Abstract: An analog front-end circuit includes an array of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit includes an event counter and a power consumption circuit. The event counter is configured to count photons incident at the pixel circuit. The power compensation circuit includes an event rate circuit and a current sink circuit. The event rate circuit is configured to determine a rate of photon detection events at the pixel circuit. The current sink circuit is configured to pass a compensation current selected based on the rate of photon detection events at the pixel circuit.

Abstract: A lightning damage prediction apparatus that predicts a risk of a failure of access equipment due to a lightning strike is provided. A regression equation representing a relationship between a lightning strike density for each section in a prediction target area, an equipment density for each section of components of a plurality of types constituting equipment, and a lightning damage failure density for each section of the equipment or the component, corresponding to a first period in the past, is generated, and a lightning damage failure density for each section of a prediction target area corresponding to a second period is predicted on the basis of a lightning strike density and an equipment density for each section in the prediction target area corresponding to the second period that is a prediction target, and the regression equation.

Abstract: A device implementing antennas transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves for measuring the bulk dielectric properties of a material under test having over a pre-defined surface area. The sample of the material under test might be cylindrical in shape. The device includes a spacer of known dielectric properties and geometries, placed between the material under test and the transmitting and receiving antennas, as well as at least one plate of a material having known electromagnetic properties placed below the material under test.

Abstract: A method of detecting a locally generated corrosion of a first metal element when exposing the first metal element (2) to a corrosive environment. A first surface of the first metal element (2) is exposed to the corrosive environment. A sponge (3) is sandwiched between the first metal element (2) and a second metal element (4). The sponge (3) constituting in dry state an electrical insulator and constituting an electrical conductor when wetted in the corrosive environment. An electrical insulator together with the first metal element (2) encapsulates the second metal element (4) and the sponge (3) for preventing the second metal element (4) and the sponge (3) from being directly exposed to the corrosive environment. An impedance between the second metal element (4) and a ground electrode is measured, and a decrease in the impedance from an infinite impedance to a finite impedance caused by a pinhole being generated in the first metal element (2) is monitored.

Abstract: Aspects are directed to a MEMS device configurable to receive signals from a first, a second, a third, and a fourth signal source operating at a first, a second, a third, and a fourth frequency, respectively. The MEMS device may be configured to combine the first signal with the second signal generating a first combined signal, and to combine the third signal with the fourth signal generating a second combined signal. The first combined signal may be coupled to the first terminal of the MEMS device while the second combined signal may be coupled to the second terminal of the MEMS device. The first common terminal may be configured to produce an output associated with the second and fourth frequencies. The MEMS device may be further configured to derive from the produced output a signal indicative of nonlinearities or of changes in capacitance related to the MEMS device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a mobile device telemetry system is disclosed. The method and apparatus relate to a telematics furtherance visualization system. The system can sense mobile device remote observation misalignment risk and reconcile mobile device remote observation alignment by communicating a subsequent log of mobile device vector data for rendering a sequence of next positions in the furtherance of a mobile device. The system can also provide an adaptive rendering based upon a phase shift, a log of mobile device vector data, or predictive rendering until receipt of the next subsequent log of mobile device vector data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at an input of a transimpedance amplifier, an input electrical-current signal. The electrical-current signal includes a photodetector current and a DC cancellation current. The photodetector current corresponds to an input optical signal and includes an alternating-current (AC) portion and a direct-current (DC) portion. The method also includes performing, by the transimpedance amplifier, a transimpedance amplification of the input electrical-current signal to produce, at an output of the transimpedance amplifier, an output voltage signal corresponding to the input electrical-current signal. The method further includes providing, by a current-control circuit coupled to the input and the output of the transimpedance amplifier, the DC cancellation current to the input of the transimpedance amplifier, where the DC cancellation current is based on the output voltage signal.

Abstract: Sensing a time varying electric field includes a device or system including a spatial sensor array having one or more transistors, a circuit including a resistor connected to each of the transistors, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to each circuit which convert an analog voltage outputs to digital form, and an antenna to each of the transistors. The antennas sense the time varying electric field and modulate current through their respective transistors. The spatial sensor array may be stationary or in motion during the sensing.

Abstract: A transceiver device for receiving an interrogation signal at a first carrier frequency and for transmitting a response signal at a second carrier frequency is disclosed. The interrogation signal comprises the first carrier frequency modulated at the second carrier frequency. The communication device includes a sensor coupled to a demodulator. The sensor receives a low frequency input used to further modulate the interrogation signal. The demodulator demodulates the low frequency input from the first carrier frequency to thereby generate the response signal comprising the second carrier frequency and the low frequency input. The demodulator preferably includes a pyroelectric demodulator, a piezoelectric demodulator, or a detector diode. The demodulator preferably has a frequency response less than the first carrier frequency but greater than the second carrier frequency.

Abstract: A track assembly includes a support assembly, an electronic control unit and a track. The track may include a first track. The first track may include one or more segments. The one or more segments may include a plurality of first features. The support assembly may include a first sensor and/or a second sensor that may be connected to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit may be configured to determine a first location of the support assembly along the one or more segments via the plurality of first features, the first sensor, and/or the second sensor. The first sensor and/or the second sensor may be disposed substantially in the track. The first sensor and/or the second sensor may be configured to sense information from the plurality of first features. The first features may include a first portion and/or a second portion.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for an electric field sensor device with a transmitting electrode and at least one receiving electrode may have a nonconductive substrate having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. A first electrode is arranged within the first conductive layer, wherein the first electrode is a receiving electrode of the electric field sensor device, and a second electrode is arranged within the second conductive layer, wherein the second electrode is a transmitting electrode of the electric field sensor device wherein the second electrode covers a larger area than the first electrode and wherein the second electrode is textured to reduce the capacitance between the first and second electrode.

Abstract: A vibration system includes a linear vibration motor, and a controller that controls a drive current waveform of the vibration motor. The drive current waveform includes consecutively arranged large unit waves having the same waveforms side by side on a time axis. Each large unit wave includes a first region having a waveform with a smaller amplitude in one period, which is a width of the large unit wave on the time axis, and a second region having a waveform with a larger amplitude than the amplitude in the first region. The first region and the second region alternatively appear on the time axis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a mobile apparatus mounted to a motor vehicle for detecting energized objects.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media to improve the operation of thermographic imaging systems are described. Techniques are disclosed for generating thermograms using single low-noise photon detectors. More particularly, an array of single low-noise photon detectors operating in the Geiger mode may be used to accurately identify the time delay between the application of a periodic power stimulus to a device under test and the generation of photons resulting from that stimulus. In one embodiment an array of single photon detectors may be used to time-tag each detected photon. Thereafter, a high-speed counting circuit can correlate the detected photons to the applied stimulus. When operating at the frequencies possible in the Geiger mode, such measurements permit a higher degree of spatial resolution (e.g., in the x, y and z axes) of thermal hot-spots within the device under test than prior art approaches.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for measuring electrostatic charge on a surface of a substrate. The apparatuses comprise a substrate mounting platform, a substrate contacting component, and at least one voltage sensor, wherein the apparatus is programmed to independently control the rotational and translation velocity of a roller and/or to measure a voltage of the substrate at multiple points to produce a two-dimensional map of voltage for at least a portion of the substrate.

Abstract: In one example, a document scanner has a fixed-position scan bar and a built-in translatable calibration target. The scan bar has a linear array of imaging elements aimed in an imaging direction. The calibration target is spaced apart from and parallel to the linear array, and has a planar surface orthogonal to the imaging direction spanning the length of the linear array. The target is translatable during a calibration in a direction in a plane of the surface.

Abstract: A method of detecting a relatively weak signal includes providing an oscillatory loop that can sustain oscillations, wherein the oscillatory loop has no more than one or an even-number of stages. The loop includes a first weakly bistable differential amplifier and a second weakly bistable differential amplifier. At least one of the first and second weakly bistable differential amplifiers is connected to a behavior perturbing coupling which is operative to introduce into the connected-to amplifier a behavior tipping signal where, even if the behavior tipping signal is much weaker than an oscillation of the one or multistage oscillatory loop, the relatively weak behavior tipping signal can nonetheless alter the oscillatory behavior of the multistage oscillatory loop in a distinguishable way. The system may be used for detecting outside a patient's body weak manifestations of internal nerve firings.

Abstract: A wearable device includes a first electrode configured to contact a user's body; a second electrode having a pointed shape, in which corona discharge occurs; a power supplier connected between the first electrode and the second electrode to apply power to the first electrode and the second electrode; a current measurer configured to measure a leakage current that leaks to the second electrode; and a controller configured to control the power supplier to apply power to the first electrode and the second electrode to induce the corona discharge, measure a leakage current generated due to the corona discharge via the current measurer, and sense the touch event, based on the measured leakage current.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for evaluating performance of a finite or infinite antenna array including a finite number of antennas. Typically, a model is generated for the antenna array, the model including an arbitrarily large antenna array with an arbitrarily large number of model antennas. Each model antenna has features defined by features of antennas of the finite or infinite antenna array. A unit cell is determined for the arbitrarily large antenna, and impedance matrices Zantenna and Zperiodic are computed, Zperiodic representing interactions among the unit cell and the other model antennas. From these matrices, the performance of the finite or infinite antenna array is assessed.

Abstract: A communication device for receiving an interrogation signal at a first carrier frequency and for transmitting a response signal at a second carrier frequency is disclosed. The interrogation signal comprises the first carrier frequency modulated at the second carrier frequency. The communication device includes a sensor coupled to a demodulator. The sensor receives a low frequency input used to further modulate the interrogation signal. The demodulator demodulates the low frequency input from the first carrier frequency to thereby generate the response signal comprising the second carrier frequency and the low frequency input. The demodulator preferably includes a pyroelectric demodulator, a piezoelectric demodulator, or a detector diode. The demodulator preferably has a frequency response less than the first carrier frequency but greater than the second carrier frequency.

Abstract: An integrated sensor module includes one or more packaged light source semiconductor devices and one or more packaged light detector semiconductor devices mounted to a top surface of a substrate. A pre-molded cover structure includes a portion molded from an opaque molding compound and a further portion molded from a light transmissive molding compound. For each of the packaged light source and light detector semiconductor devices, the pre-molded cover structure includes a pre-molded cavity covered by a window formed of the light transmissive molding compound. The pre-molded cover structure is attached to the substrate such that each of the packaged light source and light detector semiconductor devices fits within a respective cavity, and such that a barrier formed of the opaque molding compound is positioned between each packaged light source semiconductor device and light detector semiconductor device. The module can also include additional sensors and/or electrodes for use by sensors.

Abstract: Provided is an ion generator that sends out air ions generated by applying high voltage between a discharge electrode and a counter electrode, the ion generator including: an air discharge port provided in a housing of the ion generator to send ejected air toward a region between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode; and an opening portion configured to discharge the generated air ions by the ejected air, in which the counter electrode is positioned on an upstream side of the flow of the ejected air with respect to the discharge electrode.

Abstract: In one example, a document scanner has a fixed-position scan bar and a built-in translatable calibration target. The scan bar has a linear array of imaging elements aimed in an imaging direction. The calibration target is spaced apart from and parallel to the linear array, and has a planar surface orthogonal to the imaging direction spanning the length of the linear array. The target is translatable during a calibration in a direction in a plane of the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting and analyzing changes in a body. For example, a system includes an electric field generator configured to produce an electric field. The system includes an external sensor device configured to detect physical changes in the electric field, where the physical changes affect amplitude and frequency of the electric field. The system includes a quadrature demodulator configured to detect changes of the frequency of the output of the electric field generator. The system includes an amplitude reference source and an amplitude comparison switch configured to detect changes of the amplitude of the output of the electric field generator. The system includes a signal processor configured to analyze the changes of the amplitude and frequency of the output of the electric field generator.

Abstract: A voltage detecting apparatus detects a detection voltage generated in a detected object which is covered by an insulator. The voltage detecting apparatus includes: a detection electrode that is disposed so as to contact the insulator directly, or indirectly via another insulator; a vibrator that causes the insulator to vibrate; a current-to-voltage converter circuit that converts a detection current to a detection voltage signal, the detection current flowing from the detected object via the detection electrode to a reference voltage in a state where the insulator is being caused to vibrate, having an amplitude that is modulated in accordance with a potential difference between the detection voltage and the reference voltage, and being synchronized with vibration of the vibrator; and a detector circuit that detects a detection output indicating the potential difference from the detection voltage signal.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring pressure, temperature, force, or fill level, whereby an electrical plug connection is made especially robust and reliable for frequent, cyclic pivoting movements.

Abstract: An electric-field sensor is provided that includes a voltage-controlled capacitor and generator circuitry. The voltage-controlled capacitor is influenceable by an electric field created by a target located a distance from the solid-state electric-field sensor. The generator circuitry is configured to generate a modulated voltage for driving the voltage-controlled capacitor to produce a modulated capacitance as the voltage-controlled capacitor is influenced by the electric field to enable measurement of the electric field. In this regard, the voltage-controlled capacitor and generator circuitry are configured such that, in operation, an electric field of the target causes a change in the modulated capacitance and a current flow through the voltage-controlled capacitor. An electric potential of the target, then, is measurable as a function of the change in magnitude of the current flow through the voltage-controlled capacitor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring the voltage of at least one conductor (121, 122, 123) of an electrical power cable (10) comprise providing a container (22) made from a conductive material around a portion of the cable and at least one electric field sensor (301, 302, 303, 304) between the container and the cable and bringing the container to a constant potential and measuring the electric field with a sensor. The voltage is determined by comparing the measured electric field with electric fields simulated for a plurality of configurations of punctual electric charges.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method, apparatus, and system for passively detecting strength of an electromagnetic field. An electroactive polymer (EAP) is configured with an antenna in communication with an RC circuit. The EAP is positioned proximal to a sensor. In response to receipt of a transient electromagnetic pulse due to an electrostatic discharge, the circuit captures the received pulse and transmits the pulse to the EAP. The EAP reacts to the pulse in the form of a deflection. The magnitude of the deflection correlates to the field strength which caused the received pulse. As deflection of the EAP is communicated to the proximally positioned sensor, a recording of the electrostatic discharge takes place.

Abstract: A non-contact AC voltage measurement device 100 applied to a conductor 12 of an electric wire 16, the device 100 being characterized in that a first electrode 32 is provided outside the electric wire 16, whereby a coupling capacitance 34 is formed between the conductor 12 and the first electrode 32, a parallel circuit 38 having a capacitor 40 and an opening/closing means 50 connected in parallel to the capacitor 40 is provided, the parallel circuit is connected in series to the coupling capacitance, and a first current I1 which flows through the parallel circuit 38 when the opening/closing means 50 of the parallel circuit 38 is closed and a second current I2 which flows through the parallel circuit 38 when the opening/closing means 50 is open are measured for the purpose of measuring the AC voltage 8 applied to the conductor 12.

Abstract: Methods and structures provide an electrostatic discharge (ESD) indicator including an electric field sensitive material configured to undergo a specific color change in response to an electric field. An exposure of the structure to an ESD can be visually determined via the specific color change of the ESD indicator.

Abstract: Provided is an ion generator that has a potential sensor provided integrally inside the main body of the ion generator, and that can measure, with the potential sensor, an electric field that reaches the potential sensor from a member from which static charge is to be eliminated, without being affected by an electric field between a discharge electrode and an opposing electrode. This ion generator comprises a discharge electrode, an opposing electrode, and a main body part including these electrodes, the ion generator sending out, toward a member from which static charge is to be eliminated, air ions generated by applying a high voltage between the electrodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for electrostatic discharges (ESD) events monitoring incorporating a charged device model event simulator (CDMES) unit comprises: at least one antenna positioned in a process area; an ESD detector coupled to said at least one antenna; said ESD detector wirelessly coupled to said CDMES unit; and said ESD detector calibrated for different discharge energies generated by said CDMES unit.

Abstract: An electric current application method for applying electric current to a power semiconductor 100 having a first signal pin contact region 102 that conducts a first electric current, and a contacting body contact region 101 that electrically connects with the first signal pin contact region 102 and conducts a second electric current, includes a Step S1 of contacting a first signal pin 32 of a probe device 1 to the first signal pin contact region 102 so as to eliminate residual electricity remaining in the first signal pin contact region 102 and contacting body contact region 101; and Steps S3 and S4 of contacting a contacting part 21 of the contacting body 2 of the probe device 1 to the contacting body contact region 101, and conducting the first electric current and second electric current, after Step S1.

Abstract: An integrated capacitance sensing module includes a silicon substrate, a first and a second and a third interlayer dielectric layers, plural conducting layers, a shielding layer, a lower and a upper sensing electrode layers, a protective coating layer. An embedded memory and a sensing circuit are constructed in the silicon substrate. The first interlayer dielectric layer covers the silicon substrate. The plural conducting layers are formed over the first interlayer dielectric layer. The shielding layer is formed over the plural conducting layers. The second interlayer dielectric layer covers the shielding layer. The lower sensing electrode layer is formed over the second interlayer dielectric layer. The third interlayer dielectric layer is formed over the lower sensing electrode layer. The upper sensing electrode layer is formed over the third interlayer dielectric layer. The protective coating layer covers the upper sensing electrode layer.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a floating voltage sensor system comprising a metallic enclosure, a conductive sensor plate, a signal conditioning circuit, and a microcontroller unit. The metallic enclosure can be configured for electrical communication with an asset carrying a voltage. The conductive sensor plate can be positioned adjacent to a surface of the metallic enclosure, such that the conductive plate and the surface of the metallic enclosure are not in contact with each other. The signal conditioning circuit can comprise a first connection point and a second connection point. The first connection point can be in electrical communication with the conductive sensor plate. The second connection point can be in electrical communication with the metallic enclosure. The microcontroller unit can be configured to receive an output of the signal conditioning circuit and measure the voltage of the asset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a mobile device telemetry system is disclosed. The method and apparatus relate to a telematics furtherance visualization system. The system can sense mobile device remote observation misalignment risk and reconcile mobile device remote observation alignment by communicating a subsequent log of mobile device vector data for rendering a sequence of next positions in the furtherance of a mobile device. The system can also provide an adaptive rendering based upon a phase shift, a log of mobile device vector data, or predictive rendering until receipt of the next subsequent log of mobile device vector data.

Abstract: A touch location sensing panel includes a touch detection region in which a plurality of sensing regions are arranged on a single substrate in two columns, an external wire region provided in an outer portion of the touch detection region, a plurality of transmitting (Tx) electrodes formed in the plurality of the sensing regions, with at least one patch shape, respectively, to sense a location of touch applied to the touch detection region on a second axis, and a plurality of receiving (Rx) electrodes electrically separated from the transmitting electrodes in the plurality of the sensing regions and extended along a second axis to cover the transmitting electrodes, to sense a location of the touch on a first axis.

Abstract: A circuit for a level shifting of common mode voltage. The circuit includes a first amplifier, wherein the input of the first amplifier is coupled to a voltage source and another input of the first amplifier is coupled 2.5v, feedback resistor, Rfb, and feedback capacitor, Cfb, connected coupled to the voltage source, wherein other side of feedback resistor is coupled between two resistors, R2 and R2?, and wherein the other side of the feedback capacitor is coupled between R2? and the output of the first amplifier, R2 is connected to Vbias from one side and Rfb and R2? from the other, R2? is connected to Rfb and R2 from one side and Cfb and output of the first amplifier from the other side, another resistor, R1, is connect to the output of the first amplifier, Cfb and R2? from one side and R1?, yet another resistor, and input of amp2 from the other, a second amplifier, Amp2, is connected to the R1 and R1? at one input and 1.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display that includes drive electrodes and sense electrodes configured to detect touches on the touch-sensitive display, a noise-detection electrode spaced from the drive electrodes and the sense electrodes, at least one controller operably coupled to the drive electrodes, the sense electrodes, and the noise-detection electrode and configured to detect touches on the touch-sensitive display utilizing the drive electrodes and the sense electrodes, and detect noise utilizing the noise-detection electrode during touch detection.

Abstract: A method and device for performing DNA sequencing and extracting structural information from unknown nucleic acid strands. The device includes a microwell structure, where identical DNA strands are immobilized within the microwell structure on a surface of a micro-bead, an active electrode or a porous polymer. The device further includes a CMOS-integrated semiconductor integrated circuit, where the CMOS-integrated semiconductor integrated circuit includes metal layers on a silicon substrate, where the metal layers form an active electrode biosensor. In addition, a sensing electrode is formed by creating openings in a passivation layer of the CMOS-integrated semiconductor integrated circuit to hold a single bead, on which the DNA strands are immobilized.

Abstract: An electronic detecting circuit includes at least one electrostatic protective module, at least one detection module, and a microprocessor controller module. The at least one detection module is respectively connected to the at least one electrostatic protective module, and the at least one detection module generates a driving record signal according to a driving state of the at least one electrostatic protective module. The microprocessor controller module is coupled with the at least one detection module, wherein the microprocessor controller module records the driving record signal when the at least one detection module transmits the driving record signal to the microprocessor controller module.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for making a quantitative measurement of an electric field. A plurality of antennas separated from one another by known distances are arrayed in a region that extends in at least one dimension. A voltage difference between at least one selected pair of antennas is measured. Each voltage difference is divided by the known distance associated with the selected pair of antennas corresponding thereto to generate a resulting quantity. The plurality of resulting quantities defined over the region quantitatively describe an electric field therein.

Abstract: Adapters for electrostatic discharge probe tips are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the adapter includes an attachment device that is attachable to the tip of the probe. A first conductor is affixed to the attachment device so that the first conductor contacts the tip when the attachment device is attached to the tip of the probe. A second conductor extends between the first electrical conductor and a point external to the attachment device.

Abstract: A voltage detecting apparatus detects a detected AC voltage generated in a detected object, and includes a detection electrode that is disposed facing the detected object, a detection unit that operates on a floating power supply generated with a voltage of a reference voltage unit as a reference and outputs a detection signal, and a standard signal outputting unit that outputs a standard signal to the reference voltage unit. The voltage detecting apparatus also includes an insulating unit that inputs the detection signal and outputs an insulated detection signal, a feedback control unit that amplifies the insulated detection signal, and a signal extracting unit that amplifies the insulated detection and outputs a signal component as an output signal.

Abstract: A capacitor component is adapted for capacitive coupling to an electrical power apparatus in which a PD is suspected, such as a shielded power cable; and an impedance transformance device has an input side connected directly to the capacitor component. Together the two components are used as a sensor to pick up and convey PD signals to a PD signal-analyzing system. Although the two components inherently form a classic high-pass RC filter, in accordance with the invention the input impedance at the capacitor side is much greater than the output impedance at the signal-analyzing system side. The effect is to pass much more of the lower frequency components of the PD signal for analysis by the PD signal-analyzing system than if the tranformance device were not included.

Abstract: The basic structure and functionality of a probe as disclosed herein allows for flexibly incorporating into the probe, various sensing elements for various sensing applications. Two example applications among these various sensing applications include bio-sensing and chemical-sensing applications. For bio-sensing applications the probe, which is fabricated upon a silicon substrate, includes a bio-sensing element such as a nano-pillar transistor, and for chemical-sensing applications the probe includes a sensing element that has a functionalized contact area whereby the sensing element generates a voltage when exposed to one or more chemicals of interest.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide for the minimization of the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic leakage electrical currents enabling true measurements of electric. potentials and electric fields. In an embodiment, an ephemeral electric potential and electric field sensor system may have at least one electric field sensor and a rotator coupled to the electric field sensor and be configured to rotate the electric field sensor at a quasi-static frequency. In an embodiment, ephemeral electric potential and electric field measurements may be taken by rotating at least one electric field sensor at a quasi-static frequency, receiving electrical potential measurements from the electric field sensor when the electric field sensor is rotating at the quasi-static frequency, and generating and outputting images based at least in part on the received electrical potential measurements.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a gap forming member and a functional element. The first electrode is composed of a first metallic material. The second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode, and composed of a second metallic material. The gap forming member is arranged with a gap being formed between the gap forming member and a portion of a surface of the first electrode. The functional element is configured and arranged to measure a difference in electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode so that a state of a measurement site to be measured is measured based on the difference in electric potential as measured by the functional element.

Abstract: Conveying systems and method for detecting the presence of static electric charge on a conveyor. The conveyor system includes a conveyor with an outer conveying surface. Embedded or external static-electricity sensors make measurements of static electricity on the belt's conveying surface. A controller uses the measurements to control the level of electric charges on the belt by transferring charge to or from the belt.