Pressure sensor comprising layer of discontinuous conductive patterns, device comprising the same, and apparatus and method for detecting pressure

A method of sensing pressure by using a pressure sensor comprising a first layer having first electrical conductivity, a second layer having second electrical conductivity, and a plurality of terminals directly electrically connected to the second layer, the method comprising:

• measuring initial resistance between each of the plurality of terminals;
• detecting a changed resistance value between each of the plurality of terminals;
• and
• determining a pressure intensity based on the changed resistance value between each of the plurality of terminals,
• wherein the first layer comprises at least one conductive region having the first electrical conductivity and a discontinuous pattern internally, and
• the plurality of terminals is spaced apart from and disposed outside the at least one conductive region, and not directly but through the second layer electrically connected to the at least one conductive region.

A pressure-sensing apparatus comprising:

• a pressure sensor comprising a first layer having first electrical conductivity, a second layer having second electrical conductivity, and a plurality of terminals directly electrically connected to the second layer;
• a resistance-measuring unit measuring resistance between each of the plurality of terminals;
• and
• a processing unit measuring initial resistance between each of the plurality of terminals and detecting a changed resistance value between each of the plurality of terminals and determining a pressure intensity based on the changed resistance value between each of the plurality of terminals,
• wherein the first layer comprises at least one conductive region having the first electrical conductivity and a discontinuous pattern internally, and
• the plurality of terminals is spaced apart from and disposed outside the at least one conductive region, and not directly but through the second layer electrically connected to the at least one conductive region.

A pressure sensor comprising:

• a first layer comprising at least one conductive region having first electrical conductivity;
• a second layer contacting the first layer to be disposed thereon and having second electrical conductivity;
• and
• a plurality of terminals directly electrically connected to the second layer, not directly but through the second layer electrically connected to the at least one conductive region, and spaced apart from and disposed outside the at least one conductive region,
• wherein the first layer comprises the plurality of terminals, and
• wherein electrical conductivity of the at least one conductive region is the same as or greater than that of the second layer.

A method of sensing pressure by using a pressure sensor comprising a first layer having first electrical conductivity, a second layer having second electrical conductivity, and a plurality of terminals directly electrically connected to the second layer, the method comprising:

• measuring initial resistance between each of the plurality of terminals;
• detecting a changed resistance value between each of the plurality of terminals;
• and
• determining a pressure intensity based on the changed resistance value between each of the plurality of terminals,
• wherein the plurality of terminals is spaced apart from and disposed outside the first layer, and not directly but through the second layer electrically connected to the first layer.

A pressure-sensing apparatus comprising:

• a pressure sensor comprising a first layer including at least one conductive region having first electrical conductivity, a second layer having second electrical conductivity, and a plurality of terminals directly electrically connected to the second layer;
• a resistance-measuring unit measuring resistance between each of the plurality of terminals;
• and
• a processing unit measuring initial resistance between each of the plurality of terminals, detecting a changed resistance value between each of the plurality of terminals, and determining a pressure intensity based on the changed resistance value between each of the plurality of terminals,
• wherein the plurality of terminals is spaced apart from and disposed outside the at least one conductive region, and not directly but through the second layer electrically connected to the at least one conductive region.