Abstract: A pick-up head picks up a semiconductor device from a carrier substrate. The pick-up head includes a first leg portion, a second leg portion, a raised bridge base portion between the first and second leg portions, and a tip portion mounted on the raised bridge base portion. The tip portion engages with the semiconductor device to pick up the semiconductor device from the carrier substrate. The pick-up head is associated with a force detection mechanism that detects a force applied to the pick-up head for picking up the semiconductor device. The force detection mechanism includes cavities formed on the first leg portion and/or second leg portion, pillars arranged on the pick-up head, a force detection device arranged in a mount assembly that is attached on the pick-up head, or electrodes arranged on the mount assembly. Actuation of the pick-up head is determined based on the detected force.

Abstract: A cable stay transport vehicle and inspection system having an upper frame coupled to a spaced apart lower frame. The transport vehicle is configured to be secured around a cable stay. The transport vehicle includes left upper and lower sets of wheels secured between left side upper and lower frames, and right upper and lower sets of wheels secured between right side upper and lower frames. In addition, a left steering device is coupled between the left upper and lower sets of wheels and includes a left steering gear, and a right steering device coupled to the right upper and lower sets of wheels and comprising a right steering gear. Left and right driving gears are coupled to the left and right steering gears, respectively, and are configured to engage the respective steering gear to turn the transport vehicle when activated.

Abstract: An input device including: a first in-phase touch sensing block including: an analog mixer configured to mix a resulting signal associated with a capacitive sensor electrode with a local oscillator (LO) signal; an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to convert an output of the analog mixer into a digital signal; and a first decimation filter configured to determine an in-phase component of an interference at a frequency of the LO signal based, at least in part, on the digital signal; and a first quadrature interference detection block including: a second decimation filter configured to determine a quadrature component of the interference at the frequency.

Abstract: A plate-like supporting body (200) is arranged below a plate-like force receiving body (100) and a deformation body (300) is connected between them. The deformation body (300) is provided with an elastically deformed portion (310) arranged along a connection channel (R1) which connects a first force receiving point (P1) with a second force receiving point (P2), a first base portion (320) and a second base portion (330) which support the elastically deformed portion (310) from below. The upper end of the first base portion (320) supports the vicinity of a first relay point (m1) on the connection channel (R1) so as to sway freely, and the upper end of the second base portion (330) supports the vicinity of a second relay point (m2) on the connection channel (R1) so as to sway freely.

Abstract: An antenna and a proximity sensor coupled to the antenna can determine proximity of an object to a device. The device can include a controller to adjust a transmitted power output of the antenna if the object is proximate to the device and measurements from the sensor collected over a period of time vary.

Abstract: A touch sensor panel configured to switch between a mutual capacitance touch sensing architecture and a self-capacitance touch sensing architecture is provided. The touch sensor panel includes circuitry that can switch the configuration of touch electrodes to act as either drive lines in a mutual capacitance configuration or as sense electrodes in a self-capacitance configuration. The touch sensor panel also includes circuitry that can switch the configuration of touch electrodes to act as either sense lines in a mutual capacitance configuration or as sense electrode in a self-capacitance configuration. By splitting a self-capacitance touch mode into a drive line self-capacitive mode and sense line self-capacitive mode, the touch sensor panel is able to reuse components thus requiring less space, weight and power.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes a communication pad formed in a side surface, which is operatively coupled to a communication circuit so as to enable the establishing of a wireless communication channel to an adjacently positioned packaged semiconductor device. The communication pad may be formed upon cutting a block including the packaged semiconductor device and an appropriately positioned and dimensioned conductor.

Abstract: A system includes a curved window and a light energy emitter arranged exterior to the curved window. The system includes a light energy receiver arranged exterior to the curved window and arranged to detect light energy emitted by the light energy emitter. The light energy passes over a touchpad provided on the curved window. A touch on the touchpad may be detected by the system.

Abstract: An impedance matching element is disclosed which can be used for voltage and/or current sensing or indicating devices used in medium voltage systems in order to improve signal integrity of output signals in comparison with known sensing devices. To enhance sensing accuracy and provide higher output signal immunity against interferences and impedance mismatches, the electric field sensor and/or the magnetic field sensor can be connected to the impedance matching element which allows connection to an independent analog measuring device and is powered from an energy harvester, with an impedance matching electronic board.

Abstract: An operation switch includes: a capacitance sensor that generates three or more detection signals in response to approach or contact of an object to respective three or more electrodes; a determination circuit that determines whether or not the object is a living body based on one or more detection signals selected from the three or more detection signals, the one or more detection signals excluding a detection signal having a maximum intensity among the three or more detection signals; and a controller that, when the object is determined to be a living body, generates an operation signal for operating a predetermined device.

Abstract: A decoder unit for determining a substance or material structure of a detected object based on signals of a capacitive sensor comprises a distribution determination device arranged to determine a detected distribution relation based on signals of the at least one capacitive sensor; a comparison device arranged to compare the detected distribution relation with at least one predetermined distribution relation, the at least one predetermined distribution relation corresponding to a substance or a material structure and an output device arranged to indicate the result of the comparison carried out by the comparison device.

Abstract: A dual power-source testing apparatus for testing a communication board and communication testing method thereof are disclosed. The communication testing apparatus comprises a main body, a first power supply module, and a second power supply module. The main body has a communication testing area with a first port and a second port for supplying power, wherein the board is to be placed in the communication testing area. The first power supply module is configured to provide first power to the communication board through the communication testing area while performing a charging operation to the second power supply module. The communication testing method is to be performed similarly in a communication testing apparatus using dual power sources. Using the present invention may keep good qualities of communication testing operations being performed to the communication board.

Abstract: Disclosed are a chip performance monitoring system, method and a computer program product, wherein a performance monitor output signal is propagated through an adjacent scan chain to avoid signal degradation incident to across-chip transmission of high frequency signals. Since the clock signal frequency used to control signal propagation through the scan chain will typically be less than twice the performance monitor output signal frequency, frequency sub-sampling with aliasing occurs. To compensate, signal propagation through the scan chain can be controlled during different time periods using different clock signals having different clock signal frequencies and, during these different time periods, different data outputs can be captured at an output node of the scan chain. The data output frequencies of these different data outputs can be measured and the performance monitor output signal frequency can be determined based on the different data output frequencies given the different clock signal frequencies.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for determining the location of a touch on a touch sensor includes receiving input signals in response to a touch proximate to a location on the touch sensor. Each input signal may have a total capacitance that includes a first capacitance associated with the touch and a second capacitance that is parasitic capacitance. The parasitic capacitance of one or more of the input signals may be adjusted to result in the second capacitance of each of the input signals being substantially equal. An average capacitance of the adjusted input signals may be calculated. The location of the touch on the touch sensor may then be determined based on a comparison of the total capacitance of each of the input signals and the average capacitance of the input signals.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for generating a driving signal, the apparatus including: a first driving signal generation circuit generating a first driving signal; a second driving signal generation circuit generating a second driving signal, the second driving signal generation circuit including at least two transistors and a pulse generation unit; and a control unit controlling the first and second driving signal generation circuits so that they generate the first and second driving signals selectively.

Abstract: A method of determining an effective capacitance of a ring oscillator free of short current. The method comprises determining a frequency of an oscillator signal communicated from a ring oscillator to an inverter via a first communication path. The first communication path has connectivity to a first voltage source, a ground path and the inverter. The first communication path is divided into a second communication path and a third communication path. The method further comprises determining a voltage line current. The method additionally comprises determining an effective capacitance of the ring oscillator based on a first voltage of the first voltage source, the voltage line current and the frequency of the oscillator signal communicated to the inverter along the third communication path.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for testing a capacitor. The method includes: selecting a capacitor to be tested; generating an frequency signal from a source voltage which passes through a resistor, while connecting and disconnecting the capacitor, which results in an output signal; and measuring a relative level of a sideband associated with the output signal to estimate a size of the selected capacitor.

Abstract: A circuit and a method for sensing differential capacitance involve using plural storing capacitors to repeatedly sample charges of the differential capacitance in an over-sampling manner, and storing the charges sampled in different transfer rounds into different storing capacitors instead of repeatedly transferring charges for a single storing capacitor, so as to collect charge averages about both inputs and noises and in turn effectively reduce RF interference and source noises.

Abstract: An occupant position detection device is an occupant position detection device disposed inside a vehicle to detect a position of an occupant, and includes: a detector comprising two or more sensor electrodes disposed forward of a seat and at least one sensor electrode disposed at a position more rearward and higher than these sensor electrodes, the detector respectively outputting a detection signal based on a distance between each of the sensor electrodes and the occupant; and a computation unit inputted with the detection signal to compute an occupant position. The computation unit selects from the detection signals outputted from the detector three or more types of combinations configured from two of the detection signals, calculates a ratio or difference for each of these combinations of detection signals, and computes the occupant position based on the three or more calculated ratios or differences of the detection signals.

Abstract: Touchscreen testing techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a conductor is placed proximal to a touchscreen device and the touchscreen device is tested by simulating a touch of a user by placing the conductor in a grounded state and lack of a touch by the user by placing the conductor in an ungrounded state.

Abstract: A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having learned sensitivity control. The switch includes a proximity sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. Also included is sense control circuitry processing the activation field to sense user activation of the switch by comparing the activation field to a threshold. The switch further includes sensitivity control circuitry learning a user sensitivity based on user activation of a sensor and controlling the sensitivity of one or more proximity switches.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining at least one dielectric property of a capacitor arrangement, and especially for capacitive examination of a moving elongated test subject such as yarn. It contains an alternating signal generator for applying an electric alternating signal to the capacitor arrangement. The capacitor arrangement is uncoupled from the alternating signal generator by means of an amplifier in such a way that it does not relevantly influence the basic frequency and the signal shape of the applied alternating signal. Detection means detect an electric measuring variable of an electric signal tapped from the capacitor arrangement. The alternating signal generator is set up in such a way that at least one of the basic frequency and the signal shape of the applied alternating signal can be changed.

Abstract: A detection circuit is provided. A detection signal corresponding to an equivalent capacitance value of a micro-electro-mechanical system is generated by an oscillator, and the equivalent capacitance value of the micro-electro-mechanical system varies with a location of the micro-electro-mechanical system.

Abstract: A multi purpose capacitive sensor suitable for indicating close proximity of a person to a surface along a large-size truck as well as along a medium-size painting or a pocket-size mobile phone is disclosed. The sensor comprises a voltage measuring device provided with a signal ground connected to a first pole of an oscillating voltage source that has a second pole connected to a signal input of the voltage measuring device. This input has a first capacitance to earth and a second capacitance to the signal ground. A third capacitance is exhibited to earth by the second pole of said voltage source. According to the invention, a prebias component is connected between the second pole of the voltage source and the signal input of the voltage measuring device.

Abstract: A system for reducing noise when detecting the capacitance value of a capacitor in a touch display that operates in a potentially noisy environment. A capacitance sensor is provided for determining the size of the capacitor in the touch screen display and includes a charging circuit that charges the capacitor and a discharge circuit that resets the charge of the capacitor to substantially zero. A control circuit controls the capacitance sensor and the operation of the charge and discharge circuits in accordance with a predetermined charging/discharging algorithm to resolve the value of the capacitor and output such value in a sampling operation. The operation of the control circuit and the charging/discharging algorithm is subject to errors as a function of the noisy environment, which errors will be reflected in the output value. A noise reduction circuit is provided to modify the operation of the control circuit to reduce noise.

Abstract: A method for measuring a capacitance using a capacitance meter. The capacitance meter includes an AC power source with a controllable frequency which is fed to a capacitor to measure its capacitance. A first measurement of the capacitance is performed by the capacitance meter using a first frequency. When the first measurement of the capacitance indicates the capacitance is below a threshold capacitance a lower capacitance measurement is performed in the capacitance meter, using a second measurement of the capacitance using a second frequency. When the first measurement of the capacitance indicates the capacitance is above a threshold capacitance, a higher capacitance measurement is performed in the capacitance meter, using a second measurement of the capacitance using a third frequency, the third frequency being lower than the second frequency.

Abstract: Better performance can be provided for a display system that has semiconductor microelectronic components such as demultiplexors, gate line and data line drivers, and pixel switches formed on the display substrate, e.g., a glass substrate that constitutes part of an active matrix display panel. A gate source capacitance of a constituent transistor of one of these microelectronic components, e.g., a pixel thin film transistor (TFT) that is part of a particular display element, may be measured using a replica component that emulates the behavior of the component.

Abstract: A sensor device is provided. The sensor device includes a sensor pad for detecting an object in a detection area by measuring the impedance variation of the sensor pad, the sensor device further including a back focus plate disposed behind the sensor pad relative to the detection area and a first surrounding focus plate arranged around the sensor pad. The sensor device includes a signal generator that drives the sensor pad and the focus plates with a first set of signals having a predetermined constant phase, frequency and voltage amplitude. The sensor device further comprises at least a second surrounding focus plate arranged around the first surrounding focus plate, the second surrounding focus plate being driven with a second set of signals that are different from the first set of signals feeding the sensor pad.

Abstract: A device and method of determining a capacitance of a device is provided, which in one embodiment includes connecting a first terminal of a capacitor having a known capacitance to the first terminal of the device, applying an AC voltage to the first terminal of the device and the first terminal of the capacitor, measuring a current through the capacitor, measuring a current through the device, determining a first voltage across the device as a function of time, computing a capacitance of the device as a function of time by multiplying the capacitance of the capacitor by the ratio of the current through the device to the current through the capacitor, determining a capacitance of the device as a function of voltage based on the capacitance as a function of time and the first voltage across the device as a function of time, and outputting data of the first capacitance of the device as a function of voltage.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor is provided that includes a sensing disc having an N-fold rotation symmetry and capacitive sensing pads arranged in an array pattern, where the array pattern has at least 4N-fold rotation symmetry, where N?2, a scale disc disposed opposite the sensing disc, where the scale disc includes a pattern of conductive pads that have a sinusoidal-shape, where the pattern of sinusoidal-shaped conductive pads produce four sinusoidal capacitance waveforms in quadrature phase with the capacitive sensing pads as the sensing disc and the scale disc are rotated relative to one another to provide angular position information. to provide angular position information. This is achieved by making the overlapping area of the of the capacitive sensing pads change in a sinusoidal fashion with rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for demodulating an input signal that includes a frequency detector for tracking a frequency of the input signal, an oscillator and a mixer is disclosed. The input signal and an output signal of the oscillator can constitute the incoming signals for the mixer and the output signal of the mixer can constitute the demodulated input signal, wherein an arithmetic unit is arranged downstream of the frequency detector and upstream of the oscillator, wherein the tracked frequency of the input signal and a predefined second frequency constitute the incoming signals of the arithmetic unit and the arithmetic unit is designed such that it computes a control signal for the oscillator from the tracked frequency of the input signal and the predefined second frequency with the output signal of the oscillator depending on the control signal.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing device including logic components and a capacitive sensor having at least one electrode, said logic components and capacitive sensor being arranged to form an oscillator, where the capacitive sensor includes a plurality of capacitive sensing electrodes, as well as a selector arranged to form an oscillator selectively from a plurality of possible oscillators, by connecting the logic components with respectively, in the case of each oscillator formed, a given combination from the plurality of electrodes of the capacitive sensor including at least an emission electrode and a reception electrode forming a capacitor formed by means of mutual electrostatic coupling.

Abstract: The present disclosure addresses methods and apparatus facilitating capacitive sensing using a conductive surface, and facilitating the sensing of proximity to the conductive surface. The sensed proximity will often be that of a user, but can be another source of a reference voltage potential. In some examples, the described systems are capable of sensing capacitance (including parasitic capacitance) in a circuit that includes the outer conductive surface, and where that outer conductive surface is at a floating electrical potential. In some systems, the systems can be switched between two operating modes, a first mode in which the system will sense proximity to the conductive surface, and a second mode in which the system will use a capacitance measurement to sense contact with the conductive surface.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor die having a surface, a plurality of proximity connectors proximate to the surface, and a circuit coupled to at least one of the plurality of proximity connectors. The semiconductor die is configured to communicate voltage-mode signals through capacitive coupling using one or more of the plurality of proximity connectors. The circuit also includes a filter with a capacitive-summing junction to equalize the signals.

Abstract: A method of detecting pressure on a touch sensing element includes providing a first potential difference to two electrodes of a first film, charging a capacitor with a division voltage of the first potential difference, sampling a charged voltage of the capacitor to obtain a plurality of first voltage values and calculating a first voltage variation according to the plurality of first voltage values, comparing the first voltage variation with a threshold value, and post-processing at least one of the first voltage values when the first voltage variation is smaller than the threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for providing electromagnetic imaging through electroquasistatic sensing contains an electromagnetic sensor for imaging a sample. The electromagnetic sensor contains drive/sense electronics and a pixelated sensor array having an array of capacitive sensor electrodes that source electric fields that interact with the sample, and wherein the electrodes are individually drivable by the drive/sense electronics in a coordinated manner to establish a desired temporal and spatial pattern in which electrical properties of the electrodes are used to generate an image. Other components of the system include a precision motion controller, sensor head and associated electronics, and a computer for performing data acquisition and signal inversion.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for measuring levels of two or more materials maintained within a storage tank using a combination of both a capacitance sensor and a time domain reflectometry (“TDR”) waveguide sensor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a combined circuit for the capacitance sensor and TDR sensor that creates a separation between the return signal from the capacitance sensor and the TDR sensor. The need for the return signal separation is due to the generation of false reflection signals from the capacitance circuitry. In a preferred embodiment, the separation in time is created by moving the capacitance false reflections further in time than the true signal returns. An alternative preferred embodiment would delay the true TDR signals passed the capacitance false reflections. Another alternative preferred embodiment would provide a substantially matched impedance of the capacitance circuit to the TDR circuit, to substantially eliminate the false reflections.

Abstract: A sensor system and an evaluation method for monitoring surroundings on a mechanical component, having at least one capacitive sensor element that is attachable on the surface of machines or machine parts, in which at least one sensor element is made up of a layered structure of flexible, electrically conductive and electrically insulating layers, electrically conductive surfaces of one layer being positioned with lateral spacing above insulating layers lying between them in such a way that electrical field lines form between the conductive surfaces, which change measurably upon approach to and/or contact with a body or object.

Abstract: A device and method of determining a capacitance of a device is provided, which in one embodiment includes connecting a first terminal of a capacitor having a known capacitance to the first terminal of the device, applying an AC voltage to the first terminal of the device and the first terminal of the capacitor, measuring a current through the capacitor, measuring a current through the device, determining a first voltage across the device as a function of time, computing a capacitance of the device as a function of time by multiplying the capacitance of the capacitor by the ratio of the current through the device to the current through the capacitor, determining a capacitance of the device as a function of voltage based on the capacitance as a function of time and the first voltage across the device as a function of time, and outputting data of the first capacitance of the device as a function of voltage.

Abstract: A resistor having a known resistance is coupled in series with a device under test (DUT) having an unknown capacitance. An ac signal source having a known fundamental frequency is coupled to drive the resistor to thereby produce a first ac signal. A phase controllable signal generator produces a second ac signal. The first and second ac signals are fed to a mixer. An output of the mixer is low pass filtered. A peak detector monitors the low pass filtered output while sweeping the phase controllable signal generator, until a peak is detected. The set phase corresponding to the detected peak is then used to obtain an estimate of the unknown DUT capacitance. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor detects an object, in particular detects a collision in the case of a movable vehicle part. The sensor has an electrode arrangement which contains at least one sensor electrode. The sensor also has an evaluation circuit which is connected downstream of the sensor electrode and is intended to process a reception signal generated in the sensor electrode. In this case, the evaluation circuit contains a transimpedance amplifier which has a device for compensating for the frequency response.

Abstract: A method for detecting capacitor variation in a device comprises operating an oscillator in the device, the oscillator being an Inductive-Capacitive (LC) oscillator and including an inductor of known value and a capacitor under test, comparing an output of the oscillator to a reference output, and evaluating variation for a plurality of capacitors in the device based on the comparing.

Abstract: Better performance can be provided for a display system that has semiconductor microelectronic components such as demultiplexors, gate line and data line drivers, and pixel switches formed on the display substrate, e.g., a glass substrate that constitutes part of an active matrix display panel. A gate source capacitance of a constituent transistor of one of these microelectronic components, e.g., a pixel thin film transistor (TFT) that is part of a particular display element, may be measured using a replica component that emulates the behavior of the component.

Abstract: A method of measuring biological sample properties and a biological sample property measuring apparatus is provided. A method of measuring biological sample properties includes disposing a biomaterial to contact a sensing unit, detecting a radio frequency (RF) signal flowing through the sensing unit, and obtaining an RF property indicator of the biomaterial based on the detected RF signal.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a switching capacitor circuit, a comparator, and a charge dissipation circuit. The switching capacitor circuit reciprocally couples a sensing capacitor in series with a modulation capacitor during a first switching phase and discharges the sensing capacitor during a second switching phase. The comparator is coupled to compare a voltage potential on the modulation capacitor to a reference and to generate a modulation signal in response. The charge dissipation circuit is coupled to the modulation capacitor to selectively discharge the modulation capacitor in response to the modulation signal.

Abstract: A capacitive touch panel can select a way of voltage control with a high degree of detection accuracy according to operating environment. In response to approach of an input unit, the stray capacitance of the sensing electrode the input unit approached increases. Accordingly, charge and discharge of the stray capacitances of a plurality of sensing electrodes are controlled, and a sensing electrode the potential change of which is made slow by the increase in stray capacitance and resultant increase in time constant is detected as a sensing electrode the input unit approached. The stray capacitance of a sensing electrode can selectively be controlled either by the charge control or by the discharge control, and optimum one of the controls is selected according to operating environment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes multiple capacitive sensing elements coupled through a filter network. The apparatus can include a control device configured to excite the capacitive sensing elements with different scanning frequencies and determine capacitances corresponding to each of the capacitive sensing elements based on sensor responses to the excitation of the capacitive sensing elements with the different scanning frequencies and a configuration of the filter network.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die comprises an electronic circuit and one or more output ports for outputting signals from the die via an external impedance, to a load, external from the die. The output port is connected to the electronic circuit. The die is further provided with an on-die sampling oscilloscope circuit connected to the output port, for measuring a waveform of the outputted signals.

Abstract: A sync signal generator for a capacitive sensor includes a charge amplifier having an input for coupling to an inactive receive line in the capacitive sensor, a first comparator having a first input for receiving a first threshold voltage, a second input coupled to an output of the charge amplifier, and an output for providing a first sync signal, and a second comparator having a first input for receiving a second threshold voltage, a second input coupled to the output of the charge amplifier, and an output for providing a second sync signal. The charge amplifier includes an operational amplifier having a feedback circuit including a capacitor and a switch. The first threshold voltage is provided by a first digital-to-analog converter, and the second threshold voltage is provided by a second digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of frequency hopping algorithms are described. One method listens to a noise level on multiple electrodes of a sense network at multiple operating frequencies. The method then selects one of the frequencies with a lowest noise level for scanning the electrodes to detect a conductive object proximate to the electrodes.