The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 23, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 17, 2002
Art Zias, Los Altos, CA (US);
Phil Mauger, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Sean Cahill, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Norm Nystrom, Saratoga, CA (US);
Albert K. Henning, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Art Zias, Los Altos, CA (US);
Phil Mauger, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Sean Cahill, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Norm Nystrom, Saratoga, CA (US);
Albert K. Henning, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Redwood Microsystems, Inc., Menlo Park, CA (US);
Abstract
A force or pressure transducer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the transducer has a substrate, a dielectric material disposed on the substrate, a spacing member disposed on the dielectric material, and a resilient element disposed on the dielectric material and the spacing member. A portion of the resilient element is separated from the dielectric material, and a portion of the resilient element is in contact with the dielectric material. The contact area between the resilient element and the dielectric material varies in response to movement of the resilient element. Changes in the contact area alter the capacitance of the transducer, which can be measured by circuit means.