Abstract: There is provided a high resolution circuit for converting a capacitance-to-time deviation including a capacitance deviation detecting unit generating two detection signals having a phase difference corresponding to variations of capacitance of an micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) sensor; a capacitance deviation amplifying unit dividing frequencies of the two detection signals to amplify the phase difference corresponding to the capacitance deviation; and a time signal generating unit generating a time signal having a pulse width corresponding to the amplified phase difference.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container filling machine comprising a sensing device for detecting the integrity of discrete articles for personal treatment to be packaged in a container. The sensing device comprises a pair of capacitor plates positioned in a substantially opposing relationship for creating therebetween an electric field, a track for guiding the discrete articles for personal treatment through said electric field and a processing unit. The processing unit is in communication with the pair of capacitor plates, and is operative for detecting a change in capacitance as a discrete article passes through the electric field in order to determine the integrity of the discrete article on the basis of the change in capacitance and a characteristic capacitance change signature. The container filling machine further comprises a transportation device, a rejection device, a counting device and a plurality of path blocking devices.

Abstract: A switching strip profile for a switching strip for the detection of obstructions, and an apparatus for the detection of obstructions. The switching strip profile has a profiled body composed of electrically non-conductive material, a first conductor which is arranged in a rear area of the profiled body, and a second conductor which is arranged in a front area of the profiled body. The first conductor has two side surfaces which run essentially parallel to and at a short distance from a respective outer wall of the profiled body, and, on a lower face which faces an attachment surface of the profile, the first conductor has a U-like shape which is open towards the attachment surface.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described for detecting a measurable capacitance using sigma-delta measurement techniques. According to various embodiments, a voltage is applied to the measurable capacitance using a first switch. The measurable capacitance is allowed to share charge with a passive network. If the charge on the passive network is past a threshold value, then the charge on the passive network is changed by a known amount for a sufficient number of repetitions until the measurable capacitance can be detected. Such a detection scheme may be readily implemented using conventional components, and can be particularly useful in sensing the position of a finger, stylus or other object with respect to a button, slider, touchpad or other input sensor.

Abstract: A capacitance difference detecting circuit, which comprises: a control circuit, for generating a control signal according to a first voltage and a second voltage; a first capacitor to be detected; a second capacitor to be detected; a first constant capacitor, having a terminal coupled to the first terminal of the first capacitor to be detected and the first input terminal; a second constant capacitor, having a terminal coupled to the first terminal of the second capacitor to be detected and the second input terminal; a voltage control unit, cooperating with the first capacitor to be detected, the second capacitor to be detected, the first constant capacitor and the second constant capacitor to control the first voltage and the second voltage. The voltage control unit is an adjustable capacitor and a capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor is controlled by the control signal.

Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit includes: a reference capacitor selectively coupled to a first reference voltage or a second reference voltage; a sensor capacitor selectively coupled to the first reference voltage or the second reference voltage; an operation amplifier coupled to the reference capacitor, the sensor capacitor and a third reference voltage; an approximation unit coupled to the operation amplifier; and a conversion unit coupled to the operation amplifier and the approximation unit. The reference capacitor and the sensor capacitor respectively couple a first charge amount and a second charge amount to a first input terminal of the operational amplifier to conduct an input voltage. The conversion unit couples a third charge amount to the first input terminal of the operation amplifier or charges/discharges the first input terminal of the operation amplifier until the input voltage approximates the third reference voltage.

Abstract: A capacitance sensor, having at least one electrode is disclosed. A frequency spread signal generation circuit is coupled to the at least one electrode to apply a frequency spread signal based on a spread sequence. A periodic signal with a frequency is coupled to the at least one electrode. A frequency controller is coupled to the frequency spread signal generation circuit to vary the frequency of the periodic signal. A receiver circuit is coupled to the at least one or a further electrode to receive a version of the frequency spread signal which depends on a capacitance applied to the at least one electrode. An evaluation circuit is coupled to the receiver circuit to determine a capacitance value based on the received, dependent version of the frequency spread signal.

Abstract: Capacitive detection systems, modules, and methods. In one embodiment, time interval measurement(s) are generated that are monotonic functions of the capacitance(s) of capacitive sensor(s) in a capacitive sensing area. In one embodiment, the generated time interval measurement(s), or any other monotonic function(s) of capacitance(s) of capacitive sensor(s) in a capacitive sensing area, may be analyzed to detect the presence of an object near the capacitive sensing area and/or to detect the position of an object near the capacitive sensing area.

Abstract: A physiological measurement instrument is disclosed, having a detector, implemented as one or more sensors, for measuring values of one or more physiological measured parameters associated with a body of a human or animal subject, and for detecting values of a physical parameter that indicates an operating position of the measurement instrument relative to the body, and an operating-position-determining unit that receives and analyzes output signals from the detector, to determine the operating position of the measurement instrument.

Abstract: A method for monitoring movement of at least one moving mirror in a MEMS device comprising one or more moving mirrors, and wherein the monitoring is based upon capacitance changes over time in the MEMS device. The method comprises the steps of: if the at least one moving mirror is an in-plain mirror, then: a. providing DC voltage to the MEMS device in addition to a driving voltage required for the movement of that at least one moving mirror; b. measuring current proportional to capacitance changes associated with the movement of the at least one moving mirror; and c. monitoring the movement of the at least one moving mirror based on the measured current. If the at least one moving mirror is a staggered mirror, then: d. measuring a current associated with the movement of the at least one moving mirror; e. identifying a plurality of ripples associated with capacitance changes in the MEMS device over time, in the measured current; and f.

Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance-type input device includes: a translucent input device substrate that has a translucent position detecting electrode and a position detecting mount terminal electrically connected to the position detecting electrode on a first face side; a flexible wiring substrate that includes an overlapping portion overlapping with the first face side of the input device substrate and is electrically connected to the position detecting mount terminal in the overlapping portion; and a translucent shielding film that has a shield electrode layer and is disposed so as to overlap with a second face side of the input device substrate. The shielding film includes an extension portion that is folded back so as to overlap with the first face side of the input device substrate. The shielding film is electrically connected to the flexible wiring substrate through the extension portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for measuring a ratio of capacitances.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant sensor for detecting an occupant sitting on a seat cushion of a seat of a vehicle includes a capacitive sensor mat, a cushion member, and a floating electrode. The capacitive sensor mat is disposed in the seat cushion and has a surface. The cushion member is disposed on the surface of the capacitive sensor mat. The floating electrode is disposed on an opposite side of the cushion member from the surface of the capacitive sensor mat. A projected area of the floating electrode with respect to the surface is smaller than the surface. The floating electrode is in an electrically-floating state with respect to the capacitive sensor mat. The occupant is detected based on an occupant capacitance between the capacitive sensor mat and the occupant and a floating capacitance between the capacitive sensor mat and the floating electrode.

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 mutual capacitance sensor device comprises a plurality of receiver sensor electrodes, a plurality of transmitter sensor electrodes, and a processing system coupled with the plurality of receiver sensor electrodes and coupled with the plurality of transmitter sensor electrodes. The processing system is configured for acquiring a capacitive image from the pluralities of sensor electrodes. The processing system is also configured for correlating a part of the capacitive image with at least one input object template image to determine both a presence and a type of an input object interacting with the mutual capacitance sensor device.

Abstract: A system and method for testing capacitance of a load circuit connected to an output pin of a driving circuit In one embodiment, the method may comprise driving a voltage at the output pin to a first voltage; a predetermined current to the output pin; comparing the voltage at the output pin to a reference voltage; and when the voltage at the output pin matches the reference voltage, generating an estimate of capacitance present at the output pin based on a number of clock cycles occurring between an onset of a timed voltage change period and a time at which the voltage at the output pin matches the reference voltage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for a capacitive sensor. In an example, a capacitive sensor can include a first sensing element, a sensing channel operable to generate a first signal indicative of first capacitance between the sensing element and a system ground, and a processor responsive to a change in the first capacitance between the first sensing element and ground. The processor can be configured to adjust a parameter value based on a first duration of the change in the first capacitance.

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: This invention is a novel methodology for precision metrology, sensing, and actuation at the micro- and nano-scale. It is well-suited for tiny technology because it leverages off the electromechanical benefits of the scale. The invention makes use of electrical measurands of micro- or nano-scale devices to measure and characterize themselves, other devices, and whatever the devices subsequently interact with. By electronically measuring the change in capacitance, change in voltage, and/or resonant frequency of just a few simple test structures, a multitude of geometric, dynamic, and material properties may be extracted with a much higher precision than conventional methods.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a sensing electrode, control unit, first and second comparator wherein the sensing electrode includes a first and a second conductors. A positive input terminal of the first comparator and a negative input terminal of the second comparator are coupled to the first conductor. A positive input terminal of the second comparator and a negative input terminal of the first comparator are coupled to the second conductor. The first and second comparators respectively output first and second comparing signals according to voltages of the positive and the negative terminals thereof. The control unit charges the first conductor and discharges the second conductor when the first and second comparing signals correspondingly are in first and second logic states. The control unit is operable on the contrary when the first and second comparing signals are in opposition to the abovementioned description.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrostatic capacitance input device including: an input region of a substrate, in which a plurality of input position detection electrodes are provided; a plurality of wires that are electrically connected to the plurality of input position detection electrodes and extend outside the input region of the substrate; and a shield electrode that overlaps the wires on the input operation side.

Abstract: Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising a power supply that generates supply power supplied to the device under test; a transmission path that transmits the supply power generated by the power supply to the device under test; an intermediate capacitor that is provided between the transmission path and a ground potential; a power supply current measuring section that measures a current flowing through the transmission path at a position closer to the power supply than the intermediate capacitor; a charge and discharge current measuring section that measures a charge and discharge current of the intermediate capacitor; and a load current calculating section that calculates a load current flowing through the device under test based on a sum of the current measured by the power supply current measuring section and the current measured by the charge and discharge current measuring section.

Abstract: Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising a power supply that generates supply power supplied to the device under test; a transmission path that transmits the supply power generated by the power supply to the device under test; a high-capacitance capacitor that is provided between the transmission path and a ground potential; a low-capacitance capacitor that has a lower capacitance than the high-capacitance capacitor and that is provided between the transmission path and the ground potential at a position closer to the device under test than the high-capacitance capacitor is to the device under test; an intermediate capacitor that is provided between the transmission path and the ground potential at a position between the high-capacitance capacitor and the low-capacitance capacitor; and a current measuring section that measures current flowing through the transmission path between the intermediate capacitor and the low-capacitance capacitor.

Abstract: Methods and systems using Pade' Approximant expansion ratios provide mappings between nonlinear sensors and a more linear output domain. The method includes (a) generating a variably amplified version of the input signal in accordance with a produced and variable gain defining signal; (b) generating an output signal that exhibits a substantially linear dependency from a sum of a supplied offset signal and the variably amplified version of the input signal; (c) multiplying the output signal by a supplied gain correction factor to produce a feedback gain correction signal; and (d) using the feedback gain correction signal to produce the variable gain defining signal.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant sensor includes a sensor mat having a base member and a main electrode arranged on the base member. The main electrode has a first electrode, and a second electrode to cover the first electrode. The second electrode is cheaper than the first electrode. The base member is constructed by U-parts, and an opening of the U-part is defined to be surrounded by two extending portions and a bent portion connecting the extending portions. The first electrode is located adjacent to the opening, when the first electrode is patterned on the bent portion.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant sensor includes a sensor mat having U-parts arranged in a first direction and, a second direction perpendicular to each other. The U-parts located adjacent to each other are connected in the second direction so as to define S-parts, in a manner that openings of the U-parts alternately open toward a first side of the first direction or a second side of the first direction. The S-parts located adjacent to each other are combined in the first direction, in a manner that the opening open toward the first side and the opening open toward the second side oppose to each other in the first direction. The mat has a meandering structure defined by the S-parts.

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 sensor for detecting and measuring a load pressure applied to a support device comprises at least one capacitive cell including a flat condenser comprising at least one layer of a compressible insulating dielectric material interposed between two layers of conductive material. A support device capable of supporting the body of a person comprises at least one top layer composed of a plurality of air-filled inflatable cells communicating with inflation elements, characterized in that it comprises a sensor, of which said condenser is disposed under said top layer and connected to an electronic control and regulation device capable of controlling inflation or deflation elements.

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 touch sensor employing adjacent drive and sense electrodes, in which an additional sense electrode is provided as well as a conventional drive electrode and sense electrode. The drive and two sense electrodes are arranged on the bottom side of a dielectric panel, the top side providing a sensing surface to be touched by a user's finger or a stylus. The additional sense electrode is positioned on the underside of the dielectric panel so that it is shielded from the drive electrode by the conventional sense electrode. The signal collected from the additional sense electrode is subtracted from the signal collected from the conventional sense electrode to cancel noise.

Abstract: An occupant detection system comprises an electrode arrangement for placement into a seat of an automotive vehicle and an evaluation circuit operatively connected to the electrode arrangement. The latter includes a first electrode for emitting an electric field into a detection region above the vehicle seat, a second electrode and an electric insulator layer sandwiched between the first and second electrodes. When the electrode arrangement is in place in the seat, the first electrode forms with vehicle ground a first capacitor having a first capacitance, which is influenceable by an occupying item in the detection region through interaction of the occupying item with the electric field, the first electrode forms with the second electrode a second capacitor having a second capacitance and the second electrode forms with at least one of vehicle ground and a third electrode a third capacitor having a third capacitance.

Abstract: A variable capacitance circuit includes a capacitance changing structure constructed by connecting a first construction unit, a second construction unit, a third construction unit, and a fourth construction unit, which each include a first electric element that hinders transmission of a direct current (DC) signal and has a capacitance that changes in accordance with the magnitude of an absolute value of an applied voltage, in the mentioned order in a ring. A voltage measuring apparatus measures the voltage of a measured object and includes a detection electrode capable of being disposed facing the measured object and the variable capacitance circuit described above. A power measuring apparatus includes a current measuring apparatus that measures current flowing in a measured object and the voltage measuring apparatus that measures the voltage of the measured object.

Abstract: In one example, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of discrete photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, and a substantially electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet. The photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other. The cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other and include a first row and a last row. The backsheet forms a current return path between the first and last rows. The photovoltaic cells are configured such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a capacitor mismatch error between a sampling capacitor and a feedback capacitor in a switched capacitor circuit includes sampling a fixed input voltage onto the sampling capacitor during a sampling phase of the switched capacitor circuit; placing the switched capacitor circuit in a hold/amplification phase of the switched capacitor circuit; providing a pair of level shift voltages alternately to the first plate of the sampling capacitor; generating a pair of output voltages at an output terminal of an amplifier where the pair of output voltages are a function of the sampled fixed input voltage, amplified by the amplifier and level shifted by the pair of level shift voltages and the pair of output voltages resemble output voltages in normal operation of the switched capacitor circuit; and comparing the pair of output voltages with respective corresponding ideal output voltages values to determine the capacitor mismatch error.

Abstract: A capacitive rotation sensor for detecting the position of an object moving relative to a stationary object, comprising a shaft rotatably supported in a housing flange, said shaft being connected integral in rotation therewith to a rotor to which, separated by an air gap, a stator situated opposite thereto is assigned, wherein at least the rotor, the stator and an evaluation circuit are enclosed by an electrically conductive cap, wherein a stator surface is arranged on the underside of a circuit board and the stator surface has assigned thereto, situated opposite thereto and separated by the air gap, a non-rotation-symmetrical rotor disc which, in turn, is fixed on a rotor support, said rotor support being fastened highly precisely on the outer periphery of the shaft so as to be integral in rotation therewith.

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. This task is solved by sensor electronics with a ground-metallization plane having a ground potential and a shielding electrode provided between the sensor electrode (11) and the ground-metallization plane, whereby the circuit board (1) has at least four metallization planes (7, 8.

Abstract: Load measuring parts 50 and 52 are provided with reaction sensors 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b to measure loads at two positions, the tiptoe and the heel, on each sole of right and left feet of a wearing person 12. The reaction sensor 50a detects a reaction force to a load on a front side of the right foot (right tiptoe), the reaction sensor 50b detects a reaction force to a load on a rear side of the right foot (right heel), the reaction sensor 52a detects a reaction force to a load on a front side of the left foot (left tiptoe), and the reaction sensor 52b detects a reaction force to a load on a rear side of the left foot (left heel). The reaction sensors 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b are arranged to detect, based on a change of a capacitance, the loads on the right and left feet during a walk action. A change of the load accompanied with a shift of the weight and a contact between the wearing person's foot and the ground can be detected.

Abstract: A capacitance touch sensing device that detects the touch of a user against a surface of a door handle on the outside of a vehicle includes an upper sensor electrode provided in an upper portion of the door handle, a lower sensor electrode provided in a lower portion of the door handle, an upper detecting portion that detects when the user has touched an upper surface of the door handle based on output from the upper sensor electrode, and a lower detecting portion that detects when the user has touched a lower surface of the door handle based on output from the lower sensor electrode. The detection sensitivity of one of the upper detecting portion or the lower detecting portion is lower than the detection sensitivity of the other.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor (100) comprises a sensor unit (10) and a sense circuit unit (20). The sensor unit (10) includes a sensor electrode (11), a shield electrode (12) and an auxiliary electrode (13). The sensor electrode (11) is connected to a C-V conversion circuit (21) and the shield electrode (12) is connected to a shield drive circuit (24). The auxiliary electrode (13) is connected via a change-over switch (30) to the C-V conversion circuit (21) or the shield drive circuit (24). The capacitance values (C1, C2) switched by the change-over switch (30) and detected at the C-V conversion circuit (21) are compared to arbitrarily set a range of a sense region on the sensor electrode (11).

Abstract: The invention proposes a circuit arrangement for determination of a measuring capacitance (1), comprising a reference circuit portion for defined periodic charging and discharging of a predefined reference capacitance (1a), and a measuring circuit portion for defined periodic charging and discharging of the measuring capacitance (1) to be determined, and at least one circuit portion (4, 7; 4a, 7a) intended to determine at least one value (M2) characteristic of the charging time curve of the reference capacitance (1a) and for deriving at least one value (M1) characteristic of the charging time curve of the measuring capacitance (1), as well as a circuit portion (9) for comparing the at least one value (M2) characteristic of the charging time curve of the reference capacitance (1 a) with the at least one value (M1) characteristic of the charging time curve of the measuring capacitance (1), and for deriving from that comparison the value of the measuring capacitance (1).

Abstract: A capacitive anti-pinch means with a first electrode (2) and a second electrode (3), wherein the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (3) form the electrodes of one sensor, is, as regards a measurement which is independent of a ground potential (M1), characterized in that the first electrode (2) can be fed a first potential (Uref+), in that the second electrode (3) can be fed a second potential (Uref?), wherein the second potential (Uref?) is different from the first potential (Uref+), and in that said means are equipped with evaluation electronics (5) which determine the difference between the first potential (Uref+) and the second potential (Uref?) and determine the capacitance (CSensor) of the sensor from said difference. A corresponding method for operating the anti-pinch means (1) is disclosed.

Abstract: A detection circuit 1 includes: an input unit 2; two contact electrodes A and B which are connected to the input unit; phase invention means 3 connected to the contact electrode A; one amplification means 41 arranged in each contact means; and detection means 5A and 5B which detect as an electric change amount, an amplitude change of an input signal caused by a capacitance change in each of the contact electrodes A and B. The detection circuit 1 causes the two electrodes to input signals having phases shifted by a half period from each other by using the phase invention means 3. In the presence of contact, the amplitude of the input pulses is amplified by the one amplification means 41. The respective detection means 5A and 5B detect signals of respective electrodes from the one amplified signal and output them to output units 6A and 6B, respectively.

Abstract: Capacitive detection systems, modules, and methods. In one embodiment, time interval measurement(s) are generated that are monotonic functions of the capacitance(s) of capacitive sensor(s) in a capacitive sensing area. In one embodiment, the generated time interval measurement(s), or any other monotonic function(s) of capacitance(s) of capacitive sensor(s) in a capacitive sensing area, may be analyzed to detect the presence of an object near the capacitive sensing area and/or to detect the position of an object near the capacitive sensing area.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described for detecting a measurable capacitance using sigma-delta measurement techniques. According to various embodiments, a voltage is applied to the measurable capacitance using a first switch. The measurable capacitance is allowed to share charge with a passive network. If the charge on the passive network is past a threshold value, then the charge on the passive network is changed by a known amount for a sufficient number of repetitions until the measurable capacitance can be detected. Such a detection scheme may be readily implemented using conventional components, and can be particularly useful in sensing the position of a finger, stylus or other object with respect to a button, slider, touchpad or other input sensor.

Abstract: A method for detecting unauthorized access to oil, gas or other pipes, by monitoring the protective cathodic voltage and detecting changes in the voltage which are indicative of a technical failure or a deliberate attack on the pipe. A method for detecting leakage from a pipe using multiple channels/inputs, wherein a low frequency range input measures seismic noises, and a high frequency range input measures cavitation noises, and wherein a leakage indication is issued if both the low frequency and high frequency noises are simultaneously detected. A low power consumption Wireless communications protocol is used.

Abstract: A circuit that senses a process variable includes a voltage divider that includes first and second capacitances. At least one of the capacitances is varied by the process variable. Divider ends receive modulated potentials, and a divider center tap coupled to a detector. The detector has a detector output representing carrier frequency range components. A control circuit controls a baseband envelope of the modulated potentials as a function of the detector output.

Abstract: A method of controlling a shape memory alloy actuator utilizing the change in resistance exhibited by the actuator over an actuation cycle, and more preferably, a derivative thereof, to identify at least one event, and generating a response based upon the event.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for reading a test strip by measuring the light intensity incident on a photodiode. The method may include reverse biasing the photodiode, measuring a time required to charge a capacitor using current generated by the photodiode, and using the time required to charge the capacitor to determine a condition of the test strip. The system may include a photodiode being reverse biased and a capacitor being charged by the reversed biased photodiode. The length of time to charge the capacitor may be proportional to the light intensity incident on the photodiode and may be used to determine a condition of the test strip.

Abstract: A sitting detection system determines whether an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat or not by applying a DC voltage to a sheet-like detection electrode that is provided in the seat, and measuring the time for capacitance between the detection electrode and a ground to be charged to a predetermined level using simple implement. The use of the conductive woven cloth, which is formed with the surface member of the seat, as the detection electrode enables not to degrade the texture of the seat. The threshold time for detecting whether an occupant is seated in a seat or not may be set using a charging time which is measured when no occupant is seated in the seat as the initial value.

Abstract: A scan module of an electronic device scans a capacitive keypad for detection of the actuation of any capacitive touch sensor. This scan module remains in operation even when major power consuming circuits of the electronic device are in a sleep mode, and will not wake up the major power consuming circuits until an action requiring the circuits is needed, thereby, reducing overall power consumption of the electronic device while still maintaining scanning of the capacitive keypad. Upon detection of a valid key press of a capacitive touch sensor, an interrupt to the electronic device brings it out of a sleep mode and into an operating mode for further processing and appropriate action commensurate with the actuation of the specific capacitive touch sensor.