US5225959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capacitive tactile sensor array and method for sensing pressure with the array
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1991-10-15
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Granted: 1993-07-06
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Expires: 2011-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A capacitive tactile sensor array is formed of capacitive plates formed on a dielectric substrate, on which large area electronics is also deposited. A conductive film is spaced from the capacitive plates, to form the other plates of the sensor capacitors. This conductive film may be grounded. The large area electronics includes a circuit that provides outputs corresponding to the pressure applied to each of the sensor capacitors. A method is also disclosed for controlling the circuit to provide an output corresponding to the pressure applied to the conductive film.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard G. Stearns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/044; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/004; G06F3/0447
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A tactile capacitive sensor array comprising a substrate having a first surface, an integrated electronic circuit formed on said first surface, said circuit having a plurality of spaced apart first capacitor electrodes, output and input terminals, and active electronic elements separately coupling said capacitor electrodes to said input and output conductors, and second capacitor electrode means spaced from said surface, said second capacitor electrode means having conductive regions aligned with a plurality of said first capacitor electrodes to form a plurality of sensor capacitors therewith, and a potential applying arrangement connected to said second capacitor electrode means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A tactile capacitive sensor array comprising a substrate having a first surface, an integrated electronic circuit formed on said first surface, said circuit having a plurality of spaced apart first capacitor electrodes, output and input terminals, and active electronic elements separately coupling said capacitor electrodes to said input and output conductors, and second capacitor electrode means spaced from said surface, said second capacitor electrode means having conductive regions aligned with a plurality of said first capacitor electrodes to form a plurality of sensor capacitors therewith, and a potential applying arrangement connected to said second capacitor electrode means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tactile capacitive sensor array of claim 1 wherein said substrate circuit and second capacitor electrode means are substantially optically transparent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tactile capacitive sensor array of claim 1 wherein said first capacitor electrodes are arranged in rows and columns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The tactile capacitive sensor array of claim 1 wherein said active electronic elements comprise means for selectively charging said sensor capacitors, integrating amplifier means, and means for selectively applying charges on said sensor capacitors to said integrating amplifier means, whereby the output of said integrating amplifier means corresponds to pressure applied to a respective sensor capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tactile capacitive sensor array of claim 1 wherein said second capacitor electrode means are connected in common to a fixed potential.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tactile capacitive sensor array comprising a plurality of capacitor sensors each having a first electrode and a second electrode, integrating amplifier means, a source of a charging voltage, means for selectively connecting said sensor electrodes to said source and said integrating amplifier means and means connecting said second electrodes in common to a point of fixed potential.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tactile capacitive sensor array comprising a plurality of capacitor sensors each having a first electrode and a second electrode, integrating amplifier means, a source of a charging voltage, means for selectively connecting said sensor electrodes to said source and said integrating amplifier means and means connecting said second electrodes in common to a point of fixed potential.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tactile capacitive sensor array of claim 6 wherein said means for selectively connecting said sensor electrodes comprise TFTs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The tactile capacitive sensor array of claim 6 wherein said capacitor sensors are arranged in a matrix of a plurality of rows and columns, and said means for selectively connecting said sensor electrodes comprises transistor means connected to selectively charge all of the capacitors of a row, and transistor means for selectively connecting said capacitors to discharge via said integrating amplifier means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The tactile capacitive sensor array of claim 8 wherein said integrating amplifier means comprises a separate integrating capacitor for each column of said capacitors, and said transistor means for selectively connecting said capacitors to discharge via said integrating amplifier means comprises means for discharging said capacitors of a given row via separate said amplifiers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The tactile capacitive sensor array of claim 8 further comprising a fixed capacitor for each of the columns of said matrix, said selectively connecting means comprising means for selectively connecting said fixed capacitors to said source and integrating amplifier means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tactile capacitive sensor array of claim 6 wherein said first electrodes, integrating amplifier means and selectively connecting means are arranged on a common substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tactile capacitive sensor array of claim 11 wherein said second electrode means comprises a common conductive film forming said sensor capacitors with each of said first electrode means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for sensing pressure on sensor capacitors of a tactile array having a matrix of a plurality of first capacitor plates arranged in rows and columns, said first capacitor plates forming sensing capacitor electrodes in combination with at least one other capacitor plate, said method comprising: charging a given row of said sensor capacitors; then selectively discharging said sensor capacitors to integrating amplifier means, whereby the outputs of said amplifier means correspond to the pressure applied to the sensor capacitors of the respective rows of capacitors.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for sensing pressure on sensor capacitors of a tactile array having a matrix of a plurality of first capacitor plates arranged in rows and columns, said first capacitor plates forming sensing capacitor electrodes in combination with at least one other capacitor plate, said method comprising: charging a given row of said sensor capacitors; then selectively discharging said sensor capacitors to integrating amplifier means, whereby the outputs of said amplifier means correspond to the pressure applied to the sensor capacitors of the respective rows of capacitors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said step of charging said sensor capacitors comprises coupling a voltage source to the first capacitor plates of a row of said sensor capacitors while isolating said first capacitor plates from said integrating amplifier means, and said step of discharging said sensor capacitors comprises discharging said sensor capacitors to said integrating amplifier means while isolating said first capacitor plates from said source of voltage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said step of discharging comprises discharging said sensor capacitors to separate integrating amplifiers.
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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) | 1996-07-05 | 1997-01-04 | 1997-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-05 | 2001-01-04 | 2001-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-01-04 | 2005-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |