Abstract: A lithium-ion battery pack includes a housing, a plurality of lithium-ion cells, a first bus bar, a second bus bar, and an interconnect plate. The control circuit includes a printed circuit board that has a longitudinal axis. Each of the cells has a longitudinal axis that is positioned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the printed circuit board. The plurality of cells are all arranged in at least a first cell stack and a second cell stack. The first bus bar electrically couples the printed circuit board to cell terminals of the first cell stack that are adjacent to the first sidewall. The second bus bar electrically couples the printed circuit board to cell terminals of the second cell stack that are adjacent to the first sidewall. The interconnect plate electrically couples the cell terminals of the plurality of lithium-ion cells positioned adjacent to the second sidewall.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic defrost of a refrigerator device adaptively moves the defrost cycle to a time period of comparatively low compressor activity based on an evaluation of compressor usage over a cyclically recurring time interval. An adaptive defrost controller (ADC) analyzes stored data to develop a profile for compressor activity vs. time. From this profile, high compressor activity times of the time interval are distinguished from low compressor activity times in the time interval and a defrost cycle is scheduled based on the results of the analyzed data.

Abstract: An inductive touch sensing circuit having sensitivity compensation is provided. A digital processor controls a variable amplifier signal source that is synchronized to the key selection. This configuration provides closed loop control of the strength of each key's excitation signal for each of a plurality of inductive touch sensors or key switch assembly, so that the system can adaptively provide different strength excitation signals to each of the different key switch assemblies. In this way, the inductive touch sensing circuit can compensate for the effects of age, temperature, environment and varying key geometries and tolerances, using the excitation signal delivered by the drive circuit.

Abstract: An inductive touch key switch assembly and circuit are provided. The circuit optimizes signal strength and noise immunity by reducing the number of long paths through the circuit board and localizes the driver circuit to each key switch assembly sensor coil. The key switch assembly optimizes placement of the target to enable the user interfaces on domestic appliances and products having present values of front panel thickness.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic defrost of a refrigerator device are provided. The system adaptively moves the defrost cycle to low usage times based on an evaluation of compressor usage in a daily cycle.

Abstract: A power line communications (PLC) system and method for providing broadband communications over a low voltage power line are disclosed. The system and method comprise a manager that controls access to a bridge for a client where the bridge communicates with the manager to provide the client Internet access. The bridge modulates Ethernet communications from the Internet access to the low voltage power line to provide the modulated Ethernet communications to the client and the client demodulates modulated Ethernet communications from the low voltage power line to yield Ethernet communications.

Abstract: A power line communications (PLC) system and method for providing broadband communications over a low voltage power line are disclosed. The system and method comprise a manager that controls access to a bridge for a client where the bridge communicates with the manager to provide the client Internet access. The bridge modulates Ethernet communications from the Internet access to the low voltage power line to provide the modulated Ethernet communications to the client and the client demodulates modulated Ethernet communications from the low voltage power line to yield Ethernet communications.