Abstract: A projected force-based input device comprising a projected or elevated contacting element configured to receive an applied force, a sensing element located in a different plane with respect to the contacting element, and a sensing portion operably supported to displace in response to the applied force. The sensing element further comprises a plurality of sensors operable to output sensor data corresponding to the applied force, wherein the sensor data facilitates the determination of a location of the applied force occurring about the contacting element, as well as the profile of the applied force over time (e.g., waveform), otherwise known as the force profile. One or more transfer elements may also be present, which function to relate the contacting element to the sensing portion of the sensing element so as to transfer substantially all of the applied force from the contacting element to the sensing element.

Abstract: Disclosed is method and device for compensating a force sensor signal for baseline error in a force-based touch screen. In one embodiment, baseline compensation includes determining a decaying maximum value and a decaying minimum value of the force sensor signal, and subtracting these values to obtain a range value. When the range value is less than a predetermined activity threshold, updating of the baseline is disabled. The decaying maximum value and decaying minimum value are reset to the current value of the force sensor signal when exceeded by the current value of the force sensor signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is method and device for signal conditioning in a force-based touch screen. In one embodiment, signal conditioning includes multiplying a force signal by a scaling signal which is a predetermined function of the total force applied to the force-based touch screen and integrating the force signal over a touch event.

Abstract: Disclosed is an input device comprising (a) a base support, having a periphery and a plurality of apertures formed therein to define a circumscribed or circumscribing input pad configured to displace under the applied force; (b) a plurality of isolated beam segments, defined by the plurality of apertures, and operable to receive resultant forces distributed to the isolated beam segments by the displacement of the input pad; (c) at least two sensors, disposed along each isolated beam segment, and configured to measure the forces transmitted from the input pad to the periphery and to output a signal corresponding to the applied force. One or more processing means operable with the plurality of sensors may be utilized to receive the signal and to determine at least one of a location and/or magnitude of the applied force acting on the input pad.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system increases the precision, reliability, and safety of dispensing medications and other liquids. An electronic brake grounds a power terminal of a pump motor to absorb the kinetic energy of the motor and other mechanically coupled components. The electronic brake reduces overage and overage variation in the dispensing of liquids at very little cost or complexity. A watchdog circuit monitors a controller heartbeat signal and disables the motor in the absence of a regular beat. The watchdog circuit along with redundant power switches greatly reduce the possibility of motor runaway in the event of component failure. A controller begins or ends each dispensing cycle with a diagnostic which determines whether the liquid dispensing system is fully operational. If not, the controller may disable the motor, emit an alarm tone, and display an alarm message.