Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a capacitive sensor. The methods and apparatus may provide a pair of capacitive sensors formed along at least one plane of a container to create dual sensing fields. The capacitive sensor provides a first electrode affixed to the container and extending from a lower portion of the container to an upper portion of the container, a second electrode affixed to an upper portion of the container, and a third electrode affixed to a lower portion of the container and spaced a predetermined distance apart from the second electrode.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a touch sensor is disclosed. The touch sensor includes a first electroconductive pattern including at least two electrodes. The touch sensor further includes a second electroconductive pattern configured to mask a portion of the first electroconductive pattern when positioned over or under the first electroconductive pattern. The second electroconductive pattern masks the portion of the first electroconductive pattern such that an unmasked portion of the first electroconductive pattern includes unmasked portions of the at least two electrodes. The unmasked portions are of approximately equal length.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for increased sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor. The method and apparatus may comprise a sense electrode and a drive electrode configured to create at least one inflection point corresponding to an increase or decrease in rate of change of capacitance within one or more sensing regions of the electrical field of the capacitive sensor. In alternative embodiments, the sense electrode may be configured to create multiple zones that may be used to indicate a desired signal such an upcoming replacement period and a replace now period.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for increased sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor. The method and apparatus may comprise a sense electrode and a drive electrode configured to create at least one inflection point corresponding to an increase or decrease in rate of change of capacitance within one or more sensing regions of the electrical field of the capacitive sensor. In alternative embodiments, the sense electrode may be configured to create multiple zones that may be used to indicate a desired signal such an upcoming replacement period and a replace now period.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a touch sensor. The touch sensor may include a plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains and a plurality of vertically-positioned electrode chains overlapping the plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains. Each electrode chain from the plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains and the plurality of vertically-positioned electrode chains may operate as a drive electrode and a reception electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a touch sensor. The touch sensor may include a plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains and a plurality of vertically-positioned electrode chains overlapping the plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains. Each electrode chain from the plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains and the plurality of vertically-positioned electrode chains may operate as a drive electrode and a reception electrode.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method for detecting a liquid level includes providing a container (402) having a cavity, and disposing a sensor (102) in the cavity of the container (402), such that a ground pattern (310) on a first surface of the sensor (102) is positioned to contact a liquid in the cavity. A first electrode (104) and a second electrode (106) are located on a second surface of the sensor (102). The sensor (102) is coupled to a sensor input and a sensor driver. A cable coupling the sensor (102) to a touch sensor (116) comprises a shield line (112, 114) that is coupled to ground.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for detecting a fluid level, includes providing a fluid container having a cavity and coupling a first sensor to the fluid container, the first sensor protected from a fluid in the cavity and positioned at a first vertical level of the fluid container. The method further includes causing movement of either the first sensor or the fluid container. The first sensor is used to detect the fluid level upon causing the movement of either the first sensor or the fluid container.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a touch sensor is disclosed. The touch sensor includes a first electroconductive pattern including at least two electrodes. The touch sensor further includes a second electroconductive pattern configured to mask a portion of the first electroconductive pattern when positioned over or under the first electroconductive pattern. The second electroconductive pattern masks the portion of the first electroconductive pattern such that an unmasked portion of the first electroconductive pattern includes unmasked portions of the at least two electrodes. The unmasked portions are of approximately equal length.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a system for detecting a level is disclosed. The system includes a substrate having an input electrode and a drive electrode. The system further includes a container having an electrode. At least a portion of the electrode extends along a height dimension of the container. The container is arranged adjacent the substrate, such that the electrode is capacitively coupled to the input electrode or the drive electrode. The system further includes a circuit that, while the electrode is capacitively coupled to the input electrode or the drive electrode, determines a level of a substance inside the container, based on an effective capacitance between the input electrode and the drive electrode.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a touch sensor is disclosed. The touch sensor includes a first electroconductive pattern including at least two electrodes. The touch sensor further includes a second electroconductive pattern configured to mask a portion of the first electroconductive pattern when positioned over or under the first electroconductive pattern. The second electroconductive pattern masks the portion of the first electroconductive pattern such that an unmasked portion of the first electroconductive pattern includes unmasked portions of the at least two electrodes. The unmasked portions are of approximately equal length.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a system for detecting a level is disclosed. The system includes a substrate having an input electrode and a drive electrode. The system further includes a container having an electrode. At least a portion of the electrode extends along a height dimension of the container. The container is arranged adjacent the substrate, such that the electrode is capacitively coupled to the input electrode or the drive electrode. The system further includes a circuit that, while the electrode is capacitively coupled to the input electrode or the drive electrode, determines a level of a substance inside the container, based on an effective capacitance between the input electrode and the drive electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for a touch sensor. The touch sensor may comprise an array of sensor cells, wherein each cell comprises two reception electrodes. Each reception electrode may comprise two portions arranged diagonally, wherein a first reception electrode is arranged along one diagonal and a second reception electrode is arranged along a second diagonal, such that the two reception electrodes overlap in a center portion of the cell. The touch sensor may further comprise a drive electrode arranged in a grid pattern throughout the array to surround each sensor cell.

Abstract: Level sensing designs and techniques that inherently compensate for physical variations in the flowable material. An illustrative container includes an electrode arrangement having two electrodes along a vertical span creating corresponding capacitances indicative of a level of the material within that vertical span. Differing electrode shapes or positions provide the capacitances with different dependences on the level. A level detection method includes: (i) measuring a first capacitance between a drive electrode and a first sensing electrode; (ii) measuring a second capacitance between the drive electrode and a second sensing electrode; and (iii) determining a ratio of variances in the first and second capacitances, the variances being relative to first and second capacitances for a container empty of the material. The ratio is indicative of said level and insensitive to temperature and permittivity of the material.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a touch sensor is disclosed. The touch sensor includes a first electroconductive pattern including at least two electrodes. The touch sensor further includes a second electroconductive pattern configured to mask a portion of the first electroconductive pattern when positioned over or under the first electroconductive pattern. The second electroconductive pattern masks the portion of the first electroconductive pattern such that an unmasked portion of the first electroconductive pattern includes unmasked portions of the at least two electrodes. The unmasked portions are of approximately equal length.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for a touch sensor. The touch sensor may comprise an array of sensor cells, wherein each cell comprises two reception electrodes. Each reception electrode may comprise two portions arranged diagonally, wherein a first reception electrode is arranged along one diagonal and a second reception electrode is arranged along a second diagonal, such that the two reception electrodes overlap in a center portion of the cell. The touch sensor may further comprise a drive electrode arranged in a grid pattern throughout the array to surround each sensor cell.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method for detecting a liquid level includes providing a container (402) having a cavity, and disposing a sensor (102) in the cavity of the container (402), such that a ground pattern (310) on a first surface of the sensor (102) is positioned to contact a liquid in the cavity. A first electrode (104) and a second electrode (106) are located on a second surface of the sensor (102). The sensor (102) is coupled to a sensor input and a sensor driver. A cable coupling the sensor (102) to a touch sensor (116) comprises a shield line (112, 114) that is coupled to ground.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for detecting a fluid level, includes providing a fluid container having a cavity and coupling a first sensor to the fluid container, the first sensor protected from a fluid in the cavity and positioned at a first vertical level of the fluid container. The method further includes causing movement of either the first sensor or the fluid container. The first sensor is used to detect the fluid level upon causing the movement of either the first sensor or the fluid container.

Abstract: To provide a plunger type master cylinder capable of reducing invalid stroke and preventing residual pressure without impairing durability of a seal ling (70). A piston (91) of the master cylinder has a recess (93) at its outer peripheral surface and a relief port (900) in its recess (93). The seal ring (70) has a seal coupling part (70s) on the inner periphery of the distal end part of an inner peripheral lip (701). The seal coupling part (70s) is located at the opening of the relief portion (900) on the piston (91) side when the brake is in a non-operating position. The distance between said seal coupling part (70s) and said relief port (900) is short. The seal ring (70) additionally has first and second projection parts (7006, 7002) on the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral lip (701). By this, a flow passage for working fluid can be obtained on the inner periphery side of the inner peripheral lip (701).

Abstract: To provide a plunger type master cylinder capable of reducing invalid stroke and preventing residual pressure without impairing durability of a seal ling (70). A piston (91) of the master cylinder has a recess (93) at its outer peripheral surface and a relief port (900) in its recess (93). The seal ring (70) has a seal coupling part (70s) on the inner periphery of the distal end part of an inner peripheral lip (701). The seal coupling part (70s) is located at the opening of the relief portion (900) on the piston (91) side when the brake is in a non-operating position. The distance between said seal coupling part (70s) and said relief port (900) is short. The seal ring (70) additionally has first and second projection parts (7006, 7002) on the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral lip (701). By this, a flow passage for working fluid can be obtained on the inner periphery side of the inner peripheral lip (701).