A cuttable multi-touch sensor

Abstract

We propose cutting as a novel paradigm for ad-hoc customization of printed electronic components. As a first instantiation, we contribute a printed capacitive multi-touch sensor, which can be cut by the end-user to modify its size and shape. This very direct manipulation allows the end-user to easily make real-world objects and surfaces touchinteractive, to augment physical prototypes and to enhance paper craft. We contribute a set of technical principles for the design of printable circuitry that makes the sensor more robust against cuts, damages and removed areas. This includes novel physical topologies and printed forward error correction. A technical evaluation compares different topologies and shows that the sensor remains functional when cut to a different shape.

PrintPut: Resistive and Capacitive Input Widgets for Interactive 3D Prints

“…They also demonstrated several capacitive sensors printed with this method. Olberding et al [8] designed multi-layer topologies for flexible and cuttable multi-touch sensors. Gong et al [1] extended this work with a printed sensor sheet that detects multi-touch and hand proximity with capacitive circuits, and folding and pressure with resistive circuits.…”

“…To address this, there is an active research area surrounding augmenting physical prototypes with touch sensors [1,2,8,9]. These solutions usually have a tradeoff between ease of use, resolution, and customizability.…”

Tick that Box: Interactive Paper Documents

“…Additionally, the vast enhancement introduced by chemical sintering [14] allowed the fast and easy use of conductive ink for drawing or printing circuits using pens or off-the-shelf inkjet printers [15], [16]. Hodges et al [17] added interactive elements through stickers.…”

PrintSense

“…Recent advances in conductive inkjet printing [3] provide an easier way to produce sensor electrodes [7] and allows an enduser to create their own electrodes with consumer grade hardware [5]. This can be highly beneficial for prototyping user interfaces [6,8]. However, printing a single layer of passive conductive traces has to-date restricted use to basic touch sensing [6,8].…”

“…This can be highly beneficial for prototyping user interfaces [6,8]. However, printing a single layer of passive conductive traces has to-date restricted use to basic touch sensing [6,8].…”