Finger touch sensors and virtual switch panels
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsHaruhiko H. Asada, Stephen Mascaro, Kuo-Wei Chang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for detecting contact pressure applied to a finger, the finger having a fingernail illuminated by light, comprises at least one photodetector for measuring a change in light reflected by an area of the finger beneath the fingernail in response to the contact pressure applied to the finger. The photodetector provides a signal corresponding to the change in light reflected. The device also includes a processor for receiving the signal and determining whether the change corresponds to a specified condition. The photodetector may be enclosed in a housing and coupled to the fingernail.
Claims11
A device for detecting contact pressure applied to a finger, the finger having a fingernail illuminated by light, the device comprising:
- at least one photodetector for measuring a change in light reflected by an area of the finger beneath the fingernail in response to the contact pressure applied to the finger and providing a signal corresponding to the change;
- and
- a processor for receiving the signal and determining whether the change corresponds to a specified condition.
A method for detecting contact pressure applied to a finger, the finger having a fingernail illuminated by light, the method comprising:
- providing at least one photodetector;
- measuring a change in light reflected by an area of the finger beneath the fingernail in response to the contact pressure applied to the finger;
- providing a signal corresponding to the change;
- and
- comparing the change to a specified condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.