Patent•
Driven shielding capacitive proximity sensor
03 Jun 1992-
TL;DR: In this article, a capacitive proximity sensing element, backed by a reflector driven at the same voltage as and in phase with the sensor, is used to reflect the field lines away from a grounded robot arm towards an intruding object, thus dramatically increasing the sensor's range and sensitivity.
Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensing element, backed by a reflector driven at the same voltage as and in phase with the sensor, is used to reflect the field lines away from a grounded robot arm towards an intruding object, thus dramatically increasing the sensor's range and sensitivity.
Citations
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Patent•
20 Apr 1999
TL;DR: In this article, an occupant detection system for controlling the activation of an air bag inflator module (16) incorporates radar module (12), which activation of which is responsive to an activation sensor responsive to either the likelihood of a crash or to the liklihood of injury.
Abstract: An occupant detection system (10) for controlling the activation of an air bag inflator module (16) incorporates radar module (12), the activation of which is responsive to an activation sensor responsive to either the likelihood of a crash or to the liklihood of injury from the air bag inflator module (16) as a result of proximity thereto. In one embodiment, responsive to a potential crash, the air bag inflator module activates the radar module (12) for a period of time to sense if an occupant is within the at-risk zone of the air bag inflator module. In another embodiment, the activation of the radar module (12) is responsive to a continuously active range/proximity sensor (22). The air bag inflator is disabled if an occupant is detected within the at-risk zone of the air bag inflator module (16).
394 citations
01 May 1995
TL;DR: A non-contact sensor based on the interaction of a person with electric fields for human-computer interface is investigated and empirical and analytical approaches to transform sensor measurements into position information are discussed.
Abstract: A non-contact sensor based on the interaction of a person with electric fields for human-computer interface is investigated. Two sensing modes are explored: an external electric field shunted to ground through a human body, and an external electric field transmitted through a human body to stationary receivers. The sensors are low power (milliwatts), high resolution (millimeter) low cost (a few dollars per channel), have low latency (millisecond), high update rate (1 kHz), high immunity to noise (>72 dB), are not affected by clothing, surface texture or reflectivity, and can operate on length scales from microns to meters. Systems incorporating the sensors include a finger mouse, a room that knows the location of its occupant, and people-sensing furniture. Haptic feedback using passive materials is described. Also discussed are empirical and analytical approaches to transform sensor measurements into position information.
346 citations
Patent•
07 Mar 1997
TL;DR: In this article, a roof-mounted passenger position sensor array is used to determine position and motion of a passenger by analysis of distances of the passenger to the various sensors of the array and analysis of the changes of said distances with time.
Abstract: A roof-mounted passenger position sensor array (10) of capactive coupling passenger position sensors (12), to determine position and motion of a passenger by analysis of distances of the passenger to the various sensors of the array and analysis of the changes of said distances with time.
249 citations
Patent•
27 Oct 2005TL;DR: In this paper, a patient support apparatus includes a plurality of therapeutic devices including a rotation device and a percussion-vibration device for carrying out rotation, percussion, and vibration therapy for a patient.
Abstract: A patient support apparatus is provided. The patient support apparatus includes a plurality of therapeutic devices including a rotation device and a percussion-vibration device for carrying out rotation, percussion, and vibration therapy for a patient. The patient support apparatus includes a control system for controlling operation of the plurality of therapeutic devices. The control system comprises a touch-screen display segmented into a main menu portion and a data window portion. The therapeutic functions are represented by touch selectable buttons on the main menu portion. When any of these buttons are selected, a plurality of adjustable operating parameters appears in the data window portion. At the same time, the buttons corresponding to the therapeutic functions in the main menu portion remain visible such that an operator can easily select another therapeutic function. A method of tracking the therapeutic functions performed is provided. A rotation monitoring system and temperature control system of the patient support apparatus are provided. A display activation system is also provided.
234 citations
Patent•
25 Aug 2000
TL;DR: In this article, a release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle includes a gas operable assist device and at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector.
Abstract: A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle includes a gas operable assist device and at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector. The release system is positionable within a compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid. The compartment has a release mechanism for opening the deck lid and the release system is adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment. The gas operable assist device is connectable to the release mechanism and is operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to a user input to the manual input device or a detection of an occupant within the compartment by the occupant detector. The gas operable assist device includes at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element.
227 citations
References
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Patent•
08 Apr 1985
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a monitoring and warning apparatus for automatic processing apparatuses, in particular robots, where Reactance-determining elements are arranged as sensors on the movable parts of the robot and if the robot arm approaches an object, detuning of the sensor circuit occurs.
Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring and warning apparatus for automatic processing apparatuses, in particular robots. Reactance-determining elements are arranged as sensors on the movable parts of the robot. If the robot arm approaches an object, detuning of the sensor circuit occurs. In that way, it is possible to produce a monitoring or stop signal. A central supply with HF-signals and current permits central monitoring of the function of the sensor circuits and at the same time triggering of warning signals when the sensor approaches an object. That is achieved in that the warning signals derived from sensor signals are used to connect additional loads into the circuit which is supplied from the central current supply means. Therefore, by monitoring the current consumption, it is possible to detect both failure of individual sensor circuits and also the approach of an object to a sensor.
65 citations
Patent•
27 Feb 1990
TL;DR: In this paper, a path sensor system has an oscillator, a transmit and reception capacitance, a demodulator and a switching amplifier, with the oscillator comprising an externally influence capacitor (5) with an active electrode (6) and an earthing electrode (7).
Abstract: The path sensor system has an oscillator, a transmit and reception capacitance, a demodulator and a switching amplifier, with the oscillator comprising an externally influence capacitor (5) with an active electrode (6) and an earthing electrode (7). Between the two capacitor electrodes is fitted a screening electrode (11) at the same potential as the active electrode. Pref. a compensation electrode is provided for the effect of water on the sensor. The three above-mentioned electrodes, and possibly the compensation electrode are plate-shaped. All the electrodes may be flexible, e.g., of foils. The earthing electrode may be larger than the active electrode, and the screening electrode smaller than the earthing electrode. ADVANTAGE - Flat configuration for electromagnetic field with unidirectional stray effect.
38 citations
Patent•
02 Mar 1989
TL;DR: In this article, a capteur capacitif de proximite comprend deux electrodes mutuellement isolees electriquement connectees a un generateur de signaux and don au moins une est plate.
Abstract: Un capteur capacitif de proximite comprend deux electrodes mutuellement isolees electriquement connectees a un generateur de signaux et dont au moins une est plate. L'entree d'un amplificateur est connectee a une de ces electrodes. Afin de reduire la capacite de base du capteur, la sortie de l'amplificateur (4) est connectee a une electrode intermediaire (2) agencee entre les electrodes (1, 3) connectees de maniere permanente au generateur (5) et isolee par rapport a ces deux autres electrodes (1, 3).
33 citations
Patent•
26 Aug 1974
TL;DR: In this paper, an electronic switch which has no moving parts and is actuated by the capacitance of an operator providing a connection between earth ground and an input to the electronics associated with the switch is disclosed.
Abstract: An electronic switch which has no moving parts and is actuated by the capacitance of an operator providing a connection between earth ground and an input to the electronics associated with the switch is disclosed. The electronic switch in the preferred embodiment, includes a plate accessible to the tough of a human operator electrically connected to a first amplifier, and particularly to the input which is isolated from and thus oscillating with respect to earth ground. The output of the first amplifier is simultaneously connected to one end of a storage capacitor, having its other end connected to earth ground, and to one end of a high impedance. A second amplifier, is connected to the other end of the high impedance to provide a switched output, with the switched output having a first state for approximating an electrical short circuit and a second state for approximating an electrical open circuit.
32 citations
Patent•
14 Oct 1985
TL;DR: In this paper, the difference in signal strength between the two antenna strips exceeds a threshold level and is used to determine the position of the object on one side or another of the antenna strips, where a bootstrap electrode is positioned behind a single antenna strip and is electrically connected to follow the voltage induced on the antenna strip by the received signal.
Abstract: Proximity sensor apparatus has at least first and second antenna strips arranged along the edge of a structure. The antenna strips receive signals reflected by an object whose proximity is to be detected. Signal processing circuitry is coupled to the antenna strips for receiving and processing the signals picked up by the antenna strips. Proximity detection may occur when the difference in signal strength received by the two antenna strips exceeds a threshold level. In one embodiment, the difference between the maximum and minimum signals is determined and increases the threshold as the difference between signals decreases. In another embodiment, the difference in signal strength is used to determine the position of the object on one side or another of the antenna strips. In yet another embodiment, a bootstrap electrode is positioned behind a single antenna strip and is electrically connected to follow the voltage induced on the antenna strip by the received signal.
28 citations