Abstract: A method for revealing a light signal error, in particular for railway safety systems, and a device for carrying out the method includes an electronic signal generator, which can be disconnected in a reversible manner in the event of an error, and a control part which is designed for incandescent lamps for controlling and monitoring the signal generator. In order to be able to evaluate the operation of said type of control part with an incandescent lamp interface also when the signal is flashing, it is provided that when the signal generator is activated in the flashing mode, in which no signal voltage is supplied during the flashing intervals, a timer which is connected to a voltage source measures the duration of the pauses between the flashes, and in the event of an error, maintains the disconnection for at least one flashing cycle and signals to the control part.

Abstract: A method performs a scan operation for a single-layer sensor array that includes transmit (TX) electrodes and receive (RX) electrodes. The method includes determining whether to include a signal value for an RX electrode in a computation of a slope parameter value for a TX electrode. The method computes an index sum based on an index of the RX electrode when the signal value for the RX electrode is included in the computation of the slope parameter value for the TX electrode. The method computes a signal sum based on the signal value for the RX electrode when the signal value for the RX electrode is included in the computation of the slope parameter value for the TX electrode. The method then computes the slope parameter value for the TX electrode based on the signal sum and the index sum.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit for detecting degradation of a hose assembly a hose assembly and a hose assembly incorporating such a monitoring circuit are disclosed. The monitoring circuit includes a voltage source connected to a first connection location of a hose assembly. A capacitor is electrically connected between the second connection location connected to the second conductive layer of a hose assembly and a ground. The capacitor is selected such that a change in resistance of the hose assembly changes a voltage carried by the capacitor. The monitoring circuit includes a voltage sampling circuit configured to periodically detect a voltage at the capacitor. Upon detecting a change in the voltage above a predetermined threshold, the voltage sampling circuit generates an alarm indicative of potential failure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a test method and a test apparatus for a transparent display device. The test apparatus for the transparent display device comprises: an optical measuring device disposed on one side of the transparent display device to be tested, and a reference object disposed on the other side of the transparent display device to be tested. A brightness of the transparent display device to be tested is adjustable, and the optical measuring device measures a display effect of the reference object through the transparent display device to be tested which is set to different brightness.

Abstract: A capacitance sense system can include a capacitance sense input configured to receive an input signal that varies according to a sensed capacitance; an integrator/discharge circuit configured to integrate the input signal and discharge the integrated input signal toward the reference level in conversion operations; and a remainder retainer section configured to quantize the discharging of the integrated input signal, and retain any remainder of the integrated input signal that follows a quantization point for a next conversion by the integrator/discharge circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for incorporating presence-sensing technology into furniture is provided. More particularly, the invention relates to detecting presence using a metal, adjustable bed frame. The bed frame is pulsed with a voltage to provide a charge, against which capacitance is measured. A controller determines the corresponding response based on presence detection by the frame. Conductive bushings may also be used to measure capacitance using the bed frame. In further embodiments, capacitance is measured by a foil tape surrounding a perimeter of the adjustable bed. The foil tape has a voltage based on proximity of an object to the tape, and may be embedded with a capacitive wire. A processor receives information regarding changes in capacitance and determines when a change in voltage satisfies a threshold. Based on a determination of presence, or lack of presence, a variety of corresponding features of the adjustable bed may be activated.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and a method of making the same. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit also includes an electrical impedance based gas sensor located on the substrate. The sensor includes first and second electrically conductive sensor electrodes. Each sensor electrode is enclosed in an electrically conductive corrosion protection material. The sensor also includes a gas sensitive material located between the sensor electrodes. The impedance of the gas sensitive material is sensitive to a gas to be sensed.

Abstract: A sensor system for monitoring surroundings on a mechanical component, includes at least one capacitive sensor element that is attachable to the surface of machines or machine parts, the at least one sensor element being constructed from a layered structure of flexible electrically conductive and electrically insulating plies, electrically conductive potential surfaces of one ply being disposed, laterally spaced apart via insulating plies located therebetween, in such a way that electric field lines form between the conductive potential surfaces and change measurably upon proximity and/or contact of a body or an object. The layered structure of a sensor element has at least two measuring elements operating separately from one another.

Abstract: Techniques for three dimensional capacitive sensing are described herein. The techniques include a system including a three dimensional transmitting electrode to emit charge having an electric field. The system may include a three dimensional receiving electrode to receive the charge creating a capacitance between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode.

Abstract: A surge protection circuit, method, computer readable medium, and use, including: at least one first electronic component having a non-linear characteristic, electrically conductively connected between a tapping point, to which a supply potential is appliable, and a node point; at least one second electronic component having a non-linear characteristic, electrically conductively connected between a tapping point, to which a ground potential is appliable, and the node point; a resistor connected between the node point and a control connection; and a monitoring unit to apply a predetermined voltage to the control connection or to output a predetermined current via the control connection and to detect a voltage/potential at the node point in response thereto, the monitoring unit being configured to identify a malfunction in the surge protection circuit when the detected voltage or the detected potential is not related to an expected voltage or expected potential in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: Provided is an electromagnetic interference (EMI) measuring device. The EMI measuring device according to the present invention includes an electromagnetic wave eliminating unit eliminating remaining electromagnetic waves from a DUT in response to an eliminating control signal of the control unit. The control unit may calculate EMI of the DUT on the basis of a measured result measured before the elimination of remaining electromagnetic waves. The EMI measuring device according to the present invention may compensate for an error due to remaining electromagnetic waves and measure EMI at high accuracy.

Abstract: A system and method for incorporating occupancy-detecting technology into furniture is provided. More particularly, the invention relates to detecting occupancy in a recliner using a sinuous wire detection array incorporated into a seat. Further embodiments of the invention are directed to a system and method for incorporating capacitance detection technology with one or more conductive features of a recliner mechanism. In some aspects, a sensor is provided based on coupling one or more conductive features to a control component of the capacitance detector control component. A controller may determine the corresponding response based on occupancy detection and/or presence detection. A processor may receive information regarding changes in capacitance and determines when a change in voltage satisfies a threshold. Based on a determination of occupancy and/or presence, a variety of corresponding features of the adjustable recliner may be activated.

Abstract: A system and method for incorporating occupancy-detecting technology into furniture is provided. More particularly, the invention relates to detecting occupancy in a recliner using a sinuous wire detection array incorporated into a seat. Further embodiments of the invention are directed to a system and method for incorporating capacitance detection technology with one or more conductive features of a recliner mechanism. In some aspects, a sensor is provided based on coupling one or more conductive features to a control component of the capacitance detector control component. A controller may determine the corresponding response based on occupancy detection and/or presence detection. A processor may receive information regarding changes in capacitance and determines when a change in voltage satisfies a threshold. Based on a determination of occupancy and/or presence, a variety of corresponding features of the adjustable recliner may be activated.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for fault detection utilizing a diagnostic procedure by a diagnostic device to detect a short circuit between at least two of a plurality of load electrical connections, the diagnostic procedure comprising applying a test electrical signal to each of the load electrical connections in turn and while applying the test electrical signal to a first one of the load electrical connections, detecting whether an electrical output is present, in response, on any other of the load electrical connections, wherein the detecting by the diagnostic device includes applying the test electrical signal to the first one of the load electrical connections in an operational mode of the apparatus when an electrically controlled switch connected to the first one of the load electrical connections is in an off state.

Abstract: An open-ended waveguide probe including a finite flange extending outwardly and functioning as an infinite flange. A signal source provides a microwave signal to the waveguide, which in turn transmits microwave electromagnetic energy incident upon an object to be tested. The finite flange at the waveguide's aperture is shaped to reduce scattering of the electromagnetic field reflected from the object and received by the aperture. The probe is adapted for coupling to a receiver for sampling the reflected electromagnetic field received by the aperture and the receiver is adapted for coupling to a processor for determining at least one material characteristic of the object based on sampled electromagnetic field reflected from the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing DC arc faults. At least a portion of the method is performed by a controller comprising at least one processor. In one embodiment, the method comprises identifying, based on a first signature of a power converter, an arc fault; determining, based on the first signature, a type of the arc fault; and performing an action on the power converter based on the type of the arc fault.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a dosimeter is employed to passively record a peak pressure (e.g., a peak blast pressure) and/or a maximum acceleration experienced by the dosimeter.

Abstract: A contamination detection apparatus may include an optical element having an outer surface and an other surface opposing the outer surface, a first capacitor plate located on the outer surface at an outer periphery of the optical element, and a second capacitor plate located on the outer surface at the outer periphery of the optical element. The second capacitor plate is located adjacent the first capacitor plate and separated from the first capacitor by a gap to form a capacitor, whereby a contaminant is electrically detected based on the contaminant entering the gap and varying a capacitance value corresponding to the capacitor.

Abstract: A mechanism is described for determining whether or not a ground connection is properly earthed by determining whether or not a potential difference exists between a voltage measuring point and a ground connection. A first capacitor is connected between the ground connection and a first power line and a first duplicating capacitor (having the same capacitance as the first capacitor) is connected between the voltage measuring point and the first power line. If the determining step determines that the potential difference does not exist, then it is determined that the ground connection is not properly earthed.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. An example method of determining a capacitance capability of an electrical lead for an ultrasound device includes discharging stored capacitance of the electrical lead; applying power to the electrical lead; during applying power to the electrical lead, counting clock cycles from a microprocessor; comparing a electrical lead voltage to a reference voltage; stopping counting clock cycles when the electrical lead voltage passes the reference voltage; and processing a number of counted clock cycles, in response to stopping the counting clock cycles to determine a capacitance of the electrical lead.