Abstract: A linear sensor (101, 201) comprising electrically conductive textile fibres (103, 105, 205, 207) and electrically insulating textile fibres (106, 208). The sensor comprises at least two conductive elements (102, 104, 204, 206) having electrically conductive textile fibres (103,105, 205, 207). The sensor also has electrically insulating textile fibres (106, 208) spaced to separate the two electrically conductive elements when no pressure is applied to said sensor, and to allow electrical conduction between the two conductive elements under the application of pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for covering a portable computer of the type provided with a touch screen as an alternative to a keyboard. A case generally includes a first part connected to a second part by an axial hinge. The axial hinge allows the first part and the second part to be configurable between an open position for receiving the portable computer and a closed position. The case includes a fabric keyboard sensitive to the manual application of pressure, and having defined key positions. The case also includes a control circuit for identifying mechanical interactions to generate output data. The fabric keyboard is connected to the case such that the fabric keyboard may be turned about an axis within the case that extends substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge. The portable computer includes an interface and executable instructions for interpreting the output data. The interface may be a mechanical interface or a radio interface.

Abstract: Apparatus for covering a portable computer of the type provided with a touch screen as an alternative to a keyboard. A rectangular fabric bag has an opening at one of the smaller ends of the rectangle for receiving the portable computer. The bag includes a fabric surface sensitive to the manual application of pressure, key positions defined on the fabric surface and a control circuit for identifying mechanical interactions to generate output data. The portable computer includes an interface and executable instructions for interpreting said output data. The interface may be a mechanical interface or a radio interface.

Abstract: A sensor having a three layer construction comprising a first knitted conductive textile plane, a second conductive textile plane and an intermediate separating plane penetrable by the first knitted conductive textile plane to allow the first conductive textile plane and the second conductive textile plane to make electrical contact under a mechanical interaction. The intermediate separating plane defines structural endpoints from which the first knitted conductive textile plane deforms towards the second conductive textile plane under a mechanical interaction. The first knitted conductive textile plane has conductive yarn knitted to form a repeating pattern of stitches each comprising a stitch looping portion SLP having a looping portion footprint LPF. Within the sensor, there is at least one of a plurality of described dimensional relationships between stitches of the first knitted conductive textile plane and structural endpoints of the intermediate separating plane.

Abstract: A flexible foldable keyboard apparatus includes a flexible foldable keyboard (101) having a key defining plane (102), an interface device and phone supporting device (103). The phone supporting device (103) is arranged to unfold from a storage configuration, in which the phone supporting device (103) is folded onto the key defining plane (102) to allow the key defining plane (102) to be wrapped around the phone supporting device (103), to present a telephone supporting configuration, in which the phone supporting device (103) is configured to receive a mobile telephone (401). The phone supporting device (103) is configured to support a mobile telephone (401) in an orientation in which an electrical connection is provided between the interface device and the electrical connectors of the mobile telephone (401), such that the mobile telephone (401) and the flexible foldable keyboard (101) are in electrical communication.

Abstract: A position sensor is shown for detecting the position of a mechanical interaction. The sensor includes a first conductive fabric layer having electrically conductive fibres incorporated therein to allow conduction in a first direction. The first conductive fabric layer has a first electrical conductor element a and a second electrical conductor element positioned at opposite ends of a first conductive path extending in a first direction. The first and second electrical conductor elements each comprise a length of electrically conductive thread machined to form a conductive track of stitches that extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second electrical conductor elements do not intersect.

Abstract: A linear sensor (101, 201) comprising electrically conductive textile fibres (103, 105, 205, 207) and electrically insulating textile fibres (106, 208). The sensor comprises at least two conductive elements (102, 104, 204, 206) having electrically conductive textile fibres (103,105, 205, 207). The sensor also has electrically insulating textile fibres (106, 208) spaced to separate the two electrically conductive elements when no pressure is applied to said sensor, and to allow electrical conduction between the two conductive elements under the application of pressure.

Abstract: A manually deformable input device responsive to manually applied pressure. The input device comprises a deformable electroconductive material (602) configured to exhibit changes in conductance (resistance) in response to being stretched or compressed, from which an extent of manually applied pressure can be determined. An electrical interface device (604) is configured to supply electrical current through the electroconductive material (602) via a first terminal (605) and a second terminal (606), and the input device further comprises a third terminal (607) connected at a position intermediate the first and second terminals. The electrical interface device (604) is configured to receive a voltage from the third terminal (607), which is representative of a proportion of voltage drop across the electroconductive material (602). The input device operates as a potential divider sensitive to manual operation irrespective of the absolute conductance (resistance) of the electroconductive material (602).

Abstract: A flexible foldable keyboard apparatus includes a flexible foldable keyboard (101) having a key defining plane (102), an interface device and phone supporting device (103). The phone supporting device (103) is arranged to unfold from a storage configuration, in which the phone supporting device (103) is folded onto the key defining plane (102) to allow the key defining plane (102) to be wrapped around the phone supporting device (103), to present a telephone supporting configuration, in which the phone supporting device (103) is configured to receive a mobile telephone (401). The phone supporting device (103) is configured to support a mobile telephone (401) in an orientation in which an electrical connection is provided between the interface device and the electrical connectors of the mobile telephone (401), such that the mobile telephone (401) and the flexible foldable keyboard (101) are in electrical communication.