Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a capacitive sensor. The methods and apparatus may provide a pair of capacitive sensors formed along at least one plane of a container to create dual sensing fields. The capacitive sensor provides a first electrode affixed to the container and extending from a lower portion of the container to an upper portion of the container, a second electrode affixed to an upper portion of the container, and a third electrode affixed to a lower portion of the container and spaced a predetermined distance apart from the second electrode.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a touch sensor is disclosed. The touch sensor includes a first electroconductive pattern including at least two electrodes. The touch sensor further includes a second electroconductive pattern configured to mask a portion of the first electroconductive pattern when positioned over or under the first electroconductive pattern. The second electroconductive pattern masks the portion of the first electroconductive pattern such that an unmasked portion of the first electroconductive pattern includes unmasked portions of the at least two electrodes. The unmasked portions are of approximately equal length.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for increased sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor. The method and apparatus may comprise a sense electrode and a drive electrode configured to create at least one inflection point corresponding to an increase or decrease in rate of change of capacitance within one or more sensing regions of the electrical field of the capacitive sensor. In alternative embodiments, the sense electrode may be configured to create multiple zones that may be used to indicate a desired signal such an upcoming replacement period and a replace now period.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for increased sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor. The method and apparatus may comprise a sense electrode and a drive electrode configured to create at least one inflection point corresponding to an increase or decrease in rate of change of capacitance within one or more sensing regions of the electrical field of the capacitive sensor. In alternative embodiments, the sense electrode may be configured to create multiple zones that may be used to indicate a desired signal such an upcoming replacement period and a replace now period.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a capacitive sensor configured to detect rain. The capacitive sensor may be integrated within an interior surface of a laminated glass structure comprising an adhesive interlayer disposed between two glass layers. The capacitive sensor electrodes may be arranged in a variety of configurations between the two glass layers. The capacitive sensor may be used with a printed circuit board that is configured to electrically couple to the capacitive sensor electrodes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and system for a capacitive touch sensor. The system is configured to measure a capacitance of a capacitive sensor element and generate a corresponding voltage using a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit may include an amplifier configured to generate a plurality of amplified voltages by applying a set of gain values to the voltage. The sensing circuit may further analyze a set of values according to the plurality of the amplified voltages.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a capacitive sensor configured to detect rain. The capacitive sensor may provide a reception electrode in communication with a drive electrode to form an electric field and a ground electrode surrounding the reception and drive electrodes. The ground electrode may couple the rain to a ground potential resulting in a decrease in the capacitance of the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a touch sensor. The touch sensor may include a plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains and a plurality of vertically-positioned electrode chains overlapping the plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains. Each electrode chain from the plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains and the plurality of vertically-positioned electrode chains may operate as a drive electrode and a reception electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a touch sensor. The touch sensor may include a plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains and a plurality of vertically-positioned electrode chains overlapping the plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains. Each electrode chain from the plurality of horizontally-positioned electrode chains and the plurality of vertically-positioned electrode chains may operate as a drive electrode and a reception electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a capacitive sensor. The methods and apparatus may provide a capacitive sensor formed along multiple planes of a container to create a sensing field. The capacitive sensor provides a first electrode affixed to the container and extending from a horizontal bottom plate of the container to a vertical side plate of the container and a second electrode affixed to the vertical side plate of the container and spaced apart from the first electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and system for a capacitive touch sensor. The system is configured to measure a capacitance of a capacitive sensor element and generate a corresponding voltage using a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit may include an amplifier configured to generate a plurality of amplified voltages by applying a set of gain values to the voltage. The sensing circuit may further analyze a set of values according to the plurality of the amplified voltages.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a capacitive sensor configured to detect rain. The capacitive sensor may provide a reception electrode in communication with a drive electrode to form an electric field and a ground electrode surrounding the reception and drive electrodes. The ground electrode may couple the rain to a ground potential resulting in a decrease in the capacitance of the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and system for a touch sensor. The system may provide a sensing circuit connected to a touch sensor comprising a plurality of capacitive sense elements. The sensing circuit detects changes in the touch sensor and interprets whether the change represents a touch event or a non-touch event.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a capacitive sensor configured to detect rain. The capacitive sensor may be integrated within an interior surface of a laminated glass structure comprising an adhesive interlayer disposed between two glass layers. The capacitive sensor electrodes may be arranged in a variety of configurations between the two glass layers. The capacitive sensor may be used with a printed circuit board that is configured to electrically couple to the capacitive sensor electrodes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for a touch sensor. The capacitive touch sensor may comprise a plurality of drive electrodes and a reception electrode, wherein two capacitors are formed. Under various conditions, the capacitive touch sensor may be configured to trigger a touch event in the presence of a human finger and trigger a non-touch event in the presence of water.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a capacitive pressure sensor configured to detect firm pressure to a sensing surface. The capacitive pressure sensor may include a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein at least one of the first and second substrate is configured to deform when firm pressure is applied. The deformation of the sensor may either create a gap between the substrates or eliminate a gap between the substrates. The deformation may be interpreted as firm pressure to the sensing surface.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method for detecting a liquid level includes providing a container (402) having a cavity, and disposing a sensor (102) in the cavity of the container (402), such that a ground pattern (310) on a first surface of the sensor (102) is positioned to contact a liquid in the cavity. A first electrode (104) and a second electrode (106) are located on a second surface of the sensor (102). The sensor (102) is coupled to a sensor input and a sensor driver. A cable coupling the sensor (102) to a touch sensor (116) comprises a shield line (112, 114) that is coupled to ground.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for detecting a fluid level, includes providing a fluid container having a cavity and coupling a first sensor to the fluid container, the first sensor protected from a fluid in the cavity and positioned at a first vertical level of the fluid container. The method further includes causing movement of either the first sensor or the fluid container. The first sensor is used to detect the fluid level upon causing the movement of either the first sensor or the fluid container.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for a 3-dimensional capacitive sensor. The method and apparatus may comprise a sensing element formed along multiple planes to create a sensing field. The capacitive sensor comprises two sensing planes in communication with each other. Each sensing plane may comprise a multi-operation electrode, where the multi-operation electrode is configured to operate as a transmission electrode and a reception electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for a touch sensor. The capacitive touch sensor may comprise a plurality of drive electrodes and a reception electrode, wherein two capacitors are formed. Under various conditions, the capacitive touch sensor may be configured to trigger a touch event in the presence of a human finger and trigger a non-touch event in the presence of water.