A weight sensor comprises a sensing system including a target piece and a sensing element, configured to provide changes of a magnetic field, being generated by motion of the target piece. The sensing element senses these changes and provides a signal representative of the position of the target piece. An integrated circuit with processing means can process signals from the sensing element. The flexible piece receives a force stimulus, so that upon exerting a force on the flexible piece by a product due to the weight of said product, the displacement of the target piece with respect to sensing elements can be sensed.

A force sensing system for determining if a user input has occurred, the system comprising: an input channel, to receive an input from at least one force sensor; an activity detection stage, to monitor an activity level of the input from the at least one force sensor and, responsive to an activity level which may be indicative of a user input being reached, to generate an indication that an activity has occurred at the force sensor; and an event detection stage to receive said indication, and to determine if a user input has occurred based on the received input from the at least one force sensor.

A low-cost sensor and apparatus comprising same, and a system for measuring force, comprising an end-effector having a first end and a second end on opposing sides of the end-effector; a first sensor located at the first end of the end-effector; and a second sensor located at the second end of the end-effector.

A low-cost sensor and apparatus comprising same, and a system for measuring force, comprising an end-effector having a first end and a second end on opposing sides of the end-effector; a first sensor located at the first end of the end-effector; and a second sensor located at the second end of the end-effector.

The present disclosure describes sensor devices that can be readily integrated with prosthetic devices to provide sensing of force and torque applied to the prosthetic device during use. The sensor device includes an adaptor section that readily connects to standard prosthetic components and a base section. The base section has a deflectable portion and a fixed portion. Cantilevers in the deflectable portion house magnets and corresponding Hall effect sensors are housed in the fixed portion. When axial and/or torsional forces are applied, the cantilevers deflect relative to the fixed section and the Hall effect sensors provide a corresponding output that correlates to the axial and/or torsional forces applied.

A force sensor that quantitatively detects an external force. The force sensor comprises a base unit, a displacement unit displacing by an external force, a first displacement sensor pair including two sets of sensors detecting a relative displacement between the base unit and the displacement unit in a first direction, and a second displacement sensor pair including two sets of sensors detecting a relative displacement between the base unit and the displacement unit in a second direction. Among four quadrants divided by two straight lines along each of the first direction and the second direction wherein, the straight lines passing through a midpoint of the two sets of sensors composing the first displacement sensor pair, the two sets of sensors composing the second displacement sensor pair are respectively disposed in two quadrants in which the two sets of sensors composing the first displacement sensor pair are respectively disposed.

A force sensor that quantitatively detects an external force. The force sensor comprises a base unit, a displacement unit displacing by an external force, a first displacement sensor pair including two sets of sensors detecting a relative displacement between the base unit and the displacement unit in a first direction, and a second displacement sensor pair including two sets of sensors detecting a relative displacement between the base unit and the displacement unit in a second direction. Among four quadrants divided by two straight lines along each of the first direction and the second direction wherein, the straight lines passing through a midpoint of the two sets of sensors composing the first displacement sensor pair, the two sets of sensors composing the second displacement sensor pair are respectively disposed in two quadrants in which the two sets of sensors composing the first displacement sensor pair are respectively disposed.

A force sensing system for determining if a user input has occurred, the system comprising: an input channel, to receive an input from at least one force sensor; an activity detection stage, to monitor an activity level of the input from the at least one force sensor and, responsive to an activity level which may be indicative of a user input being reached, to generate an indication that an activity has occurred at the force sensor; and an event detection stage to receive said indication, and to determine if a user input has occurred based on the received input from the at least one force sensor.

A pneumatic-based tactile sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a tactile sense transmitting pneumatic unit for generating pneumatic pressure by an external load applied to a first side; and a tactile sense receiving sensor unit for measuring the load by transforming a magnitude of pneumatic pressure of the tactile sense transmitting pneumatic unit into a displacement.

A pneumatic-based tactile sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a tactile sense transmitting pneumatic unit for generating pneumatic pressure by an external load applied to a first side; and a tactile sense receiving sensor unit for measuring the load by transforming a magnitude of pneumatic pressure of the tactile sense transmitting pneumatic unit into a displacement.