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US 7,849,738 B2Granted
Device for detecting interaction with an object
AssigneeSonoplot, Inc.
InventorsBradley James Larson, Joerg Werner Baier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device and method for the detection of the interaction between two or more objects is disclosed. The device utilizes electrical impedance spectra measured from a piezoelectric element attached to one such object. Comparison of such spectra along a range of traverse allows precise estimates of distance to be made. One useful application is the topographical mapping of a surface.
Claims8
A method of calibrating the detection of the physical interaction of two or more objects comprising:
- attaching a piezoelectric element to a contact object having an operable electrical connection to means for measuring the electrical properties of said element;
- mounting said contact object on a positioning device whereby the position of said contact object can be directed incrementally in at least one dimension along a substantially rectilinear path of traverse;
- placing a target object in the path of traverse of said contact object;
- measuring the electrical properties of said piezoelectric element at more than one applied alternating current frequency without interacting said contact object with said target object and recording those properties;
- advancing said contact object along the path of traverse until interaction occurs between said contact object and said target object;
- and
- measuring the electrical properties of said piezoelectric element while said contact object is interacting with said target object and recording those properties.
4 more elements
A method of detecting the physical interaction physical interaction of two or more objects comprising:
- attaching a piezoelectric element to a contact object having an operable electrical connection to means for measuring the electrical properties of said element;
- mounting said contact object on a positioning device whereby the position of said contact object can be directed incrementally in at least one dimension along a substantially rectilinear path of traverse;
- advancing said contact object incrementally along the path of traverse in the direction towards said target object;
- measuring the electrical properties of said piezoelectric element at each such incremental position;
- and
- comparing the electrical properties with previously calibrated values to determine when interaction between said contact object and target object has occurred.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.