Surfaces with embedded sensing and actuation networks using complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensing chips

摘要

A device and method for area sensing and actuation comprises highly scalable sensing and actuation network that can control a high density of sensing and actuation elements over a physical area. The device comprises a matrix of CMOS sensing chips that each comprise a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged in a matrix of columns and rows along horizontal wires and vertical wires. The vertical wires carry an activation signal to activate a column of sensing electrodes, and the vertical wires carry sensing and actuation signals between the column of sensing electrodes and a processing chip. The signals may be amplified by CMOS sensing chips between the source and destination of the signals. In this way, signals may be received from and sent to a dense matrix of sensing electrodes spanning a large geographic area with little or no degradation.