One embodiment includes and I/O bus including a signal line coupled to a signal source and multiple line switches, each line switch to couple a corresponding I/O port to the signal line. Switch logic coupled to the I/O bus may programmatically switch the multiple line switches to couple at least one of the signal source and measurement circuitry to the respective I/O port.

Provided is an automatic analyzer that is capable of determining a horizontal displacement of a probe by a capacitance type liquid level detection function. The automatic analyzer includes a dispensing mechanism, a capacitance measurement unit, and a control unit. The control unit includes: a liquid level detection unit configured to detect a liquid level of the liquid based on the capacitance measured by the capacitance measurement unit; a peak value calculation unit configured to calculate respective peak values of capacitances caused by a first member and a second member when the dispensing mechanism is driven in the horizontal direction, the first member and the second member being located on one side and the other side of a movement trajectory of the probe and provided at a predetermined interval in a movement direction of the probe; and a position determination unit configured to determine a horizontal position of the probe by comparing a first peak value caused by the first member and a second peak value caused by the second member.

This disclosure relates to a sensor, a sensing device, and a sensing method. The sensor may include an upper electrode layer, a dielectric layer, and a lower electrode layer. A first dielectric layer surface of the dielectric layer may be attached to a first upper electrode surface of the upper electrode layer. A second dielectric layer surface of the dielectric layer may be attached to a first lower electrode surface of the lower electrode layer. The second dielectric layer surface may be opposite to the first dielectric layer surface. The upper electrode layer may include at least two sub-upper electrodes arranged in an array. An electrode gap may exist between the at least two sub-upper electrodes.

A displacement detection device includes a first plate member and a second plate member that extend in a predetermined direction; and a sensor that detects displacement. Opposite ends of the first plate member are respectively connected to opposite ends of the second plate member. Each of the first and second plate members has a first end portion and a second end portion, and also has a middle portion located between these two end portions. A gap is formed between the middle portion of the first plate member and the middle portion of the second plate member. The sensor detects variation in the gap. When a second member is displaced in the predetermined direction, the amount of variation in the gap is greater than the amount of displacement of the second member.

A capacitive transducer includes first and second fixed outer plates, each having fixed electrodes positioned on inner surfaces, and a center plate assembly positioned between the fixed outer plates. The center plate assembly includes a top center plate and bottom center plate. The top and bottom center plates each have an inner section, an outer frame positioned outward of a perimeter of the inner section, a set of springs connecting the outer frame to the inner section, and a center electrode positioned on an outer surface of the inner section. The set of springs has thickness less than each of the inner section and the outer frame. The center electrodes of the top and bottom center plates are connected to become electrically one electrode.

A dielectric for a capacitive-based tactile sensor of the type having a pair of spaced apart conductive plates with the dielectric conductively therebetween, comprises a body of a non-rigid dielectric polymeric material. The body is shaped into a microstructure defined by a plurality of members adapted to extend from one of the conductive plates to the other. Some of the members comprises a first feature shaped to have a first end surface and a second end surface. Second features are integral with the first feature and project from the second end surface. A cross-section area of each of the second features is substantially smaller than a cross-section area of the first feature at the second end surface. A height of the first feature in a distance between the conductive plates is substantially greater than a height of the second features. A capacitive-based tactile sensor with the dielectric is also provided.

An integrated circuit compensates for parasitic capacitance in a capacitive measuring apparatus wherein a capacitance measurement is done by repeatedly transferring charge from a capacitor to be measured to a reference capacitor.

The present invention concerns an electronic measurement circuit for measuring a physical parameter. The circuit comprises: a measurement sensor comprising two differential mounted capacitors each comprising a fixed electrode, and a common electrode, common to the two capacitors which is arranged to be movable relative to each fixed electrode of the two capacitors in order to alter the capacitive value of each capacitor when the physical parameter is measured. The circuit further comprises a first integrator unit connected to the common electrode for integrating charge received from the measurement sensor, and comprising two integrators arranged to be connected alternately to the common electrode; a second integrator unit connected to the first integrator unit for integrating charge received from the first integrator unit; a comparator for comparing analogue output values from the second integrator unit; a switch circuit connected to the measurement sensor for switching different voltage values across the two capacitors; and a feedback circuit for feeding a digital output signal of the comparator to the switch circuit for controlling the operation of the switch circuit.

An apparatus is provided and includes a rotary encoder that comprises a stator, a rotor, and a controller. The stator has an opening adapted to surround a first portion of a rotatable shaft, a transmit region, and a receive region. The rotor has an opening adapted to surround a second portion of the rotatable shaft, an annular conductive region, and at least one conductor electrically coupled with the annular conductive region. The controller has an input coupled to the receive region and has an output coupled to the transmit region. The controller is configured to transmit a first signal on the output of the controller and to the transmit region of the stator, receive a second signal on the input of the controller and from the receive region of the stator, and determine, based on the second signal, a proximity of the at least one conductor to the receive region.

A capacitance detection circuit has at least a carrier signal generating circuit that supplies a carrier signal to one of a movable or a fixed electrode of a sensor, an operational amplifier with one of the movable or fixed electrode as an input and ground as another input, and a printed circuit board on which the physical quantity sensor, the carrier signal generating circuit, and the operational amplifier are mounted. An insulation-secured area on the printed circuit board is configured as a moisture absorption reduction area, including at least an electrode connection part of the physical quantity sensor, an input-side connection part of the operational amplifier, and a connection part connected to the input side of the operational amplifier out of connection parts of input-side circuit components connected between the electrode connection part and the input-side connection part.