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 moveable 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.

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 moveable 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.

Abstract: Cylindrical capacitance force sensing device/method is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a capacitor having two parallel conductive surfaces, a cylindrical housing with a cover plate to encompass the capacitor, and a sensor in the cylindrical housing to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the two conductive surfaces when the cover plate is deflected by a load applied on the cover plate. In another embodiment, a method may include applying a load on top of a housing which encompasses a capacitive sensor having two parallel conductive surfaces to produce a deflection of a cover plate of the housing, automatically generating a measurement from the capacitive sensor when a distance between the two parallel conductive surfaces is charged due to the deflection of the cover plate, and decreasing an error in the measurement via stabilizing to a mounting surface.

Abstract: A gap-change sensing through capacitive techniques is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface substantially parallel to the first conductive surface, and a sensor to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. The change in the distance may be caused by a deflection of the first conductive surface with respect to the second conductive surface, and the deflection may be a compressive force and/or an expansive force. The sensor may apply an algorithm that converts a change in capacitance to at least one of a change in voltage and/or a change in frequency to generate the measurement. The change in the distance may be caused by a load applied to the surface above the first conductive surface with respect to the second conductive surface.

Abstract: A gap-change sensing through capacitive techniques is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface substantially parallel to the first conductive surface, and a sensor to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. The change in the distance may be caused by a deflection of the first conductive surface with respect to the second conductive surface, and the deflection may be a compressive force and/or an expansive force. The sensor may apply an algorithm that converts a change in capacitance to at least one of a change in voltage and/or a change in frequency to generate the measurement. The change in the distance may be caused by a load applied to the surface above the first conductive surface with respect to the second conductive surface.

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.

Abstract: A multi-zone capacitive force sensing apparatus/method is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more capacitors each having an upper conductive surface and a lower conductive surface substantially parallel to the upper conductive surface, a housing with a top plate and a bottom plate to encompass the capacitors, and a sensor in the housing to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the upper conductive surface and the lower conductive surface of each of the capacitors when a contact zone of the top plate associated with the each of the plurality of capacitors is deflected by a force applied on the contact zone. The apparatus may also include a comparison module associated with the sensor to generate a signal indicating unevenness of a force applied on the top plate when there is any significant difference between measurements of the capacitors.

Abstract: Cylindrical capacitance force sensing device/method is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a capacitor having two parallel conductive surfaces, a cylindrical housing with a cover plate to encompass the capacitor, and a sensor in the cylindrical housing to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the two conductive surfaces when the cover plate is deflected by a load applied on the cover plate. In another embodiment, a method may include applying a load on top of a housing which encompasses a capacitive sensor having two parallel conductive surfaces to produce a deflection of a cover plate of the housing, automatically generating a measurement from the capacitive sensor when a distance between the two parallel conductive surfaces is charged due to the deflection of the cover plate, and decreasing an error in the measurement via stabilizing to a mounting surface.

Abstract: An area-change sensing through capacitive techniques is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first conductive surface is substantially parallel to a second conductive surface. The first conductive surface may be moveable relative to the second conductive surface in a direction substantially parallel to the second conductive surface. A processing module may detect an overlap area between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. In addition, a reference surface may be substantially parallel to the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. The processing module may be configured to measure a reference capacitance between the reference surface and a selected surface of the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface.