Patent US5844486A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5844486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Integral capacitive sensor array
Assignee: Methode Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1997-01-02
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Granted: 1998-12-01
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Expires: 2017-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A capacitive sensor array wherein the plurality of electrodes and the power and data lines communicating with the electrodes are formed from a single dielectric substrate. One face of the substrate is a grounded area, with the electrodes and power and data lines formed from the substrate on the opposite face. A ground connector connects the grounded areas on the two faces without a need to penetrate the substrate. The substrate is flexible, and the power and data lines are die cut from a portion of the substrate to form an integrated cable.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip W. Kithil
- 👤 Michael H. Barron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:43
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/0153; B60R21/01532; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/002; B60N2/0021; B60N2/0024; B60N2/0027; B60N2/0028; B60N2/0035; B60R21/0154; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/96; H03K17/962; B60N2210/00; B60N2210/10; B60N2210/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A capacitive sensor array comprising: a plurality of detectors comprising at least one drive electrode and at least one receive electrode, said electrodes formed only on a first face of a single dielectric substrate; means for communicating power and data with said electrodes, said means for communicating formed only on said first face of said single dielectric substrate; and a monolithic grounded area formed on a second face of said single dielectric substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A capacitive sensor array comprising: a plurality of detectors comprising at least one drive electrode and at least one receive electrode, said electrodes formed only on a first face of a single dielectric substrate; means for communicating power and data with said electrodes, said means for communicating formed only on said first face of said single dielectric substrate; and a monolithic grounded area formed on a second face of said single dielectric substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The array of claim 1 additionally comprising electronic components, all of which are placed only on said first face of said single dielectric substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The array of claim 1 additionally comprising means for connecting grounded areas on said first face to said monolithic grounded area, wherein said connecting means does not penetrate said single dielectric substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The array of claim 1 wherein said single dielectric substrate is flexible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The array of claim 4 wherein a portion of said flexible dielectric substrate comprising a portion of said means for communicating power and data is die cut to form an integrated cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The array of claim 1 wherein said sensor array is deployable to provide data to a controller directing an action selected from the group consisting of: modify air bag performance; adjust seat positioning; adjust seat headrest positioning; detect driver impairment; adjust mirrors; detect a possibly unauthorized vehicle operator; detect and record head position and motion; adjust vehicle heating/cooling; adjust sound balance; and adjust other interior convenience systems.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The array of claim 1 additionally comprising a sequence of perforations through said dielectric substrate, said perforations permitting the array to part along the perforations when exposed to an expanding automobile airbag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The array of claim 7 additionally comprising means for connecting grounded areas on said first face to said monolithic grounded area, wherein said connecting means passes through one or more of said perforations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A capacitive sensor array comprising: a plurality of detectors comprising at least one drive electrode and at least one receive electrode, said electrodes formed on a flexible dielectric substrate; and means for communicating power and data with said electrodes, said means for communicating formed on said dielectric substrate; wherein a portion of said flexible dielectric substrate comprising a portion of said means for communicating power and data is die cut to form an integrated cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
A capacitive sensor array comprising: a plurality of detectors comprising at least one drive electrode and at least one receive electrode, said electrodes formed on a flexible dielectric substrate; and means for communicating power and data with said electrodes, said means for communicating formed on said dielectric substrate; wherein a portion of said flexible dielectric substrate comprising a portion of said means for communicating power and data is die cut to form an integrated cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The array of claim 9 wherein said electrodes are formed only on a first face of said flexible dielectric substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The array of claim 10 wherein said means for communicating are formed only on said first face of said flexible dielectric substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The array of claim 10 additionally comprising a monolithic grounded area formed on a second face of said flexible dielectric substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The array of claim 12 additionally comprising means for connecting grounded areas on said first face to said monolithic grounded area, wherein said connecting means does not penetrate said flexible dielectric substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The array of claim 10 additionally comprising electronic components, all of which are placed only on said first face of said flexible dielectric substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
The array of claim 9 wherein said sensor array is deployable to provide data to a controller directing an action selected from the group consisting of: modify air bag performance; adjust seat positioning; adjust seat headrest positioning; detect driver impairment; adjust mirrors; detect a possibly unauthorized vehicle operator; detect and record head position and motion; adjust vehicle heating/cooling; adjust sound balance; and adjust other interior convenience systems.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The array of claim 9 additionally comprising a sequence of perforations through said dielectric substrate, said perforations permitting the array to part along the perforations when exposed to an expanding automobile airbag.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The array of claim 16 additionally comprising means for connecting grounded areas on said first face to said monolithic grounded area, wherein said connecting means passes through one or more of said perforations.
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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) | 2001-11-30 | 2002-06-01 | 2002-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-30 | 2006-06-01 | 2006-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-30 | 2010-06-01 | 2010-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |