Abstract: A capacitance sensor detects proximity of a detection object based on changes in capacitances between the detection object and a first detection electrode and between the detection object and a second detection electrode. The capacitance sensor includes: a capacitor applied with a first potential; a first switch provided over terminals of the capacitor; a second switch connected to the capacitor; a third switch connected to the second switch and the first detection electrode, and applied with a second potential; a fourth switch connected to the capacitor; a fifth switch connectable to the second detection electrode and connected to the fourth switch, and applied with the second potential; and a determination unit determining a failure of the first detection electrode based on a potential difference between a potential of the terminal of the capacitor and a reference potential.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a proximity sensor (300) comprising: at least a first sensor portion, a second sensor portion and a third sensor portion, the second sensor portion being provided between the first and third sensor portions, the first and third sensor portions each comprising at least a portion of a or a respective substrate (310) having first and second opposite major faces, the first and third sensor portions each bearing on a major face of the or the respective substrate at least a portion of a substantially planar transmit electrode (320), and a substantially planar receive electrode (330A, 330B) arranged to receive a signal transmitted by the respective at least a portion of a transmit electrode, the second sensor portion comprising a first region (315), the sensor comprising a ground shield portion (340) comprising one or more substantially planar, elongate electrodes, the ground shield portion having at least one elongate portion laterally disposed between the receive e

Abstract: A vehicle emergency call device equipped to a vehicle includes a condition determination portion determining whether an emergency call condition is satisfied, an emergency call portion transmitting an emergency call to an emergency call center by connecting a communication line with the emergency call center when the condition determination portion determines that the emergency call condition is satisfied, and an additional information collecting portion collecting, from the vehicle, additional information which indicating more detailed emergency situation of the vehicle. When the condition determination portion determines that the emergency call condition is satisfied, the emergency call portion connects the communication line with the emergency call center in parallel with collecting of the additional information by the additional information collecting portion.

Abstract: Proximity based system and method for detecting user gestures. Each of a plurality of proximity sensing circuits may collect digital data. Each proximity sensing circuit may include an antenna configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals and a shield driver configured to shield signals transmitted by the antenna in one or more directions. The digital data may be collected based on electromagnetic signals received from another proximity sensing circuit via the antenna. The received electromagnetic signals may be modified by one or more user proximity gestures. The digital data from each of the plurality of proximity sensing circuits may be received by a coordinating circuit. The coordinating circuit may produce coordinated digital data from the digital data received from each of the plurality of proximity sensing circuits. The coordinated digital data may be configured for use in determining that a user performed the one or more user proximity gestures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for communication, and a program that makes it possible to provide a communication environment not limited by a use environment. An electrode controlling unit 261 in a transmitting device 260 checks a state of capacitive coupling of each of an electrode 271 and an electrode 272 in an electrode unit 262 with surroundings, controls connection of each electrode to a transmitting unit 263 according to a result of the check, and makes the electrode 271 and the electrode 272 function as a transmission signal electrode or a transmission reference electrode, the transmission signal electrode and the transmission reference electrode being different from each other. The transmitting unit 263 connects the electrode 271 and the electrode 272 to an amplifying unit under control of the electrode controlling unit 261, and transmits a signal to a communication medium 280 via one of the electrodes. The present invention is applicable to communication systems.

Abstract: A capacitance-based occupant detection system accurately determines seat occupancy and a failure of an electrode and between electrodes and includes an impedance calculation section, a Re/Im part calculation section, and a determination section. A first impedance Z1 is calculated including a main-body impedance Za between a main electrode and a vehicle body. The Re/Im part calculation section calculates real and imaginary parts of the first impedance Z1 based on the first impedance Z1 calculated by the impedance calculation section. The determination section determines the presence or absence of destruction of the main electrode and a guard electrode based on an imaginary part of the first impedance Z1 calculated by the Re/Im part calculation section.

Abstract: A human body detecting device for detecting an approach of a human body includes a sensor electrode provided in a housing and having detecting portions for detecting the approach of the human body to the housing. Each of the detecting portions is provided at a respective surface side in the housing.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to sense the presence of a seated occupant in a vehicle such as an automobile, plane, train or bus, or in a room or location where it is desirable to detect if seats are occupied. The occupant presence detection device consists of a single seat-mounted electrode, an oscillator circuit, a bridge circuit, a detection circuit and a circuit for processing the detected signals. The oscillator circuit excites the electrode. If an occupant is present on the seat, additional capacitance from the human body is introduced into the bridge via the electrode. This created differences in the voltage and phase of the waveform in each arm of the bridge circuit which are amplified by a differential amplifier. The signal is then converted to a DC voltage that, when above a predetermined threshold, causes the device to outputs a signal that indicates the presence of an occupant.

Abstract: A sheet movement detection system for apparatus having a sheet feed path includes a first capacitor sensor including a first pair of parallel plate members located in opposing relation on opposite sides of the feed path plane at an upstream position and second capacitor sensor including a second pair of parallel plate members, which are correspondingly sized and spaced to said first plate members, in opposing relation on opposite sides of the feed path plane at a downstream position. The sensors are coupled in a detection circuit which applies potentials across the pairs of plate members so that output signals of the first and second sensing means are subtracted from one another. A position circuit detects the output of the detection circuit during movement of a sheet lead edge through the second sensor and provides a sheet lead-edge position signals indicating the position or velocity of the sheet lead edge.

Abstract: An improved sheet-position detection system for apparatus having a sheet feed path and a use location(s). The position detection system includes a first capacitive sensor including a first pair of parallel plate members located in opposing relation on opposite sides of the feed path plane and centered on a desired lead sheet edge position. A second capacitive sensor includes a second pair of parallel plate members that are located in opposing relation on opposite sides of the feed plane and are centered on a desired trail sheet edge position. A bridge circuit applies potentials across the pairs of plate members in a circuit configuration such that output signals of the first and second sensors are subtracted, and when the combined outputs of the first and second sensors is zero, a feed sheet is indicated to be centered between the sensor means.

Abstract: The location on an escalator where the handrail reenters the balustrade is provided with an electrical field projector which will establish a limited extent electrical field around the handrail reentry housing. The field is established with a pair of antennae disposed adjacent to the handrail reentry. The antennae are preferably connected to the main AC power source for the escalator, and can be angularly adjusted to focus the field that they project. Shrouds are positioned adjacent to each antenna to confine the lateral extent of the field. An object entering the field will cause a field disturbance which creates a signal setting off an audible alarm. Subsequent stopping of the escalator can ensue if the disturbance is not removed in a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A device for indicating that a refrigerator door is open, includes a housing which is mountable on a refrigerator in the vicinity of the refrigerator door during the use of the device. A transducer is mountable at the refrigerator door gasket for changing an electrical parameter in response to the movement of the refrigerator door from its closed position to an open position. Circuitry disposed in the housing senses the change in the electrical parameter of the transducer to produce an alarm after a preselected time delay.

Abstract: Separate signal input circuits respond to intruder disturbances of a capacitive wire sensing grid to generate signal outputs processed to reject signals caused by environmental phenomena with a high degree of statistical probability, by comparison of individual signal outputs with an averaged signal output from all of the signal input circuits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring and warning apparatus for automatic processing apparatuses, in particular robots. Reactance-determining elements are arranged as sensors on the movable parts of the robot. If the robot arm approaches an object, detuning of the sensor circuit occurs. In that way, it is possible to produce a monitoring or stop signal. A central supply with HF-signals and current permits central monitoring of the function of the sensor circuits and at the same time triggering of warning signals when the sensor approaches an object. That is achieved in that the warning signals derived from sensor signals are used to connect additional loads into the circuit which is supplied from the central current supply means. Therefore, by monitoring the current consumption, it is possible to detect both failure of individual sensor circuits and also the approach of an object to a sensor.

Abstract: A security system of the bridge circuit type has in one of its arms a conducting element whose impedance is to be monitored and in its other arms reference and/or compensating elements, for detecting an unbalance of the bridge resulting from a sudden change in the impedance of the conducting element. At least one of the reference elements has a variable impedance. The phase shift of the signal obtained at the output of the bridge circuit is detected, due to the drift of the bridge circuit, with respect to the A.C. supply frequency. The detection signal is then used for compensating the drift by acting on the reference element having a variable impedance in order to bring the bridge circuit back to balanced condition.

Abstract: An automobile detection and alarm device detects obstacles near the automobile and abnormal conditions of tires on the automobile. An oscillator is provided which either oscillates or does not oscillate depending upon the value of a capacitance present between first and second electrodes. Preferably one of the electrodes is connected to the automobile body and the other electrode is either grounded or is connected to an antenna which is mounted on the automobile but insulated there from. Obstacles near the car change the effective capacitance between the two electrodes either by providing a dielectric effect or by acting themselves as an extension of electrical ground. In order to detect abnormal pressure of tires, the capacity between the car body and ground or between a steel portion of a steel radial tire and ground is detected.

Abstract: An improved safety method and apparatus for sensing individuals adjacent a vehicle utilizes a balanced bridge circuit. The method and apparatus provides for rebalancing the bridge circuit at a first rate during vehicle motion to compensate for topography and environmental changes as the vehicle proceeds and for varying the rate to a second relatively lower rate, and, alternatively inhibiting rebalancing of the bridge circuit when the vehicle is stationary during proximity detection of individuals adjacent the vehicle. A delay in restoring the rebalancing rate to the first rate is provided as the vehicle prepares to proceed. An improved electrode, detection assembly employed in the method and apparatus is described.

Abstract: A proximity detector comprises a pair of antennae being disposed along the front edge of a door and at a space therebetween, a pair of coils constituting series resonance circuits, together with each electrostatic capacities of the antennae which are connected in series with the coils, an AC power source for supplying voltages to the series resonance circuits; rectifying circuits for rectifying the voltages produced on the antennae by the AC power source, and a differential amplifier circuit for amplifying difference between the outputs of the rectifying circuits, the output of the differential amplifier controlling the movement of the door.