Patent · US Expired

Fingernail sensors for measuring finger forces and finger posture

US6388247B2 · kind B2 · utility

28Cited by
13References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 9, 2001
Grant dateMay 14, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 9, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2203/0331
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A device for detecting the posture a finger or forces applied to a finger, the finger having a fingernail illuminated by light, comprises at least one photodetector for measuring a change in light reflected by an area of the finger beneath the fingernail in response to the posture of the finger or forces applied to the finger. The photodetector provides a signal corresponding to the change in light reflected. The device also includes a processor for receiving the signal and determining whether the change corresponds to a specified condition. The photodetector may be enclosed in a housing and coupled to the fingernail.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.