Multi-contact tactile sensor including variable-size and -impedance spacing means

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-contact tactile sensor including an elastically deformable interaction layer (10) and a supporting layer (11), the lower surface of the interaction layer (10) having an array of strip conductors (12) and the upper surface of the supporting layer (11) having an array of strip conductors (13) that are not parallel to the array of strip conductors (12) on the interaction layer (10). The interaction layer (10) and the supporting layer (11) are separated by a first series of rigid insulating spacers (14). A second series of conducting spacers (15) is placed in contact with at least one of the two arrays of strip conductors (12, 13). The impedance and the dimensions of the spacers (14) of the second series are determined so as to prevent contact at rest and to enable local contact during the deformation of the interaction layer (10) between the spacers (15) of the second series and the array of strip conductors of the layer opposite said spacers (15). The invention also relates to a controller for controlling one such sensor, a mult-contact tactile screen including one such sensor and a keyboard comprising a set of discrete keys, formed by one such sensor.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-touch touch sensor with spacers of variable size and impedance. technical field [0002] The invention relates to the field of transparent multi-contact touch sensors. This type of sensor is equipped with means to simultaneously acquire the position, pressure, size, shape and displacement of multiple fingers on its surface in order to control the device, preferably through a graphical interface. The sensor can be used in the interface of a variety of devices such as but not limited to personal computers (portable or non-portable), cell phones, automated teller machines (banks, retail points, ticket offices), game consoles, portable multimedia players (digital walkmans) ), audio-visual equipment or home appliance controllers, industrial equipment controllers, and GPS (Global Positioning System) navigators, etc. [0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-touch touch sensor comprising a support layer havin...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0007] The disadvantage of this solution is that, on the one hand, interference with the data measured by the sensor significantly affects the accuracy and sensitivity of the realized touch sensor.

[0008] Therefore, the solutions according to the prior art do not make it possible to obtain a sensor in which the conductive track does not become weak in the event of partial contact and does not lead to the occurrence of false detection phenomena

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