937 results about "Tactile sensor" patented technology

The ShopLive system supports existing merchants and malls to better serve customers by providing easy access to merchandise and sales assistance. The shopper accesses the ShopLive system through various portals. They can be a PC, Web TV, mall kiosk, store kiosk, mobile terminal, screen telephone or any other communication device capable of connecting to a communications network. When the shopper starts the shopping mission they can logon in or if already enrolled, they can use a password for a quick entry. They may chose to shop anonymously. A shopper can set up a shopping mission by defining class of goods, price, color and the like and set out to search for that either in their physical location or remotely. Once the items are located video cameras scan the merchandise to the shopper through the terminal. The cameras may be remotely operable to swing through different views to better display the goods. Or they can view items according to pre-determined scan patterns. Sound and other sensory stimulus such as tactile sensors may be used to enhance the shopping experience. The shopper may also ask for help from an assistant (SLA) that acts just like a sales person in a retail setting. This person can help select goods and can discuss the items selected. The SLA can also check product availability and help complete the purchase as in a normal sales transaction. Or, the shopper can use the ShopLive system to check out themselves. As the shopper moves through the shopping mission, they can add items to their electronic shopping cart and have a one-stop check out or they can check out with each merchant. The shopper is also entered into the available loyalty programs and presented with coupons and rebates. At the end of the shopping mission the shopper can either physically pick up the selections are arrange shipping. The ShopLive system supports multiple selling activities including auctions. It is also a rich data-base for merchants and allows targeted advertising. A live browser accesses the shopper to present sales and incentives to the customer. The ShopLive system connects the Shopper and the merchant to make the shopping experience more effective for both.

The present invention relates to a personal multimedia electronic device, and more particularly to a head-worn device such as an eyeglass frame having a plurality of interactive electrical / optical components. In one embodiment, a personal multimedia electronic device includes an eyeglass frame having a side arm and an optic frame; an output device for delivering an output to the wearer; an input device for obtaining an input; and a processor comprising a set of programming instructions for controlling the input device and the output device. The output device is supported by the eyeglass frame and is selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a bone conduction transmitter, an image projector, and a tactile actuator. The input device is supported by the eyeglass frame and is selected from the group consisting of an audio sensor, a tactile sensor, a bone conduction sensor, an image sensor, a body sensor, an environmental sensor, a global positioning system receiver, and an eye tracker. In one embodiment, the processor applies a user interface logic that determines a state of the eyeglass device and determines the output in response to the input and the state.

A graphical user interface (GUI) may be displayed on a display unit in an apparatus which may include a tactile sensor unit. When a contact by a user is detected at the tactile sensor unit, a control unit may receive a contact detection signal therefrom. Based on the contact detection signal, the control unit may determine a contact pattern and may then display the GUI corresponding to the contact pattern. The GUI may be displayed and modified depending on the location and pressure of contacts by a user's manipulating fingers. Therefore, a user can manipulate the apparatus without any inconvenience or accidental touches.

A reconfigurable tactile input device includes a first rigid electrode layer, a compressible dielectric structure, and a second flexible electrode layer forming together a tactile sensor with appropriate electrode connection means to a control means. The control means may include a mixed-signal IC mounted next to the input device in a compact package and capable of measuring capacitance in real time. The dielectric structure may include a matrix of compressible geometric elements with voids therebetween optionally vented to atmosphere, making the entire assembly thin and facilitating its use for mobile phones and other small, portable electronic devices. Some embodiments provide the user wit tactile feedback upon compression of the electrodes. An optional flexible display may be mounted over the input device to indicate the present configuration to the user.

An enhanced claims settlement apparatus may process insurance claims rapidly and accurately. The apparatus may first receive a notification of loss associated with an insured item (e.g., car, boat, truck, home, etc.). The apparatus may then apply various algorithms for using sensors to identify, analyze, and estimate the cost of damage associated with the insured item. The sensors that are a part of the enhanced claims settlement server may include cameras, tactile sensors, electromagnetic sensors, etc. that may communicate data to a processor associated with the server. Once the data has been generated and analyzed by the sensors, a claim settlement file may be transmitted to a claimant.

A surgery robot system provides tactile feedback. The surgery robot system includes a master robot and a slave robot mounted with a surgery tool including at least one tactile sensor that generates a tactile signal upon contact with a surgery region. The master robot is adapted to generate a control signal to control operation of the surgery tool and to receive and reproduce the tactile signal from the slave robot.

A reconfigurable tactile input device includes a first rigid electrode layer, a compressible dielectric structure, and a second flexible electrode layer forming together a tactile sensor with appropriate electrode connection means to a control means. The control means may include a mixed-signal IC mounted next to the input device in a compact package and capable of measuring capacitance in real time. The dielectric structure may include a matrix of compressible geometric elements with voids therebetween optionally vented to atmosphere, making the entire assembly thin and facilitating its use for mobile phones and other small, portable electronic devices. Some embodiments provide the user wit tactile feedback upon compression of the electrodes. An optional flexible display may be mounted over the input device to indicate the present configuration to the user.

A configurable operator panel that uses a tactile sensor with electrically conductive elastomer and appropriate electronics is disclosed herein. The device relies on a robust and inexpensive tactile sensor that senses the touch position (and may or may not sense touch pressure as well). The physical interface is easily configurable along with the electronics, which execute the desired function based on touch location and pressure. The configurable operator panel is designed to communicate with most industrial automation equipment, including but not limited to, motion control equipment, programmable logic controllers (PLC), personal computers, and can be made to control other types of machines requiring external analog or digital input.

A robotic vacuum cleaner includes a casing with a motor-driven wheel unit mounted on a lower major wall thereof, and a tactile sensor unit yieldable radially relative to the casing. An electrical control unit is operable to control the wheel unit to operate in a starting mode in which the casing is moved along a spiral path, and, upon receipt of a switching signal generated by the sensor unit in response to a contact of the sensor unit with an obstacle, controls the wheel unit to operate in an edge-cleaning mode in which the wheel unit is initially turned to a normal angle, is then driven to move forward a predetermined distance, is subsequently turned to an activating angle, and is moved towards the obstacle to permit contact of the sensor unit with the obstacle so as to result in generation of switch signal enabling the wheel unit to continue to operate in the edge-cleaning mode.

A tactile sensor includes a photosensing structure, a volume of elastomer capable of transmitting an image, and a reflective skin covering the volume of elastomer. The reflective skin is illuminated through the volume of elastomer by one or more light sources, and has particles that reflect light incident on the reflective skin from within the volume of elastomer. The reflective skin is geometrically altered in response to pressure applied by an entity touching the reflective skin, the geometrical alteration causing localized changes in the surface normal of the skin and associated localized changes in the amount of light reflected from the reflective skin in the direction of the photosensing structure. The photosensing structure receives a portion of the reflected light in the form of an image, the image indicating one or more features of the entity producing the pressure.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for displaying graphical user interface depending on a user's contact pattern. A graphical user interface (GUI) may be displayed on a display unit in an apparatus which may include a tactile sensor unit. When a contact by a user is detected at the tactile sensor unit, a control unit may receive a contact detection signal therefrom. Based on the contact detection signal, the control unit may determine a contact pattern and may then display the GUI corresponding to the contact pattern. The GUI may be displayed and modified depending on the location and pressure of contacts by a user's manipulating fingers. Therefore, a user can manipulate the apparatus without any inconvenience or accidental touches.

A vibrotactile transducer provides a point-like vibrational stimulus to the body of a user in response to an electrical input. The apparatus includes a housing held in contact with the skin and a moving mechanical contactor protruding through in an opening in said housing and preloaded into skin. The contactor is attached to a torroidal moving magnet assembly suspended by springs in a magnetic circuit assembly consisting of a housing containing a pair of electrical coils. The mass of the magnet / contactor assembly and the compliance of the spring are chosen so that the electromechanical resonance of the motional masses, when loaded by a typical skin site on the human body, are in a frequency band where the human body is most sensitive to vibrational stimuli. By varying the drive signal to the vibrotactile transducer and activating one or more transducer at specific location on the body using an appropriate choice of signal characteristics and / or modulation, different information can be provided to a user in a intuitive, body referenced manner.

A finger-mounted implement including a kinesthetic sensor, at least one tactile sensor, and means for securing the kinesthetic sensor and the at least one tactile sensor to a fingertip. The tactile sensor may be a thin-film force transducer, a piezoelectric accelerometer, or a combination thereof. An artificial fingernail may be connected to the accelerometer. The kinesthetic sensor may include a magnetic transducer and may sense an X-Y-Z position and an angular orientation of a fingertip to which the kinesthetic sensor is secured. The securing means may include at least one means selected from the group consisting of adhesive tape, an elastically deformable cover, and detachable adhesive. The implement can be further connected to a computer processing system for, amongst other things, the virtual representation of sensed objects. The implement can also be used as part of a method of haptic sensing of objects.

A catheter assembly for assessing contact between the catheter assembly and tissue is disclosed. The assembly includes a catheter shaft and a pressure sensitive conductive composite member whose electrical resistance varies with pressure applied to the catheter assembly. The assembly also includes at least one measurement terminal to permit the measurement of changes in the electrical characteristics of the pressure sensitive conductive composite member. The assembly may optionally include a measurement device to measure resistance, impedance and / or other electrical characteristics. The assembly may utilize a reference electrode secured to the patient's tissue, which permits the measurement device to measure changes between the reference electrode and the at least one measurement terminal. Optionally, the assembly may include a conductive outer layer. Also disclosed are sensor assemblies, contact sensor, methods of contact sensing, and methods of manufacturing relating to the use of pressure sensitive conductive composites.

An enhanced claims settlement apparatus may process insurance claims rapidly and accurately. The apparatus may first receive a notification of loss associated with an insured item (e.g., car, boat, truck, home, etc.). The apparatus may then apply various algorithms for using sensors to identify, analyze, and estimate the cost of damage associated with the insured item. The sensors that are a part of the enhanced claims settlement server may include cameras, tactile sensors, electromagnetic sensors, etc. that may communicate data to a processor associated with the server. Once the data has been generated and analyzed by the sensors, a claim settlement file may be transmitted to a claimant.

A method for implementing a mouse algorithm using a plurality of pressure sensors is disclosed. The pressure sensors are used to freely move and rotate a mouse cursor in X, Y and Z directions, so that they can be applied as interface units for a slim device such as a mobile phone. The mouse algorithm processes a touch input. The pressure sensors are arranged in a ring shape and provide output values successively varying with magnitudes of forces applied thereto or pressures applied thereto. A moving direction of the mouse cursor is determined depending on a contact point detected through the output values and a moving distance and moving speed of the mouse cursor are determined in proportion to the magnitudes of the forces.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the direct and safe teaching of a robot. The apparatus consists of a plurality of tactile sensors and electronic circuitry encapsulated in a compact enclosure, and a handle protruding from the enclosure. The handle provides an easy means for an operator to apply an external force and to act on the sensors that generate electronic signals to the robot controller. The signals, proportional to the applied force, carry information that sets boundaries for safe operations, thus protecting the operator from any harm and the robot from damage.While in the teaching mode the operator guides the robot with the apparatus to the predetermined work positions that are recorded in the controller memory. The work position recording can be handled by either activating a pushbutton or by a voice command. The recorded positions are played back when the robot operates in the work mode.

A system is provided that includes sensors(s) configured to provide sensed input including measurements of motion and / or orientation of a user during performance of a task to work a complex-system component. The system includes a front-end system configured to process the sensed input including the measurements to identify a known pattern that indicates a significance of the sensed input from which to identify operations of an electronic resource. The front-end system is configured to form and communicate an input to cause the electronic resource to perform the operations and produce an output. The operations include determination of an action of the user during performance of the task, or calculation of a process variable related to performance of the task, from the measurements. And the front-end system is configured to receive the output from the electronic resource, and communicate the output to a display device, audio output device or haptic sensor.

The invention relates to a method for producing flexible capacitor touch sensor, characterized in composed of middle layer preparation of PDMS, preparation of flexible PI substrate, graph metal sensitive electrode and relative electric connection, preparation of a first high-elasticity dielectric layer PDMS and a second flexible dielectric layer PI, graph metal drive electrode and relative electric connection, graph a top flexible insulation protective layer PI, separation of the flexible capacitor touch sensor. The invention optimizes and combines techniques, to realize the compatibility of organic flexible material PDMS, PI and traditional MEMS technique. And the capacitor touch sensor has compact structure, high mechanical strength, and high flexibility, while the product can contact the surface with any curvature to sense the volumes of normal force and tangent force, and be applied for the production of flexile capacitor touch sensor array.

An enhanced claims settlement apparatus may process insurance claims rapidly and accurately. The apparatus may first receive a notification of loss associated with an insured item (e.g., car, boat, truck, home, etc.). The apparatus may then apply various algorithms for using sensors to identify, analyze, and estimate the cost of damage associated with the insured item. The sensors that are a part of the enhanced claims settlement server may include cameras, tactile sensors, electromagnetic sensors, etc. that may communicate data to a processor associated with the server. Once the data has been generated and analyzed by the sensors, a claim settlement file may be transmitted to a claimant.

The invention relates to an end effector of a fruit and vegetable picking robot. The end effector mainly consists of a clamping system, a cutting system and a sensor system. The clamping system mainly adopts a mechanism formed by cylinder sliding chutes to drive two fingers to open and close, thus realizing the action of grasping apples; the cutting system adopts a DC motor with 12V as the power source to drive blades to rotate nearly a circle around the fingers by the transmission of steel wires or the transmission of steel wire trolley wheels, thus cutting apple stems at any position along the circumferential direction of the fingers; the sensor system consists of an opto-electrical position switch, a pressure sensor, a micro-vision sensor, a touch sensor and a limit switch and plays a role of connecting motions and controlling the process during the process of clamping and cutting the apple stems. The end effector has a simple and reliable picking way, good commonality, low control difficulty, low cost, which ensures an intelligentized picking, thus meeting the demands of a football-like fruit picking robot and being conducive to realizing the practical utilization and commercialization of fruit picking robots.

The invention discloses a multifunctional flexible touch sensor. The flexible touch sensor is characterized in that a flexible polyimide circuit board is used as a substrate; a three-dimensional force sensing unit array and a temperature sensing unit array are respectively arranged on the substrate; three-dimensional force sensing units in the three-dimensional force sensing unit array and temperature sensing units in the temperature sensing unit array are arranged at intervals; and the surface height of each temperature sensing unit is lower than the surface height of each three-dimensional force sensing unit, thereby forming the integral concave-convex distribution form. The full-flexibility multifunctional touch sensor disclosed by the invention has the advantages of excellent surface adaptability, high three-dimensional force measurement reliability, small cross interference of mechanics and temperature information.

A hybrid tactile sensor includes a flexible cloth-based tactile sensor array including a plurality of electrodes, each of the electrodes connected to a corresponding connecting zone of an intermediate connecting harness made from a flexible film such as Kapton®. The harness includes a common bundle of parallel conductors etched or printed onto the harness and connecting each of the connecting zones to a common terminal for further attaching to a control unit of the sensor. The use of the harness allows repeatable manufacturing of sensor arrays with large number of electrodes or when they are located close to each other. Each connecting zone may include an interconnecting pad for crimping, soldering, or adhering the electrode thereto using a conductive epoxy. Alternative embodiments describe the use of U-shaped malleable connectors, jumper wires including those equipped with U-shaped clips, and other means of attaching electrodes to corresponding connecting zones. The use of alternating connections with electrodes of the array allows to double the distance between individual electrodes available for making a connection.

The invention relates to a tactile sensor capable of obtaining information for a plurality of degrees of freedom at each point on a surface by introducing multi-channel sensing that uses color or optical spectrum to an optical tactile sensor. An optical tactile sensor is provided with a tactile section and imaging means, the tactile section comprising a transparent elastic body and a plurality of groups of markers provided inside the elastic body, each marker group being made up of a number of colored markers, with markers making up different marker groups having different colors for each group, and behavior of the colored markers when an object touches the elastic body being photographed by the imaging means. Preferably, the marker groups have mutually different spatial arrangements.

The invention provides a flexible piezoresistive touch sensor array and a preparation method thereof. The sensor array comprises N*N separated piezoresistive layers and a coplanar electrode layer. The piezoresistive layers are arranged on the coplanar electrode layer. Each piezoresistive layer comprises an upper finger pressing layer, a middle sensitive layer and a bottom sensitive layer, wherein the three layers are each provided with a micro pyramid; the coplanar electrode layer comprises a polymer electrode substrate and N*N gold electrode pairs located on the polymer electrode substrate. The piezoresistive layers adopt polymer films with the micro pyramid, and due to the three-layer structure, the sensitivity of the sensor at the low-voltage region can be greatly improved. In addition, in order to overcome the defect that a traditional touch sensor is large in crosstalk due to a sandwiched structure, the coplanar electrode layer is adopted, all electrodes are located on the same plane, each piezoresistive layer is attached to the corresponding electrode pair, the piezoresistive units are completely separated, and the sensitivity and anti-interference capacity of the sensor are effectively improved.

The invention discloses a dielectric-varied capacitive flexible three-dimensional force tactile sensor. The dielectric-varied capacitive flexible three-dimensional force tactile sensor is characterized in that a flexible printed circuit board is arranged, wherein a square common electrode and four identical rectangular induction electrodes which are located on the periphery of the edges of the common electrode in an equidistant mode are printed on the printed circuit board; the induction electrodes are in two-to-two symmetry with the center of the common electrode serving as the symmetry point; a composite multi-dielectric layer is fixed to the flexible printed circuit board; the composite multi-dielectric layer is formed by an inversely-concave PDMS dielectric layer and an air dielectric layer located in a groove of the PDMS dielectric layer; the composite multi-dielectric layer is buckled on the upper portion of the flexible printed circuit board, and the common electrode and the four induction electrodes are located in the air dielectric layer; a PDMS hemispheric contactor is arranged on the composite multi-dielectric layer. According to the dielectric-varied capacitive flexible three-dimensional force tactile sensor, the common electrode and the induction electrodes are located on the same plane; compared with a traditional capacitive tactile sensor of an up-down electrode structure, the dielectric-varied capacitive flexible three-dimensional force tactile sensor has the advantages of being simple in manufacturing process and capable of being easily arrayed.