There is provided a detection chip including a charging circuit, a discharging circuit, a counter and a processor. The charging circuit provides a first charging current within a first charging interval, and provides a second charging current, smaller than the first charging current, within a second charging interval. The discharging circuit provides a first discharging current within a first discharging interval, and provides a second discharging current, smaller than the first discharging current, within a second discharging interval. The counter counts the second charging interval and the second discharging interval. The processor identifies a touch event according to the second charging interval and the second discharging interval.

A capacitance detecting device includes: first and second capacitors connected in series to each other between a power source and a detection electrode; first, second and third switches connected between terminals of the first capacitor, between the first and second capacitors, and between terminals of the second capacitor, respectively; a control circuit controlling to turn on/off the first, second and third switches, connected to a connection node between the first capacitor and the second switch, and detecting a change in a capacitance of the second capacitor; a filter circuit connected to the connection node, transmitting a potential of a frequency including switching frequencies of the second and third switches, and not transmitting a potential of another specific frequency; and a sample-and-hold circuit connected between the filter circuit and the control circuit.

A device for preventing a human body from being jammed by using a change in capacitance, includes: a sensor unit which detects a change in capacitance corresponding to a gap between an external conductor pressed by a human body approaching a driven object and an internal conductor; a signal processing unit which compares a detection signal of the sensor unit with a reference value and outputs a jamming occurrence signal indicating the human body being jammed in the driven object; a motor driving unit which drives a motor to move the driven object; and a control unit which controls the motor driving unit to stop or move the driven object in the opposite direction when the jamming occurrence signal is received from the signal processing unit, thereby preventing a safety accident caused by the human body being jammed.

A puff detection device (10) comprising a capacitive puff sensor (C2), a detection signal generator (140) for connection with the puff sensor (C2) and having an ESD diode (D2) at an input node (IN2), and a reference signal generator (120) which is configured to generate a train of reference pulses (CKI) having a reference frequency and comprises a reference capacitor (C1). The reference signal generator (120) includes a compensation device (D1) which is configured to provide a leakage current path at a charging node (IN1) of the reference capacitor (C1).

Disclosed are devices and methods for detecting activation of an electronic device, including a biomedical and biometric device. The electronic device can operate in a low-power mode until it is determined that the electronic device is in close proximity to or in contact with a body, and activated. The electronic device can include a first sensor including a first capacitance sensor, a second sensor, and a controller coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller can receive a first signal from the first sensor and determine that the electronic device is in close proximity to or in contact with a body based on the first signal, and receive a second signal from the second sensor and determine that the electronic device is activated based on one or both of the first signal and the second signal. The electronic device can transition from the low-power mode to an active mode in response to determining that the electronic device is activated.

An apparatus and method for determining a valid user input in an electronic device is provided. The electronic device generally includes a touch unit included in a touch input circuit, wherein the touch unit corresponds to a touch area, a signal generator configured to transmit a signal to a first signal line and a second signal line by generating the signal, a signal measuring device configured to measure a part of a modified signal based on the transmitted signal, and a signal determiner configured to determine whether a user input is provided to the touch area based on the measured signal. The first signal line connects the signal generator and the touch unit, and the second signal line extends from the signal generator and is parallel with the first signal line.

A capacitance detecting device includes: first and second capacitors connected in series to each other between a power source and a detection electrode; first, second and third switches connected between terminals of the first capacitor, between the first and second capacitors, and between terminals of the second capacitor, respectively; a control circuit controlling to turn on/off the first, second and third switches, connected to a connection node between the first capacitor and the second switch, and detecting a change in a capacitance of the second capacitor; a filter circuit connected to the connection node, transmitting a potential of a frequency including switching frequencies of the second and third switches, and not transmitting a potential of another specific frequency; and a sample-and-hold circuit connected between the filter circuit and the control circuit.

A hand held domestic appliance comprises a handle part, a driven member, a motor for driving the driven member and a controller for controlling the motor. The handle part comprises a surface sensor for detecting a contact surface area and optionally also pressure and the controller is adapted to control the power supplied to the motor in dependence on the sensed contact surface area and optionally also pressure.

A planar (two-dimensional, XY location) touch sensor may include a knitted structure and supplementary method of sensing detects human touch on a fabric surface. This sensor may be fully knitted and detect the continuous planar location and contact force of human touch along the surface of the structure. The fabric may conform to any arbitrary surface and may be a rectangle for touch pad applications. This sensor may be used for applications that include robotics and human-machine interaction, smart garments and wearables, as well as medical textiles and flexible embedded sensors. This touch sensor may require as few as only two electrode connections from the fabric to sense both planar touch and pressure, which allows it to work in areas with limited space that allow for limited complexity for wiring.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a capacitive sensing apparatus, a manufacturing and operation method thereof and an electronic device including the capacitive sensing apparatus. An apparatus includes first capacitive sensing unit(s) and second capacitive sensing unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control periodic charging of the capacitive sensing units, determine first voltage change(s) for the first capacitive sensing unit(s) and second voltage change(s) for the second capacitive sensing unit(s), and calculate, for the first capacitive sensing unit(s), a signal-to-noise ratio value based on the first voltage change(s) and the second voltage change(s). Sensing results of first capacitive sensing unit(s) may be calibrated based on the sensing results of second capacitive sensing unit(s), thereby reducing influence of environmental changes on stability and sensitivity of a capacitive sensing apparatus.