Abstract: A capacitance measurement device includes a charging control unit for charging a measured capacitor, a discharging control unit for discharging the measured capacitor, a first switch coupled to the measured capacitor and the charging control unit for controlling a connection between the measured capacitor and the charging control unit according to a first switching signal, a second switch coupled to the measured capacitor and the discharging control unit for controlling a connection between the measured capacitor and the discharging control unit according to a second switching signal, a first A/D converter coupled to the measured capacitor for converting a voltage signal on the measured capacitor into a first signal, and a duty cycle detecting circuit coupled to the measured capacitor for converting the voltage signal on the measured capacitor into a count value that represents the capacitance of the measured capacitor and outputting the count value to a processing unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical transducer, including: a cell including a substrate, a vibration film, and a supporting portion of the vibration film configured to support the vibration film so that a gap is formed between the substrate and the vibration film; and a lead wire that is placed on the substrate with an insulator interposed therebetween and extends to the cell, wherein the insulator has a thickness greater than the thickness of the supporting portion. The electromechanical transducer can reduce parasitic capacitance to prevent an increase in noise, a reduction in bandwidth, and a reduction in sensitivity.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring a self bias DC voltage on a semiconductor wafer in a plasma chamber includes generating a plasma between a top electrode and a top surface of an electrostatic chuck in a plasma chamber including applying one or more RF signals to one or both of the top electrode and electrostatic chuck. The wafer is supported on the top surface of an electrostatic chuck. The self bias DC voltage is developed on the wafer. A vibrating electrode is oscillated to produce a variable capacitance, the vibrating electrode is located in the electrostatic chuck. An electrical current is developed in a sensor circuit. An output voltage is measured across a sampling resistor in the sensor circuit, a second DC potential is applied to the vibrating electrode to nullify the output voltage. The second DC potential is equal to the self bias DC voltage on the wafer.

Abstract: One sensor pixel includes amplifying transistor, coupled between first bias line and data line; switch transistor, operated by control line and coupled between data line and gate of amplifying transistor; storage capacitor, coupled to second bias line; and sensor being coupled to gate of amplifying transistor. Another sensor pixel includes first amplifying transistor coupled between first bias line and data line; second amplifying transistor being coupled between second bias line and data line; switch transistor being operated by control line and being coupled between data line and gates of first and second amplifying transistors; storage capacitor coupled to gates of first and second amplifying transistors; and sensor coupled to gates of first and second amplifying transistors. Trap-assisted absorption, variable capacitor described for sensor pixels, and also biasing to reduce flicker and aging, and to compensate for aging, described for sensor pixels.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting a stimulus. The capacitive sensor includes an electrode and a processing unit electrically coupled to the electrode and configured to determine the presence of a stimulus based on the rate of change of the electrode capacitance. A substrate is positioned adjacent the electrode, wherein the stimulus corresponds to the placement of an object against the substrate. The processing unit is operative to determine a time rate of change based on successive measurements of the electrode capacitance. In addition, the processing unit is operative to determine the presence of a stimulus in response to the time rate of change being less than a reference value.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of sensing capacitance of one or more sensor elements in multiple capacitance sensing modes, including a self-capacitance sensing mode and a mutual capacitance sensing mode.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, an apparatus includes a charge-measurement capacitor having a first plate coupled to a second plate of a coupling capacitor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium embodying logic that is operable when executed to ground a first plate of the coupling capacitor; inject a pre-determined amount of charge onto the charge-measurement capacitor; and transfer an amount of charge accumulated on the second plate of the coupling capacitor to the first plate of the charge-measurement capacitor. The charge accumulated on the second plate of the coupling capacitor is due at least in part to noise. The logic is also operable when executed to determine, through a measured voltage across the charge-measurement capacitor, the amount of charge.

Abstract: A method for determining a capacitance and/or a change in capacitance of a capacitive sensor element (C2) comprises the steps of: a) discharging an average value capacitor (C3), and either b1) discharging the capacitive sensor element and c1) charging an operating capacitor (C1) to a charging voltage (VDD), or b2) discharging the operating capacitor and c2) charging the capacitive sensor element to the charging voltage, d) connecting the operating capacitor to the capacitive sensor element, e) connecting the operating capacitor to the average value capacitor, and f) evaluating a voltage established across the operating capacitor or across the average value capacitor in order to determine the capacitance and/or the change in capacitance.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor is provided that includes a sensing disc having an N-fold rotation symmetry and capacitive sensing pads arranged in an array pattern, where the array pattern has at least 4N-fold rotation symmetry, where N?2, a scale disc disposed opposite the sensing disc, where the scale disc includes a pattern of conductive pads that have a sinusoidal-shape, where the pattern of sinusoidal-shaped conductive pads produce four sinusoidal capacitance waveforms in quadrature phase with the capacitive sensing pads as the sensing disc and the scale disc are rotated relative to one another to provide angular position information. to provide angular position information. This is achieved by making the overlapping area of the of the capacitive sensing pads change in a sinusoidal fashion with rotation.

Abstract: A device is provided for protecting an electronic payment terminal that includes an electronic printed circuit board and a casing. The device includes at least one capacitive detector in a volume formed by a first ground plane of the printed circuit and a second ground plane positioned on an internal surface of the casing, the at least one capacitive detector being configured to deliver a reference capacitance. A capacitive measurement microprocessor detects a variation of capacitance of the at least one capacitive detector. A transmitter transmits the variation when an absolute value of a difference between the reference capacitance and the measured capacitance exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes restricting current flow between a node of a touch sensor and each of a drive system of the touch sensor, a sense system of the touch sensor, and a test system of the touch sensor. The method further includes capacitively coupling the drive system to the sense system through the test system. The method further includes using at least the drive system and the test system, inducing a charge on the sense system. The method further includes measuring the induced charge on the sense system. The method further includes making a pass or fail determination for at least a portion of the touch sensor based at least in part on the measured induced charge.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system (1) which includes an electrical charge providing unit (4) like an electret foil for providing a permanent electrical charge at a sensing site (6) of the object (3) and a capacitive sensor (2) including a sensing electrode (5) for generating a sensing signal by capacitively sensing the object (3) at the sensing site (6) of the object (3). By providing a permanent electrical charge at the sensing site (6) of the object (3), the bias between the object (3) and the sensing electrode (5) of the capacitive sensor (2) is intentionally preferentially made large, thereby increasing the sensitivity towards mechanical motions. The resulting sensing signal substantially caused by these mechanical motions between the object (3) and the sensing electrode (5) is generally larger than a signal generated substantially by an electrophysiological field.

Abstract: A capacitance type occupant detection sensor includes a capacitive sensor, a reference electrode, a voltage application part, a current detector, a capacitance calculator, and a determination part. The capacitive sensor has a main electrode and is placed to a vehicle seat. The reference electrode is applied with reference voltage. The voltage application part applies detection voltage to the main electrode. The current detector detects detection current flowing through the main electrode. The capacitance calculator calculates a first capacitance between the main electrode and the reference electrode. The determination part determines an occupant of a vehicle. The capacitive sensor has a sub electrode. The determination part switches between an occupant detection mode and a wet detection mode. The capacitance calculator calculates first conductance, a second conductance, and a third conductance. The determination part determines whether the occupant exists and whether the vehicle seat is wet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitive-measurement device for touch-sensitive and/or contactless interfaces, including at least one capacitive-measurement electrode (1) and electrode-switching unit (2) capable of electrically connecting the at least one electrode (1), either to a capacitive-measurement unit or to a guard potential (11), the at least one capacitive-measurement electrode (1) and the electrode-switching unit (2) being provided on a single detection surface (7) according to a technique for manufacturing planar electronic components. The invention also relates to an apparatus implementing the device.

Abstract: A MEMS-actuated autofocus camera module configured for continuous capacitance measurement includes a bridge balance detector coupled to a MEMS actuator driver. The MEMS actuated autofocus camera module is configured to permit online MEMS actuator capacitance measurements to automatically focus images of objects disposed at arbitrary distances from autofocus camera module.

Abstract: A capacitive electrode has a flat electrode with a geometric shape, wherein at least one central portion of the electrode is removed to provide for a frame-like form of the electrode.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor pixel and fingerprint imaging device are disclosed. A fingerprint sensor pixel includes a capacitive sensor and a readout circuit. The capacitance of the capacitive sensor changes in response to contact with a fingerprint. The readout circuit includes a first thin film transistor (TFT) used to convert the capacitance of the capacitive sensor to a representative current, a coupling capacitor used to capacitively couple a readout pulse to the gate of the said second TFT sharing the connection with the capacitive sensor pixel, and a second TFT used to reset the voltage of the capacitive sensor. Multiple fingerprint sensor pixels can be arranged in an array to form a fingerprint imaging device.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to an apparatus for determining a sensitivity of a capacitive sensing device having a sensor capacitor with a variable capacitance. The apparatus includes a measurement module and a processor. The measurement module is configured to determine, in response to a first electrical input signal to the sensor capacitor, a first quantity indicative of a first capacitance of the sensor capacitor and to determine, in response to a second electrical input signal to the sensor capacitor, a second quantity indicative of a second capacitance of the sensor capacitor. The processor is configured to determine the sensitivity of the sensing device based on the determined first and second quantity.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a housing and circuitry carried by the housing. The electronic device may also include a finger sensing device carried by the housing and coupled to the circuitry. The finger sensing device may include a mounting substrate, and a semiconductor interposer having a lower surface adjacent the mounting substrate. The finger sensing device may also include a plurality of semiconductor finger sensing die on an upper surface of the semiconductor interposer in side-by-side and abutting relation, and defining a finger sensing surface to receive at least one finger thereon.

Abstract: First, second, and third electrodes are exposed to a fuel passage. The third electrode defines a first gap with the first electrode and defines a second gap with the second electrode. A property detection unit detects a property of fuel according to a summation of a first capacitance of the first gap and a second capacitance of the second gap. A correct-erroneous determination unit determines whether the property detected with the property detection unit is correct or erroneous according to a ratio of the summation and the first capacitance.

Abstract: A sensor system for a motor vehicle is provided. The sensor system comprises a flat shielding element which is electrically conductive and to which an electric potential can be applied, and at least one capacitive sensor element which includes an electrically conducting structure which is arranged on one side of the shielding element. As electrically conducting structure the sensor element includes at least one sensor conductor which forms a sewing thread and is sewn onto the one side of the shielding element.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed which can provide an indication of oil quality by measuring a capacitive property of the oil. The methods and/or devices may use a sample acquisition probe comprising a microvolume oil acquisition basin with a capacitive sensing element that is located on the floor of the basin and that is laterally bounded by an oleophilic wetting feature. The methods may involve immersing a sample acquisition probe at least partially into a supply of oil and withdrawing the probe from the supply of oil such that a microvolume oil sample is retained within a microvolume oil acquisition basin of the probe, and measuring a capacitive property of the microvolume oil sample with a capacitive sensing element that is located in the basin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for suppressing the interference phenomena between several detection areas (A, B) of a capacitive sensor (30) submitted to a humid ambient environment, characterised in that it comprises means for preventing the propagation of humidity (50) between the detection areas (A, B) in order to prevent any capacitive coupling between the different areas. The invention also relates to an opening handle (10) for an automobile.

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: The invention relates to a logging tool (1) for determining properties of a fluid (2) surrounding the tool arranged downhole in a casing (3) comprising a wall (4) and having a longitudinal extension. The logging tool has a substantially longitudinal cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis and, when seen in cross-section, a periphery (5). Moreover, the logging tool comprises a plurality of electrodes (6) arranged spaced around the longitudinal axis in the periphery of the tool so that the fluid flows between the electrodes and the casing wall and a means for measuring the capacitance between two electrodes in all possible combinations giving n*(n?1)/2 capacitance measurements for n electrodes.

Abstract: One example disclosed wearable device includes a first housing portion having a conductive section and a non-conductive section. The conductive section is connected to ground. A second housing portion includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with a conductor on the PCB surface positioned beneath the non-conductive section. The conductor on the PCB surface and the conductive section form a capacitor of a capacitive sensor. The wearable device may also include a first adhesive layer between a surface of the non-conductive section of the first housing portion and the PCB surface. A second adhesive layer, coplanar with the first adhesive layer, may be applied between a surface of the conductive section of the first housing portion and the PCB surface. The first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer form a water tight seal that prevents liquids from penetrating into at least the second housing portion.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system includes a controller, a node connected to one side of a capacitance, the controller configured to measure the capacitance by measuring a time for a voltage across the capacitance to reach a predetermined reference voltage, and the controller causing the time period for capacitance measurements to vary even when the capacitance is constant.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of adaptive resolution circuits are described. One apparatus includes an input node coupled to a capacitance sense pin coupled to an electrode of a sense array and a capacitance-sensing circuit coupled to the input node and comprising an integrator configured to measure a capacitance with a first resolution. An adaptive resolution circuit is coupled to the capacitance-sensing circuit and the input node and is configured to selectively modify an integration capacitance of the integrator to set the integrator to measure the capacitance with a second resolution.

Abstract: An integrated low-noise sensing circuit with efficient bias stabilization in accordance with the present invention comprises a first capacitance sensing element, a second capacitance sensing element, a sub-threshold transistor and an amplifier circuit wherein the first stage is an input transistor. The second capacitance sensing element is connected to the first capacitance sensing element. The sub-threshold transistor comprises a body, a gate, a source, a drain, a source-body junction diode and a bulk. The gate forms on top of the body. The source forms on the body and is connected to the first capacitance sensing element and the second capacitance sensing element. The drain forms on the body and is connected to the gate and the amplifier output terminal. The source-body junction diode comprises an anode and a cathode. The anode is connected to the ground.

Abstract: A comparison circuit for detecting impedance mismatch between pull-up and pull-down devices in a circuit to be monitored includes a comparator operative to receive first and second signals and to generate, as an output, a third signal indicative of a difference between the first and second signals. A first signal generator is operative to generate the first signal indicative of a difference between reference pull-up and pull-down currents that is scaled by a prescribed amount. The reference pull-up current is indicative of a current flowing through at least one corresponding pull-up transistor device in the circuit to be monitored. The pull-down reference current is indicative of a current flowing through at least one corresponding pull-down transistor device in the circuit to be monitored.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for testing an acoustic probe having transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals. An electrical signal is generated at a frequency with a testing device capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies. The electrical signal is transmitted to at least some of the transducing elements to measure a complex impedance and thereby evaluate a performance of the transducing elements.

Abstract: An apparatus including a flexible substrate; a component supported by the flexible substrate; a first input electrode, supported by the flexible substrate and configured to form a first capacitor with a second input electrode and to provide an input to the component; and a first output electrode, supported by the flexible substrate and configured to form a second capacitor with a second output electrode and to provide an output from the component.

Abstract: A non-resistive contact sensor assembly includes an electric field sensor device, including a dielectric component for receiving an electrical signal from an object of interest and a signal processing component for processing the electrical signal, a voltage regulator for controlling voltage to the dielectric component and the signal processing component, and a common ground reference for the dielectric component and the signal processing component.

Abstract: A non-resistive contact sensor assembly includes an electric field sensor device, including a dielectric component for receiving an electrical signal from an object of interest and a signal processing component for processing the electrical signal, a voltage regulator for controlling voltage to the dielectric component and the signal processing component, and a common ground reference for the dielectric component and the signal processing component.

Abstract: An electrode layout for a touchscreen includes multiple sense electrodes. Each sense electrode has multiple spines coupled to each other, including a main spine and at least one spaced apart interpolation spine running in the same direction. The interpolation spine of one sense electrode is positioned adjacent a spaced apart interpolation spine of a neighboring sense electrode to provide interpolated sense electrodes.

Abstract: A concentric coplanar capacitive sensor includes a charged central disc forming a first electrode, an outer annular ring coplanar with and outer to the charged central disc, the outer annular ring forming a second electrode, and a gap between the charged central disc and the outer annular ring. The first electrode and the second electrode may be attached to an insulative film. A method provides for determining transcapacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode and using the transcapacitance in a model that accounts for a dielectric test piece to determine inversely the properties of the dielectric test piece.

Abstract: Embodiments of a capacitance sensing system including an integrating amplifier and methods for operating the same to provide a higher slew rate and bandwidth are described. In one embodiment, the integrating amplifier comprises an input stage including an inverting input coupled to an electrode of a capacitor to sense a capacitance and a non-inverting input coupled to a reference potential, and an output stage including a compensating capacitor coupled to an output. The compensating capacitor comprises two smaller capacitors coupled in parallel and a switching element configured to open when the integrating amplifier is operated in a RESET mode decoupling one of the two smaller capacitors from the output to decrease capacitance of the compensating capacitor.

Abstract: A capacitance-sensing device including a current-to-voltage converter and an analog-to-digital converter is described. A sense element is coupled to an input of the current-to-voltage converter. The current-to-voltage converter is configured to convert current changes in the coupled sense element to an output voltage and to maintain a constant voltage at the input. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to convert the output voltage generated by the current-to-voltage converter to a digital value.

Abstract: Provided is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tags includes: a conductive layer and a conductive line disposed above and below an insulation layer, respectively; an antenna connected to one end of the conductive line; a resistor connected to the other end of the conductive line; a first conductive plate connected to the conductive line and constituting a first capacitor in conjunction with the conductive layer and the insulation layer; and a first sensing device connected between the conductive line and the conductive layer and having an impedance changed according to a sensing of a first target material.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cantilevered element including a coating material having an affinity for at least one compound. The apparatus further includes a first capacitive plate and a second capacitive plate that are each spaced from and capacitively coupled to the cantilevered element. The first capacitive plate is configured to induce a vibration in the cantilevered element at a frequency related to a mass of the cantilevered element. A frequency detector is coupled to the second capacitive plate to detect a change in vibrational frequency of the cantilevered element as a result of at least one particle of the at least one compound coupling to the coating material.

Abstract: A detection device for detecting an object by measuring the capacitance variation of the detection device includes at least a pair of sensor pads, each sensor pad being able to transmit or to receive an electric field. Each sensor pad can be used to measure the impedance variation of the pad, each sensor pad being driven by a driven rail impedance measuring system including an inverter, an oscillator, a power supply rail driver and switches, the measuring system being able to change the sensor pad function from electric field transmitter to electric field receiver or impedance measurer by turning on and off the oscillator to the input of the power supply rail driver of the inverter.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of mutual-capacitance sensing with a capacitance-sensing circuit, such as a self-capacitance sensing device (CSD). One apparatus includes an input node coupled to a capacitance sense pin to couple to a first electrode of a sense array, a transmit (TX) signal generation circuit to generate a TX signal to drive a second electrode of the sense array, logic circuitry coupled to the TX signal generation circuit and the input node. The logic circuitry is configured to selectively couple a first capacitor to the input node and a second capacitor to the input node timed with the TX signal. The apparatus further includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to receive a receive (RX) signal from the input node and to convert the RX signal into a digital value, the digital value representing a mutual capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

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 capacitive touch sensing device by detecting induced electric field includes a differential amplifier, a resistor and a signal judgment circuit. The differential amplifier is electrically connected to a touch sensor. The resistor is electrically connected to a first input end and a second input end of the differential amplifier. The signal judgment circuit is electrically connected to an output end of the differential amplifier. As the touch sensor receives an induced electric field signal, the induced electric field signal is amplified by the differential amplifier and the signal judgment circuit determines whether the amplified induced electric field signal is a touch input.

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive sensing interface includes a sense capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, and having associated therewith a first electrostatic force. Further included in the MEMS capacitive sensing interface is a feedback capacitor having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, the feedback capacitor having associated therewith a second electrostatic force. The second and the fourth terminals are coupled to a common mass, and a net electrostatic force includes the first and second electrostatic forces acting on the common mass. Further, a capacitance measurement circuit measures the sense capacitance and couples the first terminal and the third terminal. The capacitance measurement circuit, the sense capacitor, and the feedback capacitor define a feedback loop that substantially eliminates dependence of the net electrostatic force on a position of the common mass.

Abstract: Embodiments of a capacitive sensor array may comprise a large sensor electrode and a plurality of small sensor electrodes, including a first small sensor electrode, a second small sensor electrode, and a third small sensor electrode. The large sensor electrode and the plurality of small sensor electrodes may be formed from a single layer of conductive material. The first small sensor electrode may be located on the same lateral side of the large sensor electrode as the second small sensor electrode, may be consecutive with the second small sensor electrode in a spatial order of the small sensor electrodes along a longitudinal axis of the large sensor electrode, and may be located on an opposite lateral side of the large sensor electrode from the third small sensor electrode. For each small sensor electrode of the plurality of small sensor electrodes, at least a portion of the small sensor electrode may be located between two interior points of the large sensor electrode.

Abstract: A capacitive detection type electro-mechanical transducer comprises; a cell formed by a first electrode arranged on a substrate and a second electrode arranged on a vibration film, and a detection circuit for detecting a displacement of the vibration film, based on a capacity change between the first and second electrodes, wherein a plurality of the cells are classified into a plurality of groups, each one includes at least two cells, and the first electrodes or the second electrodes of the cells of the same one group are commonly connected to the same one detection circuit, and an addition circuit for adding, into single information, signals from the plurality of detection circuits corresponding to the plurality of groups, and for outputting the information, and a capacitive load for each one of the detectors are formulated to be dispersedly arranged.

Abstract: A control circuit identifies whether an occupant on a seat is an adult or a child based on a first capacitance between a first sensing electrode and a ground and a second capacitance between a second sensing electrode and the ground. The first capacitance is computed based on a value of an electric current, which is supplied to the first sensing electrode at the time of applying an oscillation signal from a signal application circuit to the first sensing electrode. The second capacitance is computed based on a value of an electric current, which is supplied to the second sensing electrode at the time of applying an oscillation signal from the signal application circuit to the second sensing electrode.

Abstract: A method of measuring impedance includes determining a first time constant based on a known impedance and a capacitor, determining a second time constant based on a target impedance and the capacitor, and determining the target impedance based on the first time constant and the second time constant.

Abstract: A system and method for providing electromagnetic imaging through electroquasistatic sensing contains an electromagnetic sensor for imaging a sample. The electromagnetic sensor contains drive/sense electronics and a pixelated sensor array having an array of capacitive sensor electrodes that source electric fields that interact with the sample, and wherein the electrodes are individually drivable by the drive/sense electronics in a coordinated manner to establish a desired temporal and spatial pattern in which electrical properties of the electrodes are used to generate an image. Other components of the system include a precision motion controller, sensor head and associated electronics, and a computer for performing data acquisition and signal inversion.