Capacitive sensing apparatus and methods
US10503329B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04105
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A capacitive sensor comprising: a first electrode; a displacement element moveably mounted relative to the first electrode; and a second electrode coupled to the displacement element so that displacement of the displacement element along a displacement direction changes a separation between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a controller element configured to selectively operate in a displacement sensing mode and in a proximity sensing mode, wherein in the displacement sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to a reference potential and to electrically couple the first electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitance characteristic of the first electrode to determine a displacement of the displacement element relative to the reference electrode; and in the proximity sensing mode, the controller element is configured to electrically couple the second electrode to capacitance measurement circuitry to measure a capacitance characteristic associated with the second electrode to detect the presence of an object in proximity to the second electrode; and in the displacement sensing mode, the contr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.