The 4-zone FSR® (Force Sensing Resistor®) paired with a suitable actuator and controller IC can be implemented as a finger-actuated "mouse" pointing module. This pointing module provides accurate 360-degree mouse control. Users control direction by applying pressure in the orientation of the desired movement and adjust speed by altering the amount of pressure exerted on the device. It uses the same robust polymer thick film (PTF) sensor technology as our range of single-zone sensors but in a unique four-zone configuration. The 4-zone FSR is simply a combination of four basic FSRs arranged in a north/south/east/west pattern. Each zone interpenetrates into the two zones on either side of it. This overlapping of the zones allows us to determine how much force is in each zone relative to the others. Once the relative force in each zone is known, the direction and speed of the mouse pointer can be determined. The actuator design is vital to the correct operation of the 4-zone FSR. These sensors require a microcontroller containing our proprietary measurement algorithms.
Features and Benefits
- Low-current use
- Fully configurable user control
- Ultra-thin mounting profile