Abstract: Detecting a signal from a touch and hover sensing device, in which the signal can be indicative of concurrent touch events and/or hover events, is disclosed. A touch event can indicate an object touching the device. A hover event can indicate an object hovering over the device. The touch and hover sensing device can ensure that a desired hover event is not masked by an incidental touch event, e.g., a hand holding the device, by compensating for the touch event in the detected signal that represents both events. Conversely, when both a hover event and a touch event are desired, the touch and hover sensing device can ensure that both events are detected by adjusting the device sensors and/or the detected signal. The touch and hover sensing device can also detect concurrent hover events by identifying multiple peaks in the detected signal, each peak corresponding to a position of a hovering object.

Abstract: A method includes driving, by a first driver circuit, a current through an electrode and detecting, by a sensing system, a touch based on a change in capacitance at the electrode. The first driver circuit includes a first operational transconductance amplifier and a first current mirror. A second current mirror is coupled to the sensing system. A first switch is coupled to the first current mirror. A second switch is coupled to the first current mirror and the first operational transconductance amplifier. A third switch is coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier and the second current mirror. A fourth switch is coupled to the second current mirror. A fifth switch is coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier. A sixth switch is coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier. A seventh switch is coupled to the first operational transconductance amplifier, the first current mirror, and the second current mirror.

Abstract: A multi-touch device detecting a touch input by using a passive element comprises a plurality of driving electrodes; a plurality of detection electrodes; a plurality of impedances positioned at an intersecting point of the plurality of driving electrodes and the plurality of detection electrodes; and a control unit selecting a first driving electrode and a first detection electrode from the plurality of driving electrodes and the plurality of detection electrodes, outputting a first voltage on the first driving electrode, outputting a second voltage on at least one of the remaining driving electrodes and at least one of the remaining detection electrodes, and detecting a touch input on a first intersecting point of the first driving electrode and the first detection electrode on the basis of a detection voltage detected from the first detection electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for implementing touch key and fingerprint identification includes a fingerprint identification sensor arranged below a cover glass of a terminal device and a capacitive touch sensor arranged below the fingerprint identification sensor. The fingerprint identification sensor is configured to collect fingerprint information applied on the cover glass. The capacitive touch sensor is configured to collect a capacitance generated on the cover glass.

Abstract: A fingerprint identification circuit comprises multiple reading sub-circuits, and multiple fingerprint identification sub-circuits each column of fingerprint identification sub-circuits are connected with one reading sub-circuit, each fingerprint identification sub-circuit comprises a writing sub-circuit, a sensing sub-circuit and a output sub-circuit, the writing sub-circuit is connected with a scan signal input terminal; the sensing sub-circuit senses a fingerprint and transmits a sensing signal to the output sub-circuit; the output sub-circuit outputs the sensing signal upon the writing sub-circuit is turned off each fingerprint identification sub-circuit further comprises: a converting and amplifying sub-circuit provided between the sensing sub-circuit and the output sub-circuit, for converting the sensing signal into a current signal, amplifying the current signal and outputting it to the output sub-circuit, the reading sub-circuit is connected with the output sub-circuit for reading the sensing signal a

Abstract: A flexible touch screen panel includes a thin film substrate divided into an active area and a non active area positioned at the outside of the active area; sensing patterns formed on the active area of a first surface of the thin film substrate, including first sensing cells formed to be connected along a first direction and second sensing cells formed to be connected along a second direction; and sensing lines formed on the non active area of the first surface of the thin film substrate. The sensing lines are connected to the sensing patterns. In the touch screen panel, the area and/or interval of the sensing cells formed on a first region, which is capable of being bent by predetermined curvature about a folding axis is different from the area and/or interval of the sensing cells formed on a second region as a flat region except the first region.

Abstract: A touch display device including sensing electrodes arranged on a single layer of a touch panel and a touch detection circuit configured to determine whether an object touched the touch panel by a voltage detected by the sensing electrodes. The sensing electrodes include a first group including two first sensing electrodes spaced apart by having a second sensing electrode interposed between the two first sensing electrodes. The first group is connected to the touch detection circuit through one wire. The sensing electrodes also include a second group including one second sensing electrode. The second group is connected to the touch detection circuit through one wire.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus with multi-finger fingerprint identifying function includes at least one multi-finger fingerprint sensor having a sensing electrode matrix with a side length of at least two centimeters such that the multi-finger fingerprint sensor can sense the fingerprints of at least two fingers simultaneously or sense user gesture. The electronic apparatus can authenticate the user fingerprint and sense user gesture and execute a predetermined operation according to the authentication result and the sensed user gesture.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a substrate configured to extend substantially out to at least two edges of a surface of a device. The apparatus also includes a touch sensor disposed on the substrate, the touch sensor comprising an active area that is configured to extend substantially out to at least two of the edges of the surface of the device.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus comprising an interface configured to communicate with at least one wireless transceiver, and a controller coupled to the interface. The controller is configured to determine a predefined characteristic such as current load and/or interference for a wireless channel associated with the at least one wireless transceiver. The controller is operable to suppress sending a probe response in response to the at least one wireless transceiver receiving a probe request, wherein how often probe responses are suppressed is based on the predefined characteristic for the wireless channel.

Abstract: Electrode portions located on both ends are set to detection electrode portions, ground electrode portions are set on the inside thereof, and a plurality of central electrode portions are set to driving detection portions. A coordinate position of a finger can be obtained based on an output difference between the detection electrode portions, and a vertical distance can be obtained based on an output sum. When the vertical distance of the finger is shorter than a first threshold, switching is performed so that an interval between the detection electrode portions is shortened, and when the finger approaches, a touch detection mode is set.

Abstract: A touch panel and a touch electrode structure thereof are provided. The touch electrode structure defines position units and includes electrodes electrically insulated from each other. Each of the electrodes covers more than one of the position units and comprises a plurality of sub-electrodes electrically insulated from each other. Each of the sub-electrodes includes sub-electrode units. Each of the position units is corresponding to at least one of the sub-electrode units of at least one of the sub-electrode, and combinations of the sub-electrode units of the different sub-electrodes in the respective position units are different. In the touch electrode structure, each electrode can be electrically independent without needing to dispose a jumper and an insulating layer, thus simplifying process steps and improving a yield rate at the same time.

Abstract: A processing system for an input device includes a sensor module coupled to sensor electrodes. The sensor module includes sensor circuitry and configured to acquire first capacitive measurements when the input device is in a first state, and acquire second capacitive measurements when the input device is in a second state. The second state has an increased ground as compared to the first state. The processing system further includes a determination module configured to determine positional information for an input object based on the first capacitive measurements and the second capacitive measurements.

Abstract: A capacitance distribution detection circuit includes a multiplexer, a driver, and a sense amplifier, and the multiplexer switches states between a first connection state in which first signal lines are connected to the driver and second signal lines are connected to the sense amplifier, and a second connection state in which the first signal lines are connected to the sense amplifier and the second signal lines are connected to the driver.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power feeding device including: power transmitting section which transmits electric power by way of a magnetic field; a set of first and second electrodes which are spaced from each other; a power supply which applies a voltage between the first and second electrodes; and a detector which detects whether foreign matter is present on the power transmitting section or not based on the voltage applied by the power supply.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor system includes a capacitive sensor device having a sense electrode that includes a first capacitor, a first supply voltage in , a first switch operable to couple the sense electrode to the first supply voltage during a first mode and an analog to digital converter during a second mode, a second switch operable to couple a second capacitor to a second supply voltage during the first mode and to an open circuit during the second mode, and a resistive element that includes a first terminal coupled between the first capacitor and the first switch, and a second terminal coupled between the second capacitor and the second switch.

Abstract: During a first cycle of operation, first and second bottom electrodes of a split bottom electrode are electrically connected together. A total capacitance between the split bottom electrode and a top electrode layer is measured to determine the ambient pressure. Accordingly, pressure, e.g., tire pressure, is measured during the first cycle of operation. In a second cycle of operation, the first and second bottom electrodes are electrically disconnected. A first capacitance between the first bottom electrode and top electrode layer and a second capacitance between second bottom electrode and top electrode layer are measured. The difference between the first capacitance and the second capacitance is calculated and compared to a fault indicating capacitance variation to determine if the pressure sensor device is operating normally or malfunctioning. Accordingly, a self-test of the pressure sensor device is performed during the second cycle of operation.

Abstract: An input device includes an input surface and a first substrate mechanically coupled to the input surface. The first substrate includes a first plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect an input force applied by an input object to the input surface. The input device further includes a conductive material disposed between the input surface and the first plurality of sensor electrodes. The conductive material shields the first plurality of sensor electrodes from effects of the input object in a sensing region of the input device. The input device further includes a second substrate mechanically coupled to the first substrate. The second substrate includes a second plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect a location of an input object at the input surface.

Abstract: A display device is provided. The display device includes: a display panel provided with a plurality of display electrodes, where the display electrodes are configured for displaying images, display electrodes located within a predetermined region of the display panel are defined as first electrodes, the first electrodes are configured for fingerprint sensing, and a stage during which the first electrodes perform the fingerprint sensing is defined as a fingerprint sensing stage; and a driving circuit configured to, provide display signals to the display electrodes to display the images, and provide a fingerprint sensing signal to the first electrodes during the fingerprint sensing stage and perform a self-capacitance detection on the first electrodes, to implement the fingerprint sensing. A driving circuit, a method for driving the display device, a liquid crystal display device and an electronic apparatus including the display device are provided.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a substrate, a sensing component and a shielding device. The sensing component is configured to detect a touch capacitance in response to a touch event on the sensing device. The shielding device, between the substrate and the sensing component, is configured to distribute electrical energy, and shield the substrate from the sensing component.

Abstract: A capacitance type transducer includes a plurality of cells each having a structure in which a vibrating film is supposed so as to be vibrated. The vibrating film includes: a second electrode formed so that a gap is interposed between the second electrode and a first electrode; and an insulating film formed on the second electrode. The capacitance transducer manufacturing method includes: forming a sacrificial layer on the first electrode; forming a layer including a vibrating film on the sacrificial layer; forming an etching hole to remove the sacrificial layer; and forming a sealing film for sealing the etching hole. Before forming the etching hole to remove the sacrificial layer, a through hole is formed in an insulating film on the second electrode, and a conductor film is formed on the insulating film having the through hole to electrically connect a conductor in the through hole and the second electrode.

Abstract: Provided is a touch detecting device that detects occurrence of a level shift phenomenon of a voltage variation to thus acquire a touch signal, when a touch capacitance due to a touch input is added to a common electrode capacitance formed between a common electrode and a sensor pattern. Accordingly, the touch signal may be stably obtained in spite of external noise, and an influence due to a parasitic capacitance may be minimized.

Abstract: A capacitance-type sensor sheet used for measuring an amount of stretch deformation and strain and/or distribution of stretch deformation and strain may include a dielectric layer made of an elastomer, an obverse-side electrode layer laminated on the obverse surface of the dielectric layer, and a reverse-side electrode layer laminated on the reverse surface of the dielectric layer. The obverse-side electrode layer and the reverse-side electrode layer may each contain carbon nanotubes and the average thickness of the each of obverse-side electrode layer and the reverse-side electrode layer may be 0.1 ?m or more and 10 ?m or less. The obverse-side electrode layer and the reverse-side electrode layer may be formed by applying a coating solution containing carbon nanotubes. The obverse-side electrode layer and the reverse-side electrode layer may each include a plurality of band-shaped bodies.

Abstract: In the present invention, a capacitance-type switch is provided with an operation plate and an electrode plate. The operation plate forms operation surfaces operated by the touch of a fingertip F (operation body) of a user. The electrode plate is disposed on the side of the operation plate opposite the operation surfaces. Furthermore, the capacitance-type switch is turned on and off in response to the change in capacitance caused between the fingertip F and the electrode plate. In addition, a high-permittivity material is disposed in an outer circumferential section of the electrode plate, the high-permittivity material having a higher permittivity than the operation plate. It is possible to improve the sensitivity of the capacitance-type switch while minimizing malfunctioning.

Abstract: Techniques are described to furnish a touchless joystick-type controller in a portable electronic device. The techniques may be implemented within an electronic device that comprises one or more sensors configured to detect a target at a distance from the sensor and provide a signal in response thereto. The signal is received in response to the sensor detecting a target within a field of view of the sensor. A position of the target relative to a point of reference is then determined based on the signal. Movement of the target may be tracked based on changes in the determined position relative to the point of reference. In embodiments, the target comprises a thumb or a finger of a hand of a user of the electronic device and the determined position to furnish a joystick-type control input.

Abstract: An electrode matrix that is used for capacitive sensing may be integrated into a display panel of an input device. In one embodiment, source drivers may be mounted on the display panel which drive the display signals and capacitive sensing signals into the display panel. In one embodiment, the capacitive sensing signals may be routed on traces or lines that are interleaved on the same layer as the source lines used for setting a voltage on the pixels in the display panel during display updating. Using the interleaved traces, the source drivers may drive the capacitive sensing signals in parallel to a plurality of the electrodes in the matrix in a predefined pattern that spans one or more sensing cycles.

Abstract: A data collector associated with a grain bin is in communication with a plurality of capacitive moisture cables hanging within the grain bin. Each capacitive moisture cable includes a plurality of sensor nodes positioned along the moisture cable. Each sensor node includes a sensor node microprocessor and a sensor node memory coupled to a temperature sensor, a reference capacitive sensor and a capacitive moisture sensor. A main controller is in communication with the data collector. The main controller memory is configured in a data structure comprising grain type data, temperature data, raw reference capacitance data, raw moisture capacitance data, node identification data, physical node positional data, and a calculated moisture content for each sensor node. A method of determining moisture contents of grain in a grain bin related to such a system is also included.

Abstract: Embodiments of a capacitive sensor array may comprise a plurality of large sensor electrodes and, for each of the large sensor electrodes, a first plurality of small sensor electrodes each capacitively coupled with the large sensor electrode, and each conductively coupled by one of a first set of routing traces to one of a first set of conductors located in a first edge region, and a second plurality of small sensor electrodes capacitively coupled with the large sensor electrode and conductively coupled by a second set of routing traces to a second set of conductors in a second edge region. The first set of routing traces is located in a first routing channel and the second set of routing traces is located in a second routing channel, where the first and second routing channels are located along different sides of the large sensor electrode.

Abstract: A touch panel includes plural scanning electrodes, plural detection electrodes that are formed to intersect with the plural scanning electrodes, one or a plurality of layers being disposed between the plural detection electrodes and the plural scanning electrodes, plural holes that are arrayed apart from each other on each of the plural detection electrodes, and shaped into polygons each shaped to have five or more corners in a plan view, and plural dummy electrodes that are formed between the respective adjacent detection electrodes, made of the same material as that of the detection electrode, and electrically isolated from each other, in which the plural dummy electrodes are shaped into the polygons in a plan view.

Abstract: An apparatus with both touch sensing and electrical field sensing functions and an interactive apparatus using the same are provided. The apparatus with both touch sensing and electrical field sensing functions comprises a control circuit, a first capacitive sensing electrode and a second capacitive sensing electrode. The first capacitive sensing electrode is coupled to a first sensing control terminal of the control circuit. The second capacitive sensing electrode is coupled to a second sensing control terminal of the control circuit. In a first period, the first capacitive sensing electrode is charged to a first voltage through the first sensing control terminal, and the second sensing control terminal supplies an electrical field pulse to the second capacitive sensing electrode such that the second capacitive sensing electrode outputs an electrical field pulse signal.

Abstract: A transparent conductive film, includes: a transparent substrate, wherein a transparent substrate includes a body and a flexible board, a width of flexible board is less than that of the body, and the body includes a sensing area and a border area located at an edge of the sensing area; a conduction line, disposed on a transparent flexible substrate; a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, disposed on two sides of the sensing area opposite to each other; a first electrode trace and a second electrode trace, disposed on the border area, and the first conductive layer and the conduction line are electrically connected through a first electrode trace; the second conductive layer and the conduction line are electrically connected through a second electrode trace. The production efficiency of the above transparent conductive film is improved.

Abstract: An acoustic volume sensing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing comprising a reference volume chamber and a variable volume chamber, the reference volume chamber and the variable volume chamber connected by a resonant port, a first MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the variable volume chamber, a second MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber, a MEMS speaker located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber, and a circuit board in electric connection with the first and second MEMS microphones and the MEMS speaker.

Abstract: A test pattern membrane test method uses a test pattern membrane to test the capacitive sensors of a device. The device is placed in the test fixture. The capacitive sensors are read without the test pattern membrane, storing as a set of baseline measurements. The test pattern membrane is placed on the unit to be tested. The test pattern membrane has a plurality of conductive areas on a non-conductive substrate. The conductive areas are arranged in a pattern that corresponds to the pattern of capacitive sensors. The sensors are read again to obtain a set of stimulated measurements. Differences for each of the sensors are determined between the sensor readings with and without the test pattern membrane in place. This difference is compared to a threshold. A sensor is considered to be functioning properly if the difference value is greater than the sensor's threshold value.

Abstract: A touch panel that includes a flat membrane-like piezoelectric film provided with a first principal surface and a second principal surface which are opposed to each other. The touch panel includes first and second capacitance detection sub-electrodes on the first principal surface and the second principal surface of the piezoelectric film. The first and second capacitance detection sub-electrodes detect a touched position. The touch panel includes first and second piezoelectric voltage detection sub-electrodes on the first principal surface and the second principal surface of the piezoelectric film. The first and second piezoelectric voltage detection sub-electrodes detect a piezoelectric voltage according to an amount pressed into the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and computer program product for determining presence and relative magnitudes of on-chip AC coupling capacitors in a high-speed differential receiver device. A BIST method is employed to ultimately produce a dock count proportional to the fall time of a capacitor, and in the case of differential capacitors a difference in count values. Each capacitor path has a controllable first DAC current or voltage source. A second DAC current or voltage source, later in the data path and isolated from the capacitor node(s), is controlled to offset the voltage contribution of the charged and discharging capacitor. A count is recorded, starting when a capacitor charging current is shut off, and ends (the count) when the voltage of the charged capacitor falls below a threshold. A difference in count between the two data path capacitors is calculated and reported. A state machine operates the sequencing and control of the BIST.

Abstract: A capacitive touch panel provides a partially high-resolution by mixing multiple resolutions. The capacitive touch panel includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, an insulating layer, and a single one integrated circuit chip. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer respectively include multiple sensor electrodes disposed with uneven density, so that a part of the touch panel has higher resolution, and other part of the touch panel has lower resolution. The capacitive touch panel provides partially higher resolution by adjusting the distribution of the electrodes without increasing the number of pins of the integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A semiconductor layer for an active element included in each of a plurality of pixels in a display section is constituted by an oxide layer containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of In, Ga, and Zn. There is provided, for the display section, a liquid crystal panel's timing controller (13) configured to carry out control so that (i) a length of a first period during which image data is written is not more than twice that of the second period and/or (ii) one (1) frame period is longer than 16.7 msec.

Abstract: A display device including a deformable surface, including: plural actuators including mobile elements that can be moved to deform the deformable surface, the mobile elements being distributed in a space occupied by the deformable surface; a set of position sensors for sensing the position of at least one touch, and distributed in the space occupied by the deformable surface; and an elastic flexible membrane placed against the mobile elements, extending through the space occupied by the deformable surface and configured to accompany deformation of the deformable surface. The set of sensors is secured to the elastic flexible membrane and distributed in a regular manner in the space occupied by the deformable surface in an array of electricity conductors configured to accompany deformations of the elastic flexible membrane.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide improved sensor devices and methods that facilitate improved sensor devices. Specifically, the devices and methods provide capacitive image sensors that require only two layers of conductive elements formed on a single substrate. The ability to provide an image sensor using only a single substrate with two layers of conductive elements may substantially reduce the cost and complexity of the capacitive image sensor. In one embodiment, an input device is provided that comprises a first substrate having a first and second side. Each of the second array of second sensor electrodes comprises a plurality of isolated components disposed on the first side and a plurality of connectors disposed on the second side. The connectors and isolated components of the second sensor electrodes are arranged such that adjacent pairs of connectors along the first direction are separated by a distance substantially greater than the first pitch.

Abstract: Embodiments described include voltage generators having reduced or eliminated cross current. Dynamic adjustment of a low or high threshold voltage used in a voltage generator is described. Use of a folded cascade amplifier in a voltage generator is also described.

Abstract: A single ITO layer design for a touchscreen panel incorporates a matrix of sensor cells formed from a single ITO layer of capacitive sensor pads, sensor bars, force lines and sense lines. Columns of multiplexed force lines are connected to rows of sensor pads to form force trees such that the force line of the end pair of sensor pads has a wide track, with the force lines of each subsequent pair of sensor pads having a reduced track width. Disposed between the columns of force trees, the matrix of sensor cells also includes columns of sensor bars connected to control circuitry via sense lines. The control circuitry applies a signal to the force trees to generate capacitance between rows of sensor pads and adjacent sensor bars. The control circuitry senses changes in the capacitance and resolves the location of a user touch in the matrix of sensor cells.

Abstract: A cooking medium filter system determines a quality of a cooking medium. The cooking medium filter system includes a filter container, a filter medium, a pump, a sample chamber, and a controller. The filter container receives the cooking medium from a cooking vessel. The filter medium is disposed in the filter container and removes contaminants from the cooking medium. The pump conveys the cooking medium along a filter path from the filter container to the cooking vessel. The sample chamber is disposed in the filter path downstream from the filter medium. The sample chamber includes an electrode disposed therein. The sample chamber receives therein a quantity of the cooking medium that is sufficient to immerse the electrode therein. The controller controls operations of the filter pump and controls the electrode to measure a property of the cooking medium that is associated with the quality of the cooking medium.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide devices, systems and methods that facilitate improved performance in an input device. The input device, for example, may include an input surface configured to rotate about a first axis, a proximity sensor configured to sense an input object in a sensing region proximate to the input surface of the input device, a force sensor configured to sense a force applied to the input surface of the input device, and a processing system communicatively coupled to the proximity sensor and the force sensor. The processing system may be configured to determine a position of the input object in the sensing region, and determine force information for the input object based upon the position of the input object, the force applied to the input surface, and a location of the force sensor relative to the first axis.

Abstract: A self-shielding capacitive sensor array may include a first plurality of sensor elements and a second plurality of sensor elements, where each of the second plurality of sensor elements intersects each of the first plurality of sensor elements, such that each of the first plurality of sensor elements may be capacitively coupled with each of the second plurality of sensor elements. The first plurality of sensor elements may be configured to shield each of the second plurality of sensor elements from a noise source.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes applying a first current to a capacitance of a touch sensor. The application of the first current to the capacitance for a first amount of time modifies the voltage at the capacitance from the reference voltage level to a first pre-determined voltage level. The method also includes applying a second current to an integration capacitor. The second current is proportional to the first current. The application of the second current to the integration capacitor for the first amount of time modifies the voltage at the integration capacitor from the reference voltage level to a first charging voltage level. The method also includes determining whether a touch input to the touch sensor has occurred based on the first charging voltage level.

Abstract: A touch screen panel includes odd-numbered row transparent sensing cells formed of a transparent electrode on odd-numbered rows in a touch screen active area. Even-numbered row transparent sensing cells are formed of a transparent electrode on even-numbered rows in the same layer as the odd-numbered row transparent sensing cells. Odd-numbered row metal lines and even-numbered row main lines are formed of a metal in a position detecting line area positioned at a periphery of the touch screen active area, and which are respectively connected to the odd-numbered row transparent sensing cells and the even-numbered row transparent sensing cells. Bridges formed of a transparent electrode connect the even-numbered row main lines and the even-numbered row transparent sensing cells to each other with odd-numbered row main lines interposed therebetween, wherein the odd-numbered row main lines among the odd-numbered row metal lines are formed in parallel with the even-numbered row main lines.

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 capacitive switch is comprises a sensor area and with a reference surface in which the sensor surface and the reference surface are configured to produce an electric field (E) between them. The sensor surface and the reference surface are arranged substantially in a common plane such that an electrical field (E) is formed between them with an arched line of force. A coupling surface is configured to move in a plurality of directions in space with respect to the sensor surface and reference surface. A lighting element is configured to illuminate the capacitive switch when activated. A tactile feedback device provides feedback as the capacitive switch is being actuated.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer includes a plurality of cells arranged on a substrate, each cell having a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode with a gap interposed between them. A plurality of elements, each including at least two cells with their first electrodes or second electrodes electrically connected to each other, are arranged in the transducer. Vibration film structures that includes respective vibration films disposed above the substrate with a gap between them are arranged in the intervals which are devoid of elements separating the plurality of elements. With this structure, the non-uniformity of the radiation impedances of the plurality of elements due to the intervals separating the regions where the elements are respectively arranged can be reduced and hence the influence of the intervals separating the elements on the transmission/reception characteristics can also be reduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a differential shield capacitive sensor design. The sensor design uses a differential measurement to measure capacitance and a pair of traces are used to differentially reject the response of the sensor traces and balance any parasitic capacitances. In some embodiments, the sensor design includes a differential sensor design on a bottom side of a flex circuit to differentially balance the environment and reject noise coupling to the sensor. The top side of the flex circuit can include a single ended design for proper environment sensing. The spatial arrangement and size of the sensors may vary depending on the application.