Patents by Inventor Erwin Bosman

Erwin Bosman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Optical shear sensor and method of producing such an optical shear sensor
    Patent number: 8780335
    Abstract: An optical shear sensor that includes a first and second outer surface at opposing sides and a sensing element is disclosed. In one aspect, the sensing element has an optoelectronic source for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength and having a source front surface where light exits the optoelectronic source, and a photodetector for detecting light of the predetermined wavelength and having a detector front surface where light of the optoelectronic source is received. The optoelectronic source is positioned along the first outer surface and emits light towards the second outer surface. A flexible sensing layer transparent to the predetermined wavelength covers the front surface of the optoelectronic source and the front surface of the photodetector. Upon application of a shear stress, the sensing layer deforms elastically and the outer surfaces are displaced along directions parallel to each other and the source front surface so the intensity of light detected by the photodetector changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: IMEC, Universiteit Geent
    Inventors: Geert Van Steenberge, Jeroen Missinne, Erwin Bosman, Bram Van Hoe
  • Optical tactile sensors
    Patent number: 8567257
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing pressure is disclosed. The sensor may be a pressure sensor for sensing pressure, or a tactile sensor for sensing tactile events through pressure measurement. In one aspect, the sensor includes at least one pressure sensor having at least one VCSEL on a substrate. It further includes a compressible sensor layer covering a top surface of the at least one VCSEL, and a reflecting element covering a top surface of the sensor layer. A method of manufacturing such a sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: IMEC, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universiteit Gent
    Inventors: Geert Van Steenberge, Erwin Bosman, Hugo Thienpont
  • OPTICAL TACTILE SENSORS
    Publication number: 20120160031
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing pressure is disclosed. The sensor may be a pressure sensor for sensing pressure, or a tactile sensor for sensing tactile events through pressure measurement. In one aspect, the sensor includes at least one pressure sensor having at least one VCSEL on a substrate. It further includes a compressible sensor layer covering a top surface of the at least one VCSEL, and a reflecting element covering a top surface of the sensor layer. A method of manufacturing such a sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicants: IMEC, Universiteit Gent, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
    Inventors: Geert Van Steenberge, Erwin Bosman, Hugo Thienpont