Buss reduction method for arrayed sensors (Wearable Technology LIVE! USA 2014)

As fabric based sensors are being deployed in larger sizes and varied geometries one major concern is the number of connection needed to extract data from a multi-touch system. Presented is a description that reduces electrical connections from an array of an X-Y matrix from (X Columns + Y Rows) down to (2 * sqrt (Rows)+(Columns/3)+1).

 

This can be significant. For example, an array requiring 20736 discernible regions using traditional methods would require a matrix of 144 x 144, resulting in 288 connections.

 

Using the method disclosed herein, the number of connections drops to 73, almost 1/4 of the prior method

Founder Keith McMillen has started and sold two companies in his 30+ years innovating in the sensor and audio market. Zeta Music revolutionized stringed instruments and was sold to Gibson Guitars in 1992. Octiv, started in 2000 received funding from 3i and Intel Capital and was sold to Plantronics (NYSE:PLT) in 2005. Keith is the inventor on numerous patents, has released hundreds of profitable products and published dozens of scholarly papers as well as winning a Guthman Award in 2010. He received a BS in Acoustics from University of Illinois at Urbana.

BeBop uses smart fabrics to create elegant sensor solutions for OEMs. Where things or people interact, BeBop Sensors comprehend force, location, size, weight, shape, motion and presence across any size, resolution and geometry. BeBop technology is robust and proven with over a million sensors in daily use.

Eeonyx is the leading supplier of highly specialized engineered e-textiles. Eeonyx transforms fabrics into advanced, innovative e-textiles that promote comfort, ease of use, health, safety and security. Eeonyx textiles are ideal for high performance solutions in Aerospace, Automotive, Consumer, Defense, Healthcare, and Security. Applications for Eeonyx products range from making winter fashion gloves tough-screen active to repair composites for airplanes and windmill rotor blades to heaters for prevention of hypothermia in medical care to creating mapping networks for measurements of ECG and EEG activity. http://www.eeonyx.com