Wireless Sensor Elements in Flexible Elastomer for Event-Based Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tactile sensors face challenges in achieving scalable, high-density, and high-temporal resolution across large areas due to trade-offs between spatial and temporal resolution, and are often impractical for prosthetic applications due to bulky processing circuits and complex wiring.
Innovation Solution
A modular, wireless sensor system using RFID or NFC technology, where each sensing pixel is linked to a unique wireless tag, allowing for event-based sensing without the need for constant sequential sampling, and enabling simultaneous reading of multiple sensors with a single reader, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional grid-based sensing arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If grid-based tactile sensing arrays with high taxel density are used, then spatial resolution is improved, but temporal resolution deteriorates due to sequential reading requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical sequential reading system with an optical sensing system. Each taxel uses organic photodiodes that convert mechanical pressure directly into optical signals, which are then read out in parallel through optical channels, eliminating the sequential electronic reading bottleneck and enabling high temporal resolution alongside high spatial density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from electrical signal domain to optical signal domain for sensing and readout. By using organic photodiodes and optical communication, the system adds a new dimensional approach to signal transmission, allowing simultaneous parallel reading of multiple high-density taxels without the temporal limitations of sequential electronic scanning.
2Area of stationary object
If large-scale tactile arrays are deployed to cover entire skin area, then area coverage is improved, but acquisition time increases due to sequential sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements event-based periodic action where the optical sensing system continuously monitors but only triggers data acquisition when pressure events occur. This asynchronous event-driven approach allows large-scale arrays to maintain fast acquisition times by eliminating redundant sampling during static conditions, while still providing comprehensive coverage across the entire skin area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary continuous optical monitoring of all taxel elements simultaneously, preparing for rapid event detection. When a pressure event occurs, the pre-positioned optical sensors immediately capture and transmit the signal, enabling fast acquisition across large areas without the need for sequential scanning that would delay detection.
3Loss of information
If constant sampling of all array elements is performed to read pressure inputs, then comprehensive tactile information is obtained, but redundant data acquisition is triggered when pressure events are not occurring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces continuous electronic sampling with event-triggered optical signaling. The organic photodiodes remain in a low-power state until mechanical pressure deforms them, at which point they optically signal the event. This substitution eliminates redundant continuous sampling while ensuring complete tactile information capture, significantly reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing elements perform self-service through their inherent piezoelectric or piezoresistive properties that automatically generate optical signals in response to pressure events. This self-triggering mechanism eliminates the need for external continuous sampling control, reducing energy consumption while maintaining complete tactile information acquisition through event-based detection.
4Measurement precision
If high-density taxels with high temporal resolution are implemented, then sensing performance is improved, but device complexity increases with large processing circuit boards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic processing circuits with optical sensing and communication components. Organic photodiodes directly convert pressure into optical signals that can be transmitted and processed with simpler optics-based systems, maintaining high sensing performance while dramatically reducing the complexity and size of processing circuit boards for prosthetic applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables scalable, high-density, event-based tactile sensing with improved temporal resolution and compact design, mimicking human skin's tactile signal processing, suitable for large-area applications like prosthetics and smart robotics.
Implementation Method 1
Each sensor element comprises an RFID antenna and an RFID chip, where the antenna is configured to detect a pressure event
Implementation Method 2
a flexible substrate including a first elastomer layer and a second elastomer layer. Each sensor element comprises an RFID antenna and an RFID chip embedded in the flexible substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A design for large scale, event-based sensing uses a wireless communications protocol. This technology allows for event-based, analog sensing of any modality. The technology of the present invention includes modular, wireless sensors. These sensors can be easily mixed and matched over a large area. The present invention can be applied to e-skins, and other applications that require many sensors over a large area. Each sensing ‘pixel’ of the skin is linked to a unique wireless tag. ID number such as an RFID. All of the sensors can then be read by one wireless reader, and by realizing the ID of a tag, the exact location is determined. Therefore, this translates to an event-based sensor as the reader is constantly listening for a responding tag, but only tags with pressure events respond.