Abstract: Disclosed herein are implementations that relate to determining tactile information using encoders coupled to one or more fingers of a robotic gripping device. The robotic gripping device may include a finger. The finger may include a deformable front face, a base link, a first encoder, and a second encoder. The first encoder may be coupled to the base link of the finger, and configured to detect a grip angle of the finger while the robotic gripping device is gripping an object. The second encoder may be coupled to the deformable front face of the given finger, proximate to the base link of the finger. Additionally, the second encoder may be configured to detect a bend angle of the deformable front face of the finger while the robotic gripping device is gripping the object.

Abstract: An evaluation subject formed by a cut sample of a conveyor belt is mounted on a flat substrate with an inner periphery-side cover rubber layer located on the upper side, a support roller mounted in a frame is horizontally pulled and rolled in the longitudinal direction of the evaluation subject by pulling the frame by a wire while the support roller is pressed vertically downward against the upper surface of the evaluation subject at a preset pressure using a pneumatic cylinder without substantial deformation of the outer peripheral surface thereof, and tensile force in a horizontal direction measured at this time by a tensile force sensor connected to the wire is evaluated as resistance to moving over the support roller.

Abstract: A load transducer is disclosed herein. The load transducer includes a body portion having a plurality of sides, the plurality of sides of the body portion including a first side; a plurality of beam portions including a first beam portion and a second beam portion, the first beam portion being coupled to the body portion, the second beam portion being coupled to the first beam portion, and the second beam portion extending along the first side of the body portion; and at least one load cell disposed on one or more of the plurality of beam portions, the at least one load cell configured to measure at least one force or moment component of a load applied to the load transducer. A force measurement assembly including a plurality of load transducers with first and second beam portions is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A mobile computer may determine it is located in a vehicle or a conveyance based on a measured distance, satellite related positioning information, and a touch input.

Abstract: Techniques for testing ultrasonic fingerprint sensors include operating a fingerprint impress simulator that may cyclically press a contact pad of the simulator against a platen of an ultrasonic sensor under test. A control electronics arrangement may operate the ultrasonic sensor under test and the fingerprint impress simulator, and may receive ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic sensor under test. The ultrasonic sensor may include an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic sensor array disposed between the ultrasonic transmitter and the platen. The control electronics arrangement may cause the ultrasonic transmitter to emit an ultrasonic pulse, and may receive ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic sensor array, the ultrasonic image data being converted from a detected portion of the ultrasonic pulse.

Abstract: A pelvic floor treatment apparatus (100) includes a head portion (A) and a body portion (B) connected to the head portion (A) at a first end. The body portion (B) comprises: one or more pressure transducers (D1) located along a length of the body portion (B) and configured to determine pressure at one or more locations within an organ, wherein at least one of the one or more pressure transducers (D1) is selectively movable along the length of the body portion (B); and one or more electrodes (D2) configured to selectively electrically stimulate a location within the organ.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a dosimeter is employed to passively record a peak pressure (e.g., a peak blast pressure) and/or a maximum acceleration experienced by the dosimeter.

Abstract: A feedback device for measuring balance related information, and for producing a stimulation of the skin that encodes that information in a way that is useful to the wearer of the device. At least one sensor detects balance information and transmits at least one balance information signal to a signal processing subsystem. The signal processing subsystem converts the received balance information signal into at least one stimulation control signal. The signal processing subsystem then transmits the stimulation control signal to at least one stimulator, which provides stimulation to a wearer of the device reflecting the stimulation control signal received from the signal processing subsystem.

Abstract: A piezoelectric tactile input device and method in a computing environment. An embodiment disclosed herein includes a touch screen having several piezoelectric regions within a piezoelectric material layer that may generate a voltage when deformed in a localized area. The piezoelectric layer may be disposed between sensor layers of rows and columns of sensor traces for detecting the voltage generated at any particular piezoelectric region. The detected voltage signals may then be used to extrapolate the position of the localized area in which the piezoelectric layer was deformed (e.g., from a finger touch or a stylus). Further, because the piezoelectric layer generates a greater voltage in the presence of a greater pressure, the device may further decipher a relative level of force for the tactile input on the touch screen and detect multiple touch locations.

Abstract: A feedback device for measuring balance related information, and for producing a stimulation of the skin that encodes that information in a way that is useful to the wearer of the device. At least one sensor detects balance information and transmits at least one balance information signal to a signal processing subsystem. The signal processing subsystem converts the received balance information signal into at least one stimulation control signal. The signal processing subsystem then transmits the stimulation control signal to at least one stimulator, which provides stimulation to a wearer of the device reflecting the stimulation control signal received from the signal processing subsystem.

Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide calibration for a sensor. The calibration includes adapting an output signal of the sensor based on acceleration components at the sensor and a rotational frequency of the sensor.

Abstract: An external force judgment method including a reference value acquisition step of acquiring a reference value of a relative position or angle of a second member with respect to a first member when a robot on which no external force is acting or on which a known external force is acting is assumed to be operated by a predetermined command in advance; a measured value acquisition step of acquiring a measured value of a relative position or angle of the second member with respect to the first member when the robot is operated by the predetermined command; and a judgment step of judging the presence or absence of an external force acting on the robot based on a difference between the reference value and the measured value and a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a tactile sensation is provided. The tactile sensation measuring apparatus may include a plurality of pressure measuring units, each to measure a magnitude of an external pressure applied, using a variable resistance material of which a resistance changes when an external pressure is applied, and a tactile sensation measuring unit to measure a three-dimensional (3D) tactile sensation corresponding to the external pressure, based on a position of each of the plurality of pressure measuring units, and the magnitude of the external pressure measured by each of the plurality of pressure measuring units.

Abstract: An electronic pen device includes a pen body housing, a pen tip unit is provided inside the pen body housing and pressed in any of a plurality of directions via an external force, a light emitting device is provided inside the pen tip unit, and a switch unit is engaged with the pen tip unit and electrically contacts the pen tip unit, thus activating the light emitting device when the pen tip unit is pressed in any of the plurality of directions.

Abstract: A first substrate that includes pressure sensors which are disposed in plural around a reference point; an approximately hemispherical elastic protrusion that is positioned so that the center of the elastic protrusion is approximately disposed in a position which is overlapped with the reference point, and is elastically deformed by an external force; and a second substrate that is separated from the elastic protrusion and installed on a side which is opposite to the first substrate are provided. When the external force is applied, a predetermined calculation is performed by using a pressure value which is detected through each pressure sensor, and the direction and the intensity of the applied external force are obtained.

Abstract: Wireless strain and displacement sensors wirelessly monitor structural health and integrity, and are made by printing inductor-interdigital capacitor sensing circuits on a variety of substrates, including ceramic substrates, with thermally processable conductive inks. Sensors of the invention can be employed to detect strain and displacement of civil structures, such as bridges and buildings. The sensors include sensing elements that are mounted or printed on stiff, inflexible substrates, which prevent the sensing elements from bending, stretching, or otherwise warping when the sensor is strained. An interlayer between the sensing elements allows the sensing elements to move with respect to each other during application of strain. Thus, strain causes the sensing elements to move but not to deform, causing changes in sensor resonance that can be detected through wireless radio-frequency interrogation.

Abstract: A kiosk apparatus that may select for a person a recommended footcare product based on pressure measurements collected from pressures sensors or calculated biomechanical data estimates. Pressure measurements and calculated biomechanical data estimates may be used to determine if a foot is unshod on the pressure sensor and also group a person into a classified subgroup. The pressure measurement and calculated biomechanical data estimates may also be used to select a recommended footcare product.

Abstract: A force sensing kickboxing apparatus and methods of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a body including an externally facing first side and an internally facing second side, an electronic device connected to the body and configured to provide information associated with the body, a sensor housing attached to a portion of the second side of the body forming a pocket between the sensor housing and the portion of the internally facing second side, and a sensor positioned within the pocket and communicatively coupled to the electronic device, the sensor configured to detect an object contacting a portion of the first side of the body in proximity to the sensor.

Abstract: A driving unit for use in an electric assist bicycle includes a rotation detection device in addition to a torque detection device such that the detection resolution of the rotation detection device is increased. The driving unit includes a housing, a crankshaft, a torque detection device, a rotating member, and a rotation detection device. The rotating member includes a connecting shaft and an output shaft. The connecting shaft is located at one of the ends of the rotating member disposed along its axis, and is coupled with the crankshaft in the housing. The output shaft is located at the other one of the ends of the rotating member disposed along its axis. The rotation detection device includes a detected portion and a detector. The detected portion is provided on the rotating member, and located around the central axis of the crankshaft in the housing.

Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a plurality of first sensing elements that are arranged in a plurality of rows on a first layer and a plurality of second sensing elements that are vertically aligned in a plurality of columns on the first layer. The second sensing elements in each column are electrically connected together and each of the plurality of columns are separate conductors from one another. The plurality of second sensing elements include a plurality of vertical elements that form an interlocking pattern with the plurality of first sensing elements.

Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a plurality of first sensing elements that are arranged in a plurality of rows on a first layer and a plurality of second sensing elements that are vertically aligned in a plurality of columns on the first layer. The second sensing elements in each column are electrically connected together and each of the plurality of columns are separate conductors from one another. The plurality of second sensing elements include a plurality of vertical elements that form an interlocking pattern with the plurality of first sensing elements.

Abstract: A load transducer includes a central body portion; a plurality of beams extending outwardly from the central body portion, each of the plurality of beams including an end portion that is supported in a cantilevered manner from the central body portion; and a plurality of load cells, each of the load cells being disposed on one of the beams, the plurality of load cells configured to measure a plurality of force and/or moment components. In addition to being very accurate and reliable, the load transducer has a low profile and small size. This invention is easily manufactured using strain gage technology.

Abstract: A flexible force or pressure sensing mat includes a first sheet of electrically conductive first paths, a second sheet of electrically conductive second paths, and a sensing layer positioned between the first and second sheets. The first and second conductive paths are oriented transversely to each other, and the locations of their intersections define individual sensing areas or sensors. The sensing layer is made from materials that have first and second electrical characteristics—such as capacitance and resistance—that vary in response to physical forces exerted thereon. A controller repetitively measures the multiple electrical characteristics of each sensor in order to produce a near real time pressure distribution map of the forces sensed by the mat. The mat can be used on a patient support surface—such as a bed, cot, stretcher, recliner, operating table, etc.—to monitor and help reduce the likelihood of a patient developing pressure ulcers.

Abstract: A torque-measurement device that has a rotational axis, and wherein the torque-measurement device includes an inner tubular structure, an outer tubular structure, and a plurality of ribs that each have a length dimension in a rib-length direction parallel to the rotational axis, a rib-width dimension in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and extending radially rotational axis, and a minimum rib-thickness dimension in a thickness direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the width direction, wherein the length dimension is greater than the width dimension and the width dimension is greater than the thickness dimension, wherein each of the plurality of ribs has a center plane that lies in the rib-length direction and the rib-width direction, and wherein a torque applied between the inner tubular structure and the outer tubular structure results in an angular displacement of inner tubular structure relative to the outer tubular structure.

Abstract: A torque-measurement device that has a rotational axis, and wherein the torque-measurement device includes an inner tubular structure, an outer tubular structure, and a plurality of ribs that each have a length dimension in a rib-length direction parallel to the rotational axis, a rib-width dimension in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and extending radially rotational axis, and a minimum rib-thickness dimension in a thickness direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the width direction, wherein the length dimension is greater than the width dimension and the width dimension is greater than the thickness dimension, wherein each of the plurality of ribs has a center plane that lies in the rib-length direction and the rib-width direction, and wherein a torque applied between the inner tubular structure and the outer tubular structure results in an angular displacement of inner tubular structure relative to the outer tubular structure.

Abstract: A force sensor device has at least three arcs distributed around a central axis. The arcs have integrated sensing elements that measure strain applied on the arc resulting from a force applied on the central axis.

Abstract: With the Z-axis given as a central axis, on an XY-plane, arranged are a rigid force receiving ring, a flexible detection ring inside thereof, and a cylindrical fixed assistant body further inside thereof. Two fixing points on the detection ring are fixed to a supporting substrate, and two exertion points are connected to the force receiving ring via connection members. When force and moment are exerted on the force receiving ring, with the supporting substrate fixed, the detection ring undergoes elastic deformation. Capacitance elements or others are used to measure distances between measurement points and the fixed assistant body and distances between the measurement points and the supporting substrate. Elastic deformation of the detection ring is recognized for mode and magnitude, thereby detecting a direction and magnitude of force or moment which is exerted.

Abstract: A pressure sensing sheet includes at least first, second, and third layers wherein the first and third layers each have conductive paths defined therein that are separated by nonconductive spacers. The orientation of the conductive paths of the first layer are transverse to the orientation of the conductive paths of the third layer. The second layer is made of material that has an electrical characteristic that changes with applied pressure, such as, but not limited to, piezoresistive or piezoelectric material. The first and/or third layers are made from multi-material sheets wherein a first type of material will repel conductive particles when subjected to an autocatalytic coating process, while the second type of material will bond with the conductive particles during the autocatalytic coating process. The use of different materials in the first and/or third layers facilitates the manufacturing of the conductive paths and nonconductive spacers.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for inspecting a magazine including a plurality of partially-finished products. The apparatus is configured to inspect a stopper of the magazine before providing the magazine to a packaging process, and further configured to classify the stopper into a normal product. The magazine comprising the stopper classified as the normal product is into the packaging process.

Abstract: In one aspect, a transducer body includes a support having clevis halves. The sensor body includes a generally rigid peripheral member disposed about a spaced-apart central hub joined to each of the clevis halves. At least three flexure components couple the peripheral member to the hub. The flexure components are spaced-apart from each other at generally equal angle intervals about the hub; the sensor body further including a flexure assembly for some flexure components joining the flexure component to at least one of the hub and the peripheral member, the flexure assembly being compliant for forces in a radial direction from the hub to the peripheral member. Each flexure assembly is configured such that forces transferred concentrate strain at a midpoint along the length of each corresponding flexure component.

Abstract: Force and torque sensors (10, 10a) include a load-bearing element (12), and strain gauges (20, 22, 23) mounted on the load-bearing element (12) so that the strain gauges (20, 22, 23) generate outputs responsive to external forces and moments applied to the load-bearing element (12). The strain gauges (20, 22, 23) are configured, and the responsive outputs of the strain gauges (20, 22, 23) are processed such that the force and moment measurements generated by the sensors (10, 10a) are substantially immune from drift due to thermally-induced strain in the load-bearing element (12).

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible sensor for measuring torque with respect to an axis of rotation in conjunction with an applied linear force includes a shaft arranged in a longitudinal direction substantially along the axis of rotation, a base component arranged along the axis of rotation and displaced with respect to the shaft, a torque detector assembly configured to be coupled to rotational motion of the shaft about the axis of rotation relative to the base component, and a linear-force detector assembly configured to be coupled to linear motion of the shaft from a force applied in a direction substantially coincident with the axis of rotation relative to the base component. The torque detector assembly and the linear-force detector assembly are substantially de-coupled from each other such that torque measurements are substantially independent of linear force measurements. The MRI compatible sensor consists essentially of MRI compatible materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring the pressure and/or the tension exerted at different points of a flexible, foldable and/or extensible textile material capable of being used as a garment, lapel, or the like; said device is remarkable in that it includes, on the one hand, at least one sensor obtained from a single layer (1), formed of an arrangement of at least three types of fibers, piezoresistive fibers forming piezoresistive areas (2), conductive fibers forming electrically-conductive areas (3), and insulating fibers forming electrically-insulating areas (4) and, on the other hand, an electronic circuit (5) capable of measuring the electric resistance variation of the piezoresistive areas submitted to one or several forces.

Abstract: A dual force plate system having two independent measurement surfaces is disclosed herein. The dual force plate system includes a first plate component having a first measurement surface for receiving a first portion of a body of a subject, a second plate component having a second measurement surface for receiving a second portion of the body of the subject, a first force transducer element operatively coupled to the first plate component, a second force transducer element operatively coupled to the second plate component, and a third force transducer element operatively coupled to both the first plate component and the second plate component. A force plate system for computing a center of gravity of a subject is also disclosed herein. In addition, a method for determining the center of gravity for a subject disposed on a force measurement assembly is described herein.

Abstract: A force sensing kickboxing apparatus and methods of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a body including an externally facing first side and an internally facing second side, an electronic device connected to the body and configured to provide information associated with the body, a sensor housing attached to a portion of the second side of the body forming a pocket between the sensor housing and the portion of the internally facing second side, and a sensor positioned within the pocket and communicatively coupled to the electronic device, the sensor configured to detect an object contacting a portion of the first side of the body in proximity to the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and devices configured to determine misalignment of targets of a rotating shaft by monitoring axial and radial aspects of targets and the shaft. In one embodiment, a target monitoring system includes a first horizontal probe communicatively connected to at least one first horizontal target connected to the shaft, and a first axial probe located adjacent to the first horizontal probe and communicatively connected to the first horizontal target. The system also includes a second horizontal probe communicatively connected to at least one second horizontal target connected to the shaft, and a second axial probe located adjacent to the second horizontal probe and communicatively connected to the second horizontal target. The system may further include an end probe disposed proximate a first end of the shaft for monitoring axial movement of the shaft, and a computing device communicatively connected to the end probe and each horizontal and axial probe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a detection device for detecting a strength and a direction of an external force applied to a reference point, the detection device including: a first substrate having a plurality of first capacitor electrodes arranged around the reference point; a second substrate arranged to face the first substrate by interposing the first capacitor electrodes; a dielectric body arranged between the first and second substrates and made of an elastic body or fluid; a second capacitor electrode arranged to face the first capacitor electrodes by interposing the dielectric body between the first and second substrates; and a third substrate having an elastic projection which has a gravity center in a location overlapping with the reference point and is elastically deformed by the external force while a tip thereof abuts on the second substrate.

Abstract: A numerical control device determines whether or not a spindle is in a cutting state where it machines a workpiece. If the spindle is in a cutting state, the numerical control device calculates a second rotational speed, which is obtained by multiplying a rotational speed of the spindle by a weight corresponding to a force on the spindle calculated based on a torque of a feed shaft, and integrates the calculated value into an index value. If the spindle is not in the cutting state, the numerical control device integrates the rotational speed of the spindle into the index value. The lifetime of a bearing is estimated based on the index value.

Abstract: A bearing unit (20) for measuring forces exerted on the bearing unit, comprising an inner member (3) concentrically arranged around an outer member (2), at least one rolling element bearing (4, 5) and at least one load measuring device (8, 9) with a cylindrical bore. The load measuring device (8, 9) is mounted to one of the members (3) and supports the rolling element bearing (4, 5) relatively to this member (3). The rolling element bearing (4, 5) is mounted to the other of the members (2) and supports this member (2) relatively to the load measuring device (8, 9). Thus, a force acting on the bearing unit is transferred from one of the inner and outer members (2, 3) to the other of the inner and outer members (2, 3) via the at least one load measuring device (8, 9). According to the invention, the at least one load measuring device (8, 9) and the at least one rolling element bearing (4, 5) are arranged laterally to each other in a radial gap between the inner and outer members (2, 3).

Abstract: A detection device includes a first substrate having a plurality of force sensors disposed around respective reference points, and a second substrate on which is formed elastic protrusions whose centers of gravity are positioned in positions that overlap with respective reference points and that elastically deform due to the force in a state in which the tips of the elastic protrusions make contact with the first substrate. The second substrate is an elastic material having a predetermined elasticity.

Abstract: A flexible tactile imager includes an array of sensing cells that measure shear force and normal force. The sensing cells include a first sub-cell and a second sub-cell. Each sub-cell includes multi-fingered capacitors configured to measure shear force in a first or second direction and to measure the normal force. The multi-fingered capacitors include a flexible printed circuit board, a comb-like fingered sense electrode and drive electrode patterned on a layer of the flexible printed circuit board, a deformable dielectric material positioned above the comb-like fingered sense and drive electrodes, the comb-like fingered floating electrode patterned above the deformable dielectric material, a first capacitance formed between the comb-like fingered sense electrode and the comb-like fingered floating electrode, and a second capacitance formed between the comb-like fingered drive electrode and the comb-like fingered floating electrode.

Abstract: A system includes a device and a contactless inductive force sensing system. The device includes a first band having a first magnetically encoded region with a first magnetic polarity spaced apart from a second magnetically encoded region having a second magnetic polarity. The device further includes a second band having a third magnetically encoded region with the second magnetic polarity spaced apart from a fourth magnetically encoded region having the first magnetic polarity. The contactless inductive force sensing system is used for measuring one or more mechanical force components of the device and generating a mechanical force component signal.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to stress sensors and methods of sensing stress. In an embodiment, a stress sensor comprises a vertical resistor. The vertical resistor can comprise, for example, an n-type resistor and can have various operating modes. The various operating modes can depend on a coupling configuration of terminals of the resistor and can provide varying piezo-coefficients with very similar temperature coefficients of resistances. Comparisons of resistances and piezo-coefficients in differing operating modes can provide a measure of mechanical stresses acting on the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a tactile information, using a material having variable pressure dependent properties is disclosed. The apparatus for measuring the tactile information may include a plurality of pressure measurement units to measure a magnitude of an external pressure using a material having variable properties, and a tactile information measurement unit to measure a three-dimensional (3D) tactile information based on the external pressure using a location of the plurality of pressure measurement units and a pressure measured by the plurality of pressure measurement units.

Abstract: A sensor assembly comprises a base plate and a sensor member displaceable relative to the base plate. A spring arrangement operates in first and second stages in response to displacement of the sensor member relative to the base plate. Different resolutions of force and torque measurements are associated with the first and second stages. A light sensitive transducer senses displacement of the sensor member relative to the base plate and generates corresponding output signals. A collimator directs a plurality of light beams onto the light sensitive transducer so that the light beams strike different pixels of the light sensitive transducer to sense displacement of the sensor member relative to the base plate.

Abstract: An operation body is oscillatably supported by a fulcrum member. One side of the operation body is in contact with a projection of an actuator of a pressing force sensor, and a preload is applied to another side of the operation body by a compression coil spring as a preloading elastic member. By the preload, a detection output of the pressing force sensor is set at a neutral point. An operating force by which the one side of the operation body is pressed and an operating force by which the other side of the operation body is pressed can be distinctly detected with the single pressing force sensor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a load cell assembly and methods of folding a circuit device are disclosed. A flexible circuit body including a strip having at least one hinge is provided, with the strip being in a first position or an unfolded position. A plurality of strain gauges are attached to the strip, with the hinge disposed between the strain gauges. A jig is provided and the strip of the flexible circuit body is folded along the hinge utilizing the jig to define a second position or folded position of the strip.

Abstract: A force sensing array includes multiple layers of material that are arranged to define an elastically stretchable sensing sheet. The sensing sheet may be placed underneath a patient to detect interface forces or pressures between the patient and the support structure that the patient is positioned on. The force sensing array includes a plurality of force sensors. The force sensors are defined where a row conductor and a column conductor approach each other on opposite sides of a force sensing material, such as a piezoresistive material. In order to reduce electrical cross talk between the plurality of sensors, a semiconductive material is included adjacent the force sensing material to create a PN junction with the force sensing material. This PN junction acts as a diode, limiting current flow to essentially one direction, which, in turn, reduces cross talk between the multiple sensors.

Abstract: A detection unit includes a sensor that detects the presence of force and a force component separation mechanism that separates the magnitude and the direction of the force and a control unit that controls the detection action of the force component separation mechanism based on the detection result of the sensor.

Abstract: A detection unit includes a sensor that detects the presence of force and a force component separation mechanism that separates the magnitude and the direction of the force and a control unit that controls the detection action of the force component separation mechanism based on the detection result of the sensor.