Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080204046 | Capacitance Measurement Apparatus and Method - A time period of an event is determined by charging a known value capacitor from a constant current source during the event. The resultant voltage on the capacitor is proportional to the event time period and may be calculated from the resultant voltage and known capacitance value. Capacitance is measured by charging a capacitor from a constant current source during a known time period. The resultant voltage on the capacitor is proportional to the capacitance thereof and may be calculated from the resultant voltage and known time period. A long time period event may be measured by charging a first capacitor at the start of the event and a second capacitor at the end of the event, while counting clock times therebetween. Delay of an event is done by charging voltages on first and second capacitors at beginning and end of event, while comparing voltages thereon with a reference voltage. | 08-28-2008 |
20080303535 | MULTI-PIN CV MEASUREMENT - A method for measuring electrical parameters of a DUT having at least three terminals includes applying a first AC voltage to a first terminal; separately driving a second and a third terminal each to a virtual second AC voltage, each virtual voltage requiring a respective current; and measuring an electrical parameter of the DUT based on the first AC voltage and the second and third terminals each being at the virtual second AC voltage. | 12-11-2008 |
20090051369 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING ADHESION FORCES IN MEMS DEVICES - A MEMS test device comprises a flexible beam spaced apart from an optical stack. The MEMS test device includes a reflective layer and a partially reflective layer, such that a change in the position of the MEMS test device can be observed without the use of an external interferometer. The flexible beam may be cantilevered or fixed at each end. The flexible beam may include a shoe suspended from the side of the beam facing the optical stack, to provide a fixed contact area. An array of MEMS test devices may be used to determine compliance, or to calculate adhesion forces. | 02-26-2009 |
20090051370 | METHOD OF ADJUSTING MOVING POSITION OF TRANSFER ARM AND POSITION DETECTING JIG - In the present invention, a position detecting substrate having a capacitive sensor is supported on a transfer arm and transferred by the transfer arm and mounted on a mounting part. The capacitive sensor on the position detecting substrate then detects a position of a target object on the mounting part to detect a mounting position of the position detecting substrate on the mounting part. Based on the mounting position of the position detecting substrate, the moving position of the transfer arm when transferring a substrate is then adjusted. | 02-26-2009 |
20090115428 | SINGLE PIN MULTI-STATE IDENTIFIER USING RC TIMING ELEMENT - In a circuit identifier, an electrical circuit includes an output node to output an electrical signal. A resistor device and a capacitor device, electrically in series with the resistor device, receive at least a portion of the electrical signal. A counter device determines a time for the capacitor device to reach a predetermined charge and assigns a value to the time for the capacitor device to reach the predetermined charge. A processor or other system reads the value assigned by the counter device and identifies the capacitor from a predetermined list of capacitors. The identification of the capacitor identifies a revision of the circuit. | 05-07-2009 |
20090128165 | CAPACITANCE MEASURING APPARATUS FOR CAPACITOR - A measuring apparatus for measuring capacitance of a capacitor includes a microprocessor, a control circuit coupled to the capacitor, and an Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converting circuit. The control circuit receives a control signal from the microprocessor, and outputs an analog voltage signal of the capacitor, and the control circuit charges/discharges the capacitor according to the control signal. The A/D converting circuit receives the analog voltage signal from the control circuit, and outputs a digital voltage signal. The microprocessor receives the digital voltage signal from the A/D converting circuit, and calculates capacitance of the capacitor according to the digital voltage signal and charge/discharge time. | 05-21-2009 |
20090167324 | ELECTRIC POTENTIAL SENSOR - The invention provides an electric potential sensor, comprising at least one detection electrode arranged for capacitive coupling with a sample under test and for generating a measurement signal, and a sensor amplifier adapted to receive the measurement signal as input and to supply an amplified detection signal as output. Input impedance enhancing means provide a high input impedance to the sensor amplifier for increasing the sensitivity of the electrode to reduced electric potentials, and feedback means apply a coherent feedback signal to the input of the sensor amplifier for enhancing the signal to noise ratio of the sensor. | 07-02-2009 |
20090243631 | Circuit for capacitance measurement and method therefor - A measurement method for capacitance includes the following steps. First, a voltage on at least one end of a to-be-measured capacitor is switched in response to a first set of clock signals such that a level of an integrated voltage is adjusted from a start voltage level to an end voltage level in a first integration period, wherein a capacitance of the to-be-measured capacitor is relevant to a difference between the end voltage level and the start voltage level. Next, the level of the integrated voltage is adjusted from the end voltage level to the start voltage level in a second integration period in response to a second set of clock signals. Then, the capacitance of the to-be-measured capacitor is obtained according to the first and second integration periods and a known characteristic parameter. | 10-01-2009 |
20090261845 | ENANTIOSELECTIVE CAPACITIVE SENSOR - The present invention relates to an enantioselective capacitive sensor, its manufacture and use and to devices comprising such sensors. | 10-22-2009 |
20090278554 | System for Detecting a Container or Contents of the Container - A system for detecting a container or contents of the container. The system includes a diffuser for retaining the container, where the container is configured to hold an active material therein and may include a wick extending therefrom. The system further includes a sensor positioned to detect, for example, the container retained in the diffuser and/or the contents of the container retained in the diffuser. | 11-12-2009 |
20090289639 | INSULATION MEASUREMENT METHOD AND INSULATION MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - An insulation measurement method in an insulation measurement apparatus of a flying capacitor type, includes a first power supply charge voltage measurement process of applying a voltage of a power supply to a flying capacitor for a first charge time period a first grounding resistor measuring voltage measurement process of applying the voltage of the power supply to the flying capacitor via an insulation resistor on one electrode side of the power supply, a second power supply charge voltage measurement process of applying the voltage of the power supply to the flying capacitor for a second charge time period, a second grounding resistor measuring voltage measurement process of applying the voltage of the power supply to the flying capacitor via an insulation resistor on the other electrode side of the power supply, and an insulation resistor conversion process of obtaining a value of the insulation resistor based on measurement results of the first and second charge voltage measurement processes and the first and second grounding resistor measuring voltage measurement processes and an insulation resistor conversion expression. | 11-26-2009 |
20090289640 | INSULATION MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - An insulation measurement apparatus includes a path including a first resistor, a capacitor in a state electrically floated from a ground potential, and a second resistor coupled in series sequentially from a positive electrode side of a power supply to a negative electrode side of the power supply, a first switching element provided in a path from the positive electrode side of the power supply to the capacitor, a second switching element provided in a path from the capacitor to the negative electrode side of the power supply, a detection section which detects a charge voltage set to the capacitor and determines an insulation state of the power supply, and a voltage setting section which executes a power supply voltage measurement mode for controlling the first and second switching elements to charge the capacitor by a voltage of the power supply for a predetermined voltage applying time period for measuring the voltage of the power supply, and an insulation voltage measurement mode for charging a terminal of a positive electrode side or a negative electrode side of the capacitor via a resistor between the positive electrode or the negative electrode of the power supply and the ground potential for a predetermined voltage applying time period for measuring a voltage of the insulation resistor. | 11-26-2009 |
20090295409 | CAPACITIVE VOLTAGE DIVIDER TOUCH SENSOR - A system for measuring capacitance has a measurement circuit with a first reference capacitor connected to a first node and to a second node. Each of the nodes is connected to a unit operable to apply a reference voltage or ground to one of the nodes. Each node has a first pad connected to the first node and a unit operable to measure voltage between the first node and second node. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295410 | OPENING AND CLOSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SENSOR SUPPORTING MEMBER - An opening and closing apparatus is disclosed. The opening and closing apparatus includes an opening and closing body, a capacitance sensor, and a sensor support member. The capacitance sensor has a conductive sensor electrode, and outputs a detection signal that corresponds to the capacitance between the sensor electrode and a conductive object located close to the sensor electrode. The sensor support member includes a guard electrode, a holding portion, an attaching portion, and a conductive reinforcing member. The reinforcing member is embedded in the main body. At least a part of the reinforcing member is embedded in the guard electrode such that the reinforcing member is integrated with the guard electrode. | 12-03-2009 |
20090322351 | Adaptive Capacitive Sensing - A capacitive sensing circuit may comprise an RC (resistive-capacitive) bridge circuit, with a switching signal simultaneously applied to a reference path, and a signal path comprising the capacitance to be detected. Small perturbations in the capacitance may be detected by mixing/correlating a difference signal representative of the difference between the reference path signal and the signal path signal, to the switching signal. The output of the mixer may be filtered to virtually eliminate all EMI signals. A narrowband approach may also allow filtering of unwanted signals, enabling operation in systems susceptible to high levels of noise. Frequency stepping of the switching signal may minimize inband signal interference, and allow operation in the presence of many signals that would otherwise result in failure of the sensing circuit. Pad calibration may be implemented to free the user from a need to characterize each button channel capacitance and tailor the operation for each channel. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322352 | APPARATUS FOR OBJECT INFORMATION DETECTION AND METHODS OF USING SAME - A system for determining information regarding at least one object, comprising: a sensor sensitive to capacitive coupling; at least one object adapted to create a capacitive coupling with the sensor when at least one signal is input to the sensor; a detector adapted to measure at least one output signal of said sensor associated with the at least one object, wherein the output signal associated with the at least one object is an object information code. | 12-31-2009 |
20100001745 | RESONANCE TAG WITH TEMPERATURE SENSOR - A temperature-history sensor includes a resonance circuit composed of at least a capacitor and a coil. The temperature-history sensor has a display for indicating a predetermined set temperature of the temperature-history sensor. The capacitor has at least a thermofusion material between electrodes of the capacitor, and the melting point of the thermofusion material is in the region of the set temperature. | 01-07-2010 |
20100007359 | PASSIVE CAPACITIVELY-COUPLED ELECTROSTATIC (CCE) PROBE ARRANGEMENT FOR DETECTING IN-SITU ARCING EVENTS IN A PLASMA PROCESSING CHAMBER - An arrangement for detecting in-situ arcing events within a processing chamber of a plasma processing system during substrate processing is provided. The arrangement includes a probe arrangement, which is disposed on a surface of the processing chamber and is configured to measure at least one plasma processing parameter. The probe arrangement includes a plasma-facing sensor and a measuring capacitor, wherein the plasma-facing sensor is coupled to a first plate of the measuring capacitor. The probe arrangement also includes a detection arrangement that is coupled to a second plate of the measuring capacitor, wherein the detection arrangement is configured for converting an induced current flowing through the measuring capacitor into a set of digital signals, which is processed to detect the in-situ arcing events. | 01-14-2010 |
20100039121 | LOW COST FINGERPRINT SENSOR SYSTEM - Low cost fingerprint system having a single chip solution includes a circuit board, a fingerprint sensor array fabricated onto a first surface of the circuit board, and an integrated circuit die for processing information received from the fingerprint sensor array is mounted directly to a second surface of the circuit board. The integrated circuit die may be electrically connected to the sensor by, for example, vias in the circuit board. | 02-18-2010 |
20100045308 | METHOD FOR THE EARLY DETECTION OF DAMAGE TO A CAPACITIVE SENSOR, AND CAPACITIVE SENSOR FEATURING A DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTION - A system for the early detection of damage to and/or soiling of a capacitive sensor includes determining a degree by which the sensor is damaged and/or soiled by measuring a physical property of an electrode, e.g. the resistance of the electrode, or optically by means of the coefficient of reflection of the electrode surface of at least one electrode of the capacitive sensor. A capacitive sensor, according to the system described herein, may include components for provide the diagnostic function. | 02-25-2010 |
20100052700 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR - A shield electrode is provided in parallel with a sensor electrode. A detecting circuit detects a capacitance formed thereby around the sensor electrode. A capacitance-voltage conversion circuit converts the capacitance into a voltage by repeating a predetermined sequence. A shield electrode drive unit switches an electric state of the shield electrode in synchronization with the predetermined sequence. The shield electrode drive unit switches an electric state of the shield electrode in accordance with an electric state of the sensor electrode. | 03-04-2010 |
20100060297 | ELECTRODE ARRANGEMENT FOR GENERATING A SIGNAL INDICATIVE FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN OBJECT WITHIN AN OBSERVATION REGION - The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for achieving the detection of the presence, position, and/or the intrusion of an object, particularly of human limbs in an observation region. The aim of the invention is to provide solutions that are advantageous over prior solutions when detecting an object, especially a living body that is approaching a detection system. Said aim is solved, according to the invention, by an electrode arrangement for detecting the presence of an object within an observation region, with an electrode device for emitting an alternating field into an emission range, an electronic circuit for applying an alternating voltage to the electrode device, a connecting line for connecting the electrode device to the electronic circuit, and a device for shielding the connecting line. Said electrode arrangement is characterized in that an electrode-testing device is provided for generating a signal indicating the continuity of the electrode device. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060298 | CAPACITIVE ELECTROMAGNETIC FLOWMETER - The surface of a signal electrode is treated as substrate treatment. For example, an oxide film on the surface of the signal electrode is removed for roughing, and the roughened surface is used as a surface treated face. A coating of a fluororesin is provided on the surface treated face for lining or thermal welding to the lining material. A signal electrode is provided in the resin lining. Since the oxide film has been removed from the surface of the signal electrode for roughening, the adhesive force of the coating of the fluororesin is increased. The fluororesin coating and the resin lining melt each other, and, as a result, the fluororesin coating is strongly bonded to the resin lining, whereby the adhesion between the signal electrode and the resin lining can be increased without opening a hole in the signal electrode. A method may also be adopted in which a primer film is formed by substrate treatment on the surface of the signal electrode. | 03-11-2010 |
20100066389 | CHARACTERIZATION TECHNIQUE FOR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS - A test structure for polymer characterization over a wide frequency range, temperature range and under an applied DC electric field is disclosed. A high resistivity silicon substrate is topped by an adhesion layer. A polymer thin-film is deposited on a patterned metal | 03-18-2010 |
20100079153 | Touch Sensor System and Method - A touch sensor assembly may include a cover, an electrode film assembly, an adhesive layer, a printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connected to the electrode film and a back plate configured to be coupled to the cover with the PCB and the electrode film assembly disposed between the housing and the back plate. The electrode film assembly may include an electrode film formed from a conductive ink and may comprise a plurality of contacts corresponding to a plurality of touch areas. The electrode film assembly may optionally comprise capacitive circuitry configured to exhibit a capacitance response to contact with the touch areas. The adhesive layer may be configured to secure the electrode film assembly to the cover. The PCB may be substantially planar and the cover may include an inner surface having a curvature. The electrode film may be configured to substantially conform to the curvature when secured thereto. | 04-01-2010 |
20100090711 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING AN ELECTROSTATIC CHUCK - The present invention provides a reliable, non-invasive, electrical test method for predicting satisfactory performance of electrostatic chucks (ESCs). In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a parameter, e.g., impedance, of an ESC is measured over a frequency band to generate a parameter functions. This parameter function may be used to establish predetermined acceptable limits of the parameter within the frequency band. | 04-15-2010 |
20100090712 | SENSOR DEVICE AND METHOD WITH AT SURFACE OBJECT SENSING AND AWAY FROM SURFACE OBJECT SENSING - Methods, systems and devices are described for determining positional information for objects using a sensing device. The various embodiments provide improved user interface functionality by facilitating user input with both objects that are at the surfaced and objects that are away from the surface. The sensor device includes a processing system and a sensor array of sensing electrodes adapted to capacitively sense objects in a sensing region. First, the processing system is configured to determine positional information for objects at the surface in a first portion of the sensing region. Secondly, the processing system is configured to determine positional information for objects that are away from the surface and in a second portion of the sensing region, where the first portion of the sensing region is between the surface and the second portion of the sensing region. | 04-15-2010 |
20100097076 | MONITORING SYSTEM IN REAL TIME OF THE STATE OF CAPACITANCE GRADED BUSHINGS OF POWER TRANSFORMERS, POWER REACTORS, CURRENT TRANSFORMERS, CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND SIMILAR - Monitoring system in real time of the state of capacitance graded bushings of power transformers, powers reactors, current transformers, circuit breakers and similar, it is applied preferentially by power transformers; power reactors; chain transformers, circuit breakers and similar, being the system passible of accomplish the monitoring in real time of capacitance graded bushings ( | 04-22-2010 |
20100117660 | CABLE FOR A CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR - A capacitive proximity sensor assembly comprises: (i) a capacitive proximity sensor ( | 05-13-2010 |
20100156440 | Anti-Pinch Sensor - The invention relates to an anti-pinch sensor ( | 06-24-2010 |
20100171515 | Occupant detection system - An occupant detection system is a part of a vehicle occupant protection system. The vehicle occupant protection system is enabled to be activated when the occupant detection system determines an ON state indicative of existence of an occupant on a seat. The vehicle occupant protection system is disabled to be activated when the occupant detection system determines an OFF state. The system includes a capacitive sensor which detects the occupant based on a capacitance around the seat. The system determines the ON state or the OFF state based on the detected value of the capacitive sensor and a predetermined threshold value. The system evaluates whether the determination result in the determination block is appropriate or not. Then, the system biases the threshold value to suppress a reversal determination from the determination result which is evaluated as appropriate. | 07-08-2010 |
20100176819 | DEVICE FOR THE CAPACITIVE MEASUREMENT OF THE QUALITY AND/OR DETERIORATION OF A FLUID, INCLUDING A CAPACITIVE SENSOR THAT IS MECHANICALLY UNCOUPLED FROM THE ELEMENT IN WHICH IT IS ENCAPSULATED - The invention concerns a device for the capacitive measurement of the quality and/or deterioration of a fluid, comprising a sensor encapsulated in a perforated case, wherein the sensor is connected to the encapsulation so as to be mechanically uncoupled therefrom. | 07-15-2010 |
20100188105 | CAPACITANCE-TO-VOLTAGE INTERFACE CIRCUIT, AND RELATED OPERATING METHODS - A capacitance-to-voltage interface circuit is utilized to obtain a voltage corresponding to a detected capacitance differential, which may be associated with the operation of a capacitive sensing cell. The interface circuit includes a capacitive sensing cell, an operational amplifier adapted for selective coupling to the capacitive sensing cell, a feedback capacitor for the operational amplifier, a load capacitor for the operational amplifier, and a switching architecture associated with the capacitive sensing cell, the operational amplifier, the feedback capacitor, and the load capacitor. During use, the switching architecture reconfigures the capacitance-to-voltage interface circuit for operation in a plurality of different phases. The different operational phases enable the single operational amplifier to be used for both capacitance-to-voltage conversion and voltage amplification. | 07-29-2010 |
20100207644 | ANALOG COMPUTATION - Some general aspects of the invention relate to a circuit and to a method for analog computation, for example, using switched capacitor integrated circuits. In some examples, a circuit includes a first group of capacitors and a second group of capacitors that may store charges during circuit operation. The first and/or the second group of capacitors may include multiple disjoint subsets of capacitors. An input circuit is provided for receiving a set of input signals and for inducing a charge on each of some or all capacitors in the first group of capacitors according to a corresponding input signal. Switches, for example, transistors controlled by a sequence of clock signals, are used to couple different sets of capacitors. Different configurations of the switches are used to form different sets of the capacitors among which charge can redistribute. | 08-19-2010 |
20100213952 | Methods and Apparatuses for Determining Charging Current in Electrical Power Systems - A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a system charging current in an electrical power system having three phases, a ground, a neutral, and a neutral resistor electrically coupling the neutral to the ground. The method comprises: measuring a line voltage of each phase; measuring a line-to-neutral voltage of each phase; determining a charging capacitance of each phase based on the line voltage of each phase, the line-to-neutral voltage of each phase, a frequency of the electrical power system, and a value of the neutral resistor; determining a phase charging current for each phase of the electrical power system based on the charging capacitance of each phase, the line voltage of each phase, and the frequency of the electrical power system; and determining the system charging current based on the phase charging current for each phase. | 08-26-2010 |
20100225333 | EXCITATION PHASE DETECTING CAPACITANCE-TYPE POSITION TRANSDUCER - An excitation phase detecting capacitance-type position transducer comprises a stationary part having a plurality of excitation electrode groups and a movable part having a plurality of coupling electrodes. The capacitance-type position transducer detects a signal of which phase varies according to the relative positions of the movable part with respect to the stationary par and calculates an intra-period phase angle φ from two excitation signals having a phase difference of 90° captured at a zero-cross point of the detection signal. | 09-09-2010 |
20100253368 | CAPACITOR INTERFACE CIRCUIT - A capacitor interface circuit is provided. A capacitor under test (CUT) is divided into a variable portion and an invariable portion, and the capacitance of an offset capacitor is designed to equal to or close to the fixed capacitance of the CUT. The offset capacitor is used to store the charges opposite to the invariable portion of the CUT for neutralizing the effect of the invariable portion of the CUT. Thereupon, the charge converter composed by the fully-differential amplifier and the feedback capacitors only responses for the variable portion of the CUT so as to increase the accuracy of the follow-up data processing. | 10-07-2010 |
20100271047 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE, OR DETERMINING THE LOCATION OR THE SIZE, OR DETECTING CHANGES OF MATERIAL PROPERTIES, OF AN OBJECT WITHIN A PREDEFINED SPACE - A method for detecting the presence, and/or determining the location, and/or detecting changes in the material properties, of a first object ( | 10-28-2010 |
20100271048 | POSITION DETECTOR - There is provided a multilayer made up of: a support member | 10-28-2010 |
20100289503 | EXTENDED PROXIMITY SENSOR DEVICE WITH ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION - An input device is provided with improved electrostatic discharge protection. Specifically, the input device includes a plurality of capacitive sensing electrodes configured for object detection. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) shunt is disposed near the capacitive sensing electrodes and configured to provide ESD protection to the capacitive sensing electrodes. The input device also includes an extended-proximity capacitive sensing electrode configured to for object detection of relatively distant objects. The ESD shunt has an associated first resistance, and the extended-proximity capacitive sensing electrode has an associated second resistance. The second resistance is greater than the first resistance such that an electrostatic discharge at a first exposed location would be attracted to the ESD shunt via a first potential discharge path instead of being attracted to the extended-proximity capacitive sensing electrode via a second potential discharge path, where the first discharge path is longer than the second discharge path. | 11-18-2010 |
20100289504 | PROCESS FOR MEASURING BOND-LINE THICKNESS - A process for measuring the thickness of an insulating material. The process includes providing a device used to measure capacitance, and electrically connecting the capacitance measuring device to a heat sink and an electrical, heat-generating component. The thickness of the insulating material is determined by measuring the capacitance of the insulating material according to the formula; | 11-18-2010 |
20100295559 | DEVICE WITH PROXIMITY DETECTION CAPABILITY - The electrical equivalent of a relatively large area proximity detection capability is provided in a space limited electronic device ( | 11-25-2010 |
20100321038 | MONITORING OF THE AGING OF THE CAPACITORS IN A CONVERTER BY MEANS OF CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT - A method and a device for converting an electrical current include at least one phase module having an AC voltage connection and at least one DC voltage connection. A phase module branch is disposed between each DC voltage connection and the AC voltage connection. Each phase module branch includes a series circuit of submodules, each having a capacitor and at least one power semiconductor. The apparatus can establish aging of an energy storage device in a simple manner by using a capacitor diagnosis device for a time-dependent determination of the capacitance of each capacitor. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321039 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO SELECT A PARAMETER/MODE BASED ON A TIME MEASUREMENT - An example integrated control circuit includes a regulator, a first comparator, a second comparator, and a counter. The regulator is to charge, during a time period, a capacitor. The first comparator is to provide an output indicating when a voltage on the capacitor reaches a first threshold voltage. The second comparator is coupled to provide an output indicating when the voltage on the capacitor reaches a second threshold voltage. The counter is coupled to begin counting in response to the first threshold voltage being reached and is coupled to stop counting in response to the second threshold voltage being reached. The counter is coupled to provide an output representative of the capacitance value of the capacitor during the time period and the integrated control circuit receives a bias current at the terminal from the capacitor to provide power to operate the integrated control circuit after the time period has ended. | 12-23-2010 |
20100327881 | Control unit, sensing device for a capacitive touch panel and method therefor - A noise reducing device for a capacitive touch panel and a method of reducing noise for a capacitive touch panel are disclosed to solve problems related to noise generated by a conventional filter circuit and an integrating circuit or external noise. In the invention, at least one switch circuit is used so that the conventional filter circuit and integrating circuit used in the prior are omitted. Signals output from a current measurement circuit are transmitting to a control unit to calculate the location of a touch point, reducing any noise. | 12-30-2010 |
20110001491 | CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT CIRCUIT AND METHOD - A capacitance measurement circuit and method are provided. A storage capacitor is pre-charged. Charge transfer is performed between an under-test capacitor and the storage capacitor. The storage capacitor is discharged and charged according to a relationship between a voltage of the storage capacitor and a reference voltage. The capacitance of the under-test capacitor is measured according to the voltage on the storage capacitor. | 01-06-2011 |
20110001492 | CIRCUIT FOR CAPACITIVE TOUCH APPLICATIONS - A circuit for capacitive touch applications comprising
| 01-06-2011 |
20110006787 | DYNAMIC QUANTITY DETECTING MEMBER AND DYNAMIC QUANTITY DETECTING APPARATUS - A dynamic quantity detecting member includes: a base substrate of which a part or the whole including a contact portion is deformed in accordance with pressing of a contact object and of which an original shape is recovered when the pressing of the contact object disappears; electrodes serving as displacement electrodes of which the plurality of electrodes are fixed to a surface or inside of the base substrate and of which at least one electrode is disposed in a deformable portion (which is a region deformable and displaceable during the deformation) of the base substrate; and wirings which are connected to the electrodes. During deformation, the displacement electrodes are deformed and displaced with the deformation and displacement of the deformable portion without separation from the base substrate and without damaging conductivity. The deformation and displacement of the deformable portion are detected as a variation in capacitance between the electrodes. | 01-13-2011 |
20110018557 | CAPACITIVE SENSING PATTERN - A sensor electrode pattern configured to enable the detection of multiple input objects concurrently disposed in a sensing region of a mutual capacitance sensor comprising a plurality of first sensor electrodes oriented along a first axis, and a plurality of second sensor electrodes oriented along a second axis and configured to be capacitively coupled with the plurality of first sensor electrodes. At least one sensor electrode of the plurality of first sensor electrodes is disposed in a configuration forming multiple crossings with a line that is parallel to the second axis. At least two of the plurality of first sensor electrodes or at least two of the plurality of second sensor electrodes are interleaved with each other proximate to the sensing region of the mutual capacitance sensor. The pluralities of first sensor electrodes and second sensor electrodes either comprise transmitter sensor electrodes or receiver sensor electrodes. | 01-27-2011 |
20110043224 | CAPACITIVE OIL QUALITY MONITORING SENSOR WITH FLUORINATED BARRIER COATING - Methods and devices for evaluating the quality of oils are disclosed. The methods and devices can provide an indication of the oil quality based on the Total Polar Content of the oil. The methods rely on a reusable capacitive sensing element that comprises a fluorinated barrier coating, as disclosed herein. | 02-24-2011 |
20110043225 | Non-Contact Biopotential Sensor - A capacitive sensor system including a sensing plate, an amplifier, and a switching circuit is described. The sensing plate is capacitively coupled to a body surface. A change in the electric potential on the body surface generates an electric field that induces change in the electric potential of the sensing plate. The sensing plate includes a sensing node positioned in the electric field for generating an input signal from the electric field. The sensing plate is not in contact with the body surface. The amplifier receives the input signal at the input port, amplifies the input signal and generates an output signal at the output port. The switching circuit is connected to the input port and a reference voltage. The switching circuit non-continuously closes a shunting path from the sensing node to the reference voltage to reset the voltage at the sensing node. | 02-24-2011 |
20110050251 | Capacitive sensor and actuator - A capacitive sensor and a capacitive actuator having at least one seismic mass deflectably mounted on a substrate. A comb electrode having comb fingers is mounted on the seismic mass, and a comb electrode having comb fingers is mounted on the substrate in such a way that the comb fingers are situated parallel to a deflection direction of the seismic mass and interlock in a comb-like manner. The characteristic curve of the sensor or actuator is adjusted by optimizing the geometry of at least one comb electrode, in particular of at least one comb finger. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050252 | AUTOMATIC CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ACTUATOR BASED ON CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT - An apparatus and method for determining characterizing attributes of an actuator is provided. An actuator may be moved to a maximum capacitance position. At the maximum capacitance position, an initial measurement of the actuator capacitance is made. The actuator is moved a predetermined increment toward a first extreme position, and the actuator capacitance is again measured. If the capacitance changed by a threshold amount, the signal preceding the signal that caused the actuator to move is recorded as an approximate response curve end point, or the first extreme position. The actuator is again moved a predetermined increment toward a second extreme position. After each move, the capacitance is measured. If it is determined the capacitance did change by a threshold amount from the previously measured capacitance, the signal related to the previously measured capacitance is recorded as an approximate response curve end point, or the second extreme position. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050253 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR EVALUATING ELECTRIC PERFORMANCES OF AN FDSOI TRANSISTOR - A method for evaluating the electric performances of an FDSOI transistor, including the steps of:
| 03-03-2011 |
20110057669 | Capacitive Sensor - A capacitive sensor for a digital display device comprises: one or more proximity wires; a grounding wire; wherein the DDD having a system area and a frame area; wherein the frame area is positioned around the system area; wherein the grounding wire is disposed on the DDD and forms a first area; wherein a first proximity wire is disposed outside of the first area; and wherein the first proximity wire and the grounding wire defines a first detection area of the capacity sensor. | 03-10-2011 |
20110062969 | SINGLE LAYER CAPACITIVE IMAGE SENSING - A capacitive imaging sensor device includes a sensor substrate. A first set of sensor electrodes is disposed on a first surface of the sensor substrate, substantially in parallel with a first axis, and with at least two of its sensor electrodes extending for different lengths along the first axis. A second set of sensor electrodes is disposed on the first surface, substantially in parallel with the first axis, and in a common single layer with the first set. A processing system is coupled with the first and second sets and configured for: measuring a first capacitive coupling between a first sensor electrode of the first set and a sensor electrode of the second set; measuring a second capacitive coupling between a second sensor electrode of the first set and the sensor electrode of the second set; and determining a capacitance image using the first and second measurements of capacitive coupling. | 03-17-2011 |
20110062970 | Rotating Angle Detection Device Used Capacitive Change and Method Thereof - This invention can increase the resolving power of the rotating angle using the rate of capacity change between two objects. The objective is to provide a rotating angle detecting device using capacitive change that is small in size and costs low to manufacture. The method to reach the above objective is a rotating angle detection device with a stator with two fixed conductor plates; and a rotator with a rotating conductor plate that rotates relatively to the above stator, with every rotation overlapping and passing the above fixed conductor plates repeatedly with different area change. | 03-17-2011 |
20110068808 | ADAPTOR COMPONENT FOR A MEASURING SYSTEM - The circuit arrangement according to the invention comprises a measuring apparatus that measures an electrical connection, and also one or more conductor patterns. The conductor pattern is connected to the measuring apparatus using an adaptor component, which fits the impedance produced by the conductor pattern to be suitable for the measuring apparatus. | 03-24-2011 |
20110084708 | APPARATUS, DEVICES, SYSTEMS, KITS, AND METHODS OF MONITORING FOOD TREATING MEDIA - An apparatus, system, and method regarding the monitoring of a fluid parameter are disclosed. More particularly, it relates to apparatus, systems, and methods of efficiently and economically monitoring the quality of a fluid, such as food treating media. An improved portable testing device may be in the form of a cartridge that is usable with a separate testing apparatus used to measure a parameter of the fluid carried on the sensing device. Included is a system and method that include a portable handheld device having a sensing device and a filter for protecting the sensing device from the fluid to be tested. | 04-14-2011 |
20110084709 | CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE COMPRISING THE CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY DEVICE - The invention relates to a capacitive proximity device ( | 04-14-2011 |
20110109327 | Sensor for capacitive detection of a mechanical deflection - A sensor for capacitive detection of a mechanical deflection includes a substrate having a first substrate electrode and a second substrate electrode; and a mass movable relative to the substrate. The mass is divided into: a first electrically separate region having a first ground electrode; and a second electrically separate region of the mass having a second ground electrode. At least one portion of the first ground electrode is situated in a first region between the first substrate electrode and the second substrate electrode, and forms a first differential capacitor. At least one portion of the second ground electrode is situated in a second region between the first substrate electrode and the second substrate electrode, and forms a second differential capacitor. | 05-12-2011 |
20110121841 | Apparatus and method for predetermined component placement to a target platform - The present invention relates generally to assembly techniques. According to the present invention, the alignment and probing techniques to improve the accuracy of component placement in assembly are described. More particularly, the invention includes methods and structures to detect and improve the component placement accuracy on a target platform by incorporating alignment marks on component and reference marks on target platform under various probing techniques. A set of sensors grouped in any array to form a multiple-sensor probe can detect the deviation of displaced components in assembly. | 05-26-2011 |
20110128017 | PLASMA UNCONFINEMENT SENSOR AND METHODS THEREOF - An arrangement within a plasma reactor for detecting a plasma unconfinement event is provided. The arrangement includes a sensor, which is a capacitive-based sensor implemented within the plasma reactor. The sensor is implemented outside of a plasma confinement region and is configured to produce a transient current when the sensor is exposed to plasma associated with the plasma unconfinement event. The sensor has at least one electrically insulative layer oriented toward the plasma associated with the plasma unconfined event. The arrangement also includes a detection circuit, which is electrically connected to the sensor for converting the transient current into a transient voltage signal and for processing the transient voltage signal to ascertain whether the plasma unconfinement event exists. | 06-02-2011 |
20110133756 | APPARATUS FOR CAPACITIVELY MEASURING CHANGES - An apparatus for capacitively measuring changes has a sensor (S) with a sensor-active region. The sensor has at least one transmitting electrode, which generates an electric field, and a further electrode ( | 06-09-2011 |
20110148435 | TRANSCAPACITIVE SENSOR DEVICES WITH OHMIC SEAMS - A transcapacitive sensing device has and ohmic seam which sections a plurality of transmitter electrodes and also sections a plurality of receiver electrodes. A processing system is communicatively coupled with the transmitter electrodes and the receiver electrodes and configured to: transmit a first transmitter signal with a first transmitter electrode disposed on a first side of the ohmic seam; transmit a second transmitter signal with a second transmitter electrode disposed on a second side of the ohmic seam; receive a first response corresponding to said first transmitter signal with a first receiver electrode disposed on the first side of the ohmic seam; and receive a second response corresponding to said second transmitter signal with a second receiver electrode disposed on the second side of the ohmic seam. | 06-23-2011 |
20110156724 | CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A first capacitor and a second capacitor are charged until voltage at the second capacitor settles to a settling voltage. While charging, the first capacitor is alternately switched between a current source and ground. When the settling voltage is reached, charging of the first capacitor is halted. The second capacitor continues to be charged until voltage at the second capacitor reaches a reference voltage. The amount of time it takes for the settling voltage to reach the reference voltage corresponds to a measure of capacitance on the first capacitor. | 06-30-2011 |
20110163763 | ELECTRICAL CAPACITANCE SENSOR - Disclosed is an electrical capacitance sensor comprising: a board | 07-07-2011 |
20110163764 | ANTI-ENTRAPMENT SYSTEM - An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device such as a vehicle window includes a capacitance sensor and a controller. The sensor has a jacket with a cavity, a dielectric element within the cavity, and first and second electrical conductors. The conductors are within the cavity on opposite sides of the dielectric element such that the conductors are separated from one another by a separation distance. The capacitance of the sensor changes in response to an electrically conductive object moving in proximity to at least one of the conductors. The controller is configured to control a translating device as a function of the capacitance of the sensor. The jacket is attachable to a seal configured to receive the translating device. | 07-07-2011 |
20110175629 | CAPACITANCE DISPLACEMENT AND ROTATION SENSOR - A position measuring sensor formed from opposing sets of capacitor plates measures both rotational displacement and lateral displacement from the changes in capacitances as overlapping areas of capacitors change. Capacitances are measured by a measuring circuit. The measured capacitances are provided to a calculating circuit that performs calculations to obtain angular and lateral displacement from the capacitances measured by the measuring circuit. | 07-21-2011 |
20110175630 | ELECTRONIC TEXTILE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A FUNCTIONAL AREA OF AN ELECTRONIC TEXTILE - The invention relates to a method for determining a functional area of an electronic textile ( | 07-21-2011 |
20110199102 | CHEMICAL SENSORS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME - A van der Pauw (VDP) sensor comprising an electronic circuit electrically coupled to a surface, the surface comprising a type III-V material, and the electronic circuit measuring a sheet resistivity of the surface using a VDP technique. The VDP sensor may further comprise a macromolecule, such as a porphyrin, an oligonucleotide, a protein, a polymer or a combination thereof in contact with the surface. The VDP sensors may be arranged in an array of similar or different sensors. An electronic circuit electrically coupled to a type III-V material having a two-dimensional electron gas, such as InAs or InN, the electronic circuit measuring an electrical property of the type III-V material having a two-dimensional electron gas. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199103 | Fill Level Measuring Device - A fill level measuring device for capacitive fill level measurement and/or travel time fill level measurement of a fill substance in a container. The measuring device has a coaxial measuring probe, whose inner conductor is galvanically isolated from its shield conductor, and whose shield conductor lies electrically at a reference potential. The device additionally includes: a securement apparatus lying electrically at a reference potential and serving for securement of the measuring device on a container opening equipped with a counterpart of the securement apparatus; and a washer made of an electrically conductive material and clamped in measurement operation between the securement apparatus and the counterpart. The inner conductor is completely surrounded in measurement operation by an insulating layer and passes through the washer into the container. The device additionally includes an insulating body adjoining the insulating layer and coaxially surrounding the inner conductor. The insulating body has a washer-shaped section clamped between the securement apparatus and the washer. The shield conductor coaxially surrounds the inner conductor and is connected mechanically and in an electrically conducting manner with the washer. At least one electrical contact element is affixed in the washer outside of a region of such covered by the insulating body and on a spring element. Via the contact element and the washer, the shield conductor is connected in an electrically conducting manner to the securement apparatus. | 08-18-2011 |
20110221452 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR AND SENSING METHOD - A capacitive sensing method is provided. The capacitive sensing method includes the step of alternately charging/discharging a capacitive sensing electrode of a capacitive sensor for predetermined times under an active mode and charging/discharging the capacitive sensing electrode during a fixed period under a standby mode while an object is not coupled to the capacitive sensing electrode, in which the capacitive sensing electrode has a first capacitance while the object is not coupled to the capacitive sensing electrode. The capacitive sensing method also includes the step of generating a switch signal while the object is coupled to the capacitive sensing electrode under the standby mode such that the capacitive sensing electrode has a second capacitance larger than the first capacitance and the step of switching the standby mode to the active mode according to the switch signal. | 09-15-2011 |
20110248728 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND OPERATION DETECTION METHOD - An electronic device includes an input plane member that includes a plurality of first conductive layers that is elastically deformed when a pressing operation is received from a user, a base that includes a plurality of second conductive layers that comes in contact with the first conductive layer when the input plane member is deformed, a capacitance detection unit that detects capacitance between the plurality of first conductive layers and between the plurality of second conductive layers, a resistance value detection unit that detects a resistance value between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer when the first conductive layer comes in contact with the second conductive layer, and a switch unit that controls electrical connection between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer and either of the capacitance detection unit and the resistance value detection unit. | 10-13-2011 |
20110267078 | Current Sensor Capacity Measuring System - A capacitance measuring circuit comprising an oscillator circuit, where a sensor capacitance forms a link of a plurality of series connected impedances and where a square wave voltage is impressed on the series connected impedances from a separate high speed, a low impedance source and the measurement of the charging current, into the series connected impedances, is performed by a separate high accuracy current sensing device, connected in series between the low impedance square wave source and the plurality of the series connected impedances. | 11-03-2011 |
20110267079 | CAPACITANCE SENSING CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF CAPACITANCE SENSING - A capacitance sensing circuit comprises a capacitive device having a capacitance, the device initially being at a first voltage level. The capacitance sensing circuit is capable of applying one or more pull-up currents to the device during one or more corresponding pull-up periods of time, for changing the first voltage level into one or more corresponding pull-up voltage levels; applying a measurement current to the device; and measuring a measurement period of time, during which one of the pull-up voltage levels changes into a second voltage level. A method of sensing a capacitance of a capacitive device comprises applying a first voltage to the device; applying one or more pull-up currents during corresponding pull-up times, for changing the first voltage into corresponding pull-up voltages; applying a measurement current; and measuring a time, during which one pull-up voltage changes into a second voltage. | 11-03-2011 |
20110273189 | SENSING APPARATUS FOR AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC) configured to sense capacitance, and two or more capacitive elements coupled to the IC. The capacitive elements each have a first section, and one capacitive element has a second section. The first sections of the capacitive elements have the same or substantially the same lengths, shapes, and/or capacitance values. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273190 | Sensing Apparatus and Associated Methods - An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC) configured to sense capacitance, and two or more capacitive elements coupled to the IC. The capacitive elements each have a first section, and one capacitive element has a second section. The first sections of the capacitive elements have the same or substantially the same lengths, shapes, and/or capacitance values. | 11-10-2011 |
20110291674 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING THE STATE OF OIL-FILLED ELECTRICAL DEVICES - Provided is an apparatus for analyzing the state of oil-filled electrical devices. The apparatus simulates the state of an oil-filled electrical device in which copper wire wrapped in insulating paper is immersed in insulating oil. The apparatus for analyzing the state of oil-filled electrical devices includes a first paper-covered copper wire and a second paper-covered copper wire, which are adjacent to each other; a tank which holds the first and second paper-covered copper wires as well as insulating oil extracted from the oil-filled electrical device, thereby immersing the first and second paper-covered copper wires in the insulating oil; and a capacitance measurement unit which measures the capacitance between the first and second paper-covered copper wires. The first and second paper-covered copper wires includes copper wire and insulating paper wrapped therearound. The insulating paper wrapper around each copper wire includes the same material as the insulating paper in the oil-filled electrical device. | 12-01-2011 |
20110298479 | Capacitive coordinate input device, capacitive coordinate input method, and information device - Provided are a capacitive coordinate input device and a capacitive coordinate input method for detecting at high speed the position of an object, such as a human finger or a pen, by detecting a change in capacitance at each intersection of a plurality of electrodes arranged corresponding to two-dimensional coordinates. Tri-state driving is performed such that, immediately after a voltage of a transmitting electrode is changed, impedance of other transmitting electrodes having no voltage change is temporarily increased. | 12-08-2011 |
20120001645 | COMBINED ELECTRICAL VARIABLE DETECTION DEVICE - A combined electrical variable detection device comprises a plurality of single-phase current measuring modules ( | 01-05-2012 |
20120007614 | Method and Device for Position Detection with Palm Rejection - The method and the device for position detection with palm rejection are disclosed. The invention provides a sensor and a controller for controlling the sensor. The sensor includes a plurality of strips. The controller execute a first kind of position detection and a second kind of position detection on the sensor. The first kind of position detection identifies an ignored zone, and the second kind of position detection executes the position detection outside the ignored zone. | 01-12-2012 |
20120019263 | Precision Measurement of Capacitor Mismatch - Circuitry and methods for measuring capacitive mismatch with improved precision. The capacitors under measurement are connected in series in a voltage divider, with the node common to both capacitors connected to the gate of a source follower transistor. In one disclosed embodiment of the invention, a ramped voltage is applied to the drain of the source follower transistor simultaneously with the ramped voltage applied to the voltage divider; the slope of the ramped drain voltage is at the nominal slope of the voltage at the common node of the voltage divider. In another embodiment, a second transistor in saturation has its gate coupled to the source of the source follower device, and its source connected to the drain of the source follower device in series with a constant voltage drop. The drain-to-source voltage of the source follower device is thus held constant in each embodiment, improving precision of the measurement. | 01-26-2012 |
20120043971 | METHODS AND CIRCUITS FOR MEASURING MUTUAL AND SELF CAPACITANCE - A capacitance measurement circuit for measuring self and mutual capacitances may include a first electrode capacitively coupled with a second electrode, a first plurality of switches coupled with the first electrode, and a second plurality of switches coupled with the second electrode, wherein, during a first operation stage, the first plurality of switches is configured to apply a first initial voltage to the first electrode and the second plurality of switches is configured to apply a second initial voltage to the second electrode, and wherein, during a second operation stage, the first plurality of switches is configured to connect the first electrode with a measurement circuit, and the second plurality of switches is configured to connect the second electrode with a constant voltage. | 02-23-2012 |
20120043972 | METHOD AND CIRCUIT FOR REDUCING NOISE IN A CAPACITIVE SENSING DEVICE - A capacitive sensing circuit is provided. The capacitive sensing circuit includes a first capacitor and a charge-to-voltage converter circuit coupled to the first capacitor. The charge-to-voltage converter circuit includes a first current source that provides a first current to the first capacitor to charge the first capacitor and generate a time-varying voltage. The capacitive sensing circuit also includes a voltage-to-charge converter circuit coupled to the charge-to-voltage converter circuit, wherein the voltage-to-charge converter circuit samples the time-varying voltage and converts the time-varying voltage into a sampled charge at a predetermined sampling frequency. The capacitive sensing circuit further includes an integrator circuit coupled to the voltage-to-charge circuit, wherein the integrator circuit receives the sampled charge and integrates the sampled charge. | 02-23-2012 |
20120043973 | CAPACITANCE TO CODE CONVERTER WITH SIGMA-DELTA MODULATOR - An apparatus and method of converting a capacitance measured on a sensor element to a digital value. The apparatus may include a switching capacitor as a sensor element, a modulation circuit coupled to the sensor element, and a switching circuit having a plurality of switches controlled by a variable-period clock. The modulation circuit is configured to measure a capacitance on the sense element and to convert the measured capacitance to a digital value. | 02-23-2012 |
20120043974 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A CAPACITIVE SIGNAL SOURCE - A circuit for monitoring capacitive signal sources, and particularly detecting changes in capacitance of a variable capacitor, comprises the capacitive signal source and a differential analogue to digital converter. A voltage source provides a DC voltage to a first terminal of the differential analogue to digital converter, and the capacitive signal source is connected to the other terminal of the differential analogue to digital converter. A feedback path low pass filters the output of the differential analogue to digital converter to derive a DC offset value and couples the DC offset value to the other terminal of the differential analogue to digital converter. | 02-23-2012 |
20120062244 | READOUT SYSTEM FOR MEMS-BASED CAPACITIVE ACCELEROMETERS AND STRAIN SENSORS, AND METHOD FOR READING - A method and an electronic readout circuit for measuring a capacitance of a MEMS sensor are disclosed. In one aspect, the readout circuit includes: an input stage for receiving a first signal from the sensor and for presenting a second signal; a charge amplifier stage for amplifying and integrating the second signal; and a control logic for controlling the readout circuit according to a predefined timing relation synchronized to actuation voltages applied to the sensor for generating the first signal. The readout circuit may further includes a first switching unit for applying a first reference voltage to the sensor and a second switching unit for applying the second signal to the charge amplifier stage, wherein the first and the second switching units are controlled according to the predefined timing relation such that a plurality of the second signals are accumulated. | 03-15-2012 |
20120074960 | ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM ENERGY CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY MONITOR - A method and device for reporting the characteristics of an energy storage system. The method comprises acquiring the open circuit voltage. The method also comprises providing a coulomb capability and a coulomb capacity of the energy storage system based on the open circuit voltage, and determining at least one of an energy capability or an energy capacity of the energy storage system based on at least one of the coulomb capacity, coulomb capability, or combinations thereof. | 03-29-2012 |
20120074961 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR WITH ACTIVE SHIELD ELECTRODE - A capacitive sensor having an active shield electrode driven by a unity gain amplifier. Various arrangements using multiplexors or switch arrays may allow single shield with multiple sense electrodes. | 03-29-2012 |
20120086465 | MEASURING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CAPACITOR - A measuring apparatus for capacitor is applied to a charging power source and a capacitor to be measured. The measuring apparatus for capacitor includes a microcontroller unit, an analog-digital converter unit, a charging-side switch unit, a charging-side resistor unit, a discharging-side switch unit and a discharging-side resistor unit. The capacitor to be measured is charged and discharged by the charging-side switch unit and the discharging-side switch unit controlled by the microcontroller unit. The charging and discharging voltage and time variation of the capacitor to be measured are measured by the analog-digital converter unit to calculate the capacitance value of the capacitor to be measured. | 04-12-2012 |
20120092027 | RFID Wetness Sensing Device - The present invention relates to a RFID tag having sensing capabilities. The RFID device includes an antenna section and a sensor patch section. The antenna is coupled to a chip. The sensor patch section upon exposure to an environmental condition causes the RFID device to change from a first operating condition to a second operating condition. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092028 | CAPACITIVE TOUCH SENSING DEVICE BY DETECTING INDUCED ELECTRIC FIELD - A capacitive touch sensing device by detecting induced electric field includes a differential amplifier, a resistor and a signal judgment circuit. The differential amplifier is electrically connected to a touch sensor. The resistor is electrically connected to a first input end and a second input end of the differential amplifier. The signal judgment circuit is electrically connected to an output end of the differential amplifier. As the touch sensor receives an induced electric field signal, the induced electric field signal is amplified by the differential amplifier and the signal judgment circuit determines whether the amplified induced electric field signal is a touch input. | 04-19-2012 |
20120098551 | INPUT DEVICE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING INPUT APPARATUS - An input device includes a sensor member that detects input position information; and a protective member that protects the sensor member, wherein the protective member includes a window-shaped light-transmissive region transmitting light in the thickness direction, a transparent substrate having an input surface on a first surface, and a decorative layer disposed on a second first of the transparent substrate. The decorative layer is stacked on the transparent substrate so as to surround the light-transmissive region, and an inclined section is provided at the inner edge of the decorative layer; the transparent filler is stacked on the second surface of the transparent substrate to cover the light-transmissive region and the inclined section; and the sensor member and the protective member are bonded together with the adhesive layer disposed on the transparent filler and the decorative layer. | 04-26-2012 |
20120105079 | CAPACITANCE-TO-VOLTAGE INTERFACE CIRCUITS - A capacitance-to-voltage interface circuit is utilized to obtain a voltage corresponding to a detected capacitance differential, which may be associated with the operation of a capacitive sensing cell. The interface circuit includes a capacitive sensing cell, an operational amplifier adapted for selective coupling to the capacitive sensing cell, a feedback capacitor for the operational amplifier, a load capacitor for the operational amplifier, and a switching architecture associated with the capacitive sensing cell, the operational amplifier, the feedback capacitor, and the load capacitor. During use, the switching architecture reconfigures the capacitance-to-voltage interface circuit for operation in a plurality of different phases. The different operational phases enable the single operational amplifier to be used for both capacitance-to-voltage conversion and voltage amplification. | 05-03-2012 |
20120112770 | Signal Processing - An iterative method may comprise obtaining a current input signal value for a current iteration, comparing the current input signal value with an output signal value determined in a previous iteration, updating a counter value determined in the previous iteration based on the comparison such that the updated counter value replaces the previously determined counter value, determining a slew value based on the counter value, and adding the slew value to the previously determined output signal value to generate a new current output signal value. Different slew values may be added to the previous output signal to obtain a new output signal. The counter value is updated to reflect recent trends in the input signals. For example, if the input signal is on an upward trend, the counter value may be relatively high because it is incremented each time an input signal exceeds a previously determined output signal. | 05-10-2012 |
20120126834 | Sensor Element Device and Method for Producing a Molded Body of a Sensor Element Device - A sensor element device for a capacitive contact switch for an operator control device with an operator panel has a molded body of an electrically nonconducting material. The molded body has an upper side that lies against an underside of the control panel in the assembled state. The molded body is transparently formed in certain portions in a direction perpendicular to its upper side as an illuminated indicator and is provided on its upper side with an electrically conductive coating. The electrically conductive coating serves as a capacitive sensor element of the capacitive contact switch and has at least one recess, which has been produced by means of a laser, to form a symbol. | 05-24-2012 |
20120153970 | CAPACITIVE TOUCH SENSING DEVICES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF - The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for sensing the location(s) of conductive objects disposed near a sensor array. In one aspect, a sensor array includes a conductive row and a conductive column formed of non-transparent material(s). At least a portion of the conductive row overlaps at least a portion of the conductive column and each of the conductive rows and columns include sensing elements. The sensing elements at least partially define volumes including non-conductive and optically transparent material(s) to limit the loss of light that passes therethrough. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153971 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING AN ELECTROSTATIC CHUCK - The present invention provides a reliable, non-invasive, electrical test method for predicting satisfactory performance of electrostatic chucks (ESCs). In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a parameter, e.g., impedance, of an ESC is measured over a frequency band to generate a parameter functions. This parameter function may be used to establish predetermined acceptable limits of the parameter within the frequency band. | 06-21-2012 |
20120161790 | NOx SENSING MATERIALS AND SENSORS INCORPORATING SAID MATERIALS - Gas-sensitive materials are disclosed which are mixtures or composites of BaSnO | 06-28-2012 |
20120161791 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING INPUT OBJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROXIMITY EVENTS - A system determines whether proximity events at different positions are produced by the same input object or by different input objects. One or more hover states (or proximity events with “non-contact” signatures) occurring near the two positions are used in making this determination. The proximity events are found to be produced by different input objects, for example, when the hover state occurs at approximately the first position within a first duration after a first time, or at approximately the second position within a second duration before the second time. | 06-28-2012 |
20120161792 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND CAPACITOR CAPACITANCE DETECTION METHOD APPLIED TO THE SAME - According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a capacitor, a power supply device, a discharger and a capacitance detector. The capacitor is used as a backup power supply. The power supply device charges the capacitor. The discharger discharges the capacitor. The capacitance detector maintains a terminal voltage of the capacitor at a given level for a predetermined time, by controlling an operating time of the power supply device. The capacitance detector allows the discharger to start the discharge the predetermined time later. The capacitance detector detects a capacitance of the capacitor based on a transient response characteristic of the discharge. | 06-28-2012 |
20120161793 | CAPACITIVE OCCUPANT DETECTION APPARATUS - A capacitive occupant detection apparatus comprising a sensor unit and a control unit is disclosed. The sensor unit includes a detection electrode and a periphery guard electrode. The control unit includes: a signal application circuit for applying an oscillation signal to the detection electrode; an operational amplifier for applying to the guard electrode a signal having the same phase and potential as the oscillation signal applied to the detection electrode; and a control circuit for receiving current and voltage values supplied to the detection and for determining a mounting state on a seat based on the inputted current and voltage values (including phase information). The periphery guard electrode is located to surround the detection electrode when viewed from an upper side of the detection electrode. | 06-28-2012 |
20120169355 | SENSOR STRIP FOR OBSTACLE DETECTION AND CONNECTING STRUCTURE THEREOF - Provided is a sensor strip for detecting an obstacle using a change in electrostatic capacitor, comprising: a sensor body which is formed with a reference surface coupled to an object; and a plate type strip electrode of which a center portion is closer to the reference surface than a peripheral portion thereof with respect to a transverse direction. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169356 | PROXIMITY DETECTION SYSTEM - Proximity sensing arrangements utilize one or more sensing devices to detect and/or to discern objects that are or become proximate, or are expected to be proximate to a position of interest. For example, one or more capacitive sensors may be distributed to locations about a machine, e.g., attached to, incorporated with, or otherwise associated with a moving or otherwise operating component of the machine. Corresponding control electronics drive each capacitive sensor, using a corresponding excitation signal, as well as process information read from each capacitive sensor to make intelligent proximity related decisions. | 07-05-2012 |
20120176146 | NONCONTACT DETERMINATION OF INTERFACE TRAP DENSITY FOR SEMICONDUCTOR-DIELECTRIC INTERFACE STRUCTURES - Embodiments of the subject method and apparatus relate to a sequence of noncontact Corona-Kelvin Metrology that allows the determination and monitoring of interface properties in dielectric/wide band gap semiconductor structures. The technique involves the incremental application of precise and measured quantities of corona charge, Q | 07-12-2012 |
20120187962 | CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TRIGGERING PERSON PROTECTING DEVICE - In method and a control device for triggering person protection device, a signal of a planarly measuring environment sensor system and a second signal of a contact sensor system are evaluated separately in order to produce a respective trigger signal. These two trigger signals are then gated in order to produce a third trigger signal. A trigger circuit triggers the person protection device as a function of this third trigger signal. | 07-26-2012 |
20120200306 | CAPACITANCE VOLTAGE CONVERSION CIRCUIT, INPUT APPARATUS USING THE SAME, ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT, AND CAPACITANCE VOLTAGE CONVERSION METHOD - A capacitance voltage conversion circuit, which converts respective capacitances of a plurality of sensor capacitors into voltages, includes: a plurality of capacitance current conversion circuits disposed in respective correspondence with the sensor capacitors, each capacitance current conversion circuit configured to generate a detection current corresponding to a capacitance of a corresponding sensor capacitor; a current average circuit configured to average a plurality of detection currents, which are respectively generated by the capacitance current conversion circuits, to generate an average current; and a plurality of current voltage conversion circuits disposed in respective correspondence with the sensor capacitors, each current voltage conversion circuit configured to convert a difference current between a corresponding detection current and the average current into a voltage. | 08-09-2012 |
20120223725 | Touch Sensitive Device And Fabrication Method Thereof - The present invention relates to a touch sensitive device comprising a substrate, a mask layer, at least one touch sensing assembly partially masked by the mask layer, and an insulator formed between the mask layer and the touch sensing assembly for insulating the mask layer and the touch sensing assembly; wherein the mask layer, the touch sensing assembly, and the insulator are integrally formed on the substrate. | 09-06-2012 |
20120223726 | MEMS Sensor with Movable Z-Axis Sensing Element - A MEMS sensor includes a substrate and a MEMS structure coupled to the substrate. The MEMS structure has a mass movable with respect to the substrate. The MEMS sensor also includes a reference structure electrically coupled to the mass of the MEMS sensor. The reference structure is used to provide a reference to offset any environmental changes that may affect the MEMS sensor in order to increase the accuracy of its measurement. | 09-06-2012 |
20120229148 | PROJECTED CAPACITIVE TOUCH PANEL HAVING A RESISTANCE FINE-TUNING STRUCTURE - A projected capacitive touch panel having a resistance fine-tuning structure has an X-axis sensing layer and a Y-axis sensing layer. The X-axis sensing layer and the Y-axis sensing layer respectively have multiple X-axis electrode arrays and multiple Y-axis electrode arrays. Each X-axis electrode array or each Y-axis electrode array is composed of multiple electrodes and multiple connection portions. Each connection portion is connected between adjacent two of the electrodes of one of the X-axis or Y-axis electrode arrays. By varying widths and adjusting resistance of the connection portions of the X-axis electrode arrays and the Y-axis electrode arrays, the touch sensitivity of the touch panel can be enhanced and the size of the touch panel can be enlarged. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229149 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING LOAD CAPACITANCE OF AN OSCILLATOR CIRCUIT, OSCILLATOR CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for determining the load capacitance CL of an oscillator circuit having a low load capacitance. To attain the object, we provide a method for determining the load capacitance CL of an oscillator circuit, wherein, when a drive current and a load capacitance of the oscillator circuit with a negative resistance RL | 09-13-2012 |
20120229150 | INPUT APPARATUS AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT USING CAPACITIVE SENSING METHOD IN DETECTING OPERATIONS - An input apparatus capable of improving detection sensitivity in detecting operations using a capacitive sensing method. An operation member is operated to change the positional relationship between a substrate and a conducive member. In the conductive member, a first part whose facing area facing an earth electrode of the substrate does not change even when the positional relationship between the substrate and the conducive member changes, and second parts whore facing area facing detecting electrodes of the substrate changes in response to a change in the positional relationship between the substrate and the conducive member are formed. The substrate or the conducive member is formed so that when the facing area of the second parts facing the detecting electrodes reaches the maximum, the facing area of the second parts facing the detecting electrodes can be equal to the facing area of the first part facing the earth electrode. | 09-13-2012 |
20120235691 | Touch Sensing Device - A touch sensing device is provided. A shielding plate is provided for covering and shielding wires that route sensing electrodes to a flexible circuit board. Alternatively, a conductive layer of the circuit board is applied for shielding a plurality of contacts of the electrodes and wires. Wires that couple two same typed electrodes extend as a shielding plate for shielding contacts of another type of electrodes. An auxiliary electrode bordering outside the sensing electrodes can be provided to compensate fringe effects of the sensing electrodes. | 09-20-2012 |
20120242353 | Physical Property Measuring Method for TFT Liquid Crystal Panel and Physical Property Measuring Apparatus for TFT Liquid Crystal Panel - There is provided a physical property measuring method for a TFT liquid crystal panel, includes an impedance setting step of setting the impedance between the source and drain of a TFT of the TFT liquid crystal panel to be less than or equal to a predetermined value, a voltage application step of applying a voltage that cyclically varies to a liquid crystal layer of the TFT liquid crystal panel. And the method further includes a physical property measuring step of measuring a transient current flowing through the liquid crystal layer to which the voltage that cyclically varies is applied in the voltage application step to measure physical properties of the liquid crystal layer. | 09-27-2012 |
20120249167 | METHOD FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION ENABLING THE DETERMINATION OF A CHARACTERISTIC OF A POWER SOURCE - An apparatus for obtaining information enabling a characteristic like determination of maximum power point of a power source, the apparatus including at least an inductor and a capacitor, the information enabling the determination of the characteristic of the power source being obtained by monitoring the voltage charge of the capacitor, and a mechanism discharging the capacitor through the inductor prior to the monitoring of the charge of the capacitor. | 10-04-2012 |
20120256642 | SINGLE LAYER TOUCH SENSOR - Embodiments described herein provide capacitance sensing devices and methods for forming such devices. The capacitance sensing devices include a substrate having a central and an outer portion. A plurality of substantially co-planar electrodes are on the central portion substrate. A first plurality of conductors are on the substrate. Each of the first plurality of conductors has a first end portion electrically connected to one of the plurality of electrodes and a second end portion on the outer portion of the substrate. An insulating material is coupled to the second end portions of the first plurality of conductors. A second plurality of conductors are coupled to the insulating material. Each of the second plurality of conductors is electrically connected to the second end portion of at least some of the first plurality of conductors and is insulated from the second end portion of the others of the first plurality of conductors. | 10-11-2012 |
20120262191 | EXTENSION SENSOR AND METHOD FOR MEASURING AN EXTENSION OF A TEXTILE - The invention relates to an extension sensor, in particular for measuring an extension of a textile, comprising at least one yarn, which has an extensibility and wherein the yarn comprises at least two electrically conductive layers that extend along a longitudinal direction of the yarn, wherein the electrically conductive layers are spatially separated and insulated from each other. | 10-18-2012 |
20120268142 | CAPACITIVE PANEL SCANNING WITH REDUCED NUMBER OF SENSING CIRCUITS - Embodiments described herein provide capacitive sensor devices and methods for operating capacitive sensor devices. A first number of electrodes on the capacitive sensor array is activated. A signal is received from each of the first number of electrodes with a second number of receiver circuits on a controller associated with the capacitive sensor array. The first number is greater than the second number. It is determined if an object is proximate the capacitive sensor array based on the signals received from the first number of electrodes. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268143 | CAPACITIVE SENSING PATTERN - A capacitive input device includes a plurality of receiver sensor electrodes oriented substantially parallel to a first axis proximate to a sensing region of the capacitive input device. The capacitive sensing device also includes a plurality of transmitter sensor electrodes oriented substantially parallel to a second axis proximate to the sensing region and configured to be capacitively coupled with the plurality of receiver sensor electrodes. The at least one receiver sensor electrode of the plurality of receiver sensor electrodes is disposed in a configuration forming multiple crossings with a line that is parallel to the second axis, the multiple crossings occurring proximate to the sensing region. | 10-25-2012 |
20120280698 | CAPACITANCE-TYPE PROXIMITY SENSOR DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A capacitance-type proximity sensor device includes internal electrodes that are arranged such that capacitance is formed therebetween, external electrodes that are arranged in the outer circumference of the internal electrodes, a driving circuit that outputs a driving voltage, a detecting circuit that detects an output signal, a multiplexer that connects an electrode serving as a driving electrode to the driving circuit, connects an electrode serving as a detecting electrode to the detecting circuit, and connects an electrode serving as a shielding electrode to the ground, and a CPU that calculates the position of an object to be detected. When the object to be detected is detected, the multiplexer changes the internal electrodes and the external electrodes to the detecting electrodes, the driving electrodes, and the shielding electrodes. | 11-08-2012 |
20120286808 | SYSTEM FOR LOCATING AND IDENTIFYING AT LEAST TWO SEPARATE ITEMS - A system for locating and identifying at least two separate items, for example packaging, includes a capacitive first sensor detecting a first measuring region at a first position of a sensor device, for example a sensor film on a shelf bottom for packaging, a capacitive second sensor detecting a second measuring region at a second position, differing from the first position, of the sensor device, an electrically conductive first mark of a first item in the measuring region of one sensor, an electrically conductive second mark of a second item in the measuring region of the other sensor, and an evaluation device evaluating signals from the sensors, the signals caused or changed by electrical conductivity of the marks. Items can be capacitively detected and information obtained can be used to improve warehousing. The sensors and the marks can be produced quickly and cost-effectively by printing processes or film transfer. | 11-15-2012 |
20120286809 | Circuit Arrangement for Determining a Capacitance of a Number of Capacitive Sensor Elements - A circuit arrangement for determining a capacitance of a number n of capacitive sensor elements (SE | 11-15-2012 |
20120293189 | NOVEL METHOD AND DEVICE FOR WHOLE-CELL BACTERIAL BIO-CAPACITOR CHIP FOR DETECTING CELLULAR STRESS INDUCED BY TOXIC CHEMICALS - The present invention is directed to methods and a bio-capacitor sensing device for the detection of toxic chemicals using bacteria. The sensing platform comprises gold interdigitated capacitor with a defined geometry, a layer of carboxy-CNTs immobilized with viable | 11-22-2012 |
20120319704 | STACKED SENSOR FOR TESTING A POROUS MEDIUM - A sensor is provided for testing a porous medium. The sensor includes a plurality of porous elements, a number of electrically conductive interface plates which is one greater than the quantity of elements, and the same number of conductors. Each element operates as a discrete variable capacitor, exhibits a different known liquid release curve, and includes a first axial opening. The elements are stacked one on top of another. Each plate includes a second axial opening. The plates are axially distributed within the sensor such that the first and second axial openings combine to form a longitudinal cavity that extends from the sensor's proximal end to its distal end, and each element is sandwiched between a different pair of plates. A distal end of each conductor is attached to a different one of the plates, and a proximal end is routed through the cavity to the sensor's proximal end. | 12-20-2012 |
20120319705 | HYBRID THREE-DIMENSIONAL SENSOR ARRAY, IN PARTICULAR FOR MEASURING ELECTROGENIC CELL ASSEMBLIES, AND THE MEASURING ASSEMBLY - The invention relates to a hybrid three-dimensional sensor array, in particular for measuring biological cell assemblies. The sensor array has a plurality of microstructured sensor plates, each having one carrier section on which a plurality of sensor needles are arranged in a comb-like manner, which carry a plurality of electrode surfaces. Furthermore, a plurality of spacer elements are provided, which are fastened between the sensor plates so that both the carrier sections and the sensor needles of adjacent sensor plates are at a distance from each other. The invention further relates to a measuring assembly for measuring electrical activities of biological cell assemblies using such a sensor array. | 12-20-2012 |
20130009652 | ABSOLUTE POSITION MEASUREMENT CAPACITIVE GRATING DISPLACEMENT MEASUREMENT METHOD, SENSOR, AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - An absolute position measurement capacitive grating displacement measurement method, a sensor, and an operating method of the sensor are provided. In the measurement method, a drive signal having wave properties is used to excite a transmission grating, and displacement of a measured position in each wavelength is transformed into an initial phase of a time fundamental wave. The displacement of the measured position in each wavelength is acquired through an addition counter. A signal having wave properties output by a drive signal generator of the sensor is connected to a transmission grating, the master clock of an oscillator is connected to each circuit, an output of a reception grating is connected to a synchronous capture circuit through a signal selection switch and an analog processing circuit; and the synchronous capture circuit is connected to a controller, an addition counter, and a Random Access Memory (RAM). The controller is connected to all components. In the operating method of the sensor, an interface unit starts a measurement unit, a controller coordinates operation of all circuits, and after measurement of displacements in coarse, medium, and fine wavelengths is successively completed, the interface unit turns off the measurement unit, performs processing, and displays the measurement result. The circuits are simple, easy to control, and easy to be realized, and have high precision. | 01-10-2013 |
20130015862 | ROTATION ANGLE SENSORAANM Ludwig; RonnyAACI ReutlingenAACO DEAAGP Ludwig; Ronny Reutlingen DE - A rotation angle sensor which has at least one capacitor having capacitor plates and a dielectric designed as a disk. The disk is situated between the capacitor plates, and fills out differently sized surface portions between the capacitor plates, depending on the rotation angle. The rotation angle sensor is designed to determine the rotation angle as a function of a measured value of the capacitance of the at least one capacitor. | 01-17-2013 |
20130021044 | Apparatus and Method for Finger Activity on a Fingerprint Sensor - An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal. | 01-24-2013 |
20130038338 | Parasitic Capacitive Canceling in a Sensor Interface - In one embodiment, a method includes communicating a first voltage to a drive line of a touch sensor; setting a sense line of the touch sensor to a predetermined voltage; and communicating a second voltage to the drive line. A resulting transition at the drive line from the first voltage to the second voltage causes an amount of charge accumulated on the sense line to be communicated to an integrator. The method also includes, at the integrator, integrating the amount of charge communicated from the sense line to convert the amount of charge to an output voltage. The method also includes restoring the sense line to the predetermined voltage. | 02-14-2013 |
20130082719 | Sensor Patterns With Reduced Noise Coupling - A capacitive sense array configured to improve noise immunity in detecting a presence of a conductive object is described. In one embodiment, a capacitive sense array includes at least a first set of sense elements disposed in straight parallel lines along a first axis of the capacitive sense array. A second set of sense elements is disposed in crooked paths about a second axis of the capacitive sense array. The first and second sets form a capacitive sense array that includes crooked sense paths in at least one of the axes of the sense array. | 04-04-2013 |
20130088244 | VARIABLE CAPACITANCE SENSORS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A variable capacitance sensor includes a first conductive electrode comprising electrically interconnected first conductive sheets; a second conductive electrode comprising electrically interconnected second conductive sheets, wherein the first conductive sheets are at least partially interleaved with the second conductive sheets, and wherein the second conductive electrode is electrically insulated from the first conductive electrode; and microporous dielectric material at least partially disposed between and contacting the first conductive sheets and the second conductive sheets. A method of making a variable capacitance sensor by replacing ceramic in a ceramic capacitor with a microporous material is also disclosed. | 04-11-2013 |
20130106441 | Flexible Touch Sensor | 05-02-2013 |
20130113504 | VEHICLE DOOR HANDLE APPARATUS - A vehicle door handle apparatus is provided with a handle main body formed by coupling a first cover and a second cover and a capacitance sensor accommodated in a hollow space in the handle main body. One of the first cover and the second cover is formed with an accommodation recess defined by partition walls. The capacitance sensor is accommodated in the accommodation recess and fixed by a potting agent. | 05-09-2013 |
20130134992 | SENSOR SLEEVE FOR HEALTH MONITORING AN ARTICLE - A sensor sleeve ( | 05-30-2013 |
20130141118 | Capacitive Coupling of Bond Pads - In one embodiment, a system includes a touch sensor comprising a first set of electrodes and a first set of bond pads electrically coupled to the first set of electrodes. The system also includes a second set of bond pads capacitively coupled to the first set of bond pads. Each bond pad of the second set of bond pads is coincident with a bond pad of the first set of bond pads. The system also includes a circuit electrically coupled to the second set of bond pads such that signals may be communicated from the first set of bond pads to the circuit. | 06-06-2013 |
20130147495 | End-of-Line Capacitor for Measuring Wiring Impedance of Emergency Notification Circuits - A system includes a capacitor, a plurality of notification devices connected in parallel with the capacitor, and a controller. The controller is capable of determining capacitance of the capacitor during charge-up of the capacitor, and the controller is capable of determining the wiring impedance of the emergency notification circuit during discharge of the capacitor. | 06-13-2013 |
20130162269 | Current Sensing with Internal ADC Capacitor - External conditions, e.g., smoke, temperature, humidity, humidity, pressure, flow rate, etc., affects a sensor's characteristics, wherein the sensor provides a current output representative of its characteristics as affected by the external conditions. The current output of the sensor is coupled to a sample and hold capacitor for a precision time period thereby charging the sample and hold capacitor to a voltage proportional to current provided by the sensor over the precision time period. The voltage on the sample and hold capacitor is converted to a digital representation and a determination is made whether the external condition represents an alarm situation, e.g., smoke detected from a fire. | 06-27-2013 |
20130169294 | DEVICES AND METHODS HAVING CAPACITANCE SENSE STRUCTURE FORMED OVER HOUSING SURFACE - A capacitance sensing system can include at least a first conductive pattern formed on a first surface of a housing of an electronic device; and a capacitance sensing circuit electrically connected to the first conductive pattern. | 07-04-2013 |
20130176037 | ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION MEASUREMENT DEVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM, AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION MEASUREMENT METHOD - An environmental information measurement device includes: a power source unit; an environmental information detector; a timer; and a controller. The power source unit generates, from an electromagnetic wave received, a power source voltage to be supplied to a load. The load includes the environmental information detector, the timer, and the controller. The environmental information detector includes a detector including a circuit element having an impedance or an electrostatic capacitance that varies according to a physical amount detected under an environment at a measurement target point, and outputs a signal that varies according to a response characteristic of the detector. The timer measures a duration from the time when measurement is initiated to the time when a voltage of the signal becomes a predetermined detection voltage. The controller controls an operation of the environmental information detector. | 07-11-2013 |
20130181727 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR SHEET AND PRODUCTION METHOD THEREOF - A production method of a capacitive sensor sheet, comprising: a film forming step forming of a optically-transparent electroconductive film | 07-18-2013 |
20130193988 | Electronic Imager Using an Impedance Sensor Grid Array and Method of Making - An novel impedance sensor is provided having a plurality of substantially parallel drive lines configured to transmit a signal into a surface of a proximally located object, and also a plurality of substantially parallel pickup lines oriented substantially perpendicular to the drive lines and separated from the pickup lines by a dielectric to form intrinsic electrode pairs that are impedance sensitive at each of the drive and pickup crossover locations. | 08-01-2013 |
20130221991 | USER INTERFACE HAVING UNIVERSAL SENSING ELECTRODE STRUCTURE - A universal sensor array for use with a user interface panel includes a first array of conductors separated from a second array of conductors by a dielectric substrate. Conductors of the first array cross over the conductors of the second array without touching. A control circuit detects stimuli proximate the conductors and provides respective control outputs in response to substantially simultaneous detection of stimuli proximate predetermined pairs of intersecting conductors and provides a null control output in response to detection of stimuli proximate other conductors or pairs of conductors. | 08-29-2013 |
20130221992 | Structure of Bridging Electrode - In a structure of a bridging electrode, the structure of a bridging electrode applied to a capacitive touchpad, the structure comprising: a substrate; a plurality of first electrode blocks disposed on the substrate and electrically connected together in series through a first wire; a plurality of second electrode blocks disposed on the substrate and respectively disposed on two sides of the first wire; and a bridging insulation unit, which is perpendicular to and disposed on the first wire and having a bridging groove; wherein the second electrode blocks connecting electrically together in series through the bridging insulation unit having a second wire. | 08-29-2013 |
20130229192 | MEASURING SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AT LEAST ONE PHASE OF A SYSTEM - A measuring system is disclosed for monitoring at least one phase of a system. A measuring module includes a signal acquisition module and a signal further processing module. The signal acquisition module is formed by an ASIC. A printed circuit board includes a voltage sensor and the signal acquisition module includes current sensors and a voltage sensor connection connected to the voltage sensor in an electrically conductive manner, for each phase to be monitored. The signal further processing module is connected to the signal acquisition module and can evaluate current and voltage values which have been determined. The signal further processing module includes, output devices which can be used to output serial data and digital signals for control purposes. | 09-05-2013 |
20130234731 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING TRAPPED TRANSMISSION LINE CHARGE - The present disclosure provides systems and methods for calculating the trapped charge on a de-energized phase line connected to a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT). According to various embodiments, the current through an auxiliary capacitive assembly may be measured and the current through a primary capacitive assembly may be measured or derived. According to various embodiments, the current sensors may both be positioned at zero-voltage points, eliminating the need for high-voltage insulated current sensors. An intelligent electronic device (IED) may determine the voltage with respect to time on the phase line using the measured and/or derived currents through the capacitive assemblies. If the phase line is de-energized, the IED may calculate the trapped charge on the de-energized phase line. The IED may use the calculated trapped charge to facilitate an optimized re-energization of the phase line, thereby reducing undesirable transients during re-energization. | 09-12-2013 |
20130234732 | TOUCH PANEL AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME - The invention discloses a method for producing touch panels. The method comprises providing a plastic substrate including multiple predetermined regions; forming an icon or artwork layer on the plastic substrate; forming a sensing layer on the icon or artwork layer; cutting the predetermined regions from the plastic substrate to become individual touch panels; and subjecting the touch panels to bonding, so that the peripheral wires of the respective touch panels are connected to a flexible printed circuit board. | 09-12-2013 |
20130234733 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR SWITCHING A DOOR OPENING ON A MOTOR VEHICLE - A sensor arrangement for sensing movement gestures on a motor vehicle with a capacitive sensor arrangement and at least one control and evaluation device which is coupled to the sensor arrangement and which senses a change in the capacitance of the sensor arrangement with respect to a reference potential. A user can use a part of his body, for example his foot, to make a gesture in the sensing range of the sensors for activating a tailgate. At least two sensor electrode arrangements are arranged at spatially offset positions on the motor vehicle. The sensor electrodes are embodied as elongate electrode arrangements and are arranged with the same spatial orientation. One of the sensor electrodes is longer than the other. The relatively long sensor electrode extends beyond the relatively short sensor electrode on both sides in the longitudinal direction. | 09-12-2013 |
20130241575 | ELECTRIC MACHINE - An electric machine includes a first active part, which has a plurality of active part segments disposed one behind the other in a direction of movement of the electric machine, with each of the active part segments including a position measuring device, and a second active part with a measuring device for identifying the respective position measuring device. Each position measuring device has at least one position measuring unit having a dielectric constant, wherein the dielectric constant of the position measuring unit in one of the active part segments is different than the dielectric constant in an adjacent one of the active part segments. The measuring device includes at least one measuring unit to determine the dielectric constant of the position measuring units. | 09-19-2013 |
20130241576 | SENSOR ASSEMBLY FOR DETECTING AN APPROACHING AND/OR CONTACTING OBJECT, AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A SENSOR ASSEMBLY - A sensor assembly and method for producing a sensor assembly for detecting an approaching and/or contacting object. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor support surface having a first flat side and a second flat side, a proximity and/or contact sensor, which is connected to the first flat side and/or to the second flat side of the sensor support surface, a decoration support medium having a first support flat side and a second support flat side, and a decoration layer, which is connected to the first support flat side and/or to the second support flat side of the decoration support medium and/or is an integral part of the decoration support medium. The decoration support medium includes a glass or plastic film or panel which is back-molded on the first support flat side thereof and/or on the second support flat side, directly or indirectly, using an injection molding material. | 09-19-2013 |
20130257455 | Capacitive Supply Level Sensing Circuit and Method - A circuit and system for sensing a capacitance of a capacitive sensor disposed in a toner container of an electrophotographic imaging apparatus. The circuit and system may include an AC signal generator and conversion circuitry, coupled to the capacitive sensor, for detecting an AC current appearing on the capacitive sensor and converting the detected AC current to a substantially DC voltage, relative to a local ground, the local ground serving as a ground reference for the conversion circuitry. The AC signal generator is coupled between the local ground and a system ground. Physically separating the AC signal generator from the capacitive sensor allows for parts of the capacitive sensor to be used to perform other functions in the toner container. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257456 | System and Method for Detecting Surface Charges of a MEMS Device - A method for measuring retained surface charges within a MEMS device includes performing an initial voltage sweep on the MEMS device, and recording the capacitance between a first and second electrode of the MEMS device. The method may then (1) apply a stress signal to the MEMS device that causes a first and/or second electrode within the MES device to retain a surface charge, and (2) perform at least one additional voltage sweep on the MEMS device. The method may record the capacitance during the additional voltage sweep(s), and calculate a C-V center voltage shift based upon the data obtained during the initial voltage sweep and additional voltage sweep. The voltage shift is representative of the retained surface charge. | 10-03-2013 |
20130293245 | SENSOR UNIT FOR REMOTELY ACTUATING A VEHICLE DOOR, VEHICLE DOOR HAVING THE SENSOR UNIT AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SENSOR UNIT - A capacitive sensor unit is not susceptible to failure and remotely actuates a door of a vehicle. The sensor unit contains an electrode assembly having an elongated sensor electrode and a supply line for electrically connecting the sensor electrode to an evaluation unit. The supply line is surrounded by a shield. An additional ground conductor, which is electrically conductively connected to the shield over the entire length of the supply line, is connected in parallel to the supply line. | 11-07-2013 |
20130300435 | Integrated Electric Field Sensor - An electric field sensor includes one or more sensing electrodes connected to an integrated amplifier that bootstraps all parasitic capacitances at the sensor input to provide for a very high input impedance without the need for neutralization or other adjustments and calibration. The integrated amplifier for the electric field sensor further includes low-noise ESD/biasing structures to stabilize the DC-potential of the sensor with a minimum amount of added noise, leakage and parasitic capacitance. | 11-14-2013 |
20130300436 | Stud Detector - A stud detector has a voltage source, a first device, and a second device. The first device serves to generate a voltage that is galvanically decoupled from the voltage source. The second device serves for the potential-free transmission of a control signal. | 11-14-2013 |
20130321000 | ROTATIONAL CLEARANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A radial clearance measurement system is provided. The radial clearance measurement system comprises a radial clearance sensor that is relatively insensitive to axial movement of an object rotating relative to the radial clearance sensor. In one embodiment, the radial clearance sensor includes an electrode having a relatively constant overlap area over the range of axial movement of the object. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321001 | CAPACITIVE CHARGE MEASUREMENT - In a circuit for measuring a capacitive charge a drive module is configured for coupling with a sensor electrode of a capacitive input device. The drive module is configured to drive the sensor electrode with a plurality of positive and negative measurement cycles. A latched comparator comprises an input for capturing voltages from the sensor electrode. An output of the latched comparator provides output signals based upon the captured voltages from the sensor electrode. A first counter is set based on a first output signal produced by a first voltage captured by the input during a positive measurement cycle. A second counter is set based on a second output signal produced by a second voltage captured by the input during a negative measurement cycle. A determination module is configured to produce a demodulated output signal based on the first counter value and the second counter value. | 12-05-2013 |
20130342219 | CAPACITIVE POSITION SENSOR - A transducer includes a plurality of electrodes and a dielectric shuttle. The dielectric shuttle passes between a subset of the electrodes, modifying the capacitance between them. By measuring the capacitance of subsets of the electrodes, the position of the dielectric shuttle may be determined. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342220 | ELECTROSTATIC CAPACITANCE DETECTION DEVICE - An electrostatic capacitance detection device includes a plurality of electrodes configured to detect an electrostatic capacitance, an electrostatic capacitance measurement part configured to select one electrode from the plurality of electrodes as a detection electrode, to allow the electrodes other than the detection electrode to be in a first electric potential condition and then to be in a second electric potential condition that is different from the first electric potential condition, and to measure a first voltage of the detection electrode in the first electric potential condition and a second voltage of the detection electrode in the second electric potential condition, and a judgment part configured to compare measurement values based on the first and the second voltages of the detection electrode, thereby to judge whether the detection electrode is in a short circuit condition. | 12-26-2013 |
20140002112 | DEVICES AND METHODS HAVING CAPACITANCE SENSE STRUCTURE FORMED OVER HOUSING SURFACE | 01-02-2014 |
20140015548 | NANOSCALE SENSORS WITH NANOPOROUS MATERIAL - A nanocoaxial sensor includes an outer conductor, an inner conductor, a nanoporous dielectric material disposed between the outer and inner conductors, a nanocavity sized to allow target species to enter the nanocavity between the outer and inner conductors. | 01-16-2014 |
20140028333 | VAPOR SENSOR INCLUDING SENSOR ELEMENT WITH INTEGRAL HEATING - A vapor sensor includes a capacitance-related property sensor element ( | 01-30-2014 |
20140035598 | METHOD FOR CONTACTLESS DETEMRINATION OF ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL USING OSCILLATING ELECTRODE, AND DEVICE - The electrical potential of an object is determined by providing a mechanically oscillating electrode located at a distance from the object and making the electrode mechanically oscillate. A change in a state of electric charge of the electrode over time and amplitudes of at least two frequency components during the change in the state of electric charge over time are determined. Based on the amplitudes, at least one parameter that forms part of the value of a capacitance of an arrangement formed by the electrode and the object is determined, so that the capacitance of the arrangement formed by the electrode and object can be determined based on the parameter. Finally, the electrical potential is determined from the change in the state of electric charge and the capacitance. | 02-06-2014 |
20140035599 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR SHEET PRODUCING METHOD AND CAPACITIVE SENSOR SHEET - A capacitive sensor sheet producing method for producing a capacitive sensor sheet uses a base having an insulative base layer on which a binder resin layer including conductive nanowires is formed. The conductive nanowires partially projecting from a surface of the binder resin layer. The method includes removing a binder resin from projections of conductive nanowires partially projected from a plurality of detection electrodes by implementing a surface etching and shaping treatment on a surface of the binder resin layer, or surface ends of at least partial detection electrodes of the plurality of detection electrodes, forming wiring lines of the conductive pattern layer, and connecting the wiring lines to the surface ends of at least partial detection electrodes in the pattern layer. The projections of the conductive nanowires removed the binder resin are put into contact with the connecting portions. | 02-06-2014 |
20140049269 | SYSTEM FOR MEASURING ELECTRICAL CHARGE - A system for measuring electrical charge, comprising a capacitance detector ( | 02-20-2014 |
20140049270 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ANALYZING POSITIONS - The method and device for analyzing position are disclosed. By analyzing sensing information with at least one zero-crossing, each position can be analyzed. The number of analyzed positions may be different from the number of zero-crossings. When the number of analyzed positions is different from the number of zero-crossing, the number of analyzed positions is more than one. | 02-20-2014 |
20140062504 | SIGNAL STABILIZATION IN A NON-RESISTIVE CONTACT SENSOR ASSEMBLY - A non-resistive contact sensor assembly includes an electric field sensor device, including a dry electrode component for receiving an electrical signal from an object of interest and a signal processing component for processing the electrical signal, and a casing in which the signal processing component is surrounded or embedded. The processing component may include communications capabilities. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062505 | SIGNAL STABILIZATION IN A NON-RESISTIVE CONTACT SENSOR ASSEMBLY - A non-resistive contact sensor assembly includes an electric field sensor device, a cover, and a biasing structure. The electric field sensor devices has a dry electrode component for receiving an electrical signal from an object of interest by capacitively coupling with the entity. The signal processing component is surrounded or embedded in the cover. The biasing structure is disposed on the outside of the cover and is adapted to press the dry electrode component against a surface of the object interest when biased by an external structure. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062506 | MEMS DEVICE INCLUDING A MOBILE ELEMENT AND A RESISTIVE SENSOR, AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A SIGNAL INDICATING THE POSITION OF THE MOBILE ELEMENT - A MEMS device includes a supporting body, a first deformable element and a second deformable element, and a mobile element set between the first and second deformable elements and rotatable with respect to the fixed supporting body. A generator causes a current to flow through at least one of the first and second deformable elements, which function as resistors, so as to generate an electrical position signal proportional to deformation of the first and second deformable elements and indicative of angular position of the mobile element. The electrical signal is processed to determine mobile element angular position. A drive signal is generated in response to the electrical signal for the purpose of driving oscillation of the mobile element. | 03-06-2014 |
20140070821 | THIN FILM SENSOR, CAPACITIVE TOUCH PANEL HAVING THE SAME AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF AND TERMINAL PRODUCT - The present invention relates to a thin film sensor, capacitive touch panel having the sensor and preparation method thereof and terminal product. The thin film sensor of the present invention has only one optically conductive substrate. Specifically, only one optically transparent substrate is used, a sensing electrode layer and a driving electrode layer are coated on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, respectively, which helps to reduce the thickness of the thin film sensor on one hand, thus contributes to the development of light and thin of a touch panel and touch electronics; on the other hand, the material selection and the preparation process are simple, the selection of two substrates is not necessary to prepare two optically conductive thin film. | 03-13-2014 |
20140077823 | HIGH SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO CAPACITIVE SENSING ANALOG FRONT-END - Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. The capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter configured to receive a signal from a capacitance to be sensed and to provide an output signal representative of the capacitance, an output chopper configured to convert the output signal of the capacitance-to-voltage converter to a sensed voltage representative of the capacitance to be sensed, an analog accumulator configured to accumulate sensed voltages during an accumulation period of NA sensing cycles and to provide an accumulated analog value, an amplifier configured to amplify the accumulated analog value, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the amplified accumulated analog value to a digital value representative of the capacitance to be sensed. The analog accumulator may include a low pass filter having a frequency response to filter wideband noise. | 03-20-2014 |
20140091815 | CAPACITIVE POSITION SENSOR SYSTEM - A capacitive position sensor system for determining the position of an object, in particular on a surface of a contactless smartcard, is provided. The object is positioned within a sensitive area of the capacitive position sensor system and changes the capacitance of capacitors being arranged underneath the object. The capacitive position sensor system comprises a set of sensing elements being arranged in the form of a column. Each sensing element includes a first capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode and a second capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode. A specific weighting factor is assigned to each capacitor. A control unit is adapted to determine the position of the object in one dimension by analyzing the results of a plurality of sensed voltage levels for the first capacitors and the second capacitors of a plurality of integration cycles. | 04-03-2014 |
20140103941 | CAPACITIVE SENSING ARRAY DEVICE WITH HIGH SENSITIVITY AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A capacitive sensing array device of an electronic apparatus includes sensing electrodes, a shielding conductor layer, a coupling signal source, a constant voltage source and switch modules. The coupling signal source provides a coupling signal coupled to an object. The constant voltage source provides a constant voltage to the shielding conductor layer to form a stable vertical parasitic capacitor between the shielding conductor layer and each sensing electrode. Each switch module is electrically connected to the constant voltage source via the corresponding sensing electrode. When one sensing electrode is selected to perform sensing, the corresponding switch module is configured as an open-circuited state such that the selected sensing electrode is disconnected from the constant voltage source, while the other sensing electrodes are electrically connected to the constant voltage source to form a stable horizontal parasitic capacitor between the selected sensing electrode and the other sensing electrodes. | 04-17-2014 |
20140111222 | Electrode Design for Electric Field Measurement System - An electrode arrangement for an electric field sensor device with a transmitting electrode and at least one receiving electrode may have a nonconductive substrate having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. A first electrode is arranged within the first conductive layer, wherein the first electrode is a receiving electrode of the electric field sensor device, and a second electrode is arranged within the second conductive layer, wherein the second electrode is a transmitting electrode of the electric field sensor device wherein the second electrode covers a larger area than the first electrode and wherein the second electrode is textured to reduce the capacitance between the first and second electrode. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111223 | Two Dimensional Position Sensor - A two-dimensional position sensor comprising a substrate with a sensitive area defined by a pattern of electrodes including electrodes for determining x-position and electrodes for determining y-position. The x-electrodes and y-electrodes generally extend in the x-direction and are interleaved in the y-direction. The x-electrodes comprise at least first, second and third groups of elements shaped such that adjacent ones of the elements of the different x-electrode groups co-extend in the x-direction so that the x-electrodes provide ratiometric capacitive signals, thereby providing quasi-continuous x-position sensing across the sensitive area. In addition, the y-electrodes may be resistively connected or arranged in ratiometric pairs to provide quasi-continuous y-position sensing. Alternatively, the x-electrode groups may be interdigitated to form pairs of x-adjacent blocks of differing area to provide stepwise x-position sensing in combination with stepwise y-position sensing provided by the y-electrodes. | 04-24-2014 |
20140118009 | CAPACITIVE SENSING COMPONENT, PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF AND TOUCH SCREEN HAVING THE SAME - A capacitive sensing component includes a substrate and a patterned sensing layer formed on the substrate; the patterned sensing layer includes a plurality of sensing electrodes, the plurality of sensing electrodes are formed of a metal mesh laying on the substrate. The cost of the capacitive sensing component is low. A preparation method of a capacitive sensing component and a touch screen are also provided. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118010 | MULTIPLE-EXCITATION MULTIPLE-RECEIVING (MEMR) CAPACITANCE TOMOGRAPHY - A method for operating a sensor, including simultaneously exciting a first set of electrodes and sensing an output of each electrode of a second set of electrodes, storing output data corresponding to the output of each electrode of the second set of electrodes in a memory storage device, shifting at least one electrode from the first set of electrodes to the second set of electrodes and at least one electrode from the second set of electrodes to the first set of electrodes, and repeating the simultaneously exciting and sensing, the storing, and the shifting until an output data has been stored for each possible pair of electrodes in the first and second set of electrodes. | 05-01-2014 |
20140125357 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR CAPACITIVE MEASUREMENT INCLUDING A FLOATING BRIDGE - A capacitive measurement device is provided, including: (i) a first electronic system electrically referenced to a guard potential and connectable to capacitive electrodes; (ii) a second electronic system electrically referenced to a ground potential; and (iii) an energizing component connected to the guard and ground potentials, respectively, to impart an AC voltage differential between the potentials. The device also includes an integrated circuit that is referenced to the ground and includes a first installation area in which the first electronic system is implemented, and a second installation area in which the second electronic system is implemented. Also included are systems using the device and uses of the device. | 05-08-2014 |
20140132283 | OVERLAY MARK AND MEASUREMENT METHOD THEREOF - An overlay mark including at least one first overlay mark and at least one second overlay mark is provided. The first overlay mark includes a plurality of first bars and a plurality of first spaces arranged alternately, and the first spaces are not constant. The second overlay mark includes a plurality of second bars and a plurality of second spaces arranged alternately, and the second spaces are constant. Besides, the second overlay mark partially overlaps with the first overlay mark. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132284 | INTEGRATED LOW-NOISE SENSING CIRCUIT WITH EFFICIENT BIAS STABILIZATION - An integrated low-noise sensing circuit with efficient bias stabilization in accordance with the present invention comprises a first capacitance sensing element, a second capacitance sensing element, a sub-threshold transistor and an amplifier circuit wherein the first stage is an input transistor. The second capacitance sensing element is connected to the first capacitance sensing element. The sub-threshold transistor comprises a body, a gate, a source, a drain, a source-body junction diode and a bulk. The gate forms on top of the body. The source forms on the body and is connected to the first capacitance sensing element and the second capacitance sensing element. The drain forms on the body and is connected to the gate and the amplifier output terminal The source-body junction diode comprises an anode and a cathode. The anode is connected to the ground. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132285 | METHOD FOR VERIFYING CORRECT ADHESION OF A SUBSTRATE ON AN ELECTRICALLY AND THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE BODY - A method of verifying a correct adhesion of a substrate on a body which is configured to be electrically conductive and thermally conductive includes providing the body, providing the substrate comprising a top face and a rear face, connecting to the top face of the substrate an electric circuit comprising conductive paths and electronic components, attaching to the rear face the body via an adhesive layer comprising an adhesive, connecting the conductive paths and the body to an respective opposite terminal of a voltage source via contact tabs, measuring a capacity, and determining a quality of the adhesive layer from the measured capacity. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132286 | NONCONTACT DETERMINATION OF INTERFACE TRAP DENSITY FOR SEMICONDUCTOR-DIELECTRIC INTERFACE STRUCTURES - Embodiments of the subject method and apparatus relate to a sequence of noncontact Corona-Kelvin Metrology, C-KM, that allows the determination and monitoring of interface properties in dielectric/wide band gap semiconductor structures. The technique involves the incremental application of precise and measured quantities of corona charge, Q | 05-15-2014 |
20140139239 | TRANSPARENT PROXIMITY SENSOR - A sensing surface is presented for use in monitoring a three dimensional behavior of one or more objects above the surface. The sensing surface is associated with a self-capacitance sensor and comprises a plurality of self-capacitive sensing pads located on a single layer. The sensing surface is configured for providing measured data indicative of a three-dimensional behavior of one or more objects over an active area of the sensing surface. The pattern of the pads is configured such that each sensing pad can be connected to an edge of the sensing surface on said single layer. The technique further enables the use of a capacitive sensor comprising the sensing surface. | 05-22-2014 |
20140139240 | Printed Circuit Board Comprising An Electrode Configuration Of A Capacitive Sensor - A printed circuit board (P) has an evaluation device (E) and an electrode configuration of a capacitive sensor, wherein the electrode configuration has at least two electrodes, one arranged above the other and spaced apart from each other, which each are formed by portions of at least one electrically conductive layer of the printed circuit board (P), and wherein at least one electrode of the electrode configuration is coupled with the evaluation device (E) via a conductor path of the printed circuit board (P). Furthermore, an electric handheld device may have at least one such printed circuit board (P). | 05-22-2014 |
20140152323 | Flexible Fluid Level Sensor With Improved Measurement Capability - A capacitive fluid sensor is provided that utilizes a flexible substrate. It has a plurality of conductive members supported on it which are connected to a connecting end. The conductive members are arranged in an array and are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the substrate and the members are separated by intervening spaces. The intervening spaces are arranged so that they cross the longitudinal axis at an angle such that adjacent conductive members overlap each other when viewed from a side edge of the sensor. Such an arrangement provide more accurate measurement of fluid levels within containers. | 06-05-2014 |
20140152324 | TRANSCAPACITIVE SENSOR DEVICES WITH SEAMS - A processing system for a transcapacitive sensing device comprises a plurality of sensor electrodes sectioned by a seam, a first sensor electrode integrated circuit, and a second sensor electrode integrated circuit. The plurality of sensor electrodes comprises a plurality of transmitter electrodes intersecting a plurality of receiver electrodes. The first sensor electrode integrated circuit is communicatively coupled to a first subset of the plurality of sensor electrodes. The second sensor electrode integrated circuit is communicatively coupled to a second subset of the plurality of sensor electrodes. The first sensor electrode integrated circuit and the second sensor electrode integrated circuit are configured to operate the plurality of sensor electrodes in synchrony to transmit with the plurality of transmitter electrodes a set of transmitter signals and receive with the plurality of receiver electrodes a set of responses corresponding to the set of transmitter signals. | 06-05-2014 |
20140159745 | SENSOR CHIP AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SENSOR CHIP - The present sensor chip comprises a substrate. A plurality of electrode elements is arranged at a first level on the substrate with at least one gap between neighbouring electrode elements. A metal structure is arranged at a second level on the substrate, wherein the second level is different from the first level. The metal structure at least extends over an area of the second level that is defined by a projection of the at least one gap towards the second level. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159746 | CAPACITIVE IMAGING DEVICE WITH ACTIVE PIXELS - An apparatus includes a sensor array with a plurality of active pixels. Each active pixel in the sensor array includes: a three transistor (3T) sensor with a source follower transistor, and a detection diode coupled in series to a parasitic capacitor at a sensing junction. A gate of the source follower transistor amplifier is coupled to the sensing junction. The apparatus includes an insulator layer over the sensor array. The insulator layer provides a variable capacitance to the sensing junctions of underlying active pixels in response to portions of an object being proximate to the insulator layer. The variable capacitance is used to detect an image of the object. | 06-12-2014 |
20140176160 | Electrode Configuration For A Capacitive Sensor Device And A Capacitive Sensor Device For The Detection Of An Approximation - An electrode configuration for a capacitive sensor device has a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode, wherein the transmitting electrode can be brought into a capacitive coupling with the receiving electrode, wherein the electrode configuration has at least one first and second sensor area, wherein both of the electrode surfaces of the transmitting electrode and of the receiving electrode in the first sensor area are small compared to the electrode surfaces of the transmitting electrode and of the receiving electrode in the second sensor area. A capacitive sensor device for the detection of an approximation may have such an electrode configuration. An electrical device, particularly an electrical hand-held device, may have at least one such capacitive sensor device. | 06-26-2014 |
20140210489 | Sensor and Method for Detecting a Number of Objects - A sensor device for detecting a number of objects, has a number of electrode configurations forming a sensor surface, each electrode configuration having a number of measurement electrodes and each electrode configuration being associated with at least one transmitter electrode, and an evaluation device coupled to the measurement electrodes and the transmitter electrodes, which is adapted for using a time multiplexing method for applying an alternating signal to one of the transmitter electrodes, and to apply a predetermined constant electrical potential to the remaining transmitter electrodes, and tapping an electrical signal indicating the position of the object relative to the sensor surface at the measurement electrodes associated with the transmitter electrode having the electrical alternating signal applied. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210490 | HYBRID SENSOR - A hybrid sensor includes a proximity sensor section and a load sensor section. The proximity sensor section includes a first base material, a plurality of first front-side electrodes, a plurality of first back-side electrodes, and a protective layer. Each of these members is made of an elastomer. The proximity sensor section detects the approach and coordinates of an object to be detected, based on a change in capacitance between the first front-side electrode and the first back-side electrode which is caused by the approach of the object to be detected. The load sensor section detects pressing and coordinates of the object to be detected, based on a load that is applied from the object to be detected via the proximity sensor section. | 07-31-2014 |
20140218052 | TOUCH SCREEN SENSOR - A touch screen sensor includes a visible light transparent substrate and an electrically conductive micropattern disposed on or in the visible light transparent substrate. The micropattern includes a first region micropattern within a touch sensing area and a second region micropattern. The first region micropattern has a first sheet resistance value in a first direction, is visible light transparent, and has at least 90% open area. The second region micropattern has a second sheet resistance value in the first direction. The first sheet resistance value is different from the second sheet resistance value. | 08-07-2014 |
20140218053 | Plastic Film and Touch Sensor - Disclosed is a plastic film and a touch module produced therefrom. The module is constructed from two conductive layers with an insulation layer in between, as are used in capacitive touch pads and/or touch screens, for example. The problem of connecting the respective x or y sensors across two planes in a cost-effective manner employs foldable sensor planes in the plastic film suitable for mass production. The connections and conductor tracks are concentrated on one plane on a sensor side wherein the sensor planes are arranged on flexible materials. The registering of the two planes relative to each other is simplified via a secure mechanical connection of the two planes via a fold in the film. | 08-07-2014 |
20140239979 | CAPACITIVE MEMS SENSOR DEVICES - A packaged capacitive MEMS sensor device includes at least one capacitive MEMS sensor element with at least one capacitive MEMS sensor cell including a first substrate having a thick and a thin dielectric region. A second substrate with a membrane layer is bonded to the thick dielectric region and over the thin dielectric region to provide a MEMS cavity. The membrane layer provides a fixed electrode and a released MEMS electrode over the MEMS cavity. A first through-substrate via (TSV) extends through a top side of the MEMS electrode and a second TSV through a top side of the fixed electrode. A metal cap is on top of the first TSV and second TSV. A third substrate including an inner cavity and outer protruding portions framing the inner cavity is bonded to the thick dielectric regions. The third substrate together with the first substrate seals the MEMS electrode. | 08-28-2014 |
20140253148 | CAPACITANCE-TO-VOLTAGE INTERFACE CIRCUITS - A capacitance-to-voltage interface circuit is utilized to obtain a voltage corresponding to a detected capacitance differential, which may be associated with the operation of a capacitive sensing cell. The interface circuit includes a capacitive sensing cell, an operational amplifier adapted for selective coupling to the capacitive sensing cell, a feedback capacitor for the operational amplifier, a load capacitor for the operational amplifier, and a switching architecture associated with the capacitive sensing cell, the operational amplifier, the feedback capacitor, and the load capacitor. During use, the switching architecture reconfigures the capacitance-to-voltage interface circuit for operation in a plurality of different phases. The different operational phases enable the single operational amplifier to be used for both capacitance-to-voltage conversion and voltage amplification. | 09-11-2014 |
20140266250 | SENSOR EXTENSIONS FOR CAPACITIVE SENSORS - Sensor extensions are a way of connecting capacitive sensors to a system using capacitive coupling rather than a conductive connection. Sensor extensions enable many unique applications. For example, a sensing system can be designed to support interchangeable sensor modules without exposed metal contacts. In another application, multi-layer sensor assemblies can be implemented without requiring connections between layers (“vias”), simplifying routing and allowing the area of touch sensors to be expanded. In yet another application, product packaging can include sensors that are extensions of the product's sensors. In-store display solutions can use the technique to make products on display touch-sensitive. | 09-18-2014 |
20140285216 | SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING SIGNAL QUALITY FROM CAPACITIVE BIOMETRIC SENSOR IN A VEHICLE FOR CONTINUOUS BIOMETRIC MONITORING - A system may include at least one sensor configured to detect at least one vital signal, wherein the sensor is positioned proximate to a driver within a vehicle seat. At least one contact element may be configured to detect at least one reference signal, wherein the contact element surrounds a vehicle steering wheel. At least one resistor may be coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to receive the reference signal from the contact element. | 09-25-2014 |
20140285217 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR ARRAY AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ACTUATION GESTURES AT A MOTOR VEHICLE - A sensor array for detecting the approach and movement gestures of a user at a motor vehicle includes a capacitive sensor array and at least one control device that is coupled to the sensor array and detects a change in the capacitance of the sensor array. The sensor array includes at least two sensor electrode arrays which are arranged at spatially offset positions on the motor vehicle. The sensor electrodes are configured as elongate electrode arrays and are arranged with the same spatial orientation. The control and evaluation device is designed for cyclical activation and evaluation of the sensor electrodes with changeable, electrode-specific, different cycle rates. | 09-25-2014 |
20140285218 | SOCKET CAPABLE OF DECTECING APPROACHING OBJECT - A socket capable of detecting an approaching object, which is used to be electrically connected to a mains supply and comprises a relay ( | 09-25-2014 |
20140285219 | CAPACITIVE DETECTION TYPE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TRANSDUCER - A capacitive detection type electro-mechanical transducer comprises; a cell formed by a first electrode arranged on a substrate and a second electrode arranged on a vibration film, and a detection circuit for detecting a displacement of the vibration film, based on a capacity change between the first and second electrodes, wherein a plurality of the cells are classified into a plurality of groups, each one includes at least two cells, and the first electrodes or the second electrodes of the cells of the same one group are commonly connected to the same one detection circuit, and an addition circuit for adding, into single information, signals from the plurality of detection circuits corresponding to the plurality of groups, and for outputting the information, and a capacitive load for each one of the detectors are formulated to be dispersedly arranged. | 09-25-2014 |
20140300374 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASUREMENT OF A DC VOLTAGE - Apparatus for measurement of a DC voltage of a DC voltage source. An electrode forms a capacitive connection with the DC voltage source. A non-linear capacitor has a first node connected to the electrode. An initial voltage source is arranged to generate an initial voltage. A switch is arranged to selectively apply the initial voltage to a second node of the non-linear capacitor. A voltage sensor is arranged to measure the voltage of the second node of the non-linear capacitor and a processor is programmed to deduce the DC voltage of the DC voltage source by analysing the rate of decay of the measured voltage. | 10-09-2014 |
20140306722 | CIRCUIT FOR MEASURING ELECTROSTATIC CAPACITY USING A CURRENT SOURCE TECHNIQUE AND CIRCUIT FOR MEASURING ELECTROSTATIC CAPACITY USING SAME - According to the present invention, a circuit for measuring electrostatic capacity using a current source technique, which includes an external capacitor and at least one pad capacitor, comprises: a charging/discharging unit charging and discharging the at least one pad capacitor using a constant current source; and a charge sharing switching unit performing a control to share a charge between the charged or discharged pad capacitor and the external capacitor. By charging/discharging the pad capacitor using a current source and sharing the charge between the pad capacitor and the external capacitor, the advantages of a technique for using a voltage source and a conventional technique for using a current source may be combined, and their drawbacks may each be remedied. | 10-16-2014 |
20140306723 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING PLIABLE SURFACE AND DEPRESSION - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. A depression is formed in a substrate between the pliable material and the sensor. A groove may extend into the substrate between adjacent proximity switches. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion. | 10-16-2014 |
20140306724 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING GROOVE BETWEEN ADJACENT PROXIMITY SENSORS - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. The control circuitry monitors the activation field and determines an activation of a proximity switch based on a signal generated by the sensor in relation to a threshold when a user's finger depresses the pliable material. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion and an air gap between the elevated portion and the sensor. | 10-16-2014 |
20140312919 | CONFIGURABLE ANALOG FRONT-END FOR MUTUAL CAPACITANCE SENSING AND SELF CAPACITANCE SENSING - Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. A dual mode capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter having an amplifier and an integration capacitance coupled between an output and an inverting input of the amplifier, and a switching circuit responsive to mutual mode control signals for a controlling signal supplied from a capacitive touch matrix to the capacitive to voltage converter in a mutual capacitance sensing mode and responsive to self mode control signals for controlling signals supplied from the capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a self capacitance sensing mode, wherein the capacitance sensing circuit is configurable for operation in the mutual capacitance sensing mode or the self capacitance sensing mode. | 10-23-2014 |
20140327452 | SCRATCH RESISTANT TOUCH SENSOR - A method of manufacturing a scratch resistant, touch sensor comprising: (1) applying a non-polymer protective coating solution to a touch sensor; and (2) forming a cross-linked polymer structure by curing the protective coating solution. | 11-06-2014 |
20140333327 | ON-DIE CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT MODULE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING AN ON-DIE CAPACITIVE LOAD - An on-die capacitance measurement module (ODCMM) arranged to measure a capacitance element. The ODCMM comprises an oscillating voltage supply that outputs first and second oscillating voltage signals, the first and second oscillating voltage signals comprising differing phases, and the oscillating voltage supply component coupled to a first node of the capacitance element and arranged to provide thereto the first oscillating voltage signal, and a reference voltage component coupled to a second node of the capacitance element to provide a reference voltage signal. The ODCMM operates in a first mode, wherein the reference voltage component is arranged to provide a constant reference voltage to the second node of the capacitance element. The ODCCM is arranged to operate in a second mode, wherein the reference voltage component is arranged to provide a reference voltage signal representative of the second oscillating voltage signal output by the oscillating voltage supply component to the second node of the capacitance element. | 11-13-2014 |
20140354301 | Edgeless Single-Layer Touch Sensor - A touch sensor includes a substrate and a plurality of columns of electrodes disposed on a first side of the substrate. The substrate includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The columns each include a sense electrode and drive electrodes. The columns include a first column adjacent to the first end, a second column adjacent to the second end, and one or more interior columns. The touch sensor also includes a plurality of channels for routing tracks coupled to the drive and sense electrodes. Tracks for the first column are routed in a first channel on a side of the first column opposite from the first end of the substrate. Tracks for the second column are routed in a second channel on a side of the second column opposite from the second end of the substrate. Tracks for the interior columns are dispersed amongst the channels. | 12-04-2014 |
20140354302 | System and Method for a Capacitive Voltage Sensor System - A system including a non-intrusive capacitive voltage sensor configured to couple to an insulator surrounding a metal conductor, wherein the non-intrusive capacitive voltage sensor is configured to produce a voltage signal indicative of a voltage in the metal conductor, and a monitor-controller system configured to receive the voltage signal from the non-intrusive capacitive voltage sensor, wherein the monitor-controller system is configured to use the voltage signal to monitor or control a machine. | 12-04-2014 |
20140354303 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DERIVING CURRENT FOR CONTROL IN A RESONANT POWER CONVERTER - An apparatus, method, and system for measuring current within a converter. The converter including a resonant tank circuit with a capacitor, the resonant tank circuit is coupled to a DC input bridge and a first terminal of the capacitor is coupled to a ground of the DC input bridge. In addition, a voltage monitor coupled across the capacitor for measuring a voltage across the capacitor. The converter also includes a resonant current calculation module for computing a tank current value based on the voltage. | 12-04-2014 |
20140354304 | CAPACITIVE TYPE TOUCH SENSOR WITH OPTICAL FUNCTIONALITY - A capacitive type touch sensor has optical functionality, low reflection and thin thickness as well as narrow frames. The capacitive type touch sensor includes a cover glass, and a capacitive type film sensor member adhered to a rear surface of the cover glass. The capacitive type touch sensor further includes a polarization plate between the cover glass and the film sensor member. The film sensor member includes a transparent base sheet having a λ/4 phase difference film, transparent conductive films so as to form electrode pattern s on the central windows and fine line routed circuit pattern on the peripheral frames on both sides of the base sheet, and light-blocking conductive films laminated on the fine line routed circuit patterns of the transparent conductive film. | 12-04-2014 |
20140368221 | SENSORED CABLE FOR A POWER NETWORK - Sensored cable ( | 12-18-2014 |
20140375338 | INTEGRATED ELECTRIC FIELD SENSOR - An electric field sensor includes one or more sensing electrodes connected to an integrated amplifier that bootstraps all parasitic capacitances at the sensor input to provide for a very high input impedance without the need for neutralization or other adjustments and calibration. The integrated amplifier for the electric field sensor further includes low-noise ESD/biasing structures to stabilize the DC-potential of the sensor with a minimum amount of added noise, leakage and parasitic capacitance. | 12-25-2014 |
20150008941 | Flipped Cell Sensor Pattern - Embodiments of a capacitive sensor array may comprise a plurality of large sensor electrodes and, for each of the large sensor electrodes, a first plurality of small sensor electrodes each capacitively coupled with the large sensor electrode, and each conductively coupled by one of a first set of routing traces to one of a first set of conductors located in a first edge region, and a second plurality of small sensor electrodes capacitively coupled with the large sensor electrode and conductively coupled by a second set of routing traces to a second set of conductors in a second edge region. The first set of routing traces is located in a first routing channel and the second set of routing traces is located in a second routing channel, where the first and second routing channels are located along different sides of the large sensor electrode. | 01-08-2015 |
20150008942 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TESTING OF ACOUSTIC DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - Methods and devices are disclosed for testing an acoustic probe having transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals. An electrical signal is generated at a frequency with a testing device capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies. The electrical signal is transmitted to at least some of the transducing elements to measure a complex impedance and thereby evaluate a performance of the transducing elements. | 01-08-2015 |
20150022221 | DIRECTIONAL CAPACITIVE SENSING MEANS - A directional capacitive sensing means for sensing number, size, position and motion direction and/or speed of sensing objects, which comprises two or more proximity capacitive sensing means, an analysis means, the two or more proximity capacitive sensing means are arranged in two or more different positions that resulted in two or more sensing fields being formed, whereof a combination area forms a sensing space; the proximity capacitive sensing devices individually produce. an electric charge sensing information according to a change of the electric charge in the electric charge fields corresponding to sensed objects; the analysis means, which connects the proximity capacitive sensing means for receiving the electric charge sensing information, analyzes a directional information according to changes of distribution of the electric charge fields and strength of the corresponding electric charge sensing information; the directional information comprises number, size, motion direction and/or seed of the sensed objects. | 01-22-2015 |
20150022222 | TOUCHSCREEN SENSOR - A touchscreen sensor includes a transparent base material, a first transparent electrode pattern, a first index-matching layer and a first adhesive layer disposed in this order at one side of the transparent base material, and a second transparent electrode pattern, a second index-matching layer and a second adhesive layer disposed in this order at another side of the transparent base material. The first index-matching layer has a refractive index greater than a refractive index of the first adhesive layer. The second index-matching layer has a refractive index greater than a refractive index of the second adhesive layer. Each of the first index-matching layer and the second index-matching layer has a thickness of 85 nm to 120 nm. | 01-22-2015 |
20150035548 | DEVICE FOR DETECTING CRITICAL STATES OF A SURFACE - A device for detecting critical states of a surface, in which at least one hermetically sealed sensor for detecting critical states of a surface, one system for energy supply and one device for data transfer with an at least partially flexible, thin carrier plate are mechanically connected, and said carrier plate is arranged on the surface to be observed. | 02-05-2015 |
20150061700 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR - A capacitive sensor applies to a capacitive touch panel and includes a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, and a plurality of virtual electrodes. The first electrodes each have a first wire portion. The second electrodes are disposed beneath and insulated from the first electrodes, and cross the first electrodes. The second electrodes each have a second wire portion. The virtual electrodes are each disposed between and spaced from two corresponding ones of the first electrodes. The virtual electrodes each include a plurality of continuous portions and a plurality of interrupted portions. The interrupted portions each overlap a corresponding one of the second wire portions of the second electrodes. The width of each of the interrupted portions is less than or equal to the width of the corresponding second wire portion. | 03-05-2015 |
20150077139 | MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRODES FOR CAPACITIVE SENSING - Techniques for three dimensional capacitive sensing are described herein. The techniques include a system including a three dimensional transmitting electrode to emit charge having an electric field. The system may include a three dimensional receiving electrode to receive the charge creating a capacitance between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077140 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING PROXIMITY DETECTION ACCORDING TO CAPACITIVE SENSING OUTPUT AND STATUS OUTPUT - A proximity detecting apparatus for detecting a proximity event includes a capacitive sensing device, an auxiliary detecting device, and a controller. The capacitive sensing device is arranged for generating a capacitive sensing output. The auxiliary detecting device is arranged for detecting an operational status of an electronic device in which the capacitive sensing device is disposed and accordingly generating a status output. The controller is arranged for detecting the proximity event according to the capacitive sensing output and the status output. | 03-19-2015 |
20150084648 | Capacitive Sensor Arrangement - A capacitive sensor includes a capacitive sensor element and a conductor. The conductor includes a first end and a second end, the first end is coupled to the capacitive sensor element at a first location of the capacitive sensor element and the second end is coupled to the capacitive sensor element at a second location of the capacitive sensor element. The conductor includes a first conductivity that is higher than a second conductivity of the capacitive sensor element. | 03-26-2015 |
20150084649 | CAPACITIVE WIRE SENSING FOR GUARDING APPLICATIONS - A system, method and device for capacitive sensing of a guarding application is provided. A capacitive sensing module is coupled to one or more features of a guard system having capacitive guard panels and protective grids. Based on a user contacting at least a portion of the guard system, a determined indication of contact and/or presence may trigger a corresponding response by the guard system via the capacitive sensing module. A baseline level of noise is calibrated over time to adjust for varying conditions that do not correspond to a triggered, user-detection measurement. Corresponding outputs are generated based on a type of detection information received and/or user identity associated with the received capacitance detection. A capacitive sensing module may be configured to receive one or more items of capacitance change data and determine an appropriate triggered response based on an amount of capacitance change and threshold detection duration. | 03-26-2015 |
20150084650 | APPARATUS FOR OBJECT INFORMATION DETECTION AND METHODS OF USING SAME - A system for determining information regarding at least one object, comprising: a sensor sensitive to capacitive coupling; at least one object adapted to create a capacitive coupling with the sensor when at least one signal is input to the sensor; a detector adapted to measure at least one output signal of said sensor associated with the at least one object, wherein the output signal associated with the at least one object is an object information code. | 03-26-2015 |
20150091586 | Capacitive Proximity Sensor Configuration Including an Antenna Ground Plane - Embodiments of a capacitive sensor configuration for proximity detection by a playback device are provided. The playback device may include a capacitive proximity sensor configured to detect physical movement in a first direction, and a radio frequency (RF) antenna ground plane oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor. The capacitive proximity sensor may include a first metal electrode coupled to the RF antenna ground plane is coupled to the first metal electrode such that the capacitive proximity sensor may be further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction that is substantially the relative angle to the first direction. The playback device may be configured to determine based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from one or more of the first direction and the second direction. | 04-02-2015 |
20150091587 | MATRIX SENSOR FOR IMAGE TOUCH SENSING - Embodiments described herein include a display device having a capacitive sensing device, a processing system and a method for detecting presence of an input object using a capacitive sensing device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes, a field shaping electrode, and a processing system. Each sensor electrode includes at least one common electrode. Dimensions of each sensor electrode correspond to dimension of pixel elements of the display device. The field shaping electrode is disposed between two of the plurality of sensor electrodes. Dimensions of the field shaping electrode correspond to the dimension of pixel elements of the display device. The field shaping electrode is laterally spaced apart from the two sensor electrodes a distance corresponding to dimensions of the pixel elements. The processing system is coupled to the sensor electrodes and the field shaping electrode. The processing system is configured to, in a first processing mode, drive a transmitter signal onto a first sensor electrode of the sensor electrodes and receiving a resulting signal with the first sensor electrode of the sensor electrodes comprising effects corresponding to the transmitter signal. | 04-02-2015 |
20150097581 | SENSING - An apparatus comprising: a capacitance touch sensor arrangement configured to have a variable capacitance that varies when a conductive object approaches; and at least one variable impedance sensor configured to have a variable impedance that varies with a sensed parameter;
| 04-09-2015 |
20150102826 | DESIGN STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR EXTRACTION OF DEVICE CHANNEL WIDTH - Methods and design structures for extraction of transistor channel width are disclosed. Embodiments may include determining effective channel widths of transistors of a plurality of integrated circuits as a function of drawn channel widths of the transistors, and determining a target channel width for a target transistor based on the effective channel widths. | 04-16-2015 |
20150109003 | Method of Using an Absorptive Sensor Element - A method of using an absorptive sensor element includes: providing the absorptive sensor element, heating the absorptive sensor element to a temperature in a range of from 30° C. to 100° C., exposing the absorptive sensor element to an analyte vapor, and measuring a capacitance-related property of the absorptive sensor element and/or a spectral feature upon reflection of incident light. The absorptive sensor element comprises: a substrate, a first member disposed on the substrate, a second member, and a detection layer comprising a polymer of intrinsic microporosity disposed between and contacting the first member and the second member. | 04-23-2015 |
20150292857 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSING - A system includes first, second, third and fourth capacitive sensors, each disposed about a longitudinal axis. The first capacitive sensor is disposed along a first axis radial to the longitudinal axis, and the third capacitive sensor is disposed along the first axis opposite the first capacitive sensor. The second capacitive sensor is disposed along a second axis radial to the longitudinal axis, the fourth capacitive sensor is disposed along the second axis opposite the second capacitive sensor, and the second axis is different from the first axis. Each capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a respective signal based at least in part on a position of a rotational component along the respective axis relative to the longitudinal axis. | 10-15-2015 |
20150300844 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR COMPRISING INTEGRATED HEATING ELEMENT - The invention relates to a sensor element ( | 10-22-2015 |
20150301094 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE AND TYPE OF CAPACITIVE LOADS - System and method for detecting the presence and type of capacitive load that may be coupled to a power driver are disclosed. The system includes a detection circuit to determine the presence and type of load based on a measured characteristic of the load in response to a drive voltage. The characteristic may be the load capacitance as measured by the current flow between the driver and load. The circuit may include a differential amplifier to generate a current-related voltage, comparators to generate pulses when the voltage exceeds respective thresholds, registers to output logic levels in response to the comparators, and a microcontroller to make the determination based on the logic levels. Alternatively, the circuit includes a differential amplifier to generate a current-related voltage, a rectifier to rectify the voltage, a peak and hold circuit to hold the peak voltage, an ADC to digitize the peak voltage, and a microcontroller to make its determination based on the digitized voltage. | 10-22-2015 |
20150309109 | INTER-TERMINAL CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT METHOD FOR THREE-TERMINAL DEVICE AND APPARATUS FOR THE SAME - Provided are a measurement apparatus and a measurement method capable of measuring inter-terminal capacitances of a three-terminal device while reproducibility is high and influences of residual inductances are cancelled. The measurement apparatus includes: a route selector including a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, a fifth terminal, and a sixth terminal, the fourth to sixth terminals being configured to connect to any of the first to third terminals; an LCR meter; a device under test, which is a three-terminal device; first, second, and third cables for respectively connecting the fourth to sixth terminals of the first route selector and first, second, and third terminals of the device under test to each other; and fourth, fifth, and sixth cables for respectively connecting the first to third terminals of the first route selector and first, second, and third terminals of the LCR meter to each other. | 10-29-2015 |
20150316677 | CAPACITIVE PROBE FABRICATING FROM SPRAY DEPOSITION - A proximity sensor includes a lead supported on an outer surface of a case structure and a sensor wire that extends from the lead and through an opening in the case structure. The sensor is formed by applying alternating layers of electrically conductive and non-conductive materials in a non-cured state. A base non-conductive layer is applied to an inner surface of the case structure around the sensor wire in a non-cured state. Once cured, a conductive layer is deposited onto the base non-conductive layer and encapsulates the sensor wire. A cover non-conductive layer is then deposited over portions of the conductive layer to insulate the conductive layer. Portions of the non-conductive layer are then removed such that an area of the conductive layer is exposed to define a sensor area. | 11-05-2015 |
20150330768 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR DEVICE WITH ASSOCIATED EVALUATION CIRCUIT - A capacitive sensor device includes a sensor electrode coupled to a first switch and coupleable either to a sensor operating voltage or to an evaluation circuit, configured as a power source circuit. A first current path is coupleable to the sensor electrode at an input end and to ground via a collector and emitter of a first transistor by an auxiliary resistor. A second current path is coupled to a reference potential at one end. A capacitor is coupled between the reference potential and a second transistor. A second auxiliary resistor is arranged in the second current path. The first transistor's base and collector are coupled to the base of the second transistor. A compensation capacitor has a first terminal coupled to the first current path and a second terminal couplable to a compensation voltage, to ground, or in a floating manner via a second switch. | 11-19-2015 |
20150369941 | COMBINATION CAPACITIVE AND RESISTIVE OBSTACLE SENSOR - An obstacle sensor for a closure panel of a vehicle includes an elongate non-conductive case which encloses a first, second, and third elongate conductive electrodes. The first and second electrodes are separated by a portion of the case, with a capacitance between the first and second electrodes changing when an obstacle approaches the first electrode. The changed capacitance of the obstacle sensor provides a proximity indication of the obstacle to the obstacle sensor. The second and third electrodes are separated by an air gap formed in the case, with a resistance between the second and third electrodes changing when the second and third electrodes come into contact upon compression of the case by the obstacle. The changed resistance of the obstacle sensor provides a contact indication of the obstacle with the obstacle sensor. | 12-24-2015 |
20160003759 | Modular Stretchable and Flexible Capacitance Sensors for Use with Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography & Capacitance Sensing Applications - A flexible capacitance sensor having multiple layers for communicating signals to a data acquisition system for reconstructing an image of an area or object located in a subject being sensed, the flexible capacitance sensor having a flexible layer of capacitance plates; a flexible shielding ground layer next to the layer of capacitance plates; a flexible layer of signal traces next to the shielding ground layer, where the layer of signal traces has a plurality of trace lines; and where the capacitance sensor is flexible and adapted to be wrapped around the subject being sensed. The sensor is adapted to communicate signals via the plurality of trace lines to a data acquisition system for providing an image of the area or object between the capacitance plates. | 01-07-2016 |
20160003881 | CAPACITANCE SENSING CIRCUITS AND METHODS - A capacitance sense system can include a capacitance sense input configured to receive an input signal that varies according to a sensed capacitance; an integrator/discharge circuit configured to integrate the input signal and discharge the integrated input signal toward the reference level in conversion operations; and a remainder retainer section configured to quantize the discharging of the integrated input signal, and retain any remainder of the integrated input signal that follows a quantization point for a next conversion by the integrator/discharge circuit. | 01-07-2016 |
20160041203 | High Voltage Sensor Located Within Line Insulator - A high voltage sensor is located within a dielectric canister inside a high voltage power line support insulator. A space through the voltage sensor accommodates a mechanical connecting rod associated with a circuit interrupter switch located in another section of the support insulator. An electrically floating dumbbell-shaped sensor extending between and capacitively coupled to high voltage and low voltage shields assumes a midpoint voltage value between the shields. A sensor plate or other suitable pickup capacitively coupled to the dumbbell sensor provides a voltage measurement, which is calibrated to provide a measurement of the power line voltage. This solution allows a voltage sensor to be added to or integrated in conventionally sized power line support insulators with no additional size, negligible additional weight, and minimal additional cost. | 02-11-2016 |
20160070017 | MATERIAL-DISCERNING SENSING BY MEASUREMENT OF DIFFERENT POINTS OF IMPEDANCE - A material-discerning proximity sensor is arranged to include an antenna that is arranged to radiate a radio-frequency signal. A capacitive sensor is arranged to detect a change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor and to receive the radio-frequency signal. An electrical quantity sensor is arranged to detect a change of the received radio-frequency signal and a change of a radio-frequency signal at an output of the at least one band pass filter. | 03-10-2016 |
20160134705 | Digital Sensor for a CAN Network of a Vehicle - Digital sensor for a CAN network of a vehicle, comprising a casing ( | 05-12-2016 |
20160169708 | DEVICE FOR CONTACTLESS ACTUATION OF A VEHICLE DOOR, AND VEHICLE | 06-16-2016 |
20160171273 | CHIP PACKAGE AND FABRICATION METHOD THEREOF | 06-16-2016 |
20160254783 | METHOD AND INVERTER FOR DETERMINING CAPACITANCE VALUES OF CAPACITANCES OF AN ENERGY SUPPLY SYSTEM | 09-01-2016 |
20190146606 | CAPACITIVE INTERFACE DEVICE WITH MIXED ELECTRODE STRUCTURE, AND APPARATUS COMPRISING THE DEVICE | 05-16-2019 |
20220136991 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR - The disclosure relates to a capacitive sensor comprising a substrate ( | 05-05-2022 |