To Determine Dimension (e.g., Dielectric Thickness) Patents (Class 324/671)
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Method and device for discriminatory capacitive detection, and apparatus provided with such a device
Patent number: 12140456Abstract: A method for capacitive detection of nearby objects that may be located in the environment of an equipment provided with a capacitive detection device including a detection step, called discriminative detection step, including the following operations: polarizing a first nearby object at a first alternating potential (V1), different from a ground potential (M), and from the potential of at least one second nearby object, at a first frequency (F1); and determining a first discriminative signal representative of a capacitance, called electrode-object capacitance, seen by the at least one measurement electrode, at said first frequency (F1).Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2020Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: FOGALE SENSORSInventors: Didier Roziere, Christian Neel, Frédéric Ossart, Jérôme Porque -
Patent number: 12032007Abstract: An apparatus comprises a signal generator; first and second electrodes, the second electrode being connected to a first terminal of the signal generator; a processor; and a first switch configured to connect the first electrode to the processor, the first switch having a first position and a second position. The processor is configured to determine one or more values of a first electrical parameter based on a signal received from the first electrode via the first switch in the first position, and to determine one or more values of a second electrical parameter based on a signal received from the first electrode via the first switch in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Imaginetec LTDInventor: Ivan Kaloyanov
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Patent number: 11913968Abstract: An automatic liquid density measurement device includes a receptacle configured to contain the liquid, a float configured to be submerged in the liquid when it is contained in the receptacle, and an electronic system. The electronic system includes a first electromagnetic sensor configured to make a reference measurement relative to the electrical properties of the liquid, a second electromagnetic sensor configured to make a measurement of the volume of the liquid displaced when the float is submerged in the liquid, and an electronic circuit coupled with said first and second electromagnetic sensors to determine the density of the liquid based on the measurement of the physical properties of the liquid and the measurement of the volume of the liquid displaced.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventor: Florian Porte
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Patent number: 11791223Abstract: To improve the throughput of substrate bonding. A substrate bonding apparatus that bonds first and second substrates so that contact regions in which the first and second substrates contact are formed in parts of the first and second substrates and the contact regions enlarge from the parts, the apparatus including: a detecting unit detecting information about the contact regions; and a determining unit determining that the first and second substrates can be carried out based on the information detected at the detecting unit. In the substrate bonding apparatus, the information may be information, a value of which changes according to progress of enlargement of the contact regions, and the determining unit may determine that the first and second substrates can be carried out if the value becomes constant or if a rate of changes in the value becomes lower than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Isao Sugaya, Eiji Ariizumi, Yoshiaki Kito, Mikio Ushijima, Masanori Aramata, Naoto Kiribe, Hiroshi Shirasu, Hajime Mitsuishi, Minoru Fukuda, Masaki Tsunoda
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Patent number: 11686648Abstract: Electrical test of optical components via metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitor structures is provided via a plurality of optical devices including a first material embedded in a second material, wherein each optical device is associated with a different thickness range of a plurality of thickness ranges for the first material; a first capacitance measurement point including the first material embedded in the second material; and a second capacitance measurement point including a region from which the first material has been replaced with the second material.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Xunyuan Zhang, Ravi S. Tummidi, Tony P. Polous, Mark A. Webster
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Patent number: 11668553Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for controlling surface characteristics by measuring capacitance of a process kit ring. The method includes interfacing a ring with a jig assembly for measuring capacitance in at least a first location of the ring. The ring has that includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and an inner surface opposite an outer surface. At least the bottom surface has an external coating placed thereon. The method further includes contacting a measuring device to the first location on the outer surface proximate the bottom surface. The measuring device contacts an opening in the external coating to the body. The measuring device contacts a first conductive member that is electrically coupled to the ring. A capacitance is measured on the measuring device. The capacitance across the top surface is measured.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.Inventors: Sathyendra Ghantasala, Leonid Dorf, Evgeny Kamenetskiy, Peter Muraoka, Denis M. Koosau, Rajinder Dhindsa, Andreas Schmid
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Patent number: 11650174Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for estimating layers on electrodes in an annular, circular symmetric, multiphase pipe flow the pipe including a set of electrodes being evenly distributed along the inner pipe circumference. The method comprises the steps of measuring the impedance between each electrode and the other electrodes and obtaining a set of impedance values, the impedance values being categorized depending on the distance between the measuring electrodes, the impedance categories thus representing layers ranging from close to the pipe wall to the pipe center. The method also includes a precomputed model of a range of expected impedance values in the annular, circular symmetric fluid flow based on known fluid properties.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Inventor: Jonas Haaskjold Inderhaug
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Patent number: 11366150Abstract: A probe for non-intrusively detecting imperfections in a test object made from metallic, non-conductive, and/or composite materials. The probe may include a capacitive measuring apparatus that includes at least two coplanar electrodes, an adjustment device to adjust a spatial separation between the electrodes, and a separation device. The separation device may maintain a substantially constant distance between the at least two coplanar electrodes and the test object during test measurements.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERSInventors: Laurent Bianchi, Sebastien Bernier, John Enderby, Mark Bowes, Dawood Parker
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Patent number: 11318465Abstract: An electrowetting panel includes a base substrate; an electrode array layer, including a plurality of electrodes arranged into an array; an insulating hydrophobic layer; a microfluidic channel layer located on the base substrate. Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes is connected to a driving circuit, and a droplet can move along a first direction by applying an electric voltage on each electrode. The insulating hydrophobic layer is located on the electrode array layer, and the microfluidic channel layer is located on the insulating hydrophobic layer. The electrodes includes a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of detecting electrodes. Along the first direction, a number N of the driving electrodes is located between every two adjacent detecting electrodes, where N is a natural number. The electrowetting panel also includes a detecting chip electrically connected to the detecting electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Shanghai Tianma Micro-Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Baiquan Lin, Kerui Xi, Junting Ouyang, Jinyu Li, Xiaohe Li
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Patent number: 11133231Abstract: A method for estimating film thickness in CMP includes the following operations. A substrate with a film formed thereon is disposed over a polishing pad with a slurry dispensed between the film and the polishing pad. A CMP operation is performed to reduce a thickness of the film. An in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement is performed during the CMP operation by an EIS device to estimate the thickness of the film real-time. The CMP operation is ended when the estimated thickness of the film obtained from the fit parameters of the first equivalent electrical circuit model reaches a target thickness.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Yu-Min Chen, Chin-Wei Liang, Sheng-Chau Chen, Hsun-Chung Kuang
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Patent number: 10973438Abstract: Embodiments herein provide methods, apparatus and computer systems comprising an input unit for inputting one or more data sets to be processed comprising a capacitance measuring device configured to measure one or more conductive elements on a sensor plane and provide a corresponding data set of measurements obtained from the conductive elements. A computing unit is coupled to the input unit and for processing the data sets; the computing unit comprises at least one processor with non-transient memory. An output unit is connected to the computing unit for outputting data received from the computing unit. A computer program stored in memory comprising instructions that cause the computer to isolate and discharge conductive and reference impedance elements, perform a charge transfer to the one or more conductive elements on the sensor plane, measure the relative difference between the conductive elements and reference impedance element, and store measurements in non-transient memory.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Inventors: Michael L. Mathiasmeier, Dwayne Leroy Mason
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Patent number: 10955374Abstract: A characteristic detector includes two electrodes facing each other to form a passage through which a medium passes, a cover disposed between the two electrodes, a current generator to supply a current between the two electrodes, a capacitance gauge to measure a capacitance generated between the two electrodes, and circuitry. The two electrodes have a shape or an arrangement in which at least two points on a leading end of the medium enter the passage with a time lag. The cover covers one of the two electrodes in connection with a size of the medium. The capacitance gauge detects the size of the medium based on the measured capacitance. The circuitry calculates a characteristic of the medium based on the capacitance measured by the capacitance gauge and the size of the medium detected by the capacitance gauge.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yohei Kushida, Kyohei Matsumura, Ryuuichi Satoh, Sumihiro Inokuchi, Tomohide Kondoh, Ryohta Ueba
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Patent number: 10948015Abstract: A bearing includes at least one bearing ring, a target ring and a coupling element. The coupling element is provided for maintaining the relative position of the bearing ring to the target ring. The coupling element includes an alignment surface that is adapted to align the target ring with one of a housing or a shaft into/onto which the bearing ring is to be mounted.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKFInventors: Yves-André Liverato, Vincent Sausset, Olivier Verbe
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Patent number: 10853615Abstract: A fingerprint identification system is provided, which includes: a plurality of first pixel circuits; a first sensing circuit for outputting a first output signal; at least one second pixel circuit; a second sensing circuit for outputting a second output signal, wherein the second sensing circuit includes a second integration circuit having a second integral input terminal; a second calibration circuit coupled to the second integral input terminal; a third calibration circuit coupled to the second integral input terminal, wherein the second calibration circuit and the third calibration circuit are used for calibrating the second output signal; and a differential amplifier circuit coupled to the first sensing circuit and the second sensing circuit and used for generating an amplified output signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: SHENZHEN GOODIX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hsin-Wen Fang, Kuo-Hao Chao
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Patent number: 10801983Abstract: The examination of objects using electric fields is disclosed. A selected electrode (202) is energized as a transmitter and a different selected electrode (203) is monitored as a receiver to establish a capacitively coupled pair of electrodes defining a coupling operation. A plurality of transmitter electrodes are sequentially energized to establish a plurality of coupling operations during a scanning cycle. An analog output signal (205) from the monitored receiver electrode is sampled to produce first sample data (211) during each coupling operation. Further sampling of the analog output signal is then performed to produce additional sample data (213) during each coupling operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Zedsen LimitedInventor: Hrand Mami Mamigonians
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Patent number: 10765002Abstract: Power may be supplied to an electronic module according to various techniques. In one general implementation, for example, a system for supplying power to an electronic module may include a printed circuit board, the electronic module, and a conductive foil. The board may include a number of contact locations on a first side, with at least one of the contact locations electrically coupled to a via to a second side of the board. The electronic module may be electrically coupled to the contact locations on the first side of the board and receive electrical power through the at least one contact location electrically coupled to a via. The foil may be adapted to convey electrical power for the electronic module and electrically coupled on the second side of circuit board to at least the via electrically coupled to a contact location that receives electrical power for the electronic module.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael A. Christo, Julio A. Maldonado, Roger D. Weekly, Tingdong Zhou
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Patent number: 10641595Abstract: A low profile triaxial BTC probe may comprise a housing having a first body, a first cavity within the first body, and a neck extending radially from the first body, an outer hat insulator disposed within the first cavity, an inner housing, disposed within the first cavity, having a second body and a second cavity within the second body, an inner hat insulator disposed within the second cavity, a sensor element disposed within the second cavity, an inner cap insulator disposed within the second cavity, an inner cap over the inner cap insulator, an outer cap insulator disposed within the first cavity, a cap over the outer cap insulator, and a hard lead comprising a hard shield, a driven guard, and a lead wire.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Eli Cole Warren
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Patent number: 10519855Abstract: An engine assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The assembly comprises a bearing housing portion configured to support a bearing for a crankshaft of the engine assembly, wherein the bearing housing portion comprises a bearing interface surface configured to interface with the bearing and an end face adjacent to the bearing interface surface, the end face being arranged so as to face a web of the crankshaft when installed. The engine assembly further comprises an insulation layer provided on the end face, the insulation layer being positioned such that the insulation layer is between the bearing housing portion and the web of the crankshaft when the crankshaft is installed in the engine assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ian Graham Pegg, Roland Paul Stark
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Patent number: 10362674Abstract: Power may be supplied to an electronic module according to various techniques. In one general implementation, for example, a system for supplying power to an electronic module may include a printed circuit board, the electronic module, and a conductive foil. The board may include a number of contact locations on a first side, with at least one of the contact locations electrically coupled to a via to a second side of the board. The electronic module may be electrically coupled to the contact locations on the first side of the board and receive electrical power through the at least one contact location electrically coupled to a via. The foil may be adapted to convey electrical power for the electronic module and electrically coupled on the second side of circuit board to at least the via electrically coupled to a contact location that receives electrical power for the electronic module.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael A. Christo, Julio A. Maldonado, Roger D. Weekly, Tingdong Zhou
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Patent number: 10080285Abstract: Power may be supplied to an electronic module according to various techniques. In one general implementation, for example, a system for supplying power to an electronic module may include a printed circuit board, the electronic module, and a conductive foil. The board may include a number of contact locations on a first side, with at least one of the contact locations electrically coupled to a via to a second side of the board. The electronic module may be electrically coupled to the contact locations on the first side of the board and receive electrical power through the at least one contact location electrically coupled to a via. The foil may be adapted to convey electrical power for the electronic module and electrically coupled on the second side of circuit board to at least the via electrically coupled to a contact location that receives electrical power for the electronic module.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael A. Christo, Julio A. Maldonado, Roger D. Weekly, Tingdong Zhou
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Patent number: 9937565Abstract: A power tool includes a housing that encloses a motor, and a collet configured to be driven to rotate by the motor. The collet defines a drill axis about which the collet is configured to rotate. The power tool also includes a sensor assembly having a front wall with a wall contact surface. The front wall includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion that define a gap therebetween. An object sensor is secured to the front wall proximate the gap. A support member includes a first end portion attached to the front wall and a second end portion attached to the housing. The support member extends from the housing to position the front wall forwardly of the collet such that the drill axis intersects the gap.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Nanjing Chervon Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jiefan Hu, Xingjie Zhu, Hengxing Yang, Xinhui Zhang
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Patent number: 9921246Abstract: A capacitive sensor to sense an electric field has a shield tube that extends axially along its own axis and has a first open end, an electric field sensor positioned within the shield tube, a source electrode, and a mass of dielectric insulating material positioned within the shield tube and around the shield tube. The shield tube is formed by a jacket having a plurality of first through openings that each have an area comprised between a minimum of 0.1 mm2 and a maximum of 3 mm2.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: GREEN SEAS VENTURE, LTDInventor: Alberto Bauer
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Patent number: 9891035Abstract: A capacitive distance sensor includes a first guard electrode, a conductor, a second guard electrode, and insulators. The conductor includes a sensor electrode and a lead portion and is arranged on a side of a measurement target with respect to the first guard electrode. The second guard electrode is arranged on the side of the measurement target with respect to the conductor. The first guard electrode includes portions overlapping the sensor electrode and the lead portion. The second guard electrode includes a portion overlapping the lead portion and does not overlap the sensor electrode.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., GOTOH EDUCATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Kenji Matsumoto, Yuji Mihara
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Patent number: 9625248Abstract: A device and method for measuring ice thickness on a first surface of a construction element. The device includes a sensor arrangement arranged in connection with the construction element and arranged to provide signals related to an impedance. A processing unit is coupled to the sensor arrangement and arranged to determine the presence of ice based on the provided impedance signals. A reference sensor arrangement is arranged to generate reference impedance measurement signals. The processing unit is further arranged to determine the ice thickness based on determinations of a relation between the impedance signals determined by the sensor arrangement and the reference impedance values generated by the reference sensor arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: SAAB ABInventor: Eduardo Figueroa-Karlström
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Patent number: 9562923Abstract: A speed sensor for use in measuring the speed of rotation of a rotationally salient rotating member. The speed sensor comprises an electrode and a sensor circuit. The sensor circuit comprises a constant voltage source for supplying a voltage to the electrode to generate an electric field in a dielectric medium. A current detector detects current flow between the constant voltage source and the electrode due to perturbation of the electric field by passage of at least one salient feature of the rotating member through the electric field as the rotating member rotates. The current detector outputs a first signal modulated at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of perturbation of the electric field. The first signal is amplified to produce an amplified signal modulated at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of perturbation of the electric field.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies LimitedInventors: Calvin Cox, Thomas W. Bach
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Patent number: 9470504Abstract: A sensor system for measuring the thickness of flat material that is moved relative to the sensor system has a first sensor device for measuring the thickness of the flat material and a device for generating an air cushion. The device is disposed in such a way that there is an air cushion between at least one side of the sensor device that faces the flat material, and the flat material, during operation. In the region of the air cushion, the first sensor device includes surface sections having porous material and/or material that is provided with micro-holes.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER KGInventor: Martin Backmann
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Patent number: 9437507Abstract: The polishing process includes a first state where an eddy current sensor and a polishing target object do not face each other and a second state where the eddy current sensor and the polishing target object face each other. The method of correcting a film thickness measurement value includes obtaining a first measurement signal (Xout, Yout) output from the eddy current sensor in the first state (step S108), computing a correction value (?X, ?Y) on the basis of the obtained first measurement signal and a reference signal (Xsd, Ysd) set in advance, obtaining a second measurement signal (X, Y) output from the eddy current sensor in the second state (step S104), and correcting the obtained second measurement signal on the basis of the computed correction value while the polishing process is being performed (step S105).Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventors: Akira Nakamura, Hiroaki Shibue, Yasumasa Hiroo, Hiroshi Ota, Taro Takahashi, Mitsuo Tada
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Patent number: 9327382Abstract: A carrier for a double-side polishing apparatus comprising at least: a metallic carrier base that is arranged between upper and lower turn tables having polishing pads attached thereto and has a holding hole formed therein to hold a wafer sandwiched between the upper and lower turn tables at the time of polishing; and a ring-like resin insert that is arranged along an inner peripheral portion of the holding hole of the carrier base and is in contact with a peripheral portion of the held wafer, wherein an inner peripheral end portion of the holding hole of the carrier base has an upwardly opening tapered surface, an outer peripheral portion of the ring-like insert has a reverse tapered surface with respect to the tapered surface of the holding hole of the carrier base, and the resin insert is fitted in the holding hole of the carrier base through the tapered surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO., LTD.Inventors: Junichi Ueno, Kazuya Sato, Syuichi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9322861Abstract: A method for the detection of a gripping of a hand-held device with one hand, using a capacitive sensor device, uses at least one transmitting electrode, at least one compensating electrode and at least one receiving electrode. An electrical signal is tapped at the receiving electrode and the sensor device can be operated in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, a first alternating electrical signal is applied to the transmitting electrode and a second alternating electrical signal is applied to the compensating electrode. In the second operating mode, the second alternating signal is only applied to the compensating electrode. Furthermore, a sensor device can be provided which is configured to perform the method as described above.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Stefan Burger, Andreas Dorfner, Holger Erkens, Claus Kaltner, Holger Steffens
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Patent number: 9250705Abstract: The invention relates to an input device for a user to perform switching, control and other input and selection operations. Input devices of this type are known in particular in the form of switches, sliders and touch screens on electrical equipment and other controls, e.g. in the vehicle field. The object of the invention is to create solutions that make it possible to create with a large degree of freedom of design an input interface that is advantageous for a user, particularly one that is easy to operate intuitively.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBHInventor: Wolfgang Richter
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Patent number: 9236860Abstract: An electrical hand-held device is provided with improved proximity detection, which can be placed on a surface and has at least one transmission electrode, at least one reception electrode and at least one compensation electrode arranged between transmission electrode and reception electrode. The transmission electrode and the compensation electrode can be supplied with an electric switching signal of predetermined signal frequency and predetermined signal amplitude. Switching electric signal at the compensation electrode is phase-delayed with respect to the switching electric signal at the transmission electrode. Alternating electric fields radiated at the transmission electrode and the compensation electrode generate a current in the reception electrode, which is representative of an approach of a hand to the hand-held device.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Reinhard Unterreitmayer, Claus Kaltner, Holger Steffens, Stefan Donat
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Patent number: 9166581Abstract: An electrode device for a capacitive sensor device and a circuit arrangement for a capacitive sensor device for the operation of an electrode device are provided, wherein the electrode device has a first electrode structure with at least one transmitting electrode and at least one receiving electrode, and a second electrode structure with at least one field sensing electrode, wherein the electrode device or the capacitive sensor device can be operated in a first operation mode and in a second operation mode. In addition a method is provided for approach and/or touch detection with a sensor device.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Claus Kaltner, Reinhard Unterreitmayer, Holger Steffens
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Patent number: 9152841Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitive fingerprint sensing device comprising a semiconductor substrate; and an array of sensing elements formed on the semiconductor substrate. Each of the sensing elements comprises a protective dielectric top layer; a sensing structure arranged underneath the top layer; and a charge amplifier connected to the sensing structure. The charge amplifier comprises a negative input connected to the sensing structure; a positive input; an output providing a sensing signal; a feedback capacitor; and a sense transistor having a gate constituting the negative input. The sense transistor is formed in an insulated well in the semiconductor substrate. The fingerprint sensing device further comprises excitation signal providing circuitry connected to the positive input of the charge amplifier and the well for changing electric potentials of the sensing structure and the well, to thereby reduce the influence of parasitic capacitances in the sensing element.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: FINGERPRINT CARDS ABInventor: Frank Robert Riedijk
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Patent number: 9141174Abstract: An electrical hand-held device is provided with improved proximity detection, which can be placed on a surface and has at least one transmission electrode, at least one reception electrode and at least one compensation electrode arranged between transmission electrode and reception electrode. The transmission electrode and the compensation electrode can be supplied with an electric switching signal of predetermined signal frequency and predetermined signal amplitude. Switching electric signal at the compensation electrode is phase-delayed with respect to the switching electric signal at the transmission electrode. Alternating electric fields radiated at the transmission electrode and the compensation electrode generate a current in the reception electrode, which is representative of an approach of a hand to the hand-held device.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBHInventors: Reinhard Unterreitmayer, Stefan Donat
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Patent number: 9140736Abstract: A film sensor includes a polarizing film, an antistatic layer and a capacitive sensor that are laminated in this order, the capacitive sensor having a transparent film, a transparent electrode pattern formed on one side of the transparent film, and an adhesive layer formed on the one side of the transparent film to embed the transparent electrode pattern. The transparent film is disposed between the antistatic layer and the transparent electrode pattern. The antistatic layer has a surface resistance value of 1.0×109 to 1.0×1011?/?.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Kuniaki Ishibashi, Akiko Sugino, Tsuyoshi Chiba, Masakuni Fujita, Takashi Yamaoka
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Patent number: 9091713Abstract: A method for characterizing or measuring a capacitance includes linking the capacitance to a first mid-point of a first capacitive divider bridge, applying to the divider bridge a bias voltage, maintaining the voltage of the first mid-point near a reference voltage, discharging a second mid-point of a second divider bridge in parallel with the first using a constant current, and measuring the time for a voltage of the second mid-point to become equal to the voltage of the first mid-point. The method may be applied in particular to the control of a touch screen display.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SASInventor: Francesco La Rosa
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Patent number: 9057747Abstract: A film sensor includes a polarizing film, an antistatic layer and a capacitive sensor that are laminated in this order, the capacitive sensor having a transparent film, a transparent electrode pattern formed on one side of the transparent film, and an adhesive layer formed on the one side of the transparent film to embed the transparent electrode pattern. The transparent film is disposed between the antistatic layer and the transparent electrode pattern. The antistatic layer has a surface resistance value of 1.0×109 to 1.0×1011?/?.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Kuniaki Ishibashi, Akiko Sugino, Tsuyoshi Chiba, Masakuni Fujita, Takashi Yamaoka
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Patent number: 9051028Abstract: A hull inspection robot for autonomously inspecting a hull includes a robot body and a drive subsystem onboard the robot for driving and maneuvering the robot about the hull. An autonomous inspection system non-destructively inspects the hull by detecting a state of or near a portion of the hull and comparing the detected state with a stored state of the portion of the hull.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Fraser M. Smith, Brian J. Maclean, Glenn Colvin
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Patent number: 9035665Abstract: A technique comprising: producing a plurality of devices according to a common production process; and determining the thickness of a layer of one of said plurality of devices using an indicator of a first electrical property dependent on the area of overlap between a first element of the device and a second element of the device partially underlying said first element via said layer, wherein the method further comprises: additionally using an indicator of a second electrical property dependent on the area of overlap between said first element of the device and a third element of the device also partially underlying said first element via said layer, wherein (a) the difference between (i) a measured indicator of said first electrical property, and (ii) a measured indicator of said second electrical property provides a more reliable indicator of the thickness of said layer than (b) an indicator of said first electrical property.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: PLASTIC LOGIC LIMITEDInventor: Stephan Riedel
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Patent number: 9000781Abstract: A device for non-destructive testing of an electrically conductive part including: an induction portion, a receiving portion, and a processor. The induction portion includes an inductor dissociated into n layers supplied at different frequencies f1, f2, . . . , fn, wherein the receiving portion includes plural magnetic receivers supplied at different frequencies f1?, f2?, . . . , fn? connected to one another in at least one column, each magnetic receiver being positioned under a layer, the indices n and m being integers >2, and wherein the processor makes it possible to know the magnetic field in each of the magnetic receivers of a column.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventor: Jean-Marc Decitre
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Publication number: 20150054527Abstract: Disclosed is a sensing device that includes a flexible substrate having an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated structure being compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions. The sensing device also includes a first compliant strain sensing element embedded within the compliant material and extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure. The first compliant strain sensing element includes a second compliant material that is flexible and bendable, where an electrical property of the first compliant strain sensing element changes in proportion to an applied strain on the elongated structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventor: Shawn P. Reese
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Publication number: 20150048849Abstract: Disclosed is a sensing device that includes a flexible substrate having an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated structure being compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions. The sensing device also includes a first compliant strain sensing element embedded within the compliant material and extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure. The first compliant strain sensing element includes a second compliant material that is flexible and bendable, where an electrical property of the first compliant strain sensing element changes in proportion to an applied strain on the elongated structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventor: Shawn P. Reese
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Publication number: 20150048848Abstract: A test structure includes two capacitor structures, wherein one of the capacitor structures has conductor plates spaced apart by a cavity, and the other capacitor structure does not include a cavity. Methodology entails forming the test structure and a pressure sensor on the same substrate using the same fabrication process techniques. Methodology for estimating the sensitivity of the pressure sensor includes detecting capacitances for each of the two capacitor structures and determining a ratio of the capacitances. A critical dimension of the cavity in one of the capacitor structures is estimated using the ratio, and the sensitivity of the pressure sensor is estimated using the critical dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Chad S. Dawson, Peter T. Jones, Bruno J. Debeurre
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Patent number: 8943912Abstract: A proximity probe device for detecting rotating shaft deviation, wherein a rigid body has a pair of flat magnets for forcibly seating against a substantially flat surface area of a shaft bearing housing of magnetizable material, a threaded bore through the body for holding a proximity probe having a mating threaded casing, an angle indicator for assisting in placing the body on the surface area and a pair of spaced shoulders on a proximate edge surface of the body, wherein a sight plane for each of the shoulders is substantially tangential to the surface of a shaft in the shaft bearing housing to aid in aiming the probe at a desired location on the shaft surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Inventors: Ken E. Singleton, Barry T. Cease
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Patent number: 8941392Abstract: Disclosed is a sensing device that includes a flexible substrate having an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated structure being compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions. The sensing device also includes a first compliant strain sensing element embedded within the compliant material and extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure. The first compliant strain sensing element includes a second compliant material that is flexible and bendable, where an electrical property of the first compliant strain sensing element changes in proportion to an applied strain on the elongated structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Bend Labs, Inc.Inventor: Shawn P. Reese
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Patent number: 8917100Abstract: A detecting/counting device for pharmaceutical/parapharmaceutical articles has a sliding support groove (15) having a first lateral wall (15A) and a second lateral wall (15B) and a bottom. A first capacitive sensor (C1) has a first armature (C1A) parallel to the first lateral wall (15A) and a second armature (C1B) parallel to the second lateral wall and connected to a first reference potential Vref1 by a first circuit (O1). A second capacitive sensor (C2) has a first armature (C2A) parallel to the first lateral wall and a second armature (C2B) parallel to the second lateral wall and connected to a second reference potential Vref2 by a second circuit (O2). A data processing unit (E) receives signals from the first circuit and the second circuit during transit of an article, indicating the shape of the articles, and compares them with reference ranges to determine whether the article is whole.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Marchesini Group S.p.A.Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
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Publication number: 20140333329Abstract: A method for testing an electronic device comprises providing a device under test (DUT) defined on a printed circuit board (PCB). The DUT includes a measurement target layer forming part of the PCB, and a transmission line which is in contact with the measurement target layer. The method further comprises applying an electric power to the transmission line, measuring a capacitance of the measurement target layer while the electric power is being applied, and computing a thickness of the measurement target layer based on the measured capacitance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2013Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd .Inventors: Jin JEONG, Chris CHUNG, Tae Eun KIM
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Patent number: 8878553Abstract: A headrest position adjusting device 100 includes a distance measuring device 10 and a drive motor unit 30. The distance measuring device 10 includes a plurality of sensing electrodes 11 to 15 and a detecting circuit 20. The detecting circuit 20 includes a plurality of capacitance sensing circuits 21 to 25 connected one-to-one to the sensing electrodes 11 to 15, and an arithmetic processing circuit 28. The drive motor unit 30 includes a motor driving circuit and a drive motor. Based on the detected capacitance values, the detecting circuit 20 calculates a difference value between a capacitance value of the sensing electrode which shows the largest capacitance value and the capacitance value of the sensing electrode which shows the lowest capacitance value, and thereby measures an electrode-head distance L. A position adjusting operation for a headrest 43 is performed based on the measurement result.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.Inventors: Yuichiro Yamaguchi, Takuya Osaki, Yuki Noguchi
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Patent number: 8841926Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method for a printing machine with a printing device (5), in particular an inkjet printer, for applying liquid (22) onto a print material, with monitoring of the quantity of liquid in a liquid supply unit (1) by measuring the liquid level (23) with a sequential controller, wherein the measurement of the liquid level (23) is performed by a device (11), which detects the presence of liquid at the output of the printing device (5). Another subject matter of the invention is a liquid supply unit (1) for a printing machine with a printing device (5), in particular, an inkjet printer, for applying liquid (22) on a print material, with monitoring of the quantity of liquid in a liquid supply unit (1) by measuring the liquid level (23) with a sequential controller, wherein the measurement device (11) is suitable for measuring a fill level (23) and for controlling a liquid device (3).Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Harald Fuetterer, Dieter Stellmach
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Publication number: 20140266254Abstract: Techniques for quantifying ?Dfin in FINFET technology are provided. In one aspect, a method for quantifying ?Dfin between a pair of long channel FINFET devices includes the steps of: (a) obtaining Vth values for each of the long channel FINFET devices in the pair; (b) determining a ?Vth for the pair of long channel FINFET devices; and (c) using the ?Vth to determine the ?Dfin between the pair of long channel FINFET devices, wherein the ?Vth is a function of a difference in a Qbody and a gate capacitance between the pair of long channel FINFET devices, and wherein the Qbody is a function of Dfin and Nch for each of the long channel FINFET devices in the pair, and as such the ?Vth is proportional to the ?Dfin between the pair of long channel FINFET devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Wilfried E.A. Haensch, Chung-Hsun Lin, Philip J. Oldiges, Kern Rim