Patent ID: 11929744
Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC H  G | IPC G  H

Claim 12:
13. An apparatus, comprising:
a first pair of electrodes, comprising a first electrode and a second electrode separated from the first electrode by a first distance;
a second pair of electrodes adjacent to the first pair of electrodes, comprising a third electrode adjacent to the first electrode and a fourth electrode adjacent to the second electrode and separated from the third electrode by a second distance, wherein the first and second pairs of electrodes define a pathway between the first and second electrodes and the third and fourth electrodes;
a fifth electrode disposed in the pathway formed by the first and second pairs of electrodes and configured to move along the pathway; and
a capacitance sensing circuit coupled to the first and second pairs of electrodes and configured to:
determine a first capacitance of a first capacitor and a second capacitance of a second capacitor based on a first overlap of surface areas between the fifth electrode and the first pair of electrodes, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor are coupled together in series; and
determine a third capacitance of a third capacitor and a fourth capacitance of a fourth capacitor using a second overlap of surface areas between the fifth electrode and the second pair of electrodes, wherein the third capacitor and the fourth capacitor are coupled together in series, wherein the third capacitor and the fourth capacitor are electrically coupled to the first capacitor and second capacitor.