Detector constructed from fabric
AssigneeElectrotextiles Company Limited
InventorDavid L. Sandbach
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The position of a mechanical interaction in a sensor constructed from fabric is detected. A substantially constant electric current is established through elements of the fabric. A first electrical potential developed in a first plane is measured in response to such current. A second electrical potential developed in a second plane is also measured in response to the current. Then the measurements are processed to identify a position of the mechanical interaction. A calibration circuit is connected to provide an alternative route for current flow through the first plane and through the second plane.
Claims16
A method of detecting the position of a mechanical interaction in a sensor constructed from fabric, wherein a substantially constant electric current is established through said elements, said method comprising:
- measuring a first electrical potential developed in a first plane in response to said current;
- measuring a second electrical potential developed in a second plane in response to said current;
- processing said measurements to identify a position of said mechanical interaction, and
- connecting a calibration circuit that provides an alternative route for current flow through said first plane and through said second plane.
In a sensor comprising a first outer plane through which a substantially constant current flows to develop a first potential;
- an inner plane, which, in combination with said first outer plane, has been constructed substantially to respond to the force area product of mechanical interactions;
- a second outer plane, through which said constant current also flows to develop a second potential, which, in combination with said inner plane, has been constructed substantially to respond to the area of mechanical interactions;
- and calibration means, a method of detecting an indication of applied force of a mechanical interaction, said method comprising:
- measuring a third potential developed between said first outer plane and said inner plane;
- measuring a fourth potential between said inner plane and said second outer plane;
- processing said third potential with said fourth potential to identify an indication of the force of mechanical interactions;
- and
- conducting said constant current by an alternative route to that used during position detection via said calibration means so as to calibrate the voltage ranges across said first outer plane and said second outer plane.
A position detector constructed from fabric comprising:
- at first conductive plane and a second conductive plane;
- processing means configured to conduct a substantially constant electric current through said first and second planes to identify the position of a mechanical interaction;
- and
- calibration means configured to conduct said constant current by an alternative route to that used during position measurement so as to calibrate the voltage range across said first conductive plane and said second conductive plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.