Multiplexing detector constructed from fabric
First Claim
1. A position detector constructed from fabric having electrically conductive elements, comprising at least two electrically conducting planes, wherein an electric potential is applied across at least one of said planes to determine the position of a mechanical interaction;
- and a second electrical property is determined to identify additional properties of said mechanical interactions.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A position detector is constructed from fabric and has electrically conductive elements. The detector is configured to produce electrical outputs in response to mechanical interactions, and is divided into several regions. Each of the regions includes a first conducting plane and a second conducting plane configured such that, in use, a mechanical interaction results in conducting planes of at least one of said regions being brought closer together. A potential is applied across at least one of said planes to determine the position of said mechanical interaction.
8 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A position detector constructed from fabric having electrically conductive elements, comprising at least two electrically conducting planes, wherein
an electric potential is applied across at least one of said planes to determine the position of a mechanical interaction; - and
a second electrical property is determined to identify additional properties of said mechanical interactions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of detection, performed with respect to a detector constructed from fabric and having electrically conducting elements configured to provide at least two electrically conducting planes, comprising the steps of
applying a potential across at least one of said planes to determine the position of a mechanical interaction; - and
measuring a second electrical property to identify additional properties of said mechanical interactions.
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12. A detector constructed from fabric having electrically conductive elements to define at least two electrically conductive planes and configured to produce an electrical output in response to a mechanical interaction, wherein
at least one of said planes includes first portions and second portions, said first portions have a higher resistance than said second portions and said first higher resistance portions are more flexible than said second portions.
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19. A method of constructing a detector from fabric, wherein electrically conductive elements are configured to define at least two electrically conductive planes so as to produce an electrical output in response to a mechanical interaction;
- wherein
at least one of said planes includes first portions and second portions;
said first portions have a higher resistance than said second portions; and
said first higher resistance portions are more flexible than said second portions.
- wherein
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20. A detector constructed from fabric having electrically conductive elements and configured to produce electrical outputs in response to mechanical interactions, wherein
said detector is divided into a plurality of regions; -
each of said regions includes a first conducting plane and a second conducting plane;
a mechanical interaction results in conducting planes of at least one of said regions being brought closer together; and
a potential is applied across at least one of said planes to determine the position of said mechanical interaction. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of constructing a detector from fabric having electrically conductive elements and configured to produce electrical outputs in response to mechanical interactions, said detector being configured such that a potential is applied across at least one of said planes to determine the position of the mechanical interaction, said method comprising the steps of dividing the detector into a plurality of regions;
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providing a first conductive plane and a second conductive plane for each of said regions;
bringing together conductive planes of at least one of said regions in a response to a mechanical interaction.
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- 26. A fabric constructed from electrically conducting fibres and from electrically insulating fibres by a mechanical process, wherein electrical connection means are connected to electrically conducting fibres of said fabric during said mechanical process.
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30. A method of constructing a fabric from electrically conducting fibres and from electrically insulating fibres by a mechanical process, comprising the steps of
providing a supply of electrical connection devices for electrical connection to electrically conducting fibres of said fabric; -
modifying the mechanical process at selected positions so as to incorporate the electrically conducting device as part of the fabric; and
applying sealing means to said electrically conducting device so as to secure said devices to the machined fabric.
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31. A detector constructed from fabric having electrically conductive elements to define at least two electrically conducting planes and configured to produce an electrical output in response to a mechanical interaction, wherein
a potential is applied across at least one of said planes to determine the position of a mechanical interaction and said second electrical property is determined to identify additional properties of said mechanical interactions; - and
a conductivity non-uniformity is included in at least one of said planes so as to modify an electrical response to a mechanical interaction. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of constructing a detector from fabric configured to produce an electrical output in response to mechanical interactions said detector being configured such that a potential is applied across at least one of said planes to determine the position of a mechanical interaction and a second electrical property is determined to identify additional properties of said mechanical interactions, said method comprising the steps of defining at least two electrically conducting planes from electrically conductive elements and introducing a conductivity non-uniformity in at least one of said planes so as to modify an electrical response to a mechanical interaction.
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38. A detector constructed from fabric having electrically conductive elements to define at least two electrically conductive planes and configured to produce an electrical output in response to a mechanical interaction, wherein
a second electrically conductive plane of said detector has at least one electrical characteristic that differs significantly in value from the value of said characteristic of the first plane.
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43. A method of constructing a detector, comprising the steps of
constructing electrically conductive elements from fabric to define at least two electrically conducting planes configured to produce electrical output in response to a mechanical interaction; - and
configuring a second electrically conductive plane of said detector with at least one electrical characteristic that differs significantly in value from the value of said characteristic of said first plane.
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Specification