Claims
- 1. A device for detecting contact pressure applied to a finger, the finger having a fingernail illuminated by light, the device comprising:at least one photodetector for measuring a change in light reflected by an area of the finger beneath the fingernail in response to the contact pressure applied to the finger and providing a signal corresponding to the change; and a processor for receiving the signal and determining whether the change corresponds to a specified condition.
- 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the photodetector is an array of photodetectors, the array of photodetectors having a spectral range.
- 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the spectral range includes visible and infrared wavelengths.
- 4. A device according to claim 1, further including at least one light source, coupled to the photodetector, the light source for emitting light into the fingernail.
- 5. A device according to claim 1, further including a set of light sources coupled to the photodetector, the set of light sources having varying wavelengths and for emitting light into the fingernail.
- 6. A device according to claim 1, further including:a housing, enclosing the photodetector; and a coupling element, connected to the housing, the coupling element for coupling the housing to the fingernail.
- 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the coupling element is a transparent adhesive material.
- 8. A device according to claim 1, further including:a surface for providing contact pressure to the finger, the surface having indicia; and a position locator, in signal communication with the processor and coupled to the finger, the position locator for identifying the position of the finger with respect to the surface.
- 9. A method for detecting contact pressure applied to a finger, the finger having a fingernail illuminated by light, the method comprising:providing at least one photodetector; measuring a change in light reflected by an area of the finger beneath the fingernail in response to the contact pressure applied to the finger; providing a signal corresponding to the change; and comparing the change to a specified condition.
- 10. A method according to claim 9, further including illuminating the fingernail with light from a light source.
- 11. A method according to claim 10, further including:enclosing the photodetector and the light source in a housing; and coupling the housing to the fingernail.
Parent Case Info
The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application number 60/075,279, filed Feb. 20, 1998, and U.S. provisional application number 60/079,866, filed Mar. 30, 1998, both of which applications are herein incorporated by reference.
Government Interests
This invention was made with government support under Grant Number DAMD17-98-2-8003 awarded by the U.S. Army. The government has certain rights in the invention.
US Referenced Citations (12)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2 305 714 |
Apr 1997 |
GB |
WO 9315476 |
Aug 1993 |
WO |
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/075279 |
Feb 1998 |
US |
|
60/079866 |
Mar 1998 |
US |