Patent ID: 8633715
Filing Date: 2014-01-21
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A proximity detection system comprising: an excitation source that generates an excitation signal; a capacitive sensor having a sense electrode that secures to a surface of a system component, wherein the capacitive sensor forms a circuit with the excitation source to generate a capacitive field about the sense electrode at least in a direction of interest, wherein the capacitive field changes due to the presence of objects present within the capacitive field, thus changing the overall capacitance of the capacitive sensor; a monitor coupled to the circuit formed of the excitation source and capacitive sensor that obtains measurements that are influenced by the capacitive field associated with the capacitive sensor; a mapping of threshold values at a plurality of positions of the capacitive sensor within a space; and a controller that, for a given position of the capacitive sensor within the mapped space: