661 results about "Single electrode" patented technology

The invention is related to an electric field proximity detection system suitable for use as a touch sensitive keyboard or to be used in close proximity without direct contact. In an embodiment of a circuit useful in the system, an AC signal is coupled to a single electrode functioning as an antenna radiating an electric field through a high impedance circuit. A conductive object in close proximity disturbs the field causing a voltage change across nodes of the high impedance circuit that is compared by a detector circuit that generates a DC output indicating an object is close to the electrode. In another embodiment, the circuit couples to an analog multiplexer to control a plurality of electrodes. In another embodiment, a row and column address scheme couples a plurality of electrodes and increases resolution without substantially increasing complexity. The circuits may be integrated in a semiconductor to reduce size and cost. The electric field proximity detection system extends to applications related to object detection such as remote sensing, motion detection and remote controls.

A liquid crystal display of the invention includes a plurality of pixels each of which has a liquid crystal layer and a plurality of electrodes for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer and which are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, wherein: each of the plurality of pixels has a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel which can apply mutually different voltages to the liquid crystal layer, where the first sub-pixel has a higher brightness than the second sub-pixel in certain gradations; the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel each has: a liquid crystal capacitor formed by a counter electrode and a sub-pixel electrode opposing the counter electrode via the liquid crystal layer, and a storage capacitor formed by a storage capacitor electrode connected electrically to the sub-pixel electrode, an insulating layer, and a storage capacitor counter electrode opposing the storage capacitor electrode via the insulating layer; the counter electrode is a single electrode shared by the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel, and the storage capacitor counter electrodes of the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel are electrically independent of each other; and the storage capacitor counter electrode of the first sub-pixel in any of the plurality of pixels and the storage capacitor counter electrode of the second sub-pixel of a pixel adjacent to any of the pixels in the column direction are electrically independent of each other.