Methods and apparatus for a 3-dimensional capacitive sensor having multi-operation electrodes
View Patent ↗Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for a 3-dimensional capacitive sensor. The method and apparatus may comprise a sensing element formed along multiple planes to create a sensing field. The capacitive sensor comprises two sensing planes in communication with each other. Each sensing plane may comprise a multi-operation electrode, where the multi-operation electrode is configured to operate as a transmission electrode and a reception electrode.
1. A 3-dimensional capacitive sensor, comprising:
a first multi-operation electrode; and
a second multi-operation electrode placed in communication with the first multi-operation electrode;
wherein each multi-operation electrode is selectively connected to both:
an amplifier, and
a voltage source.
2. The 3-dimensional capacitive sensor according to claim 1 , wherein each multi-operation electrode is configured to operate as one of a reception electrode and a transmission electrode.
3. The 3-dimensional capacitive sensor according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first multi-operation electrode is positioned on a first plane; and
the second multi-operation electrode is positioned on a second plane.
4. The 3-dimensional capacitive sensor according to claim 3 , wherein the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane.
5. The 3-dimensional capacitive sensor according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first multi-operation electrode is positioned on a first plane; and
a first portion of the second multi-operation electrode is positioned on the first plane and a second portion of the second multi-operation electrode is positioned on a second plane.
6. The 3-dimensional capacitive sensor according to claim 5 , wherein the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane.
7. The 3-dimensional capacitive sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a first switching device connected to the first multi-operation electrode and configured to selectively connect the first multi-operation electrode to one of the amplifier and the voltage source; and
a second switching device connected to the second multi-operation electrode and configured to selectively connect the second multi-operation electrode to one of the amplifier and the voltage source.
8. The 3-dimensional capacitive sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising processing circuitry connected to the first and second multi-operation electrodes and configured to:
measure a capacitance between the first and second multi-operation electrodes; and
convert the measured capacitance to a volume.
9. A method for detecting volume with a capacitive sensor, comprising:
forming an electric field between a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode; wherein:
each sensing electrode is selectively operable as:
a reception electrode; and
a transmission electrode; and
each sensing electrode is selectively connected to both:
an amplifier; and
a voltage source;
operating:
the first sensing electrode as the reception electrode; and
the second sensing electrode as the transmission electrode;
measuring a capacitance formed between the first and second sensing electrodes; and
converting the measured capacitance to a volume.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein:
the first sensing electrode is positioned on a first plane; and
the second sensing electrode is positioned on a second plane.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the second sensing electrode is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first sensing electrode.
12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein:
the first sensing electrode is positioned on a first plane; and
a first portion of the second sensing electrode is positioned on the first plane and a second portion of the second sensing electrode is positioned on a second plane.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane.
14. A capacitive sensor system, comprising:
a sensing element comprising:
a sensing capacitor, comprising:
a first multi-operation electrode; and
a second multi-operation electrode in communication with the first multi-operation electrode;
an integrated circuit coupled to the sensing element and configured to selectively operate each multi-operation electrode as one of:
a reception electrode; and
a transmission electrode;
wherein each multi-operation electrode is selectively connected to both:
an amplifier; and
a voltage source;
processing circuitry connected to the integrated circuit and configured to:
measure a capacitance between the first and second multi-operation electrodes; and
convert the measured capacitance to a volume.
15. The capacitive sensor system according to claim 14 , wherein:
the first multi-operation electrode is positioned on a first plane; and
the second multi-operation electrode is positioned on a second plane.
16. The capacitive sensor system according to claim 15 , wherein the second multi-operation electrode is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first multi-operation electrode.
17. The capacitive sensor system according to claim 14 , wherein:
the first multi-operation electrode is positioned on a first plane; and
a first portion of the second multi-operation electrode is positioned on the first plane and a second portion of the second multi-operation electrode is positioned on a second plane.
18. The capacitive sensor system according to claim 17 , wherein the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane.
19. The capacitive sensor system according to claim 14 , wherein the integrated circuit comprises a switching device to selectively connect each multi-operation electrode to one of: an amplifier and a voltage source.
20. The capacitive sensor system according to claim 14 , wherein the first multi-operation electrode is positioned on a first outside surface of a sidewall of a container and at least a portion of the second multi-operation electrode is positioned on a second outside surface of a bottom of the container.