US 10,539,408 B2Granted

Proximity detection

AssigneeNeodrón Limited

InventorDaniel Arthur Ujvari

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a sensing element having a capacitance to a first reference voltage. The capacitance is variable as a function of a proximity of an object to the sensing element. The apparatus further includes a sample capacitor connected to the sensing element and control circuitry connected to the sample capacitor. The control circuitry is configured to supply a charge to the sample capacitor and the sensing element and discharge the sensing element. The control circuitry is further configured to provide, in response to the discharge of the sensing element, a signal indicative of the capacitance to the first reference voltage of the sensing element. The control circuitry is further configured to process the signal to detect a change in the capacitance to the first reference voltage as indicative of the proximity of the object to the sensing element.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a sensing element having a capacitance to a first reference voltage, the capacitance being variable as a function of a proximity of an object to the sensing element;
a sample capacitor connected to the sensing element;
and
control circuitry connected to the sample capacitor, the control circuitry configured to:
supply a charge to the sample capacitor and the sensing element;
discharge the sensing element;
provide, in response to the discharge of the sensing element, a signal indicative of the capacitance to the first reference voltage of the sensing element;
process the signal to detect a change in the capacitance to the first reference voltage as indicative of the proximity of the object to the sensing element,
wherein the control circuitry comprises a first switching element, a second switching element, and a third switching element, each switching element having a respective open state and a respective closed state, the control circuitry further comprising an analog comparator, wherein:
the first switching element is configured to connect the sample capacitor to the first reference voltage in the closed state;
the second switching element is configured in the closed state to connect a voltage source to the sample capacitor at a polarity opposite a polarity of the connection of the first switching element to the sample capacitor and to the analog comparator;
the third switching element is configured in the closed state to connect the analog comparator and sample capacitor to the first reference voltage;
and
the analog comparator is configured to receive a second reference voltage and to compare the second reference voltage to the voltage on the sample capacitor.

11 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising logic, the logic configured to, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

supplying a charge to a sample capacitor and a sensing element, the sensing element having a capacitance to a first reference voltage, the capacitance being variable as a function of a proximity of an object to the sensing element, the sample capacitor connected to the sensing element;
discharging the sensing element;
providing, in response to the discharge of the sensing element, a signal indicative of the capacitance to the first reference voltage of the sensing element;
processing the signal to detect a change in the capacitance to the first reference voltage as indicative of the proximity of the object to the sensing element;
causing a first switching element to connect the sample capacitor to the first reference voltage in a closed state of the first switching element;
causing a second switching element in a closed state of the second switching element to connect a voltage source to the sample capacitor at a polarity opposite a polarity of the connection of the first switching element to the sample capacitor and to an analog comparator;
causing a third switching element in a closed state of the third switching element to connect the analog comparator and sample capacitor to the first reference voltage, and
comparing a second reference voltage to the voltage on the sample capacitor.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/595,471Filed 15 May 2017 · continuation
Priority: 22 Oct 2010
Published: US 2018/0031361 A11 Feb 2018
Granted: 21 Jan 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

G01B 7/14
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques: for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or…
G01N 22/00
Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves
G01R 27/00
Arrangements for measuring resistance, reactance, impedance, or electric characteristics derived therefrom
G01R 27/02
Arrangements for measuring resistance, reactance, impedance, or electric characteristics derived therefrom: measuring real or complex resistance,…

Family

Application12/910,484Parent of this continuation · filed 22 Oct 2010
Application13/846,458Parent of this continuation · filed 18 Mar 2013
US 2018/0031361 A1Pre-grant publication · published 1 Feb 2018
US 9,651,355 B2Parent of this continuation
US 8,400,209 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2012/0098588 A1Published application
US 2014/0009171 A1Published application
US 10,539,408 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.