Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a controller, a sensing electrode, and a shield electrode, the electrodes disposed in a vehicle seat. The controller is electrically coupled to the sensing electrode and shield electrode by a sensing circuit. The controller is configured to send an input signal to the sensing electrode, the shield electrode, or both and measures current, impedance, or capacitance values to determine the presence of an object on the seat, to classify the object, or both.

Abstract: Methods for making and systems employing pressure and temperature sensors are described. Embodiments include a capacitive element including a first conductor plate and a second conductor plate. Each plate includes a conductor layer formed on a substrate. In a pressure sensor embodiment, seal is positioned at or near the edges of the conductor plates, and a gas retained in a gap defined between the plates. In a temperature sensor embodiment, the gap defined between the plates is in fluid communication with the external environment.

Abstract: A sensor unit is configured to have an insulating case covering a mobile phone, a conductive substrate provided on the inner surface of the case, and a sensor electrode fixed on the surface of the conductive substrate. When a part of the human body of a user, such as a finger or a hand of the user, touches the surface of the case, a detection unit detects a change in capacitance provided between the human body and the conductive substrate. When it is determined that the user has touched the mobile phone, an activation signal is output and the operation mode of the mobile phone is set to a normal power mode in which power is automatically supplied. With this configuration, the operability of the mobile phone can be improved.

Abstract: A motion sensor includes a base, a first capacitance electrode, and a second capacitance electrode. The first capacitance electrode is received within the base and comprises first capacitance electrode sheets. The second capacitance electrode is received within the base and aligned with the first capacitance electrode to form a capacitance, and comprises second capacitance electrode sheets facing and being aligned the middle group of the first capacitance electrode sheets. The capacitance is changed when the second capacitance electrode sheets stray from the corresponding first capacitance electrode sheets.

Abstract: A capacitance sensing structure includes a substrate, a sensing electrode layer, at least one stack layer and a conductive body. The sensing electrode layer is formed on or in the substrate. The stack layer is formed on the sensing electrode layer. The conductive body is disposed over and corresponding to the sensing electrode layer and the stack layer.

Abstract: A capacitive array comprising at least two capacitive entities, comprising a substrate layer. The substrate layer comprises a comb comprising at least four substantially identical teeth, and, for each capacitive entity, a set of fingers comprising one or more interlinked fingers. At least two sets of fingers comprise a different number of fingers, each finger being nested between two teeth of the comb and being substantially identical to the other fingers. The fingers of each set of fingers are substantially distributed symmetrically relative to a median axis of the comb. The comb and the fingers are integrated in a single block.

Abstract: The present invention features an occupant classification system for a vehicle. Preferably, the occupant classification system includes a heater located below a seat cover; and an occupant classification sensor provided above the heater to detect an occupant. Preferably, the occupant classification sensor includes two electrodes arranged in parallel to each other on one plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric circuit arrangement for generating or receiving an output signal or switched condition definitive for the effective locking condition of a door system, especially a motor vehicle door system. The object of the invention is to provide a circuit arrangement with which an output signal definitive for the locking condition of a door system can be furnished, the generation of which signal takes the intentions of a user or the instantaneous situation into account in improved manner.

Abstract: Methods for making and systems employing pressure and temperature sensors are described. Embodiments include a capacitive element including a first conductor plate and a second conductor plate. Each plate includes a conductor layer formed on a substrate. In a pressure sensor embodiment, seal is positioned at or near the edges of the conductor plates, and a gas retained in a gap defined between the plates. In a temperature sensor embodiment, the gap defined between the plates is in fluid communication with the external environment.

Abstract: A scanning impedance microscopy device maps out local impedance in a dielectric film sample. This may be used to detect conductive filaments in a dielectric film, to characterize semiconductor interfaces, and to be used a reading scheme for resistive change memory such as RRAM.

Abstract: A variable capacitance circuit includes a capacitance changing structure constructed by connecting a first construction unit, a second construction unit, a third construction unit, and a fourth construction unit, which each include a first electric element that hinders transmission of a direct current (DC) signal and has a capacitance that changes in accordance with the magnitude of an absolute value of an applied voltage, in the mentioned order in a ring. A voltage measuring apparatus measures the voltage of a measured object and includes a detection electrode capable of being disposed facing the measured object and the variable capacitance circuit described above. A power measuring apparatus includes a current measuring apparatus that measures current flowing in a measured object and the voltage measuring apparatus that measures the voltage of the measured object.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for sensing ambient conditions in electric equipment. These conditions may include verification of the user, the location of the equipment and various properties of the environment. The invention is preferably applied in mobile terminals. One idea of the invention is to provide a sensor arrangement with a substrate (663) that forms at least part of a sensor, and also serves as a substrate for other sensors (695-698). The substrate is preferably flexible so that it can be formed in a shape which is follows the shape of the device cover. The invention also describes a way to create two- or three-dimensional electrode structures that can be used to optimize the performance of the sensor. When the surface structure is designed to follow the shape of a finger, a very small pressure is required when sliding the finger along the sensor surface. This way the use of the sensor is ergonomic and the measurement is made very reliable.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a positional relationship between a first member and a second member, includes a first electrode provided on a surface of the first member and supplied with an alternating signal of a first frequency, a second electrode provided on a surface of the second member and supplied with an alternating signal of a second frequency, and a beat detector which detects a beat frequency component corresponding to a difference between the first and second frequencies indicative of the positional relationship between the first member and the second member, when the positional relationship between the first and second members changes to cause the first electrode to approach the second electrode.

Abstract: A micromechanical sensor for measuring millimetric wave or microwave power, which sensor comprises a wave line for conducting the millimetric or microwave power and a part arranged to move and a fixed electrode, in such a way that the capacitance (C) between the part that is arranged to move and the fixed electrode couples to the wave power advancing in the wave line. According to the invention, the capacitance (C) between the part that is arranged to move and the fixed electrode is divided into at least two portions (C/n), which are located at a distance from each other, in such a way that the wave power advancing in the wave line couples to the portions (C/n) of the capacitance (C) consecutively and experiences the inductive load between the portions (C/n) of the capacitance (C). Thus the frequency band of the sensor can be substantially broadened and the reflective coefficient can be kept reasonably small.

Abstract: A free-fall detector device includes an inertial sensor, a detection circuit associated to the inertial sensor, and a signal source for supplying a read signal to the inertial sensor. The device moreover includes: a storage element, selectively connectable to the detection circuit for storing a feedback signal generated by the detection circuit in response to the read signal supplied to the inertial sensor; and a feedback circuit coupled to the storage element for supplying the feedback signal to the inertial sensor so that the detection circuit generates at least one detection signal in response to the feedback signal supplied to the inertial sensor.

Abstract: The electronic circuit (1) with a capacitive sensor (2) is used for measuring a physical parameter, such as an acceleration. The sensor includes two capacitors mounted in differential, whose common electrode (Cm) can move relative to each fixed electrode of the two capacitors to alter the capacitive value of each capacitor. The electronic circuit has an interface connected to the capacitive sensor, which includes a charge transfer amplifier unit (4) connected to the common electrode (Cm), an integrator unit (5) for integrating the charges supplied by the charge transfer amplifier unit, and an excitation unit (3) arranged between the output of the first integrator unit and the sensor to polarise each fixed electrode of the sensor capacitors at a determined voltage value. A compensation capacitor (Cc) is connected to the input of the integrator unit.

Abstract: A capacitive physical quantity detection device comprising a plurality of capacitive physical quantity sensors, wherein each sensor includes: a detection unit having a movable electrode and a fixed electrode; a C-V conversion circuit having a differential amplifier circuit, wherein a first input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit is coupled with the movable electrode, a second input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit inputs a reference voltage and a self-diagnosis voltage therein during a normal operation and a self-diagnosis operation, respectively, and the C-V conversion circuit outputs an output voltage; and a signal processing circuit that performs a signal processing of the output voltage, wherein the reference voltage in each sensor is substantially the same, the plurality of sensors performs the self-diagnosis operation simultaneously, and the self-diagnosis voltage in one of the sensors is a first self-diagnosis voltage that is different in magnitude from the self-diagnosis vol

Abstract: A touch sensing display panel includes an active device array substrate, an opposite substrate, a display medium layer, a plurality of inner and outer electrode series. The opposite substrate is disposed over the active device array substrate and the display medium layer is disposed between the active device array substrate and the opposite substrate. The inner electrode series are disposed on the opposite substrate and extend along a first direction, wherein each inner electrode series includes inner ring electrodes electrically connected to each other. The outer electrode series are disposed on the opposite substrate and extend along a second direction, wherein each outer electrode series includes outer ring electrodes electrically connected to each other. Each inner ring electrodes is respectively surrounded by one of the outer ring electrodes, and the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction. The present invention also provides a touch sensing substrate.

Abstract: A planar fingerprint pattern detecting array includes a large number of individual skin-distance sensing cells that are arranged in a row/column configuration. Each sensing cell includes a first capacitor plate placed vertically under the upper surface of a dielectric layer and a second capacitor plate that is placed vertically under the upper surface of the dielectric layer in close horizontal spatial relation to the first capacitor plate. Electrostatic discharge protection relative to electrostatic potential that may be carried by an ungrounded fingertip is provided by placing a number of grounded metal paths within the dielectric layer to spatially surround each of the first and second capacitor plates, this being done in a manner that does not disturb the ungrounded state of the fingertip.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensing module includes a sensor substrate having a sensing side and a circuit side, an image sensor including conductive traces on the circuit side of the sensor substrate, and a sensor circuit including at least one integrated circuit mounted on the circuit side of the sensor substrate and electrically connected to the image sensor. The sensor substrate may be a flexible substrate. The module may include a velocity sensor on the sensor substrate or on a separate substrate. The module may further include a rigid substrate, and the sensor substrate may be affixed to the rigid substrate.

Abstract: A micromechanical sensor having an analyzer circuit and at least two detecting elements, each of the two detecting elements being connected to the analyzer circuit by at least one signal line. At least one signal line is connected to both detecting elements.

Abstract: A capacitive switch of an electric/electronic device is provided. The capacitive switch includes a plurality of contacts which are disposed at a front of a control panel; a plurality of capacitive sensors which are disposed at a rear of the control panel, respectively face the contacts, and detect capacitance variations caused by static electricity that affects the contacts; and a plurality of void removal elements which are respectively disposed between the capacitive sensors and the contacts, remove a plurality of voids between the capacitive sensors and the contacts, and are formed of an elastic material so as to be able to compensate for various sized voids. Therefore, it is possible to easily remove various sized voids between the contacts and the capacitive sensors using the void removal elements, to prevent malfunction of the capacitive sensors due to the existence of voids, and to provide various shapes of control panels and various shapes of printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A capacitance-type encoder comprising a stator, a movable element, an excitation device and a signal processing device to obtain position data with low power-consumption. The stator has excitation-electrode sets electrically independent and displaced to have phase differences from each other to form a predetermined number of excitation-electrode groups. The movable element has connection electrodes having the same number as the excitation-electrode groups. The excitation device simultaneously applies a first pair of positive and negative pulse voltages respectively to two of the excitation-electrode sets having a phase difference of 180 degrees, and then simultaneously applies a second set of positive and negative pulse voltages respectively to the rest of the excitation-electrode sets.

Abstract: A system for capacitive object recognition including a pair of electrodes, one of the electrodes having an adjustable parameter, and a controller modeling current pathways formed by interaction of an object with an electric field between the pair electrodes as a network of capacitors. The controller is configured to set the adjustable parameter to a first setting and to apply a set of alternating current voltages to the pair electrodes and measure a resulting first set of current values at each of the electrodes, configured to set the adjustable parameter to a second setting and apply the set of alternating current voltages to the pair of electrodes and measure a resulting second set of current values at each of the electrodes, and configured to determine values for up to all capacitors of the network of capacitors based on the first and second sets of current values.

Abstract: A highly reliable semiconductor physical quantity sensor whose performance does not change much over time is provided. In the semiconductor physical quantity sensor, movable electrodes which can be displaced by applying a physical quantity are initially displaced using an electrostatic force, and the movable electrodes are used to detect the direction and magnitude of a physical quantity applied to the semiconductor physical quantity sensor. The semiconductor physical quantity sensor is highly reliable and its performance does not change much over time compared with semiconductor physical quantity sensors using a known method in which movable electrodes are initially displaced using a compressive stress film.

Abstract: A method for automatically testing an electronic circuit with a capacitive sensor having two capacitors is provided, wherein the common electrode of the capacitors moves relative to each fixed electrode. The electronic circuit includes a sensor interface that includes a charge transfer amplifier unit, an integrator unit connected to the amplifier unit to provide measurement output voltage, and an excitation unit. The excitation unit inversely polarizes each fixed electrode at high or low voltage or discharges the capacitors. The method includes several successive measurement cycles each divided into a first phase discharging capacitors by output voltage and a second phase for polarizing the fixed electrode of the first capacitor at high voltage and inversely polarizing the fixed electrode of the second capacitor at low voltage. In the measuring cycles, a test phase replaces a second polarizing phase in at least one cycle in every two successive measurement cycles.

Abstract: A plurality of detection electrodes, connection electrodes, and wires are integrally formed on one surface of a light guide to produce a capacitance-type sensor integral with the light guide. The electrodes are partially formed on a curved portion of the light guide. A resin layer allows an outer case and the light guide to be tightly secured to each other.

Abstract: A device such as a dental cuspidor or a dental delivery unit, with an electric field sensor, control circuitry, and a solenoid. The control circuitry is in electronic communication with the electric field sensor, and the solenoid is in electronic communication with the control circuitry. The electric field sensor has capacitive sensing and is operable to detect a change in capacitance. The control circuitry is operable to receive a signal from the electric field sensor indicative of a detected change in capacitance. The control circuitry is operable to actuate the solenoid in response to receiving the signal from the electric field sensor. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A capacitance type sensor good in operability and less in erroneous operation is provided. Switches SW1-SW4 are formed between a displacement electrode 40 and switch electrodes E11-E14 kept at a predetermined potential and grounded switch electrodes E15-E18. Switches SW11-SW14 and SW51-SW55 are connected to respective capacitance electrodes E1-E4 that cooperate with the displacement electrode 40 to form capacitance elements. A decision circuit judges states of the switches SW1-SW4. When at least one of the switches SW1-SW4 is off, an X-axial output is calculated based on the capacitance values of the capacitance elements C1 and C2, and a Y-axial output is calculated based on the capacitance values of the capacitance elements C3 and C4. When any of the switches SW1-SW4 is on, a Z-axial output is calculated based on the sum of the capacitance values of the capacitance elements C1 to C4.

Abstract: A physical force capacitive touch sensor comprises a capacitive sensor element on a substrate, a physically deformable electrically insulating spacer over the capacitive sensor element, and a conductive plane over the physically deformable electrically insulating spacer that is substantially parallel to the capacitive sensor element. The conductive plane is connected to a power supply common and/or grounded to form a capacitor with the capacitive sensor element and for improved shielding of the capacitive sensor element from electrostatic disturbances and false triggering thereof. A protective cover may be placed over the conductive plane to act as an environmental seal for improved physical and weather protection, but is not essential to operation of the capacitive touch sensor.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a positional relationship between a first member and a second member, includes a first charge-holding electrode provided on a surface of the first member and holding a charge, a second charge-holding electrode provided on the surface of the first member and holding a charge differing from the charge held by the first charge-holding electrode, a first charge-induced electrode provided on a surface of the second member, the first charge-induced electrode having a charge induced therein in accordance with the charge held by the first charge-holding electrode, when the first charge-holding electrode approaches the first charge-induced electrode, a second charge-induced electrode provided on the surface of the second member, the second charge-induced electrode having a charge induced therein in accordance with the charge held by the second charge-holding electrode, when the second charge-holding electrode approaches the second charge-induced electrode.

Abstract: A capacitance type sensor good in operability and less in erroneous operation is provided. Switches SW1 to SW4 are formed between a displacement electrode 40 and switch electrodes E11 to E14 kept at a predetermined potential and grounded switch electrodes E15 to E18. Switches SW 11 to SW 15 are connected to respective capacitance electrodes E1 to E5 that cooperate with the displacement electrode 40 to form capacitance elements. A decision circuit judges states of the switches SW1 to SW4. When at least one of the switches SW1 to SW4 is off, periodic signals are input only to the capacitance electrodes E1 to E4 corresponding to X- and Y-axial directions. When any of the switches SW1 to SW4 is on, a periodic signal is input only to the capacitance electrode E5 corresponding to a Z-axial direction.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a surface capacitive sensor is mechanically coupled to a conventional macrostructure actuator to measure the displacement of the actuator along a measurement axis with high accuracy.

Abstract: A dual function capacitive occupant detection sensor includes a capacitive load cell disposed below a seat cushion, an electric field emitter disposed above the seat cushion and a capacitance-responsive control circuit. The control circuit determines a seated weight of an occupant based on the load cell capacitance, and a coupling of the electric field through an occupant based on the capacitance between the electric field emitter and the vehicle ground. The measured seated weight and electric field coupling parameters are logically combined to detect an occupant and to distinguish between a normally seated occupant and a cinched down infant or child seat of similar apparent weight.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a positional relationship between a first member and a second member, includes a first electrode provided on a surface of the first member and supplied with an alternating signal of a first frequency, a second electrode provided on a surface of the second member and supplied with an alternating signal of a second frequency, and a beat detector which detects a beat frequency component corresponding to a difference between the first and second frequencies indicative of the positional relationship between the first member and the second member, when the positional relationship between the first and second members changes to cause the first electrode to approach the second electrode.

Abstract: A capacitance detection circuit that compensates for the fluctuation of a reference voltage with a simple structure. A C-V circuit for a sensor element generates a detection signal by amplifying a capacitance change value of the sensor element by a predetermined gain based on a reference voltage. A voltage compensation circuit, which is connected to the C-V circuit and supplies a reference voltage to the C-V circuit, reduces the gain relative to a deviation amount when the reference voltage fluctuates by a predetermined deviation amount.

Abstract: In a method for forming an in-molded capacitive sensing device a plastic film is provided, the plastic film comprising a first side and a second side. A capacitive sensor pattern is disposed on at least a portion of the second side, the capacitive sensor pattern including a region for facilitating electrical contact. A resin layer is printed over a portion of the capacitive sensor pattern such that access to the region for facilitating electrical contact is maintained. A plastic layer is injection molded onto a portion of the resin layer such that the capacitive sensor pattern becomes in-molded between the plastic film and the plastic layer while access to the region for facilitating electrical contact is maintained.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor circuit and a nonlinear signal processing circuit. The sensor circuit detects a physical quantity and outputs a detection signal indicative of the detected physical quantity. The signal processing circuit includes a logarithmic converter, an analog-to-digital converter, and an antilogarithmic converter. The logarithmic converter produces a logarithm signal corresponding to a logarithm of the detection signal. The analog-to-digital converter digitalizes the logarithm signal. The antilogarithmic converter produces an antilogarithmic signal corresponding to an antilogarithm of the digitalized logarithm signal.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing device including a substrate, a sensor electrode disposed over the substrate, a first trace electrically coupled to the sensor electrode, and a second trace proximate the first trace. The second trace is for distinguishing proximity of an object with the sensor electrode from proximity of the object with the first trace.

Abstract: A MEMS device has a movable beam, a differential capacitor with a movable electrode that moves in response to the displacement of the movable beam and that is disposed between two stationary electrodes, and a voltage circuit for applying a first voltage to the first stationary electrode, second voltage to the second stationary electrode, and a third voltage to the movable electrode. The MEMS device also has a monitor operably coupled with the movable beam to monitor the displacement of the movable beam. In some embodiments, the monitor may monitor the distance between the movable electrode and at least one of the stationary electrodes. The MEMS device further has a voltage reducing circuit operatively coupled with the monitor, the movable electrode, and the stationary electrodes.

Abstract: A low impedance sensor includes thin conductive electrodes on a dielectric substrate and detects proximity of a target metal object or structure moving along defined path such as a track. The sensor includes a first conductive electrode pad having a closed, continuous geometric form and a second conductive electrode surrounding the first electrode and spaced from the first electrode by a channel of non-conductive dielectric. The first and second electrodes are optionally disposed on the same surface of the substrate. An integrated control circuit is located on the substrate proximate the first and second electrodes, and is electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a driven ground electrical circuit. A driven ground is a current-measuring ground termination to an electrical circuit with the current measured as a vector with amplification. The driven ground module may include an electric potential source VS driving an electric current through an impedance (load Z) to a driven ground. Voltage from the source VS excites the minus terminal of an operational amplifier inside the driven ground which, in turn, may react by generating an equal and opposite voltage to drive the net potential to approximately zero (effectively ground). A driven ground may also be a means of passing information via the current passing through one grounded circuit to another electronic circuit as input. It may ground one circuit, amplify the information carried in its current and pass this information on as input to the next circuit.

Abstract: There is provided a method of determining a contact position in an electronic apparatus including a plurality of capacitance sensing circuits that measures changes in capacitance and outputs capacitance measuring signals and a plurality of light sensing circuits that measures light intensities of incident light and outputs light measuring signals. The method includes acquiring the capacitance measuring signals by sequentially scanning the plurality of capacitance sensing circuits, determining whether a target object is in contact with a contact surface based on the acquired capacitance measuring signals, acquiring the light measuring signals by sequentially scanning the plurality of light sensing circuits after the target object is determined to be in contact with the contact surface in the determining of whether the target object is in contact with the contact surface, and determining a position of the contact surface, with which the target object is in contact, based on the acquired light measuring signals.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensor is fabricated on a plastic substrate (363) with an embedded integrated circuit chip (380). The invention describes a way to create two or three dimensional forms for electrode structures (321, 322, 325, 365, 366) that can be used to optimize the performance of the sensor. When the three dimensional structure is designed to follow the shape of a finger, a very small pressure is required when sliding the finger along the sensor surface. This way the use of the sensor is ergonomic and the measurement is made very reliable. The inventive fabrication method describes the way, how to connect and embed an integrated circuit containing measurement electronics with a batch processed larger scale electrode configuration that is used for capturing the capacitive image of the fingerprint.

Abstract: A surface voltmeter has a stage having a conductive surface, a vibrating electrode, a vibration part, and an elevation mechanism. While vibrating the vibrating electrode, displacement current from the conductive surface is acquired. A control part controls electrode voltage so that the displacement current becomes a value specified by a computer, and acquires a relationship between the displacement current and the electrode voltage while changing the displacement current. Acquisition of the relationship is performed a plurality of times while changing distance between the vibrating electrode and an object, the electrode voltage which is independent from the distance between the vibrating electrode and the object is obtained as reference voltage, and surface voltage on the object is obtained on the basis of the reference voltage.

Abstract: A micromechanical sensor for measuring millimetric wave or microwave power, which sensor comprises a wave line for conducting the millimetric or microwave power and a part arranged to move and a fixed electrode, in such a way that the capacitance (C) between the part that is arranged to move and the fixed electrode couples to the wave power advancing in the wave line. According to the invention, the capacitance (C) between the part that is arranged to move and the fixed electrode is divided into at least two portions (C/n), which are located at a distance from each other, in such a way that the wave power advancing in the wave line couples to the portions (C/n) of the capacitance (C) consecutively and experiences the inductive load between the portions (C/n) of the capacitance (C). Thus the frequency band of the sensor can be substantially broadened and the reflective coefficient can be kept reasonably small.

Abstract: A capacitance type sensor good in operability and less in erroneous operation is provided. Switches SW1 to SW4 are formed between a displacement electrode 40 and switch electrodes E11 to E14 kept at a predetermined potential and grounded switch electrodes E15 to E18. Switches SW 11 to SW 14 and SW51 to SW55 are connected to respective capacitance electrodes E1 to E4 that cooperate with the displacement electrode 40 to form capacitance elements. A decision circuit judges states of the switches SW1 to SW4. When at least one of the switches SW1 to SW4 is off, an X-axial output is calculated based on the capacitance values of the capacitance elements C1 and C2, and a Y-axial output is calculated based on the capacitance values of the capacitance elements C3 and C4. When any of the switches SW1 to SW4 is on, a Z-axial output is calculated based on the sum of the capacitance values of the capacitance elements C1 to C4.

Abstract: Cylindrical capacitance force sensing device/method is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a capacitor having two parallel conductive surfaces, a cylindrical housing with a cover plate to encompass the capacitor, and a sensor in the cylindrical housing to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the two conductive surfaces when the cover plate is deflected by a load applied on the cover plate. In another embodiment, a method may include applying a load on top of a housing which encompasses a capacitive sensor having two parallel conductive surfaces to produce a deflection of a cover plate of the housing, automatically generating a measurement from the capacitive sensor when a distance between the two parallel conductive surfaces is charged due to the deflection of the cover plate, and decreasing an error in the measurement via stabilizing to a mounting surface.

Abstract: A capacitance detection circuit that compensates for the fluctuation of a reference voltage with a simple structure. A C-V circuit for a sensor element generates a detection signal by amplifying a capacitance change value of the sensor element by a predetermined gain based on a reference voltage. A voltage compensation circuit, which is connected to the C-V circuit and supplies a reference voltage to the C-V circuit, reduces the gain relative to a deviation amount when the reference voltage fluctuates by a predetermined deviation amount.

Abstract: A weatherstrip such as a glass run incorporates an associated anti-entrapment sensor. The glass run includes an elastomeric material having first and second legs interconnected by a base wall that together receive an associated automotive window peripheral edge and a recess formed in the elastomeric material dimensioned to receive the associated anti-entrapment sensor therein. The recess has a substantially T-shaped cross-sectional cavity in one embodiment and the pinch sensor has a substantially T-shaped cross-sectional conformation dimensioned for mating receipt in the T-shaped cavity. Facing, first and second flexible sidewall portions flex for ease of insertion and retention of the pinch sensor in the cavity. A fusible layer secures the weatherstrip and pinch sensor after assembly thereof. Preferably, the weatherstrip is formed from multiple materials, one of which is a low friction material.