Abstract: 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 fibers are coupled to each pressure sensor, each pair of fibers comprising an input fiber and an output fiber. The fibers are coupled to interface electronics comprising a wave energy source coupled to the input fiber of each of the pairs of fibers for providing the applied light energy, and, a wave energy detector coupled to the output fiber of each of the pairs of fibers for converting the scattered light energy into an electrical signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A controller for a work implement, such as the arm of a backhoe, a feller buncher, an excavator or the like provides a number of advantages over previous controllers and control methods. The controller responds to an operator's inputs to a joystick control such that the work implement moves parallel to the direction in which the joystick is deflected at a speed which is proportional to the amount of deflection of the joystick. The controller used the joystick position to generate a path and attempts to cause the work implement to move along the path. The controller computes a maximum available speed in the direction of motion specified by the joystick and is self calibrated so that full deflection of the joystick selects the maximum available speed. The controller has a self calibration mode which compensates for variability in the motion produced by the various actuators in response to given control signals.

Abstract: A new method for controlling movement of a digging dipper includes providing an earthmoving machine with two drive systems for moving the dipper along two respective paths. Also provided is a control apparatus having a reference axis and a knob mounted for movement between a first, repose position and a maximum position spaced from the repose position by a maximum displacement dimension. The knob is displaced along a control axis to a second position which is spaced from the repose position by an actual displacement dimension less than the maximum displacement dimension. The drive systems are energized and the dipper is powered along a digging axis generally parallel to the control axis. A new apparatus for controlling movement of the dipper has a single control knob having a repose position and also has first and second motion transducers mechanically coupled to the knob.