Patents Assigned to Tactex Controls Inc.
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Publication number: 20080005843Abstract: A body support such as a cushion, mattress, chair or the like has at least one inflatable air chamber. A pressure sensor senses interface pressures at different locations on a surface of the air chamber. Indicators derived from the interface pressures indicate the onset of a trend toward bottoming out. A controller controls air pressure within the air chamber based at least in part on values of the indicators. The controller may be implemented as a state machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2005Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: TACTEX CONTROLS INC.Inventors: David Lokhorst, Colin Clarke
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Patent number: 7077009Abstract: A position sensor comprises a substrate having an array of pressure sensors and a membrane overlying the substrate. The membrane includes physical parameters which vary with position. The membrane may include discontinuous regions and protrusions which affect the way in which forces on the membrane are distributed to the substrate. A pressure sensor may also include a controller for receiving pressure information from the substrate, with a signal processor being programmed to localize the depressed region or regions of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Tactex Controls Inc.Inventors: David M. Lokhorst, Sathya R. Alexander
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Publication number: 20060152378Abstract: The invention provides a bed occupant monitoring system comprising a pressure sensitive member attached to a support member for supporting a bed occupant, the pressure sensitive member comprising a plurality of pressure sensors. Each of the pressure sensors is configured to provide a reflected wave energy pressure signal by reflecting incident wave energy with an intensity which varies with a pressure applied to the sensor. A pair of fibres are coupled to each pressure sensor, each pair of fibres comprising an input fibre and an output fibre. The fibres are coupled to interface electronics comprising a wave energy source coupled to the input fibre of each of the pairs of fibres for providing the applied light energy, and, a wave energy detector coupled to the output fibre of each of the pairs of fibres for converting the scattered light energy into an electrical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2003Publication date: July 13, 2006Applicant: Tactex Controls IncInventors: David Lokhorst, D. Inkster
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Publication number: 20060096392Abstract: An input device has a flexible surface on which are formed deflection sensors. The flexible surface can be deformed against an adjacent resilient layer. The deflection sensors detect the deflection of the surface. Electronic circuits for processing signals from the deflection sensors to yield information regarding the locations and magnitudes of forces deflecting the surface may be deposited all, or in part on the flexible surface. The input device may be combined with a display to yield a touch-sensitive display suitable for use in a wide range of applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2005Publication date: May 11, 2006Applicant: Tactex Controls Inc.Inventors: D. Inkster, David Lokhorst
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Publication number: 20060076103Abstract: A method for manufacturing composite structures comprising elongated flexible elements arranged in sinuous configurations involves providing an elastically-extendable substrate layer. The method comprises stretching the elastically-extendible layer and attaching the elongated flexible elements to the layer at spaced-apart locations. When the layer is allowed to relax, the elongated elements assume sinuous configurations. The method may be used to make pressure sensors or other devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2005Publication date: April 13, 2006Applicant: Tactex Controls Inc.Inventor: Colin Clarke
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Publication number: 20040182164Abstract: A position sensor comprises a substrate having an array of pressure sensors and a membrane overlying the substrate. The membrane includes physical parameters which vary with position. The membrane may include discontinuous regions and protrusions which affect the way in which forces on the membrane are distributed to the substrate. A pressure sensor may also include a controller for receiving pressure information from the substrate, with a signal processor being programmed to localize the depressed region or regions of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Tactex Controls Inc.Inventors: David M. Lokhorst, Sathya R. Alexander
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Patent number: 6788295Abstract: A touch pad for controlling electronic equipment includes a deformable touch surface and a compressible pad body in contact with the touch surface. The compressible body is formed from a material which scatters or diffuses light within the material. Multiple sources of light or other wave energy are directed into the interior of the substrate to form multiple illuminated cells inside the pad body. Each illuminated cell forms an integrated cavity within the pad body. A detector in communication with the compressible material detects light intensity within the integrated cavity. A processor receives signals from the detector and converts the signals into useable information relating to the position of regions of compression of the pad.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Tactex Controls, Inc.Inventor: Robert D. Inkster
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Patent number: 6715359Abstract: A position sensor comprises a substrate having an array of pressure sensors and a membrane overlying the substrate. The membrane includes physical parameters which vary with position. The membrane may include discontinuous regions and protrusions which affect the way in which forces on the membrane are distributed to the substrate. A pressure sensor may also include a controller for receiving pressure information from the substrate, with a signal processor being programmed to localize the depressed region or regions of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Tactex Controls Inc.Inventors: David M. Lokhorst, Sathya R. Alexander