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. 20, 2009
Filed:
Aug. 08, 2005
Mark Graham, Middlesbrough, GB;
Chris Lussey, Richmond, GB;
Mark Graham, Middlesbrough, GB;
Chris Lussey, Richmond, GB;
Peratech Limited, Durham, GB;
Abstract
A sensor () for detecting input force and/or torque with six degrees of freedom for use as a computer input device is provided. The sensor has a technically simple detection mechanism which obviates the need for complex and fragile securing components. A user-manipulable core () is enclosed in a casing (). Electrodes () in the casing () are separated from the core () by a layer of elastically deformable conductive polymer (). Electric current flows between the core () and the electrodes (). The polymer () has variable resistivity depending on the stress it experiences. Manipulation of the core () causes deformation of the polymer (); the type of deformation, and hence the type of force/torque applied to core (), is determinable from the currents flowing through the electrodes ().