With Variable Distance Between Capacitor Electrodes Patents (Class 324/661)
  • Patent number: 10254908
    Abstract: A touch panel including a substrate, first touch electrodes, each of the first touch electrodes including first mesh patterns disposed on the substrate, an insulation layer disposed on the first touch electrodes, second touch electrodes, each of the second touch electrodes including second mesh patterns disposed on the insulation layer, first auxiliary mesh electrodes disposed on the substrate, the first auxiliary mesh electrodes being electrically connected to at least a portion of the corresponding second mesh patterns, and second auxiliary mesh electrodes disposed on the insulation layer, the second auxiliary mesh electrodes being electrically connected to at least a portion of the corresponding first mesh patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyunjae Na, Sanghyun Jun, Gwang-Bum Ko, Joohyung Lee, Jigong Lee, Hyoungwook Jang, Soonsung Ahn
  • Patent number: 10194250
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided wherein a sensor which comprises at least two electrodes and a movable part is alternately biased with at least two different voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christoph Bernhard Wurzinger, Jose Luis Ceballos
  • Patent number: 10175206
    Abstract: Micromachined ultrasonic transducers integrated with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) substrates are described, as well as methods of fabricating such devices. Fabrication may involve two separate wafer bonding steps. Wafer bonding may be used to fabricate sealed cavities in a substrate. Wafer bonding may also be used to bond the substrate to another substrate, such as a CMOS wafer. At least the second wafer bonding may be performed at a low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Butterfly Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Susan A. Alie, Keith G. Fife, Nevada J. Sanchez, Tyler S. Ralston
  • Patent number: 10088495
    Abstract: A capacitive physical quality detection device includes a sensor part, a control circuit, and a CV conversion circuit. The sensor part includes a movable electrode, a first fixed electrode, and a second fixed electrode. The CV conversion circuit is configured to receive a reference voltage and to output a voltage corresponding to a capacitance change. In a first time period, the control circuit applies a first signal to the first fixed electrode, and applies a second signal, which is opposite in phase to the first signal, to the second fixed electrode. In a second time period, the control circuit applies the reference voltage to the first fixed electrode and applies the second signal to the second fixed electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kuroda, Takeshi Mori
  • Patent number: 10078776
    Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensor which includes capacitive sensing units is disclosed. Each of the capacitive sensing unit includes a sensing electrode; a first switch; a voltage follower; and a reference capacitor. The voltage follower includes an adjustable current source, for providing at least two distinct current levels; and a MOS transistor. The MOS transistor includes a source node, connected to ground via the adjustable current source and serves as an output node of the voltage follower; a gate node, connected to the sensing electrode and serves as an input node of the voltage follower; a drain node, connected to a power source, for providing power to the voltage follower; and a bulk node, connected to the source node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: SunASIC Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Chi Chou Lin, Zheng Ping He
  • Patent number: 10078098
    Abstract: A teeter-totter type accelerometer includes one or more platforms configured so as to move in proportion to deformation of the substrate and/or anchor(s). The platform(s) may be in a fixed position relative to the substrate, e.g., by being fixedly attached to the anchor(s) or by being fixedly attached to the substrate, or the platform(s) may be movable relative to the substrate, e.g., by being tethered to the anchor(s) so as to allow the platform(s) to pivot relative to the anchor(s). Electrodes are placed on the substrate underlying the platform(s) for sensing position of the platform(s) relative to the underlying substrate. The teeter-totter proof mass is configured such that it can rotate relative to the platform(s), e.g., by being tethered to the platform(s) or by being tethered to one or more anchors separate from the platform(s). The output of the accelerometer is adjusted based on signals from these platform-sensing electrodes in order to reduce or eliminate offset drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Jianglong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10075999
    Abstract: A combination heater and sensor comprising: (a) a heating layer, a sensing layer, or both; (b) one or more power application portions, one or more sensing application portions, or both; wherein the heating layer and the sensing layer are located within the same plane; and wherein the heating layer is a nonwoven layer that is comprised of a plurality of metallized fibers that are randomly oriented forming the heating layer so that upon application of power the heating layer provides heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Gentherm GmbH
    Inventors: Jack Barfuss, Grzegorz Kawa, Syed Rafat Iqbal, Bruno Orlando, Vincent Libbrecht
  • Patent number: 10065851
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus including a silicon die including a vibratory diaphragm, the die having a silicon die top opposite a silicon die bottom, with a top silicon die port extending from the silicon die top through the silicon die to a top of the vibratory diaphragm, and with a bottom silicon die port extending from the silicon die bottom to a bottom of the vibratory diaphragm, wherein the bottom silicon die port has a cross sectional area that is larger than a cross-sectional area of the top silicon die port, a capacitor electrode disposed along a bottom of the silicon die, across the bottom silicon die port, the capacitor electrode including a first signal generation portion that is coextensive with the top silicon die port, and a second signal generation portion surrounding the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Janusz Bryzek
  • Patent number: 9996759
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing a fingerprint. The method includes displaying a guide area corresponding to a finger touch in at least one area of a display unit; and providing guide information related to fingerprint recognition based on a touch detected via the guide area. The apparatus includes a display unit configured to display a guide area corresponding to a finger touch in at least one area in a fingerprint mode; an input unit configured to detect a touch input, wherein the input unit is integrally configured with the display unit; a fingerprint scan sensor located in an area adjacent to the guide area of the display unit; and a controller configured to provide guide information related to fingerprint recognition based on a touch detected via the guide area in the fingerprint mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hansol Lee, Changsoo Kim, Yanggu Jo
  • Patent number: 9984947
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor device and a method of making a fingerprint sensor device. As non-limiting examples, various aspects of this disclosure provide various fingerprint sensor devices, and methods of manufacturing thereof, that comprise an interconnection structure, for example a bond wire, at least a portion of which extends into a dielectric layer utilized to mount a plate, and/or that comprise an interconnection structure that extends upward from the semiconductor die at a location that is laterally offset from the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: AMKOR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ji Young Chung, Dong Joo Park, Jin Seong Kim, Jae Sung Park, Se Hwan Hong
  • Patent number: 9977524
    Abstract: A flexible touch panel that achieves both thinness and high detection sensitivity. In the flexible touch panel obtained by attaching a flexible display panel and a flexible touch sensor with a bonding layer, the bonding layer has a Young's modulus of 1 kPa to 300 kPa, a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, and a transmittance of 70% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daiki Nakamura, Hisao Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9971464
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive device includes a cover plate, at least one touch-sensing electrode, a masking layer, at least one trace and a plurality of electrically-conductive interconnects. The touch-sensing electrode is disposed on the cover plate and extends in a specific direction. The mask layer is disposed on a periphery of the cover plate and covers part of the touch-sensing electrode. The trace is disposed on the masking layer opposite to the touch-sensing electrode. The electrically-conductive interconnects penetrate the masking layer and are spaced apart from one another. Each of the electrically-conductive interconnects interconnects the touch-sensing electrode and the trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TPK MASTOUCH SOLUTIONS (XIAMEN) INC
    Inventors: Tiefei Xiao, Yongshan Chen, Zhengmin Xie, Hsien-Jung Li
  • Patent number: 9965118
    Abstract: An example integrated display device and capacitive sensing device having an input surface includes a plurality of sensor electrodes, wherein each of the plurality of sensor electrodes comprises at least one common electrode configured for display updating and capacitive sensing. The device further includes at least one force receiver electrode, wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes are disposed between the input surface and the at least one force receiver electrode and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes are configured to deflect toward the at least one force receiver electrode. The device further includes a processing system, coupled to the plurality of sensor electrodes, configured to drive at least a portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes with force sensing signals while receiving resulting signals from the at least one force receiver electrode, and determine force information for an input object based on the resulting signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Petr Shepelev
  • Patent number: 9945667
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensing system and a sensing method using the same. The sensing system includes at least one tested unit and an optical fiber measuring unit. The tested unit includes a container, a strain arm and a float. The container can be filled with a fluid, and the strain arm is connected with the float and combined with a measuring portion of the optical fiber measuring unit. When the container is disposed on a body of interest, the surface inclination or settlement of the body of interest would cause changes of buoyant force on the floating element and induce bending deformation of the strain arm. Accordingly, the surface deformation of the body of interest can be determined by detecting the bending deformation of the strain arm using the measuring portion combined with the strain arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories
    Inventors: Lu-Sheng Li, Kuo-Chun Chang, Fang-Yao Yeh, Ting-Yuan Huang
  • Patent number: 9910531
    Abstract: A circular, single-layer sensor electrode pattern for input devices, such as wearable devices, is described. The sensor electrode pattern features transmitter electrodes and receiver electrodes tiled in alternating fashion, such that each receiver electrode is surrounded by transmitter electrodes. The individual sensor electrodes of the described pattern are designed to provide a substantially uniform electrode area size across the sensor. Additionally, the sensor electrode pattern is arranged to be symmetric across both horizontal and vertical axes. The provided characteristics of the sensor electrode pattern leads to a sensor structure having uniform absolute capacitive sensing measurements for all sensor electrodes as well as uniform transcapacitive sensing measurements for all “pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sang Chul Han, Derek Solven
  • Patent number: 9908244
    Abstract: A method for warning a person in a working area about at least one first robot, and a robot system that includes the at least one first robot, wherein the movement of the robot in a future working interval is predicted, a determination is made as to whether a working area segment will be passed over by the robot in a first or second time period, a first or second visual warning is emitted in accordance with when the working area segment will be passed over, and the first or second visual warnings are respectively emitted onto a floor segment that is assigned to a respective working area segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Soeren Burmeister, Marc Holz
  • Patent number: 9880676
    Abstract: Electronic devices may include force sensitive sensors. The sensor may include a first layer of electrodes, a second layer of electrodes and a deformable dielectric material separating the first layer of electrodes and the second layer of electrodes. A conductive material may be disposed to negate capacitive effects between an object near to or touching the touch surface and the electrodes of the first layer and the electrodes of the second layer. A force applied to the sensor may be detected based at least in part on a change in capacitance between at least one electrode of first layer and at least one electrode of the second layer resulting from deformation of the deformable dielectric material. This disclosure also describes techniques for assembling electronic devices including these components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Debanjan Mukherjee, Lakshman Rathnam, Omar Sze Leung
  • Patent number: 9868213
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for detection of incidental robot-human contact. In some examples, a robotic actuator movement may generate a feedback signal, such as a haptic signal, a proprioreceptive signal, an optical signal, and/or an infrared signal. A tremor detector may determine whether the feedback signal contains a tremor signal characteristic of a human, for example by determining whether frequency components in the feedback signal fall within particular frequency ranges. Upon determining that the feedback signal does contain a tremor signal characteristic of a human, the tremor detector may conclude that the robotic actuator has come into contact with a human, and may cause the actuator to halt its movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Kevin S Fine, Ezekiel Kruglick
  • Patent number: 9869599
    Abstract: A pressure sensing system includes a hot zone electronics module, a cool zone electronics module and a plurality of conductors that connect the hot zone electronics module to the cool zone electronics module. The hot zone electronics module includes a capacitive pressure sensor and an oscillator that provides an oscillating signal to the capacitive pressure sensor. The hot zone electronics module provides at least one DC sensor signal. The cool zone electronics module converts the at least one DC sensor signal into a pressure value and provides a DC power signal. The plurality of conductors convey the DC power signal to the hot zone electronics module and convey the at least one DC sensor signal to the cool zone electronics module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Schulte, David Glen Tyson
  • Patent number: 9728476
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor device and a method of making a fingerprint sensor device. As non-limiting examples, various aspects of this disclosure provide various fingerprint sensor devices, and methods of manufacturing thereof, that comprise an interconnection structure, for example a bond wire, at least a portion of which extends into a dielectric layer utilized to mount a plate, and/or that comprise an interconnection structure that extends upward from the semiconductor die at a location that is laterally offset from the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: AMKOR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ji Young Chung, Dong Joo Park, Jin Seong Kim, Jae Sung Park, Se Hwan Hong
  • Patent number: 9704012
    Abstract: An example sensor array includes a first electrode disposed in a first layer, multiple second electrodes disposed in a second layer, and multiple third electrodes disposed outside of the first layer. The second electrodes are galvanically isolated from the first electrode and the third electrodes. In a plan view of the fingerprint sensor array, an area of each third electrode is located within an area of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Kravets, Oleksandr Hoshtanar, Igor Kolych, Oleksandr Karpin
  • Patent number: 9696375
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor that includes at least one capacitive element and a switched-capacitor readout circuit part for detecting at least one signal capacitance that results from motions of the capacitive element. The self-test bias voltage of the actuation circuit part is coupled to the capacitive element during a first period that is synchronized to the front end reset period and occurs when the self-test of the capacitive sensor is enabled by the self-test controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lasse Aaltonen, Jouni Erkkilä
  • Patent number: 9686454
    Abstract: The invention relates to an authentication device (1), characterized in that it comprises a support (10) provided with a surface (12), said surface comprising a plurality of peaks (14) and valleys (15) forming a pattern (13) capable of being acquired by a digital fingerprint sensor. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: MORPHO
    Inventors: Herve Chabanne, Jean-Christophe Fondeur
  • Patent number: 9656575
    Abstract: A combined seat heater and capacitive occupancy sensor comprises a heater network including a heating element (11) and a capacitive sensing circuit connected to the heating element to sense a capacitive load. A first and a second interface are provided for connecting the heating element to a first and a second terminal of a power source, respectively. Each interface comprises electronically controlled switches (3, 5; 4, 6) arranged in series and defining an intermediate node (20; 21). An oscillator (8) is AC-coupled to the intermediate nodes to apply an oscillating voltage thereto. A current measuring means (9), AC-coupled between the oscillator and the heating element, keeps the AC-potential of the heating element at least substantially equal, in amplitude and phase, to the oscillating voltage on the intermediate nodes and to derive the capacitive load from a thus resulting current flowing into the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: IEE International Elecrtonics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Thomas Meyers
  • Patent number: 9638654
    Abstract: A composite elastomeric flexible element has an elastomer layer between rigid members. When subjected to loads, and as time goes by, the elastomer layer will undergo damage in the form of micro-voids and polymer chain scission. The time it takes the damage to reach a predetermined, but safe state is a known function of several parameters such as loading rate and load magnitude, time at load, temperature and frequency. The damage decreases the electrical permittivity of the elastomer and changes the electrical conductance of the elastomer if the elastomer is in the environment of an electrically conductive fluid or when the elastomer includes conductive filler. The health of the flexible element is monitored by measuring the electrical impedance of the elastomer layer, computing an indication of health from the electrical impedance and trend data for the elastomer layer, and reporting the indication of health to a human administrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: John Baileys
  • Patent number: 9612692
    Abstract: A method and a position measuring apparatus that measures a position of a touch by an object on a device including the position measuring apparatus using an electrode unit for sensing a capacitance or voltage variation caused by a touch of the object and a control circuit unit for exchanging electrical signals with the electrode unit are provided. The method includes sensing a touch signal of the object on an independent channel connected to the control circuit unit through an independent connector; selectively driving a multi-channel disposed adjacent to the independent channel and electrically connected to the control circuit through a common connector, in response to the touch signal applied on the independent channel; and sensing the touch signal of the object using the multi-channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sung-Soo Park, Yu-Sheop Lee
  • Patent number: 9599452
    Abstract: A measuring kit for contactless measuring of the air gap distance between a frame mounted pole and core of a rotor includes a capacitance sensor which generates a signal proportional to the measured air gap, a panel meter in communication with the capacitance sensor which interprets the signal and displays the minimum air gap distance, an A/D converter also in communication with the capacitance sensor which converts the signal to a digitized signal, and a control panel which takes the digitized signal from the A/D converter, processes the digitized signal, and then displays the minimum air gap measurement. The control panel shows a graphic of the core and its surrounding poles to track the progress of the testing, and when the testing between the core and one of the surrounding poles is complete, the graphic of the pole tested visually darkens to indicate that portion of the test is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Trent J. Krummel
  • Patent number: 9591748
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a capacitance touch panel module includes forming a plurality of first conductive patterns on a substrate comprising a touching area and a peripheral area along a first orientation, a plurality of second conductive patterns along a second orientation, and a plurality of connecting portions in the touching area; forming a plurality of insulated protrusions, in which each insulated protrusion covering one connecting portion, and forming an insulated frame on the peripheral area; and forming a bridging member on each insulated protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kai Meng, Lien-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 9591749
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a capacitance touch panel module includes forming a plurality of first conductive patterns on a substrate comprising a touching area and a peripheral area along a first orientation, a plurality of second conductive patterns along a second orientation, and a plurality of connecting portions in the touching area; forming a plurality of insulated protrusions, in which each insulated protrusion covering one connecting portion, and forming an insulated frame on the peripheral area; and forming a bridging member on each insulated protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kai Meng, Lien-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 9568524
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor, a button, a conductor between the button and the sensor, and a controller connected to the sensor. The sensor includes first and second electrode tracks. The button includes an electrically isolating material and is configured to capacitively couple with an object. The conductor is configured to capacitively couple with the sensor and form a galvanic connection between the first and second electrode tracks when the conductor comes into contact with the sensor. The controller is configured to measure a value associated with an amount of capacitive coupling between the conductor and the sensor and to detect first and second states of the button based on the value, the first state indicating that the object is in contact with the button and that the conductor is not contacting the sensor, and the second state indicating that the conductor is not contacting the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Ingar Hanssen, Arild Rødland, Rian Whelan
  • Patent number: 9557780
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel. First-axis conductor assemblies and second-axis conductor assemblies are formed on a surface of a substrate. Each first-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of first-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by first-axis conduction lines. An insulation layer is formed on a surface of each first-axis conduction line. Each second-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of second-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by second-axis conduction lines. Each second-axis conduction line extends across the insulation layer of the associated first-axis conduction line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TPK TOUCH SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Ching-Yang Chang, Shun-Ta Chien
  • Patent number: 9550668
    Abstract: Integrated MEMS devices for pressure sensing and inertial sensing, methods for fabricating such integrated devices, and methods for fabricating vertically integrated MEMS pressure sensor/inertial sensor devices are provided. In an example, a method for fabricating an integrated device for pressure and inertial sensing includes forming a MEMS pressure sensor on a first side of a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a MEMS inertial sensor on a second side of the semiconductor substrate. The second side of the semiconductor substrate is opposite the first side of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Jia Jie Xia, Nagarajan Ranganathan, Rakesh Kumar, Aveek Nath Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 9528831
    Abstract: The electronic circuit measures angular speed in a gyroscope, which includes a mass connected to a spring and a damping element, an actuation capacitor for actuating the mass and a detection capacitor for detecting motion of the mass. The electronic circuit includes a measurement resistor, which is connected to the moving mass and has a variation in resistive value equal to the oscillation frequency of the mass. The resistor is polarized to supply a measurement signal, which includes a carrier signal in phase with the oscillation of the mass and an angular speed signal phase shifted by ?/2 relative to the carrier signal The measurement signal is supplied to an integration unit clocked by a clocking signal phase shifted by ?/2 relative to the carrier signal and originating from the drive circuit. The angular speed signal is demodulated at the integration unit output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Christophe Entringer, Alexandre Deschildre, Sylvain Grosjean
  • Patent number: 9517930
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention reduce stiction in a wide range of MEMS devices and increase device reliability without negatively impacting performance. In certain embodiments, stiction recover is accomplished by applying electrostatic forces to electrodes via optimized voltage signals that generate a restoring force that aids in overcoming stiction forces between electrodes. The voltage signals used within a stiction recovery procedure may be static or a dynamic, and may be applied directly to existing electrodes within a MEMS device, thereby, eliminating the need for additional components. In some embodiments, the voltage is estimated or calibrated and swept through a range of frequencies that contains one or more resonant frequencies of the mechanical structure that comprises the parts to be detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hanking Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gabriele Cazzaniga, Luca Coronato, Barbara Simoni, Luciano Prandi
  • Patent number: 9494473
    Abstract: A force-sensitive capacitive sensor that includes a first conductive plate, a second conductive plate that is spaced apart from the first conductive plate, and a compressible dielectric insulator positioned between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate. The sensor also includes a first protective insulator, a second protective insulator sealed to the first protective insulator to encase the first conductive plate, the second conductive plate, and the compressible dielectric insulator, and a circuit attached via wires to the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate. The sensor may also include electromagnetic shielding. The circuit is configured to sense a change in capacitance between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate caused by compression of the compressible dielectric insulator resulting from a person occupying the sensor or a support surface positioned above the sensor, and transmit output based on the sensed change in capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Hanson, Adam T. Barth, Samuel Alden Ridenour, Paul Michael Wempe
  • Patent number: 9448266
    Abstract: The method is for measuring a physical parameter via an electronic circuit connected to a two differential capacitor sensor having two fixed electrodes and a common moving electrode. The circuit supplies first and second digital measuring signals. Each measuring cycle consists on biasing fixed electrodes by a first biasing and a second biasing reverse of the first biasing, alternated with biasing the electrodes by the measuring voltage based on first and second digital signals. Each conversion starts by a small step value added to or subtracted from each digital signal in each cycle. If the successive identical amplifier output states counted or counted down by a counter is higher than a threshold, a large step value is added to or subtracted from the digital signals in each cycle. Re-adaptation to the small step value occurs when a sign change is detected in the counter, until the conversion end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: EM MICROELECTRONIC-MARIN SA
    Inventors: Sylvain Grosjean, Christophe Entringer
  • Patent number: 9433088
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a capacitance touch panel module includes forming a plurality of first conductive patterns on a substrate comprising a touching area and a peripheral area along a first orientation, a plurality of second conductive patterns along a second orientation, and a plurality of connecting portions in the touching area; forming a plurality of insulated protrusions, in which each insulated protrusion covering one connecting portion, and forming an insulated frame on the peripheral area; and forming a bridging member on each insulated protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kai Meng, Lien-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 9400195
    Abstract: A capacitive measurement system for generating a measurement signal representative of a measured position or distance to a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: MAPPER LITHOGRAPHY IP B.V.
    Inventors: Cor Verburg, Robert Mossel, Kaustubh Prabodh Padhye, Eric de Kok, Willem Jacob Vis
  • Patent number: 9380979
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming an apparatus wherein the apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to form a parallel plate capacitor; a compressible, transparent dielectric layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode wherein the dielectric layer has a nanostructure and the dimensions of the nanostructure are such that the dielectric layer is optically transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Richard White, Chris Bower
  • Patent number: 9377482
    Abstract: A detection structure for a z-axis resonant accelerometer is provided with an inertial mass anchored to a substrate by means of elastic anchorage elements so as to be suspended above the substrate and perform an inertial movement of rotation about a first axis of rotation belonging to a plane of main extension of the inertial mass, in response to an external acceleration acting along a vertical axis transverse with respect to the plane; and a first resonator element and a second resonator element, which are mechanically coupled to the inertial mass by respective elastic supporting elements, which enable a movement of rotation about a second axis of rotation and a third axis of rotation, in a resonance condition. In particular, the second axis of rotation and the third axis of rotation are parallel to one another, and are moreover parallel to the first axis of rotation of the inertial mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Claudia Comi, Alberto Corigliano, Sarah Zerbini
  • Patent number: 9360968
    Abstract: We describe an apparatus including a plurality of sensing elements, a conductive layer, and a compressive layer interposed between the plurality of sensing elements and the conductive layer. The conductive layer can include a plurality of segments. A user applies a force to an actuator positioned over the conductive layer. The actuator changes a capacitance of at least one capacitor formed by at least one of the plurality of sensing elements, the conductive layer (at least one segment), and the compressive layer by reducing the distance between the at least one of the plurality of sensing elements and the conductive layer responsive to the applied force. The device measures and calculates a magnitude and direction of the force by measuring the change in the capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Wright
  • Patent number: 9285207
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Baris Cagdaser, Du Chen, Hasan Akyol, Derek Shaeffer
  • Patent number: 9277644
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a capacitance touch panel module includes forming a plurality of first conductive patterns on a substrate comprising a touching area and a peripheral area along a first orientation, a plurality of second conductive patterns along a second orientation, and a plurality of connecting portions in the touching area; forming a plurality of insulated protrusions, in which each insulated protrusion covering one connecting portion, and forming an insulated frame on the peripheral area; and forming a bridging member on each insulated protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kai Meng, Lien-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 9229592
    Abstract: An input device having a sensing region overlapping an input surface includes a first substrate, a second substrate physically coupled to the first substrate, and a sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate and configured to detect input objects in the sensing region. A first force sensor includes a first electrode disposed on the first substrate and a first conductive portion of the second substrate capacitively coupled with the first electrode. The first conductive portion is configured to move relative to the first electrode such that a first variable capacitance of the first force sensor changes in response to force applied to the input surface in a first direction parallel to the touch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Mihai Bulea, Scott Shaw, Adam Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9213376
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel. First-axis conductor assemblies and second-axis conductor assemblies are formed on a surface of a substrate. Each first-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of first-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by first-axis conduction lines. An insulator is formed on a surface of each adjacent first-axis conductor cell. Each second-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of second-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by second-axis conduction lines. Each second-axis conduction line extends across the insulator disposed on the adjacent first-axis conductor cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Yang Chang, Shun-Ta Chien, Hua Ding, Li Yang
  • Patent number: 9151774
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Vladimir Petkov, Ganesh Balachandran
  • Patent number: 9153957
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge protection device. The electrostatic discharge protection device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, an electrostatic discharge absorbing layer having a plating film formed on the substrate, electrodes disposed on the substrate to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval with the electrostatic discharge absorbing layer interposed therebetween, and an insulating layer for covering the substrate and the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Hyuck Yang, Young Seuck Yoo, Sung Kwon Wi, Geon Se Chang, Ju Hwan Yang, Young Do Kweon, Jong Yun Lee
  • Patent number: 9116589
    Abstract: A single-layer projected capacitive touch panel has a glass cover, a touch sensing circuit layer, an insulating ink layer, a conductive wire layer, an insulator layer, a conductive glue layer and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board. The touch sensing circuit layer, the insulating ink layer, the conductive wire layer, the insulator layer and the conductive glue layer are mounted on a circuit surface of the glass cover in sequence. The insulating ink layer covers the touch sensing circuit layer and has multiple through slots. Each through slot is filled with an electric conductor. The FPC is fastened on the conductive wire layer by a conductive glue layer. Therefore, the touch panel of the present invention is thinner, provides better penetrability and costs less than conventional projected capacitive touch panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: David Mi
  • Patent number: 9110113
    Abstract: A physical parameter is measured via an electronic circuit connected to a two capacitor sensor. The circuit includes an amplifier connected to the common capacitor electrode, a logic unit for digital processing amplifier data and supplying a digital measuring signal, a digital-analog converter for supplying a measuring voltage based on the digital measuring signal, a switching unit for alternately supplying the measuring voltage to the first and second fixed capacitor electrodes, and a regulated voltage for negative biasing or a low voltage for positive biasing from a voltage supply source. A first phase consists in biasing the first fixed electrode with the measuring voltage from first binary word and reference voltage, and the second fixed electrode with low voltage, and a second phase consists in biasing the second fixed electrode with measuring voltage from second binary word, which is reverse of the first binary word, and the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: EM MICROELECTRONICS-MARIN SA
    Inventors: Sylvain Grosjean, Christophe Entringer
  • Patent number: 9103773
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a capacitive element sensor and to a method for manufacturing same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a change in total capacitance brought about by the electrical charge of biomolecules attached to an electrode and to a sensor for measuring the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Seoul National University R&D Foundation
    Inventors: Jung Hoon Lee, Jun Kyu Choi, Su Jin Lee, Sung Jun Lee