Abstract: An input device includes a first sensor array having a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a sensing area, wherein the first sensor array has a first pixel density, and a second sensor array having a second plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in the sensing area, wherein the second sensor array has a second pixel density different from the first pixel density. The input device also includes a processing system coupled to the second plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to electrically float a sensor electrode in the second plurality of sensor electrodes during a sensing period of the first sensor array.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a controller, first electrodes, second electrodes, a plurality of sensors, and a shield sensor. The controller is operable to cause substantially equal voltages to be present on the first and second electrodes while measuring capacitances of the plurality of first electrodes electrically coupled to the shield sensor and measuring capacitances of the plurality of second electrodes electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein provide a device and method of using the device that is able to improve the detection of user input provided to an input device while one or more sources of noise are present during the detection process. One or more of the embodiments disclosed herein may include a scanning process and a signal processing technique that is able to more reliably detect the presence and position of an input object by reducing the effect of noise on a resulting signal that is generated during a capacitive sensing process. In some configurations, the scanning and signal processing techniques disclosed herein can be improved by increasing a capacitive sensing device's ability to detect the presence of an input object by improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the data collected during a capacitive sensing process.

Abstract: A compact signal averaging circuit having an input, a first switch operatively connected to the input, a second switch operatively connected to the first switch, wherein the first switch is coupled to the circuit between the input and the second switch, a first FET having a gate, a source and a drain, wherein the gate is operatively connected to the circuit between the first switch and the second switch, a second FET comprising a gate, a source and a drain, wherein the source is operatively connected to a voltage supply and to the second switch, and an output operatively connected to the first FET drain and the second FET drain.

Abstract: First and second wiring patterns which are formed on both surfaces of a base have first and second patterns which are different from each other, respectively, and are superimposed as a composite wiring pattern on a pixel array pattern. A plurality of spectrums in a two-dimensional Fourier space of transmittance image data of the pixel array pattern and the composite wiring pattern are excluded from a plurality of spectrums in a two-dimensional Fourier space of transmittance image data of a composite pattern of the pixel array pattern and the composite wiring pattern to extract a plurality of spectrums of only noise and moire generated by interference between the pixel array pattern and the composite wiring pattern. The sum of all of the extracted plurality of spectrums is calculated and an extraction quantitative value of the moire and the noise calculated from the sum is in a predetermined range.

Abstract: An insulation problem detection apparatus includes a microcomputer configured to: control a voltage detecting circuit to measure an insulation resistance of a vehicle based on a voltage at which a capacitor in the vehicle is charged, the microcomputer controlling the voltage detecting circuit to connect the capacitor in series to a power supply mounted in the vehicle and a ground of a body of the vehicle to measure the voltage at which the capacitor is charged; obtain a total voltage of the power supply from an external apparatus that is external to the microcomputer when the insulation resistance of the vehicle is measured by the voltage detecting circuit; and detect whether there is an insulation problem of the vehicle based on (i) the total voltage of the power supply obtained from the external apparatus and (ii) the insulation resistance of the vehicle measured by the voltage detecting circuit.

Abstract: A charge sensing circuit generates a voltage in a sensing period that is indicative of sensed charge. The generated voltages are accumulated by an accumulator circuit over a number of sensing periods. A noise detection circuit senses when the voltage generated by the charge sensing circuit is outside of a boundary and generates a detection signal in response thereto. A control circuit, in response to the detection signal, controls the accumulator circuit to block accumulation of the voltages generated by the charge sensing circuit during at least the sensing period in which the detection signal is generated. An analog-to-digital converter circuit then converts an accumulated output voltage from the accumulator circuit to a digital value at the end of an accumulation time period that includes the sensing periods. The end of the accumulation time period is delayed by at least one sensing period in response to the detection signal.

Abstract: A circuit, system, and method for converting mutual capacitance to a digital value is described. Charge packets are transferred from a mutual capacitance to a pair of integration capacitors during alternate charge and discharge cycles. The time required to bring the discharged integration capacitor to the same potential as the charged integration capacitor with a current source is measured as a single-slope analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The output of the ADC is representative of the mutual capacitance.

Abstract: There is provided a capacitive fingerprint sensing device for sensing a fingerprint pattern of a finger, the capacitive fingerprint sensor comprising: a protective dielectric top layer to be touched by the finger; a two-dimensional array of electrically conductive sensing structures arranged underneath the top layer; readout circuitry coupled to each of the electrically conductive sensing structures to receive a sensing signal indicative of a distance between the finger and the sensing structure, the readout circuitry comprising a plurality of signal amplifiers arranged underneath the array of electrically conductive sensing structures, wherein a number of signal amplifiers is lower than a number of sensing structures; and selection circuitry coupling each of the sensing structures to at least one signal amplifier and configured to select a sensing structure to be coupled to a corresponding signal amplifier. There is also provided a method for controlling a fingerprint sensing device.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved interference avoidance performance. The devices and methods determine a relative ranking for a plurality of transmitter signals based on a first class of interference for each transmitter signal of the plurality of transmitter signals. The devices and methods transmit a first transmitter signal of the plurality of transmitter signals with a sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes. The first transmitter signal is selected based on the relative ranking for the plurality of transmitter signals. The devices and methods shift from transmitting the first transmitter signal to transmitting a second transmitter signal of the plurality of transmitter signals with the sensor electrode is based on an amount of a second class of interference in the first transmitter signal. The second transmitter signal is selected based on the relative ranking for the plurality of transmitter signals.

Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit comprises a differential amplifier with first and second inputs and an output, first and second feedback capacitances, and a reset mechanism. The first input is coupled to a modulated reference voltage and the second input is coupled with a sensor electrode. A first feedback capacitance is coupled between the output and the second input. A second feedback capacitance is coupled between the output and the second input. The reset mechanism resets the first feedback capacitance to a first level of charge and the second feedback capacitance to a second level of charge. During an absolute capacitance measurement phase, the differential amplifier charges the sensor electrode while balancing voltages on the first and second inputs to a voltage level associated with the modulated reference voltage and integrates charge on the sensor electrode to measure capacitance corresponding to a coupling between the sensor electrode and an input object.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of operating a capacitive vehicle entry control device includes: determining a plurality of capacitance values of the vehicle entry control device during a measurement period; determining an average capacitance of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined average capacitance exceeds an average threshold; determining a range of the plurality of capacitance values; determining whether the determined range exceeds a range threshold; and initiating a vehicle entry process when the determined average capacitance exceeds the average threshold or when the determined range exceeds the range threshold.

Abstract: A touch input sensing apparatus includes a driver configured to output a signal to sensing electrodes, a sensor configured to sense a touch input from the sensing electrodes, and a reference signal generator configured to output a first clock signal to the driver and output a second clock signal to the sensor. The second clock signal frequency is k times greater than a frequency of the first clock signal. The reference signal generator is configured to synchronize the first clock signal with the second clock signal to delay a phase of the second clock signal is delayed from the first clock signal between 0 degrees and 180/k degrees, wherein k is a constant greater than 1.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor includes a substrate, a sensing electrode, a shielding plate, a first pair of conductive plates and an amplifier. The sensing electrode is configured to detect a capacitance in response to a touch event on the fingerprint sensor, and configured to selectively receive or not receive an input voltage. The shielding plate is configured to selectively receive the input voltage or is coupled to a reference voltage level. The first pair of conductive plates includes a first plate selectively coupled to the sensing electrode. The amplifier includes an inverting terminal coupled to a second plate of the first pair of conductive plates, and a non-inverting terminal to receive a voltage that is a fraction of the input voltage. The sensitivity of the fingerprint sensor is directly proportional to the input voltage.

Abstract: A sensor device for a motor vehicle including a control and evaluation circuit and at least one sensor electrode coupled therewith, wherein the sensor electrode is designed as a conductor loop, which is coupled to the control and evaluation circuit at two contacts. The control and evaluation circuit has a measurement circuit, which monitors the sensor electrode for capacitance changes. The control and evaluation circuit includes a testing circuit that can be activated intermittently, which tests the integrity of the sensor electrode and its coupling to the control and evaluation circuit. The testing circuit has a triggering mechanism that can be activated in order to intermittently couple a test capacitor to the sensor electrode, such that the measurement circuit also detects the capacitance of the test capacitor in addition to the capacitance of the sensor electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an input device. The input device includes a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed substantially parallel to each other and a second plurality of sensor electrodes disposed substantially perpendicular to the first plurality of sensor electrodes. An areal extent of the first and second sensor electrodes defines a sensor region. The input devices further includes a plurality of routing traces disposed within the sensor region of the input device. A first sensor electrode included in the first plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled to a first routing trace included in the plurality of routing traces, and the first routing trace is routed through a second sensor electrode included in the first plurality of sensor electrodes.

Abstract: An in-flight entertainment (IFE) system for an aircraft includes a phased array antenna and control circuitry associated therewith to be carried by the aircraft and to generate dual antenna beams for television programming and Internet data from respective spaced apart satellites. A television programming distribution system is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the phased array antenna and control circuitry to provide television programming within the aircraft. At least one access point is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the phased array antenna and control circuitry to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft for the Internet data.

Abstract: A touch analog front-end (AFE) for a touch sensitive screen may include a transmitter configured to charge a touch panel and a receiver configured to sense the touch panel. The receiver may include a charge-to-voltage (C2V) converter configured to convert a change of capacitance received from the touch panel into a voltage signal, a correlated double sampling (CDS) block configured to convert the voltage signal into a differential signal and to sample each of the positive and the negative signals of the differential signal, and an integrator configured to accumulate a difference between the sampled positive and negative signals.

Abstract: A pseudo resistance circuit includes a first gate voltage adjustment circuit that adjusts respective currents of first and second current sources and also adjusts a gate voltage of a second field effect transistor to equalize or substantially equalize a drain voltage of the second field effect transistor and a voltage of a first end portion of a reference resistance element and controls a drain voltage of a first field effect transistor and the drain voltage of the second field effect transistor to maintain a constant or substantially constant relationship with each other; and a second gate voltage adjustment circuit that adjusts a gate voltage of the first field effect transistor to control the gate voltage of the second field effect transistor and the gate voltage of the first field effect transistor to maintain a constant or substantially constant relationship with each other.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a developer container in which a conductive resin sheet is used as an electrode for detecting an amount of developer by using electrostatic capacitance. A configuration in which an end of the conductive resin sheet in a longitudinal direction is provided outside an end of a sheet member in a longitudinal direction, or a configuration in which the sheet member starts contact with the conductive resin sheet from a second surface on the downstream side in a direction or rotation than a first surface are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus including a compliant capacitor and an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end. The elongated structure is compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions and is an elastomer based material. The compliant capacitor includes a first conductive filler embedded within and extending from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure to form a first electrode of the compliant capacitor. The compliant capacitor also includes a second conductive filler embedded within and extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal length to form a second electrode of the compliant capacitor. The compliant capacitor further includes an elastomer dielectric layer extending between the first conductive filler and the second conductive filler.

Abstract: An example computing system may include a proximity sensor including a sensor pad with a tail and an antenna to capacitively couple to the tail to increase a bandwidth of the antenna.

Abstract: A memory array provides a plurality of memory cells arranged in columns and rows. The memory array also provides a plurality of first-type strap cells arranged in a row, wherein each first-type strap cell comprises a first-type well strap structure. The memory array further provides a plurality of second-type strap cells arranged in a row. Each second-type strap cell provides a second-type well strap structure. Each column of memory cells is bracketed by at least one first-type strap cell of the plurality of first-type strap cells or at least one second-type strap cell of the plurality of second-type strap cells.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for interfacing with a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensor are provided. In an example, an apparatus can interface circuit including an integrator circuit, a sample switch circuit, a saturation detector and a controller. The saturation detector can be configured to receive a signal indicative of an integration of charge of the sensor, to compare the signal indicative of the integration of charge to an integrator saturation threshold and to modulate a divide parameter using the comparison of the signal indicative of the integration of charge and the integrator saturation threshold. The controller can be configured to receive a clock signal and to control the sample switch circuit based on a phase of the clock signal and the divide parameter.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for use in a touch panel and capable of uniquely identifying the touched coordinates over the touch panel is disclosed. When a multi-touch state is detected over the touch panel by self-capacitance method, the semiconductor device isolates the multiple touch electrodes found to be in the touch state and has these electrodes identified by mutual capacitance method.

Abstract: A molecular sensor includes a substrate defining a substrate plane, and a plurality of pairs of electrode sheets above or below the substrate at an angle to the substrate plane. The molecular sensor further includes a plurality of inner dielectric sheets between each electrode sheet in each pair of electrode sheets of the plurality of pairs, and an outer dielectric sheet between each pair of electrode sheets of the plurality of pairs.

Abstract: An electronic device improves touch accuracy and prevents false or missed touches on a capacitive touch display by monitoring contextual events or environments unrelated to user input. When a capacitance change occurs, the device dynamically evaluates whether it may have been caused by the contextual events or environments. The device intelligently adjusts one or more parameters to account for the change in capacitance caused by the contextual events or environments to thereby prevent detection of the capacitance event as a false touch and/or prevent a missed true and legitimate user input.

Abstract: A sensor of volatile substances includes: a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure capacitively coupled, comb-fingered, and arranged coplanar in a plane; and a sensitive layer, of a sensitive material that is permeable to a volatile substance and has electrical permittivity depending upon a concentration of the volatile substance absorbed by the sensitive material. The sensitive layer extends from opposite sides of the plane.

Abstract: A touch sensor apparatus includes a grid of intersecting sensor lines, a plurality of input/output (IO) pins, a plurality of diodes, a processor coupled to the IO pins. More specifically, each intersection includes a capacitor coupling together the intersecting sensor lines. Each diode is coupled to a corresponding IO pin, wherein each IO pin couples through its corresponding diode to a channel of intersection points of the sensor lines and, without the diode, each IO pin couples to a different channel of intersecting points of the sensor lines. The processor is configured to sequentially provide a transmit signal through each IO pin while detecting a response signal on the other IO pins.

Abstract: A signal adaptive filtering technique for recognizing touch and release events as indicated from a measured capacitance signal received from a capacitive touch sensor device in order to improve electromagnetic noise immunity, event detection responses, adaptability to dynamically changing environments, and adaptability to signal sensitivity changes and signal offset over an extended period of time. A capacitive touch sensor system may include one or more capacitive touch sensor devices, each sending a measured capacitance signal that outputs a baseline capacitance signal during a release event, and outputs an increased capacitance signal during a touch event.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a touch detecting device includes: a first drive area and a second drive area each including drive electrodes and detection electrodes, the drive electrodes extending in a first direction, being arrayed in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and being applied with a drive signal, the detection electrodes extending in the second direction, being arrayed in the first direction, and outputting a detection signal. Application of the drive signal to the drive electrodes in the second drive area is stopped at a timing to apply the drive signal to the drive electrodes arranged in a first predetermined area included in the first drive area, and application of the drive signal to the drive electrodes in the first drive area is stopped at a timing to apply the drive signal to a second predetermined area included in the second drive area.

Abstract: A system includes a MEMS device and a key generating device formed over the substrate. The key generating device is configured to generate a cryptographic key based on a property of the MEMS device and the MEMS device is configured to output a signal indicative of a sensed parameter. The generated cryptographic key is based on the influenced output signal of the MEMS device.

Abstract: A proximity sensor for detecting proximity of a body portion in a first region while avoiding unwanted detection of a body portion in a second region, based on the capacities seen by a plurality of electrodes. An application of the inventive detector to a mobile phone, whereby the display is switched off, or various energy saving measure are taken, when the proximity sensor determines directional proximity with a body part, indicating that the user has brought the phone to the ear for placing a call.

Abstract: A biometric recognition apparatus with reflection-shielding electrode includes a substrate, a sensing electrode layer arranged on one side of the substrate, the sensing electrode layer including a plurality of sensing electrodes and at least one suppressing electrode. The biometric recognition apparatus further includes a plurality of selection switches and conductive wires, at least a part of the selection switches and the conductive wires are electrically connected to the sensing electrodes. The biometric recognition apparatus further includes a reflection-shielding electrode layer with at least one reflection-shielding electrode and arranged on one side of the sensing electrode layer. By incorporating the reflection-shielding electrode and the suppressing electrode, the sensing sensibility and signal to noise ration can be enhanced, thus increasing the sensing distance between sensing electrode and user finger.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a processing module that calibrates a current-mode baseline correction system to account for features in an input device that lead to “offset” in output of a charge integrator used for sensing presence of an input object. The offset is a difference between a common mode voltage, which is the average voltage output of the charge integrator over a sensing cycle and a mid-rail voltage midway between high and low power supply voltages. Calibration is performed by adjusting an N-side and/or P-side current flow duration parameter until common mode voltage falls within a low offset window in which the offset is deemed to be sufficiently close to the mid-rail voltage. The resulting duration parameters are stored and used for current-mode baseline corrections when operating an associated sensor electrode for capacitive sensing.

Abstract: A display device includes a display panel, and an electrostatic capacitive type touch panel which is formed in an overlapping manner with the display panel. A plurality of X electrodes and a plurality of Y electrodes intersecting with the X electrodes. A first signal line supplies signals to the X electrodes, a second signal line supplies signals to the Y electrodes, and the first signal line and the second signal line are formed on a flexible printed circuit board. A dummy electrode is formed adjacent to an electrode portion of each X electrode and electrode portion of each Y electrode, the dummy electrode does not overlap the X electrode and the Y electrode, and the dummy electrode does not electrically connect with the first and second signal lines.

Abstract: A microphone system has a lid coupled with a base to form a package with an interior chamber. The package has a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides, and at least one of those sides has a portion with a substantially planar surface forming an opening for receiving an acoustic signal. The microphone system also has a microphone die positioned within the interior chamber. The microphone is positioned at a non-orthogonal, non-zero angle with regard to the opening in the at least one side.

Abstract: According to embodiments, methods of scanning a touch panel and a touch integrated circuit (IC) for performing the same are disclosed. The touch IC simultaneously supplies a first driving signal having a first phase and a second driving signal having a second phase to a first driving line and a second driving line of the touch panel, respectively, and detects a sensing signal from a sensing line crossing the first driving line and the second driving line. The touch IC acquires a first scanning signal corresponding to the first driving line and a second scanning signal corresponding to the second driving line from the sensing signal.

Abstract: A capacitive transducer includes first and second fixed outer plates, each having fixed electrodes positioned on inner surfaces, and a center plate assembly positioned between the fixed outer plates. The center plate assembly includes a top center plate and bottom center plate. The top and bottom center plates each have an inner section, an outer frame positioned outward of a perimeter of the inner section, a set of springs connecting the outer frame to the inner section, and a center electrode positioned on an outer surface of the inner section. The set of springs has thickness less than each of the inner section and the outer frame. The center electrodes of the top and bottom center plates are connected to become electrically one electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a circuit testing method and a circuit testing system for testing the circuit of a transmissive capacitive touch panel, wherein, the method comprises: when testing a certain induction line in a first electrode matrix or a second electrode matrix, configuring all induction lines in the first electrode matrix and the second electrode matrix except for the induction line to be tested as ground wires, applying a first voltage to the induction line to be tested, and detecting current on the induction line to be tested, and determining that the induction line to be tested is in a short-circuit state when the current is generated on the induction line to be tested; repeating the above step, and testing other induction lines in turn.

Abstract: A method of a charging calibration system is mainly to charge/discharge a reference touch pad, then to compute a reference charging time needed for a number of accumulated reference supply duties to reach a reference charging number, then to base on the reference charging time to charge/discharge one of operation touch pads repeatedly by a calibration supply duty, finally to count a number of the experienced calibration supply duties within the reference charging time. Thereupon, a reference charged number of an individual operation touch pad within the reference charging time can be obtained. Thus, the operation touch pad can adjust the reference charging time to meet various environmental requirements. Also, the reference supply duty is greater than the calibration supply duty.

Abstract: A voltage sensor system for sensing voltage in a conductor, the voltage sensor system including a first plate, a first electrode disposed a first distance away from the first plate, a second plate, a second electrode disposed a second distance away from the second plate, a control unit structured to control one of the first plate and the second plate to be grounded and the other of the first plate and the second plate to be electrically floating, and a differential amplifier electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode and being structured to output an output voltage that is proportional to a difference in voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A method and a device for testing an electronic appliance for determining at least one variable of a system. The electronic appliance is designed in the form of a sensor. The method includes defining an expected minimum and/or maximum value of the variable and producing an electric signal by means of the electronic appliance depending on the variable. The method also includes detecting at least one value of a parameter of the produced electric signal and defining an expected minimum and/or maximum value of the parameter depending on the defined minimum and/or maximum value of the variable of the system. A determination is made, based on whether the detected value of the parameter is greater than the minimum value defined for the parameter and/or smaller than the maximum value, whether there is a malfunction of the electronic appliance provoked by an external electromagnetic interference field.

Abstract: This application relates to a projected capacitive touch sensor. The sensor includes a sensor grid including one or more electrically conductive rows and two or more electrically conductive columns. The sensor further includes an adaptive circuit that receives a signal associated with a first portion of the two or more columns and includes a direct route and an attenuator route, the attenuator route including an attenuator circuit for applying an amplitude decrease, an amplitude increase, or a phase shift to the sensor grid's signal, wherein the adaptive circuit is configured to switch between the direct route and the attenuator route. The sensor further includes a differential circuit that is configured to generate a differential signal based on an output signal from the adaptive circuit and a signal associated with a second portion of the two or more columns.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to improve accuracy of relative humidity (RH) determination from dielectric sensing material-based RH sensors, e.g., by decreasing shift and drift effects and compensating for dielectric material aging to improve RH sensor accuracy. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to improve RH sensing accuracy by correcting humidity-sensitive electrical parameters (e.g., capacitance, effective resistance, etc.) based on other other measured sensor electrical operating characteristics (e.g., such as real time sensor circuit phase angle) and/or selection of sensor electrical parameters (e.g., such as optimized operating frequency) that are employed for sensing changes in dielectric constant of a dielectric material-based RH sensor.

Abstract: A processing system, input device, and method are disclosed to detect an active input device. The method includes operating a first portion of a plurality of sensor electrodes to receive an active input signal from an active input device, and operating a second portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes to receive capacitive sensing data corresponding to a passive input device. The first and second portions include at least one sensor electrode in common. The method also includes driving a plurality of display electrodes to update a display image, wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes includes at least one of the plurality of display electrodes.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor, comprising a suspending mass block, a group of Y direction displacement sensors, a group of Z direction displacement sensors and a power supply; wherein the mass block, the Y direction displacement sensors and the Z direction displacement sensors respectively comprise a plurality of metal layers and a dielectric layer between two metal layers. In the mass block, a region corresponding to the Y direction displacement sensors and a region corresponding to the Z direction displacement sensors respectively comprise at least two metal layers connected by a via. The Y direction displacement sensors include two electrodes, each comprising at least two metal layers connected by a via; the Z direction displacement sensor includes two electrodes, each comprising at least two metal layers connected by a via; and the power supply provides a current flowing through the mass block selectively in X or Y direction.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein provide input devices configured to selectively operate in two different sensing regimes. The first sensing regime is configured to determine positional information for ungloved fingers in the sensing region. The second sensing regime is configured to determine positional information for gloved fingers in the sensing region. The input devices are further configured to switch from operating in the first sensing regime to the second sensing regime responsive to detecting an input gesture that meets each of a set of criteria, where the set of criteria includes a measure of sensor value stability corresponding to the input gesture being beyond a sensor value stability threshold level. So implemented, the input device allows a user to easily switch between two different sensing regimes, and thus can facilitate the use of the device with both gloved and ungloved fingers providing input.

Abstract: A flexible capacitance sensor having multiple layers for communicating signals to a data acquisition system for reconstructing an image of an area or object located in a subject being sensed, the flexible capacitance sensor having a flexible layer of capacitance plates; a flexible shielding ground layer next to the layer of capacitance plates; a flexible layer of signal traces next to the shielding ground layer, where the layer of signal traces has a plurality of trace lines; and where the capacitance sensor is flexible and adapted to be wrapped around the subject being sensed. The sensor is adapted to communicate signals via the plurality of trace lines to a data acquisition system for providing an image of the area or object between the capacitance plates.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and may determine activation upon detection of a stable signal.