SENSOR
First Claim
1. An electronic sensor for detecting skin, the sensor comprising a processor, an EM source, a baffle, a first EM detector and a second EM detector, the sensor arranged such that the EM source is located on a first side of the baffle and the first and second EM detectors are arranged on a second, opposite, side of the baffle at first and second distances from the EM source respectively, the first distance being less than the second distance, the processor configured to cause the source to emit EM radiation and to receive first and second signals from the first and second EM detectors respectively, the signals being indicative of the intensity of EM radiation detected by the sensor, the processor being further configured to process the first and second signals and thereby generate a skin signal which is indicative of whether the sensor has detected skin.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to an electronic sensor for detecting skin, the sensor comprising processor, an EM source, a baffle, a first EM detector and a second EM detector, the sensor arranged such that the EM source is located on a first side of the baffle and the first and second EM detectors are arranged on a second opposite side of the baffle at first and second distances from the EM source respectively, the first distance being less than the second distance, the processor configured to cause the source to emit EM radiation and to receive first and second signals from the first and second EM detectors respectively, the signals being indicative of the intensity of EM radiation detected by the sensor, the processor being further configured to process the first and second signals and thereby generate a skin signal which is indicative of whether the sensor has detected skin.
7 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. An electronic sensor for detecting skin, the sensor comprising a processor, an EM source, a baffle, a first EM detector and a second EM detector, the sensor arranged such that the EM source is located on a first side of the baffle and the first and second EM detectors are arranged on a second, opposite, side of the baffle at first and second distances from the EM source respectively, the first distance being less than the second distance, the processor configured to cause the source to emit EM radiation and to receive first and second signals from the first and second EM detectors respectively, the signals being indicative of the intensity of EM radiation detected by the sensor, the processor being further configured to process the first and second signals and thereby generate a skin signal which is indicative of whether the sensor has detected skin.
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13. A method of generating a signal indicative of contact of an object with skin, the object being equipped with a sensor on a contact portion thereof, the sensor comprising a processor, an EM source, a baffle, a first EM detector and a second EM detector, the sensor arranged such that the EM source is located on a first side of the baffle and the first and second EM detectors are arranged on a second opposite side of the baffle at first and second distances from the EM source respectively, the first distance being less than the second distance, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) using the processor to cause the source to emit EM radiation b) using the first and second EM detectors to generate first and second signals respectively, the signals being indicative of the intensity of EM radiation detected by the sensor; and c) using the processor to process the first and second signals and thereby generate a skin signal which is indicative of whether the sensor has detected skin and therefore whether the object has contacted skin.
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Specification