Patents Represented by Attorney Raj Abhvanker, LLP
  • Patent number: 7353713
    Abstract: A flexible apparatus and method to enhance capacitive force sensing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a force measuring device includes a sensor capacitor having a fixed surface and a movable surface substantially parallel to the fixed surface, at least one spring assembly (e.g., may deflect longitudinally and/or perpendicularly to a direction of the force) positioned between the fixed surface and the movable surface (e.g., the spring assembly may alter in height in response to a force applied perpendicular to the movable surface and to cause a change in the gap between the fixed surface and the movable surface), and a circuit to generate a measurement of the force based on an algorithm that considers a change in a capacitance of the sensor capacitor. A reference capacitor may adjust the measurement of the applied force based on one or more environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Loadstar Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Divyasimha Harish, William D. Dallenbach