With Variable Distance Between Capacitor Electrodes Patents (Class 324/661)
  • Patent number: 8698509
    Abstract: An immersion sensor for use with a cushion or mattress for determining the relative immersion of a person within the cushion or mattress including a sensor, a ground and a circuit for measuring capacitance. The sensor includes a sheet of conductive material, and the ground includes a second sheet of conductive material. The circuit is adapted to send short bursts of electrical current to the sensor and a capacitor. The circuit is further adapted to measure the length of time the burst of current takes to charge the capacitor. Based upon the measured time, the circuit calculates the proximity of the object based upon the time taken to charge the capacitor. A method that may be implemented with the immersion sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Roho, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan William Call, Kent Walker Mabey
  • Publication number: 20140097857
    Abstract: A capacitive touch keyboard includes a shielding layer, a intermediate layer, and a one-dimensional sensor layer where the soft intermediate layer is interposed between the other two to form a capacitor structure. The shielding layer includes a ground plane, and plural first key areas at its outer surface. The one-dimensional sensor layer includes plural sensing cells and plural second key areas where the first key areas correspond to the second key areas, and respective cells are electrically connected to a sensing circuit. Therefore, features of more compact size, simplified structure design, and tactile feel are provided in a capacitive keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: TOUCHPLUS INFORMATION CORP.
    Inventor: Shih Hsien HU
  • Patent number: 8694249
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a ground reaction sensor cluster (GRSC) and to methods for precisely determining zero velocity points and bearing changes using a GRSC and for navigating using a GRSC and an inertial motion unit (IMU) in a global positioning satellite (GPS)-denied environment. The GRSC device itself includes an array of capacitive pressure and shear sensors. The array includes multiple flexible capacitive sensor cells that detect changes in capacitance in response to a footstep. Each cell of the array includes multiple overlapping, fingered capacitors that detect pressure and shear force by determining the change in capacitance in each fingered capacitor. The GRSC device also includes a multiplexing receiver that receives the capacitance inputs from each of the capacitive sensor cells. The multiplexing receiver and other electronic elements further process the received capacitance inputs to determine, based on the pressure and shear forces, the direction and bearing of the footstep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Carlos H. Mastrangelo, Rajesh Surapaneni
  • Patent number: 8688330
    Abstract: A first operator control function is activated if it is detected by means of a first sensor that a first physical variable is higher than a predetermined first threshold value. In a similar way, a second operator control function is activated if it is detected by means of a second sensor that a second physical variable is higher than a predetermined second threshold value. A third operator control function is activated if it is detected by means of the first sensor that the first physical variable is higher than a predetermined third threshold value and if at the same time it is detected by means of the second sensor that the second physical variable is higher than a predetermined fourth threshold value, the third threshold value being higher than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Hella KGAA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Stefan Werner, Lothar Scharwald, Dietmar Grave, Andreas Thiele
  • Patent number: 8680876
    Abstract: A dynamic quantity detecting member includes: a base substrate of which a part or the whole including a contact portion is deformed in accordance with pressing of a contact object and of which an original shape is recovered when the pressing of the contact object disappears; electrodes serving as displacement electrodes of which the plurality of electrodes are fixed to a surface or inside of the base substrate and of which at least one electrode is disposed in a deformable portion (which is a region deformable and displaceable during the deformation) of the base substrate; and wirings which are connected to the electrodes. During deformation, the displacement electrodes are deformed and displaced with the deformation and displacement of the deformable portion without separation from the base substrate and without damaging conductivity. The deformation and displacement of the deformable portion are detected as a variation in capacitance between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Kadono
  • Patent number: 8674709
    Abstract: A circuit for measuring a capacitance value of a touch screen includes: a target capacitor unit having a target capacitor charged with a target charging voltage; a target voltage control unit to charge the target capacitor; a reference capacitor unit having a reference capacitor charged with a charging reference voltage; a reference voltage control unit to charge the reference capacitor; a comparator to compare the target charging voltage and the charging reference voltage and output a transition signal at a moment when the target charging voltage becomes higher than the charging reference voltage; and a controller to receive an output signal of the comparator and a clock signal and generate a digital output signal and a control signal, wherein a capacitance value of the target capacitor is measured using a time elapsed from a time when the target capacitor is initialized to a time when the transition signal is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Hun Kim, Hyun Min Song, Joon Ho Na, Ki Uk Gwak, Sang Gug Lee
  • Patent number: 8659303
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing whether an occupant detection sensor normally operates is disclosed. The testing apparatus includes: a ground that is an electrically-conductive structural member of the seat; an electrode plate that is electrically-conductive and is on the seat at a time of testing; multiple capacitors that are electrically connected between the electrode plate and the ground and are different in electrostatic capacity from each other; a switch mechanism that selects and switches one capacitor of the multiple capacitors; and a determination result check portion that determines, while switching the one capacitor by the switch mechanism, whether a signal outputted from the occupant detection sensor is a determination result corresponding to the switched one capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Hayakawa, Takashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8643469
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, the access control system comprises a door with an integrated mechatronic closing mechanism which is equipped with a receiver device. The receiver device is designed to receive and evaluate capacitive-resistive signals that are emitted by a transmitter and are transmitted via a user's body. The closing mechanism opens or does open the door in accordance with a result of said evaluation. In said one embodiment of the invention, the closing mechanism is battery-operated and has no permanent electric connection to an object that is not located on or in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kaba AG
    Inventor: Andreas Häberli
  • Patent number: 8629684
    Abstract: The electronic circuit has a capacitive sensor that includes two capacitors mounted in differential, whose common electrode can move relative to each fixed electrode of the two capacitors to alter the capacitive value of each capacitor. The electronic circuit has an interface connected to the capacitive sensor, which includes a charge transfer amplifier unit connected to the common electrode, an integrator unit, and an excitation unit arranged between the output of the first integrator unit and the sensor to polarise each fixed electrode of the sensor capacitors at a determined voltage value. A compensation capacitor is connected to the input of the integrator unit. The electronic circuit interface includes comparison means for comparing the output voltage with a comparison voltage to control disconnection of the compensation capacitor at the integrator unit input, if the deviation between the output voltage and the comparison voltage exceeds a determined voltage threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Alexandre Deschildre, Sylvain Grosjean, Michel Willemin
  • Publication number: 20140002113
    Abstract: Methods and devices are described for operating an input device for an electronic system which includes a housing. The input device includes an input surface and a first substrate having a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to sense input objects proximate the input surface, and a pair of force sensing electrodes on the bottom of the first substrate. The input device includes a second substrate having a planar spring plate including a perimeter region surrounding an interior region, the perimeter region including a leaf spring coupled to the housing, and a spacing layer configured to physically couple the interior region of the second substrate to the first substrate. A force applied to the input surface deflects the first substrate and the interior region relative to the perimeter region, changing a variable capacitance formed between the force sensing electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard R. Schediwy, Oscar Ayzenberg, Raymond Chin, Lin-Hsiang Hsieh, Robert Kin Hung Lee, Chris Rehn, Joseph Kurth Reynolds, Yeh-Cheng Tan
  • Patent number: 8618816
    Abstract: A measuring device has a micro-electromechanical capacitive sensor which has electrodes which move toward and away from each other for measurement of a mechanical deflection of a test mass. The measuring device has a charge integrator which has an operating amplifier which has at least one amplifier input connected to the sensor and an amplifier output which is fed back to the amplifier input via an integration capacitor. The amplifier input is connected via a high-resistance electrical resistor to a terminal for an electrical common-mode reference potential. In addition to the amplifier input, the operating amplifier has an auxiliary input. The amplifier output is connected to the auxiliary input via a deep pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
    Inventors: Lin He, Yiannos Manoli, Alexander Buhmann, Armin Taschwer, Thomas Northemann
  • Publication number: 20130342221
    Abstract: Metal nanowires, such as silver nanowires coated on a substrate were sintered together to form fused metal nanowire networks that have greatly improved conductivity while maintaining good transparency and low haze. The method of forming such a fused metal nanowire networks are disclosed that involves exposure of metal nanowires to various fusing agents on a short timescale. The resulting sintered network can have a core-shell structure in which metal halide forms the shell. Additionally, effective methods are described for forming patterned structure with areas of sintered metal nanowire network with high conductivity and areas of un-sintered metal nanowires with low conductivity. The corresponding patterned films are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: C3NANO INC.
    Inventors: Ajay Virkar, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Melburne C. LeMieux
  • Patent number: 8610687
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel. First-axis conductor assemblies and second-axis conductor assemblies are formed on a surface of a substrate. Each first-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of first-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by first-axis conduction lines. An insulation layer is formed on a surface of each first-axis conduction line. Each second-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of second-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by second-axis conduction lines. Each second-axis conduction line extends across the insulation layer of the associated first-axis conduction line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Yang Chang, Shun-Ta Chien
  • Patent number: 8610591
    Abstract: The invention inter alia relates to a method for monitoring the bearing current of an electrical machine (10). An electrode (100) arranged at a distance (d) to a shaft and the shaft—due to the gap (S) between the electrode and the shaft—produce a measurement capacitance (C) and an electric shift current (i) which flows through the measurement capacitance when there is a temporal change of the voltage (Ug) applied between the shaft and the housing is measured. A measurement signal (Ms) indicating a bearing current flow is generated when the shift current or a measurement variable produced by the shift current meets a predetermined trigger criterion. Preferably, the electrode has a circular inner contour so that the gap is annular. The annular inner contour results in an error compensation in the case of a balance error of the shaft because the factor dC/dt remains at least substantially constant. Due to the contactless measurement of the shift current, no contact brushes for contacting the shaft are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Richard Kretschmer, Arno Steckenborn, Oliver Theile
  • Patent number: 8610689
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel. First-axis conductor assemblies and second-axis conductor assemblies are formed on a surface of a substrate. Each first-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of first-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by first-axis conduction lines. An insulator is formed on a surface of each adjacent first-axis conductor cell. Each second-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of second-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by second-axis conduction lines. Each second-axis conduction line extends across the insulator disposed on the adjacent first-axis conductor cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Yang Chang, Shun-Ta Chien, Hua Ding, Li Yang
  • Patent number: 8605050
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel. First-axis conductor assemblies and second-axis conductor assemblies are formed on a surface of a substrate. Each first-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of first-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by first-axis conduction lines. Each second-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of second-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by second-axis conduction lines. At least part of each first-axis conduction lines is conductive in horizontal direction and insulating in vertical direction and each of the second-axis conduction lines respectively intersects with the at least part of corresponding first-axis conduction lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Yang Chang, Shun-Ta Chien, Fan Zhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 8598893
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting and measuring a load pressure applied to a support device comprises at least one capacitive cell including a flat condenser comprising at least one layer of a compressible insulating dielectric material interposed between two layers of conductive material. A support device capable of supporting the body of a person comprises at least one top layer composed of a plurality of air-filled inflatable cells communicating with inflation elements, characterized in that it comprises a sensor, of which said condenser is disposed under said top layer and connected to an electronic control and regulation device capable of controlling inflation or deflation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Industries SA
    Inventor: Gilles Camus
  • Patent number: 8593161
    Abstract: A contact detection apparatus that allows faster detection and a pinch prevention apparatus equipped with such a detection apparatus are provided. The contact detection apparatus includes a first electrode (430) made of a flexible conductive material and extending throughout a contact detection range, a second electrode (440) apart from the first electrode and extending on the back side of the first electrode, and detection means for detecting contact of an object with the first electrode based on the capacitance of the first electrode. The first electrode is made of a conductive resin containing an embedded conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Shiroki Kogyo Co., Ltd., Tachibana Eletech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kato, Kazushi Hirose, Yoshihiro Fujimura, Minoru Tanaka, Takao Koba, Hiroki Nishida, Naoki Sumiya, Kenji Kato
  • Patent number: 8593160
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Jonathon Thompson, Gregory Lewis Dean, Jaswinder Jandu, Richard Alexander Erhart
  • Publication number: 20130307568
    Abstract: An external operation detection structure body including: a sensor casing having an aperture window; an external operation detection sensor arranged at a formation zone of the aperture window; a sheet-like interface member that covers a front face of the detection sensor and closes the aperture window; an outer peripheral wall protruding out from a rear face of an outer periphery of the interface member and penetrating into the aperture window so as to be arranged between the detection sensor and the sensor casing; and front and rear face seal protrusions extending respectively from front and rear edges of the outer peripheral wall toward an outer peripheral side so as to be superposed respectively with front and rear faces of a peripheral edge of the aperture window of the sensor casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi HASEGAWA, Tomonori HAYAKAWA, Atsushi MURAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20130307567
    Abstract: In an aspect, a pinch sensor is provided, comprising: an elongate non-conductive casing enclosing first, second, and third elongate conductive electrodes; the first and second electrodes being separated by a portion of the casing, a capacitance between the first and second electrodes changing when an obstacle approaches the first electrode to provide a proximity indication of the obstacle to the pinch sensor; and, the second and third electrodes being separated by an air gap formed in the casing, a resistance between the second and third electrodes changing when the second and third electrodes come into contact upon compression of the casing by the obstacle to provide a contact indication of the obstacle with the pinch sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Liviu Bolbocianu, Rade Isailovic
  • Publication number: 20130298699
    Abstract: A capacitor for use in sensors includes opposed first and second capacitor plates, wherein the second capacitor plate is mounted to the first capacitor plate by a flexible attachment. The flexible attachment is configured and adapted so that flexure of the attachment causes a change in the spacing between the first and second capacitor plates to cause a change in the capacitance thereacross.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Potasek
  • Publication number: 20130300437
    Abstract: A physical parameter is measured via an electronic circuit connected to a two capacitor sensor. The circuit includes an amplifier connected to the common capacitor electrode, a logic unit for digital processing amplifier data and supplying a digital measuring signal, a digital-analogue converter for supplying a measuring voltage based on the digital measuring signal, a switching unit for alternately supplying the measuring voltage to the first and second fixed capacitor electrodes, and a regulated voltage for negative biasing or a low voltage for positive biasing from a voltage supply source. A first phase consists in biasing the first fixed electrode with the measuring voltage from first binary word and reference voltage, and the second fixed electrode with low voltage, and a second phase consists in biasing the second fixed electrode with measuring voltage from second binary word, which is reverse of the first binary word, and the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: EM MICROELECTRONIC-MARIN SA
    Inventors: Sylvain GROSJEAN, Christophe ENTRINGER
  • Patent number: 8581603
    Abstract: Provided is an occupant classifying device which can detect an occupant sitting on a seat by a change in an electric field between first and second electrodes that is caused by the occupant sitting on the seat. The occupant classifying device includes: a seat for an occupant to sit on; a first electrode disposed in the seat; a second electrode disposed in the seat, spaced apart from the first electrode, and forming an electric field between the first and second electrodes; and a current measuring device for measuring a variation in current value corresponding to changes in the electric field caused by the occupant sitting on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jae Ho Hwang, You Tae Park, Young Soo Hwang, Byung Hyuk Park
  • Publication number: 20130271160
    Abstract: A capacitive image sensor for detecting an input object includes a first substrate and a second substrate. A compressible region is defined between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate is deflectable towards the second substrate. A transmitter electrode, receiver electrode, and bending effect electrode are disposed on the first substrate. The bending effect electrode is disposed between the transmitter electrode and receiver electrode and is configured to reduce a change in resulting signals detected from the receiver electrode caused by deflection of the first substrate towards the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Derek Solven, Tracy Scott Dattalo
  • Publication number: 20130271161
    Abstract: A capacitive image sensor for detecting an input object includes a first substrate and a second substrate. A compressible region is defined between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate is deflectable towards the second substrate. A transmitter electrode, receiver electrode, and bending effect electrode are disposed on the first substrate. The bending effect electrode is disposed between the transmitter electrode and receiver electrode and is configured to reduce a change in resulting signals detected from the receiver electrode caused by deflection of the first substrate towards the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Derek Solven, Tracy Scott Dattalo
  • Publication number: 20130271159
    Abstract: Systems for providing electro-mechanical sensors are provided. In some embodiments, a system for providing an electro-mechanical sensor comprising: a flexible material forming at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel includes a first plate region and the second channel forms a second plate region that is substantially aligned with the first plate region; and an electrically conductive fluid that fills the first channel and the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicants: Arizona State University
    Inventor: Arizona Board of Regents, a body corporate of the State of Arizona, acting for and on behalf of Arizona State Universi
  • Publication number: 20130241578
    Abstract: A capacitance type sensor includes a detection electrode, a reference electrode, and a sub-reference electrode for distinguishingly detecting a detection object. The sub-reference electrode has a reference voltage applied thereto and is displaceable relative to the detection electrode due to a pressure exerted from the detection object. A voltage application device applies a detection voltage to form an electric field in a space defined with the reference electrode device. A capacitance detector of the sensor detects a first capacitance and a second capacitance, and a detection unit of the sensor distinguishingly detects the detection object based on the first capacitance and the second capacitance. The first capacitance is measured between the detection electrode and the reference electrode, and the second capacitance is measured between the detection electrode and the sub-reference electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi Satake, Hiroyuki Mori, Hajime Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20130234734
    Abstract: A sensor unit is provided and includes a first substrate, first and second electrodes, an input portion disposed so that a gap exists between the substrate and the input portion, a plurality of first structures disposed in the gap and extending at least partially between the first substrate and the input portion, and a second insulating structure disposed on a side of the first structures that is away from the input portion, or between adjacent first structures. The sensor unit is configured to detect a change in capacitance between the first and second electrodes upon a change in position of the input portion relative to the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumihiko Iida, Hiroto Kawaguchi, Hayato Hasegawa, Takashi Itaya, Toshio Kano, Takayuki Tanaka, Kei Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20130229193
    Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance sensor 1 includes a semiconductor substrate 4. A first fixing plate 2 is joined to a one-side surface 4a of the semiconductor substrate 4, and a second fixing plate 3 is joined to other-side surface 4b of the semiconductor substrate 4, whereby a space portion S is formed. Then, static electricity suppressing means 70 for suppressing static electricity from being generated in the space portion S is provided in the electrostatic capacitance sensor 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsumi KAKIMOTO, Hitoshi YOSHIDA, Nobuyuki IBARA, Shinichi KISHIMOTO, Hideki UEDA, Takeshi OKADA, Takeshi MORI, Masatoshi NOMURA, Jun OGIHARA
  • Patent number: 8525530
    Abstract: A variable capacitor is disclosed, including: a dielectric having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface; a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the dielectric; a second electrode disposed to face the second surface of the dielectric; and a pressing member configured to cause the second electrode and the dielectric to contact each other when a pressing force is applied thereto (e.g., when a pen-shaped position indicator including the variable capacitor is pressed against a tablet). In the variable capacitor, the second electrode includes at least one electrode piece having an abutting central portion, against which the pressing member transmits a pressing force applied thereto, and an extension portion that radially extends from the abutting central portion toward a circumferential portion of the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Fukushima, Hiroyuki Fujitsuka
  • Patent number: 8525531
    Abstract: A variable capacitor is provided for use with an electronic circuit board including a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, to be built in a position indicator. The variable capacitor includes a dielectric having a first surface portion and a second surface portion opposite to the first surface portion, and a conductive elastic member having a board coupling portion and a dielectric contacting portion. The first terminal portion is coupled to the first surface portion, the second terminal portion is coupled to the board coupling portion, and the dielectric contacting portion is disposed separately from the second surface portion so as to face the second surface portion and is configured to be deformed to come in contact with the second surface portion of the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Fukushima, Hiroyuki Fujitsuka
  • Patent number: 8497690
    Abstract: A scan module of an electronic device scans a capacitive keypad for detection of the actuation of any capacitive touch sensor. This scan module remains in operation even when major power consuming circuits of the electronic device are in a sleep mode, and will not wake up the major power consuming circuits until an action requiring the circuits is needed, thereby, reducing overall power consumption of the electronic device while still maintaining scanning of the capacitive keypad. Upon detection of a valid key press of a capacitive touch sensor, an interrupt to the electronic device brings it out of a sleep mode and into an operating mode for further processing and appropriate action commensurate with the actuation of the specific capacitive touch sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: James E. Bartling, Jason Tollefson, Bruce Bohn
  • Publication number: 20130187667
    Abstract: Foreign metal inspection equipment is provided with: a conveying device for conveying a sample to be subjected to inspection; electrodes positioned so as to face the surface of the sample; a measurement device for measuring the capacitance between the electrodes and the sample being conveyed by the conveying device; and a processing unit that inspects for foreign metal mixed in the sample on the basis of the change in capacitance measured by the measurement device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Makuuchi, Minori Noguchi, Hiroshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8493070
    Abstract: The signal source generates a signal of a frequency higher than the vibration frequency of the slider of the hard disk drive, and supplies it to one end of the slider and the disk of the hard disk drive. The detector detects a signal output from the other end of the slider and the disk, and outputs a change in the capacitance between the slider and the disk as a voltage when the hard disk drive receives an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Komiya, Tatsuhiko Nishida
  • Patent number: 8493079
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided in combination with a seat heater and a capacitive occupant detection system. The seat heater comprises a seat heating element disposed in the vehicle seat while the capacitive occupant detection system comprises a measurement circuit and an electrode arrangement, which is also disposed in the vehicle seat. The electrode arrangement includes a sensing electrode and a shielding electrode. The measurement circuit is operatively connected to the sensing electrode and to the shielding electrode and configured to keep the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode at substantially the same electric potential during the capacitive measurement. Of the seat heating element, the sensing electrode and the shielding electrode, the seat heating element is closest to a seating region of the vehicle seat and the sensing electrode is arranged between the seat heating element and the shielding electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Andreas Petereit, Christoph Wendt, Claus-Christian Kedenburg
  • Patent number: 8493078
    Abstract: A sensor for capacitive detection of a mechanical deflection includes a substrate having a first substrate electrode and a second substrate electrode; and a mass movable relative to the substrate. The mass is divided into: a first electrically separate region having a first ground electrode; and a second electrically separate region of the mass having a second ground electrode. At least one portion of the first ground electrode is situated in a first region between the first substrate electrode and the second substrate electrode, and forms a first differential capacitor. At least one portion of the second ground electrode is situated in a second region between the first substrate electrode and the second substrate electrode, and forms a second differential capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Franke, Alexander Buhmann, Marian Keck
  • Publication number: 20130181726
    Abstract: A device for detecting and quantifying a force applied on a surface comprising a test specimen, an electrically insulating substrate, a first electrode bound to the substrate, a second electrode, an assembly of conductive or semi-conductive nanoparticles in contact with the two electrodes, and a measurement device. The measurement device provides proportional information with respect to an electrical property of the nanoparticles assembly. The electrical property is measured between the first and second electrode. The test specimen is the nanoparticles assembly itself and the electrical property is sensitive to the distance between the nanoparticles of the assembly. The invention uses the nanoparticles assembly itself as a test specimen and allows a force to be quantified even if the nanoparticles assembly is deposited on a rigid substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicants: NANOMADE CONCEPT, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, INSTITUT NATIONAL DES SCIENCES APPLIQUEES DE TOULOUSE
    Inventors: Benoît Viallet, Laurence Ressier, Jérémie Grisolia, Lionel Songeon, ERIC Mouchel La Fosse, Lukas Czornomaz
  • Patent number: 8482302
    Abstract: A device is provided for measuring the clearance between a member and a surface over and relative to which the member moves. The device has a first reference element, and a second reference element which faces the first reference element, and is movable to alter the distance to the first reference element. The device further has a fastening system for fastening the device to the member so that, during the relative motion, the first reference element is held in a fixed position relative to the member and the second reference element slides over the surface. The device further has an urging arrangement which urges the second reference element into contact with the surface so that, as the second reference element slides over the surface and the clearance between the member and the surface varies, the second reference element moves relative to the first reference element. The device further has a sensor which measures the distance between the first and second reference elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Martin S. Suckling, Lee Mansfield, Peter D. Webb
  • Publication number: 20130162270
    Abstract: A capacitance type measuring device for measuring a physical quantity of an object to be measured by measuring a capacitance of a variable capacitor is provided, which achieves compactness, simplicity of structure, and improved measurement accuracy. The capacitance type measuring device may include a primary measuring circuit that is configured with the variable capacitor and a reference electronic element that is a reference to measure a capacitance of the variable capacitor, a secondary measuring circuit that has an impedance conversion element with sufficiently high input impedance and is connected to the primary measuring circuit, and a substrate in which a part or all of the each measuring circuit is formed. The high impedance circuit part may be formed between the variable capacitor and an impedance conversion element, and the reference electronic element may be embedded inside the substrate between a front surface and a rear surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8456177
    Abstract: An occupant detection system that includes an electrode arranged proximate to an expected location of an occupant for generating an electric field between the electrode and the occupant proximate thereto. An electrical network coupled to the electrode forms a resonant circuit that includes the occupant as part of the resonant circuit. A controller coupled to the resonant circuit is configured to determine a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit indicative of an occupant presence, and a network signal magnitude at the resonant frequency indicative of a humidity value proximate to the electrode. 7. A method for detecting a vehicle applies an excitation signal to the resonant circuit, determine a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit and determines a humidity value based on a network signal magnitude at the resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Griffin, Mark C. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20130134993
    Abstract: A touch panel sensor with which unevenness of interference can be reduced is provided. A touch panel sensor of the present invention includes a film base material, a first transparent electrode pattern formed on a first face of the film base material, a first adhesive layer laminated on the first face of the film base material so as to cover the first transparent electrode pattern, a second transparent electrode pattern formed on a second face of the film base material, and a second adhesive layer laminated on the second face of the film base material so as to cover the second transparent electrode pattern, and the film base material has an in-plane phase difference of ?/4 with respect to a wavelength ? in the visible light region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8441268
    Abstract: A system for detecting fluid on a substrate is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, a sensor board, a first capacitive sensor, and a platform upon which the substrate is to be placed. The first capacitive sensor is mounted on the sensor board. The first capacitive sensor has a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a signal, a receive sensor pad for receiving the signal, and an analog-to-digital convertor connected with the receive sensor pad for analyzing the received signal. The platform is a first distance from the transmit and receive sensor pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Lam Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Norton, Charley Abboud
  • Patent number: 8436628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitive sensor system comprising a sensor circuit connected to a first (15) and a second (11) antenna, the first antenna (15) is arranged on a first object (10) and the second antenna (11) is arranged on a second object (11) movable relative to said first object (10). The first antenna (15) is arranged right next to the second object (11) for the sensor circuit to detect the movement and/or position of the second object (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Andrei Uhov, Roberto Giordano, Girish Pimputkar
  • Patent number: 8432170
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of an integrated capacitance model circuit are described. A capacitance model circuit is disposed on a common carrier substrate of an integrated circuit (IC) having a capacitance-sensing device. The capacitance model circuit is configured to model a capacitance of an external sense array. The capacitance model circuit is programmable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Walsh, Keith O'Donoghue
  • Publication number: 20130099802
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a first substrate with proximity sensor electrodes and at least a first force sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate. A second substrate is physically coupled to the first substrate, where the second substrate comprises a spring feature and an electrode component. The electrode component at least partially overlaps the first force sensor electrode to define a variable capacitance between the first force sensor electrode and the electrode component. The spring feature is configured to facilitate deflection of the electrode component relative to the first force sensor electrode to change the variable capacitance. A measure of the variable capacitance may be calculated and used to determine force information regarding the force biasing the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lin-Hsiang Hsieh, Richard R. Schediwy
  • Publication number: 20130093438
    Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the invention for transparent conductive film has a thickness of 10 ?m to 100 ?m, and is made from a water-dispersible acryl-based pressure-sensitive adhesive that is an aqueous dispersion containing a water-dispersible (meth)acryl-based polymer and a water-soluble basic component, wherein the water-dispersible (meth)acryl-based polymer comprises 100 parts by weight of an alkyl(meth)acrylate with an alkyl group of 4 to 14 carbon atoms, as a monomer unit, and 1 to 8 parts by weight of a carboxyl group-containing monomer as a copolymerized monomer unit, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer contains 200 ng to 500,000 ng of the water-soluble basic component per 1 cm2 as determined by measurement of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can have satisfactory durability in a high-temperature or high-temperature, high-humidity environment and can suppress corrosion in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshitsugu Hosokawa, Kunihiro Inui, Takaaki Ishii, Masayuki Satake, Ai Murakami, Yuka Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8421641
    Abstract: An object detection system, controller, and method using sub-sampling for detecting a presence of an object at the location. An electrode arranged near the location radiates an electric field that corresponds to an electrode signal that arises in response to an excitation signal. When the excitation signal is coupled to the electrode and the electric field is radiated, the electrode exhibits an electrode impedance indicative of the presence of an object. The presence of an object is detected by analyzing the electrode signal using sub-sampling. Traditionally, such electrode signals have frequencies, high enough to warrant the use of expensive high-frequency signal processing devices. Sub-sampling is a way of sampling and processing the electrode signal such that the signal processing to detect the object can be performed by a lower cost general purpose microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis P. Griffin
  • Patent number: 8421482
    Abstract: An anti-pinching device (18) for a pivotable actuating element (6) of a motor vehicle (2) is specified. Said device comprises a capacitive sensor (8) which is intended to contactlessly detect an obstacle in the path of the actuating element (6) and has an electrode (14) for generating an external electric field opposite a counterelectrode (16), wherein the electrode (14) extends in a radial direction (R) of the pivoting movement of the actuating element (6), and a control unit (10) which is set up to interpret a change in a measurement capacitance (CM), which is formed between the electrode (14) and the counterelectrode (16), as pinching when the changed measurement capacitance (CM) exceeds a triggering threshold (A) which is predefined on the basis of an opening angle (?) of the pivotable actuating element (6) and to track the triggering threshold (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Brose fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Wuerstlein, Thomas Weingaertner, Wolf-Christian Mueller
  • Patent number: 8415957
    Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit and method are provided. A storage capacitor is pre-charged. Charge transfer is performed between an under-test capacitor and the storage capacitor. The storage capacitor is discharged and charged according to a relationship between a voltage of the storage capacitor and a reference voltage. The capacitance of the under-test capacitor is measured according to the voltage on the storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: He-Wei Huang, Chih-Yuan Chang, Hui-Hung Chang