Ident Technology Ag

Microchip Technology Germany Gmbh

Microchip Technology Germany Gmbh II & Co. Kg

Peter Fasshauer

Holger Steffens

Claus Kaltner

Hans Schwaiger

Thomas Kandziora

The invention relates to a capacitive sensor system, in particular for detecting the approach of objects and in particular also for gesture recognition. The problem of the present invention is to provide a capacitively operating sensor system, which can be implemented with low component complexity and thus low costs and space requirements and is also characterized by low power consumption, so as to operate with batteries having a low charge capacity and/or a long operating time. Said problem is solved according to the invention by a circuit configuration for generating an output signal correlating with an approximation process based on changes in the dielectric properties of the surroundings of a sensor electrode, having a sensor electrode which is adjacent to an observation area in at least some sections, a microcontroller circuit (&#x3bc;C) for output of an alternating voltage, a voltage divider circuit for achieving an adjustment of the level of the alternating voltage output by the microcontroller (&#x3bc;C), and a field effect transistor (FET) in the function of an impedance converter, wherein the field effect transistor is incorporated into the circuit configuration in such a way that the voltage output by the voltage divider circuit is present at the gate input thereof and at the same time at the sensor electrode (ES).

Capacitative sensor system

The invention relates to an arrangement for detecting body parts by absorbing an electric near field. Various, particularly capacitive methods exist for detecting an approaching human body. Most of said methods operate on the principle that an electrode emits an alternating electric field, the distribution of which changes towards the environment when a body or body part approaches, and said change is detected by means of suitable electronics. The detection arrangement according to the invention is used for detecting objects, particularly moving limbs, that approach or are present in an observation zone and comprises a transmitter electrode device for inducing an alternating electric field in the observation zone or the surrounding area thereof, a receiver electrode device for detecting an electric field in the observation zone or said surrounding area, and an isolating electrode device for shielding part of the field that extends between the transmitter electrode and the receiver electrode.

Arrangement for the detection of body parts by absorbing an electrical near field

A display screen is carried on a base by an elastically deformable support such that a touch shifts the screen relative to the base. A pair of juxtaposed electrodes form a capacitor, with one of the electrodes fixed to the screen and the other of the electrodes fixed to or formed by the base. A capacitance of the capacitor changes when the screen electrode moves relative to the base electrode. A circuit connected to the electrodes initiates an action on change of the capacitance.

Touch-detection system for display

The invention is directed to an electric circuit arrangement and to a method to collect and transfer circuit signals, in particular for use in connection with electrical devices. The object of the invention is to provide a circuit arrangement which is cost-effective to implement overall and which offers a high degree of configurability with regard to the positioning or design of switching or input zones. This object is met according to the invention by a circuit arrangement comprising a signal receiving device for the receiving of control signals, an operating signal transmitting device for the sending of operating signals of a base circuit for the processing of control signals, and at least one input circuit for the outputting of a control signal according to an input operation carried out opposite the input circuit, wherein said circuit arrangement is characterized in that the input circuit comprises an electrode device for detecting the input operation using electric field-related changes in the vicinity of the electrode device, and that the input circuit is further designed such that operational energy is fed via the operating signals present at the input circuit.

Circuit arrangement, as well as method of charging and transmission of switch signals

The invention provides an electrode arrangement for a capacitive sensor device and for a capacitive sensor, respectively, for detecting a position and/or an approach of an object, which comprises a sensor electrode and a first shield electrode, wherein the sensor electrode is arranged on a first side of a substantially flat substrate with a first side and a second side, and wherein the first shield electrode is arranged on the second side of the substrate and serves for shielding the alternating electric field emitted by the sensor electrode from ground. There is also provided a foil with an electrode arrangement according to the invention as well as a method for the production of a display arrangement with an electrode arrangement according to the invention.

Electrode arrangement for display device

A circuit for generating an indicative signal regarding the approach of an object to an observation area has a send electrode device, a generator circuit for supplying alternating voltage to the send electrode device, a receive electrode device which extends in or along the observation area, and an output circuit for generating an output signal correlating with the field at the receive electrode device. A compensation circuit is provided to add a compensation current ito a signal current iflowing from the receive electrode device.

Proximity detector

A circuit for detecting the presence, position or the approach of an object in an observation area, the circuit has a sensor electrode assembly with an electrode that forms part of a capacitor system whose capacitance relative to a reference potential (e.g. ground) is dependent on the presence, position or approach of objects in the observation area. An evaluation circuit coupled to the sensor electrode detects a phase shift of the capacitance of the condenser system. An LC network is coupled to the capacitor system, and an oscillator connected to the electrode applies a frequency to the system formed by including the electrode and the LC network at a frequency within the range of a parallel resonance frequency of the LC network.

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Neubiberg, Germany

Peter Fasshauer