Abstract: Various exemplary devices, systems, and methods for phase control heater control are provided. In general, a hair dryer includes a heater configured to heat air for output from the hair dryer. The hair dryer is configured to heat the air with the heater using phase control. The phase control is configured to control the heater to heat the air to a desired temperature (e.g., to a particular desired temperature or within a desired temperature range) while reducing periodic current draw on the hair dryer's AC input. The phase control is configured to control the heater according to predetermined phase angles in an AC power cycle. The methods, systems, and devices for phase control heater control can be used with devices other than hair dryers that use heaters for heat control, such as space heaters.

Abstract: A method of controlling a system including an arrangement of at least two nozzles, wherein the arrangement and the shape move relative to each other, each nozzle traces a respective path on the shape, and each nozzle is configured to jet drops at actual jetting locations along the respective path of the nozzle. The method results in sequence of actuation events received from a control signal to be more frequent than would be needed for an arrangement printing on a flat surface to produce the required dot resolution. It is then possible to select which of the individual nozzles are to jet for a given actuation event from the sequence so that the actual jetting locations deviate from the target jetting locations by no ore than a define maximum error distance.

Abstract: A surface treatment apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having an agitator, an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate, and a controller. The controller can be configured to determine a surface type corresponding to a surface to be cleaned and to transition the surface treatment apparatus between a first operational mode and a second operational mode based, at least in part, on the determined surface type. Determining the surface type may include measuring a plurality values corresponding to a current draw of the agitator motor over a predetermined time window at a predetermined time interval, determining an average corresponding to the measured values, comparing the average to at least a first threshold, and transitioning the surface treatment apparatus between the operational modes based, at least in part, on the comparison.

Abstract: A printing system for printing images formed of pixels on a substrate, the system comprising a print system arranged where printheads traverse a substrate, the print system arranged to receive a sequence of print actuation requests in order to print each pixel of an image upon the substrate, the print system having an acceptable rate for the sequence of print actuation requests, the system configured whereby if presented with an actuation period of less than the minimum actuation period then the presented rate of print actuation requests is adjusted by altering the actuation event and/or the discarding of stripe data, to minimise print defects.

Abstract: A surface treatment apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having an agitator, an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate, and a controller. The controller can be configured to determine a surface type corresponding to a surface to be cleaned and to transition the surface treatment apparatus between a first operational mode and a second operational mode based, at least in part, on the determined surface type. Determining the surface type may include measuring a plurality values corresponding to a current draw of the agitator motor over a predetermined time window at a predetermined time interval, determining an average corresponding to the measured values, comparing the average to at least a first threshold, and transitioning the surface treatment apparatus between the operational modes based, at least in part, on the comparison.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning device body and a replacement head. The cleaning device body includes an elongated handle, a housing and a replacement head mounting section. The replacement head has a pad that is intended to clean a surface, such as a floor and is removably attachable to the cleaning device body. The housing includes a circuit board having at least one sensor capable of sensing motion. The handle includes at least one button that can turn on/off either a vacuum source or a jet nozzle that sprays cleaner fluid. The cleaning device body further includes at least one light mounted thereon. The at least one light is illuminated when the button is pressed and then the at least one light remains illuminated until a predetermined amount of time has passed during which neither the button has not been pressed nor motion sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A drive system for individually switched nozzles with common drive signals of an inkjet print head, including a nozzle controller associated with each nozzle whereby meniscus activation is determined by a meniscus activation pulse, MAP, signal to that nozzle. A MAP controller defines a parameter for each nozzle such that the parameter is monitored by the MAP controller whereby a MAP signal is provided to the nozzle controller as required dependent upon the parameter, each nozzle configured whereby once the MAP signal is provided to provide meniscus activation at the nozzle any further nozzle fire signals, in the form of the common drive signals after the MAP signal, are delayed at least until the meniscus activation at the nozzle is complete while the nozzle controller ensures all the nozzle fire signals as common drive signals remain in sequence with each other.

Abstract: A method of controlling a system including an arrangement of at least two nozzles, wherein the arrangement and the shape move relative to each other, each nozzle traces a respective path on the shape, and each nozzle is configured to jet drops at actual jetting locations along the respective path of the nozzle. The method results in sequence of actuation events received from a control signal to be more frequent than would be needed for an arrangement printing on a flat surface to produce the required dot resolution. It is then possible to select which of the individual nozzles are to jet for a given actuation event from the sequence so that the actual jetting locations deviate from the target jetting locations by no ore than a define maximum error distance.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning device body and a replacement head. The cleaning device body includes an elongated handle, a housing and a replacement head mounting section. The replacement head has a pad that is intended to clean a surface, such as a floor and is removably attachable to the cleaning device body. The housing includes a circuit board having at least one sensor capable of sensing motion. The handle includes at least one button that can turn on/off either a vacuum source or a jet nozzle that sprays cleaner fluid. The cleaning device body further includes at least one light mounted thereon. The at least one light is illuminated when the button is pressed and then the at least one light remains illuminated until a predetermined amount of time has passed during which neither the button has not been pressed nor motion sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A printing system for printing images formed of pixels on a substrate, the system comprising a print system arranged where print-heads traverse a substrate, the print system arranged to receive a sequence of print actuation requests in order to print each pixel of an image upon the substrate, the print system having an acceptable rate for the sequence of print actuation requests, the system configured whereby if presented with an actuation period of less than the minimum actuation period then the presented rate of print actuation requests is adjusted by altering the actuation event and/or the discarding of stripe data, to minimise print defects.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a GF detection circuit for use in blenders and other appliances that can detect current leak/GF events and selectively decouple/de-energize components of the blender that could bring a user in contact with dangerous electrical currents. Preferably, a blender consistent with the present disclosure includes at least one ground plane, e.g., in the form of conductive material/sections, disposed on the blender and/or blender jar that act as an input to a GF detection circuit that is at least partially implemented within the base of the blender.

Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed to nozzle control circuitry for use in surface cleaning devices that preferably reduces overall power consumption of a surface cleaning device by detecting the start of a cleaning operation by a user before energizing one or more components such as an agitator. The nozzle control circuitry can detect a cleaning operation based on data output from one or more sensors (also referred to herein as operation sensors). For example, the nozzle control circuitry can communicate with at least one of a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, an orientation sensor such as gyroscope, and/or an air pressure sensor operatively coupled within a dirty air inlet to detect the presence of generated suction.

Abstract: A surface treatment apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having an agitator, an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate, and a controller. The controller can be configured to determine a surface type corresponding to a surface to be cleaned and to transition the surface treatment apparatus between a first operational mode and a second operational mode based, at least in part, on the determined surface type. Determining the surface type may include measuring a plurality values corresponding to a current draw of the agitator motor over a predetermined time window at a predetermined time interval, determining an average corresponding to the measured values, comparing the average to at least a first threshold, and transitioning the surface treatment apparatus between the operational modes based, at least in part, on the comparison.

Abstract: A system for a seat in a motor vehicle that has a cabin audio system and a bass loudspeaker that is able to generate sound in the cabin. The system includes a seat active suspension system with a vibration sensor coupled to the seat, and a controller that is responsive to the vibration sensor and that outputs control signals that are provided to an electromagnetic actuator that reduces seat vibrations. The active suspension system is arranged such that it can cause a change in the audio system.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an active suspension system for a motor vehicle passenger seat, where the active suspension system comprises an actuator that is constructed and arranged to place force on the seat in a first degree of freedom and a control system that is responsive to a sensor system that detects motor vehicle accelerations in at least the first degree of freedom, where the sensor system comprises an accident detection system that detects motor vehicle accident conditions, where the control system provides control signals that cause the actuator to exert a force on the seat in the first degree of freedom, wherein in normal active suspension operation mode the actuator is controlled to output forces that reduce acceleration of the seat so as to counteract motions of the seat in the first degree of freedom.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an active suspension system for a motor vehicle passenger seat, where the active suspension system comprises an actuator that is constructed and arranged to place force on the seat in a first degree of freedom and a control system that is responsive to a sensor system that detects motor vehicle accelerations in at least the first degree of freedom, where the sensor system comprises an accident detection system that detects motor vehicle accident conditions, where the control system provides control signals that cause the actuator to exert a force on the seat in the first degree of freedom, wherein in normal active suspension operation mode the actuator is controlled to output forces that reduce acceleration of the seat so as to counteract motions of the seat in the first degree of freedom.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an active suspension system for a motor vehicle passenger seat, where the active suspension system comprises an actuator that is constructed and arranged to place force on the seat in a first degree of freedom and a control system that is responsive to a sensor system that detects motor vehicle accelerations in at least the first degree of freedom, where the sensor system comprises an accident detection system that detects motor vehicle accident conditions, where the control system provides control signals that cause the actuator to exert a force on the seat in the first degree of freedom, wherein in normal active suspension operation mode the actuator is controlled to output forces that reduce acceleration of the seat so as to counteract motions of the seat in the first degree of freedom.

Abstract: A system for a seat in a motor vehicle that has a cabin audio system and a bass loudspeaker that is able to generate sound in the cabin. The system includes a seat active suspension system with a vibration sensor coupled to the seat, and a controller that is responsive to the vibration sensor and that outputs control signals that are provided to an electromagnetic actuator that reduces seat vibrations. The active suspension system is arranged such that it can cause a change in the audio system.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an active suspension system for a motor vehicle passenger seat, where the active suspension system comprises an actuator that is constructed and arranged to place force on the seat in a first degree of freedom and a control system that is responsive to a sensor system that detects motor vehicle accelerations in at least the first degree of freedom, where the sensor system comprises an accident detection system that detects motor vehicle accident conditions, where the control system provides control signals that cause the actuator to exert a force on the seat in the first degree of freedom, wherein in normal active suspension operation mode the actuator is controlled to output forces that reduce acceleration of the seat so as to counteract motions of the seat in the first degree of freedom.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an active suspension system for a motor vehicle passenger seat, where the active suspension system comprises an actuator that is constructed and arranged to place force on the seat in a first degree of freedom and a control system that is responsive to a sensor system that detects motor vehicle accelerations in at least the first degree of freedom, where the sensor system comprises an accident detection system that detects motor vehicle accident conditions, where the control system provides control signals that cause the actuator to exert a force on the seat in the first degree of freedom, wherein in normal active suspension operation mode the actuator is controlled to output forces that reduce acceleration of the seat so as to counteract motions of the seat in the first degree of freedom.