Patent ID: 8373079

Claim:
A manually operable sensor for providing control signals to an electronic device, comprising: a fabric having a length, a width, a first end and a second end, the length being substantially longer than the width, with insulating yarns and electrically conductive yarns included therein, such that said conductive yarns define a first conductive track, a second conductive track, and a third conductive track, said first, second and third conductive tracks each having a track width, and a track length running the length of said fabric, and said insulating yams providing the fabric with an insulating portion between adjacent conductive tracks; said conductive tracks being configured for interfacing with an electronic device placed at the first end of the fabric, and for extending into an active region of the fabric at the second end of the fabric; and a sensor assembly located at the second end of the fabric, juxtaposed with the active region, the sensor assembly comprising: a first conductive region, and a second conductive region separated from the first conductive region; said first conductive track being connected to said first conductive region for applying a first electric potential to the first conductive region; said second conductive track being connected to said second conductive region for applying a second electric potential to the second conductive region; said first and second conductive regions each being juxtaposed with the third conductive track and being receptive to manual pressure such that a conductive path will be established between said first conductive track and said third conductive track, at said active region, in response to manual pressure applied to said first conductive region, and a conductive path will be established between said second conductive track and said third conductive track, at said active region, in response to manual pressure applied to said second conductive region; and wherein the insulating portion of the fabric between adjacent conductive tracks is wider than the track width of the adjacent conductive tracks.