Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and techniques for identifying collisions, such as relatively low energy impact collisions involving an autonomous vehicle. Sensor data from a first sensor modality in a first array may be used to determine a first estimated location of impact and second sensor data from a second sensor modality in a second array may be used to determine a second estimated location of impact. A low energy impact event may be configured when the first estimated location of impact corresponds to the second estimated location of impact.

Abstract: A stress sensor includes: a substrate, having a face and a recess, open to the face; and a sensor chip of semiconductor material, housed in the recess and bonded to the substrate, the sensor chip being provided with a plurality of sensing components of piezoresistive material. The substrate has a thickness which is less by at least one order of magnitude with respect to a main dimension of the face. Further, the sensor chip has a thickness which is less by at least one order of magnitude with respect to the thickness of the substrate, and a Young's module of the substrate and a Young's module of the sensor chip are of the same order of magnitude.

Abstract: This invention provides an ultrasonic transducer with a zipper array of transducing elements, which includes a tail and a head. A surface of the head is embedded with a plurality of left transducing elements and a plurality of right transducing elements, wherein each left transducing element at least partially overlaps each right transducing element in an elevation axis.

Abstract: An active stylus, including a housing, a pen core, a first circuit board, and a touch sensing module, is provided. The pen core, the first circuit board, and the touch sensing module are disposed in the housing. The touch sensing module includes a touch sensing element and a second circuit board. The touch sensing element is disposed on and electrically connected to the second circuit board. The second circuit board is electrically connected to the first circuit board and is abutted to a lateral surface of the first circuit board. The second circuit board is perpendicular to the first circuit board. The pen core is abutted to the touch sensing element.

Abstract: A system is disclosed herein for providing a kinetic assessment and preparation of a prosthetic joint comprising one or more prosthetic components. The system comprises a prosthetic component including sensors and circuitry configured to measure load, position of load on a curved surface, joint stability, range of motion, and impingement. In one embodiment, the system is for a ball and socket joint of a musculoskeletal system. The system further includes a computer having a display configured to graphical display quantitative measurement data to support rapid assimilation of the information. The kinetic assessment measures joint alignment under loading that will be similar to that of a final joint installation. The kinetic assessment can use trial or permanent prosthetic components. Furthermore, adjustments can be made to the applied load magnitude, position of load, and joint alignment by various means to fine-tune an installation.

Abstract: An active stylus includes a stylus tip and a pressure sensor disposed proximate to the stylus tip. A stylus controller is configured to receive, from the pressure sensor, a current pressure value quantifying a pressure measured at the stylus tip. The stylus controller receives, from a separate display device, a proximity indicator that indicates a current estimated proximity of the stylus tip to a surface of a touch-sensitive display of the display device. Based at least on both of (1) the proximity indicator received from the separate display device, and (2) a comparison between the current pressure value and a touch input pressure threshold, the stylus controller sends a touch status indicator to the separate display device.

Abstract: A touch panel having a transparent capacitive sensing medium configured to detect multiple touches or near touches that occur at the same time and at distinct locations in the plane of the touch panel and to produce distinct signals representative of the location of the touches on the plane of the touch panel for each of the multiple touches is disclosed.

Abstract: Fixing device comprising a fixing member provided with a bearing head, a sensor provided with a detector of the mechanical force to which the fixing member is subjected, the detector being mounted in contact with the fixing member, and a connecting component which is electrically connected to the sensor, which is configured to transmit a measurement of a mechanical force provided by the sensor and which is mounted on the fixing member, the fixing member comprising a body which is mounted on the bearing head and which extends along a longitudinal axis protruding from the bearing head.

Abstract: An emergency alarm system peripheral, such as a hazard detector, intrusion detector, or a notification appliance, includes a base that is permanently installed on a wall or ceiling, and a head which mounts to the base. Various embodiments and methods are provided to easily and efficiently assign addresses to the peripherals in the system.

Abstract: In some aspects, a method of managing communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The method includes facilitating, by a first electronic device, motion of a second electronic device in a motion sequence; detecting, by the second electronic device, motion of the second electronic device in the motion sequence; determining, by the second electronic device, a key from the motion sequence from the detecting, the key being usable to communicate with the first electronic device; and wirelessly communicating, by a communication interface of the second electronic device, with the first electronic device using the key.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for acceleration of convolutional neural networks on analog arrays. Input ports receive image signals from frames in an input image. Input memory arrays store the image signals received from the input ports into a respective input memory location to create a plurality of image sub-regions in input memory arrays. A distributor associated each of a set of analog array tiles in an analog array to a part of image sub-regions of the input memory arrays, so that one or more of a set of analog memory components is associated with the image signals in a distribution order to create a respective output signal. An assembler stores each of the respective output signals into one of a set of memory outputs in an output order that is determined by the distribution order.

Abstract: A method includes coating at least one conductive element of an electronic device with an electrically non-conductive thixotropic liquid. An electronic device includes a first layer including an upper conductive element, a second layer including a lower conductive element, and a spacer positioned between the layers. The first layer, the second layer, and the spacer define a sensing chamber in which the upper and lower conductive elements move to vary the resistance of the electronic device. A non-conductive thixotropic liquid is present within the sensing chamber. Movement of the layers toward each other displaces the thixotropic liquid from an initial state coating at least one of the conductive elements to permit contact between the conductive elements, and movement of the first layer and the second layer away from each other returns the thixotropic liquid to the initial state.

Abstract: Sensor (1) for monitoring the parameters of rotation around its own axis and vibration of a steel rope (100), comprising a battery (2), indicator means (3) of the state of charge of said battery (2), at least a LED indicator (5), a power unit (7) which supplies the sensor (1), a detection unit (8) of the rotation angles (?, ?) around its own axis (X) and of the vibrations of said steel rope (100), a microprocessor (9) for collection activity and data transmission, said sensor (1) being housed in a portion obtained in the core (110) of the steel rope (100).

Abstract: A stress sensor includes: a substrate, having a face and a recess, open to the face; and a sensor chip of semiconductor material, housed in the recess and bonded to the substrate, the sensor chip being provided with a plurality of sensing components of piezoresistive material. The substrate has a thickness which is less by at least one order of magnitude with respect to a main dimension of the face. Further, the sensor chip has a thickness which is less by at least one order of magnitude with respect to the thickness of the substrate, and a Young's module of the substrate and a Young's module of the sensor chip are of the same order of magnitude.

Abstract: [Subject] To provide a size measuring device that can be readily handled and easily used for a size-taking process by even a user who has no specialized size-taking technique, a managing server, a user terminal and a size measuring system. [Means to Solve Problems] The size measuring system is provided with a size measuring device 10 that is attached to a user's body so as to measure the size of the user's body, and outputs sensor measurement information indicating the measured size or the like, a user terminal 20 operated by the user who measures the body and a managing server 30 that manages information or the like of the size and shape of apparel commodities, and based upon the sensor measurement information, supplies user size information corresponding to the information of the body size of the user and commodity retrieval results information corresponding to information about commodities that fit to the size to the user terminal 20.

Abstract: The present disclosure has an object of providing a tactile sensor having a simple structure and capable of detecting a shear force, and a tactile sensor unit constituting the tactile sensor. The present disclosure relates to a tactile sensor unit including: a plurality of pressure-sensitive elements each including a first substrate including a first electrode, a second electrode disposed facing the first electrode, and a dielectric disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and an external force acting portion disposed on and across the plurality of pressure-sensitive elements, wherein, when a shear force is applied to the external force acting portion, at least a part of the pressure-sensitive elements change in inter-electrode electrostatic capacitance.

Abstract: A load detection sensor unit 1A includes: a load detection sensor 5 that has a sensor sheet 50 having a pair of resinous insulating sheets 56s and 57s, a first electrode 56e provided on a surface of one insulating sheet 56s, and a second electrode 57e forming a pair with the first electrode 56e, and a metal plate 60 provided in at least a portion overlapping with the first electrode 56e and the second electrode 57e on one surface of the sensor sheet 50; and a pressing member 4 that has a pressing portion 46 disposed on the side of the metal plate 60 opposite to the side of the sensor sheet 50 and pressing the metal plate 60. The pressing portion 46 is harder than the seat cushion SC and the sensor sheet 50 and the metal plate 60 are bonded by an adhesive layer 70.

Abstract: Provided herein are biomedical devices and methods of making and using biomedical devices for sensing and actuation applications. For example, flexible and/or stretchable biomedical devices are provided including electronic devices useful for establishing in situ conformal contact with a tissue in a biological environment. The invention includes implantable electronic devices and devices administered to the surfaces(s) of a target tissue, for example, for obtaining electrophysiology data from a tissue such as cardiac, brain tissue or skin.

Abstract: Examples provide an apparatus including a relative pressure sensor that includes a substrate and a cavity in a face of the substrate. The cavity has a floor in the substrate. A passage extends from the cavity. A membrane supports a pressure sensing device and is mounted to the substrate opposite the floor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the establishment of a signal which is indicative of the pressure-condition of a machine foot (1), as a fixed surface of a rubber-elastic body (5), where a load of the machine foot (1) is transferred from a cap (4) to a substrate (31) through the rubber-elastic body (5), which is pressurised by the increasing load, such that the distance between a free upper surface part (5.1) of the rubber-elastic body (5) and an immobile part (14.1) is determined by an electro-mechanical transducer (6) establishing an electrical signal corresponding to the distance which is used as the measurement for the rubber-elastic body's pressure-condition and thus the machine foot's load.

Abstract: An input device includes a casing having a recess in its inner surface, and a pressure-sensitive sensor disposed in the recess. The pressure-sensitive sensor is fixed in the recess so that a sensing surface of the pressure-sensitive sensor and a bottom surface of the recess are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A signal processing method for a touch panel includes transmitting a first driving signal to a first touch channel of the touch panel; and transmitting a second driving signal to a second touch channel of the touch panel, wherein the second touch channel is neighboring to the first touch channel. The first driving signal is substantially identical to the second driving signal during a first period, and the first driving signal is substantially inverse to the second driving signal during a second period neighboring to the first period.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mesh-head electronic drum, including a drum base, a drum head, a data acquisition module and a data processing module, wherein the data acquisition module includes a trigger unit and a conduction medium, the conduction medium is a magnetic unit, the magnetic unit is arranged on the drum head, and the trigger unit includes a Hall sensor coupled with the magnetic unit in a non-contact way. The disclosure is advantageous in that the trigger unit and the conduction medium have no direct contact with each other and thus no bad contact is caused, but an accurate audio signal can still be generated.

Abstract: A method for checking the integrity of a load bearing member of an elevator including tensile elements encapsulated in a case includes the steps of launching a source pulse through tensile elements of said load bearing member and comparing the feedback of said tensile elements with a comparator; tensile elements can be bridged to avoid a blind zone.

Abstract: A textile assembly includes a knitted or woven textile panel of non-conductive fibers, and defines a first delimited area. A first conductive filament is knitted or woven into the textile panel in the first delimited area, and is arranged to form an electronic device, such as a sensor or a switch, in the first delimited area. The textile assembly may further include a third conductive filament that is knitted or woven into the textile panel in a second delimited area. The third conductive filament is arranged to form a second electronic device, such as a sensor or a switch, in the second delimited area. A controller may use a signal from the first electronic device and the second electronic device to execute a function, such as generate a pressure map of the textile panel.

Abstract: A pressure-sensing device is disclosed, which includes a pressure sensor pad. The pressure sensor pad includes a first planar substrate, a second planar substrate, first signal lines, second signal lines, a plurality of rows of first sensor components, and a plurality of columns of second sensor components. The first signal lines and the rows of first sensor components are formed on the first planar substrate, and each row of the first sensor components is connected to a corresponding one of the first signal lines. The second planar substrate is disposed opposite to the first planar substrate. The second signal lines and the columns of second sensor components are formed on the second planar substrate, and each column of the second sensor components is connected to a corresponding one of the second signal lines, where the second sensor components face the first sensor components respectively.

Abstract: User feedback may be generated and user input received through a single semiconductor component integrated into the electronic device. The single semiconductor component may include a piezoelectric cantilever actuator integrated with a transistor, such as a thin-film transistor, such that the actuator is electrically isolated from the transistor but mechanically attached to the transistor. One manner of integration is to extend a piezoelectric thin film of the actuator into a gate electrode stack of the transistor. The cantilever actuator may be controlled to provide haptic feedback. Separate from, and possibly simultaneously with the control of the cantilever actuator, user input may be received through the transistor integrated with the cantilever actuator.

Abstract: A method for controlling a piezoelectric device including a piezoelectric element attached to a substrate, with the substrate and the piezoelectric element being made of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion includes the step of subjecting the piezoelectric element to a predetermined electric voltage in order to cause a predetermined set deformation of the piezoelectric element. The predetermined electric voltage comprises a compensation portion determined according to ambient temperature to cancel a stress generated on the piezoelectric element due to a differential thermal expansion between the piezoelectric element and the substrate.

Abstract: A package having a recessed section, a sensor element arranged in the recessed section and having a piezoelectric material, a lid joined to the package and sealing the recessed section of the package are provided. The package has a first hollow portion which a part of the sensor element fits with, on an inner bottom surface of the recessed section. The lid has a second hollow portion which a part of the sensor element fits with.

Abstract: A micro electro mechanical device includes: a semiconductor layer; a source/drain region formed on both sides of a channel region within the semiconductor layer; a gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer; a cavity formed on the gate insulating film; and a gate electrode formed on the cavity, the gate electrode being movable so as to contact with the gate insulating film. In the device, a pressure applied on the gate electrode is detected by a contact area of the gate electrode and the gate insulating film.

Abstract: In a method for operating a safety device for a handling device, e.g., an industrial robot having a movable gripper device and at least one sensor device at least largely surrounding the gripper device for recognizing at least possible collisions with objects located in the motion path of the gripper device, a signal is output to a control unit upon recognizing a collision risk, resulting in a modified motion sequence of the gripper device on its motion path, which modified motion sequence is a controlled reduction in the motion velocity of the gripper device.

Abstract: A touch sensing circuit is provided. The circuit is configured to connect to a conducting wire in a touch area for measuring a signal variation. In a driving mode, the wire is coupled to AC voltage. If a first voltage variation which exceeds a first threshold is measured by the circuit, it is determined that something is approaching the touch area near the wire. In a passive mode, the wire is coupled to DC voltage. If a second voltage variation which exceeds a second threshold is measured by the circuit, it is determined that something is approaching the touch area near the wire. When measuring the second voltage variation, no AC voltage is coupled to the wire.

Abstract: A dual capacitor load cell is presented that includes two coupled capacitors with a common plate between them where the common plate is responsive to a force applied to the load cell. The capacitance of the two capacitors varies inversely and changes in response to the applied force. The combined capacitance of each capacitor is used to determine the magnitude of the force being applied to the load cell.

Abstract: A force detector includes a plate-like first member, a plate-like second member provided with a gap between the first member and itself, an elastic member provided between the first member and the second member, and a plurality of pressure-sensitive devices provided between the elastic member and the second member, wherein an area of a surface of the elastic member at the first member side is larger than an area of a surface of the elastic member at the second member side. Further, the first member and the second member respectively have plate-like shapes. Furthermore, three or more of the elastic members are provided.

Abstract: A touch panel includes first and second sets of electrodes separated by a dielectric and oriented so that the electrodes of the first set intersect with the electrodes of the second set without touching. Each of the electrodes can be made of a plurality of individual conductors shorted together. The conductors can be provided in the form of flat cable or clockspring material.

Abstract: An electromagnetic pen with electromagnetic and ink writing functions is disclosed. The electromagnetic pen includes at least one pen tube assembly, a core mechanism, a pen tip, a ferrite core, a core holder, an elastic conductor and a circuit board. The pen tip and the core are configured in the pen tube assembly and are controlled by the core mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanical amplification device includes a three-dimensional knitted material and foam bodies and laminated in the periphery of the three-dimensional knitted material. A mechanical amplification device provided with a film is disposed between the three-dimensional knitted material and the foam bodies and is provided, and a vibration sensor is attached to this mechanical amplification device. Micro vibration on the body surface caused by a human biological signal is propagated to the foam bodies, the film, and the three-dimensional knitted material, and membrane vibration is generated in the foam bodies and the film, while string vibration of a fiber is generated in the three-dimensional knitted material. As a result, the biological signal such as heart rate, respiration, atrial and aortic vibrations and the like can be accurately transmitted.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a package, a sensor element that is disposed in the package, and a lid that seals the package. The lid includes a flexible portion that surrounds the vicinity of the sensor element in a plan view.

Abstract: A collision position detection device comprises: a piezoelectric element that generates a voltage by collision; signal detector that detects a signal generated by the collision with the piezoelectric element; and processor that identifies the position of the collision with the piezoelectric element based on the signal detected by the signal detector. The piezoelectric element is a long piezoelectric element comprising a long piezoelectric body, conductors layered on both surfaces of the piezoelectric body, and a covering body that covers the peripheries of the conductors, wherein both of a leading end signal generated from a leading end of the long piezoelectric element and a back end signal generated from a back end of the long piezoelectric element can be detected to identify a collision position. The disposition of the collision position detection device in a windmill blade enables information about a bird colliding with the blade to be detected.

Abstract: A package for a device to be inserted into a solid structure may include a building material that includes particles of one of micrometric and sub-micrometric dimensions. The device may include an integrated detection module having at least one integrated sensor and the package arranged to coat at least one portion of the device including the integrated detection module. A method aspect includes a method of manufacturing the device. A system aspect is for monitoring parameters in a solid structure that includes the device.

Abstract: A touch sensor may include a digital resistive touch (DRT) sensor architecture that is substantially free of air gaps. The DRT touch sensor may include a layer of force-sensitive resistor (FSR) material on an array of row and column electrodes. The electrodes may be formed on a substantially transparent substrate. Near the intersection of each row and column, one or more thin transparent patterned conductive bridges may be situated above the FSR. The conductive bridges may be configured for electrical connection with row and column electrodes when force is applied to the conductive bridge or surface of the touch sensor. Some touch sensors may include both DRT and projected capacitive touch (PCT) functionality.

Abstract: A planar electric circuit board may include a planar support of a foldable material defining a base surface and wings coupled to the base surface along respective folding lines so that the wings, when folded along the folding lines, are erected with respect to the base surface and remain in that position. An auxiliary circuit is on the planar support and may include pairs of capacitive coupling plates defined on the wings and on the base surface, and electric communication lines coupled to corresponding ones of the pairs of capacitive coupling plates.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for generating a linearized pressure sensor pattern for a pressure sensor. Force may be applied to a pressure sensor sample, comprising the pressure sensor without conductors. A patch, comprising an area of contact between a top and bottom surface of the sensor sample, can be measured, which corresponds to the applied force. Patch measurements can be made for respective applied force intervals, resulting in one or more indications of applied force, respectively corresponding to an indication of a patch measurement. The linearized pressure sensor pattern can be generated using the one or more force indications and corresponding patch measurement indications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising at least one sensing capacitor and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensing capacitor indicative of a change of charge of the sensing capacitor, and wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of force applied to the sensing capacitor, an acceleration of the sensing capacitor, a torsion of the sensing capacitor, a vibration of the sensing capacitor or a pulling force applied to the sensing capacitor based on the change of charge of the at least one sensing capacitor.

Abstract: Yield stress is an important indicator of the strength of a component such as a pipe section. A method and apparatus for measuring yield stress of components made from magnetic materials is provided. The magnetic permeability of the material is recorded at multiple stress levels below yield establishing a permeability-stress relationship. The yield stress is then estimated as a function of the recorded permeability-stress relationship. The permeability stress relationship may be non-linear for a range of stress levels, achieving a peak permeability response for a stress below yield. The yield stress may be estimated as a multiple of the stress at which the peak permeability response is recorded.

Abstract: A control system, in particular an aircraft flight control system, having a linkage with a force-transmission link (3), the link having a body (5) having at least one end housing (8) slidably receiving a coupling rod (9) for coupling the link to an adjacent element of the linkage, the housing being closed by an elastically-deformable test member (10) through which the rod passes and that has an inner periphery fastened to the rod and an outer periphery fastened to a wall defining the end housing, and the end housing receiving at least one sensor (11) for sensing relative movement between the rod and the body.

Abstract: A solenoid force measurement system includes: a first plate having an opening for receiving a solenoid; a second plate separated from the first plate by an air-gap; a force detection unit located within the second plate for measuring a force exerted by the solenoid; a height control device coupled to the second plate the height control device configured to adjust the size of the air-gap.

Abstract: A linear hot-electron injection technique is provided for a non-volatile memory arrangement. The non-volatile memory is comprised of: a floating gate transistor; a capacitor with a first terminal electrically coupled to the gate node of the floating gate transistor; a current reference circuit electrically coupled to the source node of the floating gate transistor; and a feedback circuit electrically coupled between the source node of the floating gate transistor and a second terminal of the capacitor. The feedback circuit operates to adjust a voltage at the gate node of the floating gate transistor in accordance with a source-to-drain voltage across the floating gate transistor.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining deformations of a geometric body or for measuring forces or torques acting thereon using force measuring sensors or deformation measuring sensors. A plurality of such sensors are arranged on the geometric body in at least two groups. A first group of sensors registers forces acting on the geometric body or deformations of the geometric body in a first spatial direction with reference to a coordinate system fixed relative to the geometric body. A second group of sensors registers forces acting on the geometric body or deformations thereof in a second spatial direction with reference to the coordinate system fixed relative to the geometric body, which is independent of the first spatial direction. Signal outputs of the sensors are compared to one another for the purpose of registering and evaluating signals and for determining or assessing force components or deformation components acting in different spatial directions.

Abstract: In various aspects, embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to measuring static and dynamic forces of a body using sensors. In particular, a sensor may include a first layer serving as a flexible support material; a second layer on the first layer, the second layer serving as a sensing material; and a third layer on the second layer, the third layer comprising an insulating material. Further, the second layer and the third layer may be coupled using a first electrode comprising a first conductive thread and a first non-conductive thread. Additionally, the first conductive thread may be embedded in the second layer. Also, the first layer and the second layer may be further coupled using a second electrode comprising a second conductive thread and a second non-conductive thread, the second conductive thread may be embedded in the second layer.