A force sensing device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to provide an electrical output in response to an applied force to determine the magnitude of the applied force. The force sensing device comprises a collapsible structure configured to provide an electrical short circuit in response to the applied force when the applied force exceeds a predetermined magnitude.
G01L 1/26 - Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with the measurement of force, e.g. for preventing influence of transverse components of force, for preventing overload
G01L 1/20 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
G01L 25/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring force, torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency
A force sensing device, comprises a first electrode layer comprising a material having a first resistivity and a second electrode layer comprising a pressure sensitive material having a second resistivity. The second resistivity is relatively high compared to the first resistivity. The first and second electrode layers are configured to be brought together under an applied force. A first conductive material is applied to the first electrode layer and a second conductive material is applied to the second electrode layer to produce first and second moderator layers, respectively. The first and second conductive materials each comprise a material having a resistivity lower than the first and second resistivities, such that, when the first and second conductive materials are brought into contact under the applied force, the current flow between the first and second conductive materials is dependent on the contact area between the first and second moderator layers.
A pressure module comprises a substrate, a support structure and a pressing membrane. The support structure is connected to the substrate and the pressing membrane to form an accommodating cavity between the substrate and the pressing membrane. An electrode is disposed on a surface of the substrate or the pressing membrane and a variable resistance layer is respectively disposed on the opposite surface of the other of the substrate and the pressing membrane. On application of pressure to the pressing membrane, the pressing membrane is elastically deformed and the variable resistance layer is brought into contact with the electrode to form a contact area and a resistance value between the variable resistance layer and the electrode. The contact area and the elastic deformation is positively correlated.
H01H 13/79 - Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
A key mechanism comprises an elastic structure comprising a first cavity located above a second cavity which are spaced apart from each other. The key mechanism comprises first and second button structures. The second button structure comprises an electrode layer on an upper wall of the second cavity and an electrode layer on a lower wall of the second cavity. The second button structure has an elastic body on the surface of one of the electrode layers. The first button structure is configured to generate a first key signal when a force is applied to an upper wall of the first cavity and compress the upper wall of the second cavity upon application of that force. The electrode layers come into contact to generate a second key signal in response to elastic deformation of the elastic body when the force is applied.
H01H 13/50 - Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member
H01H 13/79 - Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
A force sensing device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode and a substrate comprising at least one groove. The force sensing device further comprises an active material between the first and second electrodes. The at least one groove comprises a first face and a second face inclined to the first face. The first face and second face are arranged a distance apart from each other. The first electrode is deposited on the first face and the second electrode is deposited on the second face. The distance changes on application of an applied force to deform the active material and provide a change in an electrical property, such as resistance, capacitance or a combination, of the active material.
G01L 1/14 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in capacitance or inductance of electrical elements, e.g. by measuring variations of frequency of electrical oscillators
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
A touch pad, comprises a housing comprising a vibration device, a cover, a capacitive sensing layer electrically connected to a processor and a pressure sensing layer arranged in the housing, also electrically connected to the processor. The capacitive sensing layer is positioned between the cover and the pressure sensing layer. The processor is configured to utilize a signal output from either the capacitive sensing layer or the pressure sensing layer to activate the vibration device.
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the userAccessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
An electronic keyboard comprises a plurality of keys and a housing comprising a cavity. The cavity accommodates a circuit board, a pressing layer and at least one pressure sensor arranged therein. Each pressure sensor is provided between a lower portion of the cavity and the circuit board, the pressing layer is moveably connected to each of the keys and the circuit board is provided between the pressing layer and the lower portion. Each pressure sensor is connected to the circuit board, and a force-receiving surface of each pressure sensor aligns with a projection area of the corresponding one of the keys.
A touch device comprises a base, a membrane pressure sensor arranged on the base, a touch sensing layer covering the membrane pressure sensor, and a force feedback structure arranged on the lower surface of the touch sensing layer and electrically connected to the membrane pressure sensor. The membrane pressure sensor is configured to generate a pressing signal related to the force applied to it, and the force feedback structure is configured to receive the pressing signal and generate a feedback force corresponding to it.
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the userAccessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
A detector is shown for detecting manually applied pressure. A substrate defines a position of activation and electrodes are mounted on this substrate. A processing device is energized such that the electrodes are configured to identify a position of applied pressure by detecting a change in resistance in response to a first energizing signal received from the processing device. Furthermore, the electrodes are configured to confirm this position of applied pressure by detecting a change in capacitance in response to a second energizing signal received from the processing device. The electrodes comprise a first electrode located on an upper surface which detects the change in capacitance, and second and third electrodes which detect the change in resistance.
G06F 3/045 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
A force sensing device comprises a sensing array comprising a first conductive layer having a plurality of conductive rows and a second conductive layer having a plurality of conductive columns. The plurality of conductive rows and plurality of conductive columns are arranged to define a plurality of intersections. The force sensing device also comprises an electro-active layer overlaying the first conductive layer and comprising a pressure sensitive element at each intersection. A force concentrating structure is positioned at each intersection on the second conductive layer.
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G01L 1/20 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
G01L 1/18 - Measuring force or stress, in general using properties of piezo-resistive materials, i.e. materials of which the ohmic resistance varies according to changes in magnitude or direction of force applied to the material
G01L 5/1623 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring several components of force using variations in ohmic resistance of pressure sensitive conductors
A force sensing device comprises a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer and a pressure sensitive active layer responsive to a mechanical interaction. A force distribution structure is positioned between the first and second conductive layers and extends between a first end and a second end of the first conductive layer. The force distribution structure is configured to expand the contact area between the pressure sensitive active layer and the first conductive layer in response to a force being applied to the force sensing device.
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
G01L 1/20 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
G01B 7/16 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by resistance strain gauge
A button structure comprises a base layer, a supporting structure arranged on the base layer, an elastic film layer, the elastic film layer covering the support structure and connected to the support structure, the support structure and the elastic film layer defining a cavity above the base layer, a first upper electrode arranged on the lower surface of the elastic film layer and located in the cavity, a first lower electrode, arranged on the base layer and located in the cavity, and a first variable resistance elastic body between the first upper and first lower electrodes, either arranged on the lower surface of the first upper electrode or arranged on the upper surface of the first lower electrode. When the elastic film layer is elastically deformed in the direction of the base layer, the first variable resistance elastic body connects the first upper electrode with the first lower electrode so as to generate a first signal related to the elastic deformation of the first variable resistance elastic body.
A pressure sensor has a base layer, a supporting structure arranged on the base layer, and an elastic layer disposed above the base layer and the supporting structure. The elastic layer has a curved lower surface that is recessed away from the base layer. The curved lower surface, the supporting structure and the base layer define a cavity with an arched top wall. A first electrode, a second electrode, and an elastic body are all arranged within the cavity, such that when the elastic layer is elastically deformed in a direction of the base layer, the variable resistance elastic body electrically connects the first electrode with the second electrode, so as to generate a first signal related to the elastic deformation of the variable resistance elastic body.
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G06F 3/023 - Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
H01C 10/10 - Adjustable resistors adjustable by mechanical pressure or force
A pressure sensor comprises a first sensing module comprising a first negative electrode and first support structures arranged at intervals on the first negative electrode. A first flexible insulating layer covers an upper surface of the first support structures and first positive electrodes are arranged at intervals on a lower surface of the first flexible insulating layer and distributed between the first support structures. A second sensing module comprises a second negative electrode disposed on the first flexible insulating layer and second support structures are arranged at intervals on the second negative electrode. A second flexible insulating layer covers an upper surface of the second support structures. Second positive electrodes are arranged on a lower surface of the second flexible insulating layer at intervals and distributed between the second support structures. The first support structures are offset from the second support structures.
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
G06F 3/045 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
A button structure has a base having a slot and a sensing element inserted into the slot. A pressure concentration element is fixedly connected by bonding to the sensing element and a key cap is mounted to the base. The key cap has a core member fixedly connected to a lower surface of a top plate of the key cap. The lower surface of the core member can be brought into contact with the pressure concentration element on application of a pressure to an upper surface of the top plate, such that the applied pressure is transmitted to the sensing element through the core member and the pressure concentration part. The sensing element is a piezoresistive film sensor.
A pressure sensor comprises a substrate and a conductive layer disposed on the substrate and a spacer layer having a thickness larger than the thickness of the conductive layer. The pressure sensor also comprises an elastic membrane connected to the spacer layer, which overlays the conductive layer with the spacer layer providing a space therebetween and a sensing electrode layer arranged on a lower surface of the elastic membrane and spaced apart from the conductive layer. The sensing electrode layer forms at least two electrodes opposed and spaced apart from each other. The two electrodes are respectively connected to respective connectors and contact the conductive layer in response to an applied pressure on the elastic membrane. Each electrode transmits an output signal of resistance data to a processor through the respective connector.
G01L 1/20 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
A pressure sensing device comprises a first diaphragm which is deformable and a second diaphragm which is non-deformable. One of the diaphragms comprises a pressure sensitive material arranged on its surface. The other diaphragm comprises a detection electrode arranged its surface. The first diaphragm forms part of a force transmission device comprising a cavity having a force transmission fluid therein. The force transmission device is configured to receive an external force and transmit the external force to the first diaphragm, such that the first and second diaphragms are mutually deformed in response to the external force.
G01L 5/00 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
An apparatus for providing a switch mechanism comprises a housing and a pressure sensitive device mounted to the housing. An actuator is moveably connected to the housing to enable the actuator to move along an axis towards and away from the pressure sensitive device. A resilient member has a first end connected to the actuator and a second end connected to the pressure sensitive device.
y) are calculated based on the first and second location data points to create a state vector. A predicted path of further location data points is determined from the state vector to avoid drop out problems with pressure inputs.
A method of classifying a mechanical interaction on a sensing array is described. The sensing array comprises a plurality of sensing elements and the method comprises the steps of identifying positional (x,y) and extent (z) data in response to a mechanical interaction such as a finger press in the sensing array; converting the positional and extent data to image data to produce an image; and classifying the positional and extent data by providing the image to an artificial neural network.
A method of classifying pressure inputs in a sensing array, in which the sensing array comprises a plurality of sensing elements responsive to pressure inputs is described. The method comprises steps of identifying a plurality of pressure inputs in the sensing array and converting the plurality of pressure inputs into an output image. The output image is compared with a data set comprising a plurality of images of undesirable pressure inputs by means of an artificial neural network. A mask is applied which is consistent with the output image to remove undesirable pressure inputs.
G06V 10/764 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using classification, e.g. of video objects
G06V 10/77 - Processing image or video features in feature spacesArrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using data integration or data reduction, e.g. principal component analysis [PCA] or independent component analysis [ICA] or self-organising maps [SOM]Blind source separation
G06V 10/75 - Organisation of the matching processes, e.g. simultaneous or sequential comparisons of image or video featuresCoarse-fine approaches, e.g. multi-scale approachesImage or video pattern matchingProximity measures in feature spaces using context analysisSelection of dictionaries
G06V 10/82 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using neural networks
22.
Apparatus and method of calibrating of a force sensing device by establishing an optimized force-resistance curve
A method of calibrating a force sensing device comprises establishing an optimized force-resistance curve by obtaining a mean resistance of a plurality of force-resistance curves for a set of substantially similar force sensing devices and measuring calibration data of the force sensing device. The method applies a plurality of calibration points defined from the measuring step to the optimized force-resistance curve and adapts the optimized force-resistance curve to form an adapted force-resistance curve by interpolating the plurality of calibration points and determining a multiplier value for each calibration point.
G01L 5/00 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
An apparatus (201) for use in a display device comprises a light-emitting layer (203) for providing a light output to the display device and a translucent layer (202) comprising a pressure-sensitive ink. The translucent layer diffuses the light output from the light-emitting layer and the pressure-sensitive ink provides a conductive layer of a sensing device (205) which is configured to measure a force in response to a mechanical interaction.
H01L 27/32 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including components using organic materials as the active part, or using a combination of organic materials with other materials as the active part with components specially adapted for light emission, e.g. flat-panel displays using organic light-emitting diodes
H01L 51/56 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of such devices or of parts thereof
H01L 51/52 - Solid state devices using organic materials as the active part, or using a combination of organic materials with other materials as the active part; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of such devices, or of parts thereof specially adapted for light emission, e.g. organic light emitting diodes (OLED) or polymer light emitting devices (PLED) - Details of devices
A foldable electronic device (101) includes a display device (102) moveable from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration in which the display device folds along a fold axis (103). The electronic foldable device further includes a force sensing device (603) responsive to a manual interaction on the surface of the display device. The force sensing device is positioned on the fold axis of the display device.
A method of selecting an entity from a list of entities, includes providing a manually applied pressure to a touch-sensitive device and activating a range of entities in response to the manually applied pressure. The range of entities includes first and second lists of entities. Scrolling in a first direction enables selection of an entity from the first list of entities and scrolling in a second direction enables selection of an entity from the second list of entities.
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
A sensing decal (400) for use in the production of a sensor, includes a flexible release layer (401), a conductive ink layer (402) and an adhesive layer (403). The conductive ink layer is printed onto a first surface (404) of the flexible release layer and the adhesive layer is printed onto the conductive ink layer. The first surface includes a substantially non-uniform surface (405) and the conductive ink layer includes at least one patterned element (503-509) providing a predetermined set of electrical properties for formation of a sensor.
H05K 3/00 - Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
B41M 3/00 - Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns
B41M 5/00 - Duplicating or marking methodsSheet materials for use therein
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
H05K 3/12 - Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern using printing techniques to apply the conductive material
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
Directional data is derived from a manually-interactive-device 102 configured to generate positional data and intensity data. Initial positional data is generated, along with initial intensity data from an initial contact of a finger upon the manually-interactive-device. The manually-interactive-device has a definition sufficiently high to produce a plurality of data-points in response to the application of a single finger. Directional data is produced in response to a finger rolling or tilting operation 901 by generating additional intensity data in which variations occur to intensity values at the previously identified data-point positions.
G06F 3/04883 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/045 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
An apparatus for sensing a physical attribute is shown, that includes a first track (511) defining a first electrode on a substrate (512), a second track (513) defining a second electrode on said substrate and an active film (514) in cooperation with a first sensor portion (516) of the first electrode and a second sensor portion (517) of the second electrode. The second electrode includes a first extended portion (517) to establish a first additional resistance not cooperating with the active film.
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
G01L 1/20 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
The detection of multiple manual interactions upon a touch-pad is shown. Drive lines intersect a scan lines and each intersection between a drive line and a scan line includes an element of variable resistance. A scanning processor energises the drive lines and monitors the scan lines. The scanning processor is configured to identify positions of manual interaction, validate identified positions to identify potentially erroneous positions and remove positions identified as erroneous. However, removed positions are re-introduced when they are not in the vicinity of other identified positions.
G06F 3/045 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
A method of agglomerating nanoparticles to form larger agglomerates is shown. The nanoparticles are mixed with a resin to form a first mixture (803) of agglomerates, having sizes over a range that includes agglomerates considered to be too large, suspended in the resin. A bead milling cylinder (802) produces a second mixture (808) with fewer large agglomerates. A filter (1001) removes the remaining large agglomerates. The resulting mill base is cut with a solvent before deployment.
B82B 3/00 - Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures by manipulation of individual atoms or molecules, or limited collections of atoms or molecules as discrete units
B82Y 30/00 - Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
Illumination functionality is combined with a touch-sensing functionality. A first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor are located on a substrate. A pressure-sensitive element (113) is connected across the conductors and a light-emitting device (114) is also connected between the conductors. A control circuit alternates between energizing the pressure-sensitive element with current flowing in a first direction and driving the light-emitting device with current flowing in an opposite direction.
Pressure sensitive sensors are integrated with light emitting picture elements (111 to 120). Light-emitting picture elements (111 to 120) are arranged upon a substrate (151), such that located light-emitting picture elements are surrounded by a black matrix (122) of non-light-emitting regions. A sensor matrix of pressure sensitive sensor elements (131 to 139) is located at regions of the black matrix, such that sensor elements are aligned at positions over the black matrix and do not occlude the light-emitting picture elements.
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/045 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
H01L 27/15 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier, specially adapted for light emission
H01L 27/32 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including components using organic materials as the active part, or using a combination of organic materials with other materials as the active part with components specially adapted for light emission, e.g. flat-panel displays using organic light-emitting diodes
H01L 51/52 - Solid state devices using organic materials as the active part, or using a combination of organic materials with other materials as the active part; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of such devices, or of parts thereof specially adapted for light emission, e.g. organic light emitting diodes (OLED) or polymer light emitting devices (PLED) - Details of devices
An apparatus for detecting a mechanical interaction has a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of output lines. An intersection between each scan line and output line provides a connection to a plurality of sensing elements. Each of the sensing elements comprises a variable resistance element and a voltage amplifier. The apparatus includes an output processor which determines a voltage output in parallel at each output line from the plurality of sensing elements on activation of one of the scan lines from a driving processor.
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/045 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
Manual selection of an entity from a list of entities displayable by scrolling is facilitated. A list (101) of selectable entities is established. A range (1002) is identified of selectable entities (E006 TO E050) within the list. A portion (1003) of the range is displayed and output signals are received in response to manually applied pressure. Scrolling is performed through the range, not directly through the list, at a rate related to the manually applied pressure. The range is reduced during the scrolling operation to remove entities that are clearly not to be selected.
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G06F 3/04883 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
A sensor (102) for detecting input force includes a housing (103) having a cavity (201) and a contact element (105) which is enclosed in the cavity. The contact element and cavity provide a substantially flush profile along their respective surfaces (104, 106). The cavity includes a wall (301, 302, 303) having a sensing device (304) attached thereto and the contact element provides a physical contact between the contact element and the sensing device on application of a mechanical interaction to the surface of the contact element.
G01L 5/22 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring the force applied to control members, e.g. control members of vehicles, triggers
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
A flexible sensor (201) comprises a first conductive layer (202) and a second conductive layer (203). The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer define a sensing region (205) for determining an interaction, such as a mechanical interaction. The first conductive layer comprises a first substrate (206) having a plurality of conductive rows (207) printed thereon and the second conductive layer comprises a second substrate 208 having a plurality of columns (209) printed thereon. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are constrained by a constraining means (505) which holds the two layers together but permits movement of the layers perpendicular to each other in the sensing region.
G06F 3/045 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 1/16 - Constructional details or arrangements
A detection element (104) is energised. The detection element is substantially non-conductive without an application of pressure and becomes increasingly conductive in response to pressure application. A processor (101) is interrupted from a low-power dissipation state in response to a first detectable application of pressure by the detection-element. The processor is then configured to monitor further pressure applied to the same detection element.
G06F 3/045 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 1/3234 - Power saving characterised by the action undertaken
A method of manufacturing a sensing decal (400), a sensing decal and a method of providing a sensing decal to a device (702), in which the method of manufacture includes providing a flexible release layer (401) having a substantially non-uniform surface (405) and printing a conductive ink layer (402) onto the non-uniform surface. An adhesive layer (403) is printed onto the conductive ink layer to produce the sensing decal. The decal can then be applied to a surface (701) of a device and the flexible release layer is removed.
H05K 3/00 - Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
B41M 3/00 - Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
H05K 3/12 - Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern using printing techniques to apply the conductive material
B41M 5/00 - Duplicating or marking methodsSheet materials for use therein
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/044 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
01 - Chemical and biological materials for industrial, scientific and agricultural use
02 - Paints, varnishes, lacquers
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Industrial chemicals having pressure sensitive properties;
industrial chemicals having quantum tunnelling properties;
chemical compositions having conductive properties. Pressure sensitive inks for use in printing; electro-active
polymer inks for use in printing; polymer-based inks for use
in printing. Switches; sensors; transducers; force sensors; position
sensors; pressure sensors; touchscreen sensors; electric
circuits; printed circuit boards; single-point sensors;
multi-point sensors; software drivers; development software
for use with sensors; embedded software; embedded electronic
components; pressure mapping software; capacitive touch
sensors; display screens; touch pads; touch screens; tactile
sensors; force sensing interfaces.
01 - Chemical and biological materials for industrial, scientific and agricultural use
02 - Paints, varnishes, lacquers
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Industrial chemicals having pressure sensitive properties; industrial chemicals having quantum tunneling properties; chemical compositions comprised of industrial chemicals having conductive properties for use in industry Pressure sensitive printing inks for use in printing; electro-active polymer printing inks for use in printing; polymer-based printing inks for use in printing Electric switches; electric pressure sensors; electrical transducers; force pressure sensors; pressure sensors; touch screen sensors; electric circuits; printed circuit boards; single-point pressure sensors; multi-point pressure sensors; recorded software drivers for electronic devices that allow computer hardware and electronic devices to communicate with each other; recorded computer software development tools for use in creating software that interprets data retrieved from pressure sensors and haptic sensors; recorded embedded software for use in optimization and development of pressure sensors; embedded electronics, namely, electronic controllers for use with pressure sensors; recorded pressure mapping software, namely, recorded software for use in interpreting and storing inputs received from pressure sensors; capacitive touch sensors; flat panel display screens; touch pads; touch screens; tactile pressure sensors; electronic pressure force sensing interfaces
01 - Chemical and biological materials for industrial, scientific and agricultural use
02 - Paints, varnishes, lacquers
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Industrial chemicals having pressure sensitive properties;
industrial chemicals having quantum tunnelling properties;
chemical compositions having conductive properties. Pressure sensitive inks for use in printing; electro-active
polymer inks for use in printing; polymer-based inks for use
in printing. Switches; sensors; transducers; force sensors; position
sensors; pressure sensors; touchscreen sensors; electric
circuits; printed circuit boards; single-point sensors;
multi-point sensors; software drivers; development software
for use with sensors; embedded software; embedded electronic
components; pressure mapping software; projected capacitive
touch sensors; display screens; touch pads; touch screens;
tactile sensors; force sensing interfaces. Design and engineering consultancy services; consultancy
relating to the design of sensors; integration of computer
software and mechanical devices; software support services;
scientific and industrial analysis services; design
services, namely 2D and 3D modelling services; design and
engineering services relating to prototypes; virtual testing
and analysis.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
COATINGS IN THE NATURE OF PIEZORESISTIVE INKS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO APPLIED PRESSURE OR TOUCH; COATINGS IN THE NATURE OF CONDUCTIVE INKS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO APPLIED PRESSURE OR TOUCH; COATINGS IN THE NATURE OF ELECTRO-ACTIVE POLYMER INKS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO APPLIED PRESSURE OR TOUCH ELECTRIC SWITCHES; ELECTRIC PRESSURE SENSORS; ELECTRICAL TRANSDUCERS; MICROSENSORS FOR MEASUREMENT OF PRESSURE, ACCELERATION, POSITION, FORCE AND FLOW, NAMELY, PIEZORESISTIVE PRESSURE SENSORS; TOUCHSCREEN SENSORS; ELECTRIC CIRCUITS; PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS; SINGLE-POINT PRESSURE SENSORS; MULTI-POINT PRESSURE SENSORS; SOFTWARE DRIVERS; COMPUTER SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TOOLS FOR USE IN CREATING SOFTWARE THAT INTERPRETS DATA RETRIEVED FROM PRESSURE SENSORS AND HAPTIC SENSORS; EMBEDDED SOFTWARE FOR USE IN OPTIMIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF PRESSURE SENSORS; EMBEDDED ELECTRONICS, NAMELY, ELECTRONIC CONTROLLERS FOR USE WITH PRESSURE SENSORS; SOFTWARE FOR USE IN INTERPRETING AND STORING INPUTS RECEIVED FROM PRESSURE SENSORS; CAPACITIVE TOUCH SCREENS; ELECTRONIC INTERACTIVE HAPTIC DISPLAY SCREENS; TOUCH PADS; TOUCH SCREENS, HAPTIC SENSORS; ELECTRONIC PRESSURE SENSING INTERFACES
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
COATINGS IN THE NATURE OF PIEZORESISTIVE INKS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO APPLIED PRESSURE OR TOUCH; COATINGS IN THE NATURE OF CONDUCTIVE INKS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO APPLIED PRESSURE OR TOUCH; COATINGS IN THE NATURE OF ELECTRO-ACTIVE POLYMER INKS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO APPLIED PRESSURE OR TOUCH ELECTRIC SWITCHES; ELECTRIC PRESSURE SENSORS; ELECTRICAL TRANSDUCERS; MICROSENSORS FOR MEASUREMENT OF PRESSURE, ACCELERATION, POSITION, FORCE AND FLOW, NAMELY, PIEZORESISTIVE PRESSURE SENSORS; TOUCHSCREEN SENSORS; ELECTRIC CIRCUITS; PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS; SINGLE-POINT PRESSURE SENSORS; MULTI-POINT PRESSURE SENSORS; SOFTWARE DRIVERS; COMPUTER SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TOOLS FOR USE IN CREATING SOFTWARE THAT INTERPRETS DATA RETRIEVED FROM PRESSURE SENSORS AND HAPTIC SENSORS; EMBEDDED SOFTWARE FOR USE IN OPTIMIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF PRESSURE SENSORS; EMBEDDED ELECTRONICS, NAMELY, ELECTRONIC CONTROLLERS FOR USE WITH PRESSURE SENSORS; SOFTWARE FOR USE IN INTERPRETING AND STORING INPUTS RECEIVED FROM PRESSURE SENSORS; CAPACITIVE TOUCH SCREENS; ELECTRONIC INTERACTIVE HAPTIC DISPLAY SCREENS; TOUCH PADS; TOUCH SCREENS, HAPTIC SENSORS; ELECTRONIC PRESSURE SENSING INTERFACES ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS DESIGN AND ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY SERVICES; ENGINEERING CONSULTATION, NAMELY, CONSULTING REGARDING THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF PIEZORESISTIVE SENSORS; INTEGRATION OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE WITH PIEZORESISTIVE SENSORS; TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES, NAMELY, TROUBLESHOOTING OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROBLEMS; TECHNOLOGICAL ADVISORY SERVICES IN THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING, NAMELY, STATIC AND DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF PRESSURE SENSORS; RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF 3D TECHNOLOGY, NAMELY, COMPUTER MODELING OF PIEZORESISTIVE SENSORS; VIRTUAL TESTING AND ANALYSIS OF PRESSURE SENSORS
An electrically responsive composite material (1110) specially adapted for touch screen, comprising a carrier layer (1301) having a length and a width and a thickness (1303) that is relatively small compared to said length and said width. The composite material also comprises a plurality of electrically conductive or semi-conductive particles (201). The particles (201) are agglomerated to form a plurality of agglomerates (104, 1403) dispersed within the carrier layer such that each said agglomerate comprises a plurality of the particles (201). The agglomerates are arranged to provide electrical conduction across the thickness of the carrier layer in response to applied pressure such that the electrically responsive composite material has a resistance that reduces in response to applied pressure.
H01B 1/00 - Conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materialsSelection of materials as conductors
G01B 7/00 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
H01C 10/10 - Adjustable resistors adjustable by mechanical pressure or force
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/045 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
G01B 7/16 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by resistance strain gauge
H01B 1/20 - Conductive material dispersed in non-conductive organic material
A sensor for, and a method of, generating electrical signals indicating a positional property and an extent property of a mechanical interaction within a sensing zone. The sensor comprises a plurality of conductive layers. At least one conductive layer is a pressure-sensitive conductive layer comprising a quantum tunnelling conductance (qtc) material. Contact between conductive layers is allowed during the absence of a mechanical interaction within said sensing zone. The sensor may be configured to provide a three-terminal sensing functionality or a four-terminal sensing functionality. The sensing zone may be substantially two-dimensional or substantially three-dimensional. The sensor may be substantially flexible or substantially rigid.
A sensor is configured to experience resistance changes in response to an external interaction. The sensor comprises a first layer of a conductive material having a first electrode connected thereto; a second intermediate layer of a material having a resistance sensitive to said external interaction; and a third layer including a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers. A second electrode is attached to the first set of fingers and a third electrode is attached to the second set of fingers. The second layer includes a quantum tunnelling composite and provides electrical conduction between the first layer and the third layer. In a preferred embodiment, the first electrode is connected to either one of said second electrode or said third electrode to complete a parallel connection. A method is described for constructing such a sensor.
A detector comprising control circuitry and a sensor in which the detector comprises three layers. The first layer includes a first set of mutually connected electrically conducting elements and a second set of mutually connected electrically conducting elements. The third layer comprises an electrically conducting plane, and the second layer extends between the first and third layers. The electrical conductivity of the second layer varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the interactions. In a first mode, the control circuit applies voltage between the first and third layers to generate a first current through the second layer, and provides a measurement of the first current. In a second mode, the control circuit applies voltage between the first and second sets of electrically conducting elements to generate a second current through the second layer, and provides a measurement of the second current.
An electrically responsive composite material is disclosed, along with a method of producing an electrically responsive composite material, a transducer having a substrate for supporting a flowable polymer liquid and a method of fabricating a transducer. The electrically responsive composite material produced is configurable for application in a transducer. The method includes the steps of receiving the flowable polymer liquid and introducing electrically conductive acicular particles (1501, 1502) to facilitate the conduction of electricity by quantum tunneling. Dielectric particles (1505, 1506) are added of a size relative to the acicular particles such that a plurality of these dielectric particles are dispersed between adjacent acicular particles.
B32B 5/16 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by features of a layer formed of particles, e.g. chips, chopped fibres, powder
B05D 5/12 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain a coating with specific electrical properties
H01B 1/12 - Conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materialsSelection of materials as conductors mainly consisting of other non-metallic substances organic substances
In a solution for accessing digital media files, in which each file is associated with a tag characterizing information in the file, a data storage stores the media files. An input interface receives commands and forwards them to a data processor. An output interface presents graphical representations of the media files on a user comprehensible format. The data processor causes the output interface to present an adjusted graphical representation of the media files, organizes the media files according to a hierarchical and layered structure, and causes the output interface to present information reflecting the structure. A bottom layer comprises a graphic representation of an individual file. A top layer contains a two-dimensional layout of at least two category segments that are each associated with one or more of the media files. Edges between segments designate that media files associated with one segment are different from media files associated with the other segment regarding at least one disparity criterion.
