Method and apparatus for providing input to a processor, and a sensor pad
First Claim
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 a first sensor layer comprising of a plurality of column electrodes and a second sensor layer comprising of a plurality of row electrodes, wherein spaces between each of the column electrodes and each of the row electrodes are filled with a flood coat of resistive material, the flood coat of resistive material acting as a linear resistor between each of the electrodes and for measuring pressure on the surface between at the electrodes;
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; and
wherein the sensor pad has a spacer to create a gap between the first sensor layer and the second sensor layer.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing input to a processor comprising:
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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 a first sensor layer comprising of a plurality of column electrodes and a second sensor layer comprising of a plurality of row electrodes, wherein spaces between each of the column electrodes and each of the row electrodes are filled with a flood coat of resistive material, the flood coat of resistive material acting as a linear resistor between each of the electrodes and for measuring pressure on the surface between at the electrodes; 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; and wherein the sensor pad has a spacer to create a gap between the first sensor layer and the second sensor layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A sensor pad comprising:
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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 a first sensor layer comprising of a plurality of column electrodes and a second sensor layer comprising of a plurality of row electrodes, wherein spaces between each of the column electrodes and row electrodes are filled with a flood coat of resistive material that acts as a linear resistor between each of the electrodes for measuring pressure on the surface between at the electrodes; and a spacer to create a gap between the first sensor layer and the second sensor layer.
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19. An apparatus for providing input to a processor comprising:
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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; (i) a first sensor layer comprising of a plurality of column electrodes and a second sensor layer comprising of a plurality of row electrodes, wherein spaces between each the column electrodes and each of the row electrodes are filled with a flood coat of resistive material that acts as a linear resistor between each of the electrodes for measuring pressure on the surface between at the electrodes; and (ii) drone electrodes interspersed between at least some of the plurality of column electrodes and some of the plurality of row electrodes, the drone electrodes being free from a direct electrical connection to circuitry while the plurality of column electrodes and the plurality of row electrodes remain electrically connected to circuitry for sensing pressure at the surface and producing signals corresponding to the pressure at the surface; 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; and wherein the sensor pad further includes a spacer to create a gap between the first sensor layer and the second sensor layer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for providing input to a processor comprising the steps of:
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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 a first sensor layer comprising of a plurality of column electrodes and a second sensor layer comprising of a plurality of row electrodes, spaces between each of the column electrodes and each of the row electrodes being filled with a flood coat of resistive material that acts as a linear resistor between the each of the electrodes for measuring pressure on the surface between at 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; wherein the sensor pad includes a spacer to create a gap between the first sensor layer and the second sensor layer. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification