# US 12,216,011 B2 · Systems and methods for improved sensing performance of pressure-sensitive conductive sheets > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,216,011 B2 - Document ID: US12216011B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/943,380 - Filed: 2020-07-30 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-30 - Assignees: Xerox Corporation - Applicants: Xerox Corporation - Inventors: Yujie Zhu; Tianxiao Xu; Ethan Shen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12216011B2 ## CPC - G01L 1/205: {using distributed sensing elements} - G01L 25/00: Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring force, torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency - G06F 3/045: using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact - G01L 1/18: using properties of piezo-resistive materials, i.e. materials of which the ohmic resistance varies according to changes in magnitude or direction of force applied to the material - G06F 3/04144: {using an array of force sensing means (position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells G06F3/0447)} - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Systems and methods for detecting item placement on a surface are provided. The system includes a pressure-sensitive conductive sheet and a resistive grid connected to the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet. The resistive grid includes an electrically non-conductive polymer. The resistive grid includes one or more lines arranged in a pattern. The lines may include parallel lines, parallel and perpendicular lines, concentric circles, arcs of expanding radius, and/or any other suitable types of lines and/or any combination thereof. The resistive grid may include one or more distinct lines and/or shapes positioned at various points along the pressure-sensitive sheet layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for detecting item placement on a surface, comprising: a top conductive layer; a bottom conductive layer; a pressure-sensitive conductive sheet interposed between the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer; and a resistive grid, printed onto and fused to the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet, wherein: the resistive grid comprises: a plurality of lines arranged in a pattern, and a plurality of resistive grid patterns, each line, of the plurality of lines, comprises an electrically non-conductive polymer, the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet exhibits a decrease in electrical resistance with the application of pressure, each of the plurality of resistive grid patterns comprises a unique resistive grid density configured to affect a change in the electrical resistance with the application of pressure, each resistive grid pattern, of the plurality of resistive grid patterns, forms a modified area of the system, and the unique resistive grid density of each of the plurality of resistive grid patterns are configured to cause variations in resistance in each modified area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of lines are embedded into the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the resistive grid includes a plurality of parallel lines extending along a surface of the pressure-sensitive sheet layer, forming a resistive grid pattern. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the resistive grid includes a plurality of perpendicular lines, forming a resistive grid pattern. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrically non-conductive polymer includes print toner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the pressure-sensitive sheet layer comprises one or more of the following: carbon black; and graphite. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the top conductive layer or the bottom conductive layer include one or more polyolefins. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the resistive grid is configured to increase a baseline resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet in response to application of pressure against the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a sensor, coupled to the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet, configured to measure an electrical resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises one or more of the following: a multimeter; or an ohmmeter. ### Claim 11 A method for detecting item placement on a surface, comprising: placing an object onto a system, wherein the system comprises: a top conductive layer; a bottom conductive layer; a pressure-sensitive conductive sheet interposed between the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer; and a resistive grid, printed onto and fused to the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet, wherein: the resistive grid comprises: a plurality of lines arranged in a pattern, and a plurality of resistive grid patterns, each line, of the plurality of lines, comprises an electrically non-conductive polymer, placing the object onto the system applies pressure against the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet, the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet exhibits a decrease in electrical resistance with the application of pressure, and each of the plurality of resistive grid patterns comprises a unique resistive grid density configured to affect a change in the electrical resistance with the application of pressure; measuring, using a sensor, a change in resistance of the system; and based on the change in resistance, determining that an object has been placed onto the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet, wherein: each resistive grid pattern, of the plurality of resistive grid patterns, forms a modified area of the system; and the unique resistive grid density of each of the plurality of resistive grid patterns are configured to cause variations in resistance in each modified area. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising: based on the change in resistance, determining a position on the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet on which the object has been placed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the electrically non-conductive polymer includes print toner. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the pressure-sensitive sheet layer comprises one or more of the following: carbon black; or graphite. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the resistive grid is configured to increase a baseline resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet in response to application of pressure against the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises one or more of the following: a multimeter; or an ohmmeter.