Embodiments related to a capacitive proximity sensor with a variable spacing electrode structure, which is suited to a non-destructive testing operation, such as the detection of dielectric properties of the polymer materials with a thickness decreases gradually structure. The designed sensor includes a driving electrode, a sensing electrode, a substrate, a guarding electrode and a lead connector. The driving and sensing electrodes include several interdigitated fingers, which are arranged alternately in sequence, based on the characteristic of the thickness decreases gradually structure of the MUT, the width of the electrodes and spacing between two adjacent electrodes in each unit are optimized individually. Namely, under the condition of ensuring penetration depth, the electrode width is made as large as possible to achieve maximum signal strength and detection sensitivity. Compared with the traditional ES-IDE structure capacitive proximity sensor, the newly designed VS-IDE capacitive sensor increases the effective electrode area, which increases the signal strength and measurement sensitivity directly. Besides, the electric field lines of the designed sensor are confined within the thickness gradually changed materials under test mostly as expected simultaneously.

The present invention discloses an electrical property detection device and method for a touch electrode. The electrical property detection device includes a capacitor formation unit configured to form a capacitor structure with the touch electrode to be detected; and a capacitance detection unit configured to obtain a capacitance value of the capacitor structure. In the technical solutions of the present invention, the capacitor structure is formed by the capacitor formation unit and the touch electrode to be detected, and then the capacitance value of the capacitor structure is obtained by the capacitance detection unit, so that a detector can effectively and accurately evaluate the electrical property of the touch electrode based on the obtained capacitance value of the capacitor structure.

Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on a first substrate and a deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure overlaps the first electrode and the second electrode to define a variable capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode that changes with the deformation of the deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure comprises a spacing component configured to provide spacing between the deformable electrode structure and the first electrode and the second electrode. Finally, a transmission component is configured such that biasing the transmission component causes the deformable electrode structure to deform and change the variable capacitance. A measurement of the variable capacitance can be used to determine force information regarding the force biasing the transmission component.

A capacitive sensor device with an electrode system has a first transmitting electrode and a first reception electrode, wherein the first transmitting electrode can be brought into capacitive coupling with the first reception electrode, and a second transmitting electrode and a second reception electrode, wherein the second transmitting electrode can be brought into capacitive coupling with the second reception electrode, a signal generator for feeding the first transmitting electrode with a first electric alternating signal and the second transmitting electrode with a second electric alternating signal, and a signal processing device, which is coupled with the first reception electrode and with the second reception electrode, and which is adapted to form a first measurement variable from the difference between a first electric value tapped at the first reception electrode and a second electric value tapped at the second reception electrode.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a grey water interface valve liquid level sensor system. The liquid level sensor system may deliver information about the water level and the water movement that occurs in a water reservoir. A control unit may then activate a valve to open so that the water can be removed via vacuum.

Disclosed herein is a capacitive touch panel comprising a transparent panel substrate, a front surface of the substrate comprising a conductive translucent layer which, in use, is visible to a user; at least one light source associated with the back surface, wherein the light source is switchable between an ‘on’ state in which an illuminated icon is visible on the front surface of the cover panel and an ‘off’ state in which the illuminated icon is not visible on the front surface of the cover panel, wherein the light source is switchable from the off state to the on state by a change in capacitance of the conductive translucent layer; at least one switch associated with the back surface, wherein the switch is activable by a user pressing the touch panel in the vicinity of the illuminated icon to provide an output signal capable of performing a function.

A control device for a vehicle includes a transparent support, an opaque decorative layer, a detection layer, and a light source adapted for emitting a light passing through the transparent support. The opaque decorative layer is printed on the transparent support in a control area, and delimits a pattern forming a pictogram where the decorative layer is missing, with the pictogram having an outer edge. The detection layer is electrically conductive and printed on the transparent support around the pictogram, substantially up to the outer edge of the pictogram, in the control area.

A method and apparatus varying, by interval, a frequency of a drive signal applied to one electrode of each of a plurality of electrode pairs, select a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the drive signal, monitor changes in capacitance of each of the electrode pairs through receive signals at the selected frequency, from the other electrode of each of the plurality of electrode pairs; and determine a position of at least two objects, which are simultaneously on a touch device, according to the monitored capacitance changes.

According to various implementations, a sensor mat includes a mat substrate, a sensor electrode, and a shield electrode. At least a portion of the sensor and shield electrodes are spaced apart from and parallel to each other on a first surface of the mat substrate. The shield electrode is electrically coupled to a voltage source to create a capacitance between the shield electrode and the sensor electrode, and the sensor electrode is used to detect a change in the capacitance. The shield electrode may also be alternately used for heating the surface of the vehicle part adjacent the mat. For example, the sensor may be disposed adjacent a portion of a steering wheel or a seat assembly and is used for sensing presence of an occupant's hands or body adjacent the steering wheel or seat assembly.

A system may include a trap and a consumable. The trap may include a data capture mechanism configured to capture data and send the data to a system operator. The consumable may include a device having an associated electronic identification code. A status-determining mechanism may be configured to determine a status of the consumable, which status may be readable via the data capture mechanism. The consumable may include a sensor configured to detect flying insects via mutual capacitance sensing. The sensor may be configured to provide a directional fringe field responsive to a flying insect. The sensor may include a plurality of sensor triplets arranged in a grid array. Each sensor triplet may include a sensor conductor and two electrically conductive un-grounded conductors. The two un-grounded conductors may be disposed one on either side of the sensor conductor to form the sensor triplet.