Abstract: A system that holds a liquid such as water includes an electrode coupling the system to a surface. A capacitance sensor is coupled to the electrode. A processor is coupled to the capacitance sensor. The processor is adapted to receive a signal from the capacitance sensor to determine whether the liquid is present at the surface and to send one or more indication signals if liquid is present at the surface. A response circuit coupled to the processor causes the system to take responsive action in response to receipt of an indication signal. Responsive action includes causing the system to perform a failsafe action, such as automatic shutdown. A communication circuit notifies a user that a fault has occurred in the system over a network.

Abstract: A capacitive touch pad includes an electrode board, a plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads, and a cover. The electrode board has touch sensor circuitry formed thereon. The plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads is formed in an array over the touch pad circuitry of the printed circuit board. The plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads is spaced apart by a predetermined distance to form spaces between the pads of the plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads. The cover is positioned over and covering substantially all of the plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads. The cover has a first cavity with a first depth, where the first cavity is shaped to form an air gap between the pads of the plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads to dampen capacitive coupling between adjacent touch pads.

Abstract: A system for adaptive control of an audio unit associated with a vehicle includes an electronic key fob, wherein the electronic key fob includes a sensor adapted to detect a motion event imposed on the electronic key fob by a user and a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to produce a control signal in response to the motion event. The system further includes a receiver installed in the vehicle and adapted to receive the control signal and another controller installed in the vehicle and interconnected between the receiver and the audio unit. The vehicle-based controller utilizes the control signal to adjust a volume of a sound produced by the audio unit.

Abstract: A system that holds a liquid such as water includes an electrode coupling the system to a surface. A capacitance sensor is coupled to the electrode. A processor is coupled to the capacitance sensor. The processor is adapted to receive a signal from the capacitance sensor to determine whether the liquid is present at the surface and to send one or more indication signals if liquid is present at the surface. A response circuit coupled to the processor causes the system to take responsive action in response to receipt of an indication signal. Responsive action includes causing the system to perform a failsafe action, such as automatic shutdown. A communication circuit notifies a user that a fault has occurred in the system over a network.

Abstract: Devices having adjustable polarizers and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary electronic device includes one or more sensing arrangements, a polarization arrangement including a polarizer, and a control module coupled to the one or more sensing arrangements and the polarization arrangement. The control module determines an angle for the polarizer based at least in part on output from the one or more sensing arrangements and operates the polarization arrangement to achieve the angle. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the angle corresponds to an orientation of the polarizer in a plane substantially orthogonal to a line-of-sight that is configured to result in the polarizer absorbing incident light rays emanating from the sun that are aligned with the line-of-sight.

Abstract: Devices having adjustable polarizers and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary electronic device includes one or more sensing arrangements, a polarization arrangement including a polarizer, and a control module coupled to the one or more sensing arrangements and the polarization arrangement. The control module determines an angle for the polarizer based at least in part on output from the one or more sensing arrangements and operates the polarization arrangement to achieve the angle. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the angle corresponds to an orientation of the polarizer in a plane substantially orthogonal to a line-of-sight that is configured to result in the polarizer absorbing incident light rays emanating from the sun that are aligned with the line-of-sight.

Abstract: Embodiments systems that include one or more interfaces, touch sensors, and output devices implement embodiments of methods for indicating that an interface is being touched. The interface includes a first conductive structure that forms at least a portion of an electrode. In an embodiment, the interface is configured to be coupled with an apparatus for conveying electrical signals or electricity. The touch sensor is coupled to the first conductive structure, and the touch sensor is configured to make a determination of whether or not a variable electrical characteristic of the electrode has a value that is consistent with the electrode being touched. The output device produces a human-perceptible indicia in response to a determination that the variable electrical characteristic has the value that is consistent with the electrode being touched. In an embodiment, the human-perceptible indicia includes an identity of an interface associated with the particular electrode.

Abstract: A touch pad controller includes a voltage generator and a selector circuit. The voltage generator has a plurality of output terminals, each of the plurality of output terminals for being coupled to a corresponding pad of a plurality of capacitive touch pads. The voltage generator provides a predetermined voltage to each of a plurality of touch pads in a predetermined sequence. The selector circuit has a plurality of input terminals. Each input terminal of the plurality of input terminals is coupled to an output terminal of the plurality of output terminals of the voltage generator. The selector circuit sequentially couples each output terminal of the plurality of output terminals of the voltage generator to a touch pad shield for charging the touch pad shield to the predetermined voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatus for performing capacitive touch sensing and proximity detection. Electrode selection circuitry establishes a first connection with an individual electrode of a plurality of individual electrodes in order to receive one or more first signals indicating a state of the individual electrode, and establishes second connections with a proximity electrode that comprises multiple ones of the plurality of individual electrodes in order to receive one or more second signals indicating a state of the proximity electrode. A processing system performs a first analysis on the first signals to determine whether to perform a first updating process for an individual electrode baseline value, and performs a second analysis on the second signals to determine whether to perform a second updating process for a proximity electrode baseline value. In an embodiment, the first analysis and the second analysis are different from each other.

Abstract: Embodiments include capacitive touch sensors and methods for configuring capacitive touch sensors. A capacitive touch sensor embodiment includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a controller. The ADC receives an analog voltage signal from an electrode, and samples the analog voltage signal to produce a plurality of digital values. The controller performs a first charging process by supplying the electrode with a first charging current for a first charging interval, and the controller determines, based on the digital values, whether a first electrode voltage value meets a criteria. If not, the controller performs a configuration process that results in setting a second charging current and a second charging interval for the electrode which, in response to performing a second charging process, results in a second electrode voltage value that meets the criteria.

Abstract: A touch pad controller includes a voltage generator and a selector circuit. The voltage generator has a plurality of output terminals, each of the plurality of output terminals for being coupled to a corresponding pad of a plurality of capacitive touch pads. The voltage generator provides a predetermined voltage to each of a plurality of touch pads in a predetermined sequence. The selector circuit has a plurality of input terminals. Each input terminal of the plurality of input terminals is coupled to an output terminal of the plurality of output terminals of the voltage generator. The selector circuit sequentially couples each output terminal of the plurality of output terminals of the voltage generator to a touch pad shield for charging the touch pad shield to the predetermined voltage.

Abstract: The electrical equivalent of a relatively large area proximity detection capability is provided in a space limited electronic device (20, 30) with many individual input electrodes (24, 34, 44) by dynamically coupling parallel groups of the individual electrodes (24, 34, 44) and applying a proximity and/or contact test thereto. The parallel grouped electrodes act like a single large electrode and permit proximity detection at greater distances and with greater sensitivity. A multiplexer (74) automatically couples individual input electrodes (23, 24, 44) and then parallel grouped electrodes to the proximity (or contact) sensor(s) (46, 66), so that they are scanned and sensed individually and collectively in a time less than human reaction time, whereby the proximity sense function appears as if provided by a separate large area electrode. Proximity spatial detection accuracy is increased by using some of the electrodes (24, 34, 44) as driven shields to remove positional ambiguity.

Abstract: A capacitive touch pad includes an electrode board, a plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads, and a cover. The electrode board has touch sensor circuitry formed thereon. The plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads is formed in an array over the touch pad circuitry of the printed circuit board. The plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads is spaced apart by a predetermined distance to form spaces between the pads of the plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads. The cover is positioned over and covering substantially all of the plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads. The cover has a first cavity with a first depth, where the first cavity is shaped to form an air gap between the pads of the plurality of capacitive touch sensor pads to dampen capacitive coupling between adjacent touch pads.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatus for performing capacitive touch sensing and proximity detection. Electrode selection circuitry establishes a first connection with an individual electrode of a plurality of individual electrodes in order to receive one or more first signals indicating a state of the individual electrode, and establishes second connections with a proximity electrode that comprises multiple ones of the plurality of individual electrodes in order to receive one or more second signals indicating a state of the proximity electrode. A processing system performs a first analysis on the first signals to determine whether to perform a first updating process for an individual electrode baseline value, and performs a second analysis on the second signals to determine whether to perform a second updating process for a proximity electrode baseline value. In an embodiment, the first analysis and the second analysis are different from each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering power from a first energy source to a second energy source. An electrical system for delivering power from a first energy source to a second energy source comprises an interface configured to be coupled to the second energy source, a switching element coupled between the first energy source and the interface, and a processing system coupled to the switching element and the interface. The processing system is configured to identify a connection event based on an electrical characteristic of the interface that is indicative of the interface being coupled to the second energy source and operate the switching element to provide a path for current from the first energy source in response to identifying the connection event.

Abstract: Embodiments include capacitive touch sensors and methods for configuring capacitive touch sensors. A capacitive touch sensor embodiment includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a controller. The ADC receives an analog voltage signal from an electrode, and samples the analog voltage signal to produce a plurality of digital values. The controller performs a first charging process by supplying the electrode with a first charging current for a first charging interval, and the controller determines, based on the digital values, whether a first electrode voltage value meets a criteria. If not, the controller performs a configuration process that results in setting a second charging current and a second charging interval for the electrode which, in response to performing a second charging process, results in a second electrode voltage value that meets the criteria.

Abstract: The electrical equivalent of a relatively large area proximity detection capability is provided in a space limited electronic device (20, 30) with many individual input electrodes (24, 34, 44) by dynamically coupling parallel groups of the individual electrodes (24, 34, 44) and applying a proximity and/or contact test thereto. The parallel grouped electrodes act like a single large electrode and permit proximity detection at greater distances and with greater sensitivity. A multiplexer (74) automatically couples individual input electrodes (23, 24, 44) and then parallel grouped electrodes to the proximity (or contact) sensor(s) (46, 66), so that they are scanned and sensed individually and collectively in a time less than human reaction time, whereby the proximity sense function appear as if provided by a separate large area electrode. Proximity spatial detection accuracy is increased by using some of the electrodes (24, 34, 44) as driven shields to remove positional ambiguity.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor device (10) includes a liquid level sensor element (14), a capacitance-to-voltage converter (16), and a controller (18). The liquid level sensor element (14) comprises (i) at least two sets of N conductive electrodes (22) and (ii) M sense lines (S1-S7), where M is greater than or equal to N within each set of the at least two sets of conductive electrodes. Each of the M sense lines couples to select ones of the N conductive electrodes of the at least two sets of conductive electrodes to form a number of L sets of parallel coupled conductive electrodes, where L equals M. The capacitance-to-voltage converter (16) periodically measures a capacitance of the L sets of parallel coupled conductive electrodes for each of the M sense lines. The controller (18) establishes initial measured baseline capacitance values for each of the L sets of parallel coupled conductive electrodes and an initial liquid level height value.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor device (10) includes a liquid level sensor element (14), a capacitance-to-voltage converter (16), and a controller (18). The liquid level sensor element (14) comprises (i) at least two sets of N conductive electrodes (22) and (ii) M sense lines (S1-S7), where M is greater than or equal to N within each set of the at least two sets of conductive electrodes. Each of the M sense lines couples to select ones of the N conductive electrodes of the at least two sets of conductive electrodes to form a number of L sets of parallel coupled conductive electrodes, where L equals M. The capacitance-to-voltage converter (16) periodically measures a capacitance of the L sets of parallel coupled conductive electrodes for each of the M sense lines. The controller (18) establishes initial measured baseline capacitance values for each of the L sets of parallel coupled conductive electrodes and an initial liquid level height value.