Methods and apparatus for recording and or reproducing tactile sensations

Abstract

Apparatus for recording tactile sensations comprises a sensing or "receptor" glove used to effect a tactile exploration of an object whose "feel" is to be recorded. The glove typically includes a mosaic of pressure and temperature sensors in an "artificial skin", which is applied to the object during the tactile exploration, and is connected to further sensors for sensing the motivity parameters of the movable parts, e.g. fingers and wrist, during the exploration. The pressure and temperature sensors are preferably formed by localized diffusions of electrically conductive material into a sheet of a flexible insulating material. The electrical signals produced by the sensors are recorded, and are then used, with or without further processing, to operate apparatus for reproducing tactile sensations. This latter apparatus can comprise a motor glove for reproducing the motivity parameters, and/or a flexible membrane containing a mosaic of piston members and electrical heating elements for reproducing pressure and temperature sensations respectively.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.