Multiplexing detector constructed from fabric

A method of detection, performed with respect to a detector constructed from fabric and having electrically conducting elements configured to provide at least two electrically conducting planes, comprising the steps of

• applying a potential across at least one of said planes to determine the position of a mechanical interaction;
• and
• measuring a second electrical property to identify additional properties of said mechanical interactions.

A detector constructed from fabric having electrically conductive elements to define at least two electrically conductive planes and configured to produce an electrical output in response to a mechanical interaction, wherein

• at least one of said planes includes first portions and second portions, said first portions have a higher resistance than said second portions and said first higher resistance portions are more flexible than said second portions.

A method of constructing a detector from fabric having electrically conductive elements and configured to produce electrical outputs in response to mechanical interactions, said detector being configured such that a potential is applied across at least one of said planes to determine the position of the mechanical interaction, said method comprising the steps of dividing the detector into a plurality of regions;

• providing a first conductive plane and a second conductive plane for each of said regions;
• bringing together conductive planes of at least one of said regions in a response to a mechanical interaction.

A fabric constructed from electrically conducting fibres and from electrically insulating fibres by a mechanical process, wherein electrical connection means are connected to electrically conducting fibres of said fabric during said mechanical process.

A detector constructed from fabric having electrically conductive elements to define at least two electrically conducting planes and configured to produce an electrical output in response to a mechanical interaction, wherein

• a potential is applied across at least one of said planes to determine the position of a mechanical interaction and said second electrical property is determined to identify additional properties of said mechanical interactions;
• and
• a conductivity non-uniformity is included in at least one of said planes so as to modify an electrical response to a mechanical interaction.

A method of constructing a detector from fabric configured to produce an electrical output in response to mechanical interactions said detector being configured such that a potential is applied across at least one of said planes to determine the position of a mechanical interaction and a second electrical property is determined to identify additional properties of said mechanical interactions, said method comprising the steps of defining at least two electrically conducting planes from electrically conductive elements and introducing a conductivity non-uniformity in at least one of said planes so as to modify an electrical response to a mechanical interaction.

A detector constructed from fabric having electrically conductive elements to define at least two electrically conductive planes and configured to produce an electrical output in response to a mechanical interaction, wherein

• a second electrically conductive plane of said detector has at least one electrical characteristic that differs significantly in value from the value of said characteristic of the first plane.

A method of constructing a detector, comprising the steps of

• constructing electrically conductive elements from fabric to define at least two electrically conducting planes configured to produce electrical output in response to a mechanical interaction;
• and
• configuring a second electrically conductive plane of said detector with at least one electrical characteristic that differs significantly in value from the value of said characteristic of said first plane.