| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090293631 | Flexural deformation sensing device and a user interface using the same - A sensing device is provided for measuring flexural deformations of a surface. Such a sensing device may be used as a user interface in portable electronic devices. The sensing device comprises at least one cell. The cell comprises a first electrode, a central electrode, a second electrode, a first piezoelectric sensing layer placed between the first electrode and the central electrode, a second piezoelectric sensing layer placed between the central electrode and the second electrode, and a circuit connected to the first, second and the central electrodes. The circuit is configured to measure a first electrical signal between the first electrode and the central electrode, and a second electrical signal between the second electrode and the central electrode. At least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal is responsive to an external stress applied on the sensing device. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090326833 | Apparatus - An apparatus includes a deformable structure in which a neural network comprising a plurality of deformation sensors, e.g. nanowire sensors, and distributed in-situ processing circuits. The circuits generate a signal characterising features of the local deformation of the structure and/or a command signal corresponding to the detected deformation. The structure may be a wearable sleeve that conforms to deformations of a user's skin, part of an electronic device, such as a touch sensitive screen, or an object in itself. The apparatus can provide a user interface, wherein a command corresponding to a current shape of the structure is generated and acted upon by a integrated or remote device, or a device for monitoring a user's position or movement e.g. for replication by a robotic device. The apparatus may have machine learning capability to improve the matching of commands with determined shapes of the deformable structure. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100102954 | Automatic Personal Warning Alert - An automatic personal warning system including: a first moving radio frequency transmitter apparatus; a first movable radio frequency receiver apparatus configured to receive first radio frequency signals originating from the first moving radio frequency transmitter apparatus and thereby obtain an indication of a kinematic parameter of the first moving radio frequency transmitter apparatus and configured to automatically generate a personal warning alert to a user of the first movable radio frequency receiver apparatus if the kinematic parameter of the first moving radio frequency transmitter apparatus satisfies a defined criterion. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100152794 | Apparatus for providing nerve stimulation and related methods - An apparatus comprises an optically transparent electrode configured to provide transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to a user contacting a portion of an exterior surface of said apparatus proximal to said optically transparent electrode. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100164378 | ELECTROLUMINESCENT DEVICE - An example embodiment there is provided an electroluminescent device comprising: an electroluminescent component, a first piezoelectric component, an alpha electrode and a first beta electrode, the electroluminescent component being located between the alpha electrode and the first piezoelectric component, the first beta electrode being in electrical contact with the alpha electrode and in electrical contact with the first piezoelectric component, the alpha electrode, first beta electrode, first piezoelectric component, and electroluminescent component being configured to generate a potential difference across the electroluminescent component responsive to a mechanical stress applied to the first piezoelectric component. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100259472 | INPUT DEVICE - An input device ( | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100263664 | PORTABLE OXYGEN DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING OXYGEN TO A MOBILE USER - A portable oxygen delivery device for increasing the oxygen content in the air inhaled by a user. The device includes solar cells that harvests energy over longer period of time and power instantaneously an electrolysis unit on user-demand for purpose of oxygen refreshment. The oxygen gas produced by the electrolysis unit is conveyed by tubing to an area in the vicinity of the users mouth and nose. The solar cells and the electrolysis unit are integrated in a garment worn by the user. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100315212 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TACTILE INFORMATION - A user interface comprising a display arranged to display visual content and a tactile surface arranged to convey a tactile representation, wherein said tactile representation is based on said visual content. This has the advantage of enabling a user to perceive content being displayed to him with less cognitive effort. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20110037707 | APPARATUS COMPRISING AN OPTICALLY TRANSPARENT SHEET AND RELATED METHODS - An apparatus includes an optically transparent sheet having an electrically conductive layer, an electrode element, and electro-vibration circuitry configured to provide a time-varying voltage signal across the electrically conductive layer and the electrode element so as to cause a user to experience electro-vibration in a first body part of the user when the first body part is moved across an exterior surface of the optically transparent sheet while a second body part of the user is in contact with the electrode element. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110079449 | Generating perceptible touch stimulus - Apparatus including: a body portion having a surface comprising a first surface electrode and a second surface electrode, spaced from the first surface electrode, and a controller configured to apply a time varying potential difference between the first surface electrode and the second surface electrode and configured to control at least the time variation in the potential difference. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110104534 | Battery Cell - A battery cell including: an anode configured to operate as a source of cations during discharge of the battery cell; and an electrolyte configured to transport the cations from the anode to the a cathode during discharge of the battery cell, wherein the cathode includes material that is configured to enable the reversible insertion of transported cations during discharge of the battery cell and that has optical properties that are dependent upon cation insertion and that is viewable by a user. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110120948 | TRAPPING NANOSTRUCTURES - A trap Including: an inlet configured to receive a fluid conveying nanostructures; ionic liquid configured to trap the nanostructures; and an outlet for the fluid. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110248935 | Apparatus and method for sound reproduction - In an embodiment an apparatus includes a graphical display panel and a loudspeaker. The panel has a display layer for displaying images and defines a plurality of apertures penetrating through at least the display layer. The loudspeaker includes a diaphragm arranged substantially parallel to the display layer. Sound from the loudspeaker diaphragm is directed outside a host device through the apertures. The speaker may be an electret or a piezo-electric speaker for thinness. There may be apertures on an opposed side of the host device housing to achieve a dipole pattern which is directed and gives acoustic privacy to the user, or a rear acoustic cavity for a monopole pattern which more broadly disperses the sound. One illustrated embodiment is selectable between monopole and dipole. Size and total area of the holes determines acoustic resistance and so a method is described to determine those from physical parameters of the display panel. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110279250 | Detecting Touch Input and Generating Perceptible Touch Stimulus - An apparatus including a body portion having a surface; at least one feedback electrode configured to provide to a user a feedback stimulus when the user contacts the surface; and a touch sensor arrangement for discriminating different user contacts on the surface. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110286156 | Generating Perceptible Touch Stimulus - Apparatus including: a face including a first surface electrode and a second insulated surface electrode; and a controller configured to apply a time varying potential difference between the first surface electrode and the second insulated surface electrode and configured to control at least the time variation in the potential difference. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20120038559 | Generating Perceptible Touch Stimulus - Apparatus including a first surface electrode and an arrangement of second insulated surface electrodes; a display configured to display an image; and a controller configured to apply a potential difference between the first surface electrode and the arrangement of second insulated surface electrodes and configured to control at least a variation in the applied potential difference in dependence upon the displayed image. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120062371 | HAPTIC COMMUNICATION - In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises: a material attachable to skin, the material capable of detecting a magnetic field and transferring a perceivable stimulus to the skin, wherein the perceivable stimulus relates to the magnetic field. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120075200 | Touch Sensitive Input - An apparatus including: a touch sensitive input responsive to manual actuation; a display output associated with the touch sensitive input; and a controller configured to provide and maintain, in response to a manual actuation at a user selected location of the touch sensitive input, an output at the user selected location to facilitate additional manual actuation via the touch sensitive input in the region of the user selected location. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120113422 | Method and Apparatus for Spectrometry - In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, apparatus comprising a waveguide and a spectral dispersion element, the apparatus being configured to be moveably attachable to a portable device, the portable device comprising a radiation sensing element and a radiation source, the apparatus being configured to be moveably attachable to the portable device to provide a first configuration in which the waveguide is positioned to transmit radiation from the radiation source towards an analyte region and/or from the analyte region towards the dispersion element; and such that the dispersion element is positioned to disperse radiation from the analyte region to form a spectrum which is provided towards the radiation sensing element for spectral analysis, and a second configuration in which the radiation sensing element and radiation source are able to capture and illuminate a scene for image capture. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120144925 | Apparatus, method, and computer program product for sensing flexural deformation - A sensing device is provided for measuring flexural deformations of a surface. Such a sensing device may be used as a user interface in portable electronic devices. The sensing device comprises at least one cell. The cell comprises a first electrode, a central electrode, a second electrode, a first piezoelectric sensing layer placed between the first electrode and the central electrode, a second piezoelectric sensing layer placed between the central electrode and the second electrode, and a circuit connected to the first, second and the central electrodes. The circuit is configured to measure a first electrical signal between the first electrode and the central electrode, and a second electrical signal between the second electrode and the central electrode. At least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal is responsive to an external stress applied on the sensing device. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120237043 | Surface Texture Recording With Microphone - An apparatus including a microphone; and a profilometer system including the microphone. The profilometer system is configured to use vibrations received at the microphone to create a Surface Texture File (STF). | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120279422 | Apparatus And Associated Methods - A coating including a liquid-phobic and/or liquid-philic material, the coating configured to control the shape of a corresponding liquid to form a liquid lens of specific focal length on the coating. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120320492 | Apparatus and Associated Methods - An apparatus including first and second electrodes separated by an electrolyte, at least one of the first and second electrodes including an actuating substrate configured to undergo reversible deformation during actuation, wherein reversible deformation of the actuating substrate causes a decrease in the internal resistance of the apparatus. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130077810 | Apparatus and Associated Methods - An apparatus including an electronic display and a stationary part, the stationary part configured to overlie the display face of the electronic display such that the display face of the electronic display is positioned behind the stationary part, the electronic display/display face configured to vibrate with respect to the stationary part, vibration of the electronic display/display face configured to displace air adjacent to the plane of the electronic display to generate sound waves in the direction of the stationary part, wherein the stationary part is substantially acoustically transparent and configured such that the sound waves generated by the vibrations are able to radiate through the stationary part. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130104323 | User Interfaces and Associated Apparatus and Methods | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130106758 | Apparatus and Associated Methods | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130106765 | Apparatus and Associated Methods | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130106774 | Apparatus and Associated Methods | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130215065 | Apparatus Comprising An Optically Transparent Sheet And Related Methods - An apparatus includes an optically transparent sheet having an electrically conductive layer, an electrode element, and electro-vibration circuitry configured to provide a time-varying voltage signal across the electrically conductive layer and the electrode element so as to cause a user to experience electro-vibration in a first body part of the user when the first body part is moved across an exterior surface of the optically transparent sheet while a second body part of the user is in contact with the electrode element. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20140049505 | Apparatus and Associated Methods - An apparatus including a plurality of adjacent repeated base units, each base unit formed from an active electrode of first, second and third touch sensor arrays, the first, second and third touch sensor arrays each including a plurality of active electrodes connected to a respective common terminal of the touch sensor array, wherein each base unit includes an active electrode of the second touch sensor array interlaced between an active electrode of the first touch sensor array and an active electrode of the third touch sensor array such that a swipe touch gesture applied to two or more adjacent active electrodes of the apparatus generates signalling at the respective common terminals of the corresponding touch sensor arrays which allows the direction of the swipe touch gesture to be determined. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140092055 | Apparatus and associated methods - An apparatus including a shaft configured to be gripped by a user to provide input to a touch input panel; and a tip located at an interacting end of the apparatus for interacting with the touch input panel, the tip including an electrically conductive element and an electrically insulating material, the electrically insulating material configured to capacitively decouple the electrically conductive element from the shaft and/or user, wherein the electrically conductive element is configured to couple capacitively to an electrotactile electrode of the touch input panel when the electrically conductive element is in proximity to the electrotactile electrode, capacitive coupling between the electrically conductive element and the electrotactile electrode creates vibrations in the tip to cause a variation in the frictional force between the tip and the touch input panel as perceived by a user gripping the shaft during relative lateral movement of the tip and touch input panel. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140313021 | Haptic Device for Pedestrian Navigation - An apparatus comprises a first magnetic plate; a second magnetic plate oriented parallel no the first magnetic plate, magnetically coupled to the first magnetic plate, and slidable relative to the first magnetic plate; a dielectric material positioned between the first magnetic plate and the second magnetic plate; and a contact in communication with the first magnetic plate and the second magnetic plate through which a voltage is applied, the voltage generating a signal that is responsive to a task performed on a mobile device, the signal providing a haptic effect to the first magnetic plate and the second magnetic plate upon sliding of the first magnetic plate relative to the second magnetic plate. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20150049899 | Apparatus And Method For Sound Reproduction - In an embodiment an apparatus includes a graphical display panel and a loudspeaker. The panel has a display layer for displaying images and defines a plurality of apertures penetrating through at least the display layer. The loudspeaker includes a diaphragm arranged substantially parallel to the display layer. Sound from the loudspeaker diaphragm is directed outside a host device through the apertures. The speaker may be an electret or a piezo-electric speaker for thinness. There may be apertures on an opposed side of the host device housing to achieve a dipole pattern which is directed and gives acoustic privacy to the user, or a rear acoustic cavity for a monopole pattern which more broadly disperses the sound. One illustrated embodiment is selectable between monopole and dipole. Size and total area of the holes determines acoustic resistance and so a method is described to determine those from physical parameters of the display panel. | 02-19-2015 |
