Abstract: A biometric sensing apparatus is employed by a person in order to obtain biometric data regarding the person. Transmitting and receiving antennas are used in order to transmit and receive signals. Measurements of the received signals are correlated with biological activity in order to provide biometric data for the person.

Abstract: Two or more objects, or an object and an environment are each fitted with two or more range measurement devices. Each of the range measurement devices is provided with a transceiver capable of outputting a unique code and information that can be used in range measurement, and receiving from other range measurement devices unique codes and information that can be used in range measurement. Range measurements from range measurement devices on the object or located in the environment are used to derive the relative position of the range measurement devices, from which a relative position of the objects, or of the object and an environment can be derived.

Abstract: Disclosed are touch sensitive devices and methods of responding to hits in touch sensitive devices that include a graphical user interface having interface elements, each associated with a program element. A hit test map updater is used to process graphical user interface information into a hit test map in connection with the rendering of the graphical user interface, such that the hit test map associates properties with interface elements appearing on the graphical user interface. An input processor is used to receive a location corresponding to an input in connection with an input event, search the hit test map in which values are associated with interface elements appearing in the graphical user interface, and identify a property of the interface element from the values. In an embodiment, the identified property is proved to a central processing system and a user interface event is generated.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors for application to a steering wheel or other generally toroidal objects is disclosed. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises interleaving transmit and receive conductors. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises crossing transmit and receive conductors. In an embodiment, sensor conductors are first provided on a flat substrate, which sensors placed on the flat substrate in a configuration that will permit expansion application of the substrate to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A low-latency touch sensor is disclosed for use in connection with a touch surface having first and second conductors sensitive to changes in coupling therebetween as a result of touch (and/or near-touch). A signal generator generates unique orthogonal signals, a transmitter transmits the orthogonal signals on each of the first conductors. Receivers connected to the second conductors receive signals during a measurement period. The signals measured during the measurement period are processed to determine, for each measurement period, and for each of the second conductors, a signal strength corresponding to each of the unique orthogonal signals. The signal strengths can be used as a basis to determine touch events.

Abstract: A handheld controller and a system for modeling movement of fingers about the handheld controller is disclosed. In an embodiment, the handheld controller generates signals for, and acquires touch and infusion data. In an embodiment, a processor creates a heatmap and an infusion map, and combines the information in the maps to determine boundaries between finger positions. In an embodiment, movement of a particular digit on a handheld controller is identified through such boundary constraints. In an embodiment, movement of fingers about a handheld controller is efficiently modeled based on the boundary constraints.

Abstract: A touch sensor is provided having a sensing area comprising at least one drive conductor and one sense conductor. The drive conductor and the sense conductor are each disposed on the substrate such that, for any two given points on the drive conductor within the sensing area, the nearest point to each on the sense conductor within the sensing area is a different distance away. Drive and sense circuitry are used to measure a touch delta resulting from a given touch on the sensor. For a given touch, the measured touch delta will vary with the location of that touch along the length of the conductors. A third conductor may be added that has the same relationship with a middle (drive or sense) conductor. Repeating use of the two or three conductor patterns can be used to cover wider areas.

Abstract: A touch sensitive keyboard is disclosed. In one embodiment, a touch sensitive keyboard is provided that has a touchpad area separate from the keyboard keys. The keyboard is configured to disabled touchpad sensitivity when certain touch signals are received. In another embodiment, a touch sensitive keyboard is used as a controller. In a controller mode, keys on a touch sensitive keyboard are adapted to output a signal strength corresponding to a distance between the key and a finger operating as a control. In an embodiment, a touch sensitive keyboard includes a processor adapted to output a keystroke in response to one of the plurality of touch sensitive keys being pressed, and to output one or more touch points determined by interpolating signal strength for each of the plurality of touch sensitive keys on the keyboard.

Abstract: A close-range motion detector has at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, and at least one more transmitter or receiver. The transmitter(s) transmit, and the receiver(s) receive signals in one of the ultrasonic or mm-wave ranges. Multiple transmitters or receivers are spaced apart from one-another along a plane, and transmission of a signal takes place at a known time. Echos of the signal that bounce of a scatterer are received and digitized during a receive window, and the time-of-flight is determined using CAF. Time scaling may be determined as well, and may be determined using CAF. The determined time-of-flight is used to determine an X-Y-coordinate for the scatterer, and its motion (e.g., velocity) can be determined, which are output. In an embodiment, a such a close-range motion detector can be implemented on the side of a smart-watch, making a virtual writing surface on the back of a user's hand.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for decreasing latency between an acquisition of touch data and processing of an associated rendering task in a touch sensitive device having a touch sensing system capable of producing touch data at a touch sampling rate and having a display system that displays frames at a refresh rate. In an embodiment, the system estimates at least one of (a) a period of time for sampling touch data from the touch sensing system, (b) a period of time for computing touch event data from sampled touch data, and (c) a period of time for rendering of a frame to a frame buffer. The system determines a period of time Tc for (a) sampling touch data from the touch sensing system, (b) computing touch event data from sampled touch data, and (c) rendering of a frame to a frame buffer, based at least in part on the estimate. The system determines a point in time Tr at which the display system will be refreshed from the frame buffer.

Abstract: A key switch implements a receiving switch conductor and transmitting switch conductor in the key switch. Depressing the key switch will cause the receiving switch conductor and transmitting switch conductor to approach each other. The approach of a finger and movement of the key switch can be detected using the receiving switch conductor and the transmitting switch conductor.

Abstract: A multibend sensor comprises a reference strip having a first plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the first plurality of electrodes is adapted to receive a signal; a sliding strip having a second plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the second plurality of electrodes is adapted to transmit at least one signal, wherein the sliding strip moves with respect to the reference strip; and measurement circuitry adapted to process signals received by the first plurality of electrodes, wherein the processed signals provide information regarding the relative position of the sliding strip to the reference strip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a touch-sensitive controller system employing a controller comprising a plurality of separate FMT sensor patterns adapted to detect a variety positions of the human hand. The controller system outputs both touch events as well as data reflective of the hand interaction with the controller. The FMT sensors may be driven by a common signal generator, and can look at body-generate crosstalk to aid in understanding the position, orientation and grip of a hand on the controller. In an embodiment, signal injection can supplement FMT sensor data. Fusion among the data transmitted and received by the plurality of FMT sensors and additional injected signals may provide improved fidelity in both touch and hand modeling.

Abstract: A sensor system for determining activity of muscles. A plurality of receiving antennas are located on a wearable located proximate to a user skin's surface. A transmitting antenna is located at a location proximate to a user's skin. The transmitting antenna transmits infuses a signal to a user. Measurements of the infused signal are performed on the signals received by the receiving antennas. The measurements of the infused signal are processed and activity of the muscles of the user is determined based on the processed measurements.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors for application to a steering wheel or other generally toroidal objects is disclosed. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises interleaving transmit and receive conductors. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises crossing transmit and receive conductors. In an embodiment, sensor conductors are first provided on a flat substrate, which sensors placed on the flat substrate in a configuration that will permit expansion application of the substrate to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A multi-modal sensor is disclosed that is able to detect and discriminate objects in the near-range range, mid-range and far-range. The sensor uses different sensing modalities that are adapted to cooperate and operate together depending upon the range of the object that is being detected. In an embodiment, infrared transmitters and infrared sensors are used, wherein the infrared transmitters transmit signals in the infrared range that frequency orthogonal with respect to each other.

Abstract: A controller for sensing deformation including a sensor structure having a deformable conductor and another conductor (which may also be deformable). The deformable conductor may be made out of a flexible non-fluid material (e.g., rubber) or a conductive fluid. The deformable conductor may be deformed by the deformation of the sensor structure or by other forces. The sensor comprises circuitry to drive and sense signals on interacting pairs of conductors (the deformable conductor or the other conductor can act as the drive side, or as the sense side). Sense signals are processed to analyze deformation of the deformable conductor, and deformation of the sensor structure. Where the sensor is deployed proximate to human skin, deformation and changes in deformation may be used to correlate or infer a body position, movement or pose.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and corresponding touch sensitive device that can be altered to change sensitivity and distance over which it interacts with an object. A touch sensor is configured to detect location of a touching object hovering above a touch surface. A ground plane is located behind the touch surface at a predetermined distance from the touch surface. A processor in the touch sensor is configured to control the effective distance between the ground plane and the touch surface and sensitivity of detection of a finger or touching object hovering above the touch surface.

Abstract: A touch device has a plurality of row conductors and a plurality of column conductors. Located proximate to where the row conductors and the column conductors interact are additional conductor arrangements that are able to increase the capacitive interaction that occurs on the touch device. The conductor arrangements are formed from different column conductors and row conductors located proximate to the where the row and column conductors interact and form different arrangements.

Abstract: A sensor system is able adjust control location and the type of controls based on the positioning of a user's hands. The sensor system is adapted to detect the positioning of a hand or body part and compensate for the changing positions of the hand or body part. When the positioning of the hand or body part changes, the controls that are able to be activated by the hand or body part also change and adapt to the location where the controls are activated, providing accessible and/or contextualized controls.