Object position and proximity detector
US5495077A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04101
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A proximity sensor system includes a sensor matrix array having a characteristic capacitance on horizontal and vertical conductors connected to sensor pads. The capacitance changes as a function of the proximity of an object or objects to the sensor matrix. The change in capacitance of each node in both the X and Y directions of the matrix due to the approach of an object is converted to a set of voltages in the X and Y directions. These voltages are processed by analog circuitry to develop electrical signals representative of the centroid of the profile of the object, i.e, its position in the X and Y dimensions. The profile of position may also be integrated to provide Z-axis (pressure) information.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.