FREQUENCY-MODULATING SENSOR ARRAY
First Claim
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1. A sensing apparatus comprising:
- a first surface;
a plurality of resonant MEMS devices each disposed in physical contact with a respective region of the first surface and having a mechanical resonance frequency that varies according to deflection of the first surface in the respective region of physical contact; and
readout circuitry to obtain, within a first time interval, information indicative of the respective mechanical resonance frequencies of the plurality of resonant MEMS devices sufficient to identify a locus and amplitude of a force applied to the first surface.
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Abstract
Spatially-distributed resonant MEMS sensors are coordinated to generate frequency-modulated signals indicative of regional contact forces, ambient conditions and/or environmental composition.
22 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A sensing apparatus comprising:
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a first surface; a plurality of resonant MEMS devices each disposed in physical contact with a respective region of the first surface and having a mechanical resonance frequency that varies according to deflection of the first surface in the respective region of physical contact; and readout circuitry to obtain, within a first time interval, information indicative of the respective mechanical resonance frequencies of the plurality of resonant MEMS devices sufficient to identify a locus and amplitude of a force applied to the first surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14)
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11. A method of operation within a sensing apparatus having a first surface and a plurality of MEMS devices disposed in physical contact with respective regions of the first surface, the method comprising:
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enabling a respective resonant member within each of the plurality of MEMS devices to vibrate at a respective resonance frequency that varies according to deflection of the first surface in the respective region of physical contact; and obtaining from the plurality of MEMS devices, within a first time interval, information indicative of the respective mechanical resonance frequencies of the vibrating resonance members thereof sufficient to identify a locus and amplitude of a force applied to the first surface. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A sensing device comprising:
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a first surface; a plurality of resonant MEMS devices each disposed in physical contact with a respective region of the first surface and having a mechanical resonance frequency that varies according to deflection of the first surface in the respective region of physical contact; and means for obtaining, within a first time interval, information indicative of the respective mechanical resonance frequencies of the plurality of resonant MEMS devices sufficient to identify a locus and amplitude of a force applied to the first surface.
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Specification