Patent ID: 7174793

Claim:
A sensor sheet comprising: a plurality of sensors arranged in a matrix; an elastic supporting member configured to partition at least two of the plurality of sensors from each other; and a cover layer configured to cover the plurality of sensors, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises: a plurality of first electrodes corresponding to a plurality of directions, respectively; a second electrode supported by the elastic supporting member and facing the plurality of first electrodes such that capacitance elements are formed by the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode, wherein the second electrode is configured to be displaceable toward the plurality of first electrodes when an external force is applied thereto; and a core member is disposed between the cover layer and the second electrode and formed of rigid material arranged to permit independent movement thereof, wherein the core member is individual to the at least one of the plurality of sensors; wherein the at least one of the plurality of sensors is capable of identifying the external force in a multidimensional direction based on detection of changes in capacitance of the capacitance elements caused by changes in distances between the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode, and wherein distribution of force applied to the cover layer is identified based on the forces identified by at least two of the plurality of the sensors.