Leland Stanford Junior University

Benjamin Chee-Keong Tee

Zhenan Bao

Stefan Christian Bernhardt Mannsfeld

Jason John Locklin

Justin P Opatkiewicz

Stefan Mannsfeld

Sensors, sensing arrangements and devices, and related methods are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an impedance-based sensor includes a flexible dielectric material and generates an output based on pressure applied to the dielectric material and a resulting compression thereof. In certain embodiments, the dielectric material includes a plurality of regions separated by gaps and configured to elastically deform and recover in response to applied pressure.

Pressure sensing apparatuses and methods

Input devices are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an input device includes an interface layer that flexes in response to pressure, a plurality of sense electrodes, a dielectric between the sense electrodes and the interface layer, and interconnecting circuitry. The dielectric compresses or expands in response to movement of the interface layer, and exhibits dielectric characteristics that vary based upon a state of compression of the dielectric. The interconnecting circuitry is coupled to the sense electrodes and provides an output indicative of both the position of each sense electrode and an electric characteristic at each sense electrode that provides an indication of pressure applied to the dielectric adjacent the respective sense electrodes.

Growing community of inventors

Stanford, CA, United States of America

Benjamin Chee-Keong Tee