Patents Assigned to Bend Labs, Inc.
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Patent number: 12247847Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include compliant sensors having a signal electrode layer of an elastomeric material with conducting material confined to at least one sensor region, at least one trace connected to the at least one sensor, and a perimeter electrode region. The compliant sensors also include a dielectric layer including an elastomeric material having a first side in contact with the signal electrode layer and configured to allow electrical contact to the perimeter electrode region and a top electrode layer including an elastomeric material with conducting material integrated within and in contact with a second side of the dielectric layer and in electrical contact with the perimeter electrode region. In some embodiments, the top electrode layer includes a portion of electrically conducting material configured in a hatched pattern.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Bend Labs, Inc.Inventors: Colton A Ottley, Jared K. Jonas, Colin D. Eichinger, Nathan Grimes, Nathan C. Briggs
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Patent number: 11023044Abstract: An apparatus includes a glove for a human hand, and a sensing network coupled to the glove. The sensing network includes a strand of compliant material with a center axis and a multi-region angular displacement sensor connected to the strand. The multi-region angular displacement sensor includes a first angular displacement unit in a first sense region of the stand. The first angular displacement unit is used to determine a first angular displacement in response to deformation of the first angular displacement unit by a first joint of the human hand. The multi-region angular displacement sensor also includes a second angular displacement unit disposed in a second sense region of the strand. The second angular displacement unit is used to determine a second angular displacement in response to deformation of the second angular displacement unit by a second joint of the human hand.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Bend Labs, Inc.Inventors: Shawn P. Reese, Jared K. Jonas, Matt W. Ball, Colton Allen Ottley
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Patent number: 10959644Abstract: Disclosed is a first force sensing region of footwear. The first force sensing region includes a first force sensor unit. The first force sensor unit includes a first compliant capacitor disposed with respect to a first plane. The first force sensor unit also includes a strain transformation structure disposed with respect to the first plane. The strain transformation structure includes a first transformation element coupled to an outer surface of the first electrode of the first compliant capacitor and a second transformation element coupled to an outer surface of the second electrode of the first compliant capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Bend Labs Inc.Inventors: Shawn P. Reese, Jared K. Jonas, Colton Allen Ottley, Garvin Tran, Nathan Briggs
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Patent number: 10823546Abstract: An apparatus includes a strand of compliant material with a center axis. The apparatus further includes a multi-region angular displacement sensor connected to the strand. The multi-region angular displacement sensor includes a first angular displacement unit in a first sense region of the stand. The first angular displacement unit is used to determine a first angular displacement in response to deformation of the first angular displacement unit. The multi-region angular displacement sensor also includes a second angular displacement unit disposed in a second sense region of the strand. The second angular displacement unit is used to determine a second angular displacement in response to deformation of the second angular displacement unit. The multi-region angular displacement sensor also includes a reinforcement structure that restricts movement of the first and second angular displacement unit with respect to the center axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: BEND LABS, INC.Inventors: Shawn P. Reese, Jared K. Jonas, Matt W. Ball, Colton Allen Ottley
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Patent number: 10551917Abstract: An apparatus includes a glove for a human hand, and a sensing network coupled to the glove. The sensing network includes a strand of compliant material with a center axis and a multi-region angular displacement sensor connected to the strand. The multi-region angular displacement sensor includes a first angular displacement unit in a first sense region of the stand. The first angular displacement unit is used to determine a first angular displacement in response to deformation of the first angular displacement unit by a first joint of the human hand. The multi-region angular displacement sensor also includes a second angular displacement unit disposed in a second sense region of the strand. The second angular displacement unit is used to determine a second angular displacement in response to deformation of the second angular displacement unit by a second joint of the human hand.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Bend Labs, Inc.Inventors: Shawn P. Reese, Jared K. Jonas, Matt W. Ball, Colton Allen Ottley
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Patent number: 9874431Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus including a compliant capacitor and an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end. The elongated structure is compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions and is an elastomer based material. The compliant capacitor includes a first conductive filler embedded within and extending from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure to form a first electrode of the compliant capacitor. The compliant capacitor also includes a second conductive filler embedded within and extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal length to form a second electrode of the compliant capacitor. The compliant capacitor further includes an elastomer dielectric layer extending between the first conductive filler and the second conductive filler.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Bend Labs, Inc.Inventor: Shawn P. Reese
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Patent number: 9612102Abstract: An apparatus includes a strand of compliant material with a center axis. The apparatus further includes a multi-region angular displacement sensor connected to the strand. The multi-region angular displacement sensor includes a first angular displacement unit in a first sense region of the stand. The first angular displacement unit is used to determine a first angular displacement in response to deformation of the first angular displacement unit. The multi-region angular displacement sensor also includes a second angular displacement unit disposed in a second sense region of the strand. The second angular displacement unit is used to determine a second angular displacement in response to deformation of the second angular displacement unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: BEND LABS, INCInventors: Shawn P. Reese, Jared K. Jonas, Matt W. Ball, Colton Allen Ottley
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Patent number: 9476692Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus including a compliant capacitor and an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end. The elongated structure is compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions and is an elastomer based material. The compliant capacitor includes a first conductive filler embedded within and extending from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure to form a first electrode of the compliant capacitor. The compliant capacitor also includes a second conductive filler embedded within and extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal length to form a second electrode of the compliant capacitor. The compliant capacitor further includes an elastomer dielectric layer extending between the first conductive filler and the second conductive filler.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Bend Labs, Inc.Inventor: Shawn P. Reese
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Patent number: 9222764Abstract: Disclosed is a sensing device that includes a flexible substrate having an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated structure being compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions. The sensing device also includes a first compliant strain sensing element embedded within the compliant material and extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure. The first compliant strain sensing element includes a second compliant material that is flexible and bendable, where an electrical property of the first compliant strain sensing element changes in proportion to an applied strain on the elongated structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Bend Labs, Inc.Inventor: Shawn P. Reese
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Patent number: 8941392Abstract: Disclosed is a sensing device that includes a flexible substrate having an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated structure being compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions. The sensing device also includes a first compliant strain sensing element embedded within the compliant material and extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure. The first compliant strain sensing element includes a second compliant material that is flexible and bendable, where an electrical property of the first compliant strain sensing element changes in proportion to an applied strain on the elongated structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Bend Labs, Inc.Inventor: Shawn P. Reese