System and method for rapid data collection from pressure sensors in a pressure sensing system

摘要

A system and method for the management of data collection from a pressure sensing apparatus. The system allows rapid measurement of pressure exerted upon a surface and may be useful in preventing bed sore development in a bed bound subject.

主权项

1. A method of measuring capacitances of n capacitors in a pressure sensing system including the pressure sensing system comprising: a plurality of linear conductor columns and a plurality of linear conductor rows, wherein the columns are not parallel to the rows, and an array of n capacitors each formed at an overlying region of a column and a row, and wherein the columns and rows are respectively disposed on opposite sides of a sheet of a compressible dielectric, the method comprising:
applying an alternating known voltage to n circuits, each of the n circuits comprising a different bank of n−1 capacitors interconnected in parallel and the one remaining capacitor connected in series with the bank; measuring the alternating current of each of the n circuits; applying an alternating known voltage to an n+1 circuit comprising the n capacitors interconnected in parallel; measuring the alternating current of the n+1 circuit; and deriving from the measured current of each of the n circuits and the n+1 circuit and the known voltages of each of the n circuits and the n+1 circuits the capacitance of each of the n capacitors.