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US 2011/0254777 A1Published application
Interface device and methods of using same
OwnerIan Douglas Campbellinventor
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Abstract
An interface device for measuring a force applied by a user is disclosed. In one aspect, the interface device has a deformable body positioned on a support housing. In another aspect, the deformable body contains a fluid medium. The interface device also has at least one pressure sensor in fluid communication with the fluid medium. In an additional aspect, the interface device has processing circuitry for receiving pressure signals from the pressure sensors and producing an output signal corresponding to the force applied by the user.
Claims28
An interface device for measuring a force applied to at least a portion thereof, the
- interface device comprising:
- a support housing,
- a body positioned on the support housing, the body being deformable along at least a portion thereof, with the deformable portion of the body defining a chamber, the body comprising:
- an outer surface defining thereon a contact surface for receiving the force;
- and
- a fluid medium disposed within the chamber of the body;
- at least one pressure sensor in communication with the fluid medium, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is configured to produce a pressure signal indicative of pressure created by application of the force upon the contact surface;
- processing circuitry configured to receive the pressure signal and produce an output signal;
- and
- means for communicating the pressure signal to the processing circuitry.
7 more elements
An electronic interface system comprising:
- an interface device for measuring a force applied to at least a portion thereof, the interface device comprising:
- a support housing,
- a body positioned on the support housing, the body being deformable along at least a portion thereof, with the deformable portion of the body defining a central chamber, the body comprising:
- an outer surface defining thereon a contact surface for receiving the force;
- and
- a fluid medium disposed within the central chamber of the body;
- at least one pressure sensor in communication with the fluid medium, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is configured to produce a pressure signal indicative of pressure created by application of the force upon the contact surface at an origin position;
- processing circuitry comprising a processor, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive the pressure signal, wherein the processor is configured produce an output signal corresponding to the pressure signal measured by the at least one pressure sensor, and wherein the processor is configured to calculate two-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the origin position of the force relative to the contact surface of the body;
- and
- means for communicating the pressure signal to the processing circuitry;
- and
- one or more external devices, wherein the one or more external devices are in electrical communication with the processing circuitry of the interface device, and wherein the one or more external devices are configured to transmit information to, and receive information from, the processing circuitry.
9 more elements
A method for electrically communicating with one or more external devices, the method comprising:
- providing an interface device for measuring a force applied to at least a portion thereof, the interface device comprising:
- a support housing,
- a body positioned on the support housing, the body being deformable along at least a portion thereof, with the deformable portion of the body defining a central chamber, the body comprising:
- an outer surface defining thereon a contact surface;
- and
- a fluid medium disposed within the central chamber of the body;
- at least one pressure sensor in communication with the fluid medium;
- processing circuitry comprising a processor, wherein the processing circuitry is in electrical communication with the at least one pressure sensor;
- and
- selectively applying the force at an origin position relative to the contact surface of the body of the interface device,
- wherein the at least one pressure sensor is configured to produce a pressure signal indicative of pressure created by application of the force upon the contact surface, wherein the processor is configured to produce an output signal corresponding to the pressure signal measured by the at least one pressure sensor, and wherein the processor is configured to calculate two-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the origin position of the force relative to the contact surface of the body.
8 more elements
An interface device for measuring a force applied to at least a portion thereof, the interface device comprising:
- a support housing,
- a body positioned on the support housing, the body being deformable along at least a portion thereof, with the deformable portion of the body defining a chamber, the body comprising:
- an outer surface defining thereon a contact surface for receiving the force;
- and
- a fluid medium disposed within the chamber of the body;
- at least one pressure sensor in communication with the fluid medium, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is configured to produce a pressure signal indicative of pressure created by application of the force upon the contact surface;
- and
- processing circuitry that is in operative communication with the pressure sensor to thereby electrically communicate the pressure signal to the processing circuitry, and wherein the processing circuitry produces an output signal in response to the pressure signal.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.