Method and apparatus for providing input to a processor, and a sensor pad

• US 20090256817A1
• Filed: 02/26/2009
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New York University
• Original Assignee: New York University
• Inventors: Rosenberg, Ilya, Perlin, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 8,766,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04144 using an array of force sensing means position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells G06F3/0447
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

An apparatus for providing input to a processor includes a sensor pad having a surface and a sensor array for sensing pressure at the surface and producing signals corresponding to the pressure at the surface. The sensor array having columns and rows of electrodes that are covered with resistive material which fills in the spaces between the electrodes and acts as a linear resistor between the electrodes and measures pressure on the pad surface between the electrodes. The apparatus includes an interface in contact with the sensor pad and in communication with the sensor array which couples to the processor to communicate the signals to the processor. A method for providing input to a processor includes the steps of sensing pressure with a sensor pad having a surface and a sensor array for sensing the pressure at the surface. There is the step of producing signals corresponding to the pressure at the surface with the sensor array. The sensor array having columns and rows of electrodes that are covered with resistive material which fills in the spaces between the electrodes and acts as a linear resistor between the electrodes and measures pressure on the pad surface between the electrodes. There is the step of communicating the signals to the processor with an interface in contact with the sensor pad and in communication with the sensor array which couples to the processor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing input to a processor comprising:

a sensor pad having a surface and a sensor array for sensing pressure at the surface and producing signals corresponding to the pressure at the surface, the sensor array having columns and rows of electrodes that are covered with resistive material which fills in the spaces between the electrodes and acts as a linear resistor between the electrodes and measures pressure on the pad surface between the electrodes; and

an interface in contact with the sensor pad and in communication with the sensor array which couples to the processor to communicate the signals to the processor.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the pad is portable.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the interface is configured to couple with a USB cable.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein the array detects multiple simultaneous contact points on the surface.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 4 including a display in communication with the processor that displays the signals on the screen.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the electrodes are spaced at least ⅛

inches apart.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein the resistive material has a conductivity which varies with pressure.

8. The apparatus is described in claim 7 wherein the sensor pad has a first sensor layer with column electrodes, and a second sensor layer with row electrodes.

9. The apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the pad has a spacer with a gap disposed between the first layer and the second layer.

10. The apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein the pad senses pressure at the surface by detecting voltages at row and column intersections that are near areas where the first and second layers are touching.

11. The apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein each time a scan of the pad occurs by the processor, pressure at all points on the surface is measured by applying a positive voltage on each row one at a time, and then reading out voltage values on each column one at a time.

12. The apparatus is described in claim 11 wherein the pad operates like a track pad.

13. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the pad operates as a tablet.

14. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the pad detects a corresponding shape to the pressure applied to the surface.

15. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the sensor pad measures a proportional location of any touched point upon the surface, between two electrode columns that adjoin the touch point and two electrode rows that adjoin the touch point.

16. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the sensor pad includes at least one drone electrode disposed between at least two electrode rows and two electrode columns.

17. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the columns and rows of electrodes are spaced apart a distance greater than a width of a single electrode.

18. A sensor pad comprising:

a surface; and

a sensor array for sensing pressure at the surface and producing signals corresponding to the pressure at the surface, the sensor array having columns and rows of electrodes that are covered with resistive material which is disposed in the spaces between the electrodes.

19. An apparatus for providing input to a processor comprising:

a sensor pad having a surface and means for sensing pressure at the surface and producing signals corresponding to the pressure at the surface, the sensing means having columns and rows of electrodes that are covered with resistive material which is disposed in the spaces between the electrodes; and

an interface in contact with the sensor pad and in communication with the sensor array which couples to the processor to communicate the signals to the processor.

20. The apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein the pad detects multiple simultaneous contacts to the surface.

21. The apparatus as described in claim 20 wherein the pad has no circuitry.

22. A method for providing input to a processor comprising the steps of:

sensing pressure with a sensor pad having a surface and a sensor array for sensing the pressure at the surface;

producing signals corresponding to the pressure at the surface with the sensor array, the sensor array having columns and rows of electrodes that are covered with resistive material which fills in the spaces between the electrodes and acts as a linear resistor between the electrodes and measures pressure on the pad surface between the electrodes; and

communicating the signals to the processor with an interface in contact with the sensor pad and in communication with the sensor array which couples to the processor.

23. The method as described in claim 22 wherein the producing step includes the step of measuring each time a scan of the pad occurs by the processor, pressure at all points on the surface by applying a positive voltage on each row one at a time, and then reading out voltage values on each column one at a time.

24. The method as described in claim 23 wherein the measuring step includes the step of measuring a plurality of simultaneous contacts to the surface.