A system is provided for monitoring a patient on an air support system. The system comprises a capacitive sensor system having a capacitive sensor positioned at the underside of an air filled mattress, and a respiration signal processing module that receives the output of the capacitive sensor system and is configured to monitor patient respiration. Respiration is monitored by: periodically sampling the capacitive sensor system output to obtain measurements of incremental body displacement; analyzing a plurality of the samples to determine one or more values for parameters of patient respiratory rate; and determining when one or more of the parameter values indicate abnormal respiration. A corresponding method and computer program are also provided.

A sensor system for counting elements of a flow of harvested material is disclosed. The sensor system comprises an oscillating circuit and a measuring device, wherein the oscillating circuit comprises at least one capacitive component with a capacitance and an inductive component with an inductance. The oscillating circuit has a resonance frequency which depends on the capacitance and the inductance. Further, the capacitive component is positioned in the region of the flow of harvested material, so that the capacitance is influenced by individual elements of the flow of harvested material. The measuring device is configured to determine the resonance frequency of the oscillating circuit. In this way, the sensor system is configured to deduce at least one property of the particular element of the flow of harvested material from the resonance frequency of the oscillating circuit.

A sensor system for counting elements of a flow of harvested material is disclosed. The sensor system comprises an oscillating circuit and a measuring device, wherein the oscillating circuit comprises at least one capacitive component with a capacitance and an inductive component with an inductance. The oscillating circuit has a resonance frequency which depends on the capacitance and the inductance. Further, the capacitive component is positioned in the region of the flow of harvested material, so that the capacitance is influenced by individual elements of the flow of harvested material. The measuring device is configured to determine the resonance frequency of the oscillating circuit. In this way, the sensor system is configured to deduce at least one property of the particular element of the flow of harvested material from the resonance frequency of the oscillating circuit.

A flow sensor apparatus for monitoring a directed stream of an agricultural product from an application port of a supply tube. The directed stream has a target directed portion and an off-target portion. A sensor housing includes a conical flow receiving element and a sensor body. The receiving element has an inlet orifice at a first end and a receiving element outlet at a second end. The first end is smaller than the second end. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive a target directed portion of the directed stream from the receiving element outlet of the conical flow receiving element wherein an off-target portion of the directed stream is not sensed. The sensor housing and sensor element are positioned external to the application port and thus positioned to provide measurement, targeting, and timing of the agricultural product.

A high-resolution index (HRI) detector module for use with a meter including an HRI wheel therein having a modulator thereon is provided. The HRI detector module includes a plurality of capacitive sensors positioned on a printed circuit board (PCB). The plurality of capacitive sensors is configured to detect a change in capacitance caused by the modulator of the HRI wheel when the modulator enters into an electric field generated by the plurality of capacitive sensors. Related systems are also provided.

A robot includes a body on which is mounted a functional head also including a capacitive detector, including: at least one electrical insulator in order to electrically insulate the functional head; at least one apparatus for electrically polarizing the functional head at a first alternating electrical potential (V.sub.g), different from a ground potential; at least one guard polarized at an alternating guard potential (V.sub.G) identical to the first alternating electrical potential; and at least one electronics, called detection electronics, for measuring a signal relating to a coupling capacitance, called electrode-object capacitance, between the sensitive part and a surrounding object.

The capacitive proximity sensor includes an oscillation means, an LCR resonance circuit including a sensor electrode, a sensor circuit that outputs a determination voltage signal corresponding to the capacitance of the sensor electrode, and a control unit that detects the proximity of a human body to the sensor electrode based on the determination voltage signal. The control unit performs control that alternatingly and repeatedly executes calibration steps for updating a detection frequency f.sub.1 and a first threshold value V.sub.th1 and a detection step for detecting the proximity of the human body to the sensor electrode.

A heater device for heating an user's body seated on a seat includes a heat generating portion that is arranged in a recess recessed from a surface of the seat, and generates heat by energization, a distance detection unit that detects a distance between an object around the heat generating portion and the heat generating portion, and a control unit that controls energization of the heat generating portion. A first control portion controls energization amount of the heat generating portion so that the output of the heat generating portion becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined output, when the distance is longer than an offset distance between the heat generating portion and the surface of the seat. A second control portion controls the energization amount so that the output becomes less than the predetermined output, when the distance is equal to or less than the offset distance.

A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

A device comprises at least one pair of excitation electrodes forming a capacitor; a floorplan (e.g., a ground plane); and an electronic circuit. The device comprises at least one control electrode arranged at a distance from the capacitor. A switching circuit, of the device, comprises a switch having an open state and a closed state. The switching circuit is designed to apply, to the control electrode, an electric potential common to the floorplan when the switch is in the closed state. The switching circuit is also designed to leave a floating electrical potential for the control electrode when the switch is in the open state. The electronic circuit is designed to measure the mutual capacitance between the pair of excitation electrodes when the switch is in the open state and when it is in the closed state.