Fabric-based devices with force sensing
First Claim
1. Apparatus, comprising:
- conductive strands of material that form signal paths;
control circuitry coupled to the signal paths; and
a force sensor coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the force sensor has a force sensor element and capacitive force sensor circuitry that is electrically coupled to the force sensor element through the signal paths.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fabric-based item such as a fabric glove may include force sensing circuitry. The force sensing circuitry may include force sensor elements formed from electrodes on a compressible substrate such as an elastomeric polymer substrate. The fabric may include intertwined strands of material including conductive strands. Signals from the force sensing circuitry may be conveyed to control circuitry in the item using the conductive strands. Wireless circuitry in the fabric-based item may be used to convey force sensor information to external equipment. The compressible substrate may have opposing upper and lower surfaces. Electrodes for the force sensor elements may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces. Stiffeners may overlap the electrodes to help decouple adjacent force sensor elements from each other. Integrated circuits can be attached to respective force sensing elements using adhesive.
39 Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus, comprising:
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conductive strands of material that form signal paths; control circuitry coupled to the signal paths; and a force sensor coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the force sensor has a force sensor element and capacitive force sensor circuitry that is electrically coupled to the force sensor element through the signal paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A wearable electronic device, comprising:
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fabric having intertwined strands, wherein the fabric forms a glove that is configured to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand; control circuitry; and a force sensor coupled to the control circuitry and to the fabric, wherein at least a portion of the force sensor is in a finger portion of the glove. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A wearable electronic device, comprising:
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fabric having intertwined strands; control circuitry; and a force sensor coupled to the control circuitry and to the fabric, wherein the force sensor includes a compressible substrate and first and second electrodes that are respectively located on first and second opposing surfaces of the compressible substrate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A fabric-based item configured to be worn by a user, comprising:
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fabric formed from intertwined strands of material, wherein the fabric is configured to be worn on the user'"'"'s finger; control circuitry; and a force sensor coupled to the fabric and electrically coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the force sensor includes an elastomeric material and first and second electrodes separated by the elastomeric material. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification