PCT
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`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
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`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
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`International Bureau
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`(51)International Patent Classification 6 :
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`(11)International Publication Number:
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`WO 99/35745
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`H03K 17/96, G06K 11/06
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`Al
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`(43)International Publication Date:
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`15 July 1999 (15.07.99)
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`(30)Priority Data:
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`pp 1198
`pp 4149
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`AU
`2 January 1998 (02.01.98)
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`AU
`17 June 1998 (17.06.98)
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`(21)International Application Number:
`(81)Designated States: AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR,
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`PCT/ AU98/01075
`BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD,
`GE, OH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP,
`(22)International Filing Date:23 December
`1998 (23.12.98)
`KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK,
`MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG,
`SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, 1R, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU,
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`ZW, ARIPO patent (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG,
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`ZW), Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ,
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`TM), European patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI,
`FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OAPI patent
`(BF, BJ, CF, CG, Cl, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE,
`SN, TD, TG).
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`(71)Applicants
`US): PERDEC
`(for all designated States except
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`PTY. LTD. [AU/AU]; P.O. Box 586, Kyneton, VIC 3444
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`(AU). EDEN WORTH PTY. LTD. [AU/AU]; P.O. Box 36,
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`Berwick, VIC 3806 (AU).
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`Published
`(72)Inventor; and
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`(75) Inventor/Applicant GOMES, Dale [AU/AU];
`(for US only):
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`P.O. Box 36, Berwick, VIC 3806 (AU).
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`With international search report.
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`(74)Agent: Mc MASTER & ASSOCIATES; Bourke Place, Level
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`15, 600 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 (AU).
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`(54)Title:
`SENSOR DEVICE
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`()r_()
`1 _J
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`- ......._ 2
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`(57)Abstract
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`A sensor device comprising: (a) an interface medium having an outer layer for interaction by a user; (b) at least two transducers
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`on or in, the interface medium and spaced from the outer layer, and each adapted to generate a signal in response to interaction by
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`the user; and (c) a processor to receive the signal and determine the location on the outer layer at which the user has interacted with the
`outer layer.
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`IPR2020-00778
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`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
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`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT.
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`SI Slovenia
`LS Lesotho
`ES Spain
`AL Albania
`LT Lithuania SK Slovakia
`Fl Finland
`AM Armenia
`LU Luxembourg SN Senegal
`FR France
`AT Austria
`LV Latvia
`sz Swaziland
`AU Australia GA Gabon
`Kingdom MC Monaco
`AZ Azerbaijan GB United
`TD Chad
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`MD Republic of Moldova TG Togo
`and Herzegovina GE Georgia
`BA Bosnia
`MG Madagascar TJ Tajikistan
`GH Ghana
`BB Barbados
`GN Guinea
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`MK The former Yugoslav TM Turkmenistan
`BE Belgium
`of Macedonia TR Turkey
`GR Greece
`Republic
`BF Burkina Faso
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`ML Mali
`HU Hungary
`TT Trinidad and Tobago
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`BG Bulgaria
`IE Ireland
`MN Mongolia
`UA Ukraine
`BJ Benin
`MR Mauritania UG Uganda
`IL Israel
`BR Brazil
`MW Malawi
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`us United States of America
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`IS Iceland
`BY Belarus
`IT Italy
`MX Mexico
`uz Uzbekistan
`CA Canada
`Republic JP Japan
`NE Niger
`CF Central African
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`Viet Nam
`VN
`KE Kenya
`NL Netherlands YU Yugoslavia
`CG Congo
`CH Switzerland KG Kyrgyzstan NO Norway
`Zimbabwe
`zw
`CI Cc\te d'Ivoire KP Democratic People's NZ New Zealand
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`Republic of Korea PL Poland
`CM Cameroon
`of Korea PT Portugal
`KR Republic
`CN China
`KZ Kazakstan RO Romania
`cu Cuba
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`CZ Czech Republic LC Saint Lucia
`RU Russian Federation
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`LI Liechtenstein SD Sudan
`DE Germany
`LK Sri Lanka
`SE Sweden
`DK Denmark
`LR Liberia
`SG Singapore
`EE Estonia
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`IPR2020-00778
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`WO 99/35745
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`PCT/AU98/01075
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`1
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`Sensor Device
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`Field of the Invention
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`The invention relates to a sensor device which relies on transducers which are capable of
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`5 being activated by, for example, sound, thermal conditions, light or chemicals.
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`Background of the Invention
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`Whilst the following description is in terms of touch switch sensor technology, it will be
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`appreciated that the invention is not limited to touch switch "sensors".
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`Conventional touch sensitive technology is limited to highly electrically insulated areas of
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`1 o sensitivity (ie in terms of electrical resistance or capacitance) between adjacent touch
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`sensitive areas. These insulated areas are required to prevent touch sensitive areas from
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`being activated from an area adjacent to that area being touched.
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`Unfortunately such insulative requirements usually mean that complicated manufacturing
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`techniques need to be adopted, both in terms of design and process steps. For example, in
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`15 conventional user interfaces (touch pads) used in automatic teller machines, the touch pad
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`areas. This of plastic in predetermined is fabricated by providing a number of layers
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`arrangement
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`of layers ensures that adjacent touch sensitive areas are not inadvertently
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`Likewise
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`physical barriers have been introduced to prevent such undesired activation.
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`20 These are usually in the form of a rigid metal or rigid plastic stencil which overlays the
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`touch sensitive which align with each individual touch sensitive areas and has openings
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`area. Therefore, the stencil provides a rigid barrier between these areas. Another
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`which has been used is to provide a semi-rigid
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`25 As each of these approaches is complicated, a higher number of components may be
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`required for the touch plate interface, thereby involving extra manufacturing processes and
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`hence a higher manufacturing cost becomes apparent.
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`WO 99/35745
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`PCT/AU98/01075
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`Description of the Invention
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`2
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`According to one embodiment of the invention, a sensor device is provided which
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`comprises:
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`an interface medium having an outer layer for interaction by a user;
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`5 (b)
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`at least two transducers located on or in, the interface medium and spaced from the
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`outer layer, and each adapted to generate a signal in response to interaction by the
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`user; and
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`( c) a processor to receive the signal and determine the location on the outer layer at
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`which the user has interacted with the outer layer.
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`activated. and/or chemically thermal, light 10 Typically, the transducers are sound,
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`Typically, the location of the interaction determined by the processing means is achieved
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`by differential sensing of the transducers. One way of doing this is by digital (including
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`computational software), analogue or both, signal conditioning which provides an absolute
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`"sensed" position on or in that outer layer.
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`15 Such type of sensor device permits the transducers to be used in an array (depending on the
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`thickness of the interface medium) or a multi dimensional array, thereby providing discrete
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`"spatial" sensitive areas as well as conventional two dimension applications.
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`One example of the two dimensional application is as a key pad. The sensing device is able
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`to discriminate between adjacent transducers through a structurally rigid monolithic plate
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`are activated, this state maybe 20 (in the key pad example). When the transducer(s)
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`determined through electrical signal conditioning circuits, such as an amplifier and/or
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`appropriate computer software ( eg digital sequence programming). In another example,
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`systems. to activate flushing the sensing device may be used on urinal wall plates
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`Preferably, the processor is a microcomputer.
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`25 In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor device may include a
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`"touch hold function". This function is used when continual interaction by the user with the
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`sensor device is needed over a predetermined time to achieve a desired effect. For example,
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`if the sensor device is to be used to allow dimming of lights or adjustment of volume etc.
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`WO 99/35745
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`PCT/ AU98/01075
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`3
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`that a user, by the "unique characteristic" This touch hold function may be implemented
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`whilst
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`interacting with the interface medium, will always generate a signal
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`(and therefore) filterable amplitude(s) over a determined time duration, no matter
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`the user may think they are interacting with the interface medium.
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`at the interface detection threshold filter could set the initial 5 For example, the software
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`medium quite high, until the user interaction is detected (eg. user touches the interface
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`medium), and then after a certain validation period, the detection threshold is lowered into
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`the domain where continued interaction (ie without
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`with the user removing his interaction
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`the interface medium) by the user, can still be detected until such time when the user
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`1 o terminates such interaction with the interface.
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`Examples of "transducers".
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`Pressure wave activated transducers such as microphone or piezo electric transducers
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`maybe utilised. Piezo electric based transducers have "electro mechanical" and
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`"mechanical electrical" characteristics, meaning that they may produce a physical
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`15 displacement of a mechanically coupled resonator plate by way of the application of
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`pulse/s of voltage across its connection plates or the generation of a voltage pulse when a
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`dynamic physical application of mechanical force is applied to one of the connection plates
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`relatively to the other plate.
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`The pressure wave activated transducers may be either in the form of "discrete devices" or
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`20 alternatively, the pressure wave activated transducers may be fabricated directly onto or
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`into either the interface medium.
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`Another example of a transducer is any PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) type material,
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`which displays characterisitcs which are both piezoelectric and pyroelectric sensitive.
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`(Either or both characteristics are applicable to this invention)
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`25 Accordingly, the sensor device of the invention may be a sensor array for a monolithic
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`interface plate provided with discretely sensitive (but invisible) areas. The simple (visual
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`and mechanically) interface lends itself to use in "unfriendly" environments where
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`conventional complex "touch switch" technologies cannot be easily implemented, such as
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`workshop. e.g. an NC machine oil saturated environments
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`WO 99/35745
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`PCT/AU98/01075
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`4
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`In the case of an application of the sensor device requiring more than one sensitive area on
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`the interface plate, high discrimination between adjacent sensors as well as ambient noise
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`can be achieved by either the utilisation of active and or passive differential sensing
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`techniques.
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`Embodiments 5 Description of Drawings and the Practical
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`The invention is now further illustrated with reference to the following drawings and
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`practical embodiments:
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`Figure 1 is a conceptual view of a passive differential sensing device;
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`Figure 2 is a conceptual view of a sensing device which uses a multiplexed sampling
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`10 technique;
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`Figure 3 is a conceptual view of a sensing device which uses a linear control type
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`technique;
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`Figure 4 is a conceptual view of a sensing device which uses an alternate linear control
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`type technique;
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`15 Figure 5 is a conceptual view of a sensing device which uses a further alternate linear
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`control type technique.
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`Embodiment A -Passive Differential Sensing -Figure 1
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`The simplest form of differential sensing may be a passive technique where a separate
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`ambient noise transducer 1 is connected in anti phase to the main transducer 2, thereby
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`20 cancelling out common noise picked up by both of the transducer at the same moment in
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`transducer time. The back of the main transducer 2 is attached to the front of the noise
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`In this way, when a net positive signal is generated, this will mean that the sensing device
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`has been activated.
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`25 Embodiment B -Multiplexed Sampling Techniques -Figure 2
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`In more complex and tighter sensing arrangements, multiplexed sampling techniques
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`and/or the addition of extra sensors for the measurement of ambient sonic activity may be
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`WO 99/35745
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`PCT/AU98/01075
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`5
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`adopted. The discrimination is ultimately determined through further electronic circuits
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`and/or software analysis 3.
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`In the depicted embodiment, the transducer which is to be actually sensed (at this point in
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`time) is transducer 4. Therefore the electronic switch 5 is changed to position "B" at which
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`5 point the "noise" level is detected and stored temporarily in memory. The electronic switch
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`5 is now changed to position "A" and another reading is taken from the transducer 4. When
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`reading is found that the second comparison of the two readings is undertaken and a result
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`is significantly higher, then it is apparent that transducer 4 has been activated. Obviously,
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`the same technique may be followed when transducer 6 is the transducer which is to be
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`sampling of multiplexed 1 o actually sensed at another point in time. This is an example
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`technique. However, there are many other ways this technique can be implemented.
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`3, 4 & 5Embodiment C Control Type Applications-Linear -Figures
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`For "linear" control type applications (eg a touch sensitive variable control and for
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`may be arranged
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`complex arrays of sensitive areas), sensors
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`in triangulated or other
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`15 patterns. In this way absolute position information is provided by use of signal level or
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`frequency (via Doppler shift measurements) differentiation between the transducers to
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`determine the position being sensed. In some circumstances, the interface plate between the
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`user and the transducer may need a predetermined pattern embedded or etched into its'
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`surface to aid detection of the sensed point depending on the type of transducers utilised.
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`20 In the arrangement depicted in figure 3, although only three transducers 7 are utilised, a
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`number of "virtual" transducers can be implemented by measuring the differences in the
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`outputs of the transducers 7 and thus determining the position of a point being touched on
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`is limited by the resolution of the sensing area 8. The number of such "virtual" transducers
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`the differentiation hardware and software as well as ambient noise.
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`25 In the arrangement depicted in figure 4 only two transducers 9 are utilised, a number of
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`"virtual" transducers can be implemented by measuring the differences in the outputs of the
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`transducers and thus determining the position of a point being touch on the sensing area 10.
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`In both these arrangements, the sensing areas can be used to detect the linear position of a
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`In addition to the previous linear/array sensing techniques, another variation is depicted in
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`figure 5. It requires a local resonating device or excitor 11 attached to the interface plate.
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`The excitor 11 sets up an excitation stimuli through the sensing area 12. The output of both
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`transducers 13 are then measured and stored in electronic memory when no external
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`5 activation of the interface plate by an external force ( eg touch) is present. Readings from
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`the transducers are then continually measured and compared with the prior readings to
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`determine
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`if any interaction with the plate has been made by an external event and
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`appropriate action is then undertaken as required by analogue, digital, computational or a
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`combination of such, analysis.
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`10 Embodiment D-Tactile Feedback
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`Tactile
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`feedback may be an important requirement by users of sensing devices of the
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`invention. This may be implemented via the sensing transducers. However, this is only
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`position applicable if one transducer is utilised for each sensed on the interface plate. In
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`a drive signal to the transducer this arrangement, feedback is given to the user by providing
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`15 upon activation of the transducer which gives some form of notification to the user.
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`membrane's (eg made of rubber, Alternatively, conventional type "dome" and malleable
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`feedback, yet maintaining a fully sealed and electrically isolated unit.
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`Accordingly, the sensor device according to the invention may be used in any environment
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`20 where it is desirable to have differential monitoring of interaction on or in the interface
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`medium.
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`Some examples of applications are as follows:
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`• Highly secure keypad interface
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`•"Vandal proof' Automatic detection systems
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`25 • Fault and/or dynamic, early warning "fatigue" failure detection systems of critical
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`structures eg. aircraft fuselages, large civil engineering structures etc.
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`•Monitoring of the dynamics of fluids
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`7
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`As the sensor device enables the use of simple continuous interface mediums (i.e. without
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`the need to implement physically or electrically isolated sense areas), both simplified
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`manufacturing techniques as well as the ease of customisation of such interfaces with
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`minimal impact or no impact on the final performance of the interface, is achieved.
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`as used in this description 5 The word 'comprising' and forms of the word 'comprising'
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`and in the claims does not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or
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`additions
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`which are obvious to the person skilled in the art and which do not have a
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`Other modifications of and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those
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`1 o skilled in the art of designing and manufacturing sensor devices. Such modifications and
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`improvements are considered to be within the scope of the invention.
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`(a)
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`5
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`from the outer layer, and each adapted to generate a signal in response to
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`THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
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`8
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`1. A sensor device comprising:
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`an interface medium having an outer layer for interaction by a user;
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`(b)
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`at least two transducers located on or in, the interface medium and spaced
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`interaction by the user; and
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`on the outerdetermine the location ( c) a processor to receive the signal and
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`layer at which the user has interacted with the outer layer.
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`2.
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`The sensor device of claim 1 wherein the transducers are sound, thermal, light
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`and/or chemically activated.
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`3. The sensor device of either claims 1 or 2, wherein the transducers are in an array.
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`4. The sensor device of claim 3 wherein the transducer are in a two dimensional array.
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`5. The sensor device of claim 3 wherein the transducer are in a three dimensional
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`array.
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`15 6. The sensor device of claim 1 further comprising conditioning circuits to receive and
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`condition the electrical signal.
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`7. The sensor device of claim 6 wherein the conditioning circuits include an amplifier
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`and/or appropriate computer software (eg digital sequence programming
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`8. The sensor device of claim 1 wherein the processor is a microcomputer.
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`FIGURE 1
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`b�
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`FIGURES
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`
`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`A.
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`
`
`CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER
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`Int c16: H03K 17 /96, G06K 11/06
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`
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`International application No.
`PCT/AU 98/01075
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`According to International Patent Classification (IPC} or to both national classification and IPC
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`B.
`FIELDS SEARCHED
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`symbols)
`Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification
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`WHOLEIPC
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`Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched
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`Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used)
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`WPAT
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`JAPIO
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`C.
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`DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
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`Category*
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`to claim No. Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant
`
`X
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`X
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`US 4 644 100 A (BRENNER ET AL) 17 February 1987
`Whole document
`
`US 4 564 928 A (GLENN ET AL) 14 January 1986
`Whole document
`
`
`A Whole document
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`US 4 786 764 A (PADULA ET AL.) 22 November 1988
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`1-8
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`1-8
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`1-8
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`� See patent
`family annex
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`□F
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`urther documents are listed in the
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`continuation of Box C
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`*
`document published Special categories of cited documents: "T" later after the international filing date or
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`"A" document
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`but cited to with the application date and not in conflict defining the general state of the art which is priority
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`the invention the principle or theory underlying not considered to be of particular relevance understand
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`application or patent but published on or after "X" document
`"E" earlier
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`of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot
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`be considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an
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`the international filing date
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`step when the document "L" document which may throw doubts on priority claim( s) inventive
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`is taken alone
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`cannot invention relevance; the claimed of particular or which is cited to establish the publication date of "Y" document
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`is step when the document to involve an inventive another citation or other special reason (as specified) be considered
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`"0" document referring to an oral disclosure, use,
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`combined with one or more other such documents, such
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`combination being obvious to a person skilled in the art
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`exhibition or other means
`"P" document
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`family member of the same patent published prior to the international filing "&" document
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`date but later than the orioritv date claimed
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`Date of the actual completion of the international search Date of mailing of the international search report
`-5 FEB 1999
`
`Authorized officer
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`
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`27 January 1999
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`Name and mailing
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`address of the ISA/AU
`AUSTRALIAN PATENT OFFICE
`POBOX200
`WODEN ACT 2606
`AUSTRALIA
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`Facsimile No.: (02) 6285 3929
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`S.AGGARWAL
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`Telephone No.: (02) 6283 2192
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`Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (July 1998) coprow
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1015 Page 14
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`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
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`
`Information on patent family members
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`International application No.
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`PCT/AU 98/01075
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`mily members relating to the patent
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`level patent faThis Annex lists the known "A" publication
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`documents cited
`for these
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`in the above-mentioned international search report. The Australian Patent Office is in no way liable
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`particulars which are merely given for the purpose of information.
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`Patent Document Cited in Search
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`Report
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`Patent Family Member
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`BR
`us 4644100
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`8600459 CA 1277004 CN 86102275
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`EP 190734 FI 860507 HK 520/92
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`MX
`JP 61239322
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`160060
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`SG 484/91
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`us 4791416 us 4746914 CA 1277003
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`4880665
`us 4700176 us 4859996 us
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`CA 1307042
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`us 4564928 CA 1207883 EP 107922 JP 59083283
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`us 4488000
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`us 4786764 EP 283250 JP 64002125
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`END OF ANNEX
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`Fonn PCT/ISA/210 (extra sheet) (July 1998) coprow
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1015 Page 15
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