Abstract: A method of operating a contact sensor and a method of calibration of a contact sensor. The contact sensor comprises an array of discrete and spaced apart sensing elements (102, 202) connected to a resistive element (101, 201) with the location or size of a contact being detectable by measurement of one or more electrical parameter(s) relating to impedance steps along the resistive element (101, 201) is described. The method of operating involves determining a length of the sensing element between the contact and the resistive element and using this to compensate for a parasitic resistance present in the measured resistance of the resistive element.

Abstract: A contact sensor apparatus comprises: a first insulative layer (100); a second insulative layer (200); a first resistor strip (101) on the first insulative layer; a second resistor strip (201) on the second insulative layer; a plurality of first conductive traces (102) provided on the first insulative layer and electrically connected to the first resistor strip; and a plurality of second conductive traces (202) provided on the second insulative layer and electrically connected to the second resistor strip. The first insulative layer and second insulative layer face each other such that the plurality of first conductive traces face the plurality of second conductive traces with each of the first conductive traces extending across the plurality of second conductive traces and each of the second conductive traces extending across the plurality of first conductive traces thereby forming an array of points of intersection of the first and second conductive traces.

Abstract: A method of operating a contact sensor and a method of calibration of a contact sensor. The contact sensor comprises an array of discrete and spaced apart sensing elements (102, 202) connected to a resistive element (101, 201) with the location or size of a contact being detectable by measurement of one or more electrical parameter(s) relating to impedance steps along the resistive element (101, 201) is described. The method of operating involves determining a length of the sensing element between the contact and the resistive element and using this to compensate for a parasitic resistance present in the measured resistance of the resistive element.

Abstract: A contact sensor apparatus comprises: a first insulative layer (100); a second insulative layer (200); a first resistor strip (101) on the first insulative layer; a second resistor strip (201) on the second insulative layer; a plurality of first conductive traces (102) provided on the first insulative layer and electrically connected to the first resistor strip; and a plurality of second conductive traces (202) provided on the second insulative layer and electrically connected to the second resistor strip. The first insulative layer and second insulative layer face each other such that the plurality of first conductive traces face the plurality of second conductive traces with each of the first conductive traces extending across the plurality of second conductive traces and each of the second conductive traces extending across the plurality of first conductive traces thereby forming an array of points of intersection of the first and second conductive traces.

Abstract: A method of detecting a contact 300 using a contact sensor having an array of discrete and spaced apart sensing elements 102, 202 comprises: measuring the value of a parameter and, when the measured value of the parameter varies between a first value and a second value with the variation being indicative of a partial and/or intermittent contact with an adjacent sensor element, determining an estimated value for the parameter intermediate the first value and the second value.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive device that provides a stable response to measure an applied force at temperatures greater than 150° F. (about 66° C.) is disclosed. The pressure sensitive device can have a conductivity of about 0.01 ?S to about 1300 ?S and a sensitivity of about 0.01 ?S/lb to about 300 ?S/lb (about 0.02 ?S/kg to about 660 ?S/kg) at about a temperature range of about ?50° F. to over about 400° F. or 420° F. (about ?45° C. to over about 205° C. or 216° C.). The pressure sensitive device can have a substrate of polyimide, conductive leads of silver dispersed in a polyhydroxy ether crosslinked with melamine formaldehyde, and a pressure sensitive layer of carbon nanoparticles dispersed in cured polyamic acid forming a polyimide.

Abstract: A control circuit for scanning a pressure or force responsive sensor array is disclosed. Pressure or force sensors formed of an array of pressure or force responsive sensor elements can be used to acquire pressure or force measurements in response to an applied load. The control circuit can sample signals from the sensor elements to detect the pressure or force at one or more sensor elements of the sensor array. The circuit herein may provide for relatively faster scan rates. A user may define a subset or subsets of sensor elements of the sensor array to be scanned. Various methods and related circuitry for adjusting for sensor characteristics are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring a parameter applied to a surface is provided. The sensor includes at least one substrate layer, a plurality of individual sensor elements operatively arranged with respect to the substrate layer, and a conductive trace disposed on the substrate layer. The conductive trace is electrically coupled to an individual sensor element and wraps around at least a portion of the sensor element in a spiral-like manner. Further, by employing slits or cut-outs of material between sensor elements, a sensor element may move independent of an adjacent sensor element, thereby allowing the sensor to conform to an irregularly shaped surface or otherwise when subject to relatively large deflections. The sensor may be employed to detect force distribution of a seating surface, such as a seat cushion of a wheelchair.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive device that provides a stable response to measure an applied force at temperatures greater than 150° F. (about 66° C.) is disclosed. The pressure sensitive device can have a conductivity of about 0.01 ?S to about 1300 ?S and a sensitivity of about 0.01 ?S/lb to about 300 ?S/lb (about 0.02 ?S/kg to about 660 ?S/kg) at about a temperature range of about ?50° F. to over about 400° F. or 420° F. (about ?45° C. to over about 205° C. or 216° C.). The pressure sensitive device can have a substrate of polyimide, conductive leads of silver dispersed in a polyhydroxy ether crosslinked with melamine formaldehyde, and a pressure sensitive layer of carbon nanoparticles dispersed in cured polyamic acid forming a polyimide.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring a parameter applied to a surface is provided. The sensor includes at least one substrate layer, a plurality of individual sensor elements operatively arranged with respect to the substrate layer, and a conductive trace disposed on the substrate layer. The conductive trace is electrically coupled to an individual sensor element and wraps around at least a portion of the sensor element in a spiral-like manner. Further, by employing slits or cut-outs of material between sensor elements, a sensor element may move independent of an adjacent sensor element, thereby allowing the sensor to conform to an irregularly shaped surface or otherwise when subject to relatively large deflections. The sensor may be employed to detect force distribution of a seating surface, such as a seat cushion of a wheelchair.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring a parameter applied to a surface is provided. The sensor includes at least one substrate layer, a plurality of individual sensor elements operatively arranged with respect to the substrate layer, and a conductive trace disposed on the substrate layer. The conductive trace is electrically coupled to an individual sensor element and wraps around at least a portion of the sensor element in a spiral-like manner. Further, by employing slits or cut-outs of material between sensor elements, a sensor element may move independent of an adjacent sensor element, thereby allowing the sensor to conform to an irregularly shaped surface or otherwise when subject to relatively large deflections. The sensor may be employed to detect force distribution of a seating surface, such as a seat cushion of a wheelchair.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring a parameter applied to a surface is provided. The sensor includes at least one substrate layer, a plurality of individual sensor elements operatively arranged with respect to the substrate layer, and a conductive trace disposed on the substrate layer. The conductive trace is electrically coupled to an individual sensor element and wraps around at least a portion of the sensor element in a spiral-like manner. Further, by employing slits or cut-outs of material between sensor elements, a sensor element may move independent of an adjacent sensor element, thereby allowing the sensor to conform to an irregularly shaped surface or otherwise when subject to relatively large deflections. The sensor may be employed to detect force distribution of a seating surface, such as a seat cushion of a wheelchair.