Proximity sensor
First Claim
1. An immersion sensor for use with a cushion or mattress for measuring the depth of immersion of a person within the cushion or mattress comprising:
- a sensor comprising a conductive material;
a ground comprising a second conductive material electrically isolated from the sensor and at least partially surrounding the sensor;
a circuit comprising a reference capacitor, the circuit adapted to send short bursts of electrical current to the sensor and the reference capacitor, the circuit adapted to measure the length of time the burst of current takes to charge the reference capacitor and the circuit adapted to calculate the proximity of the object based upon the time taken to charge the reference capacitor.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An immersion sensor for use with a cushion or mattress for determining the relative immersion of a person within the cushion or mattress comprising a sensor, a ground and a circuit for measuring capacitance. The sensor comprises a sheet of conductive material, and the ground comprises a second sheet of conductive material. The circuit is adapted to send short bursts of electrical current to the sensor and a capacitor. The circuit is further adapted to measure the length of time the burst of current takes to charge the capacitor. Based upon the measured time, the circuit calculates the proximity of the object based upon the time taken to charge the capacitor. A method that may be implemented with the immersion sensor is also disclosed.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. An immersion sensor for use with a cushion or mattress for measuring the depth of immersion of a person within the cushion or mattress comprising:
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a sensor comprising a conductive material;
a ground comprising a second conductive material electrically isolated from the sensor and at least partially surrounding the sensor;
a circuit comprising a reference capacitor, the circuit adapted to send short bursts of electrical current to the sensor and the reference capacitor, the circuit adapted to measure the length of time the burst of current takes to charge the reference capacitor and the circuit adapted to calculate the proximity of the object based upon the time taken to charge the reference capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An immersion sensor for use with a cushion or mattress for measuring the depth of immersion of a person within the cushion or mattress comprising:
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a sensor comprising a sheet of conductive material;
a shield comprising a second sheet of conductive material located adjacent to and having generally the same shape and area as the sensor;
a circuit for detecting the capacitance effect of an adjacent body and providing a relative output for a microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of determining the proper immersion of a person within a cushion or mattress comprising the steps of:
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providing a sensor below the cushion or mattress comprising a sheet of conductive material;
using the sensor to sense the proximity of the person to the sensor to determine the person'"'"'s immersion within the cushion or mattress; and
generating a signal when the person is either overimmersed or underimmersed within the cushion or mattress.
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36. A method of determining the proper immersion of a person within a cushion or mattress comprising the steps of:
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providing a first sensor below the cushion or mattress comprising a sheet of conductive material;
sending short bursts of electrical current to the sensor and a capacitor;
measuring the length of time the burst of current takes to charge the capacitor; and
calculating the proximity of the object based upon the time taken to charge the capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of determining the proper immersion of a person within a cushion or mattress comprising the steps of:
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providing a sensor below the cushion or mattress comprising a sheet of conductive material;
providing a ground comprising a second sheet of conductive material;
sending short bursts of electrical current to the sensor and a capacitor;
measuring the length of time the burst of current takes to charge the capacitor; and
calculating the proximity of the object based upon the time taken to charge the capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
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Specification