The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 30, 2019
Filed:
Sep. 01, 2016
Rtc Inc., Dexter, MI (US);
Richard H. Harrington, Dexter, MI (US);
Michael Rontal, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Charles W. Krapf, Livonia, MI (US);
Frank J. Fedel, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Doug Briggs, Waukesha, WI (US);
Other;
Abstract
Electrical feedback is provided to a user who cannot receive full sensation from a body part due to amputation, neuropathy or other condition. A sensor array includes an array of capacitive force-sensing elements operative to sense axial and shear forces applied to that element. Temperature may also be sensed at each force-sensor location. An electrode matrix, adapted for external placement in an area on a user of the sensor array, includes an array of electrodes in physical correspondence to the array of capacitive sensing elements of the sensor array. An electronic controller is configured to receive electrical signals representative of the axial and shear forces applied to the sensor array and drive the electrode matrix with electrical stimulation signals corresponding to the electrical signals received from the sensor array, thereby enabling the user to experience force and/or temperature sensations experienced by the body part through the electrode matrix.