A touch sensing apparatus includes a first plate configured to receive a touch input, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, a piezoelectric element disposed between the first and second plates, the piezoelectric element being configured to generate electrical signals corresponding to the touch input received on the first plate, an ultrasonic output unit configured to output ultrasonic signals based on the electrical signals generated from the piezoelectric element, a plurality of microphones configured to receive the ultrasonic signals, and a processor configured to determine a position of the touch input on the first plate based on the ultrasonic signals received by the plurality of microphones.

An electronic device and a method of controlling the electronic device using audio components are provided. The electronic device includes a transducer, and a processor that detects a touch of an external object which is related to the transducer, and executes a function, based on the touch.

This disclosure provides some implementations of systems, methods and apparatus associated with a drive scheme for ultrasonic transducer pixel readout. In some implementations, a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The second electrode is coupled with a sampling node. A sampling diode has an input and an output. The input is coupled to receive a diode bias signal. The output is coupled with the sampling node. Controller circuitry is configured to control the diode bias signal to at least partially drive a voltage at the sampling node. Read circuitry is coupled with the sampling node to read the voltage.

This disclosure provides some implementations of systems, methods and apparatus associated with a drive scheme for ultrasonic transducer pixel readout. In some implementations, a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The second electrode is coupled with a sampling node. A sampling diode has an input and an output. The input is coupled to receive a diode bias signal. The output is coupled with the sampling node. Controller circuitry is configured to control the diode bias signal to at least partially drive a voltage at the sampling node. Read circuitry is coupled with the sampling node to read the voltage.

External mobile device sensors may be provided that are configured to manage sensory information associated with motion of objects external to the mobile device. In some examples, the object motion may be detected independent of contact with the device. In some examples, a device may include a screen with a first sensor (e.g., a touch sensor). The device may also include at least a second sensor external to the screen. Instructions may be executed by a processor of the device to at least determine when an object is hovering over a first graphical user interface (GUI) element of the screen. Additionally, in some cases, a second GUI element may be provided on the screen such that the second GUI element is rendered on the screen adjacent to a location under the hovering object.

External mobile device sensors may be provided that are configured to manage sensory information associated with motion of objects external to the mobile device. In some examples, the object motion may be detected independent of contact with the device. In some examples, a device may include a screen with a first sensor (e.g., a touch sensor). The device may also include at least a second sensor external to the screen. Instructions may be executed by a processor of the device to at least determine when an object is hovering over a first graphical user interface (GUI) element of the screen. Additionally, in some cases, a second GUI element may be provided on the screen such that the second GUI element is rendered on the screen adjacent to a location under the hovering object.

A touch sensitive device including a front panel having a touch surface and a back surface opposite the touch surface. The touch sensitive device further includes one or more vibration transducers mounted to the back surface, and a controller electronically connected to the vibration transducer. The controller receives, from the vibration transducer, a vibration signal, extracts feature information corresponding to predetermined features from the vibration signal, determines, based on the feature information, that a touch occurred within a predefined area of the touch surface, and outputs a signal indicating that the touch occurred within the predefined area of the touch surface.

A touch sensitive device including a front panel having a touch surface and a back surface opposite the touch surface. The touch sensitive device further includes one or more vibration transducers mounted to the back surface, and a controller electronically connected to the vibration transducer. The controller receives, from the vibration transducer, a vibration signal, extracts feature information corresponding to predetermined features from the vibration signal, determines, based on the feature information, that a touch occurred within a predefined area of the touch surface, and outputs a signal indicating that the touch occurred within the predefined area of the touch surface.

A touch-screen monitor is described. The monitor includes an ultrasonic sensor for detecting motion of an object that is placed in contact with the monitor.

An ultrasonic actuation apparatus includes a piezoelectric transducer producing a first ultrasonic signal; a second transducer; and a platen, the platen being directly and/or acoustically coupled to the piezoelectric transducer and the second transducer. The second transducer may be a MEMS microphone. The second transducer is configured to receive the first ultrasonic signal at a first time, and a second ultrasonic signal at second time. The second ultrasonic signal has been modified from the first ultrasonic signal in correspondence with an object being in contact with the platen.