Method and Apparatus for Sensing Touch

Stanford researchers at the Khuri-Yakub Lab have developed a new sensor topology that will enable high-resolution touch sensing and reliable authentication on portable electronics.
This sensor technology adds a new touch sensing dimension on a 2D array of sensors for use in touchscreen displays, such as those for smart phones and tablets.
Highly sensitive, touch-based touch sensing will enable high-resolution touchscreen that only relies on the pressure applied and will be able to work with all types of stylus including finger, gloved finger, and pen.
Additionally, the same concept can be integrated with fingerprint scanning capabilities in a more compact form with less power requirements than current optical fingerprint scanners. The proposed integrated sensor can be fabricated using simple, standard processes.

Figure

Figure description - Conceptual drawing showing the sensor as a fingerprint scanner. The “mechanical” part (i.e., the cells) is shown integrated with an ASIC to touch the deflection. Some of sensor cells would touch the ridges. Detecting the touched cells is the basis for creating the fingerprint.

Stage of Research - Proof-of-principle completed