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:
Oct. 05, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1997
Kazuhiko Arai, Hachioji, JP;
Susumu Tachi, Tsukuba, JP;
Olympus Optical Co., Tokyo, JP;
Susumu Tachi, Tsukuba, JP;
Abstract
A device for inputting a shape of an object includes a base mounted on the object, a flex detecting unit for detecting an amount of flex of the object, and a stretch detecting unit, coupled to the base and to the flex detecting unit, for detecting an amount of stretch between the base and the flex detecting unit which corresponds to an amount of stretch of the object. The stretch detecting unit includes a stretch mechanism which is expanded or contracted in accordance with the stretch of the object, and the amount of stretch of the object is detected based on a detected amount of stretch of the stretch mechanism. The flex detecting unit includes a member which is deformable in an amount corresponding to the amount of flex of the object, and the amount of flex of the object is detected based on a detected amount of deformation of the deformable member.