zForce®

Optical sensing technology

zForce (zero force) is the name for Neonode’s patented optical sensing technology built on infrared light, invisible to the human eye. zForce can sense any type of object, determine its size, its pressure on a surface, its depth (3D), its velocity and even its proximity to any type of surface.

zForce technology consists of a set of light emitters and detectors, an optical light guide with lenses and a controller IC that is connected to a host. The host runs Neonode´s proprietary embedded software stack and is connected to the controller. The controller IC regulates the light emitters, that emit short pulses of light in an intended sensing/interactive plane. The controller continuously monitors the light that is collected by the detectors and checks the ambient light in order to calibrate the system to work in all light conditions. Objects in the light path of the sensor cause intensity shifts in the received light. This information is used to initiate tracking of the objects. The size and position of each object is reported back to the host. By combining the measured value from a number of detectors, the position and object size are calculated. Compensations are also made for dust and other small particles on the optical surfaces, as well as for variations in component quality.