The present invention relates to a tactile sensor, a tactile stimulation sensing method using the same, and a robot skin and a robot comprising the same. Particularly, the present invention relates to a tactile sensor comprising an input layer for receiving an external tactile stimulus; a microphone member; and a medium layer disposed between the input layer and the microphone member, and including gas therein to transmit vibrations by the stimulus, a tactile stimulation sensing method using the same, and a robot skin and a robot comprising the same.

A surgical instrument includes a wireless transmission system for transmitting at least one of power and a data signal through between an end effector and an instrument housing of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes the sensor monitoring and processing circuit.

A staple cartridge comprising a memory device and a system configured to limit access to data stored on the memory device is disclosed.

A composite structure for a pressure sensor, a pressure sensor, a method of pressure sensing using the pressure sensor, and a method of fabricating a composite structure for a pressure sensor. The method of fabricating a composite structure for a pressure sensor comprises the steps of forming an array of microstructures made from an elastomeric material; and forming a flexible conductive coating on the array of microstructures such that a surface morphology of microstructures is substantially maintained for the coated array of the microstructures; wherein the conductive coating exhibits a Young's modulus that is higher than that of the elastomeric material.

Sensor systems are described that are designed to be integrated with gloves for the human hand. An array of sensors detects forces associated with action of a hand in the glove, and associated circuitry generates corresponding control information that may be used to control a wide variety of processes and devices.

A woven fabric includes first and second woven fabric layers with an intermediate layer in between, which form a sensor with an electrical characteristic that changes while a force is acting on the woven fabric. The first layer includes electrically conductive strips and electrically non-conductive strips arranged adjacent to one another in an alternating manner. The second layer includes alternating conductive strips and non-conductive strips that extend transverse to the strips of the first layer. At least some of the threads in each of the conductive strips of the first layer are conductive weft threads. At least some of the threads in each of the conductive strips of the second layer are conductive weft threads. The non-conductive strips of the first and second layers are weft threads.

A compound sensor that is capable of being used with robotics is provided such that the compound sensor includes a distance measurement unit and a pressure measurement unit. Further, a contact detection unit, which is dedicated to performing a detection when a measurement target contacts with a surface of the sensor is included.

The sensor detects a proximity situation and applied external force in the same installation area while minimizing elements and boards included in a sensor. A proximity and tactile sensor 10 includes a body unit 11 to be attached to a detection target portion and a detection unit 12 configured to obtain approaching distance of an object to the body unit 11 and magnitude of external force. The body unit 11 includes an electrode 14 formed by a rigid body with conductivity, a magnetic body 15 integrally attached to the electrode 14, a foam 16 disposed outside the electrode 14 and magnetic body 15 and composed of an elastic body, and a magnetic sensor 17 configured to detect change in magnetic field from the magnetic body 15. The detection unit 12 includes a proximity sensing unit 22 and an external force sensing unit 23.

A slip detecting device according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of contact parts having different slipping characteristics when an object (600) in contact with the plurality of regions is slipping; and a sensor that detects a pressure distribution of each of the plurality of contact parts. By employing the plurality of contact parts having different slipping characteristics when the object (600) in contact with the plurality of regions, a timing at which a whole slip occurs is different between the plurality of contact parts, and thus a state of a partial slip in which a part of the object (600) is slipping is able to be detected, so that it is possible to detect a slip of the object (600) with high accuracy.

A flexible circuit package. The circuit package includes a termination point on a flexible base substrate. The termination point is connected with an interface by conductive material on the base substrate. The conductive material extends across the surface area of the base substrate in multiple individual connections, which are in communication with each other and separated by voids in the conductive material for mitigating communication failure between the termination point and the interface during or following flexion, stretching, compression or other deformation of the base substrate and the circuit package. The termination point may include an input module such as a sensor, switch or other input. The termination point may include an output module such as a light, vibrator or other output. The interface may include an output interface for receiving data or an input interface for sending a command or other signal.