Pressure-detection device and method
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure-sensing pad includes pressure-sensing structure for sensing the weight of objects placed upon it. The pressure-sensing structure includes a layer of force-sensing ink coupled to a pair of electrodes. The electrodes are connected to a power source, circuitry and a transmitter, all of which may be parts of a radio frequency identification (RFID) device. When weight is placed on or removed from the pressure-sensing structure, electrical characteristics of the force-sensing ink are altered, changing the electrical characteristics of the pressure-sensing structure. This change is detected by the circuitry, which sends a signal via the transmitter. A remote receiver may receive the signal, and initiate one or more of a variety of actions in response. The pressure-sensing pad may be placed on a force- or weight-receiving surface of an object, such as a chair or a shelf, to detect weight of people or objects thereupon.
46 Citations
31 Claims
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1-3. -3. (canceled)
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4. A sensing pad comprising:
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a sensing structure that includes;
a layer of force-sensing ink; and
a pair of electrodes coupled to the ink layer; and
a transmitter coupled to the electrodes, for transmitting a signal to a remote reader. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of detecting items at a specified location, comprising:
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placing a sensing pad at the specified location; and
receiving a signal from the sensing pad when an event occurs regarding an item pressing against the sensing pad. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification