Force Sensitive Interface Device and Methods of Using Same
AssigneeNextInput, Inc.
InventorsIan Campbell, Ryan Diestelhorst
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An interface device for measuring forces applied to the interface device. The interface device has a flexible contact surface suspended above a rigid substrate. The interface device has at least one sensor in communication with the contact surface. The interface device has processing circuitry for receiving signals from the sensors and substantially instantaneously producing an output signal corresponding to the location and force applied in multiple locations across the contact surface.
Claims24
A force-sensitive interface device comprising:
- a flexible contact body defining a contact surface, the contact surface configured to simultaneously receive a plurality of external forces;
- a plurality of sensors operatively associated with the flexible contact body, each sensor of the plurality of sensors configured to sense localized forces applied to the contact surface of the flexible contact body and configured to produce a force signal indicative of the external forces sensed by the sensor;
- and
- a processor positioned in operative communication with the plurality of sensors, the processor being configured to receive the force signal produced by each respective sensor of the plurality of sensors and to convert the force signals received from the plurality of sensors into one or more output signals indicative of the intensity and origin position of each respective force of the plurality of external forces.
A method of determining the origin position and intensity of a plurality of external forces, comprising:
- simultaneously receiving the plurality of external forces on a contact surface of a flexible contact body, wherein a plurality of sensors are operatively associated with the flexible contact body;
- sensing, through each sensor of the plurality of sensors, localized forces applied to the contact surface of the flexible contact body;
- producing, through each sensor of the plurality of sensors, a force signal indicative of the external forces sensed by the force sensor;
- and
- receiving, by a processor positioned in operative communication with the plurality of sensors, the force signal produced by each respective sensor of the plurality of sensors;
- and
- converting, by the processor, the force signals received from the plurality of sensors into one or more output signals indicative of the intensity and origin position of each respective force of the plurality of external forces received on the contact surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.