Patent ID: 11965923
Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 11:
12. A method, comprising:
executing a first self-test on an electrostatic charge variation sensor, the first self-test including applying a constant voltage signal to a stimulus electrode that overlies a receiving electrode of the electrostatic charge variation sensor;
executing a second self-test on the electrostatic charge variation sensor, the second self-test including applying a synchronous pulse signal that is synchronized with an output data rate of the electrostatic charge variation sensor to the stimulus electrode;
executing a third self-test on the electrostatic charge variation sensor, the third self-test including applying an asynchronous signal that is unsynchronized with the output data rate to the stimulus electrode;
determining whether the electrostatic charge variation sensor is functioning or malfunctioning based on the first self-test, the second self-test, and the third self-test; and
outputting a result that indicates the electrostatic charge variation sensor is functioning or malfunctioning.