Abstract: A device for capacitive detection of an object (O), including at least one biasing module configured to bias at least one measurement electrode at an alternating electric potential (Vg), referred to as work potential, different from a ground potential (M); and measurement electronics; at least one biasing module including at least one toroidal element, referred to as excitation element, with a central opening designed to induce, in at least one electrical conductor which passes therethrough and which is in electrical connection with at least one measurement electrode, an alternating potential difference equal to the alternating electrical work potential (Vg), between an input and an output of the at least one toroidal element. An apparatus using such a capacitive detection device is also included.

Abstract: A device for detecting an object, with respect to a detection surface, including at least one measuring electrode, at least one emission electrode coupled to the measuring electrode by a piezoresistive layer, and measurement electronics, configured so as to bias the electrodes at the same alternating potential and perform a measurement, called capacitive measurement, of a first measured signal (Vs) relating to the capacitance (Coe), called object-electrode capacitance, seen by the at least one measuring electrode; apply a potential difference between the electrodes and measure a second signal relating to the resistance (Rie) between the electrodes. Also, a detection layer includes such a detection device as well as an item of equipment equipped with such a detection layer.

Abstract: A device for capacitive detection of an object with respect to a detection surface, including: at least one capacitive detection electrode, and detection electronics including at least one item of measurement electronic equipment, for: polarizing the at least one detection electrode at an alternating excitation potential (VG), different from a ground potential; measuring a measurement signal relative to an electrode-object capacitance; and the detection electronics also includes, for the measurement electronics, at least two separate calculation modules, operating in parallel, and supplying two independent detection signals for one and the same measurement signal originating from the measurement electronics.

Abstract: A capacitive detection device includes a set of several detection electrodes for each carrying out capacitive detection at a detection location. Each detection electrode is formed by at least a first measurement electrode and a second measurement electrode. The device also includes first detection electronics forming, with the first measurement electrodes, a first measurement channel, independent from a second measurement channel formed by second detection electronics with the second measurement electrodes. Therefore, for each detection location, the detection device carries out at least two redundant and independent detection operations.

Abstract: A method for capacitive detection of nearby objects that may be located in the environment of an equipment provided with a capacitive detection device including a detection step, called discriminative detection step, including the following operations: polarizing a first nearby object at a first alternating potential (V1), different from a ground potential (M), and from the potential of at least one second nearby object, at a first frequency (F1); and determining a first discriminative signal representative of a capacitance, called electrode-object capacitance, seen by the at least one measurement electrode, at said first frequency (F1).

Abstract: A low-coherence interferometer apparatus for determining information on interfaces of an object including: a polychromatic light source; an optical system generating a measurement optical beam and a reference optical beam; a delay line introducing a variable optical delay between the optical beams; detection optics combining the beams, and producing a spectral signal representative of an optical-power spectral density of the resulting interference signal; a control and processing module acquiring a plurality of spectral signals for a plurality of optical delays, determining, for each spectral signal, optical retardation information between interfering beams within a spectral measurement range, analyse the variation in the retardations, and assign the optical retardation determined on the basis of the different spectral signals to interface curves, corresponding to straight lines with positive, negative, zero or almost-zero gradient, depending on the respective optical delay of the acquisition of the spectral

Abstract: A capacitive detection device includes a set of several detection electrodes for each carrying out capacitive detection at a detection location. Each detection electrode is formed by at least a first measurement electrode and a second measurement electrode. The device also includes first detection electronics forming, with the first measurement electrodes, a first measurement channel, independent from a second measurement channel formed by second detection electronics with the second measurement electrodes. Therefore, for each detection location, the detection device carries out at least two redundant and independent detection operations.

Abstract: An electronic impedance measurement device: a branch, called measurement branch, including an impedance to be measured (Zm), and; at least one branch, called reference branch, including an impedance (Zr), called reference impedance; electronics, called detection electronics, configured to provide an error signal (Vs) dependent on an algebraic sum of a current (Ir) flowing in the at least one reference branch (104) and of a current (Im) flowing in the measurement branch; and at least one adjustment structure, changing the current (Ir) in at least one of said reference branches in a manner inversely proportional to a control variable (k).

Abstract: A device for capacitive detection of an object with respect to a detection surface, including: at least one capacitive detection electrode, and detection electronics including at least one item of measurement electronic equipment, for: polarizing the at least one detection electrode at an alternating excitation potential (VG), different from a ground potential; measuring a measurement signal relative to an electrode-object capacitance; and the detection electronics also includes, for the measurement electronics, at least two separate calculation modules, operating in parallel, and supplying two independent detection signals for one and the same measurement signal originating from the measurement electronics.

Abstract: A device for detecting an object with respect to a detection surface including at least one measurement electrode and at least one guard electrode separated by a distance (D) that is elastically modifiable locally by a load exerted by the object on the detection surface; and structure for electrical polarization of the electrodes (V, E) arranged in order to: (i) apply to the measurement and guard electrodes one and the same first alternating electrical potential (Vg) so as to measure a first signal relating to an electrode-object capacitance (Ceo); and (ii) apply between the measurement and guard electrodes an alternating electrical potential difference (V1), so as to measure a second electrical signal relating to an electrode-guard capacitance (Ceg). A detection method utilizing the present detection device is also provided.

Abstract: A low-coherence interferometer apparatus for determining information on interfaces of an object including: a polychromatic light source; an optical system generating a measurement optical beam and a reference optical beam; a delay line introducing a variable optical delay between the optical beams; detection optics combining the beams, and producing a spectral signal representative of an optical-power spectral density of the resulting interference signal; a control and processing module acquiring a plurality of spectral signals for a plurality of optical delays, determining, for each spectral signal, optical retardation information between interfering beams within a spectral measurement range, analyse the variation in the retardations, and assign the optical retardation determined on the basis of the different spectral signals to interface curves, corresponding to straight lines with positive, negative, zero or almost-zero gradient, depending on the respective optical delay of the acquisition of the spectral

Abstract: A casing element for a robot, the casing element including: at least one capacitive electrode, termed a measurement electrode, intended to be biased to a first AC electric potential that is different from a ground potential, at a working frequency; at least one electrode, termed a guard electrode, arranged beneath the at least one measurement electrode and intended to be biased to an AC electric potential, termed the guard potential, that is identical or substantially identical to the first potential at the working frequency; and —at least one dielectric layer, termed a central dielectric layer, arranged between the at least one measurement electrode and the at least one guard electrode. A robot is also provided with at least such a casing element.

Abstract: An electronic impedance measurement device: a branch, called measurement branch, including an impedance to be measured (Zm), and; at least one branch, called reference branch, including an impedance (Zr), called reference impedance; electronics, called detection electronics, configured to provide an error signal (Vs) dependent on an algebraic sum of a current (Ir) flowing in the at least one reference branch (104) and of a current (Im) flowing in the measurement branch; and at least one adjustment structure, changing the current (Ir) in at least one of said reference branches in a manner inversely proportional to a control variable (k).

Abstract: A detection device including: a measurement electrode, and a second electrode separated from one another by a distance (D) that is elastically modifiable locally, by a load exerted by an object on a detection surface, and a controller arranged in order to: connect the electrodes to an alternating guard potential (Vg) in order to measure a capacitance representing an approach and a contact; and connect the second electrode to a second potential a second potential proportional to the guard potential (Vg) and having a different amplitude, or to the ground potential (G), in order to measure a capacitance representing a pressure. Also provided is a detection method utilizing such a detection device.

Abstract: A method and device for generating a power supply voltage, referenced to a first reference potential, in an electronic system including an energizing source connected to the first and second reference potentials so as to impart an AC voltage differential between the reference potentials, wherein the device includes: (i) a source for supplying AC voltage, which is referenced to the second reference potential, connected to the first reference potential, and encompasses the energizing source; and (ii) rectifying and filtering elements connected, at the input thereof, to the first reference potential and to the source for supplying AC voltage, respectively, so as to generate, at an output, a power supply voltage (Vf) referenced to the first reference potential by rectifying a voltage at the terminals of the source for supplying AC voltage.

Abstract: A detection device including: a measurement electrode, and a second electrode separated from one another by a distance (D) that is elastically modifiable locally, by a load exerted by an object on a detection surface, and a controller arranged in order to: connect the electrodes to an alternating guard potential (Vg) in order to measure a capacitance representing an approach and a contact; and connect the second electrode to a second potential a second potential proportional to the guard potential (Vg) and having a different amplitude, or to the ground potential (G), in order to measure a capacitance representing a pressure. Also provided is a detection method utilizing such a detection device.

Abstract: A device for detecting an object with respect to a detection surface including at least one measurement electrode and at least one guard electrode separated by a distance (D) that is elastically modifiable locally by a load exerted by the object on the detection surface; and structure for electrical polarization of the electrodes (V, E) arranged in order to: (i) apply to the measurement and guard electrodes one and the same first alternating electrical potential (Vg) so as to measure a first signal relating to an electrode-object capacitance (Ceo); and (ii) apply between the measurement and guard electrodes an alternating electrical potential difference (V1), so as to measure a second electrical signal relating to an electrode-guard capacitance (Ceg). A detection method utilizing the present detection device is also provided.

Abstract: A capacitive detection device includes: at least one capacitive measurement electrode; a current detector electrically referenced to a common ground; at least one alternating voltage excitation source electrically connected or coupled to a measurement input of the current detector and to the at least one capacitive measurement electrode; guard elements electrically connected or coupled to the measurement input of the current detector; power supply generation apparatus suitable for generating at least one secondary power supply source referenced to the electrical potential of the guard elements, the power supply generation apparatus also being arranged so as to have, within a frequency band extending from direct current, an impedance between the common ground and the guard elements with a reactive component of a capacitive or essentially capacitive type, or comparable to an open circuit.

Abstract: A method of capacitive measurement between an object and an electrode plane includes applying an excitation signal to the resistive electrode plane, and determining 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. 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.

Abstract: This invention relates to a capacitive sensing device comprising (i) at least one capacitive electrode (12) with a substantially conductive material arranged so as to form a conductive surface (51); (ii) at least one guard component placed close to said at least one capacitive electrode (12); said capacitive electrode(s) (12) comprises(comprise) at least one opening (52) without conductive material arranged within or on the edge of the conductive surface (51) so as to reduce the coupling capacitance between said capacitive electrode(s) (12) and said guard component(s). The invention also relates to an apparatus implementing the device.