Abstract: A method of classifying pressure inputs in a sensing array, in which the sensing array comprises a plurality of sensing elements responsive to pressure inputs is described. The method comprises steps of identifying a plurality of pressure inputs in the sensing array and converting the plurality of pressure inputs into an output image. The output image is compared with a data set comprising a plurality of images of undesirable pressure inputs by means of an artificial neural network. A mask is applied which is consistent with the output image to remove undesirable pressure inputs.

Abstract: Examples disclosed relate to user authentication including an apparatus configured to: receive signalling indicative of one or more user inputs in a sequence provided to a sensing surface of a force sensor, each of the user inputs of the sequence having an associated position and an associated force; compare the associated position and the associated force of each of the user inputs in the sequence with a passcode position and a passcode force of a passcode sequence, the passcode sequence stored in a memory accessible by the apparatus; and output an positive authentication indication in response to the associated position and the associated force of each of the user inputs in the sequence matching the corresponding passcode position and the passcode force of the passcode sequence.

Abstract: Examples disclosed relate to force sensing apparatus and methods of manufacture. A force sensing apparatus includes drive lines and sensing lines arranged to provide intersections, each of the intersections defining a sensel, wherein each sensel is configured to exhibit a variable resistance response in dependence on a magnitude of a force applied to the sensel. The sensels are grouped in multiple sensel groups and each of the sensels in a sensel group is configured to exhibit a variable resistance response within a group resistance range. The group resistance range of a first sensel group is different to the group resistance range of a further sensel group. The force sensing apparatus includes control modules, each of the control modules connected to a corresponding sensel group and configured to output a force signal indicative of a force applied to a sensel in the corresponding sensel group.

Abstract: A force sensing device comprises a sensing array comprising a first conductive layer having a plurality of conductive rows and a second conductive layer having a plurality of conductive columns. The plurality of conductive rows and plurality of conductive columns are arranged to define a plurality of intersections. The force sensing device also comprises an electro-active layer overlaying the first conductive layer and comprising a pressure sensitive element at each intersection. A force concentrating structure is positioned at each intersection on the second conductive layer.

Abstract: A pressure sensor has a base layer, a supporting structure arranged on the base layer, and an elastic layer disposed above the base layer and the supporting structure. The elastic layer has a curved lower surface that is recessed away from the base layer. The curved lower surface, the supporting structure and the base layer define a cavity with an arched top wall. A first electrode, a second electrode, and an elastic body are all arranged within the cavity, such that when the elastic layer is elastically deformed in a direction of the base layer, the variable resistance elastic body electrically connects the first electrode with the second electrode, so as to generate a first signal related to the elastic deformation of the variable resistance elastic body.

Abstract: A detector is shown for detecting manually applied pressure. A substrate defines a position of activation and electrodes are mounted on this substrate. A processing device is energized such that the electrodes are configured to identify a position of applied pressure by detecting a change in resistance in response to a first energizing signal received from the processing device. Furthermore, the electrodes are configured to confirm this position of applied pressure by detecting a change in capacitance in response to a second energizing signal received from the processing device. The electrodes comprise a first electrode located on an upper surface which detects the change in capacitance, and second and third electrodes which detect the change in resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a switch mechanism comprises a housing and a pressure sensitive device mounted to the housing. An actuator is moveably connected to the housing to enable the actuator to move along an axis towards and away from the pressure sensitive device. A resilient member has a first end connected to the actuator and a second end connected to the pressure sensitive device.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a force sensing device comprises establishing an optimized force-resistance curve by obtaining a mean resistance of a plurality of force-resistance curves for a set of substantially similar force sensing devices and measuring calibration data of the force sensing device. The method applies a plurality of calibration points defined from the measuring step to the optimized force-resistance curve and adapts the optimized force-resistance curve to form an adapted force-resistance curve by interpolating the plurality of calibration points and determining a multiplier value for each calibration point.