Force sensing resistor conditioning circuit
First Claim
1. A physical parameter sensing circuit, comprising:
- a) a current mirror module having an input node and a first and second output node, said input node connectable to a power source, said second output node configured to follow current of said first output node;
b) a physical parameter responsive circuit element comprising a variable resistance sensor and having a first connection at said first output node of said current mirror to change the current at said first output node substantially proportional to the physical parameter;
wherein said second output node acts as an output signal point for said circuit indicative of the physical parameter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses a circuit for providing a variable output signal in response to a physical parameter sensed by a sensor in the circuit, preferably a force sensing resistor. The current mirror may consist of two transistors having common bases. Flow of current through the first transistor flows through the sensor and through a parallel resistor. This current is mirrored in a second transistor which provides flow of current which may either be used as an output signal or, more preferably, as a base current for a transistor which is used to control output signal voltage. The circuit uses the current mirror in connection with the sensor to eliminate the need for a negative voltage supply. The circuit may further advantageously contain a voltage limiter module which is used to limit the voltage which may be applied across the sensor if the range of input signals or the desired range of output signals exceeds the sensor'"'"'s capability. The voltage limiter module establishes a fixed voltage across the sensor which is lower than the expected input or the desired output voltage ranges. The resistor in parallel with the sensor is used to ensure that a current is applied to the transistor in the voltage limiter module so that the transistor may maintain its operation as an emitter follower. The circuit may also be used with thermistors for temperature compensation.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. A physical parameter sensing circuit, comprising:
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a) a current mirror module having an input node and a first and second output node, said input node connectable to a power source, said second output node configured to follow current of said first output node; b) a physical parameter responsive circuit element comprising a variable resistance sensor and having a first connection at said first output node of said current mirror to change the current at said first output node substantially proportional to the physical parameter;
wherein said second output node acts as an output signal point for said circuit indicative of the physical parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A force responsive circuit comprising:
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a) a current mirror module having an input node and a first and second output node, said input node connectable to a power source, said second output node configured to follow current of said first output node; b) a force responsive module providing a variable output signal indicative of an applied force and having a first force module node connected to said first output node of said current mirror, and a second force module node; c) a voltage limiter module, said voltage limiter module having a first voltage limiter node connected to said input node, and a second voltage limiter node connected to said second force module node, said voltage limiter module configured to limit voltage which can be applied across said force responsive module by a power source; and d) an output buffer, said output buffer having a first buffer node connected to said input node, a second buffer node connected to said second output node, and a buffer output node, said output buffer configured to buffer said circuit from loads which are adapted to be connected to said buffer output node, wherein said buffer output node acts as an output signal point for said circuit. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. Method of generating a voltage output signal spanning an input voltage in response to a variable force input, comprising:
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a) providing a first current produced by said input voltage through a physical parameter sensor, said sensor varying resistance and said first current in response to the variable force input sensed by said sensor; b) producing a second current in response to and equal to said first current using a current mirror circuit, and providing said second current to an output load to produce said output voltage signal indicative of said variable force input. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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49. A temperature compensating circuit, comprising:
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a) a current mirror module having an input node and a first and second output node, said input node connectable to an input source, said second output node configured to follow current of said first output node; b) a thermistor device having a first connection at said first output node of said current mirror to change current at said first output node substantially proportional to the thermistor device output;
wherein said second output node acts as an output signal point for said circuit. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51)
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Specification