Abstract: A pressure sensing device utilizing force transducer ink comprises a resistive region deposited between a first and a second conducting region on a first insulating material, the resistive region electrically coupling the two conducting regions. On a second insulating material, a conducting region is deposited and a layer of force transducer ink is deposited over the conducting region. The two insulating materials are positioned in such a manner that the pressure transducer ink is in contact with the resistive region and separates the resistive and coupled conducting regions from the conducting region. A determination of the force applied to this configuration can be made by measuring the resistance between the first and second conducting regions. According to a second embodiment, a second resistive region and coupled conducting regions replace the conducting region on the second insulating material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the monitoring of the manipulation of the keys of an instrument comprises monitoring apparatus which takes the form of a pressure sensing device, associated with each key, that can be fabricated in a configuration compatible with the instrument. According to one embodiment, the pressure sensing devices can be arranged so that the monitoring apparatus can be positioned on a balance rail of a piano keyboard. In this embodiment, the monitoring configuration can be fabricated and conveniently retrofitted to a standard keyboard. The pressure sensing device comprises a resistive element, a conducting element, and a force transducer ink layer separating the resistive and conducting elements. The resistance of the resistive element is monitored and when pressure is applied to the pressure sensing device, a change in resistance can be measured. Because the resistance is a function of pressure, the amount of pressure used to activate the key can be determined.