Abstract: The method is for measuring a physical parameter by an electronic circuit connected to a two differential capacitor sensor having two fixed electrodes and a common moving electrode. The electronic circuit supplies first and second digital measuring signals. Each measuring cycle consists on biasing the electrodes by the measuring voltage based on the first digital signal, connecting the fixed electrodes to a supply voltage source for a first biasing, biasing the electrodes by the measuring voltage based on the second digital measuring signal, and inversely connecting the fixed electrodes to a supply voltage source for a second biasing. In first successive measuring cycles, the first and second digital signals are adapted to each cycle by a large step value. In second successive measuring cycles, the first and second digital signals are adapted to each cycle by a small step value until the end of the conversion.

Abstract: A built-in self-calibration system and method for a micro-mirror array device, for example, operating as a variable focal length lens is described. The calibration method comprises determining a capacitance value for each micro-mirror element in the array device at a number of predetermined reference angles to provide a capacitance-reference angle relationship. From the capacitance values, an interpolation step is carried to determine intermediate tilt angles for each micro-mirror element in the array. A voltage sweep is applied to the micro-mirror array and capacitance values, for each micro-mirror element in the array, are measured. For a capacitance value that matches one of the values in the capacitance-reference angle relationship, the corresponding voltage is linked to the associated tilt angle to provide a voltage-tilt angle characteristic which then stored in a memory for subsequent use.

Abstract: A sensor for capacitive detection of a mechanical deflection includes a substrate having a first substrate electrode and a second substrate electrode; and a mass movable relative to the substrate. The mass is divided into: a first electrically separate region having a first ground electrode; and a second electrically separate region of the mass having a second ground electrode. At least one portion of the first ground electrode is situated in a first region between the first substrate electrode and the second substrate electrode, and forms a first differential capacitor. At least one portion of the second ground electrode is situated in a second region between the first substrate electrode and the second substrate electrode, and forms a second differential capacitor.

Abstract: A test system for testing a capacitive touch sensor is provided. The test system includes a resistor, a signal generator and a micro controller. A first end of the resistor is electrically connected to a sensing port of the capacitive touch sensor. The signal generator provides a test voltage to a second end of the resistor according to control information. In this way, the resistor generates a test current according to the test voltage, and the capacitive touch sensor provides a voltage difference to the sensing port according to a plurality of switching signals, and converts the test current into test information. The micro controller generates the control information according to a test table, and compares the test information according to the test table, so as to determine whether an operation of the capacitive touch sensor is normal.

Abstract: A charge storage circuit stores charge from a current induced across a capacitive sensing device. The current across the capacitive sensing device is supplied to the charge storage circuit by a current conveying device to generate an output voltage signal. The presence of a conductive object proximate to the capacitive sensing device is detected based on the output voltage signal.

Abstract: A system and method for incorporating presence-sensing technology into furniture is provided. More particularly, the invention relates to detecting presence using a metal, adjustable bed frame. The bed frame is pulsed with a voltage to provide a charge, against which capacitance is measured. A controller determines the corresponding response based on presence detection by the frame. Conductive bushings may also be used to measure capacitance using the bed frame. In further embodiments, capacitance is measured by a foil tape surrounding a perimeter of the adjustable bed. The foil tape has a voltage based on proximity of an object to the tape, and may be embedded with a capacitive wire. A processor receives information regarding changes in capacitance and determines when a change in voltage satisfies a threshold. Based on a determination of presence, or lack of presence, a variety of corresponding features of the adjustable bed may be activated.

Abstract: A solution for sensor electronics provided in a door handle of a vehicle with a sensor control circuit (6) that is provided on a circuit board (1) and with a sensor electrode (11) of a capacitive sensor for detection of the approach of an object to the door handle connected to the sensor control circuit through which the sensitivity is improved, interference is decreased, and a compact structure is achieved.

Abstract: Embodiments include capacitive touch sensors and methods for configuring capacitive touch sensors. A capacitive touch sensor embodiment includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a controller. The ADC receives an analog voltage signal from an electrode, and samples the analog voltage signal to produce a plurality of digital values. The controller performs a first charging process by supplying the electrode with a first charging current for a first charging interval, and the controller determines, based on the digital values, whether a first electrode voltage value meets a criteria. If not, the controller performs a configuration process that results in setting a second charging current and a second charging interval for the electrode which, in response to performing a second charging process, results in a second electrode voltage value that meets the criteria.

Abstract: According to one disclosed embodiment, an on-chip resistor calibration circuit includes an RC oscillator having a test resistor and a precision capacitor as elements, a counter, and a reference clock. In one embodiment, an RC oscillator generates a waveform having a period dependent upon the resistance of the test resistor and the capacitance of the precision capacitor. In such an embodiment, a counter and a reference clock may be configured to measure the period of the waveform. Using a pre-determined capacitance of the precision capacitor, a resistance of the test resistor may be determined. In another embodiment, an RC oscillator generates first and second waveforms through use of an additional capacitor that can be switched in and out of the RC oscillator circuit. Using a pre-determined capacitance of the precision capacitor, an RC product of the test resistor and the additional capacitor may be determined.

Abstract: A capacitance type measuring device for measuring a physical quantity of an object to be measured by measuring a capacitance of a variable capacitor is provided, which achieves compactness, simplicity of structure, and improved measurement accuracy. The capacitance type measuring device may include a primary measuring circuit that is configured with the variable capacitor and a reference electronic element that is a reference to measure a capacitance of the variable capacitor, a secondary measuring circuit that has an impedance conversion element with sufficiently high input impedance and is connected to the primary measuring circuit, and a substrate in which a part or all of the each measuring circuit is formed. The high impedance circuit part may be formed between the variable capacitor and an impedance conversion element, and the reference electronic element may be embedded inside the substrate between a front surface and a rear surface thereof.

Abstract: A capacity measuring circuit includes a measuring voltage source configured to feed a sinusoidal voltage signal to a first terminal of a capacity to be measured so as to cause a temporal change in a charge stored on the capacity to be measured. The capacity measuring circuit additionally includes a delta-sigma modulator. The delta-sigma modulator is configured to receive a charge from a second terminal of the capacity to be measured and to provide a digital output signal which is dependent on a quantity of the charge received from the capacity to be measured. The capacity measuring circuit may be employed in a sensor system.

Abstract: An example capacitive switch apparatus comprises a capacitive switch sensor providing a capacitive switch signal, a capacitive reference sensor providing a capacitive reference signal, and an electronic circuit, receiving the switch and reference signals and detecting switch activation by comparing the switch signal level with a threshold level. The threshold level is adjusted as a function of the reference signal level. The reference signal is obtained, for example during periods of operator proximity to the reference sensor. For a finger-operated switch, the reference signal is obtained when a finger is proximate the reference sensor.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an angular velocity detection device which is capable of reducing the effect of coupling between a drive electrode and a first displacement detection electrode by a floating capacity, and is low in cost. In the angular velocity detection device, an oscillating body 21 is displaceable in a first direction and a second direction which orthogonally intersect each other. The oscillating body 21 is oscillated in the first direction by an electrostatic force corresponding to a drive signal generated by a non-interference signal generator 1. A carrier signal generated by the non-interference signal generator 1 is applied to the oscillating body 21. A first displacement detection circuit 3 and a second displacement detection circuit 4 each detect a displacement of the oscillating body 21 as a displacement modulation signal indicative of a change in electrostatic capacity synchronized with the carrier signal to thereby detect an angular velocity.

Abstract: A method of making a transparent capacitor apparatus includes: providing a first transparent substrate including a first patterned conductive layer having a first pattern; providing a second transparent substrate including a second patterned conductive layer having a second pattern different from the first pattern; locating the first transparent substrate over the second transparent substrate so that the first patterned conductive layer is effectively parallel to the second patterned conductive layer. Overlapping portions of both the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are patterned time into spatially matching conductive areas and non-conductive areas by locally applying heat to melt conductive materials in the non-conductive areas so that the surface tension of the conductive materials causes the conductive materials to coalesce into structures with a reduced conductive layer area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include circuits and methods for calibrating position displacement in a voltage controlled actuator. In one embodiment, a calibration circuit comprises an actuator having a control terminal for receiving a programmable control voltage to set a displacement, a switch that selectively decouples said programmable voltage from said control terminal and couples a reference current to said control terminal when the control terminal is decoupled from said control voltage, a comparator that senses a voltage difference between said control voltage and said control terminal, and a timer coupled to an output of the comparator. The timer measures a time period required to increase the control terminal voltage. The capacitance of the actuator may be determined and used to calibrate the position of the actuator.

Abstract: A capacitance measurement system precharges first terminals (21-0 . . . 21-k . . . 21-n) of a plurality of capacitors (25-0 . . . 25-k . . . 25), respectively, of a CDAC (capacitor digital-to-analog converter) (23) included in a SAR (successive approximation register) converter (17) to a first voltage (VDD) and pre-charges a first terminal (3-j) of a capacitor (CSENj) to a second voltage (GND). The first terminals are coupled to the first terminal of the capacitor to redistribute charges therebetween so as to generate a first voltage on the first terminals and the first terminal of the capacitor, the first voltage being representative of a capacitance of the first capacitor (CSENj). A SAR converter converts the first voltage to a digital representation (DATA) of the capacitor. The capacitance can be a touch screen capacitance.

Abstract: A sensor includes a transistor and a receptor layer positioned on the transistor. The receptor layer comprises a plurality of imprint sites, wherein each of the plurality of imprint sites is to mate with a portion of a target molecular species, and wherein at least two of the plurality of imprint sites are to mate with different portions of the target molecular species.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for capacitor is applied to a charging power source and a capacitor to be measured. The measuring apparatus for capacitor includes a microcontroller unit, an analog-digital converter unit, a charging-side switch unit, a charging-side resistor unit, a discharging-side switch unit and a discharging-side resistor unit. The capacitor to be measured is charged and discharged by the charging-side switch unit and the discharging-side switch unit controlled by the microcontroller unit. The charging and discharging voltage and time variation of the capacitor to be measured are measured by the analog-digital converter unit to calculate the capacitance value of the capacitor to be measured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to rapidly and accurately measure the variation of capacitance in a panel load of a touch sensor and thus increase touch sensitivity and noise resistance. The apparatus includes a panel driver configured to drive a panel load in the touch sensor according to a reference voltage, and a capacitive load detector configured to measure capacitance of the panel load by sensing a panel load driving current that is applied to the panel load by the panel driver.

Abstract: A detection circuit for detecting changes in capacitance. The detection circuit includes a tuned ratio circuit and an alternating current (AC) source AC-coupled to the tuned ratio circuit. The tuned ratio circuit includes first and second tuned circuits that are tuned to, or close, to the frequency of the AC source. Output circuitry is coupled between the two tuned circuits. During use as a transducer, an active capacitive transducer is inductively coupled to the first tuned circuit. Changes in the capacitance of the active capacitive transducer cause changes in the tuning of the first tuned circuit. The output circuitry generates an output signal that is a function of the difference between the tunings of the first and second tuned circuits.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating an indication of a changing electrostatic field between a sense electrode of a capacitance sensing integrated circuit and a specimen under inspection are presented. The capacitance sensing integrated circuit is an integrated circuit that includes a number of sense electrodes and sense electronics. By fabricating the elements of the capacitance sensing integrated circuit as a single microelectronic chip, the sense electrodes can be miniaturized to sizes that enable inspection of fine line patterns common in modern semiconductor manufacturing. In one embodiment, the sense electrodes are metallic contacts. In another embodiment the sense electrodes are field effect transistors (FETs) with a floating gate. The sense electronics generate an indication of the changing electrostatic field between each sense electrode and a specimen under inspection as the specimen is scanned relative to the capacitance sensing integrated circuit.

Abstract: The application methods in the related art cannot apply a sufficient voltage with a rectangular wave having a short rise time to an electronic circuit. Furthermore, electrostatic discharge test can apply a sufficient voltage but can only apply an oscillating waveform. A TLP generator is used as a rectangular wave generator. The sum of an injection resistance and a matching resistance is set so as to match the characteristic impedance of a transmission line for transmitting a rectangular wave to a test target. A capacitor is connected to a return line of the applied rectangular wave. With this configuration, stable application can be achieved. An error observation function of an electronic circuit gradually increases a peak value of the rectangular wave and determines the immunity based on an application voltage to cause an error for the first time.

Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit includes an operation amplifier; a reference capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a first input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to a first or second reference voltage; a sensor capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to the first or second reference voltage; an approximation unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the operation amplifier; a conversion unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the approximation unit; and a coupling capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the first or second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal of the conversion unit.

Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit includes an operation amplifier; a reference capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a first input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to a first or second reference voltage; a sensor capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to the first or second reference voltage; an approximation unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the operation amplifier; a conversion unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the approximation unit; and a coupling capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the first or second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal of the conversion unit.

Abstract: A current measurement circuit for measuring a current is provided. The current measurement circuit includes a current integrating unit with a capacitor array, a comparator coupled to the current integrating unit, and a control unit coupled to the comparator and the current integrating unit. The current integrating unit integrates the current on the capacitor array to obtain an input voltage. The comparator compares the input voltage with a specific voltage to generate a compare output. The control unit generates a control signal to apply to the capacitor array of the current integrating unit according to the compare output. A magnitude of the current is obtained according to the control signal and the capacitance of the capacitor array.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant detecting apparatus includes a voltage applying portion, a capacitance sensor, a capacitor, a storing portion, a measuring portion, and a calculating portion. The voltage applying portion applies an alternating-current voltage signal to the capacitance sensor and the capacitor. The storing portion stores a reference voltage. The measuring portion detects a first voltage in accordance with an electric current that flows between the voltage applying portion and the capacitor when the alternating-current voltage signal is applied to the capacitor. The measuring portion detects a second voltage in accordance with an electric current output from the capacitance sensor when the alternating-current voltage is applied to the capacitance sensor. The calculating portion detects an abnormality of the voltage applying portion based on the first voltage and the reference voltage, and determines an object disposed on the seat based on the second voltage.

Abstract: A low power capacitive detector is disclosed. The detector includes a mechanism to measure and detect touch on capacitive sensors. The detector uses signal processing to suppress noise and increase sensitivity. The detector does not require dedicated analog circuitry, making it easy to adopt in a microcontroller system. The detector can be scaled to a larger number of capacitive sensors without noticeable increase in silicon cost.

Abstract: A low power capacitive detector is disclosed. The detector includes a mechanism to measure and detect touch on capacitive sensors. The detector uses signal processing to suppress noise and increase sensitivity. The detector does not require dedicated analog circuitry, making it easy to adopt in a microcontroller system. The detector can be scaled to a larger number of capacitive sensors without noticeable increase in silicon cost.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor system and method resistant to electromagnetic interference is disclosed. The system includes a capacitive core, differential amplifier with inverting and non-inverting inputs, capacitive paths, and chopping system. Core can include inputs and outputs coupled to variable capacitors, and common nodes coupling variable capacitors. Capacitive paths couple core outputs to amplifier inputs. When chopping system is high, one polarity voltage is applied to core inputs, a first core output is coupled to the inverting input and a second core output is coupled to the non-inverting input. When the chopping system is low, opposite polarity voltage is applied to core inputs, and core output to amplifier input couplings are flipped. Capacitive paths can include bond wires. Chopping system can be varied between high and low at frequencies that smear noise away from a frequency band of interest, or that smear noise substantially evenly across a wide frequency range.

Abstract: A system that includes at least one capacitive sensor for least one angle of incidence component of radiation being measured striking the sensor. The measured capacitance of the sensor is affected by radiation striking the sensor. In some embodiments, the system includes multiple sensors where differences in the capacitive measurements of the sensors can be used to determine information about the radiation such as e.g. horizontal angle, directional angle, and dose.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing circuit including a microchip and a sense plate, wherein the microchip comprises a hardware Q RF noise detector module that provides a logical indication of when noise impacts on the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Capacitive transducer systems are disclosed that reduce nonlinearities due to feedthrough capacitances or residual electrostatic forces. The systems can include a core with a first input coupled to a first variable capacitor, a second input coupled to a second variable capacitor, and a core output coupled to a common node; an amplifier with input switchably coupled to common node and an output; a feedback path switchably coupling amplifier output to common node; and a main clock with first and second phases, that controls switches coupling system components. When clock is in first phase, first core input is coupled to reference voltage, second core input is coupled to negative reference voltage, and common node is coupled to amplifier output. When clock is in second phase, core inputs are grounded, and common node is coupled to amplifier input. The system can have single amplifier. Neutralization capacitor can cancel feedthrough and parasitic capacitances.

Abstract: A method for detecting pressure on a touch sensing element includes the steps of: providing a first potential difference to two electrodes of a first film; charging a capacitor with a division voltage of the first potential difference; sampling a charged voltage of the capacitor to obtain a plurality of first voltage values and calculating a first voltage variation according to the plurality of first voltage values; comparing the first voltage variation with a threshold value; and post-processing at least one of the first voltage values when the first voltage variation is smaller than the threshold value. The present disclosure further provides an electronic device.

Abstract: A differential capacitive transducer system is disclosed that includes first and second capacitive cores and a chopping system. The first core a first input coupled to a first capacitor, a second input coupled to a second capacitor, and a first output. The second core includes a third input coupled to a third capacitor, a fourth input coupled to a fourth capacitor, and a second output. The chopping system has first and fourth inputs coupled to positive signals, and second and third inputs coupled to negative signals. As the chopping system switches between high and low states, it couples the core inputs to different polarity signals reducing charge buildup. The different polarity signals can have substantially same magnitudes. Chopper clock and main clock frequencies can be selected to provide substantially zero average voltages at the core inputs. The system can include an integrator circuit and differential summing circuits.

Abstract: A capacitive transducer and a readout circuit for processing a signal from a capacitive transducer. The readout circuit includes a high gain circuit element, two summing amplifiers and two feedback path. The high gain circuit element generates an amplified transducer signal, and the summing amplifiers sum the amplified transducer signal with a positive reference voltage and the negative reference voltage, respectively, to generate a first summation signal and a second summation signal. The feedback paths feed back the summation signals to the transducer. Output circuitry generates an output signal based on the summation signals. The high gain circuit element can be a switched capacitor integrator. The output circuitry can generates the output signal based on the first and second summation signals.

Abstract: A differential capacitive transducer system is disclosed that includes first and second capacitive cores and a chopping system. The first core a first input coupled to a first capacitor, a second input coupled to a second capacitor, and a first output. The second core includes a third input coupled to a third capacitor, a fourth input coupled to a fourth capacitor, and a second output. The chopping system has first and fourth inputs coupled to positive signals, and second and third inputs coupled to negative signals. As the chopping system switches between high and low states, it couples the core inputs to different polarity signals reducing charge buildup. The different polarity signals can have substantially same magnitudes. Chopper clock and main clock frequencies can be selected to provide substantially zero average voltages at the core inputs. The system can include an integrator circuit and differential summing circuits.

Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit includes an operation amplifier; a reference capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a first input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to a first or second reference voltage; a sensor capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal selectively coupled to the first or second reference voltage; an approximation unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the operation amplifier; a conversion unit having an output terminal and an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the approximation unit; and a coupling capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the first or second input terminal of the operation amplifier and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal of the conversion unit.

Abstract: A sensing method is used for a capacitive sensing device, wherein the capacitive sensing device has a plurality of capacitive sensing components, each of which is charged or discharged by a charging component respectively. The sensing method comprises the steps of: a first sampling step of sampling at least one of charging or discharging time of a capacitive sensing component of the plurality of capacitive sensing components to determine a first sample time for the component sampled, wherein the component sampled and at least one another component of the plurality of capacitive sensing components are charged or discharged simultaneously during the first sampling step; a first comparing step of comparing the first sample time for the component sampled with a reference time; and an outputting step of outputting a trigger signal in the event that the first sample time exceeds the reference time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus determine a plurality of regions, each of the plurality of regions having a detected change in capacitance value that meets or exceeds a threshold value. In an embodiment, the method and apparatus fit a shape to the plurality of regions and determine another region, the other region being within the fitted shape and not having the detected change in capacitance value that meets or exceeds the threshold value. The method and apparatus may assign an assigned change in capacitance value to the other region.

Abstract: A method for minimizing stray current in capacitive sensor data includes receiving a first input from a first wire of a wire harness, the wire harness comprising a plurality of twisted wires, the first input comprising a first signal comprising first sensor data and stray current; receiving a second input from a second wire of the wire harness, the second input comprising a second signal comprising stray current; and subtracting the second signal from the first signal to determine the first sensor data. A system for minimizing stray current in capacitive sensor data is also provided.

Abstract: When the first electrical conductor overlaps one of the three or more detection electrodes, the one detection electrode and the first electrical conductor are capacitively coupled. When the position of the first electrical conductor has changed in accordance with movement of the operation member, it is determined, based on the capacitance of each of the three or more detection electrodes after the change, that the first electrical conductor has moved in a direction from a first detection electrode judged to have decreased the capacitance to a second detection electrode judged to have increased the capacitance.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a parameter related to the capacitance between a drive electrode and a receive electrode of a touch sensitive device. The apparatus includes an accumulator capacitor coupled at one end to a voltage measurement circuit and at the other end to the receive electrode, and control circuitry configured and arranged, during each cycle of a measurement sequence, to connect a reference voltage to a first node that electrically connects the accumulator capacitor to the voltage measurement circuit. The apparatus further includes a resistive circuit configured and arranged to draw current from a second node electrically connected to the accumulator capacitor and to the receive electrode during the measurement sequence.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system (10) comprises a sine signal generator (12) to apply a sine voltage signal to an antenna electrode (14) and a current measurement circuit (18, 20, 28, 30, 40) to measure current signals, based upon which a control and evaluation unit determines and outputs an occupancy state. The signal generator (12) is coupled to the antenna electrode via an amplitude adjustment stage (13), configured to adjust the amplitude of said sine voltage signal applied to said antenna electrode to an amplitude selected among at least two discrete amplitudes. The control and evaluation circuit selects one of the discrete amplitudes at a time and causes the amplitude adjustment stage to adjust the amplitude of said the voltage signal applied to the antenna electrode accordingly. The control and evaluation circuit carries out an interference detection mode and an occupant detection mode.

Abstract: A capacitance-type detecting device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of detecting electrodes that are provided on a sensor substrate such that capacitance is formed between adjacent electrodes. Capacitance formed in a corner detection region in which the detection sensitivity of the sensor substrate is relatively low is more than that formed in a central detection region in which the detection sensitivity is relatively high.

Abstract: A position detecting sensor is configured by providing a dielectric member having flexibility between first conductors and second conductors and providing spacers for separating the first conductors or the second conductors from the dielectric member by a determined gap. When a pressing force is applied by an indicator (e.g., a finger or a pen) on the position detecting sensor, the first conductor and the second conductor come to abut each other, with the dielectric member interposed therebetween. Further, an abutting area (contact area) between the dielectric member and the conductor changes (e.g., increases) according to the pressing force applied by the indicator. Thus, capacitance of the capacitor formed between the first conductor and the second conductor is largely changed, to allow detection of a position indicated by the indicator as well as the pressing force applied at the indicated position with high sensitivity and high accuracy.

Abstract: A system for determining a curing state for cement disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth that includes a transceiver that includes a transmitting coil and that is configured to provide an input signal to the coil that sweeps through a frequency range and to measure the magnitude of the voltage across the coil. The system also includes a plurality of sensor nodes disposed in the concrete. The sensor nodes include a receiving coil and a capacitor coupled to the receiving coil to form a receiving circuit and that has a capacitance that changes as one of pressure or strain in the cement changes.

Abstract: The present disclosure endeavors to provide an SHM system and method using a conductive material (e.g., CNT) to measure changes in a layered structure. Change in capacitance of a layered structure may be measured over time thereby indicating a change in the structural integrity of the material. The SHM system may be embedded with, or within, the layered structure such that the system is effectively part of the material. Alternatively, it may be external to the layered structure such that the system is a separate device used to measure the capacitance. The SHM system may also localize any changes in a layered structure by using, for example, strips or panels of conductive material on opposite sides of the layered structure being measured. Damage within overlapping portions of the conductive material provides localization capability where varying the size of the strips or panels may be use to vary the sensitivity and resolution of both the locations and size of the defect.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a distance sensing circuit and a touch-control electronic apparatus. The touch-control electronic apparatus includes a distance sensing circuit. The distance sensing circuit comprises a distance sensing unit, a capacitive sensing unit, and an operation unit. The distance sensing unit senses the distance between an object and the touch-control electronic apparatus and generates a first sensing signal. The capacitive sensing unit generates a second sensing signal corresponding to the object. The operation unit judges the distance between the touch-control electronic apparatus and the object according to the first and the second sensing signals. The touch-control electronic apparatus according to the present invention can truly judge the distance between itself and the object by means of the distance sensing unit and the capacitive sensing unit for controlling touch-control functions of the touch-control electronic apparatus.

Abstract: An inspection device for detecting small foreign bodies is provided with a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on either side of the inspection target, a power source connected to the aforementioned first electrode, a conveyance speed control unit for controlling the conveyance speed of the aforementioned inspection target, a current detection unit which, connected to the aforementioned second electrode, detects currents generated by changes in the static capacitance formed between the aforementioned first electrode and the aforementioned second electrode, and a defect detection unit which detects defects on the basis of the aforementioned current. Furthermore, the aforementioned second electrode rotates in the direction opposite of the conveyance direction of the aforementioned inspection target. Furthermore, the aforementioned power source includes a DC or an AC power source.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described for determining positional information for objects using a sensing device. The various embodiments provide improved user interface functionality by facilitating user input with both objects that are at the surfaced and objects that are away from the surface. The sensor device includes a processing system and a sensor array of sensing electrodes adapted to capacitively sense objects in a sensing region. First, the processing system is configured to determine positional information for objects at the surface in a first portion of the sensing region. Secondly, the processing system is configured to determine positional information for objects that are away from the surface and in a second portion of the sensing region, where the first portion of the sensing region is between the surface and the second portion of the sensing region.