Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080204048 | Free-standing nanowire sensor and method for detecting an analyte in a fluid - A sensor device and method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid solution are disclosed. The sensor device system can comprise a substrate and an array of free-standing nanowires attached to the substrate. The array can include individual free-standing nanowires wherein each of the individual free-standing nanowires have a first end and a second end. The first end can, in some embodiments, be attached to the substrate and the second end unattached to the substrate. Such individual free-standing nanowires are configured for electrical communication with other individual free-standing nanowires through the first end. A chip or computer can be electrically coupled to the array of free-standing nanowires for receiving electrical information from the array of free-standing nanowires. In some embodiments a power source can be used to send current through the nanowire array. | 08-28-2008 |
20080204049 | Microprocessor-Based Capacitance Measurement - An improved system and method of performing capacitance measurements that provides a fast digital response and a reduced output error. The capacitance measurement system includes a circuit configuration that has a variable capacitor and at least one reference capacitor connected to one another at a common node, which in turn is connected to the input of an analog-to-digital converter. The circuit configuration further includes an array of switches coupled between the variable and reference capacitors and the supply voltage, a reference voltage, and ground, respectively, The switched variable and reference capacitors are employed in conjunction with the A-to-D converter to perform, at the common node, a plurality of voltage measurements for use in generating an expression defining the capacitance of the variable capacitor, The generated expression of variable capacitance is independent of a number of specified output error sources including but not limited to a sample-and-hold capacitance, the parasitic capacitance at the input of the A-to-D converter, a sample-and-hold offset voltage, and the leakage current at the input of the A-to-D converter. | 08-28-2008 |
20090045821 | Capacitive sensor with alternating current power immunity - A capacitive sensor includes a sensing electro, control unit, first and second comparator wherein the sensing electro includes a first and a second conduct ports. A positive input terminal of the first comparator and a negative input terminal of the second comparator are coupled to the first conduct port. A positive input terminal of the second comparator and a negative input terminal of the first comparator are coupled to the second conduct port. The first and second comparators respectively output first and second comparing signals according to voltages of the positive and the negative terminals thereof. The control unit charges the first conduct port and discharges the second conduct port when the first and second comparing signals correspondingly are in first and second logic states. The control unit is operable on the contrary when the first and second comparing signals are in opposition to the abovementioned description. | 02-19-2009 |
20090243632 | Capacitive sensing device and method - In a capacitive sensing device for detecting a change in capacitance of an electrode which is caused by contact with a human body, the improvement of determination speed may be enabled. M (m is an integer satisfying n≧m≧2) electrodes are selected from n (n is an integer equal to or larger than two) electrodes. Capacitors connected to the m electrodes are discharged in parallel during a predetermined period, and then charged. During the charging period, a potential of each of the m electrodes is compared with a reference potential. A difference between capacitance values of the capacitors connected to the m electrodes is determined based on a result obtained by the comparison between the m electrodes. | 10-01-2009 |
20090273355 | CAPACITIVE SENSING SLIDE DETECTION - A circuit includes a first capacitor having first and second capacitive sensing strips positioned on first and second sliding portions of the slider type mobile device. In the closed position, the first and second capacitive sensing strips overlap one another and in an open position the first and second capacitive sensing strips have no overlap with one another. A voltage divider having a voltage V | 11-05-2009 |
20100013501 | CAPACITIVE MEMS SENSOR DEVICE - The present invention relates to a capacitive MEMS sensor device for sensing a mechanical quantity. To provide such a capacitive MEMS sensor device which enables fast recovery from (near) sticking after a mechanical overload situation it is proposed that the sensor device comprises:—a first bias voltage unit (V | 01-21-2010 |
20100102832 | Automated Capacitive Touch Scan - A scan module of an electronic device scans a capacitive keypad for detection of the actuation of any capacitive touch sensor. This scan module remains in operation even when major power consuming circuits of the electronic device are in a sleep mode, and will not wake up the major power consuming circuits until an action requiring the circuits is needed, thereby, reducing overall power consumption of the electronic device while still maintaining scanning of the capacitive keypad. Upon detection of a valid key press of a capacitive touch sensor, an interrupt to the electronic device brings it out of a sleep mode and into an operating mode for further processing and appropriate action commensurate with the actuation of the specific capacitive touch sensor. | 04-29-2010 |
20100102833 | SITTING DETECTION SYSTEM - A sitting detection system determines whether an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat or not by applying a DC voltage to a sheet-like detection electrode that is provided in the seat, and measuring the time for capacitance between the detection electrode and a ground to be charged to a predetermined level using simple implement. The use of the conductive woven cloth, which is formed with the surface member of the seat, as the detection electrode enables not to degrade the texture of the seat. The threshold time for detecting whether an occupant is seated in a seat or not may be set using a charging time which is measured when no occupant is seated in the seat as the initial value. | 04-29-2010 |
20100117663 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATOR UTILIZING RESISTANCE CHANGE - A method of controlling a shape memory alloy actuator utilizing the change in resistance exhibited by the actuator over an actuation cycle, and more preferably, a derivative thereof, to identify at least one event, and generating a response based upon the event. | 05-13-2010 |
20100141276 | Method for detecting unauthorized access - A method for detecting unauthorized access to oil, gas or other pipes, by monitoring the protective cathodic voltage and detecting changes in the voltage which are indicative of a technical failure or a deliberate attack on the pipe. A method for detecting leakage from a pipe using multiple channels/inputs, wherein a low frequency range input measures seismic noises, and a high frequency range input measures cavitation noises, and wherein a leakage indication is issued if both the low frequency and high frequency noises are simultaneously detected. A low power consumption Wireless communications protocol is used. | 06-10-2010 |
20100148806 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING A CAPACITANCE USING SIGMA-DELTA MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES - Methods, systems and devices are described for detecting a measurable capacitance using sigma-delta measurement techniques. According to various embodiments, a voltage is applied to the measurable capacitance using a first switch. The measurable capacitance is allowed to share charge with a passive network. If the charge on the passive network is past a threshold value, then the charge on the passive network is changed by a known amount for a sufficient number of repetitions until the measurable capacitance can be detected. Such a detection scheme may be readily implemented using conventional components, and can be particularly useful in sensing the position of a finger, stylus or other object with respect to a button, slider, touchpad or other input sensor. | 06-17-2010 |
20100244860 | CAPACITIVE ANTI-PINCH MEANS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ANTI-PINCH MEANS - A capacitive anti-pinch means with a first electrode ( | 09-30-2010 |
20100259283 | CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR AND PROXIMITY SENSING METHOD - A capacitive proximity sensor ( | 10-14-2010 |
20100259284 | Circuit arrangement for determination of a measuring capacitance - The invention proposes a circuit arrangement for determination of a measuring capacitance ( | 10-14-2010 |
20100264940 | CAPACITANCE TOUCH SENSING DEVICE AND DOOR LOCKING DEVICE - A capacitance touch sensing device that detects the touch of a user against a surface of a door handle on the outside of a vehicle includes an upper sensor electrode provided in an upper portion of the door handle, a lower sensor electrode provided in a lower portion of the door handle, an upper detecting portion that detects when the user has touched an upper surface of the door handle based on output from the upper sensor electrode, and a lower detecting portion that detects when the user has touched a lower surface of the door handle based on output from the lower sensor electrode. The detection sensitivity of one of the upper detecting portion or the lower detecting portion is lower than the detection sensitivity of the other. | 10-21-2010 |
20100271049 | SENSOR ELECTRONICS IN A VEHICLE DOOR HANDLE - A solution for sensor electronics provided in a door handle of a vehicle with a sensor control circuit ( | 10-28-2010 |
20100271050 | CAPACITIVE ROTATION SENSOR - A capacitive rotation sensor for detecting the position of an object moving relative to a stationary object, comprising a shaft rotatably supported in a housing flange, said shaft being connected integral in rotation therewith to a rotor to which, separated by an air gap, a stator situated opposite thereto is assigned, wherein at least the rotor, the stator and an evaluation circuit are enclosed by an electrically conductive cap, wherein a stator surface is arranged on the underside of a circuit board and the stator surface has assigned thereto, situated opposite thereto and separated by the air gap, a non-rotation-symmetrical rotor disc which, in turn, is fixed on a rotor support, said rotor support being fastened highly precisely on the outer periphery of the shaft so as to be integral in rotation therewith. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271051 | CENTROID POSITION DETECTOR DEVICE AND WEARING TYPE ACTION ASSISTANCE DEVICE INCLUDING CENTROID POSITION DETECTOR DEVICE - Load measuring parts | 10-28-2010 |
20100295563 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE SEAT - An occupant detection system comprises an electrode arrangement for placement into a seat of an automotive vehicle and an evaluation circuit operatively connected to the electrode arrangement. The latter includes a first electrode for emitting an electric field into a detection region above the vehicle seat, a second electrode and an electric insulator layer sandwiched between the first and second electrodes. When the electrode arrangement is in place in the seat, the first electrode forms with vehicle ground a first capacitor having a first capacitance, which is influenceable by an occupying item in the detection region through interaction of the occupying item with the electric field, the first electrode forms with the second electrode a second capacitor having a second capacitance and the second electrode forms with at least one of vehicle ground and a third electrode a third capacitor having a third capacitance. As a first indicator of the seat occupancy state, a measure of the first capacitance is determined while the first electrode is caused to emit an electric field into said detection region and the second electrode is operated as a driven shield for the first electrode. The fluctuations of at least one of the first, second and third capacitances are measured and the frequency spectrum of the measured fluctuations is analysed, which yields a second indicator of the occupancy state. The derivation of the occupancy state of the seat is then based on both the first indicator and the second indicator. | 11-25-2010 |
20100301879 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR WITH ADDITIONAL ELECTRODE - A capacitive touch sensor employing adjacent drive and sense electrodes, in which an additional sense electrode is provided as well as a conventional drive electrode and sense electrode. The drive and two sense electrodes are arranged on the bottom side of a dielectric panel, the top side providing a sensing surface to be touched by a user's finger or a stylus. The additional sense electrode is positioned on the underside of the dielectric panel so that it is shielded from the drive electrode by the conventional sense electrode. The signal collected from the additional sense electrode is subtracted from the signal collected from the conventional sense electrode to cancel noise. | 12-02-2010 |
20100308845 | CURRENT MEASUREMENT CIRCUIT AND MEASURING METHOD THEREOF - A current measurement circuit for measuring a current is provided. The current measurement circuit includes a current integrating unit with a capacitor array, a comparator coupled to the current integrating unit, and a control unit coupled to the comparator and the current integrating unit. The current integrating unit integrates the current on the capacitor array to obtain an input voltage. The comparator compares the input voltage with a specific voltage to generate a compare output. The control unit generates a control signal to apply to the capacitor array of the current integrating unit according to the compare output. A magnitude of the current is obtained according to the control signal and the capacitance of the capacitor array. | 12-09-2010 |
20100308846 | PRESSURE SENSOR COMPRISING A CAPACITIVE CELL AND SUPPORT DEVICE COMPRISING SAID SENSOR - A sensor for detecting and measuring a load pressure applied to a support device comprises at least one capacitive cell including a flat condenser comprising at least one layer of a compressible insulating dielectric material interposed between two layers of conductive material. A support device capable of supporting the body of a person comprises at least one top layer composed of a plurality of air-filled inflatable cells communicating with inflation elements, characterized in that it comprises a sensor, of which said condenser is disposed under said top layer and connected to an electronic control and regulation device capable of controlling inflation or deflation elements. | 12-09-2010 |
20100315099 | Capacitive occupant detection apparatus - A capacitive occupant detecting apparatus includes a voltage applying portion, a capacitance sensor, a capacitor, a storing portion, a measuring portion, and a calculating portion. The voltage applying portion applies an alternating-current voltage signal to the capacitance sensor and the capacitor. The storing portion stores a reference voltage. The measuring portion detects a first voltage in accordance with an electric current that flows between the voltage applying portion and the capacitor when the alternating-current voltage signal is applied to the capacitor. The measuring portion detects a second voltage in accordance with an electric current output from the capacitance sensor when the alternating-current voltage is applied to the capacitance sensor. The calculating portion detects an abnormality of the voltage applying portion based on the first voltage and the reference voltage, and determines an object disposed on the seat based on the second voltage. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315100 | Capacitive occupant sensor - A capacitive occupant sensor includes a sensor mat having U-parts arranged in a first direction and, a second direction perpendicular to each other. The U-parts located adjacent to each other are connected in the second direction so as to define S-parts, in a manner that openings of the U-parts alternately open toward a first side of the first direction or a second side of the first direction. The S-parts located adjacent to each other are combined in the first direction, in a manner that the opening open toward the first side and the opening open toward the second side oppose to each other in the first direction. The mat has a meandering structure defined by the S-parts. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315101 | Capacitive occupant sensor - A capacitive occupant sensor includes a sensor mat having a base member and a main electrode arranged on the base member. The main electrode has a first electrode, and a second electrode to cover the first electrode. The second electrode is cheaper than the first electrode. The base member is constructed by U-parts, and an opening of the U-part is defined to be surrounded by two extending portions and a bent portion connecting the extending portions. The first electrode is located adjacent to the opening, when the first electrode is patterned on the bent portion. | 12-16-2010 |
20110012622 | TEST APPARATUS - Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising a power supply that generates supply power supplied to the device under test; a transmission path that transmits the supply power generated by the power supply to the device under test; a high-capacitance capacitor that is provided between the transmission path and a ground potential; a low-capacitance capacitor that has a lower capacitance than the high-capacitance capacitor and that is provided between the transmission path and the ground potential at a position closer to the device under test than the high-capacitance capacitor is to the device under test; an intermediate capacitor that is provided between the transmission path and the ground potential at a position between the high-capacitance capacitor and the low-capacitance capacitor; and a current measuring section that measures current flowing through the transmission path between the intermediate capacitor and the low-capacitance capacitor. | 01-20-2011 |
20110018559 | TEST APPARATUS - Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising a power supply that generates supply power supplied to the device under test; a transmission path that transmits the supply power generated by the power supply to the device under test; an intermediate capacitor that is provided between the transmission path and a ground potential; a power supply current measuring section that measures a current flowing through the transmission path at a position closer to the power supply than the intermediate capacitor; a charge and discharge current measuring section that measures a charge and discharge current of the intermediate capacitor; and a load current calculating section that calculates a load current flowing through the device under test based on a sum of the current measured by the power supply current measuring section and the current measured by the charge and discharge current measuring section. | 01-27-2011 |
20110018560 | ELECTROSTATIC CAPACITANCE INPUT DEVICE AND ELECTRO-OPTICAL DEVICE HAVING INPUT DEVICE - Disclosed herein is an electrostatic capacitance input device including: an input region of a substrate, in which a plurality of input position detection electrodes are provided; a plurality of wires that are electrically connected to the plurality of input position detection electrodes and extend outside the input region of the substrate; and a shield electrode that overlaps the wires on the input operation side. | 01-27-2011 |
20110025350 | Method of measuring micro- and nano-scale properties - This invention is a novel methodology for precision metrology, sensing, and actuation at the micro- and nano-scale. It is well-suited for tiny technology because it leverages off the electromechanical benefits of the scale. The invention makes use of electrical measurands of micro- or nano-scale devices to measure and characterize themselves, other devices, and whatever the devices subsequently interact with. By electronically measuring the change in capacitance, change in voltage, and/or resonant frequency of just a few simple test structures, a multitude of geometric, dynamic, and material properties may be extracted with a much higher precision than conventional methods. | 02-03-2011 |
20110037487 | METHOD FOR DETECTING PRESSURE ON TOUCH SENSING ELEMENT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME - A method for detecting pressure on a touch sensing element includes the steps of: providing a first potential difference to two electrodes of a first film; charging a capacitor with a division voltage of the first potential difference; sampling a charged voltage of the capacitor to obtain a plurality of first voltage values and calculating a first voltage variation according to the plurality of first voltage values; comparing the first voltage variation with a threshold value; and post-processing at least one of the first voltage values when the first voltage variation is smaller than the threshold value. The present disclosure further provides an electronic device. | 02-17-2011 |
20110043226 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR - Method and apparatus are provided for a capacitive sensor. In an example, a capacitive sensor can include a first sensing element, a sensing channel operable to generate a first signal indicative of first capacitance between the sensing element and a system ground, and a processor responsive to a change in the first capacitance between the first sensing element and ground. The processor can be configured to adjust a parameter value based on a first duration of the change in the first capacitance. | 02-24-2011 |
20110050255 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING CAPACITANCE - A system and method for testing capacitance of a load circuit connected to an output pin of a driving circuit In one embodiment, the method may comprise driving a voltage at the output pin to a first voltage; a predetermined current to the output pin; comparing the voltage at the output pin to a reference voltage; and when the voltage at the output pin matches the reference voltage, generating an estimate of capacitance present at the output pin based on a number of clock cycles occurring between an onset of a timed voltage change period and a time at which the voltage at the output pin matches the reference voltage. | 03-03-2011 |
20110057670 | SENSING AND DEFINING AN INPUT OBJECT - A mutual capacitance sensor device comprises a plurality of receiver sensor electrodes, a plurality of transmitter sensor electrodes, and a processing system coupled with the plurality of receiver sensor electrodes and coupled with the plurality of transmitter sensor electrodes. The processing system is configured for acquiring a capacitive image from the pluralities of sensor electrodes. The processing system is also configured for correlating a part of the capacitive image with at least one input object template image to determine both a presence and a type of an input object interacting with the mutual capacitance sensor device. | 03-10-2011 |
20110074446 | Capacitance Measurement Circuit and Method Therefor - A capacitance measurement circuit includes an operation amplifier; a reference capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a first input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to a first or second reference voltage; a sensor capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to the first or second reference voltage; an approximation unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the operation amplifier; a conversion unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the approximation unit; and a coupling capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the first or second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal of the conversion unit. | 03-31-2011 |
20110074447 | Capacitive occupant sensor and capacitive occupant detection apparatus - A capacitive occupant sensor for detecting an occupant sitting on a seat cushion of a seat of a vehicle includes a capacitive sensor mat, a cushion member, and a floating electrode. The capacitive sensor mat is disposed in the seat cushion and has a surface. The cushion member is disposed on the surface of the capacitive sensor mat. The floating electrode is disposed on an opposite side of the cushion member from the surface of the capacitive sensor mat. A projected area of the floating electrode with respect to the surface is smaller than the surface. The floating electrode is in an electrically-floating state with respect to the capacitive sensor mat. The occupant is detected based on an occupant capacitance between the capacitive sensor mat and the occupant and a floating capacitance between the capacitive sensor mat and the floating electrode. | 03-31-2011 |
20110095770 | ELECTROSTATIC CAPACITANCE-TYPE INPUT DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTROSTATIC CAPACITANCE-TYPE INPUT DEVICE, AND ELECTRO-OPTICAL APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH INPUT FUNCTION - An electrostatic capacitance-type input device includes: a translucent input device substrate that has a translucent position detecting electrode and a position detecting mount terminal electrically connected to the position detecting electrode on a first face side; a flexible wiring substrate that includes an overlapping portion overlapping with the first face side of the input device substrate and is electrically connected to the position detecting mount terminal in the overlapping portion; and a translucent shielding film that has a shield electrode layer and is disposed so as to overlap with a second face side of the input device substrate. The shielding film includes an extension portion that is folded back so as to overlap with the first face side of the input device substrate. The shielding film is electrically connected to the flexible wiring substrate through the extension portion. | 04-28-2011 |
20110109329 | Physiological Measurement Instrument - A physiological measurement instrument is disclosed, having a detector, implemented as one or more sensors, for measuring values of one or more physiological measured parameters associated with a body of a human or animal subject, and for detecting values of a physical parameter that indicates an operating position of the measurement instrument relative to the body, and an operating-position-determining unit that receives and analyzes output signals from the detector, to determine the operating position of the measurement instrument. | 05-12-2011 |
20110115502 | CAPACITANCE DIFFERENCE DETECTING CIRCUIT AND CAPACITANCE DIFFERENCE DETECTING METHOD - A capacitance difference detecting circuit, which comprises: a control circuit, for generating a control signal according to a first voltage and a second voltage; a first capacitor to be detected; a second capacitor to be detected; a first constant capacitor, having a terminal coupled to the first terminal of the first capacitor to be detected and the first input terminal; a second constant capacitor, having a terminal coupled to the first terminal of the second capacitor to be detected and the second input terminal; a voltage control unit, cooperating with the first capacitor to be detected, the second capacitor to be detected, the first constant capacitor and the second constant capacitor to control the first voltage and the second voltage. The voltage control unit is an adjustable capacitor and a capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor is controlled by the control signal. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115503 | Capacitance Measurement Circuit and Method Therefor - A capacitance measurement circuit includes: a reference capacitor selectively coupled to a first reference voltage or a second reference voltage; a sensor capacitor selectively coupled to the first reference voltage or the second reference voltage; an operation amplifier coupled to the reference capacitor, the sensor capacitor and a third reference voltage; an approximation unit coupled to the operation amplifier; and a conversion unit coupled to the operation amplifier and the approximation unit. The reference capacitor and the sensor capacitor respectively couple a first charge amount and a second charge amount to a first input terminal of the operational amplifier to conduct an input voltage. The conversion unit couples a third charge amount to the first input terminal of the operation amplifier or charges/discharges the first input terminal of the operation amplifier until the input voltage approximates the third reference voltage. | 05-19-2011 |
20110128018 | SWITCHING STRIP FOR DETECTION OF OBSTRUCTIONS, AND APPARATUS FOR THE DETECTION OF OBSTRUCTIONS - A switching strip profile for a switching strip for the detection of obstructions, and an apparatus for the detection of obstructions. The switching strip profile has a profiled body composed of electrically non-conductive material, a first conductor which is arranged in a rear area of the profiled body, and a second conductor which is arranged in a front area of the profiled body. The first conductor has two side surfaces which run essentially parallel to and at a short distance from a respective outer wall of the profiled body, and, on a lower face which faces an attachment surface of the profile, the first conductor has a U-like shape which is open towards the attachment surface. | 06-02-2011 |
20110133758 | HIGH RESOLUTION CIRCUIT FOR CONVERTING CAPACITANCE-TO-TIME DEVIATION - There is provided a high resolution circuit for converting a capacitance-to-time deviation including a capacitance deviation detecting unit generating two detection signals having a phase difference corresponding to variations of capacitance of an micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) sensor; a capacitance deviation amplifying unit dividing frequencies of the two detection signals to amplify the phase difference corresponding to the capacitance deviation; and a time signal generating unit generating a time signal having a pulse width corresponding to the amplified phase difference. | 06-09-2011 |
20110140719 | METHOD OF MONITORING SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESS - A method of monitoring a semiconductor process is provided. The method includes preparing a process chamber including first and second electrodes spaced apart from and facing each other, and connecting the first electrode to a ground and connecting the second electrode to a radio frequency power source. An impedance in the process chamber is measured using a voltage value and a current value at the second electrode. The consumption amount of consumables in the process chamber is checked using the impedance. Varied process conditions are adjusted within an initial set range. | 06-16-2011 |
20110148439 | CAPACITANCE DISCRIMINATION CIRCUIT AND TOUCH SWITCH EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME - In some embodiments, a capacitance discrimination circuit includes first and second capacitors, a comparator configured to compare a first voltage of the first capacitor and a second voltage of the second capacitor, a counter circuit configured to perform a count operation based on a comparison result of the comparator, a charge circuit configured to charge the first and second capacitors, and a control circuit configured to control the charge circuit so as to charge either the first capacitor or the second capacitor based on the comparison result of the comparator. The capacitance discrimination of the first and second capacitors is performed based on count values of the counter circuit. The capacitance discrimination circuit preferably includes a discharge circuit to discharge electric charges stored in the first and second capacitors in accordance with a discharge signal from the control circuit. | 06-23-2011 |
20110163767 | OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An occupant detection system and method are provided. The system includes a capacitive sensor having an electrode arranged in a seat proximate to an expected location of an occupant for sensing an occupant presence approximate thereto. The capacitive sensor is configured to provide an output indicative of the sensed occupant presence. The system also includes a force sensor arranged within the seat providing an output indicative of a sensed force applied to the seat. The system further includes occupant detection circuitry for processing the capacitive sensor output and force sensor output and detecting a state of occupancy of the seat based on the capacitive sensor output and the force sensor output. | 07-07-2011 |
20110175631 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR MONITORING THE BEARING CURRENTS IN AN ELECTRICAL MACHINE - The invention inter alia relates to a method for monitoring the bearing current of an electrical machine ( | 07-21-2011 |
20110187389 | CAPACITANCE MEASURING CIRCUIT FOR TOUCH SENSOR - Disclosed herein is a capacitance measuring circuit for a touch sensor. The capacitance measuring circuit includes a reference voltage generation unit for generating a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage, a MUX unit for selecting one from among electrode voltages, a voltage comparator for comparing a voltage generated by the reference voltage generation unit with the electrode voltage, a charging/discharging circuit unit for performing charging of the input electrode voltage from the first reference voltage to the second reference voltage or performing discharging of the input electrode voltage from the second reference voltage to the first reference voltage, a timer unit for receiving an external control signal, measuring charging time and discharging time of the charging/discharging circuit unit, measuring entire charging time and entire discharging time, and outputting corresponding output signals, and a control unit for receiving an output signal of the voltage comparator and the external control signal, and controlling the charging/discharging circuit unit and the timer unit. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187390 | TOUCH SENSING SYSTEM, CAPACITANCE SENSING CIRCUIT, AND CAPACITANCE SENSING METHOD - A touch sensing system including a touch input interface and a capacitance sensing circuit is provided. The touch input interface includes a plurality of sensing capacitors for outputting a capacitance under test and a reference capacitance. The capacitance sensing circuit includes a first sensing channel, a second sensing channel, and a difference comparing unit. During a first period of the sensing period, the first sensing channel senses the capacitance under test, and the second sensing channel senses the reference capacitance. During a second period of the sensing period, the first sensing channel senses the reference capacitance, and the second sensing channel senses the capacitance under test. The difference comparing unit outputs a difference according to the capacitance under test and the reference capacitance. Additionally, a capacitance sensing method is also provided. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187391 | METHOD FOR DETECTING DETACHMENT OF A REINFORCING COMPONENT - A method for detecting detachment of a reinforcing component that is attached to a body skin component of a vehicle body of a vehicle, the body skin component and the reinforcing component forming an electric capacitor together with an intermediate adhesive layer, said capacitor having a capacitance that changes if there is at least partial detachment of the body skin component from the reinforcing component, the capacitance of the capacitor or a change in the capacitance of the capacitor being measured in order to detect detachment of the reinforcing component. | 08-04-2011 |
20110193571 | TOUCH SENSING SYSTEM, CAPACITANCE SENSING CIRCUIT AND CAPACITANCE SENSING METHOD THEREOF - A touch sensing system which includes a touch input interface and a capacitance sensing circuit is provided. The touch input interface includes a plurality of sensing capacitors which output at least one waveform under test and at least one reference waveform. The capacitance sensing circuit includes a difference comparing unit. The difference comparing unit receives the waveform under test and the reference waveform and outputs a differential signal according to at least one positive edge difference and at least one negative edge difference between the waveform under test and the reference waveform. Furthermore, a capacitance sensing method is also provided. | 08-11-2011 |
20110199104 | CAPACITIVE DETECTOR FOR USE IN EXTRUSION-BASED DIGITAL MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS - A detector for use in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the detector comprising a sense conductive component and an excitation conductive component to define a first gap that is configured to receive a consumable material used in the extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, where the excitation conductive component is configured to generate a first electrical field across the first gap. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199105 | ELECTROSTATIC CAPACITY TYPE TOUCH SENSOR - This invention offers an electrostatic capacity type touch sensor that can be calibrated in a short period of time at a moment when a finger of operator or the like does not touch a touch pad. An absolute value of a difference (AD | 08-18-2011 |
20110210753 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING A VARIATION IN THE CAPACITANCE OF A VARIABLE CAPACITIVE STRUCTURE - A device for measuring a variation in the capacitance of a variable capacitive structure, includes:
| 09-01-2011 |
20110215818 | SURFACE-CONFORMING OBSCURED FEATURE DETECTOR - A surface-conforming obscured feature detector includes a plurality of sensor plates flexibly connected together, each having a capacitance that varies based on the dielectric constant of the materials that compose the surrounding objects and the proximity of those objects. A sensing circuit is coupled to the sensor plates to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates. A controller is coupled to the sensing circuit to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or a plurality of indicators are coupled to the controller, and are selectively activated to identify the location of a relative high capacitance, which can be indicative of an obscured feature behind a surface. | 09-08-2011 |
20110234245 | POWER CIRCUIT - Various embodiments provide systems and methods for controlling sub-system components during power disturbance events. More particularly, various embodiments provide systems and methods for preventing a controller ( | 09-29-2011 |
20110241705 | Linear sensor - A linear sensor | 10-06-2011 |
20110254569 | MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - Measurement apparatuses and methods are described. A measurement input is coupled with a first terminal of a capacitance via a first switch, and a reference voltage is coupled with the first terminal of the capacitance via a second switch. A measurement circuit is coupled to a second terminal of said capacitance. | 10-20-2011 |
20110254570 | MULTI-FUNCTION SENSOR AND METHOD - A multi-function sensor apparatus includes multiple sensing electrodes and a control circuit adapted to receive signals from each of the sensing electrodes and to deem whether the sensing electrodes are in a touched state or an untouched state. The control circuit also is adapted to selectively provide an output based on the sensor's states and the manner in which the sensors came to be in such states. | 10-20-2011 |
20110254571 | POSITION DETECTOR - To enable position or distance of sensing target making approach, etc. to the range of sensing area to be detected securely with simple configuration at low cost and improve latitude of designing, position detector includes capacitance sensor unit and detecting circuit unit. Capacitance sensor unit includes first and second sensing electrodes and dielectric material therebetween. Dielectric material has range L of sensing area defined on its sensing surface. Detecting circuit unit includes selector switches SWA and SWB, capacitance sensing circuits, A/D converters, and arithmetic processing circuit. Arithmetic processing circuit judges and detects the position of sensing target in range L of sensing area based on detected values of capacitances C | 10-20-2011 |
20110260740 | Angular Velocity Detection Device - The present invention aims to provide an angular velocity detection device which is capable of reducing the effect of coupling between a drive electrode and a first displacement detection electrode by a floating capacity, and is low in cost. In the angular velocity detection device, an oscillating body | 10-27-2011 |
20110279131 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR MEASURING CAPACITANCE VALUE OF TOUCH SCREEN - A circuit for measuring a capacitance value of a touch screen includes: a target capacitor unit having a target capacitor charged with a target charging voltage; a target voltage control unit to charge the target capacitor; a reference capacitor unit having a reference capacitor charged with a charging reference voltage; a reference voltage control unit to charge the reference capacitor; a comparator to compare the target charging voltage and the charging reference voltage and output a transition signal at a moment when the target charging voltage becomes higher than the charging reference voltage; and a controller to receive an output signal of the comparator and a clock signal and generate a digital output signal and a control signal, wherein a capacitance value of the target capacitor is measured using a time elapsed from a time when the target capacitor is initialized to a time when the transition signal is outputted. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279132 | METHOD FOR DETECTING PATTERN OFFSET AMOUNT OF EXPOSED REGIONS AND DETECTING MARK - A method for detecting a patter offset amount of exposed regions comprises forming at least one pair of conductive detecting marks with a predetermined position relationship by a patterning process including two exposing processes; detecting an electrical characteristic of the at least one pair conductive detecting marks, if the detected electrical characteristic does not meet a predetermined position relationship, it is determined that the pattern offset amount of the exposed regions in two exposure steps is not qualified; and if the detected electrical characteristic meets the predetermined position relationship, it is determined that the pattern offset amount of the exposed regions in two exposure steps is qualified. | 11-17-2011 |
20110285408 | Occupant detection apparatus - An occupant detection apparatus includes a capacitive sensor, a signal applying circuit, a signal detector, and a voltage applying circuit. The capacitive sensor has an electrode. The signal applying circuit applies a voltage amplitude signal to the electrode during a first time period, but does not apply the voltage amplitude signal to the electrode during a second time period. The voltage amplitude signal has a voltage with a varying amplitude. The signal detector detects a change in an electric current flowing through the capacitive sensor during the first time period. The voltage applying circuit applies a predetermined voltage to the electrode during the entire first time period and during at least part of the second time period. | 11-24-2011 |
20110285409 | Nanofluidic channel with embedded transverse nanoelectrodes and method of fabricating for same - A method for forming a nanofluidic channel measuring system is disclosed. The method includes forming a first trench in a substrate, forming a second trench in the substrate, the first trench and the second trench are separated by a first width, providing a first conductor pad at a first location, providing a second conductor pad at a second location, forming a first nano-wire for coupling the first conductor pad with the second conductor pad, and forming a nano-channel through the first nano-wire, the nano-channel also coupling the first trench and the second trench, the nano-channel configured to sever the first nano-wire. A nanofluidic channel measuring system is also disclosed. | 11-24-2011 |
20110291675 | Bi-Directional High Side Current Sense Measurement - A system for measuring a voltage drop between two nodes in an electrical circuit, comprising a switched capacitor integrator (SCI), a comparator and a counter. The SCI alternately (a) captures charge onto a set of sampling capacitors and (b) selectively accumulates/transfers the charge onto a pair of integration capacitors, where the charge includes a first portion that is based on the voltage drop and a second portion that depends on a digital indicator signal. The comparator generates the digital indicator signal based on whether an analog output of the SCI is positive or negative. The counter counts a number of ones occurring in the digital indicator signal during a measurement interval. At the end of the measurement interval, the count value represents a measure of the voltage drop. Knowing the resistance between the two nodes, the voltage drop may be converted into a current measurement. | 12-01-2011 |
20110291676 | Sensor for Measuring the Concentration of a Solvent or Solute in a Mixed Solution System - The invention described relates to an apparatus and method for measuring the concentration of a low molecular weight alcohol, in an aqueous liquid feed solution, comprising a first sensor including a hydrophilic capillary tube having an inner diameter, being disposed between two electrodes to form a first capacitor, a second sensor including a hydrophobic capillary tube having the same inner diameter as a capillary tube of the first sensor; said hydrophobic capillary tube having a hydrophobic coating on the inner diameter, being disposed between two electrodes to form a second capacitor, wherein the first hydrophilic and second hydrophobic sensors are dipped to the same depth in the aqueous solution to measure the solution concentration, means for measuring the capacitance of the two capacitors, and control means including a control circuit driven by a computer, wherein the difference in capacitance between the two capacitors is a measure of the concentration of the solution, independent of the depth of dipping of the two capacitors in the aqueous solution. In another embodiment, a single hydrophilic sensor is employed. | 12-01-2011 |
20110316565 | SCHOTTKY JUNCTION SI NANOWIRE FIELD-EFFECT BIO-SENSOR/MOLECULE DETECTOR - A Schottky junction silicon nanowire field-effect biosensor/molecule detector with a nanowire thickness of 10 nanometer or less and an aligned source/drain workfunction for increased sensitivity. The nanowire channel is coated with a surface treatment to which a molecule of interest absorbs, which modulates the conductivity of the channel between the Schottky junctions sufficiently to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the presence and amount of the molecule. | 12-29-2011 |
20120001646 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING ISFET ARRAYS - The invention provides testing of a chemically-sensitive transistor device, such as an ISFET device, without exposing the device to liquids. In one embodiment, the invention performs a first test to calculate a resistance of the transistor. Based on the resistance, the invention performs a second test to transition the testing transistor among a plurality of modes. Based on corresponding measurements, a floating gate voltage is then calculated with little or no circuitry overhead. In another embodiment, the parasitic capacitance of at least either the source or drain is used to bias the floating gate of an ISFET. A driving voltage and biasing current are applied to exploit the parasitic capacitance to test the functionality of the transistor. | 01-05-2012 |
20120013355 | COMPOUND SENSOR - A compound sensor includes a first unit including first and second oscillators symmetrically disposed to each other and being able to be displaced in a driving direction and a detecting direction; a second unit including third and fourth oscillators symmetrically disposed to each other and being able to be displaced in the driving direction and the detecting direction; a drive unit to drive the first through fourth oscillators so as to oscillate the first and second oscillators in opposite phase, and the third and fourth oscillators in opposite phase, and so as to oscillate the first and second unit in opposite phase; and a detection unit configured to detect displacements of the first through fourth oscillators in the detecting direction, wherein an acceleration, angular rate, angular acceleration and centrifugal force are independently detected by canceling unnecessary inertial force components from the displacements of the first through fourth oscillators. | 01-19-2012 |
20120019266 | CAPACITIVE TOUCH PANEL - A capacitive touch panel can select a way of voltage control with a high degree of detection accuracy according to operating environment. In response to approach of an input unit, the stray capacitance of the sensing electrode the input unit approached increases. Accordingly, charge and discharge of the stray capacitances of a plurality of sensing electrodes are controlled, and a sensing electrode the potential change of which is made slow by the increase in stray capacitance and resultant increase in time constant is detected as a sensing electrode the input unit approached. The stray capacitance of a sensing electrode can selectively be controlled either by the charge control or by the discharge control, and optimum one of the controls is selected according to operating environment. | 01-26-2012 |
20120025850 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING DISTANCE BETWEEN HEADREST AND HEAD, METHOD FOR MEASURING DISTANCE BETWEEN HEADREST AND HEAD, HEADREST POSITION ADJUSTING DEVICE, AND HEADREST POSITION ADJUSTING METHOD - A headrest position adjusting device | 02-02-2012 |
20120043976 | TOUCH DETECTION TECHNIQUES FOR CAPACITIVE TOUCH SENSE SYSTEMS - A technique for recognizing and rejecting false activation events related to a capacitance sense interface includes measuring a capacitance value of a capacitance sense element. The measured capacitance value is analyzed to determine a baseline capacitance value for the capacitance sensor. The capacitance sense interface monitors a rate of change of the measured capacitance values and rejects an activation of the capacitance sense element as a non-touch event when the rate of change of the measured capacitance values have a magnitude greater than a threshold level, indicative of a maximum rate of change of a touch event. | 02-23-2012 |
20120056630 | CAPACITIVE PHYSICAL QUANTITY DETECTOR - A capacitive physical quantity detector includes: a capacitor having an electrostatic capacitance changeable with physical quantity; a converter converting a capacitance change to a voltage; and a selector having a comparator and a switching element. The converter includes a C-V converting circuit having an operational amplifier for amplifying a first signal from the capacitor, a main switch between input and output terminals of the operational amplifier, feedback capacitors and feedback switches. Each feedback switch connects a feedback capacitor to the main switch when the feedback switch is closed. The selector closes the feedback switches based on a second signal of the converter. The comparator compares the second signal with a threshold voltage. The switching element switches the feedback switches according to a third signal from the comparator to set the second signal smaller than a saturated voltage and larger than the threshold voltage. | 03-08-2012 |
20120062247 | TEST SYSTEM AND METHOD - A test system for testing a capacitive touch sensor is provided. The test system includes a resistor, a signal generator and a micro controller. A first end of the resistor is electrically connected to a sensing port of the capacitive touch sensor. The signal generator provides a test voltage to a second end of the resistor according to control information. In this way, the resistor generates a test current according to the test voltage, and the capacitive touch sensor provides a voltage difference to the sensing port according to a plurality of switching signals, and converts the test current into test information. The micro controller generates the control information according to a test table, and compares the test information according to the test table, so as to determine whether an operation of the capacitive touch sensor is normal. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062248 | TOUCH SENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING APPROACH - A touch sensing apparatus includes an approach sensing electrode unit including a plurality of first approach sensing electrode arrays disposed on a substrate and a plurality of second approach sensing arrays disposed adjacent to the first approach sensing electrode arrays, a voltage supply unit to supply a voltage to any of the first approach sensing electrode arrays and the second approach sensing electrode arrays, a signal generation unit to generate an approach sensing signal by detecting a variation of capacitance generated between the first approach sensing electrode arrays and the second approach sensing electrode arrays, the variation of capacitance occurring in a 3-dimensional (3D) approach sensing region, and an information generation unit to generate contact information corresponding to the approach sensing signal generated by the signal generation unit. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062249 | Distributed Electricity Metering System - Apparatus and methods are provided for the measurement of a power factor at points of interest, such as circuit breakers, machines, and the like. Accordingly, means are provided for measurement of a power factor for each electrical sub-network that is controlled by a circuit breaker. Each apparatus is enabled to communicate its respective data, in an environment of a plurality of such apparatuses, to a management unit which is enabled to provide finer granularity power factor profiles. | 03-15-2012 |
20120074963 | CAPACITANCE DETECTION APPARATUS - Provided is a capacitance detection apparatus capable of effectively discriminating between an external factor due to e.g. water drops and a human-induced operation and allowing detection of occurrence of the human-induced operation with a simple arrangement. The apparatus alternately executes a first switching control process and a second switching control process, the first and second switching control processes executing a second switch operation with different charging periods from each other. In each of the first and second switching control processes, the number of repetition times of the second switch operation is counted until the potential of a terminal of a reference capacitance changes to a set potential. Based on the number of repetition times in at least one of the two switching control processes, presence/absence of change in determined capacitance (i.e. capacitance to be determined) is determined and based on the numbers of repetition times in the two control processes, it is determined whether the change in the determined capacitance is due to an event of detection interest or not. | 03-29-2012 |
20120092030 | Method and Apparatus for Determining a Capacitance and/or Change in Capacitance of a Capacitive Sensor Element - A method for determining a capacitance and/or a change in capacitance of a capacitive sensor element (C | 04-19-2012 |
20120098552 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Rub Detection in a Machine - Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring rub detection in a machine are provided. An electrical signal may be provided for transmission to and into a component of the machine. A capacitance associated with the electrical signal in the component may be monitored. Based at least in part upon a determined change in the monitored capacitance, a potential rub condition for the component of the machine. | 04-26-2012 |
20120105080 | Electrostatic Capacitance Type Physical Quantity Sensor and Angular Velocity Sensor - The present invention provides a high-accuracy electrostatic capacitance type physical quantity sensor and angular velocity sensor configured so as to be capable of suppressing noise derived from internal noise while maintaining resistance to externally-incoming noise. A detection element | 05-03-2012 |
20120112773 | System and method for on-chip resistorcalibration in semiconductor devices - According to one disclosed embodiment, an on-chip resistor calibration circuit includes an RC oscillator having a test resistor and a precision capacitor as elements, a counter, and a reference clock. In one embodiment, an RC oscillator generates a waveform having a period dependent upon the resistance of the test resistor and the capacitance of the precision capacitor. In such an embodiment, a counter and a reference clock may be configured to measure the period of the waveform. Using a pre-determined capacitance of the precision capacitor, a resistance of the test resistor may be determined. In another embodiment, an RC oscillator generates first and second waveforms through use of an additional capacitor that can be switched in and out of the RC oscillator circuit. Using a pre-determined capacitance of the precision capacitor, an RC product of the test resistor and the additional capacitor may be determined. | 05-10-2012 |
20120139562 | DIRECTIONAL CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR - The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting an object near an electronic system, comprising steps of: forming electrodes around a central area, on an electrically insulating medium, determining measurements representative of the capacitance of the electrodes, and comparing the measurements with a detection threshold, and deducing whether or not an object is near the central area in a detection, the electrically insulating medium on which the electrodes are formed being deposited on an electrically conductive medium forming a shield, the capacitance measurements being taken by simultaneously activating all the electrodes. | 06-07-2012 |
20120139563 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A CAPACITIVE TOUCH PAD - The present disclosure relates to a method for measuring a capacitance of a pair of electrodes including charging the pair of electrodes and transferring the charge between the pair of electrodes and a sampling capacitor, and a measuring step representative of the capacitance of the pair of electrodes according to the voltage at the terminals of the sampling capacitor according to the number of cycles executed so that the voltage at the terminals of the sampling capacitor reaches a threshold voltage. According to the present disclosure, the method comprises an initial step of charging the sampling capacitor between a first voltage and a second intermediate voltage in between the first voltage and a third voltage greater than or equal to a ground voltage, the pair of electrodes being charged between the second voltage and the third voltage. The present disclosure applies in particular to the control of a touch pad. | 06-07-2012 |
20120153973 | ON-CHIP MEASUREMENT OF CAPACITANCE FOR MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SYSTEM (MEMS) ACTUATOR CIRCUIT - A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator circuit and method. The circuit includes a current mirror, a voltage divider having an interior contact and coupled between the mirror output and a potential, an operational amplifier having an input coupled to the interior contact and a switch having input/output contacts separately coupled to the amplifier output and the mirror input and having a switch control. The amplifier output can be coupled to a digital control circuit which can be coupled to the switch control contact and to a digital to analog circuit (DAC) which can be coupled to the digital control circuit and to another amplifier input. An enable signal at the switch control couples the switch input/output contacts together. The capacitance of a MEMS capacitor coupled to the mirror output is determined by measurement of time for the amplifier output to switch from one level to another following a change in DAC output potential. | 06-21-2012 |
20120161795 | PROXIMITY SENSOR INCLUDING A MULTILAYER ELASTOMER ASSEMBLY - A capacitive sensor includes a conductive elastomer portion formed into a pre-determined shape to sense a touch of a user within a sensing zone of the conductive elastomer portion, a dielectric portion disposed adjacent the conductive elastomer portion within the sensing zone of the conductive elastomer portion, and a controller in electrical communication with the conductive elastomer portion to detect a change in an electrical characteristic of the conductive elastomer portion. | 06-28-2012 |
20120187964 | Plug Insertion Detection Circuits that Sense a Change in Capacitance and Related Methods and Communications Connectors - Methods of detecting a plug insertion into a plug aperture of a communications connector are provided in which a control signal is received that is electromagnetically coupled across a plug aperture of the communications connector using a reactive coupling element. A determination may be made that a mating plug (e.g., an RJ-45 plug or a connector on a fiber optic jumper cable) has been inserted into the plug aperture based on this received control signal. Related connectors are also provided. | 07-26-2012 |
20120212240 | DETECTION OF A CONDUCTIVE OBJECT DURING AN INITIALIZATION PROCESS OF A TOUCH-SENSING DEVICE - A method and system for detecting a presence of a conductive object proximate to a capacitive sense element during an initialization process of a touch-sensing device. A reference sense element is calibrated to produce a sensing parameter value. A capacitance of a plurality of capacitive sense elements is measured based on the sensing parameter value, and compared to a baseline capacitance value stored in a non-volatile memory of the touch-sensing device. The presence of a conductive object proximate to a capacitive sense element is detected when a difference between the measured capacitance and the stored baseline capacitance value is greater than a threshold value. | 08-23-2012 |
20120217981 | CIRCUITS, DEVICES AND METHODS HAVING PIPELINED CAPACITANCE SENSING - Capacitance sensing circuits, systems and method can include sample and hold (S/H) circuits that can retain analog values for one set of capacitance sensors, and sequentially convert such analog values into digital values while analog values for another set of capacitance sensors values are generated. | 08-30-2012 |
20120256644 | COORDINATE DETECTING DEVICE - A coordinate detecting device includes a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, a capacitance detecting circuit, a first electrode switch, and a second electrode switch. All of the second electrodes are connected to a power supply by the second electrode switch and the first electrodes are selectively connected to the capacitance detecting circuit by the first electrode switch, thereby detecting a first coordinate. All of the first electrodes are connected to the power supply by the first electrode switch and the second electrodes are selectively connected to the capacitance detecting circuit by the second electrode switch, thereby detecting a second coordinate. When a plurality of first coordinates or a plurality of second coordinates are detected, capacitances between the first and second electrodes corresponding to combinations of the detected first and second coordinates are measured, thereby specifying the position of the detection target. | 10-11-2012 |
20120256645 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD - A sensor for sensing an analyte includes capacitive elements, each having a pair of electrodes separated by a dielectric wherein the dielectric constant of the dielectric of at least one of the capacitive elements is sensitive to the analyte, the sensor further including a comparator adapted to compare a selected set of capacitive elements against a reference signal and to generate a comparison result signal, and a controller for iteratively selecting the set in response to the comparison result signal, wherein the sensor is arranged to produce a digitized output signal indicative of the sensed level of the analyte of interest. An IC comprising such a sensor, an electronic device comprising such an IC and a method of determining a level of an analyte of interest using such a sensor are also disclosed. | 10-11-2012 |
20120262192 | HIGH-IMPEDANCE MEMS SWITCH - A MEMS switch. The MEMS switch has a high-impedance state and a low-impedance state for biasing a capacitive sensor, and includes an actuation bias terminal, a sense bias terminal, a switch control terminal, a sense node terminal, and a spring. The actuation bias terminal and the sense bias terminal reside in a released region of the switch. The sense bias terminal is physically coupled to the actuation bias terminal by a dielectric which electrically isolates the sense bias terminal from the actuation bias terminal. The switch control terminal is separated from the sense bias terminal by a first air gap, and the sense node terminal is separated from the sense bias terminal by a second air gap. The spring supports the actuation bias terminal, the sense bias terminal, and the dielectric. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262193 | WAVEFORM DIVIDING METHOD FOR A CAPACITIVE TOUCH CONTROL DEVICE - A waveform dividing method for a capacitive touch control device saves a first waveform in a direction, and then saves a multi-touch waveform in the direction when another object further touches the capacitive touch control device. If the multi-touch waveform is identified as having waveform overlapping, a second waveform is extracted from the difference between the multi-touch waveform and the first waveform. By calculating with the second waveform, accurate positioning of the objects on the capacitive touch control device can be achieved. | 10-18-2012 |
20120268144 | TOUCH SENSING CIRCUIT - A touch sensing circuit detects a difference in variation of coupling capacitances between mutually adjacent driving electrodes through the use of a differential amplifier, and senses whether or not a touch is made on a touch screen panel, thereby being capable of removing display noise. | 10-25-2012 |
20120280700 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR SENSING A DIFFERENTIAL CAPACITANCE - A circuit for sensing a differential capacitance includes a charge-storing circuit to generate a first output voltage and a second output voltage related to capacitances at two terminals of the differential capacitance, respectively, an operational amplifier to amplify the difference between the first and second output voltages to generate a sensing value, a first sampling capacitor having one terminal connected to the negative input terminal and the other terminal receiving the first or second output voltage, and a second sampling capacitor having one terminal connected to the negative input terminal and the other terminal switched to the output terminal of the operational amplifier. The second sampling capacitor stores a non-ideal error value to offset the non-ideal effect of the operational amplifier imparted on the sensing value. | 11-08-2012 |
20120286811 | CAPACITANCE DIFFERENCE DETECTING METHOD - A capacitance difference detecting method, comprising: (a) utilizing a voltage control unit to cooperate with a first capacitor to be detected and a second capacitor to be detected to generate a first voltage and a second voltage; and (b) computing a capacitance difference between the first capacitor to be detected and the second capacitor to be detected according to the first voltage, the second voltage and a parameter of the voltage control unit. | 11-15-2012 |
20120286812 | CAPACITANCE DIFFERENCE DETECTING CIRCUIT - A capacitance difference detecting circuit, which comprises: a control circuit, for generating a control signal according to a first voltage and a second voltage; a first capacitor to be detected; a second capacitor to be detected; a voltage control unit, for cooperating with the first capacitor to be detected and the second capacitor to be detected, according to the control signal, to generate the first voltage and the second voltage; and a computing device, for computing a capacitance difference between the first capacitor to be detected and the second capacitor to be detected according to the first voltage, the second voltage and a parameter of the voltage control unit. | 11-15-2012 |
20120299605 | OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE SAME - An occupant detection sensor for detecting an occupant seating state on a seat comprises: a contact pressure sensor section including a pair of opposed electrodes arranged parallel to a seating face part of the seat; an electrostatic sensor section including a main electrode arranged parallel to the seating face part of the seat and a guard electrode arranged between the main electrode and a seat frame, the guard electrode and the main electrode having a same electric potential; a capacitance measuring section for measuring a first capacitance between the opposed electrodes and a second capacitance between the main electrode and ground; and an occupant distinguishing section for distinguishing a seating state of the occupant based on the first capacitance and the second capacitance. | 11-29-2012 |
20120313650 | INSPECTION DEVICE AND INSPECTION METHOD - An inspection device for detecting small foreign bodies is provided with a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on either side of the inspection target, a power source connected to the aforementioned first electrode, a conveyance speed control unit for controlling the conveyance speed of the aforementioned inspection target, a current detection unit which, connected to the aforementioned second electrode, detects currents generated by changes in the static capacitance formed between the aforementioned first electrode and the aforementioned second electrode, and a defect detection unit which detects defects on the basis of the aforementioned current. Furthermore, the aforementioned second electrode rotates in the direction opposite of the conveyance direction of the aforementioned inspection target. Furthermore, the aforementioned power source includes a DC or an AC power source. | 12-13-2012 |
20120319706 | CAPACITANCE-BASED SYSTEM HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LAYERED STRUCTURE - The present disclosure endeavors to provide an SHM system and method using a conductive material (e.g., CNT) to measure changes in a layered structure. Change in capacitance of a layered structure may be measured over time thereby indicating a change in the structural integrity of the material. The SHM system may be embedded with, or within, the layered structure such that the system is effectively part of the material. Alternatively, it may be external to the layered structure such that the system is a separate device used to measure the capacitance. The SHM system may also localize any changes in a layered structure by using, for example, strips or panels of conductive material on opposite sides of the layered structure being measured. Damage within overlapping portions of the conductive material provides localization capability where varying the size of the strips or panels may be use to vary the sensitivity and resolution of both the locations and size of the defect. | 12-20-2012 |
20130002268 | DISTRIBUTED SENSORS TO MEASURE CEMENT STATE - A system for determining a curing state for cement disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth that includes a transceiver that includes a transmitting coil and that is configured to provide an input signal to the coil that sweeps through a frequency range and to measure the magnitude of the voltage across the coil. The system also includes a plurality of sensor nodes disposed in the concrete. The sensor nodes include a receiving coil and a capacitor coupled to the receiving coil to form a receiving circuit and that has a capacitance that changes as one of pressure or strain in the cement changes. | 01-03-2013 |
20130009653 | POSITION DETECTING SENSOR, POSITION DETECTING DEVICE, AND POSITION DETECTING METHOD - A position detecting sensor is configured by providing a dielectric member having flexibility between first conductors and second conductors and providing spacers for separating the first conductors or the second conductors from the dielectric member by a determined gap. When a pressing force is applied by an indicator (e.g., a finger or a pen) on the position detecting sensor, the first conductor and the second conductor come to abut each other, with the dielectric member interposed therebetween. Further, an abutting area (contact area) between the dielectric member and the conductor changes (e.g., increases) according to the pressing force applied by the indicator. Thus, capacitance of the capacitor formed between the first conductor and the second conductor is largely changed, to allow detection of a position indicated by the indicator as well as the pressing force applied at the indicated position with high sensitivity and high accuracy. | 01-10-2013 |
20130015865 | CAPACITANCE-TYPE DETECTING DEVICEAANM Izumi; HiroshiAACI Miyagi-kenAACO JPAAGP Izumi; Hiroshi Miyagi-ken JP - A capacitance-type detecting device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of detecting electrodes that are provided on a sensor substrate such that capacitance is formed between adjacent electrodes. Capacitance formed in a corner detection region in which the detection sensitivity of the sensor substrate is relatively low is more than that formed in a central detection region in which the detection sensitivity is relatively high. | 01-17-2013 |
20130015866 | Capacitive occupant detection system with interference detectionAANM Wendt; ChristophAACI MettendorfAACO DEAAGP Wendt; Christoph Mettendorf DEAANM Khan; DarrenAACI Rochester HillsAAST MIAACO USAAGP Khan; Darren Rochester Hills MI USAANM Puetz; MichaelAACI TrierAACO DEAAGP Puetz; Michael Trier DEAANM Tonteling; MarcAACI LuxembourgAACO LUAAGP Tonteling; Marc Luxembourg LUAANM Favalli; GianlucaAACI HautcharageAACO LUAAGP Favalli; Gianluca Hautcharage LU - A capacitive occupant detection system ( | 01-17-2013 |
20130027062 | INPUT DETECTION DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF AND RECORDING MEDIUM - When the first electrical conductor overlaps one of the three or more detection electrodes, the one detection electrode and the first electrical conductor are capacitively coupled. When the position of the first electrical conductor has changed in accordance with movement of the operation member, it is determined, based on the capacitance of each of the three or more detection electrodes after the change, that the first electrical conductor has moved in a direction from a first detection electrode judged to have decreased the capacitance to a second detection electrode judged to have increased the capacitance. | 01-31-2013 |
20130038339 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DETECT A PRESENCE OF A CONDUCTIVE OBJECT - A method and apparatus determine a plurality of regions, each of the plurality of regions having a detected change in capacitance value that meets or exceeds a threshold value. In an embodiment, the method and apparatus fit a shape to the plurality of regions and determine another region, the other region being within the fitted shape and not having the detected change in capacitance value that meets or exceeds the threshold value. The method and apparatus may assign an assigned change in capacitance value to the other region. | 02-14-2013 |
20130043890 | Sensing Method and Circuit for Use with Capacitive Sensing Devices - A sensing method is used for a capacitive sensing device, wherein the capacitive sensing device has a plurality of capacitive sensing components, each of which is charged or discharged by a charging component respectively. The sensing method comprises the steps of: a first sampling step of sampling at least one of charging or discharging time of a capacitive sensing component of the plurality of capacitive sensing components to determine a first sample time for the component sampled, wherein the component sampled and at least one another component of the plurality of capacitive sensing components are charged or discharged simultaneously during the first sampling step; a first comparing step of comparing the first sample time for the component sampled with a reference time; and an outputting step of outputting a trigger signal in the event that the first sample time exceeds the reference time. | 02-21-2013 |
20130049774 | SURFACE CHARGE REDUCTION TECHNIQUE FOR CAPACITIVE SENSORS - A differential capacitive transducer system is disclosed that includes first and second capacitive cores and a chopping system. The first core a first input coupled to a first capacitor, a second input coupled to a second capacitor, and a first output. The second core includes a third input coupled to a third capacitor, a fourth input coupled to a fourth capacitor, and a second output. The chopping system has first and fourth inputs coupled to positive signals, and second and third inputs coupled to negative signals. As the chopping system switches between high and low states, it couples the core inputs to different polarity signals reducing charge buildup. The different polarity signals can have substantially same magnitudes. Chopper clock and main clock frequencies can be selected to provide substantially zero average voltages at the core inputs. The system can include an integrator circuit and differential summing circuits. | 02-28-2013 |
20130049775 | SURFACE CHARGE REDUCTION TECHNIQUE FOR CAPACITIVE SENSORS - A differential capacitive transducer system is disclosed that includes first and second capacitive cores and a chopping system. The first core a first input coupled to a first capacitor, a second input coupled to a second capacitor, and a first output. The second core includes a third input coupled to a third capacitor, a fourth input coupled to a fourth capacitor, and a second output. The chopping system has first and fourth inputs coupled to positive signals, and second and third inputs coupled to negative signals. As the chopping system switches between high and low states, it couples the core inputs to different polarity signals reducing charge buildup. The different polarity signals can have substantially same magnitudes. Chopper clock and main clock frequencies can be selected to provide substantially zero average voltages at the core inputs. The system can include an integrator circuit and differential summing circuits. | 02-28-2013 |
20130049776 | READOUT CIRCUIT FOR SELF-BALANCING CAPACITOR BRIDGE - A capacitive transducer and a readout circuit for processing a signal from a capacitive transducer. The readout circuit includes a high gain circuit element, two summing amplifiers and two feedback path. The high gain circuit element generates an amplified transducer signal, and the summing amplifiers sum the amplified transducer signal with a positive reference voltage and the negative reference voltage, respectively, to generate a first summation signal and a second summation signal. The feedback paths feed back the summation signals to the transducer. Output circuitry generates an output signal based on the summation signals. The high gain circuit element can be a switched capacitor integrator. The output circuitry can generates the output signal based on the first and second summation signals. | 02-28-2013 |
20130057301 | LINEAR CAPACITANCE-TO-VOLTAGE CONVERTER USING A SINGLE AMPLIFIER FOR ACCELEROMETER FRONT ENDS WITH CANCELLATION OF SPURIOUS FORCES CONTRIBUTED BY SENSOR CIRCUITRY - Capacitive transducer systems are disclosed that reduce nonlinearities due to feedthrough capacitances or residual electrostatic forces. The systems can include a core with a first input coupled to a first variable capacitor, a second input coupled to a second variable capacitor, and a core output coupled to a common node; an amplifier with input switchably coupled to common node and an output; a feedback path switchably coupling amplifier output to common node; and a main clock with first and second phases, that controls switches coupling system components. When clock is in first phase, first core input is coupled to reference voltage, second core input is coupled to negative reference voltage, and common node is coupled to amplifier output. When clock is in second phase, core inputs are grounded, and common node is coupled to amplifier input. The system can have single amplifier. Neutralization capacitor can cancel feedthrough and parasitic capacitances. | 03-07-2013 |
20130063164 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR RADIATION MEASUREMENT - A system that includes at least one capacitive sensor for least one angle of incidence component of radiation being measured striking the sensor. The measured capacitance of the sensor is affected by radiation striking the sensor. In some embodiments, the system includes multiple sensors where differences in the capacitive measurements of the sensors can be used to determine information about the radiation such as e.g. horizontal angle, directional angle, and dose. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063165 | SCHEME TO ACHIEVE ROBUSTNESS TO ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE IN INERTIAL SENSORS - A capacitive sensor system and method resistant to electromagnetic interference is disclosed. The system includes a capacitive core, differential amplifier with inverting and non-inverting inputs, capacitive paths, and chopping system. Core can include inputs and outputs coupled to variable capacitors, and common nodes coupling variable capacitors. Capacitive paths couple core outputs to amplifier inputs. When chopping system is high, one polarity voltage is applied to core inputs, a first core output is coupled to the inverting input and a second core output is coupled to the non-inverting input. When the chopping system is low, opposite polarity voltage is applied to core inputs, and core output to amplifier input couplings are flipped. Capacitive paths can include bond wires. Chopping system can be varied between high and low at frequencies that smear noise away from a frequency band of interest, or that smear noise substantially evenly across a wide frequency range. | 03-14-2013 |
20130069671 | LOW POWER CAPACITIVE TOUCH DETECTOR - A low power capacitive detector is disclosed. The detector includes a mechanism to measure and detect touch on capacitive sensors. The detector uses signal processing to suppress noise and increase sensitivity. The detector does not require dedicated analog circuitry, making it easy to adopt in a microcontroller system. The detector can be scaled to a larger number of capacitive sensors without noticeable increase in silicon cost. | 03-21-2013 |
20130069672 | LOW POWER CAPACITIVE TOUCH DETECTOR - A low power capacitive detector is disclosed. The detector includes a mechanism to measure and detect touch on capacitive sensors. The detector uses signal processing to suppress noise and increase sensitivity. The detector does not require dedicated analog circuitry, making it easy to adopt in a microcontroller system. The detector can be scaled to a larger number of capacitive sensors without noticeable increase in silicon cost. | 03-21-2013 |
20130076376 | CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT CIRCUIT AND METHOD THEREFOR - A capacitance measurement circuit includes an operation amplifier; a reference capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a first input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to a first or second reference voltage; a sensor capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to the first or second reference voltage; an approximation unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the operation amplifier; a conversion unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the approximation unit; and a coupling capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the first or second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal of the conversion unit. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076377 | CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT CIRCUIT AND METHOD THEREFOR - A capacitance measurement circuit includes an operation amplifier; a reference capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a first input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to a first or second reference voltage; a sensor capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to the first or second reference voltage; an approximation unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the operation amplifier; a conversion unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the approximation unit; and a coupling capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the first or second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal of the conversion unit. | 03-28-2013 |
20130088245 | Capacitive Inspection Of EUV Photomasks - Methods and systems for generating an indication of a changing electrostatic field between a sense electrode of a capacitance sensing integrated circuit and a specimen under inspection are presented. The capacitance sensing integrated circuit is an integrated circuit that includes a number of sense electrodes and sense electronics. By fabricating the elements of the capacitance sensing integrated circuit as a single microelectronic chip, the sense electrodes can be miniaturized to sizes that enable inspection of fine line patterns common in modern semiconductor manufacturing. In one embodiment, the sense electrodes are metallic contacts. In another embodiment the sense electrodes are field effect transistors (FETs) with a floating gate. The sense electronics generate an indication of the changing electrostatic field between each sense electrode and a specimen under inspection as the specimen is scanned relative to the capacitance sensing integrated circuit. | 04-11-2013 |
20130099804 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING CAPACITANCE IN TOUCH SENSOR - An apparatus and method are provided to rapidly and accurately measure the variation of capacitance in a panel load of a touch sensor and thus increase touch sensitivity and noise resistance. The apparatus includes a panel driver configured to drive a panel load in the touch sensor according to a reference voltage, and a capacitive load detector configured to measure capacitance of the panel load by sensing a panel load driving current that is applied to the panel load by the panel driver. | 04-25-2013 |
20130106443 | SENSOR HAVING A TRANSISTOR AND IMPRINT SITES | 05-02-2013 |
20130106444 | CAPACITIVE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD | 05-02-2013 |
20130134996 | MAKING TRANSPARENT CAPACITOR WITH MULTI-LAYER GRID - A method of making a transparent capacitor apparatus includes: providing a first transparent substrate including a first patterned conductive layer having a first pattern; providing a second transparent substrate including a second patterned conductive layer having a second pattern different from the first pattern; locating the first transparent substrate over the second transparent substrate so that the first patterned conductive layer is effectively parallel to the second patterned conductive layer. Overlapping portions of both the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are patterned time into spatially matching conductive areas and non-conductive areas by locally applying heat to melt conductive materials in the non-conductive areas so that the surface tension of the conductive materials causes the conductive materials to coalesce into structures with a reduced conductive layer area. | 05-30-2013 |
20130147496 | CAPACITY MEASURING CIRCUIT, SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING A CAPACITY USING A SINUSOIDAL VOLTAGE SIGNAL - A capacity measuring circuit includes a measuring voltage source configured to feed a sinusoidal voltage signal to a first terminal of a capacity to be measured so as to cause a temporal change in a charge stored on the capacity to be measured. The capacity measuring circuit additionally includes a delta-sigma modulator. The delta-sigma modulator is configured to receive a charge from a second terminal of the capacity to be measured and to provide a digital output signal which is dependent on a quantity of the charge received from the capacity to be measured. The capacity measuring circuit may be employed in a sensor system. | 06-13-2013 |
20130187668 | METHOD OF MEASURING A PHYSICAL PARAMETER AND ELECTRONIC INTERFACE CIRCUIT FOR A CAPACITIVE SENSOR FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SAME - The method is for measuring a physical parameter by an electronic circuit connected to a two differential capacitor sensor having two fixed electrodes and a common moving electrode. The electronic circuit supplies first and second digital measuring signals. Each measuring cycle consists on biasing the electrodes by the measuring voltage based on the first digital signal, connecting the fixed electrodes to a supply voltage source for a first biasing, biasing the electrodes by the measuring voltage based on the second digital measuring signal, and inversely connecting the fixed electrodes to a supply voltage source for a second biasing. In first successive measuring cycles, the first and second digital signals are adapted to each cycle by a large step value. In second successive measuring cycles, the first and second digital signals are adapted to each cycle by a small step value until the end of the conversion. | 07-25-2013 |
20130187669 | Calibration of Micro-Mirror Arrays - A built-in self-calibration system and method for a micro-mirror array device, for example, operating as a variable focal length lens is described. The calibration method comprises determining a capacitance value for each micro-mirror element in the array device at a number of predetermined reference angles to provide a capacitance-reference angle relationship. From the capacitance values, an interpolation step is carried to determine intermediate tilt angles for each micro-mirror element in the array. A voltage sweep is applied to the micro-mirror array and capacitance values, for each micro-mirror element in the array, are measured. For a capacitance value that matches one of the values in the capacitance-reference angle relationship, the corresponding voltage is linked to the associated tilt angle to provide a voltage-tilt angle characteristic which then stored in a memory for subsequent use. | 07-25-2013 |
20130193990 | SERVO TECHNIQUES FOR APPROXIMATION OF DIFFERENTIAL CAPACITANCE OF A SENSOR - Techniques and circuits are described for approximation of the differential capacitance of a capacitive sensor to, among other things, optimize device operation and power consumption. In particular, feedback techniques are utilized for measurement and approximation of the differential capacitance of the capacitive sensor. In accordance with the disclosure, the capacitance approximation value for a test cycle preceding a given test cycle is utilized to reduce the number of iterations to be performed in a continuous series of test cycles. The capacitance approximation value for the given test cycle is reported as being equivalent to that of the preceding test cycle if the variance between the selected capacitance and the unselected capacitance is less than or equal to a first predefined value. | 08-01-2013 |
20130200906 | METHOD FOR DETECTING PRESSURE ON TOUCH SENSING ELEMENT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME - A method for detecting pressure on a touch sensing element includes the steps of: providing a first potential difference to two electrodes of a first film; charging a capacitor with a division voltage of the first potential difference; sampling a charged voltage of the capacitor to obtain a plurality of first voltage values and calculating a first voltage variation according to the plurality of first voltage values; comparing the first voltage variation with a threshold value; and post-processing at least one of the first voltage values when the first voltage variation is smaller than the threshold value. The present disclosure further provides an electronic device. | 08-08-2013 |
20130234735 | OCCUPANT SENSOR DEVICE - An occupant sensor device includes a sensor body unit disposed in a base part of a seat in a vehicle, and an occupant detection device. The sensor body unit is divided into at least two parts, such as a first sensor part and a second sensor part, where the first sensor part is positioned in front of the second sensor part. Based on a capacitance between the sensor body unit and a vehicle body, the occupant detection device detects an occupant type of an occupant that is seated on the seat. In particular, the occupant detection unit is able to detect the occupant type based on a first capacitance provided by the first sensor part, a second capacitance provided by the second sensor part, and a total capacitance, which is a total of the first capacitance and the second capacitance. | 09-12-2013 |
20130234736 | OCCUPANT DETECTION DEVICE - An occupant detection device has an electrostatic sensor and a reference sensor device, which are disposed in a seat of a vehicle. The electrostatic sensor includes a detection electrode for generating a capacitance in a space defined by itself and a vehicle body. The reference sensor device has the same detection characteristic as the electrostatic sensor, and is arranged such that it is not affected by a liquid. An occupant determination unit of the detection device determines a presence of an occupant on the seat based on an output of the electrostatic sensor. A determination standard change unit of the detection device changes an occupant determination threshold based on an output of the reference sensor device, where the occupant determination threshold is used by the occupant determination unit for determining the presence of the occupant. | 09-12-2013 |
20130234737 | SIGNAL SENSING CIRCUIT - A signal sensing circuit is provided. The signal sensing circuit comprises a first current-to-voltage circuit, a second current-to-voltage and an impedance shifting circuit. The first current-to-voltage circuit converts a first input current into a first voltage that is directly proportional to a first impedance. The second current-to-voltage circuit converts a second input current into a second voltage that is directly proportional to a second impedance. The impedance shifting circuit generates a third voltage according to the first voltage, wherein the first impedance/the second impedance=K(first voltage/third voltage), where K is a real number. | 09-12-2013 |
20130271163 | Current Mirror Self-Capacitance Measurement - In one embodiment, a method includes applying a first current to a capacitance of a touch sensor. The application of the first current to the capacitance for a first amount of time modifies the voltage at the capacitance from the reference voltage level to a first pre-determined voltage level. The method also includes applying a second current to an integration capacitor. The second current is proportional to the first current. The application of the second current to the integration capacitor for the first amount of time modifies the voltage at the integration capacitor from the reference voltage level to a first charging voltage level. The method also includes determining whether a touch input to the touch sensor has occurred based on the first charging voltage level. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271164 | Ionization Balance Device With Shielded Capacitor Circuit For Ion Balance Measurements and Adjustments - In one example, this disclosure describes a circuit and techniques that may be used to measure the ion balance in an ionization balance device ( | 10-17-2013 |
20130278277 | SENSOR ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR OPERATION OF A SENSOR ARRANGEMENT - A sensor arrangement, in particular for a non-contacting measurement, comprises a signal generator (SRC) which is connected to a first electrode (EL | 10-24-2013 |
20130285679 | On-Chip Resistor Calibration in Semiconductor Devices - According to one disclosed embodiment, an on-chip resistor calibration circuit includes an RC oscillator having a test resistor and a precision capacitor as elements, a counter, and a reference clock. In one embodiment, an RC oscillator generates a waveform having a period dependent upon the resistance of the test resistor and the capacitance of the precision capacitor. In such an embodiment, a counter and a reference clock may be configured to measure the period of the waveform. Using a pre-determined capacitance of the precision capacitor, a resistance of the test resistor may be determined. In another embodiment, an RC oscillator generates first and second waveforms through use of an additional capacitor that can be switched in and out of the RC oscillator circuit. Using a pre-determined capacitance of the precision capacitor, an RC product of the test resistor and the additional capacitor may be determined. | 10-31-2013 |
20130300438 | Self-Capacitance Detection Using Trans-Conductance Reference - In one embodiment, a method includes modifying a voltage at a capacitance of a touch sensor to a first voltage level. The method also includes modifying the voltage at the capacitance to a second voltage level, resulting in a first current. The method also includes modifying a voltage at an integration capacitor to a charging-voltage level based on the first current. The method also includes determining whether a touch input to the touch sensor has occurred based on the charging-voltage level. | 11-14-2013 |
20130300439 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SENSING ACTUATION AND RELEASE VOLTAGES OF AN INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATOR - A method for sensing the actuation and/or release voltages of a electromechanical system or a microelectromechanical device include applying a test pulse to the device and sensing its state. In one embodiment, the device is part of a system comprising an array of interferometric modulators suitable for a display. The method can be used to compensate for temperature dependent changes in display pixel characteristics. | 11-14-2013 |
20130321005 | TRANSCAPACITIVE CHARGE MEASUREMENT - A circuit for measuring a change in capacitive coupling between a transmitter electrode and receiver electrode includes a transmitter module that couples with the transmitter electrode and drives it with a plurality of positive and negative measurement cycles. A latched comparator has an input and an output, where the input couples with the receiver electrode. Upon enablement, the latched comparator determines if receiver electrode voltages satisfy an input threshold of the latched comparator and provides an output signal from an output based on this determination. A first counter is adjusted based on a first output signal of the latched comparator output during a positive measurement cycle. A second counter is adjusted based on a second output signal of the latched comparator during a negative measurement cycle. Measurement of change in capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrode and receiver electrode is based on counter values of the first and second counters. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321006 | METHOD FOR MEASURING CAPACITANCE AND CAPACITIVE SENSOR UNIT - A method measures a capacitance. According to the method, a first detection measurement for the capacitance which is to be measured is detected by a first measurement method during a first measurement phase. In this case, a second measurement phase is started when the first detection measurement satisfies a transition criterion. A second detection measurement for the capacitance which is to be measured is detected during the second measurement phase by a second measurement method which differs from the first measurement method. The second measurement method has higher measurement accuracy than the first measurement method but also greater energy expenditure. | 12-05-2013 |
20130342224 | SENSOR SYSTEM FOR MONITORING SURROUNDINGS ON A MECHANICAL COMPONENT, AND METHOD FOR ACTUATING AND EVALUATING THE SENSOR SYSTEM - A sensor system for monitoring surroundings on a mechanical component, includes at least one capacitive sensor element that is attachable to the surface of machines or machine parts, the at least one sensor element being constructed from a layered structure of flexible electrically conductive and electrically insulating plies, electrically conductive potential surfaces of one ply being disposed, laterally spaced apart via insulating plies located therebetween, in such a way that electric field lines form between the conductive potential surfaces and change measurably upon proximity and/or contact of a body or an object. The layered structure of a sensor element has at least two measuring elements operating separately from one another. | 12-26-2013 |
20140002114 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING TYPES OF USER INPUT | 01-02-2014 |
20140002115 | CAPACITANCE SENSING METHOD | 01-02-2014 |
20140009175 | MOTION DETECTION USING CAPACITOR HAVING DIFFERENT WORK FUNCTION MATERIALS - An apparatus for detecting mechanical displacement in a micro-electromechanical system includes a capacitor having first and second plates spaced from one another, the first and second plates having different work functions and being electrically connected with each other. The capacitor plates are movable with respect to one another such that a spacing between the plates changes in response to a force. A current through the capacitor represents a rate of change in the spacing between the plates at a given time. | 01-09-2014 |
20140015549 | TOUCH MODULE HAVING A DYNAMIC CAPACITANCE MATCHING MECHANISM - A touch module having a dynamic capacitance matching mechanism, including: a comparator, having a first input end and a second input end, the second input end being coupled with a reference voltage; a touch capacitive circuit, having a variable touch capacitor, a voltage source, and a second output end, wherein the voltage source is used to perform a charging procedure on the variable touch capacitor, and the variable touch capacitor is coupled to the first input end of the comparator via the second output end after the charging procedure; and a transferred-charge-storing capacitive circuit, having a variable transferred-charge-storing capacitor and a third output end, wherein the variable transferred-charge-storing capacitor is used to couple with the first input end of the comparator via the third output end to perform a charge transfer procedure. | 01-16-2014 |
20140015550 | DETECTION CIRCUIT FOR CAPACITIVE SENSOR - A detection circuit for a capacitive sensor includes a drive signal generator for applying drive signal varying between first and second levels to a sensor common terminal, a sense amplifier having input terminals respectively connected to sensor detection terminals, and a controller for controlling input common-mode voltage of the sense amplifier to predetermined voltage. The controller includes a feedback amplifier for outputting feedback voltage according to difference between the common-mode and predetermined voltages, a pair of feedback capacitors having one ends respectively connected to the detection terminals and another ends connected together, and a voltage switcher for applying preset voltage, between the predetermined voltage and a limit voltage outputtable by the feedback amplifier in direction where the second level exists relative to the first level, to the other ends during the first level and the feedback voltage to the other ends during the second level. | 01-16-2014 |
20140021966 | CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT - A differential amplifier has an output and differential first and second inputs. A switch disposed between a sensor electrode and the second input is opened to initiate a reset phase where the sensor electrode and the differential amplifier are decoupled. A feedback capacitance disposed between the second input and the output is reset to a first level of charge. The switch is closed to initiate a measurement phase where the second input and sensor electrode are coupled. In the measurement phase: charge is balanced between the sensor electrode and the feedback capacitance such that a sensor electrode voltage equals a voltage of the first input equals a voltage of the second input, and the sensor electrode is charged; and the differential amplifier is utilized to integrate charge on the sensor electrode, such that an absolute capacitance corresponding to a coupling between the sensor electrode and an input object is measured. | 01-23-2014 |
20140021967 | METHOD OF DETECTING VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS - A method of using a sensor element includes: exposing a sensor element to an unknown analyte vapor; measuring a capacitance of the sensor element to obtain a measured capacitance; obtaining a true capacitance of the sensor element; exposing the semi-reflective conductive electrode to incident light and observing reflected light in order to measure a spectral change between the incident light and the reflected light; comparing the true capacitance and the measured spectral change, or at least one derivative thereof, to a reference library, the reference library comprising reference correlations between spectral change and true capacitance, or at least one derivative thereof, for a plurality of reference analyte vapors; and determining at least one of the chemical class or identity of the analyte vapor. | 01-23-2014 |
20140028334 | SELF-CAPACITIVE TOUCH PANEL - A self-capacitive touch panel including a border region and a central region is provided. The border region has a first area and corresponds to a P number of first sensors. The central region has a second area and corresponds to a Q number of second sensors. A ratio of P to the first area is greater than a ratio of Q to the second area. | 01-30-2014 |
20140035600 | MULTI-FUNCTION SENSOR AND METHOD - A multi-function sensor apparatus includes multiple sensing electrodes and a control circuit adapted to receive signals from each of the sensing electrodes and to deem whether the sensing electrodes are in a touched state or an untouched state. The control circuit also is adapted to selectively provide an output based on the sensor's states and the manner in which the sensors came to be in such states. | 02-06-2014 |
20140049273 | Capacitive Sensor - A sensor includes a variable capacitor, a fixed capacitor, an inductor, a switch that electrically connects the variable capacitor with the inductor or the fixed capacitor with the inductor, an oscillator that generates a periodic signal, and a controller connected to the switch, the oscillator, and the inductor. The controller operates the switch, identifies a frequency of a first oscillation of the variable capacitor and the inductor based on the periodic signal from the oscillator, identifies a frequency of a second oscillation of the fixed capacitor and the inductor based on the periodic signal from the oscillator, and identifies a capacitance of the variable capacitor based on a ratio of the frequency of the first oscillation to the frequency of the second oscillation. | 02-20-2014 |
20140070823 | CAPACITIVE CONTROL INTERFACE DEVICE HAVING DISPLAY INTEGRATION - A capacitive detection control interface device is provided, including at least one measurement electrode including an active surface, a guard made from an electrically conductive material placed adjacent to the measurement electrodes, the guard is excited up to an alternating electric potential substantially identical to that of the measurement electrodes, a first electronic component for exciting the electrodes and processing the measurement signals from the capacitive coupling of the electrodes with an object laced adjacent thereto, the electronic component is at least partly referenced to the electric potential of the guard, and a second electronic component for performing another functional display, placed adjacent to the active surface which second electronic component is at least partly referenced to the electric potential of the guard. | 03-13-2014 |
20140077825 | Method for the measurement of water and water-soluble components in non-aqueous liquids - A method is provided for assigning a grade to a liquid hydrocarbon fuel is relation to the potential for a water or water-based phase to form in the fuel. The method comprises sensing the electrical resistance of the fuel, sensing the capacitance of the fuel, determining the amount of water or water-soluble compounds in the fuel based on the electrical resistance of the fuel, identifying which water or water-soluble compounds are present based on the capacitance of the fuel, sensing the temperature of the fuel, and calculating the potential for a water or water-soluble phase to form in the fuel during transportation or storage. | 03-20-2014 |
20140077826 | COLLISION DETECTION DEVICE FOR VEHICLE - A collision detection device for a vehicle detects a collision to the vehicle from any direction. Smoothing capacitors ( | 03-20-2014 |
20140091816 | Precision Target Methods & Apparatus - A method for determining and retrieving positional information includes forming a grid by locating a plurality of first conductive elements on a surface and a plurality of second conductive elements on the surface. A second grid is coupled to the surface and electrically isolated from the grid. The surface is penetrated with a projectile and a first location of a first penetration of the surface is electronically determined based on a first change in a first electrical measurement. A plurality of third and fourth electric& measurements are performed in a second plurality of locations of the second grid and the location impact is electronically determined. | 04-03-2014 |
20140111226 | IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - In an impedance measurement system, a reference impedance ( | 04-24-2014 |
20140125361 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR WITH ORTHOGONAL FIELDS - A method and system for determining a distance from a probe to an object includes generating a first electric field by applying a first signal across a first pair of electrodes aligned along a first axis and generating a second electric field by applying a second signal across a second pair of electrodes aligned along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. After generating the signals, a first change in the first signal due to the object interacting with the first electric field and a second change in the second signal due to the object interacting with the second electric field is concurrently detected. A distance of the object from the first and second pair of electrodes can be calculated based on a ratio of the first and second changes. | 05-08-2014 |
20140145732 | DEVICE FOR GENERATING AN ALTERNATING VOLTAGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE REFERENCE POTENTIALS OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS - The present invention relates to a device for generating an alternating voltage difference between a first and second reference potential. The device comprises: an oscillator electrically referenced to the first reference potential; and a voltage follower/amplifier device electrically referenced to the second reference potential and having an input connected to the oscillator and an output connected to the first reference potential such that it can impose an alternating voltage difference, which depends on the signal generated by the oscillator, between said first and second reference potentials. The invention also relates to a system that uses the device and to a method for generating an alternating voltage difference between a first and second reference potential. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145733 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD HAVING VIRTUAL BUTTON MODE - 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. The control circuitry controls the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation, monitors signals indicative of the activation field, and determines a first stable signal amplitude and a subsequent second signal amplitude, and generates an activation output when the second stable signal amplitude exceeds the first stable amplitude by a known amount. | 05-29-2014 |
20140152327 | Capacitive Proximity Sensor As Well As Method For Capacitive Approximation Detection - A capacitive proximity sensor has a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode, a signal generator for providing a first and a second electric alternating signal, a first load element which comprises a first and a second electric load, in which the first alternating signal by the first load can be fed to the first sensor electrode and the second alternating signal by the second load to the second sensor electrode, and wherein the electric loads each together with the capacitive load to be measured at the respective sensor electrode form a lowpass filter, and a signal processing device, which is coupled with the first sensor electrode and with the second sensor electrode, and which is adapted to form a first measurement value from the push-pull portion of a first electric parameter tapped at the first sensor electrode and a second electric parameter tapped at the second sensor electrode. | 06-05-2014 |
20140152328 | CONTINUOUS TIME CORRELATOR ARCHITECTURE - A system includes a signal generator and a correlator. The signal generator outputs a first signal to a first end of a capacitance to be measured. The correlator is connected to an output of the signal generator that outputs the first signal and to a second end of the capacitance. The correlator receives the first signal from the output of the signal generator and receives a second signal from the second end of the capacitance. The correlator correlates the first signal and the second signal and generates an output signal based on a correlation between the first signal and the second signal. The output signal is proportional to a capacitance value of the capacitance. | 06-05-2014 |
20140159747 | Methods and Circuits for Measuring a High Impedance Element Based on Time Constant Measurements - A method of measuring impedance includes determining a first time constant based on a known impedance and a capacitor, determining a second time constant based on a target impedance and the capacitor, and determining the target impedance based on the first time constant and the second time constant. | 06-12-2014 |
20140184248 | CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT OF HIGH VOLTAGE DEVICE - Described herein are systems and methods that facilitate the measurement of the capacitance of high voltage devices while shielding an active device involved in the measurement from the high voltage. The systems and methods employ capacitors to store the high voltage such that the active device does not experience the high voltage. Placement of a reset device ensures that the active device is shielded from the high voltage. | 07-03-2014 |
20140191769 | MULTITOUCH TACTILE DEVICE WITH MULTI FREQUENCY AND BARYCENTRIC CAPACITIVE DETECTION - The general field of the invention is that of touchscreen devices with projected capacitive detection comprising a matrix touchpad comprising a plurality of conducting rows and of conducting columns, the said pad being linked to electronic control means. The electronic control means generate two periodic emission voltages emitted at two different frequencies. The analysis of the reception voltages makes it possible to determine the positions of two simultaneous presses on the touchpad, including when the two presses are done on rows or columns that are close. The determination of the presses is performed essentially by calculating the barycentres of the troughs of the reception voltages. | 07-10-2014 |
20140197852 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING A MODULE - In one embodiment, a system comprises a circuit arrangement ( | 07-17-2014 |
20140218056 | CONTACTLESS CAPACITIVE DISTANCE SENSOR - Electrically conductive structures produced on or in a substrate, or produced such that the structures are floating in a substrate undergo simple and reliable capacitive contactless and non-destructive inspection using a capacitive sensor having at least two sensor electrode surfaces which are arranged at different constant distances from one another parallel to a surface of the substrate and are arranged beside one another relative to the surface of the substrate. | 08-07-2014 |
20140232418 | Measuring Device and Method for the Detection of an Approach - The invention relates to a capacitive measuring device for a hand-held device, particularly an electric hand-held device for the detection of an approach to the hand-held device, wherein the capacitive measuring device has a switching device, wherein the ground of the capacitive measuring device is galvanically connectable with an electrically conductive structure of the hand-held device by means of a switching device, and wherein the capacitive measuring device has a ground electrode structure with at least one ground electrode that can be arranged on the hand-held device, wherein the ground of the capacitive hand-held device is galvanically connectable with the at least one ground electrode by means of the switching device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the detection of an approach of a hand to a hand-held device, particularly an electric hand-held device, with a capacitive measuring device according to the invention. | 08-21-2014 |
20140239980 | CAPACITANCE TYPE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR - A capacitance type occupant detection sensor includes (i) a capacitive sensor, (ii) a voltage application portion, (iii) a current detector, (iv) a capacitance detector, and (v) a determination portion. The capacitive sensor includes a detection electrode and is disposed to a seat. The voltage application portion applies a detection voltage to the detection electrode, and provides an electric field between the detection electrode and a reference electrode, which is applied with a reference voltage. The current detector detects a current, which is provided by the detection voltage, flowing through the detection electrode. The capacitance detector detects a capacitance between the detection electrode and the reference electrode. The determination portion determines an occupant. The capacitive sensor has a first charging electrode and a second charging electrode. The first charging electrode is disposed apart from the detection electrode and applied with a charging voltage from the voltage application portion. | 08-28-2014 |
20140266255 | AUTOMATED PROFILING OF THE DIELECTRIC BEHAVIOR OF WOOD - A device for evaluating the internal dielectric behavior of a structure with a capacitive sensor and a method of using such a device. The device allows a user to measure the internal dielectric behavior of a wooden structure and to derive a density profile for that structure from the determined dielectric behavior. The condition profile allows the user of the device to locate regions of altered condition within a structure to determine whether that structure has suffered from internal decay, pre-rot, rot, or other forms of damage. The minimally-invasive device avoids the need for more damaging and destructive modes of analysis of the wooden structure and is able to provide accurate and repeatable measurements of the structure's density and moisture content, obviating the need for more complex and expensive equipment and techniques. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266256 | LINEAR CAPACITIVE DISPLACEMENT SENSOR - A method and system for measuring displacement of a structure is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing a first capacitance and providing a second capacitance. The first and second capacitances share a common terminal. The method and system further include determining a difference of the inverses of the value of the first and second capacitances when the structure is displaced. The first capacitance varies in inverse relation to the displacement of the structure. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266257 | METHODS AND CIRCUITS FOR MEASURING MUTUAL AND SELF CAPACITANCE - In an example embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensing device. The sensing device includes circuitry configured to sense self-capacitance and circuitry configured to sense mutual-capacitance, each configured to detect capacitance values corresponding to whether an object is proximate to a touch screen. The sensing device is configured to measure a first capacitance value using the self-capacitance circuitry during self-capacitance sensing operations and to measure a second capacitance value using the mutual-capacitance circuitry during mutual-capacitance sensing operations. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266258 | Circuit and Method for Sensing a Differential Capacitance - A circuit for sensing a differential capacitance includes a charge-storing circuit to generate a first output voltage and a second output voltage related to capacitances at two terminals of the differential capacitance, respectively, an operational amplifier to amplify the difference between the first and second output voltages to generate a sensing value, a first sampling capacitor having one terminal connected to the negative input terminal and the other terminal receiving the first or second output voltage, and a second sampling capacitor having one terminal connected to the negative input terminal and the other terminal switched to the output terminal of the operational amplifier. The second sampling capacitor stores a non-ideal error value to offset the non-ideal effect of the operational amplifier imparted on the sensing value. | 09-18-2014 |
20140285222 | Devices for Measuring Voltage of a Power Supply, Detection Devices, and Temperature Controllers - Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of devices for measuring voltage of a power supply. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of detection devices and temperature controllers comprising such devices for measuring voltage of a power supply. In exemplary embodiments, a device for measuring the voltage of a power supply generally includes a resistor, a capacitor, and a control unit. One end of the capacitor is connected with the resistor, while the other end of the capacitor is connected to ground. The control unit is connected with the power supply. The control unit includes a comparator connected with the capacitor, a reference power supply connected with the comparator, a timer, and a computing unit. | 09-25-2014 |
20140292356 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING PROXIMITY OF AN OBJECT - A first sensor detects whether an object is within a first region that surrounds the first sensor. A second sensor detects whether the object is within a second region that surrounds the second sensor. The first and second sensors are omnidirectional capacitive electrodes. In response to the first sensor detecting that the object is not within the first region, a device determines that the object is not proximate to a particular side of the first and second sensors. In response to the first sensor detecting that the object is within the first region, and the second sensor detecting that the object is within the second region, the device determines that the object is not proximate to the particular side. In response to the first sensor detecting that the object is within the first region, yet the second sensor detecting that the object is not within the second region, the device determines that the object is proximate to the particular side. | 10-02-2014 |
20140320151 | Tamper Detection Arrangement - A tamper detection arrangement for use within an integrated circuit ( | 10-30-2014 |
20140327453 | URINE PRODUCTION HANDLING DEVICE AND METHOD - Method for automatically, with the aid of a processor, determining a surface degeneration of a first surface of a urine handling system, the first surface being intended to come into contact with urine, the method comprises the following main steps: a) repeatedly measuring one or more capacitive values of the first surface, forming capacitive measurements; b) storing all, or representative instants of the capacitive measurements; c) deciding, based on changes of the stored capacitive measurements, that a significant surface degeneration of the first surface has occurred | 11-06-2014 |
20140327454 | DEVICE FOR TRIGGERING AN ACTION ON AN OPENING PANEL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - The invention relates to a device for triggering an action on an opening panel of a motor vehicle. The device ( | 11-06-2014 |
20140333330 | SENSOR AND METHOD OF SENSING A VALUE OF A PARAMETER - A sensor for sensing a parameter includes a capacitor, a switch and a comparator. The capacitor is configured to be charged or discharged by at least one of a first current signal or a second current signal. The switch is configured to selectively connect or disconnect the first current signal and the capacitor in response to a feedback signal. The comparator is coupled with the capacitor and configured to output an output voltage based on a comparison of a capacitor voltage of the capacitor to a reference voltage. The first current signal is independent of the parameter, and the second current signal is dependent on the parameter. The output voltage defines the feedback signal and is indicative of a value of the parameter detected by the sensor. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333331 | Ionization Monitoring Device and Method - An air ionization monitoring device | 11-13-2014 |
20140354306 | POWER ON DETECTION CIRCUIT - A power-on-detection (POD) circuit includes a detection circuit, first and second comparison circuits, and logic circuitry. The detection circuit includes a capacitor configured to charge from a first voltage level to a second voltage level. The first comparison circuit is configured to compare a third voltage level to a reference voltage level, and the second comparison circuit is configured to compare a fourth voltage level to the reference voltage level. The third and fourth levels are based on the second voltage level. The logic circuitry is coupled to an output of the first comparison circuit and to an output of the second comparison circuit and is configured to output a power identification signal based on the outputs of the first and second comparison circuits. The detection circuit is configured to turn on the first and second comparison circuits based on a voltage level of the capacitor. | 12-04-2014 |
20150015279 | Evaluation Method and Evaluation Device for a Capacitive Contact Sensor - In an evaluation method for a capacitive contact sensor with at least one transmitting and at least one receiving electrode, which are able to be brought into a capacitive coupling, at the at least one receiving or sensor electrode a measurement signal is tapped, which represents the temporal course of the coupling capacitance between the at least one transmitting electrode and the at least one receiving electrode and the temporal course of the capacitive load of the sensor electrode, respectively, a reference signal is created from the measurement signal, and at least one detection signal is created, when the reference signal meets at least one detection criterion. An evaluation device may be coupled with at least one transmitting electrode and at least one receiving electrode or with at least one sensor electrode of the capacitive contact sensor and is adapted to carry out the above evaluation method. | 01-15-2015 |
20150028895 | INTEGRATABLE CAPACITIVE TOUCH SENSING CIRCUIT THROUGH CHARGE SHARING - An integratable capacitive touch sensing circuit through charge sharing is provided, including a charge sharing circuit, voltage-controlled oscillator, reference frequency generator, switch clock generator and frequency compare circuit; wherein charge sharing circuit further including a sensing capacitor, touch capacitor, share capacitor, charging switch, charge sharing switch and discharging switch, for sharing charge from charged sensing capacitor with discharged share capacitor through charge sharing to accumulate voltage on share capacitor. The capacitance of share capacitor is adjustable for applications generating different sensing capacitance. The charging switch, charge sharing switch and discharging switch are controlled by non-overlapping clocks. Prolonging close duration of charging switch and minimizing close duration of charge sharing switch and discharging switch can minimize interference from ambient noise. The charge sharing circuit finishes charge sharing in a clock cycle and voltage of share capacitor are linear to sensing capacitance and touch capacitance. | 01-29-2015 |
20150028896 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING PARAMETERS OF A SATELLITE SIGNAL - A method and system for determining parameters of a satellite signal present in a coaxial cable, the method comprising the steps of aligning two capacitive coupling sensors in proximity to a length of the coaxial cable, wherein the distance between the capacitive coupling sensors is below 10 centimeters; receiving from two capacitive coupling sensors a signal being a differential voltage in the coaxial cable between the locations of the capacitive coupling sensors wherein the voltage is relative to a voltage level in a coaxial cable; amplifying the differential voltage by a bandpass amplifier; detecting a valid DiSEqC command sequence being indicative of signal quality. | 01-29-2015 |
20150042363 | CAPACITANCE MEASURING CIRCUIT OF A TOUCH SENSOR AND CAPACITIVE TOUCH PANEL HAVING THE CAPACITANCE MEASURING CIRCUIT - A capacitance measuring circuit of a touch sensor includes a voltage comparing part, a control part, a complex switch, a charging/discharging circuit part and a timer part. The voltage comparing part outputs a first comparing signal by comparing with a first reference voltage and a sensing voltage of a touch sensor and a second comparing signal by comparing with a second reference voltage and the sensing voltage, in response to a first control signal provided from an external device. The control part outputs a charging/discharging control signal based on the first and second comparing signals, in response to a second control signal provided from an external device. The complex switch is connected to each two terminals of the touch sensors, and is configured to set a path transmitting a sensing signal to the touch sensor and a path receiving a sensing signal sensing a capacitance variation amount of the touch sensor via the touch sensor. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042364 | DETECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING MICROBIAL GROWTH - A system and method is provided for non-invasively measuring changes in a specimen suspected of containing one or more microbes, by monitoring changes in the dielectric constant of the specimen caused by metabolic processes of such microbes. | 02-12-2015 |
20150048850 | METHOD OF CAPACITIVE MEASUREMENT BETWEEN AN OBJECT AND AN ELECTRODE PLANE BY PARTIAL SYNCHRONOUS DEMODULATION - A method of capacitive measurement between an object and an electrode plane is provided, in which method use is made of a processing unit so as to:—apply an excitation signal to the resistive electrode plane, and—determine a value of capacitance on the basis of a measurement of a measurement signal originating from the electrode plane. The excitation signal is a nonsinusoidal signal having at least one discontinuity, and to determine the value of capacitance, the measurement signal is attenuated over a time window, this time window being the duration for which the resistivity of the electrode plane is manifested on the measurement signal in response to the at least one discontinuity. | 02-19-2015 |
20150048851 | CAPACITIVE TOUCH SENSE ARCHITECTURE HAVING A CORRELATOR FOR DEMODULATING A MEASURED CAPACITANCE FROM AN EXCITATION SIGNAL - An analog front end circuit utilizes coherent detection within a capacitance measurement application. The analog front end circuit uses coherent detection to measure capacitance of a touch screen display. An analog excitation signal is modulated by a capacitor to be measured. The modulated signal is synchronously demodulated using a correlator, which includes a discrete mixer and a discrete integrator. The excitation signal is also input to the mixer such that the modulated signal is multiplied by the excitation signal. The excitation signal is an analog signal having a sine wave function or other waveform. | 02-19-2015 |
20150061701 | TOUCH DETECTION DEVICE, TOUCH DETECTION SYSTEM AND TOUCH DETECTION METHOD - A touch detection device includes: a first sensor having a first capacitance; a monitoring unit configured to monitor the first capacitance of the first sensor at a first period; a determining unit configured to determine whether the first capacitance monitored by the monitoring unit exceeds a first threshold; and a period changing unit configured to change the first period into a second period that is shorter than the first period when the determining unit determines that the first capacitance exceeds the first threshold. | 03-05-2015 |
20150070034 | CAPACITIVE PARAMETRIC ZERO CROSSING DETECTOR DEVICE, CIRCUIT AND METHOD - A capacitive parametric zero crossing detection circuit has a nonlinear voltage controlled capacitive device coupled to an input voltage to convert a zero crossing current pulse into zero crossing voltage signal. | 03-12-2015 |
20150084651 | Capacitive Positioning Device - A positioning device for capacitively detecting an object enclosed in a medium comprises a measuring electrode, a reference electrode, and a receiving electrode. The measuring electrode with the receiving electrode forms a measuring capacitance, which can be influenced by the object. The reference electrode with the receiving electrode forms a reference capacitance, which cannot be influenced by the object. The positioning device further comprises an oscillator configured to supply the measuring capacitance and the reference capacitance with phase-shifted AC voltages and a control device configured to control amplitudes of at least one of the AC voltages, in order to adapt effects of electrical fields of the measuring electrode or of the reference electrode on the receiving electrode to one another. The measuring, reference, and receiving electrodes are planarly formed. The measuring electrode has a larger surface area than the reference electrode. | 03-26-2015 |
20150091589 | CAPACITIVE POSITIONING DEVICE - A positioning device for capacitively detecting an object enclosed in a medium includes a measuring electrode, a receiving electrode, and a reference capacitance. The measuring electrode and the receiving electrode form a measuring capacitance that can be influenced by the object and the reference capacitance cannot be influenced by the object. The electrodes are disposed in a plane, and the device includes a spacer that is configured to keep the electrodes at a predetermined minimum distance from the surface of the medium. The predetermined minimum distance is different from zero. | 04-02-2015 |
20150097583 | MULTIPLE CHANNEL CAPACITIVE VOLTAGE DIVIDER SCANNING METHOD AND APPARATUS - Relative capacitance of a plurality of capacitive sensors may be monitored by using only one ADC conversion. A plurality of capacitive sensors individually charges a sample and hold capacitor. After all of the plurality of capacitive sensors have charged the sample and hold capacitor, a digital conversion of the resulting analog on the sample and hold capacitor is made and stored in a memory. This stored digital collective voltage is compared to a previously stored one and if different then a proximity/touch event may have occurred. Therefore, an entire panel of capacitive sensors may be quickly monitored for a change in the “group” capacitance thereof, or portions of the capacitive sensors may be monitored for a change in the “subgroup” capacitance thereof. By knowing which subgroup of capacitive sensors has changed its collective capacitive value, a more focused and selective capacitive sensor measurement can be made that uses less power. | 04-09-2015 |
20150097584 | MULTI-FUNCTIONAL CAPACITANCE SENSING CIRCUIT - An apparatus for and a method of sensing capacitance of one or more sensor elements in multiple capacitance sensing modes, including a self-capacitance sensing mode and a mutual capacitance sensing mode. | 04-09-2015 |
20150102827 | TOUCH SCREEN SENSOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, A METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME, AND A SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A method of operating a touch screen sensor integrated circuit includes: receiving a plurality of current signals through a plurality of pins, wherein each current signal is generated according to mutual capacitance in response to a modulation signal; sensing the current signals and generating a plurality of sensed current signals corresponding to each of the current signals; and generating a plurality of subtracted current signals, wherein each subtracted current signal is generated by performing a subtraction on sensed current signals corresponding to a pair of the pins. | 04-16-2015 |
20150115982 | Structures and Methds for Monitoring Dielectric Reliability With Through-Silicon Vias - Embodiments of the present invention provide a variety of structures and method for detecting abnormalities in the back-end-of-line (BEOL) stack and BEOL structures located in close proximity to through-silicon vias (TSVs) in a 3D integrated chip. The detected abnormalities may include stress, strain, and damage that will affect metallization continuity, interfacial integrity within a metal level, proximity accuracy of the TSV placement, and interlevel dielectric integrity and metallization-to-TSV dielectric integrity. Additionally, these structures in conjunction with each other are capable of determining the range of influence of the TSV. That is, how close to the TSV that a BEOL line (or via) needs to be in order to be influenced by the TSV. | 04-30-2015 |
20150145535 | CAPACITIVE SENSING INTERFACE FOR PROXIMITY DETECTION - A measuring circuit for a proximity sensor, comprising a charge amplifier in a floating voltage domain that is driven by a square waveform. The output signal is sampled synchronously with the voltage of the floating domain, and demodulated by measuring the voltage steps amplitude. This approach is compatible with a switched capacitor implementation and allows discriminating the capacity signal from the ambient noise; the latter can be evaluated independently. | 05-28-2015 |
20160041009 | MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL APPARATUS HAVING SIGNAL ATTENUATION-PROOF FUNCTION, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD AND SIGNAL ATTENUATION-PROOF METHOD THEREOF - A micro-electromechanical apparatus having a signal attenuation-proof function, and a manufacturing method and a signal attenuation-proof method thereof are disclosed. The micro-electromechanical apparatus includes a substrate, an insulation layer, and a sensing unit. The substrate has a doped region in which a majority of conductive carriers have the same polarity as an electronic signal. The insulation layer is located on the substrate, and the sensing unit is located above the insulation layer and forms the electronic signal when sensing a force. | 02-11-2016 |
20160061633 | STARTUP CIRCUIT, CAPACITIVE SENSOR AMPLIFICATION DEVICE HAVING STARTUP CIRCUIT, AND STARTUP METHOD FOR AMPLIFICATION DEVICE - In accordance with a startup circuit, a capacitive sensor amplification device having the startup circuit, and a startup method for the amplification device, a startup time can be shortened by connecting the high impedance resistor of an amplifier to a predetermined voltage source during startup. The capacitive sensor amplification device includes an amplification unit for amplifying a signal input to the amplification device; and a startup circuit for improving a startup time of the amplification unit, wherein the startup circuit includes a comparator for receiving an output of the amplification unit as a first comparison signal, receiving a preset reference voltage as a second comparison signal, comparing the comparison signals with each other, and outputting a comparison result; and a switch for selecting and outputting one of a first voltage and a second voltage depending on the output of the comparator. | 03-03-2016 |
20160139285 | OPERATION DETECTING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE - An operation detecting apparatus for a vehicle includes: a detecting unit including a first electrode and a second electrode for detecting variations in capacitance value; a capacitance measuring unit configured to measure a first capacitance value detected by the first electrode and a second capacitance value detected by the second electrode; a determining unit configured to compare a value on the basis of an amount of variations in the first capacitance value with a value on the basis of an amount of variations in the second capacitance value and determine presence or absence of operation from a user on the basis of the result of comparison; and an output unit configured to output a control signal on the basis of a result of determination of the determining unit. | 05-19-2016 |
20160146871 | METHOD OF DETERMINING CAPACITANCE VALUE OF CAPACITOR WHILE TAKING APPLIED ALTERNATING VOLTAGE INTO CONSIDERATION, AND PROGRAM - The relationship between capacitance value variation and an AC voltage value of a capacitor is obtained in advance as an approximation equation or table data. The AC voltage value applied to the capacitor in the circuit is calculated. The capacitance value of the capacitor is calculated from the AC voltage value calculated in step | 05-26-2016 |
20160154030 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR | 06-02-2016 |
20160156366 | CAPACITIVE SENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD | 06-02-2016 |
20160161291 | ABSOLUTE CAPACITIVE ROTARY ENCODER - Some embodiments of the invention include an absolute capacitive rotary encoder comprising a first disk, which is rotatable relative a second disk, and a first sensor ring and a second sensor ring. The first and the second sensor ring each have a multiplicity of first coupling electrodes and second coupling electrodes capacitively coupling to one another. The first coupling electrodes of a respective sensor ring have different coupling signal phases. The first sensor ring and the second sensor ring are matched to one another in such a way that an angle is determinable absolutely. | 06-09-2016 |
20160161623 | CAPACITIVE SENSING FOR AUTOMATED FURNITURE - A system and method for incorporating occupancy-detecting technology into furniture is provided. More particularly, the invention relates to direct-connect device, system, and method for determining presence with respect to an automated furniture item, such as a recliner mechanism. In some aspects, a sensor is provided based on coupling one or more conductive features to a control component of the capacitance detector control component. A controller may determine the corresponding response based on occupancy detection and/or presence detection. A processor may receive information regarding changes in capacitance and determines when a change in voltage satisfies a threshold. Based on a determination of occupancy and/or presence, a variety of corresponding features of the adjustable recliner may be activated. | 06-09-2016 |
20160171272 | SENSING METHOD AND CIRCUIT OF FINGERPRINT SENSOR | 06-16-2016 |
20160180619 | CAPACITIVE FINGERPRINT SENSING DEVICE WITH DEMODULATION CIRCUITRY IN SENSING ELEMENT | 06-23-2016 |
20170234822 | SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR PARTICLE ANALYSIS AND A METHOD FOR PARTICLE ANALYSIS | 08-17-2017 |
20170235008 | METHOD OF DETECTING THE APPROACH OF A USER'S HAND TO A VEHICLE DOOR HANDLE OR THE CONTACT OF A USER'S HAND THEREWITH, AND ASSOCIATED DETECTION DEVICE | 08-17-2017 |