Single port, large area touch and force sensing: Towards low cost sensitive printed surfaces

A flexible touch panel touch panel based on the principle of interaction between a coplanar waveguide with the finger is presented. A concept of location based on harmonic analysis is detailed. The interaction is precisely modelled; it is shown that it is possible to have at the same time a precise location and measurement of touch force on a single port, independently. Measurements are carried out in order to assess the sensing concepts developed and evaluate the precision of location process. The combination of the printed sensor and sensing algorithm opens the way for potential very large flexible device, more than meter square, with ultra-simple connections. The combination of location and force sensing is an additional feature which has the potential to enrich strongly the degree of interaction in the case of application to human to machine interface.