To Determine Dimension (e.g., Thickness Or Distance) Patents (Class 324/662)
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Patent number: 11581206Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein comprise a sensor. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface. In an embodiment, the sensor further comprises a first electrode over the first surface of the substrate, and a second electrode over the first surface of the substrate and adjacent to the first electrode. In an embodiment, the sensor further comprises a barrier layer over the first electrode and the second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Yaoling Pan, Patrick John Tae, Leonard Tedeschi, Jennifer Sun, Philip Allan Kraus, Xiaopu Li, Kallol Bera, Michael D. Willwerth, Albert Barrett Hicks, III, Lisa J. Enman, Mark Joseph Saly, Daniel Thomas McCormick
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Patent number: 11573102Abstract: A multi-layer electrode of a capacitive pressure sensor is manufactured by roll to roll printing a conductive layer onto a polymer layer and forming a mutual capacitance sensor layer of the capacitive pressure sensor, co-extruding a conductive polymer layer and a foam dielectric layer and forming a coextruded layer of the capacitive pressure sensor, and pressure rolling the mutual capacitance sensor layer and the coextruded layer together and forming the multi-layer electrode. The conductive polymer layer includes between about 2 wt. % to about 15 wt. % graphene and between about 0.01 wt. % and 5 wt. % of the carbon nanotubes. Also, the conductive polymer layer has a flexural modulus equal to or greater than 5,000 MPa and an electrical resistivity less than or equal to 10 Ohm/mm3, and the polymer layer and/or the conductive polymer layer is formed from recycled polyethylene terephthalate.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Richard Gall, Jim Robert Chascsa
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Patent number: 11568668Abstract: An input sensing circuit includes a plurality of sensors to sense a touch event and to recognize a fingerprint. Among the sensors, at least one sensor includes two transistors and one capacitor. One electrode of electrodes of the capacitor makes contact with a finger of a person to form a capacitance, and the input sensing circuit senses the capacitance to sense the touch event and to recognize the fingerprint.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2018Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sungjae Moon
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Patent number: 11499845Abstract: An apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode having first and second opposing surfaces. The first opposing surface is adjacent the first electrode and separated from the first electrode by a first distance, and the second opposing surface is adjacent the second electrode and separated from the second electrode by a second distance. The third electrode is configured to move relative to the first and second electrodes. A capacitance sensing circuit is coupled to the first and second electrodes. The capacitive sensing circuit is configured to determine a capacitance using the first and second electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Peter Spevak
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Patent number: 11494020Abstract: A display device comprises a first power supply line supplying a first potential, a second power supply line supplying a second potential, a third power supply line supplying a touch driving signal, and a display unit including a plurality of sub-pixels. The display unit comprises a plurality of first electrodes respectively provided in the plurality of sub-pixels and electrically connected to the first power supply line, a second electrode provided to be common among the plurality of sub-pixels and electrically connected to the second power supply line, a light emitting layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, a plurality of third electrodes electrically connected to the third power supply line, and a signal control circuit supplying a signal synchronized with a touch driving signal to the second electrode in a period in which a touch driving signal is supplied to the plurality of third electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Japan Display Inc.Inventors: Hiroshi Mizuhashi, Hayato Kurasawa, Yoshitoshi Kida, Toshinori Uehara, Takayuki Nakanishi
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Patent number: 11480447Abstract: A fader device includes a conductive shaft, a conductive moving body, and a conductive portion. The conductive moving body is movable in the longitudinal direction of the shaft and includes a gap between it and the conductive shaft. The conductive portion brings the shaft and the moving body into electrical continuity. A signal generation portion generates a touch sense signal. A detection portion detects contact with the conductive moving body based on a signal output according to a capacitance generated between the conductive shaft and the conductive moving body in response to the touch sense signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Yoshihiro Natsume, Yoshihiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 11479350Abstract: A tip gap monitoring system for a ducted aircraft having a proprotor system including a duct and a plurality of proprotor blades includes sensors coupled to the proprotor system. The sensors are configured to detect one or more parameters of the proprotor system to form a plurality of sensor measurements. The tip gap monitoring system also includes a flight control computer in data communication with the sensors. The flight control computer includes a tip gap measurement module configured to determine a tip gap distance between the duct and the proprotor blades based on the sensor measurements.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Knoll, George Matthew Thompson, Nicholas Ralph Carlson
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Patent number: 11471702Abstract: A tool for radiation therapy simulation or planning is disclosed which aids in avoiding collisions during treatment. Configurations of components including at least a radiation delivery device (30) and a patient (32) are generated. Each configuration defines positions of the components in a common coordinate system. For each configuration, proximities of pairs of components of the configuration are computed using ray tracing between three-dimensional surface models (30m, 32m, 36m, 38m) representing the components of the pair. A collision is identified as any pair of components having a computed proximity that is less than a margin for the pair of components. Each identified collision is displayed on a display (12), e.g. as a rendering. The simulations or planning may be used to verify deliverability of arc, 4Pi, or static therapy, to determine safety margins for collisions, to calculate and display realizable trajectories, and so forth.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventor: Michael Adam Meltsner
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Patent number: 11327100Abstract: An electrostatic sensor includes a detection electrode, a shield electrode provided in a periphery of the detection electrode, a first power supply coupled to the detection electrode and configured to generate an AC voltage having a first amplitude, a second power supply coupled to the shield electrode and configured to generate an AC voltage having a second amplitude, a measuring device configured to measure a quantity of charge flowing from the first power supply to the detection electrode, and a control device coupled to the measuring device. The AC voltages generated by the first and second power supplies have the same frequency and the same phase. The second amplitude is larger than the first amplitude. A detection target on a side of a detection surface is detected based on a change in an electrostatic capacitance between the detection electrode and the detection target.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Tatsumi Fujiyoshi, Takashi Sasaki, Tomoki Yamada
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Patent number: 11320473Abstract: A capacitance detection apparatus is provided with: a parallel circuit in which a first series circuit and a second series circuit are connected in parallel, wherein a tested body and a first resistance element are connected at a first node in the first series circuit, and a reference capacitance element and a second resistance element are connected at a second node in the second series circuit; a power supply circuit configured to apply an alternating current voltage with a specific frequency to the parallel circuit; an inductor element connected between the first node and the second node and configured to increase a phase difference in the voltage with the specific frequency between the first and second nodes; and an output device configured to output an electric signal corresponding to a capacitance of the tested body on the basis of the phase difference.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshiyuki Okuda
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Patent number: 11275468Abstract: This application provides a capacitance detection circuit, which is configured to detect a capacitance between a sensing electrode in a screen and a first driving electrode to which a driving signal is input. The capacitance detection circuit includes: an amplification circuit, connected to the sensing electrode and configured to convert a capacitance signal between the sensing electrode and the first driving electrode into a voltage signal; a cancellation circuit, connected to the amplification circuit and configured to output a cancellation signal to the amplification circuit, where the cancellation signal is used to cancel a noise signal from the screen included in the voltage signal; and a control circuit, connected to a second driving electrode, in the screen, to which no driving signal is input, and configured to generate a control signal, where the control signal is configured to control the cancellation circuit to generate the cancellation signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: SHENZHEN GOODIX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Guangkai Yuan
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Patent number: 11231221Abstract: A system includes a conductive element. The system also includes a resonant circuit having a sensing capacitor arranged such that an amount of target material in a sensing zone of the sensing capacitor changes a capacitance of the sensing capacitor, wherein the conductive element is electrically isolated from at least part of the resonant circuit. The system also includes a resonant circuit analyzer configured to detect a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit and to output a digitized analyzer signal based on the resonant frequency. The system also includes a processor configured to receive the digitized analyzer signal, to determine a target material estimate based on the digitized analyzer signal, and to output the target material estimate or a signal derived from the target material estimate to an output device.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Yichang Wang, Michael Seidl
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Patent number: 11216091Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a light emitting touchpad device including a circuit board, a plurality of sensing elements, a light guiding plate, a plurality of first spacing blocks, and a plurality of second spacing blocks. The sensing elements are disposed on the circuit board. Each of the first spacing blocks and each of the second spacing blocks are respectively disposed on a bottom surface and a top surface of the light guiding plate, and are all located in a nil-light spot area of the light guiding plate. A spacing distance between two adjacent first spacing blocks is a third length. A spacing distance between two adjacent second spacing blocks is a fifth length. A position of any one of the second spacing blocks corresponds to a position between two of the first spacing blocks.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: CHICONY POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hsuan-Wei Ho, Yueh-Heng Lee
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Patent number: 11206019Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of touch technologies, and in particular, to a capacitance detection circuit, a capacitance detection method, a touch chip, and an electronic device. The capacitance detection circuit includes: a control module, a charge transfer module, a processing module, a drive module, and a cancellation module. The control module is configured to control the drive module to charge a capacitor to be detected. The cancellation module is configured to perform M times of charge cancellations on the capacitor to be detected. The charge transfer module is configured to convert a charge of the capacitor to be detected, subject to the M times of charge cancellations, to generate an output voltage. The processing module is configured to determine, according to the output voltage, a capacitance variation of the capacitor to be detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hong Jiang
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Patent number: 11181354Abstract: A countersink go/no-go gauge is configured to aid a determination of whether a countersink aperture for a rivet is formed to a desired depth. The countersink go/no-go gauge includes a head having a depth defined between a top surface and a bottom surface and a shaft extending from the top surface of the head. The depth of the head is substantially equal to a desired depth of a countersink aperture. In some embodiments the go/no-go gauge includes tolerance features to provide a range for an acceptable countersink depth.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventor: Charles Meyer
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Patent number: 11085893Abstract: A capacitive matrix suction sensor measures the matrix suction exhibited by a porous medium surrounding the sensor. The sensor is constructed from a capacitive moisture probe having a sensing body, and a jacket that encases the sensing body. The jacket is made of a hydrophilic, non-conductive, porous (HN-CP) material. In operation, the sensing body is energized, and the voltage produced is read. The matrix suction exhibited by the HN-CP jacket material is then computed based on the voltage, and an indicator of the current value of the matrix suction exhibited by the porous medium is established based on the matrix suction computed for the HN-CP jacket material.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Inventor: Whitney Skaling
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Patent number: 11075633Abstract: A proximity sensor, and a portable device equipped therewith, with at least two superposed sense electrodes, one partially screening the other. By reading the capacity first of one electrode, then of the other, while setting the potential of the counter-electrode either to ground or to guard, the sensor of the invention discriminates between a body part, or another electrically equivalent object, and water drops at closer distance.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Semtech CorporationInventors: Chaouki Rouaissia, Sébastien Grisot
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Patent number: 11054506Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2020Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATIONInventors: Benjamin Braker, Aaron Wegner, Ronald Zimmerman, Eric Moore, Trevor McDonald
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Patent number: 11043945Abstract: A capacitance-variable pressure sensor is disclosed. The capacitance-variable pressure sensor includes a double layer flexible circuit board, a multi-layer ceramic capacitor, and a soft conductive pad. The multi-layer ceramic capacitor is positioned in adjacent to the soft conductive pad. The double layer flexible circuit board is configured with a through hole or a notch, and is positioned between the multi-layer ceramic capacitor and the soft conductive pad. The multi-layer ceramic capacitor is positioned above the through hole or notch, and the soft conductive pad is positioned under the through hole or notch. The multi-layer ceramic capacitor includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes an external electrode or a plurality of external electrodes. The second member includes a ceramic dielectric, and a plurality of internal electrode layers disposed inside the ceramic dielectric. Each external electrode is connected to internal electrode layers.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Inventors: Yingchao Wu, Song Chen, Hang Luo
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Patent number: 10996736Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless capacitive presence detection are disclosed. In embodiments, a method includes: generating, by a tank circuit of a wireless presence detector, an electric field applied to a balanced electrode of the wireless presence detector utilizing power from a battery of the wireless presence detector; measuring, by a capacitive sensor of the wireless presence detector, a change in capacitance of the balance electrode; determining, by a microcontroller of the wireless presence detector, that the change in capacitance indicates a presence of a person within a predetermined distance of the balance electrode; and sending, by a radio circuit of the wireless presence detector, an alert to a remote gateway using a radio frequency sub-gigahertz (Ghz) transmission, wherein the alert is based on the determining that the change in capacitance indicates the presence of a person within the predetermined distance of the balance electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, TIRANTE A INDUSTRIA ELETRONICA LTDAInventors: Vlamir Bachrany, Leonir Veneziani Silva, Alexandra Aparecido Paulino, Renato Pisani Gomes Da Silva
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Patent number: 10982943Abstract: A countersink go/no-go gauge is configured to aid a determination of whether a countersink aperture for a rivet is formed to a desired depth. The countersink go/no-go gauge includes a head having a depth defined between a top surface and a bottom surface and a shaft extending from the top surface of the head. The depth of the head is substantially equal to a desired depth of a countersink aperture. In some embodiments the go/no-go gauge includes tolerance features to provide a range for an acceptable countersink depth.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventor: Charles Meyer
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Patent number: 10931906Abstract: There is provided a sensor pixel, including: a first transistor controlled depending on a mode selection voltage supplied to one end thereof; a second transistor including a gate connected to the other end of the first transistor; and a photoconductor connected to one end of the second transistor, wherein the sensor pixel operates in an optical mode when the first transistor is turned on, and the sensor pixel operates in a capacitive mode when the first transistor is turned off.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: SILICON DISPLAY TECHNOLOGYInventors: Kijoong Kim, Jin Hyeong Yu, Young Man Park
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Patent number: 10915775Abstract: Disclosed are a noise detection circuit, a noise detection method, and a print recognition apparatus. The noise detection circuit includes a differential amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, a control circuit, and a first switch circuit; the control circuit is configured to control the first switch circuit to make the first input signal terminal connected with the reference signal terminal or grounded, and to make the second input signal terminal connected with the reference signal terminal or grounded, and when the first input signal terminal is connected with the reference signal terminal or grounded, and the second input signal terminal is connected with the reference signal terminal or grounded, to analyze the digital signal output by the analog-to-digital converter to determine a source of noise of the print recognition apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Lid.Inventors: Pengpeng Wang, Haisheng Wang, Xiaoliang Ding, Chih-Jen Cheng, Yanling Han, Wei Liu, Xueyou Cao, Ping Zhang
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Patent number: 10871409Abstract: According to some embodiments, system and methods are provided, comprising an installed product including a drive shaft; a magnetostrictive sensor having a sensor probe comprising: a substrate; a drive coil operative to receive a drive current and to emit a magnetic field through the drive shaft, wherein the drive coil is mounted on the substrate; one or more sense coils operative to receive the magnetic field and to transmit a signal based on the received magnetic field, wherein the one or more sense coils are mounted on the substrate; and wherein the magnetic field is emitted from the drive coil in a transverse direction to a radius of the drive shaft. Numerous other aspects are provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: G.E. Avio S.r.l.Inventors: Pekka Tapani Sipila, Christoph Boeld
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Patent number: 10846499Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes: sensor pixels, each including a first transistor which controls a sensing signal to be outputted to a corresponding one of output lines; power lines disposed on a vertical line basis and each electrically connected to sensor pixels disposed on a corresponding vertical line; and a power supply unit which supplies reference voltages to the power lines. The power supply unit supplies the reference voltages, which is adjusted on the vertical line basis, to the power lines.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.Inventors: Sun Hwa Lee, Mu Kyung Jeon, Mee Hye Jung
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Patent number: 10844923Abstract: When forces are input to a mount in a plurality of directions, an ECU changes the magnitude of a coil excitation current to change the strength of a magnetic field. At this moment, the elastic force of the mount can be changed in directions in response to the plurality of directions in which the forces are input using a plurality of magnetorheological elastomers (a brim-shaped MRE portion and a cylindrical MRE portion) in which magnetic particles are arranged in different manners.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Inoue, Yuho Ito
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Patent number: 10797663Abstract: An impedance measurement circuit for determining a sense current of a guard-sense capacitive sensor operated in loading mode. The circuit includes a periodic signal voltage source for providing a periodic measurement voltage, a sense current measurement circuit, a differential amplifier that is configured to sense a complex voltage difference between the sense electrode and the guard electrode, a demodulator for obtaining, with reference to the periodic measurement voltage, an in-phase component and a quadrature component of the sensed complex voltage difference, and control loops for receiving the in-phase component and the quadrature component, respectively. An output signal of the first control loop and an output signal of the second control loop are usable to form a complex voltage that serves as a complex reference voltage for the sense current measurement circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.Inventor: Laurent Lamesch
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Patent number: 10743445Abstract: An electronic-circuit-component pick-up instruction data generating device is provided that generates pick-up instruction data for automatically picking up an electronic circuit component from a nonmatrix tray defined to have nonmatrix arrangement in which arrangeable positions of the electronic circuit components are arranged in a nonmatrix pattern, other than a matrix tray defined to have matrix arrangement in which arrangeable positions of a plurality of the electronic circuit components are regularly arranged in a matrix pattern in a state of being positioned at all the intersection points made by two groups of straight lines that are parallel to two directions orthogonal to each other, respectively, and that are separated at regular intervals for each direction. An electronic-circuit-component mounting machine is provided that picks up an electronic circuit component from the nonmatrix tray based on generated pick-up instruction data, and automatically mounts the component on a circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: FUJI CORPORATIONInventors: Ryohei Fukumoto, Kenji Sasaki
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Patent number: 10739134Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of fingerprint sensor detection, and in particular, relate to a method and system for detecting a thickness of a protection layer of a fingerprint sensor. The method includes the following steps: step a: collecting fingerprint data via a fingerprint sensor, the fingerprint sensor comprising a plurality of chip sensing units, arranged in an array; step b: calculating a derivative of the fingerprint data, normalizing the derivative of the fingerprint data, and calculating an integration according to the normalized derivative of the fingerprint data; and step c: acquiring a thickness of a protection layer of the fingerprint sensor according to the integration result.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: SHENZHEN GOODIX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Shu Pang, Xiaochun Cai
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Patent number: 10719683Abstract: A hybrid capacitive and optical fingerprint sensor system includes: capacitive sensor electrodes; an optical image sensor having a plurality of image sensor pixels; light conditioning elements, configured to condition light from a sensing region of the hybrid capacitive and optical fingerprint sensor for detection by the optical image sensor; and a processing system having one or more controllers, configured to operate the capacitive sensor electrodes in a low-power mode of operation for the hybrid capacitive and optical fingerprint sensor, and to operate the optical image sensor to acquire an image from the sensing region of the hybrid capacitive and optical fingerprint sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: FINGERPRINT CARDS ABInventors: Jeffrey S. Lillie, Mark Pude, Eric Bohannon, Eric Moule, Erik Jonathon Thompson, Patrick Smith, Lynn Kern
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Patent number: 10679032Abstract: A fingerprint sensing method and a fingerprint sensing device are provided. The fingerprint sensing method includes the following steps. A first supply voltage is provided to power a fingerprint sensing circuit of the fingerprint sensing circuit. When the fingerprint sensing circuit is powered by the first supply voltage, it is detected whether a finger touch occurs. In response to determining that the finger touch has occurred, a second supply voltage is provided to power the fingerprint sensing device. A fingerprint image sensing is performed to obtain a fingerprint image when the fingerprint sensing circuit is powered by the second supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.Inventors: Jung-Chen Chung, Chi-Ting Chen
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Patent number: 10665128Abstract: A method of operating a welding system includes receiving welding data corresponding to a welding session for a weld, receiving a location selection from an operator, and displaying on a display a graphical representation of welding parameters of the welding selection corresponding to the location selection. The welding data includes welding parameters, including a work angle of a welding torch, a travel angle of the welding torch, a contact tip to work distance, a travel speed of the welding torch along a path of the weld, an aim of the welding torch, or any combination thereof. The location selection corresponds to a point along the path of the weld traversed by the welding torch.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Richard Beeson
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Patent number: 10650214Abstract: A fingerprint sensor is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor includes a sensor plate, a voltage source, a control circuit and a first conductive plate. The sensor plate detects a first capacitance in response to a touch event on the fingerprint sensor. The voltage source establishes a predetermined voltage difference between a first node and a second node. The control circuit, connected to the sensor plate via the first node, charges a first capacitor associated with the first capacitance during a charge period, and discharges the first capacitor during a discharge period. The first conductive plate, separated from the sensor plate, is coupled with the voltage source via the second node. During the charge period and the discharge period of the control circuit, a voltage difference between the sensor plate and the first conductive plate is maintained at the predetermined voltage difference.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: IMAGE MATCH DESIGN INC.Inventors: Yehsuan Yan, Yen-Kuo Lo
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Patent number: 10634521Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a two-dimensional scale with a simple arrangement capable of omitting setting of an origin mark in the Y-axis direction. In a linear scale, a reference origin mark array and a tilting origin mark array that is a tilting marker array are provided in an origin mark region. Since the reference origin mark array is parallel to X-coordinates, an X-direction origin signal is correctly generated. On the other hand, for the Y direction in which no origin mark is provided, the distance between a reference origin mark and a tilting origin mark is detected. A Y-direction absolute position is decided in accordance with the distance.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: DMG MORI CO., LTD.Inventor: Masayuki Niiya
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Patent number: 10579850Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a fingerprint sensing system is provided, the system comprising: a plurality of sensors and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate at least one of the plurality of sensors; wherein the controller is further configured to develop and measure at least one first capacitance, the first capacitance developing in response to a capacitance between a surface of an active sensor and a surface of a finger; and wherein the controller is further configured to develop at least one second capacitance, the second capacitance developing in response to a capacitance between a surface of an inactive sensor and the surface of the finger. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding fingerprint sensing method is conceived.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Thomas Suwald
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Patent number: 10579193Abstract: A spatial frequency based capacitive motion sensor and method of operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the motion sensor includes an array of sense cells to capacitively sense capacitance variations induced by a surface in proximity to the array. The motion sensor further includes processing circuitry including a multiplexer and a processor to process motion dependent output signals from the array to measure motion of the surface in a direction parallel to a surface of the array. Generally, processor is adapted to execute a program to control the multiplexer to interconnect the sense cells of the array to configure the array as a comb-filter to detect at least one spatial frequency component of the capacitance variations, and to measure motion of the surface in a direction parallel to the array. Other embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor CorporationInventors: John Frame, Victor Kremin, Andriy Ryshtun, Dmytro Puyda
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Patent number: 10565421Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes a sensor substrate. A plurality of sensor pixels is configured to sense a change in capacitance corresponding to a touch of a user. Each of the plurality of sensor pixels includes a sensor electrode. A sensor protective layer is configured to protect the sensor substrate and the plurality of sensor pixels. The sensor protective layer includes a first region disposed over the sensor electrode, and a second region. The first region has a first permittivity. The second region has a second permittivity lower than the first permittivity.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.Inventors: Jae Kyoung Kim, Ki Seo Kim, Won Sang Park, Jong In Baek
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Patent number: 10496866Abstract: Disclosed a device and a method for a capacitive sensing identification system.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: CHIPONE TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO., LTD.Inventor: Zhuo Li
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Patent number: 10482307Abstract: A fingerprint sensing system for sensing a fingerprint pattern of a finger, comprising: a sensor array including a plurality of electrically conductive sensing structures; read-out circuitry connected to each of the sensing structures for providing sensing signals indicative of a capacitive coupling between the sensing structures and the finger; first signal providing circuitry for providing a first time-varying voltage signal to at least a portion of the sensor array; at least one electrically conductive edge-compensating structure arranged outside the sensor array; and second signal providing circuitry for providing a second time-varying voltage signal to the at least one edge-compensating structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Fingerprint Cards ABInventors: Frank Riedijk, Wouter Brevet
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Patent number: 10406684Abstract: A system for controlling a robot moving vertically and horizontally using a motor is provided. The system includes a detector suitable for generating a feedback signal by detecting physical status of the motor; and a controller suitable for detecting loading of a substrate on the robot based on the feedback signal during a vertical moving interval of the robot, and generating a control command in accordance with the detection of the loading of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventors: Sang Tae Lee, Yun Il Kim, Dong Ju Seok
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Patent number: 10396784Abstract: A capacitive measurement device for control interfaces, includes: (i) a support plate (2) having elements for attachment (4) to a control interface (3), (ii) first electrodes (5) arranged on a first surface of the support plate (2) opposite the control interface (3) and including first active electrodes (5), (iii) electronic capacitive measurement elements capable of enabling the obtainment of proximity and/or contact information of objects of interest (1), and (iv) second electrodes (6, 7) arranged on a second surface of the support plate (2) facing the control interface (3) and including second active electrodes (6) connected to the electronic capacitive measurement elements such as to enable the obtainment of measurements of movement and/or deformation of the support plate (2). A method and apparatus implemented in the device are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: QUICKSTEP TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventor: Didier Roziere
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Patent number: 10359386Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Tech4Imaging LLCInventors: Qussai Marashdeh, Yousef Alghothani
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Patent number: 10352738Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an electrically conductive electrode bridge (26) and a multi-layer, integral sensor body (1). The sensor body (1) includes a core layer (2), an outer insulating layer (4) that substantially surrounds the core layer (2), and an electrically conductive electrode layer (6) between the core layer (2) and the outer insulating layer (4). The sensor body (1) also includes an electrically conductive electrode interface layer (14) at a rear part (12) of the sensor body (1) and in electrical contact with the electrode layer (6). The electrode bridge (26) is held in compression electrical contact with the electrode interface layer (14) during use.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Future Technology (Sensors) LTDInventor: Howard Elliot
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Patent number: 10338697Abstract: A position detector includes a position pointer having an AC signal generation circuit that is disposed in a housing and that transmits an AC signal, and a sensor that receives the AC signal. The position detector detects the position pointed to by the position pointer on the sensor. The position pointer includes at least three electrodes electrically isolated from each other, and a control circuit that controls so that the AC signal is selectively supplied to the electrodes, and so that identification information identifying the electrode to which the AC signal is selectively supplied is generated and transmitted to the sensor. The position detector further includes a position detection circuit that detects the position based on the AC signal, and an angular information calculation circuit that calculates the rotation angle and/or the tilt angle of the position pointer based on the AC signal and the identification information.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: WACOM CO., LTD.Inventor: Hideyuki Hara
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Patent number: 10330455Abstract: A method is provided that involves a wall configured to circumscribe and be radially adjacent a rotor. During this method, a tri-axial capacitance probe is provided that includes a tri-axial conduit with an outer conductor member. The tri-axial capacitance probe is configured to output data indicative of a characteristic of the rotor. The tri-axial capacitance probe is configured within a wall aperture in the wall. The outer conductor member is electrically coupled with the wall. The wall is configured as a housing for the tri-axial capacitance probe.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Erik D. Rice, Corey A. Benoit, Marc Samit, Edward F. Dreger, III, Eli C. Warren, Kevin Ford, Michael G. Conigliaro, Timothy Jarvis
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Patent number: 10325140Abstract: A fingerprint identification apparatus includes a substrate, a second electrode layer, and a first electrode layer. The first electrode layer includes parallel first electrodes, and at least parts of the first electrodes have openings or dents. The second electrode layer includes parallel second electrodes and the second electrodes cross with the first electrodes on the substrate, where the openings or the dents are defined at the cross points from projected view. The second electrode is applied with transmitting signal and the corresponding electric field lines are received by the first electrode. The electric field lines detouring the edges of the first electrodes, or detouring the openings (or the dents) have induction with the finger close to or touching the first electrodes. The number of the effective electric field lines and the effective mutual capacitance changes can be increased to enhance the fingerprint sensing accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: SUPERC-TOUCH CORPORATIONInventors: Hsiang-Yu Lee, Shang Chin, Ping-Tsun Lin
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Patent number: 10317248Abstract: An apparatus comprises: a first comparator configured to: receive an input proximity signal indicating a proximity of a target device, receive a second reference signal associated with a second distance, make a first comparison of the input proximity signal to the second reference signal, and provide a first output proximity signal based on the first comparison; and a second comparator configured to: receive the input proximity signal, receive the first output proximity signal, make a second comparison of the input proximity signal using the first output proximity signal, and provide a second output proximity signal based on the second comparison.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Radhakrishnan Selvaraj, Anuradha Mohan
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Patent number: 10281261Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for forming films having uniformity of thickness on substrates. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to measure thickness or other properties of films being deposited on a substrate without knowing beforehand the surface properties of the substrate. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to measure thickness or other properties of a plurality of layers being formed. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in measuring thickness of vertical memory stacks.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Khokan C. Paul, Edward Budiarto, Todd Egan, Mehdi Vaez-Iravani, Jeongmin Lee, Dale R. Du Bois, Terrance Y. Lee
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Patent number: 10218057Abstract: The communication device includes a circuit board and a camera mechanism comprising a metal shielding and a camera module positioned on the circuit board. The metal shielding is arranged on the circuit board to cover the camera module and an antenna mechanism is arranged on the metal shielding and electrically connected to a ground region of the circuit board through the metal shielding. A wireless signal generated by the camera module is output by the antenna mechanism and radiates outward from the metal shielding.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hao-Ying Chang, Pai-Cheng Huang, Ching-Sung Wang, Chao-Wei Ho
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Patent number: 10162993Abstract: A fingerprint detection circuit includes: a detection electrode, where a first capacitance is formed between a finger and the detection electrode, a second capacitance is formed between the finger and a virtual ground, and a parasitic capacitance is formed between the detection electrode and the virtual ground; an amplifier, where an inverting input end of the amplifier is connected to the detection electrode and a non-inverting input end of the amplifier is connected to an excitation signal; and a feedback capacitance, where one end of the feedback capacitance is connected to the inverting input end of the amplifier, the other end of the feedback capacitance is connected to an output end of the amplifier, and the output end of the amplifier outputs an output signal of the fingerprint detection circuit. There is no need to connect an excitation signal to a finger of a user through an external electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: SHENZHEN GOODIX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Chang Zhan