The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 09, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 23, 1994
Hans U Meyer, 1110 Morges, CH;
Other;
Abstract
The capacitance sensor (1) comprises a linear or curvilinear array of electrodes (10) connected to means generating on these electrodes (10) a spatially periodic electric potential pattern shifting by increments along said array. Electrodes (10) are disconnected in turn to act as momentarily receiving electrodes (10R), also according to a spatially periodic pattern, shifting by the same increments. Both patterns shift alternately, i.e. the shifts of one pattern taking place between the shifts of the other. A linear or curvilinear scale (2), with a periodic pattern of electrodes (20) or dielectric or conducting relief, facing the sensor, will thus create a periodic fluctuation of the signal coupled on the momentarily receiving electrodes. The relative position between scale (2) and sensor (1) may then be accurately determined by evaluating the phase, after demodulation, of said signal. As the sensor may be integrated on a semiconductor die and the scale may be very narrow, extreme miniaturization and low cost is given. (FIGS. 1a and 1b)