Patent ID: 8229184

Claim:
A method for determining the motion or position of an object moving proximate a sensing array composed of multiple detectable electrical signal detection elements separated by a respective gap between the detectable electrical signal detection elements, the method comprising: monitoring a first detectable electrical signal sensed by a first respective detection element and detecting when a noise level of the first detectable electrical signal is less than a first preset noise threshold for a first preset period of time; setting a commencement time when the first detectable electrical signal is below the first preset noise threshold for the first preset period of time; continuing to monitor the first detectable electrical signal sensed by the first respective detection element and detecting when the noise level of the first detectable electrical signal exceeds a second preset noise threshold for a second preset period of time; monitoring a second detectable electrical signal sensed by a second respective detection element and detecting when a noise level of the second detectable electrical signal is less than a third preset noise threshold for a third preset period of time; setting a termination time when the second detectable electrical signal is below the third preset noise threshold for the third preset period of time; calculating a designated stable time from the commencement time to the termination time; and utilizing the designated stable time to determine either the motion or position of the object.