Configurable industrial input devices that use electrically conductive elastomer
US6888537B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 3, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0488
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A configurable operator panel that uses a tactile sensor with electrically conductive elastomer and appropriate electronics is disclosed herein. The device relies on a robust and inexpensive tactile sensor that senses the touch position (and may or may not sense touch pressure as well). The physical interface is easily configurable along with the electronics, which execute the desired function based on touch location and pressure. The configurable operator panel is designed to communicate with most industrial automation equipment, including but not limited to, motion control equipment, programmable logic controllers (PLC), personal computers, and can be made to control other types of machines requiring external analog or digital input.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.