Abstract: A capacitive measurement device including first measurement device designed to carry out a first measurement function in relation to a nearby object, the first measurement device including a body and, a capacity electrode, both of a substantially conductive material, and a guard electrode placed between the body and the capacitive electrode and insulated from the body on the one hand and from the capacitive electrode on the other hand by dielectric elements; an excitation apparatus which maintains the capacitive electrode and the guard electrode to a desired AC electrical potential; a first electronic apparatus, connected to the capacitive and guard electrodes, for measuring the capacitance between the capacitive electrode and the object; and a second measurement device designed to carry out a second measurement function, which are located in the vicinity of either the capacitive or guard electrode, and maintained by the excitation apparatus to a desired AC electrical potential.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating an alternating voltage difference between a first and second reference potential. The device comprises: an oscillator electrically referenced to the first reference potential; and a voltage follower/amplifier device electrically referenced to the second reference potential and having an input connected to the oscillator and an output connected to the first reference potential such that it can impose an alternating voltage difference, which depends on the signal generated by the oscillator, between said first and second reference potentials. The invention also relates to a system that uses the device and to a method for generating an alternating voltage difference between a first and second reference potential.

Abstract: A capacitive measurement device is provided, including: (i) a first electronic system electrically referenced to a guard potential and connectable to capacitive electrodes; (ii) a second electronic system electrically referenced to a ground potential; and (iii) an energizing component connected to the guard and ground potentials, respectively, to impart an AC voltage differential between the potentials. The device also includes an integrated circuit that is referenced to the ground and includes a first installation area in which the first electronic system is implemented, and a second installation area in which the second electronic system is implemented. Also included are systems using the device and uses of the device.

Abstract: A method and device for generating a power supply voltage (Vf), referenced to a first reference potential (4), in an electronic system including an energizing source (3) connected to the first and second reference potentials (4, 5) so as to impart an AC voltage differential between the reference potentials (4, 5), wherein the device includes: (i) a source (10) for supplying AC voltage, which is referenced to the second reference potential (5), connected to the first reference potential (4), and encompasses the energizing source (3); and (ii) rectifying and filtering elements (1) connected, at the input thereof, to the first reference potential (4) and to the source (10) for supplying AC voltage, respectively, so as to generate, at an output (8), a power supply voltage (Vf) referenced to the first reference potential (4) by rectifying a voltage at the terminals of the source (10) for supplying AC voltage.

Abstract: A capacitive detection control interface device is provided, including at least one measurement electrode including an active surface, a guard made from an electrically conductive material placed adjacent to the measurement electrodes, the guard is excited up to an alternating electric potential substantially identical to that of the measurement electrodes, a first electronic component for exciting the electrodes and processing the measurement signals from the capacitive coupling of the electrodes with an object laced adjacent thereto, the electronic component is at least partly referenced to the electric potential of the guard, and a second electronic component for performing another functional display, placed adjacent to the active surface which second electronic component is at least partly referenced to the electric potential of the guard.

Abstract: A method is provided for selecting controls, which implements 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 method and device is provided for control interface sensitive to a movement of a body or of an object and the control equipment integrating this device, in particular gestural and/or tactile and/or vocal, sensitive to a movement of at least one part of a body or of an object within a detection space, including a detection surface, at least one capacitive sensor, having a measurement electrode, a guard made of electrically conducting material disposed in proximity to the measurement electrodes, and electronic apparatus for processing the signals emanating from the at least one capacitive sensor. The active surfaces of the measurement electrodes are independent of one another, and an electronic device for excitation and processing interrogate these measurement electrodes independently of one another.

Abstract: A capacitive measurement device includes: at least one measurement electrode having an active surface; at least one guard made from an electrically conductive material placed adjacent to the measurement electrode(s), the guard being excited up to an alternating electric potential substantially identical to that of the measurement electrodes; and a first electronic device for exciting the electrode(s) and processing the measurement signals from the capacitive coupling of the electrode(s) to an object placed adjacent thereto, the electronic device being at least partially referenced to the electric potential of the guard. The measurement device further includes apparatus for performing another function, placed adjacent to the active surface, and a second electronic device provided for monitoring the apparatus for performing another function, the second electronic device being at least partially referenced to the electric potential of the guard.

Abstract: A capacitive measurement device including first measurement device designed to carry out a first measurement function in relation to a nearby object, the first measurement device including a body and, a capacity electrode, both of a substantially conductive material, and a guard electrode placed between the body and the capacitive electrode and insulated from the body on the one hand and from the capacitive electrode on the other hand by dielectric elements; an excitation apparatus which maintains the capacitive electrode and the guard electrode to a desired AC electrical potential; a first electronic apparatus, connected to the capacitive and guard electrodes, for measuring the capacitance between the capacitive electrode and the object; and a second measurement device designed to carry out a second measurement function, which are located in the vicinity of either the capacitive or guard electrode, and maintained by the excitation apparatus to a desired AC electrical potential.

Abstract: A non-contact measurement method for a relative displacement or relative positioning of a first object relative to a second object, in which: at least one transmitting coil, placed on the first object, is excited by an alternating excitation signal, at least one alternating electronic output signal, generated by mutual inductance in at least one receiving coil, is detected; the at least one receiving coil being placed on the second object and in a magnetic field created by the at least one transmitting coil, and the relative displacement of the first object is determined relative to the second object using the at least one alternating electric output signal generated on the at least one receiving coil.

Abstract: A device for capacitive measurement by a floating bridge, including: a sensor module including at least one measuring electrode and at least one guard electrode arranged close to a target connected to a general earth, at least one integrated circuit for capacitive measurement, provided with a guard to which the guard electrode is connected, having an input connected to the measuring electrode, a guard connected to the reference earth of the integrated circuit, an excitation output connected to the general earth, a measurement output, and structure for supplying the integrated circuit for capacitive measurement in floating mode.

Abstract: A proximity detector employs a capacitive sensor, having: at least one detection antenna including numerous capacitive proximity sensors which each include a measuring electrode, the antenna being positioned close to an object or body; electronic elements for exciting the electrodes and processing the distance measurement signals originating from the capacitive sensors; and digital elements of controlling the electronic elements and of calculating the distances between the electrodes and the body or object using the processed measurement signals. The detection antenna also contains a single guard for all of the measuring electrodes. Moreover, the electronic elements have, for each detection antenna, a floating or floating excitation capacitive bridge which co-operates with polling elements in order sequentially to measure the respective capacitances between each electrode and the object or body to be measured.

Abstract: A non-contact measurement method for a relative displacement or relative positioning of a first object relative to a second object, in which: at least one transmitting coil, placed on the first object, is excited by an alternating excitation signal, at least one alternating electronic output signal, generated by mutual inductance in at least one receiving coil, is detected; the at least one receiving coil being placed on the second object and in a magnetic field created by the at least one transmitting coil, and the relative displacement of the first object is determined relative to the second object using the at least one alternating electric output signal generated on the at least one receiving coil.

Abstract: A device for capacitive measurement by a floating bridge, including: a sensor module including at least one measuring electrode and at least one guard electrode arranged close to a target connected to a general earth, at least one integrated circuit for capacitive measurement, provided with a guard to which the guard electrode is connected, having an input connected to the measuring electrode, a guard connected to the reference earth of the integrated circuit, an excitation output connected to the general earth, a measurement output, and structure for supplying the integrated circuit for capacitive measurement in floating mode.

Abstract: A proximity detector employs a capacitive sensor, having: at least one detection antenna including numerous capacitive proximity sensors which each include a measuring electrode, the antenna being positioned close to an object or body; electronic elements for exciting the electrodes and processing the distance measurement signals originating from the capacitive sensors; and digital elements of controlling the electronic elements and of calculating the distances between the electrodes and the body or object using the processed measurement signals. The detection antenna also contains a single guard for all of the measuring electrodes. Moreover, the electronic elements have, for each detection antenna, a floating or floating excitation capacitive bridge which co-operates with polling elements in order sequentially to measure the respective capacitances between each electrode and the object or body to be measured.

Abstract: A system (S?) for non-contact measurement of a relative displacement or relative position of a first object relative to a second object, has: a sensor module including a transmitter plate fixed to the first object and a receiver plate connected to the second object, arranged substantially facing each other and provided with respectively transmitting and receiving electrodes; and an electronic module designed to apply on the transmitting electrodes high-frequency excitation signals, and to process measurement signals derived from the receiving electrodes. The transmitting and receiving electrodes are designed to constitute a first variable capacitance based on the relative misalignment of the plates. The electronic module is designed to perform an analog calculation of a first signal representing the inverted capacitance and of a second signal representing the ratio of the second capacitance over the first capacitance. The invention is in particular useful for controlling segmented mirrors in large telescopes.