Two-dimensional sensor arrays
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor system, comprising:
- piezoresistive fabric;
a flexible dielectric substrate having a plurality of conductive trace groups printed in conductive ink on a first side of the flexible dielectric substrate and a plurality of routing traces printed in conductive ink on a second side of the flexible dielectric substrate opposite the first side, the conductive trace groups and the piezoresistive fabric being in contact and forming a sensor array in which each of the conductive trace groups corresponds to a sensor in the sensor array, each of the conductive trace groups including two conductive traces, each of the conductive traces being electrically connected through the flexible dielectric substrate to a corresponding routing trace on the second side of the flexible dielectric substrate; and
sensor circuitry configured to use the routing traces to energize the sensors and receive resulting sensor signals, the sensor circuitry also being configured to use the sensor signals to generate data representing locations and magnitudes of force resulting from objects in contact with a surface of the sensor system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Sensors incorporating piezoresistive materials are described. One class of sensors includes piezoresistive material that is held or otherwise supported adjacent conductive traces on a substrate. Another class of sensors includes conductive traces formed directly on the piezoresistive material. Two-dimensional sensor arrays incorporating piezoresistive materials are also described.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A sensor system, comprising:
-
piezoresistive fabric; a flexible dielectric substrate having a plurality of conductive trace groups printed in conductive ink on a first side of the flexible dielectric substrate and a plurality of routing traces printed in conductive ink on a second side of the flexible dielectric substrate opposite the first side, the conductive trace groups and the piezoresistive fabric being in contact and forming a sensor array in which each of the conductive trace groups corresponds to a sensor in the sensor array, each of the conductive trace groups including two conductive traces, each of the conductive traces being electrically connected through the flexible dielectric substrate to a corresponding routing trace on the second side of the flexible dielectric substrate; and sensor circuitry configured to use the routing traces to energize the sensors and receive resulting sensor signals, the sensor circuitry also being configured to use the sensor signals to generate data representing locations and magnitudes of force resulting from objects in contact with a surface of the sensor system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification