Abstract: A system and method for providing a fluid flow strain gauge that may be mounted inside a pipe and connected to a base unit that uses capacitive or resistive technology to determine a direction and a rate of flow of a fluid through the pipe by measuring the force applied to the strain gauge by the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a fluid flow strain gauge that may be mounted inside a pipe and connected to a base unit that uses capacitive or resistive technology to determine a direction and a rate of flow of a fluid through the pipe by measuring the force applied to the strain gauge by the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A capacitance sensitive proximity and touch-sensitive detection device having an XY electrode grid sensor, wherein a compensation matrix is created when the capacitance sensitive touchpad is installed within a PIN Entry Device (PED), wherein the compensation matrix enables the capacitance sensitive touchpad to compensate and be balanced for the operating environment of the PED, and wherein physical keys of a keypad can be also be individually identified as an actuated key by using a unique “key profile” for each key, and wherein the insertion of a foreign conductive and/or dielectric material such as an intruding sensor in proximity of the XY electrode grid sensor of the touchpad will cause an imbalance in the electrodes on the capacitance sensitive proximity and touch-sensitive detection device, thereby alerting detection circuitry that tampering has occurred with the PED.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a touch sensor disposed in a vehicle, wherein the touch sensor may be a portable device that is removable from the vehicle such as a tablet computer or it may be a built-in device, wherein the touch sensor may store account information in a secure element in order to make a secure payment by wirelessly communicating with a merchant terminal from within the vehicle in order to make a financial transaction without giving a physical credit or debit card to the merchant.

Abstract: A capacitance sensitive touchpad having a ground electrode disposed on top of but not in electrical contact with an XY grid of electrodes, wherein a plurality of mechanical keys are disposed above but not in electrical contact with the ground electrode, wherein each of the plurality of mechanical keys includes a conductive material generally disposed on an underside that makes contact with the ground electrode when any of the plurality of keys are pressed in order to indicate actuation, wherein a signal generated by the conductive material that is in electrical contact with the ground electrode is amplified by the ground electrode and therefore detectable by the XY grid of electrodes disposed underneath the ground electrode.

Abstract: A capacitance sensitive proximity and touch-sensitive detection device having an XY electrode grid sensor, wherein a compensation matrix is created when the capacitance sensitive touchpad is installed within a PIN Entry Device (PED), wherein the compensation matrix enables the capacitance sensitive touchpad to compensate and be balanced for the operating environment of the PED, and wherein physical keys of a keypad can be also be individually identified as an actuated key by using a unique “key profile” for each key, and wherein the insertion of a foreign conductive and/or dielectric material such as an intruding sensor in proximity of the XY electrode grid sensor of the touchpad will cause an imbalance in the electrodes on the capacitance sensitive proximity and touch-sensitive detection device, thereby alerting detection circuitry that tampering has occurred with the PED.

Abstract: A contactless smart card reader that is integrated into the hardware of a touchpad, wherein the circuit board substrate of the touchpad provides a mechanical substrate on which the hardware of the contactless smart card reader can be disposed, and wherein the touchpad is already widely distributed in other electronic appliances, and as a stand-alone device.