Patent Document ID: 20080219521
Application ID: 11957322
Patent Status: 0

Claim One:
1. A method for determining the motion or position of an object moving proximate a sensing array composed of multiple detection elements separated by multiple gaps between said elements, said method comprising: Repeatedly performing the steps of: A. monitoring the signal generated by said detection elements and detecting when the noise level of said signal is less than a first preset noise criteria for a first preset period of time; B. setting the commencement time of a stable signal when said first preset noise criteria and said first preset period of time are met; C. continuing to monitor the signal generated by said detection elements and detecting when the noise level of said signal exceeds a second preset noise criteria for a second preset period of time; D. setting the termination time of a stable signal when said second preset noise criteria and said second preset period of time are met; E. calculating a designated stable time that is in between said commencement time and said termination time; and then returning to step A and repeating the steps; wherein the time elapsed between the time of a second designated stable time performed in a later repetition of steps A through E and the time of a first designated stable time performed in an earlier repetition of steps A though E is computed and is used to determine either the motion or position of said object.