Systems and methods for improved object placement sensing for point-of-purchase sales
AssigneePalo Alto Research Center Incorporated
InventorsPing Mei, Robert Anthony Street, Kent Evans
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for monitoring object placement on a surface. The system includes a pressure-sensitive conductive sheet. The pressure-sensitive conductive sheet includes a stretchable fabric, having a plurality of fibers, and a conductive material positioned on a plurality of adjoining fibers of the stretchable fabric. The system further includes a 3-dimensional structure positioned under the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet. The 3-dimensional structure includes one or more depressions onto which the stretchable fabric can be stretched and the conductive material is positioned over the one or more depressions.
Claims20
A system for monitoring object placement on a surface, comprising:
- a pressure-sensitive conductive sheet, including:
- a stretchable fabric, having a plurality of fibers;
- and
- a conductive material positioned on a plurality of adjoining fibers of the stretchable fabric;
- and
- a 3-dimensional structure positioned under the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet, wherein the 3-dimensional structure includes one or more depressions onto which the stretchable fabric can be stretched and the conductive material is positioned over the one or more depressions.
A method for monitoring object placement on a surface, comprising:
- placing an object onto a pressure-sensitive conductive sheet,
- wherein the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet includes:
- a stretchable fabric, having a plurality of fibers;
- and
- a conductive material positioned on a plurality of adjoining fibers of the stretchable fabric and over one or more depressions formed within a 3-dimensional structure, and
- wherein placing the object onto the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet applies pressure against the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet and deforms a portion of the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet to conform to one or more depressions formed within the 3-dimensional structure;
- measuring a change in resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet;
- and
- based on the change in resistance, determining whether an object has been placed onto, or removed from, the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.