cover material, 
 wherein determining whether the object is contacting the first surface of the intermediate material comprises:
 determining that a first protruding feature of the plurality of predetermined protruding features at a first location is contacting the cover material; and 
 determining that a second protruding feature of the plurality of predetermined protruding features at a second location, different from the first location, is not contacting the cover material. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor further comprises:
 a second layer located between the intermediate material and the cover material. 
 
     
     
       3. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate layer includes one or more bends such that some of the plurality of predetermined protruding features touch the cover material, wherein the one or more bends create one or more surface discontinuities on the cover material. 
     
     
       4. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 2 , wherein:
 at least some of the plurality of predetermined protruding features of the intermediate layer are configured to transfer the force applied by the object to the cover material, and 
 at least others of the plurality of predetermined protruding features of the intermediate layer are configured to maintain structural properties when the force is applied by the touch object. 
 
     
     
       5. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 4 , the surface of the device including one or more regions capable of being contacted by the object,
 at least some of the plurality of predetermined protruding features are located at the one or more regions, and 
 at least others of the plurality of predetermined protruding features are located outside of the one or more regions. 
 
     
     
       6. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate layer includes one or more other regions that exclude features. 
     
     
       7. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more other regions are located at a border region of the device. 
     
     
       8. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 2 , wherein the second layer includes one or more of air and a gel. 
     
     
       9. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer includes one or more of glass, onyx, and sapphire. 
     
     
       10. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of predetermined protruding features is non-uniformly distributed throughout the first layer. 
     
     
       11. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein a size of each of the plurality of predetermined protruding features is between 5-10 microns. 
     
     
       12. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the intermediate layer is between 50-60 microns. 
     
     
       13. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmit circuitry configured to provide a stimulation signal to the transducer; and 
 receive circuitry configured to capture a received signal based on motion of the transducer, 
 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 couple the transmit circuitry to the transducer, 
 couple the receive circuitry to the transducer, 
 stimulate the transducer to produce an excitation in the cover material, 
 capture a reflected energy between the transducer and one or more surface discontinuities on the cover material, and 
 determine a location of the object contacting the surface of the device based on the reflected energy. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of predetermined protruding features narrows at a constant slope. 
     
     
       15. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein a spacing between the plurality of predetermined protruding features is based on a characteristic of the acoustic energy transmitted by the transducer. 
     
     
       16. The acoustic touch sensor of  claim 1 , wherein a pattern of the plurality of predetermined protruding features is known at manufacture time. 
     
     
       17. A method for detecting an object contacting a first surface of an intermediate layer of a device having the first surface configured to receive a force applied by the object contacting the first surface of the first surface and a second surface, opposite the first surface, having a plurality of predetermined protruding features disposed thereon, wherein the plurality of predetermined protruding features includes a plurality of prisms, wherein a first set of the plurality of predetermined protruding features located at a first region of the second surface of the intermediate material has a first density, and wherein a second set of the plurality of predetermined protruding features located at a second region of the second surface of the intermediate material has a second density, different than the first density, the method comprising:
 transmitting an acoustic wave into a surface of a cover material, different from the intermediate layer, wherein the acoustic wave is transmitted from a transducer, wherein a gap is present between the plurality of protruding features the cover material; 
 receiving an acoustic reflection of the acoustic wave transmitted into the surface of the cover material; and 
 determining whether the object is contacting a first surface of the intermediate layer, wherein determining whether the object is contacting the first surface of the intermediate material comprises:
 determining that a first protruding feature of the plurality of predetermined protruding features at a first location is contacting the cover material; and 
 determining that a second protruding feature of the plurality of predetermined protruding features at a second location, different from the first location, is not contacting the cover material. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein creating the one or more surface discontinuities includes decreasing a gap between the protruding features and the cover material such that the protruding features contacts the cover material. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more bends and one or more surface discontinuities are located in one or more regions of the device, the method further comprising:
 maintaining a space between the protruding features included on the second opposing surface of the intermediate material and the cover glass outside of the one or more regions. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 in accordance with the touch object not contacting the surface of the device:
 maintaining a uniform spacing between the protruding features and the cover material. 
 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 determining a position of the object based on time of flight information. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of predetermined protruding features narrows at a constant slope. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 17 , wherein a spacing between the plurality of predetermined protruding features is based on a characteristic of the transmitted acoustic wave. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 17 , wherein a pattern of the plurality of predetermined protruding features is known at manufacture time. 
     
     
       25. An acoustic touch sensor comprising:
 a cover material; 
 a transducer coupled to the cover material; 
 an intermediate material having a first surface configured to receive a force applied by an object contacting the first surface of the intermediate material; and a plurality of predetermined protruding features disposed on a second surface of the intermediate material, opposite the first surface, wherein:
 each of the plurality of predetermined protruding features includes a circular feature at an end of a protruding feature; 
 a first set of the plurality of predetermined protruding features located at a first region of the second surface of the intermediate material has a first density; and 
 a second set of the plurality of predetermined protruding features located at a second region of the second surface of the intermediate material has a second density, different than the first density; 
 
 a gap between the plurality of predetermined protruding features disposed on the second surface of the intermediate material and the cover material; and 
 sensing circuitry configured to determine whether the object is contacting the first surface of the intermediate material based on acoustic energy transmitted by the transducer into the cover material and a contact between the protruding features on the second surface of the intermediate material and the cover material, 
 wherein determining whether the object is contacting the first surface of the intermediate material comprises:
 determining that a first protruding feature of the plurality of predetermined protruding features at a first location is contacting the cover material; and 
 determining that a second protruding feature of the plurality of predetermined protruding features at a second location, different from the first location, is not contacting the cover material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This relates generally to sensing user contact with a device, and more particularly, to an acoustic (e.g., ultrasonic) touch screen including a composite cover material with improved sensitivity for detecting a touch object. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Many types of input devices are presently available for performing operations in a computing system, such as buttons or keys, mice, trackballs, joysticks, touch sensor panels, touch screens, and the like. Touch screens, in particular, are becoming increasingly popular because of their ease and versatility of operation as well as their declining price. Touch screens can include a touch sensor panel, which can be a clear panel with a touch-sensitive surface and a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) that can be positioned partially or fully behind the panel so that the touch-sensitive surface can cover at least a portion of the viewable area of the display device. Touch screens can allow a user to perform various functions by touching the touch sensor panel using a finger, stylus, or other object at a location often dictated by a user interface (UI) being displayed by the display device. In general, touch screens can recognize a touch and the position of the touch on the touch sensor panel. The computing system can then interpret the touch in accordance with the display appearing at the time of the touch, and thereafter can perform one or more actions based on the touch. In the case of some touch sensing systems, a physical touch on the display may not be needed to detect a touch. For example, in some capacitive-type touch sensing systems, fringing electrical fields used to detect touch can extend beyond the surface of the display, and objects approaching near the surface may be detected near the surface without actually touching the surface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to one or more intermediate layers located on a surface of a cover material of an acoustic touch screen. Acoustic touch sensing can utilize transducers, such as piezoelectric transducers, to transmit ultrasonic acoustic waves along a surface or through the thickness of an electronic device. As the wave propagates through the material that comprises the surface, one or more objects in contact with the surface and/or discontinuities in the surface can disrupt the wave, attenuating and/or reflecting a portion of the transmitted wave. Portions of the transmitted wave energy after disruption by the one or more objects can be measured to determine the touch location(s) of the one or more objects on the device. For example, a transmitted wave can encounter a finger touching a surface of the device. A portion of the wave can be reflected by the finger and detected by one or more receivers. In the immediately preceding example, the location of the object can be determined based on the amount of time elapsing between the transmission of the wave and the detection of the reflected wave. In some examples, acoustic energy can be transmitted through the thickness of the material. The acoustic energy can be reflected at the interface between the material and air if no finger is present, or the acoustic energy can be reflected at the interface between the material and a finger. In the above example, the finger (if present) can absorb a portion of the acoustic energy, and differences in reflected energy can be used to determine whether a finger is present. Acoustic touch sensing can be used instead of, or in conjunction with, other touch sensing techniques, such as resistive, optical, and/or capacitive touch sensing. 
     In some examples, the one or more layers can include one or more intermediate layers. The one or more intermediate layers can include a first layer including a plurality of features and a second layer located between the first layer and the cover material. Each feature can be any type of protrusion configured to transfer force applied by the touch object to the cover material. In a no-touch condition, the second layer can act to separate the plurality of features from the cover material. In a touch condition, the touch object can apply a force to the top surface of the acoustic touch sensor. The applied force can cause a change in at least some of the properties of intermediate layer. For example, the force can create one or more local bends in the intermediate layer where the plurality of features is located. The plurality of features can move closer to the cover material and can cause one or more surface discontinuities in the cover material. The acoustic waves can undergo reflections (e.g., causing the signal to be attenuated) due to the discontinuities located in the path of the wave propagation. Time-of-flight information can be measured for purposes of determining touch location. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1E  illustrate examples of systems that can include an acoustic touch sensing system according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a device that includes an exemplary acoustic touch sensing system according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary method for acoustic touch sensing of an object contact position according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary configuration of acoustic touch sensing circuitry, control logic, and transducers according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5A-5E  illustrate exemplary acoustic touch sensing system configurations using a bounding box technique to determine position according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate cross-sectional views of a portion of an exemplary acoustic touch sensor including one or more layers disposed on the top surface according to examples of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary method  800  for acoustic touch sensing of a touch object contacting the intermediate layer(s) according to examples of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of various examples, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shown by way of illustration specific examples that can be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples can be used and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the various examples. 
     The present disclosure relates to one or more intermediate layers located on a surface of a cover material of an acoustic touch screen. Acoustic touch sensing can utilize transducers, such as piezoelectric transducers, to transmit ultrasonic acoustic waves along a surface or through the thickness of an electronic device. As the wave propagates through the material that comprises the surface, one or more objects in contact with the surface and/or discontinuities in the surface can disrupt the wave, attenuating and/or reflecting a portion of the transmitted wave. Portions of the transmitted wave energy after disruption by the one or more objects can be measured to determine the touch location(s) of the one or more objects on the device. For example, a transmitted wave can encounter a finger touching a surface of the device. A portion of the wave can be reflected by the finger and detected by one or more receivers. In the immediately preceding example, the location of the object can be determined based on the amount of time elapsing between the transmission of the wave and the detection of the reflected wave. In some examples, acoustic energy can be transmitted through the thickness of the material. The acoustic energy can be reflected at the interface between the material and air if no finger is present, or the acoustic energy can be reflected at the interface between the material and a finger. In the above example, the finger (if present) can absorb a portion of the acoustic energy, and differences in reflected energy can be used to determine whether a finger is present. Acoustic touch sensing can be used instead of, or in conjunction with, other touch sensing techniques, such as resistive, optical, and/or capacitive touch sensing. 
     In some examples, the one or more layers can include one or more intermediate layers. The one or more intermediate layers can include a first layer including a plurality of features and a second layer located between the first layer and the cover material. Each feature can be any type of protrusion configured to transfer force applied by the touch object to the cover material. In a no-touch condition, the second layer can act to separate the plurality of features from the cover material. In a touch condition, the touch object can apply a force to the top surface of the acoustic touch sensor. The applied force can cause a change in at least some of the properties of intermediate layer. For example, the force can create one or more local bends in the intermediate layer where the plurality of features is located. The plurality of features can move closer to the cover material and can cause one or more surface discontinuities in the cover material. The acoustic waves can undergo reflections (e.g., causing the signal to be attenuated) due to the discontinuities located in the path of the wave propagation. Time-of-flight information can be measured for purposes of determining touch location. 
       FIGS. 1A-1E  illustrate examples of systems with touch screens that can include acoustic sensors for detecting contact between an object (e.g., a user&#39;s finger or palm) and the system.  FIG. 1A  illustrates an exemplary mobile telephone  136  that includes a touch screen  124  and can include an acoustic touch sensing system according to examples of the disclosure.  FIG. 1B  illustrates an example digital media player  140  that includes a touch screen  126  and can include an acoustic touch sensing system according to examples of the disclosure.  FIG. 1C  illustrates an example personal computer  144  that includes a touch screen  128  and can include an acoustic touch sensing system according to examples of the disclosure.  FIG. 1D  illustrates an example tablet computing device  148  that includes a touch screen  130  and can include an acoustic touch sensing system according to examples of the disclosure.  FIG. 1E  illustrates an example wearable device  150  (e.g., a watch) that includes a touch screen  152  and can include an acoustic touch sensing system according to examples of the disclosure. Wearable device  150  can be coupled to a user via strap  154  or any other suitable fastener. It should be understood that the example devices illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1E  are provided by way of example, and other types of devices can include an acoustic touch sensing system for detecting contact between an object (e.g., a user&#39;s finger or palm) and the device. Additionally, although the devices illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1E  include touch screens, in some examples, the devices may have a non-touch sensitive display. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary block diagram of components that can exist within a device that includes an acoustic touch sensing system according to examples of the disclosure. In some examples, housing  202  of the device (which can correspond to devices  136 ,  140 ,  144 ,  148 , and  150  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1E ) can be coupled with one or more acoustic transducers  204 . In some examples, transducers  204  can be piezoelectric transducers, which can be configured to vibrate by the application of electrical signals. In some examples, the transducers  204  can be made of a piezoelectric ceramic material (e.g., PZT or KNN) or a piezoelectric plastic material (e.g., PVDF). Similarly, transducers  204  can produce electrical energy as an output when vibrated. In some examples, the transducers  204  can be bonded to the housing  202  by a bonding agent (e.g., a thin layer of stiff epoxy). In some examples, the transducers  204  can be deposited on the surface through processes such as deposition, lithography, or the like. In some examples, the transducers  204  can be bonded to the surface using conductive or non-conductive bonding materials. When electrical energy applied to the transducers  204  causes the transducers to vibrate, the surface material in contact with the transducers can also vibrate. The vibrations of the molecules of the surface material can propagate as a wave through the surface material. In some examples, vibration of the transducers  204  can be used to produce ultrasonic acoustic waves at a selected frequency over a broad frequency range (e.g., 500 kHz-10 MHz) in the medium of the surface of the electronic device, which can be metal, plastic, glass, wood, or the like. It should be understood that other frequencies outside of the exemplary range above can be used while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In some examples, transducers  204  can also be partially or completely disposed on a portion of a touch screen  208 . For example, the touch screen  208  may comprise a cover material (e.g., glass panel), and a display region of the touch screen may be surrounded by a non-display region (e.g., an opaque border region surrounding the periphery of the display region of the touch screen). In some examples, transducers  204  can be disposed partially or completely in the opaque mask region of the touch screen  208  glass panel (e.g., on the back side of the glass panel behind the opaque mask) such that the transducers are not visible (or are only partially visible) to a user. The device can further comprise acoustic touch sensing circuitry  206 , which can include circuitry for driving electrical signals to stimulate vibration of the transducers  204  (e.g., transmit circuitry), as well as circuitry for sensing electrical signals output by the transducers (e.g., receive circuitry) when the transducer is stimulated by received acoustic energy. In some examples, timing operations for the acoustic touch sensing circuitry  206  can optionally be provided by a separate acoustic touch sensing controller  210  that can control timing of acoustic touch sensing circuitry  206  operations. In some examples, controller functions can be integrated with the acoustic touch sensing circuitry  206  (e.g., on a single integrated circuit). Output data from acoustic touch sensing circuitry  206  can be output to a host processor  214  for further processing to determine a location of an object contacting the device, as described in more detail below. In some examples, the processing for determining the location of a contacting object can be performed by the acoustic touch sensing circuitry  206  or a separate sub-processor of the device (not shown). 
     In addition to acoustic touch sensing, the device can include additional touch circuitry  212  that can be coupled to the touch screen  208 . The touch circuitry  212  can, for example, be capacitive or resistive touch sensing circuitry and can be used to detect contact and/or hovering of objects (e.g., fingers) in contact with and/or in proximity to the touch screen  208 , particularly in the display region of the touch sensor. Thus, the device can include multiple types of sensing circuitry (e.g., touch circuitry  212  and acoustic touch sensing circuitry  206 ) for detecting objects (and their positions) in different regions of the device and/or for different purposes, as described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary method for acoustic touch sensing of an object contact position according to examples of the disclosure. At step  302 , acoustic energy can be transmitted (e.g., by transducers  204  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) along a surface of a device, or through the thickness of a device housing, for example in the form of an ultrasonic acoustic wave. In some examples, the wave can propagate as a compressive wave, a shear horizontal wave, a Rayleigh wave, a Lamb wave, a Love wave, or a surface acoustic wave. Other propagation modes for the transmitted acoustic energy can also exist based on the properties of the surface material and the manner of energy transmitted from the transducers to the surface of the device. In some examples, the surface (e.g., touch screen  208  and/or housing  202  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) can be made of glass, metal, plastic, or wood. Transmitted energy can propagate along the surface until a discontinuity in the surface is reached, which can cause a portion of the energy to reflect. In some examples, a discontinuity can be an irregularity in the surface shape of the surface, e.g., a groove or pattern etched into the surface. In some examples, a discontinuity can be a reflective material attached to the surface. In some examples, an object in contact with the surface (e.g., a user&#39;s finger or palm) can also be a discontinuity. In some examples, a discontinuity can occur at edges of the surface material. When the transmitted energy reaches one of the discontinuities described above, some of the energy can be reflected, and a portion of the reflected energy can be directed to the transducers (e.g., transducers  204  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). In some examples, water in contact with the surface of the device may not act as a discontinuity to the acoustic waves, and thus the acoustic touch sensing method can be effective for detecting the presence of an object (e.g., a user&#39;s finger or palm) even in the presence of water drops on the surface of the device or even while the device is fully submerged. 
     At step  304 , the method can receive returning acoustic energy, and the acoustic energy can be converted to an electrical signal by the transducers (e.g., transducers  204  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). At step  306 , the method can determine whether an object is contacting the surface of the device and can further detect the position of one or more objects based on the received acoustic energy. In some examples, a distance of the object from the transmission source (e.g., transducers) can be determined from a time-of-flight and a propagation rate of the ultrasonic acoustic wave in the material. Time-of-flight information can be time between transmission at step  302  and receiving of reflected energy at step  304 . In some examples, baseline reflected energy from one or more intentionally included discontinuities (e.g., barriers, ridges, grooves, boundaries between different materials, etc.) can be compared to a measured value of reflected energy. The baseline reflected energy can be determined during a measurement when no object (e.g., finger) is in contact with the surface. Timing of measured deviations of the reflected energy from the baseline can be correlated with a location of the object. Exemplary device configurations and measurement timing examples that can be used to implement the method are described in further detail below. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary configuration of acoustic touch sensing circuitry  402 - 404  and  408 - 420  (which can correspond to acoustic touch sensing circuitry  206  above), control logic  422  (which can correspond to acoustic touch sensing controller  210  above) and transducers  406  (which can correspond to transducers  204  above) according to examples of the disclosure. In some examples, a transmitter  402  can generate an electrical signal for stimulating movement of one or more of a plurality of transducers  406 . In some examples, the transmitted signal can be a differential signal, and in some examples the transmitted signal can be a single-ended signal. In some examples, the transmitter  402  can be a simple buffer, and the transmitted signal can be a pulse (or burst of pulses at a particular frequency). In some examples, the transmitter  402  can comprise a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)  402 A and an optional filter  402 B that can be optionally used to smooth a quantized output of DAC  402 A. The DAC  402 A can be used to generate an arbitrary transmit waveform. In some examples, the arbitrary waveform can pre-distort the transmit signal to equalize the channel. In some examples, the characteristics of each channel, such as the properties of the surface material coupled to transducers  406 , the discontinuities in the surface material, and the reflection characteristics of an edge of the device can be measured and stored. In some examples, the channel characteristics can be measured as a manufacturing step (or factory calibration step), and in other examples the characteristics can be measured as a periodic calibration step (i.e., once a month, once a year, etc. depending on how quickly the channel characteristics are expected to change). In some examples, the channel characteristics can be converted to a transfer function of the channel, and the arbitrary transmit waveform can be configured using the inverse of the channel transfer function such that the returning signal is equalized (e.g., returning signal can be detected as a pulse or a burst of pulses despite the transmitted waveform having a seemingly arbitrary waveform). 
     A pair of demultiplexers  404  (e.g., in a differential implementation) can be used to selectively couple the transmitter  402  to one of the transducers  406  that can be the active transducer for a particular measurement cycle. In some examples, the demultiplexers  404  can have a ground connection, and the non-selected demultiplexer outputs can be shorted, open, or grounded. As described above, transducers  406  can also generate output electrical signals when motion is induced in the transducers by acoustic energy. A pair of multiplexers  408  (e.g., in a differential implementation) can be used to select a transducer  406  for coupling to a programmable gain amplifier  410  configured to amplify the received signals. In some examples, the same transducer  406  can be coupled to the transmitter  402  by the demultiplexers  404  and coupled to the programmable gain amplifier  410  by the multiplexers  408 . Thus, a single transducer  406  can be used both for transmitting and for receiving acoustic energy. In some examples, a first transducer can be coupled to the transmitter  402  by the demultiplexers and a second transducer can be coupled by the multiplexers to the programmable gain amplifier  410 . For example, the transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer can be discrete piezoelectric elements, where the transmitting transducer can be designed for being driven by higher voltages (or currents) to produce sufficient motion in the transducer  406  to generate an acoustic wave in the surface of a device (e.g., device  200  above), and the receiving transducer can be designed for receiving smaller amplitude reflected energy. In such an architecture, the transmit side circuitry (e.g.,  402  and  404 ) can be optionally implemented in a high-voltage process, and the receive side circuitry (e.g.,  408 - 420 ) can be optionally implemented on a separate low-voltage process. In some examples, the programmable gain amplifier output can be coupled to gain and offset correction circuit  412 . It should be understood that for a single-ended implementation, a single demultiplexer  404  and a single multiplexer  408  can be used, and transmitter  402 , programmable gain amplifier  410 , and the input to gain and offset correction circuit  412  can be single-ended as well. 
     In some examples, the output of gain and offset correction circuit  412  can optionally be coupled to one or more analog processing circuits. In some examples the output of gain and offset correction circuit  412  can be coupled to a demodulation circuit  414  configured to demodulate the received signals (e.g., by I/Q demodulation). In some examples, the output of the gain and offset correction circuit  412  can be coupled to an envelope detection circuit  415  configured to perform envelope detection on the received signals. In some examples, the output of gain and offset correction circuit  412  can be filtered at a filter  416 . 
     The received signals, whether raw or processed by one or more of the demodulation circuit  414 , envelope detection circuit  415  or filter  416  can be passed to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  418  for conversion to a digital signal. In some examples, an input/output (I/O) circuit  420  can be used to transmit received data for processing. In some examples, the output of I/O circuit  420  can be transferred to a host processor of the device, or to an auxiliary sub-processor separate from the host processor. In some examples, some digital signal processing can be performed (e.g., by the acoustic touch sensing circuitry or acoustic touch sensing controller) before transmitting the data to other processors in the system. A control circuit  422  can be used to control timing and operations of the acoustic touch sensing circuitry  402 - 420 . 
     It is to be understood that the configuration of  FIG. 4  is not limited to the components and configuration of  FIG. 4 , but can include other or additional components in multiple configurations according to various examples. Additionally, some or all of the components  402 - 404  and  408 - 420  can be included in a single circuit, or can be divided among multiple circuits while remaining within the scope of the examples of the disclosure. 
     As described herein, various acoustic sensing techniques can be used to determine position of an object touching a surface. In some examples, one or more time-of-flight (TOF) measurements can be performed using one or more acoustic transmitters/receivers/transceivers to determine boundaries of the position that the object is touching.  FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate exemplary acoustic touch sensing system configurations using a bounding box technique to determine position according to examples of the disclosure.  FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary acoustic touch sensing system configuration using four acoustic transceivers  502 A-D mounted along (or otherwise coupled to) four edges of a cover material  500  (e.g., cover glass). Transceivers  502 A-D can be configured to generate acoustic waves (e.g., shear horizontal waves) and to receive the reflected acoustic waves. Propagation of shear horizontal waves can be unaffected by water on cover material  500  because low viscosity fluids and gases (such as water and air) can have a very low shear modulus, and therefore do not perturb the boundary conditions that affect wave propagation. Shear horizontal waves can be highly directional waves such that the active detection region (or active area)  504  can be effectively defined based on the position and dimensions of the acoustic transceivers  502 A-D. It should be understood, however, that the active area can change based on the directionality property of the acoustic waves and the size and placement of acoustic transceivers  502 A-D. Additionally, it should be understood that although illustrated as transceivers, in some examples, the transmit and receive functions can be divided (e.g., a first transducer can be configured for transmitting and a second transducer can be configured for receiving rather than including a single transceiver transducer configured for both transmitting and receiving). 
     The position of a touch  506  from an object in contact with surface  502  can be determined by calculating TOF measurements in a measurement cycle using each of acoustic transceivers  502 A-D. For example, in a first measurement step of the measurement cycle, acoustic transceiver  502 A can transmit an acoustic wave and receive reflections from the acoustic wave. When no object is present, the received reflection can be the reflection from the acoustic wave reaching the opposite edge of cover material  500 . However, when an object is touching cover material  500  (e.g., corresponding to touch  506 ), a reflection corresponding to the object can be received before receiving the reflection from the opposite edge. Based on the received reflection corresponding to the object received at transceiver  502 A, the system can determine a distance to the edge of touch  506 , marked by boundary line  510 A. Similar measurements can be performed by transceivers  502 B,  502 C, and  502 D to determine a distance to the remaining edges of touch  506 , indicated by boundary lines  510 B,  510 C, and  510 D. Taken together, the measured distances as represented by boundary lines  510 A- 510 D can form a bounding box  508 . Based on the bounding box, the acoustic touch sensing system can determine position of touch  506  (e.g., based on a centroid of the bounding box). 
     The distance between an object touching the surface and a transceiver can be calculated based on TOF principles. The acoustic energy received by transceivers can be used to determine a timing parameter indicative of a leading edge of a touch. The propagation rate of the acoustic wave through the material forming the surface can be a known relationship between distance and time. Taken together, the known relationship between distance and time and the timing parameter can be used to determine distance.  FIG. 5E  illustrates an exemplary timing diagram according to examples of the disclosure.  FIG. 5E  illustrates the transducer&#39;s signal amplitude. Signal  550  can correspond to the acoustic energy at the transducer from the generation of the acoustic wave at a first edge of the surface. Signal  552  can correspond to the acoustic energy at the transducer received from the wave reflected off the opposite edge of the surface. Due to the known distance across the surface from the first edge to the opposite edge and the known or measured propagation rate of the acoustic signal, the reflection off the opposite edge of the surface occurs at a known time. Additionally, one or more objects (e.g., fingers) touching the surface can cause reflections of energy in the time between the generation of the wave and the edge reflection (i.e., between signals  550  and  552 ). For example, signals  556  and  554  can correspond to reflections of objects touching the surface. It should be understood that signals  550 - 556  are exemplary and the actual shape of the energy received can be different. 
     In some examples, the timing parameter can be a moment in time that can be derived from the reflected energy. For example, the time can refer to that time at which a threshold amplitude of a packet of the reflected energy is detected. In some examples, rather than a threshold amplitude, a threshold energy of the packet of reflected energy can be detected, and the time can refer to that time at which a threshold energy of the packet is detected. The threshold amplitude or threshold energy can indicate the leading edge of the object in contact with the surface. In some examples, the timing parameter can be a time range rather than a point in time. To improve the resolution of a TOF based sensing scheme, the frequency of the ultrasonic wave and sampling rate of the receivers can be increased (e.g., so that receipt of the reflected wave can be localized to a narrower peak that can be more accurately correlated with a moment in time). 
     In some examples, transceivers  502 A-D can operate in a time multiplexed manner, such that each transceiver transmits and receives an acoustic wave at a different time during a measurement cycle so that the waves from one transceiver do not interfere with waves from another transceiver. In other examples, the transceivers can operate in parallel or partially in parallel in time. The signals from the respective transceivers can then be distinguished based on different characteristics of the signals (e.g., different frequencies, phases and/or amplitudes). 
     Although four transceivers are illustrated in  FIG. 5A , in some examples, fewer transceivers can be used. For example, when using an input object with known dimensions, as few as two transceivers can be used.  FIG. 5B  illustrates an exemplary acoustic touch sensing system configuration using two acoustic transceivers  502 A and  50 B mounted along two perpendicular edges (e.g., one horizontal edge and one vertical edge) of a cover material  500  (cover material  500  is omitted for clarity of illustration). An object in contact within the active region  504  of the surface (represented by touch  516 ) can be an object with known dimensions. For example, a stylus tip can have a known size and shape (e.g., a diameter of 1-2 mm). As described above with respect to  FIG. 5A , a first distance illustrated by boundary line  520 A can be measured by the TOF of an acoustic wave transmitted and received by transceiver  502 A, and a second distance illustrated by boundary line  520 B can be measured by the TOF of an acoustic wave transmitted and received by transceiver  502 B. Based on the known dimensions of object, bounding box  518  can be formed (e.g., by adding the diameter of object to the first and second distances). Based on the bounding box, the acoustic touch sensing system can determine position of touch  516  (e.g., based on a centroid). In some examples, the position can be determined based on the two measured distances without requiring forming the bounding box (e.g., the position estimating algorithm can use the dimensions of the object and the two measured distances to calculate the centroid). 
     In some examples, a user&#39;s finger(s) can be characterized such that a two transceiver scheme can be used to detect touches by one or more fingers. In some examples, user input can be primarily from an index finger. The user&#39;s index finger can be characterized (e.g., dimensions or size) and the bounding box scheme can be applied to two TOF measurements and the finger dimensions. In some examples, multiple fingers can be characterized. During operation, the finger(s) can be identified and then the characteristics of the identified finger(s) can be used with two TOF measurements to determine position. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate detection of a single object. In some examples, however, the acoustic touch sensing system can be configured to detect multiple touches.  FIG. 5C  illustrates an exemplary acoustic touch sensing system configuration configured to detect multiple touches. The acoustic touch sensing system can include four acoustic transceivers  502 A- 502 D and an active area  504  as described above with respect to  FIG. 5A . Instead of one object touching within active area  504 , in  FIG. 5C  two objects can be touching within the active area  504 . The two objects, however, can create an ambiguity in the acoustic touch sensing system regarding position of the two objects. The two objects can correspond either to touches  526 A and  526 B or to touches  526 C and  526 D. Two of the touches can be actual touches and the other two of the touches can be phantom touches. 
     For example, TOF measurements can be performed by using transceivers  502 A,  502 B,  502 C, and  502 D to determine a distance to the two objects. For example, transceiver  502 A can receive two packets of reflected acoustic energy corresponding to the two objects (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 5E , for example). A first TOF distance to the edge of either touch  526 A or touch  526 C can be marked by boundary line  530 A, and a second TOF distance to the edge of either touch  526 B or touch  526 D can be marked by boundary line  532 A. Likewise, transceiver  502 B can be used to determine a boundary line  530 B corresponding to touch  526 A or touch  526 D, and a boundary line  532 B corresponding to touch  526 B or touch  526 C. Transceiver  502 C can be used to determine a boundary line  530 C corresponding to touch  526 B or touch  526 C, and a boundary line  532 C corresponding to touch  526 A or touch  526 D. Transceiver  502 D can be used to determine a boundary line  530 D corresponding to touch  526 B or touch  526 D, and a boundary line  532 D corresponding to touch  526 A or touch  526 C. Taken together, boundary lines  530 A-D and  532 A-D can form bounding boxes  538 A-D. For example, bounding box  538 A can be formed from boundary lines  530 A,  530 B,  532 C, and  532 D. Similarly, bounding box  538 D can be formed from boundary lines  532 A,  530 B,  532 C, and  530 D. 
     In some examples, the two actual touches can be disambiguated when they are sequential. The first touch can be registered and then the second sequential touch can be disambiguated based on the first touch. For example, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 5C , if touch  526 A is detected first, then in the subsequent sensing cycle the two touches can be determined to be touches  526 A and  526 B. In contrast, if touch  526 C is detected first, then in the subsequent sensing cycle the two touches can be determined to be touches  526 C and  526 D. As long as the touches remain far enough apart to be resolved into separate bounding boxes (and assuming the touch contact moves only small amounts between each measurement interval), the two touches can be tracked. In practice, the apparently simultaneous multi-touch by human can be viewed as sequential touches if the acquisition time (measurement cycle) of the acoustic sensors is short enough to register the sequence. Thus, if the sensing cycle repeats frequently enough, the acoustic touch sensing system can disambiguate the multiple touches with four transceivers. 
     In some examples, e.g., when multiple touches cannot be resolved), bounding box  528  can be used to determine the position of touch. Bounding box  528  can be formed from boundary lines  530 A-D. 
     The multi-touch capabilities described with reference to  FIG. 5C  can be limited based on the disambiguation requirements (e.g., sequential contact and tracking). In some examples, multi-touch capabilities can be provided by increasing the number of transceivers in the system.  FIG. 5D  illustrates an exemplary acoustic touch sensing system configuration configured to detect multiple touches. The acoustic touch sensing system in  FIG. 5D  can include one or more transceivers  542  and  544  arranged along edges of the surface and forming active area  504 . Each of the transceivers  542  and  544  can transmit acoustic waves and measure the reflections to determine the presence and location of one or more objects. For example, as illustrated, bounding box  548 A can be formed around touch  546 A based on TOF measurements from eight transmitters, and bounding box  548 B can formed around touch  546 B based on TOF measurements from four of the transmitters. Multiple transceivers can also be implemented in place of the two transceivers illustrate in  FIG. 5B . 
     TOF schemes described with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5E  can provide for a limited number of transceivers, which can simplify the transmitting and receiving electronics, and can reduce time and memory requirements for processing. Although  FIGS. 5A-5E  discuss using a bounding box based on TOF measurements to determine position of an object, in other examples, different methods can be used including applying matched filtering to a known transmitted ultrasonic pulse shape, and using a center of mass calculation on the filtered output (e.g., instead of a centroid). 
     In some instances, the touch sensitivity can be affected by one or more properties at the interface of the cover material. For example, when a touch object (e.g., finger) touches the top surface (i.e., surface located closer to the external surface of the device housing) of the cover material, at least one layer of unwanted material (e.g., water, contamination on the finger, gloves covering the finger) can be located between the finger and the top surface of the cover material. The unwanted layer can affect (e.g., decrease) the amplitude of the reflected waves from the finger and/or the unwanted layer. The change in amplitude of the reflected waves can lead to measurement inaccuracies. To maintain or increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels, the acoustic touch sensing controller (e.g., acoustic touch sensing controller  210  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) can increase the voltage used to drive the transmitting transducer (e.g., transducer  504  illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5D ), for example. In some instances, variations in the properties of the touch object may also lead to measurement inaccuracies, changes in the voltage and power, changes in SNR levels, or a combination thereof. 
     To mitigate the effects from the unwanted layer, the touch sensor can include one or more layers disposed on the top surface of the cover material.  FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate cross-sectional views of a portion of an exemplary acoustic touch sensor including one or more layers disposed on the top surface according to examples of the disclosure. The acoustic touch sensor can include a cover material  602 , a transducer  604 , an opaque mask  606 , and other components having the one or more functionalities and/or structures as described above (e.g., discussed in the context of  FIGS. 5A-5D ). The acoustic touch sensor can further include intermediate layers  632  and  634  located between the cover material  602  and the touch object (not shown in  FIG. 6A ). Intermediate layer  634  can include a plurality of features  635 . Each feature  635  can be any type of protrusion configured to transfer force applied by the touch object to the cover material  602 . Intermediate layer  634 , plurality of features  635 , or both can include any type of material with certain rigidity. Discussed in further details below, the rigidity can be such that force applied by a touch object can be transferred to the intermediate layer  634 , while the propagated force can be localized to the area where the touch object contacts the top surface of cover material  602 . Exemplary materials for intermediate layer  634  can include, but are not limited to, glass, onyx, and sapphire. 
     In some examples, the intermediate layer  634  can have a pre-determined thickness. The thickness of intermediate layer  634  can be selected based on the desired amount of propagated force to areas (e.g., areas where plurality of features  635 A are located, as discussed below). For example, selecting a thickness greater than the optimal thickness value (e.g., 50-60 microns or 33% thinner than the thickness of cover material  602 ) can lead to the propagated force extending to areas outside (e.g., larger) than the contact area of the touch object (e.g., touch object  637  illustrated in  FIG. 6B ). In some instances, the desired amount of propagated force can be based on a desired sensitivity of the acoustic touch sensor to multi-touch detection. As another example, selecting a thickness less than the optimal thickness value can impair the mechanical strength of the intermediate layer  634  and can cause susceptibility to breaking when force from the touch object is applied. As another example, a thickness value can be selected to give a contact area defined by the features  635  of the intermediate layer  634  onto the cover material  602  having approximately the same size as the touch object. 
     Located between the intermediate layer  634  and cover material  602  can be another intermediate layer  632 . Intermediate layer  632  can act to separate the plurality of features  635  from cover material  602  in a no-touch condition, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . In some instances, the intermediate layer  634  may be “floating.” In some examples, the separation between the plurality of features  635  and the top surface of cover material  602  can be uniform throughout the touch sensor while in a no-touch condition. In this manner, the plurality of features  635  may have no effect on the acoustic waves. Intermediate layer  632  can include air, a gel, a material that is optically matched to the cover material  602 , or the like. 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates the effects on the acoustic touch sensor when force is applied by a touch object to the top surface of the acoustic touch sensor in a touch condition according to examples of the disclosure. Touch object  637  may apply a force to the top surface of the acoustic touch sensor. Intermediate layer  634  can include a plurality of features  635 A and  635 B. The applied force can cause a change in at least some of the properties of intermediate layer  634 . For example, as illustrated in the figure, the force can create one or more local bends in intermediate layer  634  where plurality of features  635 B is located. Plurality of features  635 B can move closer to cover material  602  and can cause one or more surface discontinuities in cover material  602 . Acoustic waves propagating through the cover material  602  can undergo reflections due to the discontinuities located in the path of the wave propagation. Time-of-flight information of the reflected acoustic waves can be measured for purposes of determining the touch location. 
     The intermediate layer  634  can be configured such that other areas are unaffected (e.g., maintain structural properties) by touch object  637 . For example, plurality of features  635 A may not undergo movement when touch object  637  applies a force. The absence of movement with plurality of features  635 A can confine the areas of the acoustic touch sensor that experience the force transfer, thereby allowing the system the ability to determine the coordinates, properties, and/or shape of the touch. 
     Including intermediate layers in the acoustic touch sensor can further mitigate the unwanted effects due to variability in the touch object properties. In the absence of the intermediate layer(s), different materials located at the surface of the cover material can cause touch objects to have differing levels of interference with the acoustic waves, which can lead to measurement inaccuracies and unpredictability. For example, the presence of water, contamination, and/or a user wearing a glove may cause the user&#39;s fingers to produce vastly different interactions with acoustic waves travelling in the cover material  602 . For example, any of the water, contamination, and/or glove can reduce the amount of reflection of acoustic waves propagating in cover material  602  caused by the touch object  637  and the acoustic waves even when the same amount of force is applied under the various different conditions. This reduced reflection can result in a reduced signal received by acoustic touch sensor circuitry, requiring the receive circuitry to have a large dynamic range. By adding the intermediate layer  634  with features  635 , the material properties of the material that produces physical conduct with the cover material  602  can remain consistent despite variations in the characteristics of the touch object  637  as described above. Accordingly, the system may be able to detect touch from both a touch object including a contamination layer and a user wearing a glove, for example, without requiring the system to have a large dynamic range. 
     As another example, unpredictability can result from variations in the spacing of ridges on different users&#39; fingers. To account for the variations in the spacing of ridges, the system can be configured with a range of operability requirements (e.g., transmission frequencies, spatial resolution, etc.) that can increase complexity and production costs of the system. Since the properties of the intermediate layer(s)  632  and  634  and plurality of features  635  may be pre-determined and known at the time of manufacture, the reflections of the acoustic waves can be more controlled and predictable. Additionally, the dynamic range of the operability requirements may be reduced. 
     Although  FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate the plurality of features as having a triangular or prism shape, examples of the disclosure are limited in shape, size, and/or uniformity. The plurality of features can be any shape including, but not limited to, spheres (e.g., plurality of features  638 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 6C . Each feature can contact (e.g., at one side such as the base of a prism) neighboring features or may be separated (e.g., 600 micron spacing). In some instances, the spacing/pitch of the plurality of features can be determined based on the wavelength(s) of the acoustic waves propagated in the cover material. In some examples, the plurality of features may be non-uniformly distributed throughout the intermediate layer. For example, features may be spaced closer and/or sized (e.g., 5-10 microns diameter) smaller in the center region of the acoustic touch sensor panel relative to the border region. 
     In some examples, intermediate layer  634  may exclude features in one or more regions of the acoustic touch sensor. Exemplary regions can include regions of the touch sensor susceptible to accidental (or false) touches. For example, the border region may be a region where the user may apply a force due to holding the electronic device in their hand. One or more portions of the border region may exclude features such that the force applied in these one or more portions may not act as a discontinuity to the acoustic waves. 
     In some examples, the plurality of features can have different structural properties in one direction relative to the other direction (e.g., anisotropic). For example, the features can be rectangular-shaped, where the rectangles, when oriented perpendicular to the transducer  604  can lead to an increase in the measured signal. Rectangles oriented parallel to the transducer  604  can lead to a decrease in the measured signal. In this manner, the orientation of the touch object can be determined. 
     Although the figures illustrate the intermediate layer(s) as a layer or layers that have been deposited on the cover material, examples of the disclosure can include one or more layers located between the intermediate layers and the cover material. Additionally or alternatively, the intermediate layer(s) can be included in an overlay (e.g., a separate keyboard accessory component) that attaches to the acoustic touch sensor. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary method  700  for acoustic touch sensing of a touch object contacting the intermediate layer(s) according to examples of the disclosure. At step  702 , acoustic energy can be transmitted (e.g., by transducers  604  illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6C ) along a surface of a device or through the thickness of a device housing, for example, in the form of an ultrasonic acoustic wave. At step  704 , the touch object can contact the intermediate layer(s). At step  706 , force from the touch object can cause one or more bends in the intermediate layer. Transmitted energy can propagate along the surface or through the cover material, at step  708 . At step  710 , when the transmitted energy reaches the one or more bends, some of the energy can be reflected, and a portion of the reflected energy can be directed to the transducers. At step  712 , the method  700  can receive returning acoustic energy, and the acoustic energy can be converted to an electrical signal by the transducers. At step  714 , the method  700  can determine whether an object is contacting the surface of the device and can further detect the position of one or more objects based on the received acoustic energy. In some examples, a distance of the object from the transmission source (e.g., transducers  604  illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6C ) can be determined from a time-of-flight between transmission at step  702  and receiving of reflected energy at step  712  and a propagation rate of the ultrasonic acoustic wave in the material. 
     An acoustic touch sensor is disclosed. In some examples, the acoustic touch sensor can include a cover material; a transducer coupled to the cover material; one or more layers located on a surface of the cover material, the one or more layers configured to transfer a force applied by an object contacting a surface of a device to the cover material, wherein the device includes the acoustic touch sensor; and control circuitry configured to determine whether the object is contacting the surface of the device. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more layers include: a first layer including a plurality of features, and a second layer located between first layer and the cover material. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more layers including one or more bends such that some of the plurality of features touch the cover material, wherein the one or more bends create one or more surface discontinuities on the cover material. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, at least some of the plurality of features of the first layer is configured to transfer the force applied by the object to the cover material, and at least others of the plurality of features of the first layer maintain structural properties when the force is applied by the touch object. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the surface of the device including one or more regions capable of being contacted by the object, at least some of the plurality of features are located at the one or more regions, and at least others of the plurality of features are located outside of the one or more regions. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the first layer includes one or more other regions that exclude features. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more other regions are located at a border region of the device. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the first layer includes one or more of glass, onyx, and sapphire. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the second layer includes one or more of air and a gel. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the plurality of features includes a plurality of prisms. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the plurality of features is non-uniformly distributed throughout the first layer. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, a size of each of the plurality of features is between 5-10 microns. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, a thickness of first layer is between 50-60 microns. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the acoustic touch sensor further comprises: transmit circuitry configured to provide a stimulation signal to the transducer; and receive circuitry configured to capture a received signal based on motion of the transducer, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to: couple the transmit circuitry to the transducer, couple the receive circuitry to the transducer, stimulate the transducer to produce an excitation in the cover material, capture a reflected energy between the transducer and one or more surface discontinuities on the cover material, and determine a location of the object contacting the surface of the device based on the reflected energy. 
     An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device can comprise: an acoustic touch sensor including: a cover material; a transducer coupled to the cover material; one or more layers located on a surface of the cover material, the one or more layers configured to transfer a force applied by an object contacting a surface of a device to the cover material, wherein the device includes the acoustic touch sensor; control circuitry configured to determine whether the object is contacting the surface of the device; and a display device, wherein a surface of the cover material is a display screen of the display device. 
     A method for detecting an object contacting a surface of a device is disclosed. The method can comprise: in accordance with the object contacting the surface of the device: propagating force applied by the touch object at the surface of the device to a surface of a cover material, and creating one or more bends in one or more layers located on the surface of the cover material, the one or more bends creating one or more surface discontinuities on the cover material; transmitting an acoustic wave into a surface of a cover material, the acoustic wave transmitted from a transducer; receiving an acoustic reflection; and determining whether the acoustic reflection corresponds to a signal attenuated by one or more surface discontinuities on the cover material. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, creating the one or more surface discontinuities includes decreasing a gap between a plurality of features included in the one or more layers and the cover material such that the plurality of features contacts the cover material. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more bends and one or more surface discontinuities are located in one or more regions of the device, the method further comprising: maintaining a space between a plurality of features included in the one or more layers and the cover glass outside of the one or more regions. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the method further comprises: in accordance with the touch object not contacting the surface of the device: maintaining a uniform spacing throughout the one or more layers, wherein the spacing is between a plurality of features included in the one or more layers and the cover material. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the method further comprises: determining a position of the object based on time of flight information. 
     Although examples of this disclosure have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of examples of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170331
Publication Date: 20211026
Grant Date: 20211026
Priority Date: 20170331
Inventors: KHAJEH, EHSAN
KING, BRIAN MICHAEL
YIP, Marcus
TUCKER, AARON SCOTT
YEKE YAZDANDOOST, MOHAMMAD
YOUSEFPOR, MARDUKE
GOZZINI, GIOVANNI
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/0393", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04166", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0436", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04166", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0436", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04142", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04142", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0436", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04166", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 63669404