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PROXIMITY DETECTION SYSTEM

  • US 20080122458A1
  • Filed: 11/21/2007
  • Published: 05/29/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A proximity detection system comprising:

  • a capacitive sensor having a sense electrode that is arranged to secure to a surface of a system component;

    an excitation source that generates an excitation signal for driving the capacitive sensor;

    a circuit that couples the excitation source to the capacitive sensor such that when the excitation signal from the excitation source drives the capacitive sensor, a capacitive field is generated relative to the sense electrode that corresponds to the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, wherein the presence of objects that are or become proximate to the capacitive sensor alter the capacitive field thus changing the overall capacitance of the capacitive sensor;

    a monitor that performs measurements of the circuit where the measurements are influenced by the capacitive field associated with the capacitive sensor; and

    a controller operatively configured to evaluate one or more measurements taken by the monitor and to trigger a predetermined action if the evaluation corresponds to a triggering event;

    wherein the controller is configured to dynamically update at least one parameter that alters the evaluation with regard to the triggering event to accommodate changes in at least one system condition.

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