Abstract: The method comprises measuring the position of two opposite guide rails in respect of the DGB direction and the BTF direction with a plumb line and a measurement device arranged at each guide rail. Each measurement device comprises a guide shoe being supported on at least two guide surfaces of the guide rail, a measurement frame connected to the guide shoe, and sensor means for sensing the position of the plumb line in respect of the measurement frame. The twist of the guide rails is measured with a wire extending between the two measurement devices and an edge sensor arranged in connection with at least one of the two measurement devices.

Abstract: An actuator is configured to include a first substrate that has a first conductive surface, which may be or include a first conductive electrode layer. The actuator also includes a second substrate that has a second conductive surface, which may be or include a second conductive electrode layer. The first and second conductive surfaces face toward each other across a compression space between the first and second substrates. A group of elastic support nodules span the compression space and separate the first and second conductive surfaces. The compression space is less than fully filled with solid elastic material and is configured to be compressed by relative movement of the first and second conductive surfaces toward each other in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces.

Abstract: An actuator is configured to include a first substrate that has a first conductive surface, which maybe or include a first conductive electrode layer. The actuator also includes a second substrate that has a second conductive surface, which may be or include a second conductive electrode layer. The first and second conductive surfaces face toward each other across a compression space between the first and second substrates. A group of elastic support nodules span the compression space and separate the first and second conductive surfaces. The compression space is less than fully filled with solid elastic material and is configured to be compressed by relative movement of the first and second conductive surfaces toward each other in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces.

Abstract: An actuator is configured to include a first substrate that has a first conductive surface, which may be or include a first conductive electrode layer. The actuator also includes a second substrate that has a second conductive surface, which may be or include a second conductive electrode layer. The first and second conductive surfaces face toward each other across a compression space between the first and second substrates. A group of elastic support nodules span the compression space and separate the first and second conductive surfaces. The compression space is less than fully filled with solid elastic material and is configured to be compressed by relative movement of the first and second conductive surfaces toward each other in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces.

Abstract: An actuator is configured to include a first substrate that has a first conductive surface, which may be or include a first conductive electrode layer. The actuator also includes a second substrate that has a second conductive surface, which may be or include a second conductive electrode layer. The first and second conductive surfaces face toward each other across a compression space between the first and second substrates. A group of elastic support nodules span the compression space and separate the first and second conductive surfaces. The compression space is less than fully filled with solid elastic material and is configured to be compressed by relative movement of the first and second conductive surfaces toward each other in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120). The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108). When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member. A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120). The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz. The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation. The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108).

Abstract: An interface apparatus (1600A) comprises a surface (1642) touchable by a finger (120). The surface has a touch-sensitive area with a predetermined position (1646), to which a function is assigned. The finger's presence at the predetermined position (1646) is detected. An electrosensory stimulus is generated to the finger by applying an alternating electrical drive to one or more electrodes (1662). Each electrode is provided with an insulator, which prevents DC flow from the electrode to the finger and a capacitive coupling over the insulator is formed between the electrode (1662) and the finger (120). The capacitive coupling and electrical drive are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation, independently of mechanical vibration of the electrode. The electrosensory stimulus is varied temporally based on the detected presence or absence of the of the finger (120) near the at least one touch-sensitive area having the predetermined position (1646).

Abstract: Embodiments of tactile stimulation apparatuses and components of such apparatuses are generally described herein. For example, in one embodiment, a tactile stimulation apparatus is provided. This tactile stimulation apparatus has a composite section comprising an insulation region and a semiconducting region that is proximate to the insulation region. This insulation region is touchable by a body member. Additionally included is a voltage source proximate to the semiconducting region. Here, the voltage source is configured to charge the semiconducting region to an electric potential, which produces an electrosensory sensation on the body member.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120). The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108). When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member. A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120). The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz. The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation. The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108).

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120). The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108). When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member. A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120). The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz. The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation. The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108).

Abstract: A haptic companion device may take the example form of a haptic cover that includes a housing and a transparent component. The housing may be shaped and dimensioned to receive a host device that includes a touch screen, and the touch screen may be configured to sense an input by a body member of a user of the host device. The transparent component overlays the touch screen of the host device when the haptic companion device is in use, and graphical objects displayed on the touch screen of the host device are visible through the transparent component. The haptic companion device includes a communication interface configured to communicatively couple the haptic companion device with the host device. The haptic companion device also includes electronic circuitry coupled to the transparent component. The electronic circuitry is configured to provide a haptic effect to the body member via the transparent component.

Abstract: Embodiments of tactile stimulation apparatuses and components of such apparatuses are generally described herein. For example, in one embodiment, a tactile stimulation apparatus is provided. This tactile stimulation apparatus has a composite section comprising an insulation region and a semiconducting region that is proximate to the insulation region. This insulation region is touchable by a body member. Additionally included is a voltage source proximate to the semiconducting region. Here, the voltage source is configured to charge the semiconducting region to an electric potential, which produces an electrosensory sensation on the body member.

Abstract: Embodiments of tactile stimulation apparatuses and components of such apparatuses are generally described herein. For example, in one embodiment, a tactile stimulation apparatus is provided. This tactile stimulation apparatus has a composite section comprising an insulation region and a semiconducting region that is proximate to the insulation region. This insulation region is touchable by a body member. Additionally included is a voltage source proximate to the semiconducting region. Here, the voltage source is configured to charge the semiconducting region to an electric potential, which produces an electrosensory sensation on the body member.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120). The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108). When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member. A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120). The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz. The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation. The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108).

Abstract: Embodiments of tactile stimulation apparatuses and components of such apparatuses are generally described herein. For example, in one embodiment, a tactile stimulation apparatus is provided. This tactile stimulation apparatus has a composite section comprising an insulation region and a semiconducting region that is proximate to the insulation region. This insulation region is touchable by a body member. Additionally included is a voltage source proximate to the semiconducting region. Here, the voltage source is configured to charge the semiconducting region to an electric potential, which produces an electrosensory sensation on the body member.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120). The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108). When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member. A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120). The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz. The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation. The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108).

Abstract: A computerized method for determining a test subject's (TS) hearing threshold (HT). An acoustic stimulus (AS, 102) is applied the test subject's (TS) ear. The stimulus intensity is increased during a ramp, with a predetermined dependency on time, such that the intensity begins below the hearing threshold and ends above it. The test subject's brain response (104), which includes a transient brain response (TR)1 is non-invasively recorded during the ramp section. The stimulus-response cycle is repeated several times. The recorded brain responses and stored a-priori information on transient brain response to the acoustic stimulus are used to determine a combined time interval between the acoustic stimulus and the transient brain response. The test subject's hearing threshold is determined based on the predetermined dependency on time of the intensity during the ramp and the combined time interval between the acoustic stimulus and the transient brain response.

Abstract: A haptic device may allow a user to explore the tactile sensations associated with information being displayed on a display. This methodology can be referred to as a “hold-and-feel” mode. The user may first perform a gesture to inform the device to hold the display stationary, in order to explore the information, instead of scrolling or panning the information on the display. For example, to enter the “hold-and-feel” mode, a user may press one finger on the side of the screen to lock the information content with respect to the screen so that the display contents are no longer moved as the user slides another finger over the screen. In a haptic device that supports tactile sensory stimulation, this “hold-and-feel” mode allows the user to feel one or more objects or elements (e.g., a link or image) on the screen, for example, as variations of surface texture.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120). The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108). When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member. A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120). The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz. The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation. The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described for displaying an on-screen keyboard on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device is described. The method may detect contact of a finger in a contact area of the display and monitor movement of the contact area on display in response to movement of the finger across the display. The method may determine that the contact area is proximate a region of the display that includes a key of the on-screen keyboard, and provide a haptic effect to indicate that the finger is proximate the at least one key. The haptic effect may be provided via the display and be provided proximate to the detected contact area. In an example embodiment, an anchor on one or more keys of the on-screen keyboard is provides a further haptic effect to the finger when the finger is proximate to the anchor.