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Apparatus and method for characterizing movement of a mass within a defined space

  • US 5,914,610 A
  • Filed: 04/02/1997
  • Issued: 06/22/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for characterizing movement of a mass within a defined space, the apparatus comprising:

  • a. a plurality of electrodes proximate to the space, the electrodes having fixed positions relative to each other;

    b. an AC source;

    c. means for momentarily connecting at least a first electrode to the AC source a plurality of times so as to produce a plurality of electric fields;

    d. means for measuring current into the unconnected electrodes each time the field-producing electrode is connected to the AC source, thereby producing a plurality of measurements through the unconnected electrodes, at least some of the electrodes being switchably connectable to the AC source or to the current-measuring means to thereby serve as field-producing electrodes or as measurement electrodes; and

    e. means for characterizing movement of the mass within the space based on the plurality of measurements.

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