# US 2022/0034730 A1 · 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 2022/0034730 A1 - Document ID: US20220034730A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/943,380 - Filed: 2020-07-30 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-30 - Assignees: Xerox Corporation - Applicants: Xerox Corporation - Inventors: Yujie Zhu; Tianxiao Xu; Ethan Shen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220034730A1 ## 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 that includes a resistive grid that is formed of an electrically non-conductive polymer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for detecting item placement on a surface, comprising: a pressure-sensitive conductive sheet that includes a resistive grid that is formed of an electrically non-conductive polymer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet includes: a top conductive layer; a bottom conductive layer; and an electrically conductive pressure-sensitive sheet layer interposed between the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the electrically non-conductive polymer is embedded into the pressure-sensitive sheet layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the pressure-sensitive sheet layer exhibits a decrease in electrical resistance with the application of pressure. ### Claim 5 (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 6 (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 7 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the resistive grid includes a plurality of resistive grid patterns, each of the plurality of resistive grid patterns having a unique resistive grid density. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrically non-conductive polymer includes print toner. ### Claim 9 (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 10 (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 11 (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 12 (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 13 (depends on 11) The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises one or more of the following: a multimeter; or an ohmmeter. ### Claim 14 A method for detecting item placement on a surface, comprising: placing an object onto a pressure-sensitive conductive sheet, wherein the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet includes: a top conductive layer; a bottom conductive layer; and an electrically conductive pressure-sensitive sheet layer interposed between the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer, wherein the pressure-sensitive sheet layer an electrically non-conductive polymer forming a resistive grid, and wherein placing the object onto the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet applies pressure against the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet; measuring, using a sensor, a change in resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet; and based on the change in resistance, determining that an object has been placed onto the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, 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 16 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the pressure-sensitive sheet layer exhibits a decrease in electrical resistance with the application of pressure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the electrically non-conductive polymer includes print toner. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the pressure-sensitive sheet layer comprises one or more of the following: carbon black; or graphite. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, 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 20 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises one or more of the following: a multimeter; or an ohmmeter.