# US 10,372,255 B2 · Force sensor array > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,372,255 B2 - Document ID: US10372255B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/918,310 - Filed: 2018-03-12 - Published: 2018-07-12 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-09 - Assignees: Nedron Limited - Applicants: Atmel Corporation - Inventors: Nigel Hinson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10372255B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/0447: {Position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells} - G06F 3/0443: {using a single layer of sensing electrodes} - G06F 3/0445: {using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer} - G06F 2203/04105: Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position - G06F 2203/04106: Multi-sensing digitiser, i.e. digitiser using at least two different sensing technologies simultaneously or alternatively, e.g. for detecting pen and finger, for saving power or for improving position detection - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract An apparatus includes a force sensor circuit and a controller. The force sensor circuit includes first, second, third, and fourth electrodes disposed on a substrate. The first and second electrodes extend through first and second cells of a row of cells. The third and fourth electrodes extend through third and fourth cells of a column of cells. The first electrode occupies more area in the first cell than in the second cell. The second electrode occupies more area in the second cell than in the first cell. The third electrode occupies more area in the third cell than in the fourth cell. The fourth electrode occupies more area in the fourth cell than in the third cell. The controller detects a force and a position of the force based on signals communicated by the force sensor circuit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a force sensor circuit comprising: a substrate; a first electrode disposed on the substrate, the first electrode extending through first and second cells of a row of cells, and the first electrode occupying more area in the first cell than the first electrode occupies in the second cell; a second electrode disposed on the substrate, the second electrode extending through the first and second cells, the second electrode occupying more area in the second cell than the second electrode occupies in the first cell; a third electrode disposed on the substrate, the third electrode extending through third and fourth cells of a column of cells, and the third electrode occupying more area in the third cell than the third electrode occupies in the fourth cell; and a fourth electrode disposed on the substrate, the fourth electrode extending through the third and fourth cells, the fourth electrode occupying more area in the fourth cell than the fourth electrode occupies in the third cell; and a controller configured to detect a force and a position of the force based on signals communicated by the force sensor circuit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first track coupled to the first electrode; a second track coupled to the second electrode; a third track coupled to the third electrode; and a fourth track coupled to the fourth electrode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to detect the position of the force based on: a first ratio of a first signal of the first electrode and a second signal of the second electrode; and a second ratio of a third signal of the third electrode and a fourth signal of the fourth electrode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes comprise a plurality of fingers extending from a body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a first finger of the plurality of fingers of the first electrode is a different length than a second finger of the plurality of fingers of the first electrode, the first finger in the first cell and the second finger in the second cell. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where in the controller is further configured to: determine a horizontal position of the force based on signals of the first and second electrodes of the first cell; and determine a vertical position of the force based on signals of the third and fourth electrodes of the third cell. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first and second electrodes of the first cell are disposed on a first surface of the substrate; and the third and fourth electrodes of the first cell are disposed on a second surface of the substrate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first cell contains only four electrodes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes occupy substantially the same amount of area as the third and fourth electrodes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an amount of area occupied by the first and second electrodes in the row of cells is substantially the same amount of area occupied by the third and fourth electrodes in the column of cells. ### Claim 11 A force sensor comprising: a substrate; a first electrode disposed on the substrate, the first electrode extending through first and second cells of a row of cells, and the first electrode occupying more area in the first cell than the first electrode occupies in the second cell; a second electrode disposed on the substrate, the second electrode extending through the first and second cells, the second electrode occupying more area in the second cell than the second electrode occupies in the first cell; a third electrode disposed on the substrate, the third electrode extending through third and fourth cells of a column of cells, and the third electrode occupying more area in the third cell than the third electrode occupies in the fourth cell; and a fourth electrode disposed on the substrate, the fourth electrode extending through the third and fourth cells, the fourth electrode occupying more area in the fourth cell than the fourth electrode occupies in the third cell. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The force sensor of claim 11, wherein: the first and second electrodes extend through the third and fourth cells; and the third and fourth electrodes extend through the first and second cells. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The force sensor of claim 11, further comprising: a first track coupled to the first electrode; a second track coupled to the second electrode; a third track coupled to the third electrode; and a fourth track coupled to the fourth electrode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The force sensor of claim 11, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes comprise a plurality of fingers extending from a body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The force sensor of claim 14, wherein a first finger of the plurality of fingers of the first electrode is a different length than a second finger of the plurality of fingers of the first electrode, the first finger in the first cell and the second finger in the second cell. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The force sensor of claim 11, wherein: the first and second electrodes are disposed on a first surface of the substrate; and the third and fourth electrodes of the first cell are disposed on a second surface of the substrate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The force sensor of claim 11, wherein the first cell contains only four electrodes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The force sensor of claim 11, wherein the first and second electrodes occupy substantially the same amount of area on the substrate as the third and fourth electrodes. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The force sensor of claim 11, wherein an amount of area occupied by the first and second electrodes in the row of cells is substantially the same amount of area occupied by the third and fourth electrodes in the column of cells. ### Claim 20 An apparatus comprising: a force sensor circuit comprising: a substrate; a first electrode disposed on the substrate, the first electrode extending through first and second cells of a row of cells, and the first electrode occupying more area in the first cell than the first electrode occupies in the second cell; a second electrode disposed on the substrate, the second electrode extending through the first and second cells, the second electrode occupying more area in the second cell than the second electrode occupies in the first cell; a third electrode disposed on the substrate, the third electrode extending through third and fourth cells of a column of cells, and the third electrode occupying more area in the third cell than the third electrode occupies in the fourth cell; and a fourth electrode disposed on the substrate, the fourth electrode extending through the third and fourth cells, the fourth electrode occupying more area in the fourth cell than the fourth electrode occupies in the third cell; a controller configured to detect a force and a position of the force based on signals communicated by the force sensor circuit; a first track coupling the first electrode to the controller; a second track coupling the second electrode to the controller; a third track coupling the third electrode to the controller; and a fourth track coupling the fourth electrode to the controller, wherein: the first cell contains only four electrodes; and each of the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes comprise a plurality of fingers extending from a body.