Abstract: An appliance includes: at least one measurement electrode, for detecting at least one object in a detection zone, by detecting a signal with respect to a coupling capacitance between the object and said the at least one measurement electrode; at least one capacitive detection electronics, connected to the at least one measurement electrode, and an electric line, having at least one electric wire, in the detection zone; the appliance also including a signal conditioner, applying to at least a portion of the electric line, an alternating electrical potential (VG), called guard potential, identical to the detection potential at the detection frequency. The appliance can be a robot, in particular a robotized arm, equipped with an electric line providing a power supply to a component part of the robot.

Abstract: A device for detecting an object with respect to a detection surface including at least one measurement electrode and at least one guard electrode separated by a distance (D) that is elastically modifiable locally by a load exerted by the object on the detection surface; and structure for electrical polarization of the electrodes (V, E) arranged in order to: (i) apply to the measurement and guard electrodes one and the same first alternating electrical potential (Vg) so as to measure a first signal relating to an electrode-object capacitance (Ceo); and (ii) apply between the measurement and guard electrodes an alternating electrical potential difference (V1), so as to measure a second electrical signal relating to an electrode-guard capacitance (Ceg). A detection method utilizing the present detection device is also provided.

Abstract: A robot includes a body on which is mounted a functional head also including a capacitive detector, including: at least one electrical insulator in order to electrically insulate the functional head; at least one apparatus for electrically polarizing the functional head at a first alternating electrical potential (Vg), different from a ground potential; at least one guard polarized at an alternating guard potential (VG) identical to the first alternating electrical potential; and at least one electronics, called detection electronics, for measuring a signal relating to a coupling capacitance, called electrode-object capacitance, between the sensitive part and a surrounding object.

Abstract: A device for the detection of objects for a robot, provided for equipping said robot, including: at least one sensor, called approach sensor, implementing a first detection technology for detecting a neighbouring object; and at least one sensor, called proximity sensor, implementing a second detection technology for detecting a neighbouring object, different from said the first technology, and having a range less than that of the at least one approach sensor. A robot equipped with such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) for a portable user apparatus (102), including a portion (104) which can be folded over the user apparatus (102), said foldable portion (104) including at least two detection layers, each kept at a reserve potential and including at least one capacitive detection electrode: a first of said layers being arranged to carry out a function of capacitive detection of at least one control object located on one side of said foldable portion (104); a second of said layers being arranged so as to carry out a function of capacitive detection of at least one control object located on the other side of said foldable portion (104), with a view to triggering a function in the user apparatus (102). The invention also relates to an apparatus (10) provided with such an accessory device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device or apparatus comprising a touch surface provided with first capacitive measurement electrodes (21), a fingerprint sensor (14) provided with second capacitive measurement electrodes (22) distinct from the first electrodes (21), capacitive electronic detection means (20) arranged so as to allow the detection of control objects (11) in a neighborhood of the first electrodes (21) by measuring a capacitive coupling between said first measurement electrodes (21) and said control objects (11) wherein said capacitive electronic detection means (20) comprise inputs electrically connected simultaneously to at least one first measurement electrode (21) and at least one second measurement electrode (22).

Abstract: A casing element for a robot, the casing element including: at least one capacitive electrode, termed a measurement electrode, intended to be biased to a first AC electric potential that is different from a ground potential, at a working frequency; at least one electrode, termed a guard electrode, arranged beneath the at least one measurement electrode and intended to be biased to an AC electric potential, termed the guard potential, that is identical or substantially identical to the first potential at the working frequency; and —at least one dielectric layer, termed a central dielectric layer, arranged between the at least one measurement electrode and the at least one guard electrode. A robot is also provided with at least such a casing element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device intended to be worn secured to a part of the human body, comprising a case (11) provided with a display zone (13), a wristband (12), and a control interface with capacitive measuring electrodes (14, 15, 16) arranged to detect control objects, said control interface being arranged so as to allow the detection of control objects (21) in contact with or across from (i) a detection zone superimposed on the display zone (13), (ii) at least one other detection zone (17, 18, 23) outside said display zone (13). The invention also relates to a method implemented in this device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for interacting with an electronic and/or computer device comprising a command interface provided with capacitive sensors disposed in order to detect command objects, where said process comprises steps of: (i) searching (40) for objects described as contact in contact with the command interface surface; (ii) searching (41) for objects described as hovering at a distance from said command interface; and (iii) executing a command described as combined (43) when at least one contact object is present in at least one predefined contact area and at least one hovering object is present in at least one predefined hovering area, where said combined command (43) takes into consideration at least some information concerning said at least one hovering object. The invention also relates to a command interface and a device implementing the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) for a portable user apparatus (102), including a portion (104) which can be folded over the user apparatus (102), said foldable portion (104) including at least two detection layers, each kept at a reserve potential and including at least one capacitive detection electrode: a first of said layers being arranged to carry out a function of capacitive detection of at least one control object located on one side of said foldable portion (104); a second of said layers being arranged so as to carry out a function of capacitive detection of at least one control object located on the other side of said foldable portion (104), with a view to triggering a function in the user apparatus (102). The invention also relates to an apparatus (10) provided with such an accessory device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a robot including capacitive detection electrodes, at least one means of electrical polarization for polarizing the measurement electrodes at a first alternating electrical potential different from a general ground potential (MG), at a frequency, called working frequency. The robot is characterized in that, for at least one sub-part, called fitted-out the outer wall of which is at least partially non-electrically conductive, said at least one polarization means is also arranged in order to electrically guard the electrical items of said fitted-out sub-part at an alternating electrical potential (VG), called guard potential, identical or substantially identical to said first potential, at said working frequency.

Abstract: A detection device including: a measurement electrode, and a second electrode separated from one another by a distance (D) that is elastically modifiable locally, by a load exerted by an object on a detection surface, and a controller arranged in order to: connect the electrodes to an alternating guard potential (Vg) in order to measure a capacitance representing an approach and a contact; and connect the second electrode to a second potential a second potential proportional to the guard potential (Vg) and having a different amplitude, or to the ground potential (G), in order to measure a capacitance representing a pressure. Also provided is a detection method utilizing such a detection device.

Abstract: A device for the detection of objects for a robot, provided for equipping said robot, including: at least one sensor, called approach sensor, implementing a first detection technology for detecting a neighbouring object; and at least one sensor, called proximity sensor, implementing a second detection technology for detecting a neighbouring object, different from said the first technology, and having a range less than that of the at least one approach sensor. A robot equipped with such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A robot including: for at least one sub-part, at least one measurement electrode, at least one type of electrical polarization for polarizing the at least one measurement electrode at a first alternating electrical potential, and the at least one polarization type is also arranged in order to polarize at least one electrically conductive part of the outer wall of at least one sub-part, at an alternating electrical potential (VG), called guard potential, identical or substantially identical to the first potential, at a working frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a robot including capacitive detection electrodes, at least one means of electrical polarization for polarizing the measurement electrodes at a first alternating electrical potential different from a general ground potential (MG), at a frequency, called working frequency. The robot is characterized in that, for at least one sub-part, called fitted-out the outer wall of which is at least partially non-electrically conductive, said at least one polarization means is also arranged in order to electrically guard the electrical items of said fitted-out sub-part at an alternating electrical potential (VG), called guard potential, identical or substantially identical to said first potential, at said working frequency.

Abstract: A method is provided for capacitive detection, implementing a plurality of electrodes capable of allowing the detection of objects in their proximity by capacitive coupling, and including a step of simultaneous polarization of at least a part of the electrodes with different excitation potentials, the excitation potentials being generated with respect to a reference potential such that the scalar product over a predetermined duration of at least two of these excitation potentials is zero or very much less than the scalar product of one and/or the other of these excitation potentials with itself over the predetermined duration. A device and an appliance implementing the method are also provided.

Abstract: A method and device for generating a power supply voltage, referenced to a first reference potential, in an electronic system including an energizing source connected to the first and second reference potentials so as to impart an AC voltage differential between the reference potentials, wherein the device includes: (i) a source for supplying AC voltage, which is referenced to the second reference potential, connected to the first reference potential, and encompasses the energizing source; and (ii) rectifying and filtering elements connected, at the input thereof, to the first reference potential and to the source for supplying AC voltage, respectively, so as to generate, at an output, a power supply voltage (Vf) referenced to the first reference potential by rectifying a voltage at the terminals of the source for supplying AC voltage.

Abstract: A method is provided for selecting controls, which implement a control interface, a display, and at least one sensor capable of detecting at least one control, object, including a step (i) of obtaining information on the distance between the control object(s) and the control interface using the sensor(s), and a step (ii) of displaying, on the display, at least one symbol representing a control or set of controls according to a display mode, wherein the method further includes a step of using the distance information to determine the display mode of the symbol(s). A device is also provided for implementing the method and to an apparatus.

Abstract: A device for detecting an object with respect to a detection surface including: a measurement electrode; at least one guard electrode, at the same alternating potential as the measurement electrode; at least one module for measuring a first signal with respect to the capacitance (Ceo), called electrode-object capacitance, formed between said measurement electrode and said object; and at least one electrode, called polarization electrode, placed opposite the object, and polarized at the ground potential (G) so as to polarize the object by capacitive coupling.

Abstract: A detection device including: a measurement electrode, and a second electrode separated from one another by a distance (D) that is elastically modifiable locally, by a load exerted by an object on a detection surface, and a controller arranged in order to: connect the electrodes to an alternating guard potential (Vg) in order to measure a capacitance representing an approach and a contact; and connect the second electrode to a second potential a second potential proportional to the guard potential (Vg) and having a different amplitude, or to the ground potential (G), in order to measure a capacitance representing a pressure. Also provided is a detection method utilizing such a detection device.