Detection apparatus
AssigneePeratech Holdco Ltd
InventorThemistoklis Afentakis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for detecting a mechanical interaction has a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of output lines. An intersection between each scan line and output line provides a connection to a plurality of sensing elements. Each of the sensing elements comprises a variable resistance element and a voltage amplifier. The apparatus includes an output processor which determines a voltage output in parallel at each output line from the plurality of sensing elements on activation of one of the scan lines from a driving processor.
Claims13
Apparatus for detecting a mechanical interaction, comprising:
- a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of output lines;
- each output line of said plurality of output lines intersecting with at least one scan line of said plurality of scan lines to form an intersection, each said intersection providing a connection to a sensing element;
- each said sensing element comprising a variable resistance element responsive to said mechanical interaction, a first transistor, and a second transistor;
- and
- an output processor configured to determine a voltage output in parallel at each said output line from said plurality of sensing elements on activation of one said scan line from a driving processor;
- wherein:
- said first transistor is arranged in series with said second transistor to act as a voltage amplifier and said first transistor and said second transistor are both arranged in series with said variable resistance element to allow a flow of current through said variable resistance element to be blocked such that an output voltage from an activated sensing element is amplified;
- and
- said driving processor is configured to activate each said scan line sequentially.
A method of detecting a mechanical interaction in a sensing array, comprising the steps of:
- activating a scan line in said sensing array comprising a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of output lines, and a plurality of sensing elements comprising a variable resistance element responsive to said mechanical interaction, a first transistor, and a second transistor;
- applying an input voltage to said plurality of scan lines;
- determining an output voltage in parallel at each output line of said plurality of output lines from said plurality of sensing elements;
- blocking a flow of current though each said variable resistive element by means of said first transistor and said second transistor, said first transistor arranged in series with said second transistor and said first transistor and said second transistor both arranged in series with said variable resistive element, when said corresponding scan line is inactivated such that an output voltage from an activated sensing element is amplified;
- and
- activating said scan line sequentially when activating said plurality of scan lines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.