Abstract: A sensorless position measurement method may be used to determine the position of a solenoid-based actuator which controls some substance. The sensorless position measurement method of the present invention eliminates the need for a dedicated sensor in the actuator device, as well as the associated electrical connections between this sensor and the system controller.

Abstract: A magnetic field detector having a reference magnetoresistive element and a magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element. The reference magnetoresistive element and the magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element each has a stack structure including an antiferromagnetic layer, a fixed layer of a ferromagnetic material with the direction of magnetization fixed by the antiferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a free layer of a ferromagnetic material with the direction of magnetization adapted to be changed by an external magnetic field. The reference magnetoresistive element is such that the direction of magnetization of the fixed layer and the direction of magnetization of the free layer in the nonmagnetic field are parallel or antiparallel to each other, and the magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element is such that the direction of magnetization of the fixed layer and the direction of magnetization of the free layer in the nonmagnetic field are different from each other.

Abstract: A printed circuit board on which are laid out detection windings and an excitation magnetic flux detection winding formed of conductor patterns is disposed so as to be spaced a predetermined gap quantity from a binary cyclic random number sequence code plate which is rotatably disposed. A U-shaped exciting core on which an excitation winding is wound is disposed on the back surface side of the printed circuit board. The detection windings detect and output, as voltage values, reluctance changes as which excitation magnetic fluxes generated from the excitation winding fluctuate between this excitation winding and the concave/convex portion of the binary cyclic random number sequence code plate. Reduction of precision due to interferences between the excitation magnetic fluxes for detecting an absolute code and other excitation magnetic flux is thereby prevented.

Abstract: An imaging device is provided, including a photographing optical system including an image sensor positioned at an imaging position of the photographing optical system, and an image stabilizer which detects vibration applied to the photographing optical system and moves the image sensor in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the photographing optical system to counteract image shake in accordance with a direction and a magnitude of the vibration. The image sensor and a rearmost lens group of the photographing optical system, which is positioned in front of the image sensor, are provided as a movable unit so that the image sensor and the rearmost lens group are integrally moved by the image stabilizer.

Abstract: A shaft assembly, includes an elongated shaft and a flywheel mounted to an end of the shaft. An encoder is mounted to the shaft and includes an annular support ring having a radially inwardly extending portion and an axially extending portion extending from a radially outer end of the radially inwardly extending portion. The radially inwardly extending portion defines a spring section which is compressed between the flywheel and the end of the shaft, and an encoder material is disposed on the axially extending portion of the annular support ring.

Abstract: Angular position detection sensors include a capacitive sensor embodiment and an inductive sensor embodiment. A non-rotating excitation element is electromagnetically coupled to a non-rotating receiver element. The electromagnetic coupling is varied by an electrically passive, rotating element disposed between the non-rotating excitation element and the non-rotating receiver element. Excitation signals applied to the non-rotating excitation element are electromagnetically coupled to the non-rotating receiver element, producing a single output signal directly indicative of the angular position of the rotating element.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor (MS) for sensing a magnetic stray field (SF) generated by magnetizable object (SPB) when magnetized and for generating an electrical object signal (UOB) which depends on the sensed magnetic stray field (SF), comprising a magnetic field generator (WR1, WR2) for generating a magnetic main field (H) for magnetizing the magnetizable object (SPB), and cross-talk reduction means for reducing the effect of a cross talk signal component in the electrical object signal (UOB) caused by magnetic cross-talk between the magnetic main field (H) and the magnetic stray field (SF), wherein the cross-talk reduction means is arranged for distinguishing a signal property between the cross-talk signal component and the remaining part of the electrical object signal (UOB) and for generating an electrical output signal (Uo).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device such as mobile terminal devices with a photographing function, and in the case where a photographing target is a person, enhances its function for protecting the photographing target from being photographed without consent by such as spy shots.

Abstract: A method and device for field detection are provided, in which one or more gradiometers (31, 32, 33) are positioned in the field and rotated about their axes. Rotation of a single gradiometer allows an output signal of the gradiometer to be analyzed in the Fourier domain, which allows particular field components to be obtained, and also separates the field signal from noise, in the frequency domain. Use of three such rotating gradiometers with non-parallel axes allows a complete magnetic field gradient tensor to be obtained with data redundancy, and can reduce crosstalk.

Abstract: In the present invention, a plurality of first units capable of accommodating the substrate and a second unit are provided, in which a substrate is carried between the first unit and the second unit. The first units and the second unit are arranged side by side in a plan view, and at least one of the plurality of the first units is a processing unit for performing processing for the substrate. The plurality of first units are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction, and at least two first units adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction of the plurality of first units are movable in the horizontal direction to be able to transfer the substrate to/from the second unit. According to the present invention, the substrate processing system including a plurality of units flexibly deals with various substrate processing recipes and reduces the processing time difference among substrates and the carriage waiting time of the substrate.

Abstract: An encoder 12 changing a characteristic thereof alternately and at equal intervals with respect to circumferential direction is supported by and fixed to the hub 4 concentrically. A detecting portion of a sensor 13 supported by the outer ring 3 is closely opposed to a detected face of the encoder 12. Width dimensions of first, second detecting portions provided at the detected face are changed continuously with respect to direction of operating a load to be detected. In accordance with a change of the load, a pattern of changing an output signal of the sensor 13 is changed. Thus, the load is calculated by observing the pattern. By performing filtering process on a signal expressing the change in the pattern, a variation based on the mounting error or the like is removed.

Abstract: A device and methods for using the device, that permit the rapid and accurate inspection of aircraft wing attachment fittings, including those wing to fuselage attachments modified according to a Structural Life Extension Program (SLEP). Such aircraft life extension programs often result in the placement of fitting stack-up components that tend to challenge the ability of standard inspection sensors and techniques to achieve accurate readings. A specially designed, contact compliant, Electric Current Perturbation (ECP) probe is used. The ECP probe positions a receive coil in conjunction with a drive coil (and its ferrite core) in a manner that minimizes steel interferences in the inspection area. The ECP probe works with conventional eddy current instrumentation with an index scanner to allow for flaw location within a particular stack-up layer and/or within the area around the attachment aperture.

Abstract: A method of magnetizing a ring-shaped to-be-detected member of a rotation sensor unit, using a magnetizing yoke assembly of a structure having a pair of yoke arms having respective end faces curved arcuately with a space left between those end faces, the method including positioning the to-be-detected member with a ring center thereof aligned with an imaginary line connecting between respective centers of curvature of the curved end faces of the yoke arms, fixing the to-be-detected member with opposite sides of the to-be-detected member spaced an equal distance from the adjacent free end faces and magnetizing the to-be-detected member.

Abstract: The object recognition apparatus has an active range finder having a floodlight unit which floodlights a light onto a target object, and determines a distance up to a target object on the basis of a reflected light therefrom, a stereo camera to determine a distance up to the target object on the basis of image information from the target object, an object recognition unit which recognizes the target object on the basis of an output signal from the active range finder and an output signal from the stereo camera, and a fill light control unit which controls the floodlight unit to operate so as to irradiate a light floodlit by the floodlight unit as a fill light of the stereo camera.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive layer system, in an environment of a magnetoresistive layer stack that works particularly on the basis of the GMR effect or the AMR effect, a layer array being provided which generates a magnetic field which acts upon the magnetoresistive layer stack, and the layer array having at least one hard magnetic layer and at least one soft magnetic layer. Furthermore, a sensor element, particularly for the detection of magnetic fields with respect to their strength and/or direction, having such a layer system.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a mechanical shutter in addition to a mechanical diaphragm. The optical apparatus obtains a shutter shifting amount based on acceleration data of the shutter, obtains a total light exposure in a period of time required for the shutter to completely close an aperture of the diaphragm having a predetermined F-number, and calculates an actual exposure time by dividing the total light exposure by a light exposure per unit time calculated from an aperture area of the diaphragm having the predetermined F-number in an opened state.

Abstract: An inductive sensor includes an inductor comprising conductive loops and at least one hinge mechanically coupling the loops. Operation of the hinge changes the position of the loops and causes a change in the inductance of the sensor. A sensor material may be oriented with respect to the loops so that a dimensional change of the sensor material operates the hinge and causes the change in the position of the loops.

Abstract: A human-portable utility locator system for locating and tracing a buried utility line characterized by an electromagnetic field emission. The locator may include a horizontal spaced sensor pair for detecting the horizontal field asymmetry of the emitted field in one or more independent frequency bands, which is employed to assist in determining an accurate “virtual depth” measurement for producing detection events. An event detector may be disposed to detect events corresponding to extremum in the B-field gradient with respect to time and a user interface (UI) coupled to the event detector signals the detected event to a user. In a preferred embodiment, one pair of spaced-apart 3D magnetic sensor arrays is disposed substantially orthogonal to another intermediate spaced-apart pair of sensors.

Abstract: An angle detection apparatus includes a rotation member including at least one north magnetic polar region and at least one south magnetic polar region alternately arranged around a rotation center, a magnetic field detecting portion having a magnetic plate and detecting elements detecting magnitudes of magnetic components in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic plate, and a computing unit determining a rotation angle of the rotation member, wherein the magnetic field detecting portion is disposed so that the magnetic plate is oriented perpendicular to a first direction, where magnetic field intensity is at its maximum, and the magnetic field detecting portion detects the magnitudes of the magnetic components in the first direction and a second direction corresponding to a direction that the north and south magnetic polar regions are circumferentially arranged.

Abstract: A formation evaluation system for a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The formation evaluation system is provided with a downhole tool and a sensor. The downhole tool is positionable in the wellbore. The downhole tool has a downhole electromagnetic unit for communication with a surface electromagnetic unit. The sensor determines at least one wellsite parameter from the electromagnetic signal. The downhole tool and the surface electromagnetic unit are adapted to pass electromagnetic signals there between. The electromagnetic signals pass through the subterranean formation whereby the senor determines the at least one wellsite parameter from the electromagnetic signal.