Patent ID: 7436327

Claim:
A capacitive takeoff swimming sensor system, the system comprising: a. a sensor mat to capacitively detect the presence of a swimmer, the sensor mat having a conductive exterior layer defining a swimmer occupiable region along the surface of the sensor mat, a conductive sense electrode layer, a conductive ground electrode layer, and first and second insulative layers between the conductive layers and a third insulative layer underlying the conductive ground electrode layer; b. a sensor circuit, the sensor circuit having a charge-transfer touch integrated circuit in electrical communication with the conductive sense electrode and the conductive ground electrode of the sensor mat for determining a first level where the swimmer occupiable region is unoccupied and a second level where the swimmer occupiable region is occupied; c. a power supply; and, d. a monitor circuit that determines the takeoff of a swimmer by monitoring the change in capacitance level in the swimmer occupiable region based on the first and second sensor levels.