US4644101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure-responsive position sensor
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1985-12-11
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Granted: 1987-02-17
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Expires: 2005-12-11
Abstract
Abstract Electrical signals are produced by a pressure-responsive device, such signals being indicative of the position of locally applied pressure. The device comprises a position sensor assembly which comprises a composite layer medium including electrically conductive magnetic particles in a nonconductive matrix material. The particles are aligned into chains extending across the thickness of the layer, and chains include a non-conductive gap which is bridged upon application of sufficient pressure. The medium is sandwiched between sheet electrodes, and the resulting assembly may be transparent as is advantageous in writing pad and touch-sensitive screen applications. The pressure-responsive device is suitable, e.g., as an input device in graphics information systems, in combination with transmission and display facilities.
Inventors
- 👤 Sungho Jin
- 👤 John J. Mottine, Jr.
- 👤 Richard C. Sherwood
- 👤 Thomas H. Tiefel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/20; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/045; G06K; G06K11/00; G06K11/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/90; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/256; Y10T428/257
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A device which comprises two conductor assemblies in a facing relationship, said assemblies being spaced one from the other by matter comprising a body of a composite medium, said medium comprising magnetically aligned electrically conductive magnetic particles in a relatively nonconductive matrix material, said aligned particles forming a plurality of paths spaced one from the other by a region of relatively nonconductive matter, each path including at least two particles and having direction from one assembly to the other, and said paths comprising conductive particles and at least one region of relatively nonconductive matter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A device which comprises two conductor assemblies in a facing relationship, said assemblies being spaced one from the other by matter comprising a body of a composite medium, said medium comprising magnetically aligned electrically conductive magnetic particles in a relatively nonconductive matrix material, said aligned particles forming a plurality of paths spaced one from the other by a region of relatively nonconductive matter, each path including at least two particles and having direction from one assembly to the other, and said paths comprising conductive particles and at least one region of relatively nonconductive matter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, said device comprising means for applying a voltage between said conductor assemblies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 2, said device comprising means for determining the position of localized pressure between said conductor assemblies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 3, said device comprising means for displaying said position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 4, said device comprising transmission means between said means for determining said position and said means for displaying said position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 2, said device comprising means for determining the amount of pressure between said conductor assemblies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1, said composite medium comprising electrically conductive magnetic particles in a volume percentage in the range of from 0.5 to 20.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 7, said conductor assemblies and said composite medium being transparent, and said volume percentage being less than or equal to 2.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1, the thickness of said region of relatively nonconductive matter being greater than or equal to 0.5 micrometer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, a conductor assembly comprising a conductive layer on a substrate and a nonconductive layer on said conductive layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1, said composite medium being coated with at least one nonconductive layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1, a conductor assembly comprising a conductive layer on a substrate, and at least one end particle in a path being coated with a nonconductive layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1, at least one end particle in a path being recessed from the surface of said composite medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
Composite sheet medium comprising magnetically aligned conductive magnetic particles in a relatively nonconductive matrix material, said aligned particles forming a plurality of paths spaced one from the other by a region of relatively nonconductive matter, each path including at least two particles and having direction from one surface of said sheet medium to the other, and said paths comprising conductive particles and at least one region of relatively nonconductive matter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
Composite sheet medium comprising magnetically aligned conductive magnetic particles in a relatively nonconductive matrix material, said aligned particles forming a plurality of paths spaced one from the other by a region of relatively nonconductive matter, each path including at least two particles and having direction from one surface of said sheet medium to the other, and said paths comprising conductive particles and at least one region of relatively nonconductive matter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
Composite sheet medium of claim 14, said medium being optically transparent such that at least 70 percent of visible light incident on said medium is transmitted by said medium.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |