Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on a first substrate and a deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure overlaps the first electrode and the second electrode to define a variable capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode that changes with the deformation of the deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure comprises a spacing component configured to provide spacing between the deformable electrode structure and the first electrode and the second electrode. Finally, a transmission component is configured such that biasing the transmission component causes the deformable electrode structure to deform and change the variable capacitance. A measurement of the variable capacitance can be used to determine force information regarding the force biasing the transmission component.

A manual manipulation apparatus including a frame assembly, at least one handle associated with frame assembly, a mounting structure configured for mounting of a computer device relative to the frame assembly and an optional glide base connected to the frame assembly, the glide base defining an area of reduced friction. The handle can be configured as a grip handle which allows a gripping force to be applied and indicated.

A computer system for identifying a posture adopted by a subject is disclosed. The computer system includes a computer processor that is configured to execute the following functions: obtain a set of reference pressure images, each of the reference pressure images associated with a known posture; obtain a recorded pressure image of the subject; compare the recorded pressure image of the subject with a candidate pressure image from the set of reference pressure images; and repeat the comparing function until the recorded pressure image with the candidate pressure image.

Disclosed herein is a comb sensor for measuring combing resistance, wherein the comb sensor comprises: a comb or brush comprising a handle, a head connected to the handle, and teeth connected to the head; and a bend sensor located on at least one of the teeth, to measure the bending of the one of the teeth. The present invention provides improved sensitivity and/or detailed measurement result.

Disclosed herein is a comb sensor for measuring combing resistance, wherein the comb sensor comprises: a comb or brush comprising a handle, a head connected to the handle, and teeth connected to the head; and a bend sensor located on at least one of the teeth, to measure the bending of the one of the teeth. The present invention provides improved sensitivity and/or detailed measurement result.

Provided is a sensor that is able to efficiently identify a variety of motions made by a user. The sensor includes: a structure body configured to be deformable by an external force; an electrode configured to be disposed at an arbitrary position of the structure body; a determination unit configured to determine a contact state of an object with the structure body based on a change in impedance measured using the electrode; and an output unit configured to output a signal based on the contact state of the object with the structure body to an external device.

A sensing device including a sensor, a triggering mechanism is provided. The sensing device is attachable to a covering positioned in contact with a body such that the triggering mechanism extends between first and second segments of the body. Movement of at least one of the first and second segments activates the triggering mechanism to provide an input to the sensor, actuating the sensor to generate an output defining at least one measurement of the movement. The measurement may be one or more of rotation, translation, velocity, acceleration, and joint angle. An intermediate mechanism may be interposed between the triggering mechanism and the sensor. The sensing device may include a means to process or record measurements corresponding to movement. A system and method of measuring the movement is also provided.

A sensing device including a sensor, a triggering mechanism is provided. The sensing device is attachable to a covering positioned in contact with a body such that the triggering mechanism extends between first and second segments of the body. Movement of at least one of the first and second segments activates the triggering mechanism to provide an input to the sensor, actuating the sensor to generate an output defining at least one measurement of the movement. The measurement may be one or more of rotation, translation, velocity, acceleration, and joint angle. An intermediate mechanism may be interposed between the triggering mechanism and the sensor. The sensing device may include a means to process or record measurements corresponding to movement. A system and method of measuring the movement is also provided.

A strain sensor having an active area that includes a magnetoelastic resonator and spring configured so that the spring undergoes a greater amount of strain than the resonator when the sensor is under load. The sensor is anchored at opposite ends of the active area to a substrate for which strain is to be measured. An interrogating coil is used for wireless sensor readout. A biasing magnet may be included to provide a desired sensor response for the particular application of the sensor. The strain sensor may be implemented as a differential strain sensor that includes a second, strain-independent reference resonator.

A crop quality sensor, comprising an illumination source, an imaging device, and a processor executing application software. The illumination source is shone onto a crop sample, and an image is taken with the imaging device of the illuminated crop sample. The software executing on the processor is used to analyze the image to identify the outlines of individual kernels and to identify which of those outlines contain a specular highlight, indicative that the kernel is whole and unbroken, while the absence of such a specular highlight is indicative of a broken kernel.