Abstract: To eliminate measurement errors, such as “offset voltages” in sensors of the inductive type by modifying the architecture of the assembly of elements used for signal processing, the architecture of the apparatuses processing the signal from the secondary windings is modified as follows: the amplifiers of this sensor are placed between the low-pass filters and the output terminals of the sensor, the voltages from the two secondary windings pass into an RC filter including a resistor and a capacitor, the voltage from each of the secondary windings passes into two multiplexers, one of which allows only the positive half-cycle to pass through, the other being wired so as to allow only the negative half-cycle to pass through, and the unused outputs of these multiplexers are connected to the common point between the secondary windings, low-pass filters are placed between each of the multiplexers and the amplifiers.

Abstract: A method for measuring a magnetic field via a Hall cross (12) including two orthogonal branches (120, 122), in which, for a given state of the Hall cross, a polarization current is made to flow in one of the branches of the Hall cross, referred to as the “polarization branch”, and a voltage is measured in the other branch, referred to as the “measurement branch”, the measured voltage including a useful signal representing the magnetic field, the method including the modulation of the useful signal via a switching sequence consisting in placing the Hall cross in Nb successive states, and the demodulation of the useful signal. The switching sequence is furthermore chosen in such a way that a measurement bias and interference pulses are zero-mean after demodulation. A switching Hall-effect sensor (10) is also described.

Abstract: Method for determining spurious contacts on a contact detection sensor for a handle of an automobile door, the sensor defining a locking area and being connected to an onboard electronic locking and unlocking system, includes: a) detecting a contact on the locking area when, for an engagement time of the locking mechanism, the number of charge transfers from the sensor is less than a threshold number of charge transfers, b) evaluating the number of charge transfers, starting from the time of the minimum value of the number of measured charge transfers and for an evaluation time in order to distinguish detections of contacts made by the user from detections of spurious contacts, c) if the contact detections are spurious, matching the threshold number of charge transfers in order to be able to detect any next contact originating from the user on the locking area in the presence of spurious contacts.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of a user for the unlocking of an access point to a motor vehicle, includes a first generator of a first supply voltage, a detection capacitor adapted to be charged on account of the presence of a user, and a storage capacitor defining at the terminals thereof a storage voltage. The device also includes an intermediate capacitor, elements for charging the detection capacitor from the first supply voltage and the storage voltage, elements for discharging the detection capacitor into the intermediate capacitor, elements for charging the storage capacitor, the elements being configured so that the charge of the storage capacitor is equal to the charge of the intermediate capacitor, and elements for detecting the presence of a user for the unlocking of an access point to the motor vehicle on the basis of the charge of the storage capacitor.

Abstract: A device (D?) for detecting the presence of a user includes: an electrode (12?), electrode control elements (13), and a low frequency antenna (11). The electrode (12?) is formed by a plurality of structural units (MA . . . MI), each structural unit (MA . . . MI) including: a conductive segment (A . . . I) defined by dimensions (Lx, lx, ex) and electrically connected at least to a conductive connection (CXY) defined by a position of connection with respect to the conductive segment (A . . . I). The structural units (MA . . . MI) are electrically interconnected by the conductive connections (CXY). At least two consecutive structural units (MA . . . MI) differ by: the dimensions (Lx, lx, ex) of the conductive segment (A . . . I) and/or the position of the conductive connection (CXY).

Abstract: A device for measuring a variation (?CX) of a capacitance (CX), includes: elements for charging the capacitance (CX) on the basis of a supply voltage (VCC). elements for discharging the capacitance (CX) into a reference capacitance (CS) in a fixed number of discharges (x), elements for measuring a voltage (VS) and for detecting a threshold of voltage (VTH) across the terminals of the reference capacitance (CS). elements for charging with current (IC) the reference capacitance (CS) on the basis of the supply voltage (VCC) for a duration (t), after the transfer of charge from the capacitance (CX) into the reference capacitance (CS), and elements for measuring the variation between the duration (t) with respect to a previously measured duration so as to estimate the variation (?CX) of the capacitance (CX).

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of a user for the unlocking of an access point to a motor vehicle, includes a first generator of a first supply voltage, a detection capacitor adapted to be charged on account of the presence of a user, and a storage capacitor defining at the terminals thereof a storage voltage. The device also includes an intermediate capacitor, elements for charging the detection capacitor from the first supply voltage and the storage voltage, elements for discharging the detection capacitor into the intermediate capacitor, elements for charging the storage capacitor, the elements being configured so that the charge of the storage capacitor is equal to the charge of the intermediate capacitor, and elements for detecting the presence of a user for the unlocking of an access point to the motor vehicle on the basis of the charge of the storage capacitor.

Abstract: A device for communication between a microcontroller (11) of an electronic module (10) and a microcontroller (22) of a sensor (20), the sensor being supplied with current by the electronic module (10) via a power supply line (W1), and: the electronic module includes a command signal generator (40) generating a voltage-modulation command signal on the power supply line, the sensor includes a command signal regulation device (30) connected to the power supply line, which includes: a high-pass filter (FPH), a voltage limiter (LT), an open collector output (CO), arranged such that the command signal at the output of the command signal regulation device is a voltage signal of constant mean value and included in the power supply voltage window of the microcontroller of the sensor.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring a variation of a capacitance, the device includes: a capacitance having a voltage across its terminals; a charging element and a discharging element; a comparison element; control elements activating the charging element or the discharging element as a function of the value of the voltage across the terminals of the capacitance and of which an output voltage has a high value during the charging and a low value during the discharging; a counter measuring a time representative of a predetermined number of charging and discharging cycles of the capacitance; and an additional capacitance electrically connected to the output voltage and to the capacitance, able to be charged and discharged simultaneously with the charging and discharging of the capacitance.

Abstract: A device (D?) for detecting presence of a user includes: a connection to the electrical ground (14), an electrode (12), control elements (13?) of the electrode, a conducting element (11), connected to the connection (14) to the electrical ground, a first switching element (I1) between the conducting element and the connection to the electrical ground, first element (16) for selecting the position of the first switching element, in order to select the position of the first switching element as a function of the type of coating covering a second exterior surface of a handle into which the device is integrated. The door handle including the device and the associated method for configuring the handle are also described.

Abstract: Method for communication between an electronic module and a sensor having a first branch, including a light source LED and a first switch, and a second branch including a second switch, supplied by a supply line, the module measuring modulations of the intensity of the current of the line. When the light source is turned on or in the process of turning on/turning off, the sensor: causes a modulation of the intensity of the current in the LED between a high state and a low state, causes a modulation of the intensity of the current in the second branch so that the intensity of the current is always in a so-called higher state, and in case of detection, dispatches to the electronic module a modulation of the intensity of current in the second branch, when the intensity of current in the LED is in the low state.

Abstract: A device for measuring a variation in the capacitance of a variable capacitive structure, includes: a supply voltage; a reference capacitance; element for measuring a voltage across the terminals of the reference capacitance; a measurement capacitive structure; and elements for detecting a threshold voltage across the terminals of the reference capacitance. The device is configured/programmed so that the measurement capacitive structure is discharged, in a variable number of discharges, into the reference capacitance after the variable capacitive structure has been discharged, in a fixed number of discharges, into the reference capacitance and until the voltage (VS) across the terminals of the reference capacitance has reached the threshold voltage. The variation in the variable number of discharges relative to a previously obtained number of discharges allows the variation in the capacitance of the variable capacitive structure to be estimated.

Abstract: A device for detecting a variation in the capacitance of a variable capacitive structure, wherein the device generates voltage pulses, charges the variable capacitive structure using the voltage pulses, discharges the variable capacitive structure toward a reference capacitor, detects a voltage threshold across the terminals of the reference capacitor, determines a number of charges and/or discharges of the variable capacitive structure corresponding to the voltage threshold, and detects a variation in the number of charges and/or discharges with respect to a number of charges and/or discharges previously obtained.

Abstract: Method for determining spurious contacts on a contact detection sensor for a handle of an automobile door, the sensor defining a locking area and being connected to an onboard electronic locking and unlocking system, includes: a) detecting a contact on the locking area when, for an engagement time of the locking mechanism, the number of charge transfers from the sensor is less than a threshold number of charge transfers, b) evaluating the number of charge transfers, starting from the time of the minimum value of the number of measured charge transfers and for an evaluation time in order to distinguish detections of contacts made by the user from detections of spurious contacts, c) if the contact detections are spurious, matching the threshold number of charge transfers in order to be able to detect any next contact originating from the user on the locking area in the presence of spurious contacts.

Abstract: A device (2) for an approach and/or a contact detection, includes a capacitive sensor (3) designed to be mounted in a handle (1) of a door (5) of a vehicle in order to detect the presence of the hand or of a portion of the hand of a user in a first zone (10), called the unlocking zone, situated between the handle (1) and the door (5) of the vehicle and a second zone (11), called the locking zone, situated to the outside of the handle (1) on the side opposite to the door (5). A control circuit (4) grounds the locking electrode (16) associated with the locking zone (11) when the control circuit (4) triggers a detection measurement (U) in the unlocking zone (10) of the handle (1) with the aid of the unlocking electrode (15).

Abstract: A method and device for filtering electromagnetic interference generated by the antenna of a transmitter on a sensor sensitive to electromagnetic waves, characterized in that it includes: vi. elements suitable for sampling the signal received by the sensor, vii. elements for count down the elapsed time, called the detection time, after the sampled signal has exceeded a threshold value, the signal, before exceeding the threshold value, being in a range of standard values, viii. elements for comparing in real time the detection time with a threshold time value, ix. elements suitable for providing a diagnosis of electromagnetic interference to be filtered if the sampled signal reverts to a standard value after a detection time of less than the threshold time value, and a diagnosis of an uninterfered sampled signal if this is not the case, x. elements for generating an output signal from the sensor eliminating the diagnosed electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A device for measuring a variation in the capacitance of a variable capacitive structure, includes: a supply voltage; a reference capacitance; element for measuring a voltage across the terminals of the reference capacitance; a measurement capacitive structure; and elements for detecting a threshold voltage across the terminals of the reference capacitance. The device is configured/programmed so that the measurement capacitive structure is discharged, in a variable number of discharges, into the reference capacitance after the variable capacitive structure has been discharged, in a fixed number of discharges, into the reference capacitance and until the voltage (VS) across the terminals of the reference capacitance has reached the threshold voltage. The variation in the variable number of discharges relative to a previously obtained number of discharges allows the variation in the capacitance of the variable capacitive structure to be estimated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charge transfer-type sensor, including a measuring device (Cx), for, during a succession of periodic time intervals (DT1), storing a quantity of electrical charges that is a function of a parameter to be measured, an accumulation device (Cs) for discharging, between two intervals (DT1), the charges contained in the measuring device (Cx), a switching device (M1) for, during the intervals (DT1), electrically connecting the measuring device (Cs) to a source (VCC) of electrical charges and for, outside the intervals (DT1), electrically connecting the measuring device (Cx) to the accumulation device (Cs), a comparator (COMP) for comparing an electrical signal (VS) at the terminals of the accumulation device with a reference signal (VREF) and supplying an end-of-measurement signal (SD), a microcontroller (MP) for, when it receives the end-of-measurement signal (SD), determining a value of the parameter to be measured, a generator (GEN) of periodic command signals external to the microc

Abstract: A device for detecting a variation in the capacitance of a variable capacitive structure, wherein the device generates voltage pulses, charges the variable capacitive structure using the voltage pulses, discharges the variable capacitive structure toward a reference capacitor, detects a voltage threshold across the terminals of the reference capacitor, determines a number of charges and/or discharges of the variable capacitive structure corresponding to the voltage threshold, and detects a variation in the number of charges and/or discharges with respect to a number of charges and/or discharges previously obtained.

Abstract: A method and device for filtering electromagnetic interference generated by the antenna of a transmitter on a sensor sensitive to electromagnetic waves, characterized in that it includes: vi. elements suitable for sampling the signal received by the sensor, vii. elements for count down the elapsed time, called the detection time, after the sampled signal has exceeded a threshold value, the signal, before exceeding the threshold value, being in a range of standard values, viii. elements for comparing in real time the detection time with a threshold time value, ix. elements suitable for providing a diagnosis of electromagnetic interference to be filtered if the sampled signal reverts to a standard value after a detection time of less than the threshold time value, and a diagnosis of an uninterfered sampled signal if this is not the case, x. elements for generating an output signal from the sensor eliminating the diagnosed electromagnetic interference.